I found this description on the First Ave page which speaks about his new album Azel, "Fans of Bombino and Tuareg music in general will notice a few remarkable innovations on this album. The first is the introduction of a new style Bombino is pioneering what he affectionately calls ‘Tuareggae’ – a sunny blend of Tuareg blues/rock with reggae one-drop and bounce.

Another is the first-ever use of Western vocal harmonies in recorded Tuareg music, (due to Longstreth’s influence) which give the songs new depth and color. Finally, the band behind him is tighter and more energetic than ever before. The result is Bombino's best, most well-rounded, and groundbreaking album to date: Azel." I highly suggest you give it a listen. You will not be disappointed.

A Sound in Motion production...

Over the next week or so there is a ton of great music hitting Minneapolis/St. Paul...  Check out this line-up.

Wednesday 1/29



Dark Star Orchestra @ First Avenue
Doors at 7:00
18+
$25.00
Get Tickets Here





Friday 1/31           

Galactic @ First Avenue
Doors at 8:00
18+
$25 Advance / $27 Door
Get Tickets Here



Saturday 2/1


Emancipator Ensemble @ Mill City Nights
Doors at 9:00
18+
$18
Get Tickets Here





Tuesday 2/4

Trey Anastasio Band @ First Avenue
Doors at 6:30
18+
$39.50 (Sold Out)
Available as low as $70 on Stub Hub

Trampled By Turtles played three sold out shows at the famous night club, First Avenue, in downtown Minneapolis. The shows ran April 17,18 and 19th and from all accounts were incredible.We made it to one of the shows and was arguably the best TBT show we have ever been to. They have a limited run of picture books that document the night in spectacular fashion as well as LP or CD/DVD combo. They have multiple packages for a very reasonable price, so don't be afraid to give a little TBT for Christmas. I know I will.

After a number of years of close partnership, with several shows a month being booked and promoted by the legendary Minneapolis club, the owners of First Avenue have come to an agreement and the Turf Club will be under their management as of October 15th.  The long-time St. Paul music staple hosting acts of all sorts, and voted "Best Country Music Venue" by City Pages, will see upgrades but keep the club's vibe.

Let us hear your thoughts...  Is this a good thing for the Turf?  What do you think?


Here is First Avenue's official release:

First Avenue is excited to announce we have entered into a purchase agreement with the Turf Club and will take over as acting managers of the St. Paul, MN venue on October 15, 2013. 

As a venue with our own rich and distinct history, we recognize the importance of embracing and maintaining what makes the Turf Club a gem of the Twin Cities. While we plan to keep the charm of the club, we will also be investing significantly in improvements to the venue. And don't worry; we love the Clown Lounge as much as you do - it's not going anywhere. 

"I'm really excited to see the next era of the Turf Club with the team coming in from First Avenue. While I am looking forward to some new investment, I'm confident it will carry on the tradition of the Saint Paul Music Club started by Rob and Leah Rule that made it such a treasure" said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. 

"After eight years of owning and operating this club I wouldn't just hand it off to any buyers. I've worked closely with First Ave over the years and have seen firsthand what they're capable of," said current Turf Club owner, Tom Scanlon. "I haven't flinched in entrusting the club to First Avenue and I'm excited to see its continued success. " 

Building on our 13 years of successful booking and promoting of shows at the Turf Club, we're excited to continue to bring emerging national bands and favorite local acts to St. Paul. "Whether promoting or enjoying a show, I have spent countless nights at the Turf Club and could not be more excited about this new venture," said Nate Kranz, General Manager of First Avenue. 

To celebrate 10 years of TBT, the band booked 3 shows at First Avenue in April of this year.  All 3 sold out in a matter of hours.  To commemorate the events, TBT is releasing their first "Live" album, "Live at First Avenue" on November 12th.  Available in CD/DVD, LP/DVD or MP3 formats, and loaded with extras, this is one of those releases you simply NEED to add to your collection.  Like any good band, TBT's live shows are something altogether grander than a studio produced album.   Add to that their own love of the venue and playing in front of a hometown (ok, home state) audience, and you have a recipe for greatness.  We were at one of the 3 shows and it was arguably the best TBT show I have seen.  Plus, they are out just in time for Holiday shopping.  Nothing like a little TBT under the tree...

Last night, Samuel Bean better know as Iron & Wine took the stage to a capacity crowd at First Avenue in Minneapolis.  The show had been listed as "Sold Out" for weeks, but upon arrival at the doors tickets were still available, but obviously not very many.  As a fan of Iron & Wine from a few years back, I had envisioned Bean on stage with his acoustic guitar and that was about it.  Memories of "Such Great Heights" and its simplicity are what had me hooked on his brand of melodic sound.  As Iron & Wine took the stage it was glaringly obvious that things had changed, as a dozen people and instruments found their spots and set up shop.


