Caution: Jamie McLean Band May Be Habit Forming

by Louise Uznanski, Richard Uznanski, Holley Dey

Remember the rush of excitement when a relationship is brand new, the connection warm and immediate?  It’s only when time has passed that the basis for that initial attraction becomes clear.  Then the first date may be followed by many more.  The temporary job may become a career.  The single song download may suddenly become a live concert, then a series of concerts with no end in sight.  I know.  It has happened to me.

Taylor Hicks Walks the Line at Avalon Theatre

by Richard Uznanski, Louise Uznanski, Holley Dey

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” explained Taylor from the stage.  “It’s a song we do often, and do well.”  Before launching into the band’s cover of “Gonna Move”, he paused to note that “ain’t” is southern for ”isn’t”, and then wondered aloud which word he should use.  Does the Avalon Theatre lie north or south of the Mason-Dixon Line?

Alfred James Band ~ Cello-driven acoustic rock twists classical pop.

by Louise Uznanski; photography by Richard Uznanski and Louise Uznanski

Alfred James Band at the Kimmel Center

Needing a photo op like a chocolate addict needs a bag of M & M’s, I scoured the internet and newspapers for something new to fill the memory cards.  It was a cool March night in 2010, and this photographer/music fan had been assigned to find a venue within a short car ride from home.  ’Hmmm.  This sounds like it could be interesting.’  I’d found a new name and a different kind of entertainment on the internet.  The Alfred James Band seemed just the ticket for a unique night of music and possible photo ops.  Classically trained, the Band boasted the only live performance use of a 5 string carbon fiber electric cello in the world.

Carolina Chocolate Drops Drop an Invigorating Set at Infinity Hall

Review: Carolina Chocolate Drops at Infinity Music Hall, March 7, 2012

Did you know that the sugar should be added before the tea is brewed, not after it’s poured into a tall glass of ice? That’s the southern way, and just one of the lessons learned from North Carolina native and country girl Rhiannon Giddens, co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Album Review: Ellis Paul, “The Hero in You”

It has been nearly a year since I watched Ellis Paul perform at Wilde Auditorium.   During a brief intermission his eyes scanned the audience, settling on a family of four that included two young sons.  Ellis offered to perform a song from his 2008 award winning family album, Dragonfly Races.  ”Oh no,” said the mother, “they like the real stuff.”  There was a gentle indignation in his voice as Paul replied, “My children’s songs are the real stuff.”