They made the switch from big band to Bean solo a few times, creating a rising and falling tempo to the show.  While solo on stage, the room seemed to shrink.  As fans shouted requests from the floor Bean would respond directly to them.  When a robust "Boy with a Coin" came from the audience Bean's retort had the whole place laughing...  He said "I have played this song for every show for the last fucking seven years. If you eat the same fucking meal for the same seven years, it's time to try something else."   

To finish off the evening, Bean returned to the stage for a one song encore, the emotional and quintessential Iron & Wine track "Love Vigilantes".  Bean stood in front of the microphone and said "I'm gonna do one more then send you on your way"...



While we enjoyed the musical stylings of Iron and Wine, just across First Avenue legions of 50-somethings sat inside Target Center suffering through The Eagles.  One of the many requests shouted at the stage was "Hotel California", to which Bean replied, "Just lean your head out the window"... Thankfully, Iron & Wine ended about 20 minutes before The Eagles, allowing most of the crowd to avoid the walking sea of baby boomers.  

In whole, it was a great show.  If I had to come up with a complaint it was that when accompanied by the full band, Bean's vocals were at times drowned out.  The big band sound was a welcomed surprise, but if the sacrifice was to override Bean's melodic voice, it wasn't worth it in my opinion. 

Setlist

The Desert Babbler
Carousel
Kingdom of the Animals
Tree By the River
The Trapeze Swinger
Sixteen Maybe Less
Belated Promise Ring
Baby Center Stage
Monkeys Uptown
Such Great Heights
Boy With a Coin
Upward Over the Mountain
Resurrection Fern
Waves of Galveston
Caught in the Briars
Sundown (Back in the Briars)
Jezebel
Grace For Saints and Ramblers
Low Light Buddy of Mine
Your Fake Name Is Good Enough For Me

Encore
Love Vigilantes

4 on the Floor has been on my "Super Short List" of bands to see for I can't even tell you how long.  It seemed like every time they played in or around the Twin Cities, something inevitably got in the way.  Well, my waiting finally came to an end last Saturday night at First Ave.

Among the top thrash albums of all time firmly sits Anthrax’s Among the Living; the album that is the band's focus on this spring’s Metal Alliance tour. Performing the album for the first time in its entirety, the guys in Anthrax don’t show their age at all.  When I first picked up Among the Living in 1989, critics raved about the energy the Rolling Stones had on their Steel Wheels tour (Jaggar was 45 in 1989). Now, 20-some years later, Scott Ian has surpassed the age of the Jaggar of  ’89, and the Thrash Masters’energy hasn't waned.  This is the new standard of Rock and Roll stamina!


Bassist Frank Bello is the under-appreciated hype man of Anthrax – he’s constantly running from one side of the stage to the other, stopping only to encourage the crowd to have as much fun as he’s having.  The show was phenomenal – unfortunately the crowd started out somewhat subdued. A fact not lost on Joey Belladonna early in the set when he was trying to get them to chat ‘I….Am….The…Law`.  Referring to the crowd as ‘too stoned’ to keep up, it took him three tries to get the audience on the same page.


The performance of the album was broken up into side 1 and side 2 – kudos to Anthrax for making their own rules; however, I’m conflicted with this approach. Side 1 ends with Skeletons in the Closet, while side 2 begins with Indians – this has the potential for a non-stop assault. Instead, Anthrax approached this as an opportunity to promote its latest EP (Anthems) as well as its last LP (Worship Music) by breaking up these two sides.  As I said, I’m conflicted.  I've seen other performers do entire albums (Primus, Roger Waters, Dream Theater) and I love that Anthrax did it on their own terms by breaking up the album and inserting new material, especially since Anthems was released a mere 2 weeks ago.  But the crowd seemed confused and lost when Indians wasn't played immediately following Skeletons.


The ‘intermission’ contained Worship Music’s  In the End, a tribute to Pantera’s Dimebag Darrel and the late metal icon Ronnie James Dio with banners of each of these performers hung over the amps – a very tasteful tribute to the bands friends and heroes.  Bands should promote new albums, so performing ‘TNT’ (an AC/DC cover) off of Anthems was a smart business move.  The fact that Indians is the first track on the second side really did bring the band and crowd back together.  As expected, the WarDance did not disappoint – Scott Ian addressed the crowd after the song stating that typically, if the crowd isn't into it, the band has no problem stopping the song until everyone is "having as much fun as we are and we didn't stop you" – good job Minneapolis.


The encore kept the fun going with I’m The Man and Antisocial, with admitted Vikings super fan, Joey, performing in a Favre Vikings jersey. Metal and its followers are not gone and Anthrax is more than happy to be there to remind us!