More of what’s going around:
-Moogfest review: Yet another, this one by popmatters.com.
-Pedestrian dies: Asheville City Councilman Gordon Smith tweets (and the Citizen-Times reports) that the pedestrian hit recently by a city bus has died. It’s the latest in a string of incidents involving city buses that has called into question the system’s management. More to follow.
Snomg!: Yes, it snowed a little Friday night/early Saturday. Around Asheville, it was gone by 10 a.m., but it seems early for us to start seeing snowflakes.
-Dehlia Low: Dehlia Low, one of Asheville’s top bands imho, held a great CD release party Friday night at the Get Down in West Asheville. Dehlia Low goes way back with bar co-owner Frank Merenda, and they got together for the release of Dehlia Low’s new album. It was recorded live at several venues around the southeast.
The band, tighter than ever and sounding better than ever, also debuted several tunes that I can’t wait to hear again. Pick up the record, and catch these guys when you can.
-RIP Sparky Anderson: The Hall of Fame major league baseball manager had a stint in Asheville during his early days.
-Asheville City Council preview: Asheville City Council meets on Tuesday, and there are a couple of interesting items up for discussion. One is a continued discussion of the city’s rules regulating cell towers. The other is an update on the construction of the new community center on Living Street, the one that will eventually replace the Reid Center. Click here to see the agenda and read background material.
-Happy anniversary: The DeSoto Lounge celebrated its one-year on Thursday. And Craggie Brewing is getting ready to celebrate its one-year. Great!
-Give G Love a listen: Blurt Magazine has a report on the new G Love joint recorded here in Asheville at Echo Mountain and produced by the Avett Brothers. I also attended this listening party, held during Moogfest, and can only concur with Blurt. They tell it better than I can:
One unexpected highlight for BLURT of last weekend’s MoogFest was having a chance to hear the new G. Love album in its entirety at an afternoon party on Saturday. Titled Fixin’ To Die, it’s set for release on February 22nd on Brushfire Records; it was recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC, and produced by The Avett Brothers.
The result is a collection of G. Love originals, rearranged traditionals, and an unexpected cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” the latter done up like a roots-blues nugget. The idea was to strip away all pretence and capture the original spirit and sound G. Love has cultivated over his entire career but never fully embraced until now. From the ragged jangle of its opener “Milk & Sugar” and floorboard stomp of Bukka White’s “Fixin’ To Die,” over the loping lilt of “Home” and longing for “Katie Miss,” through the greasy fried “Get Goin'” and moonshine reverb of “Heaven,” it’s an eye- and ear-opening record. Period.
-Thanksgiving eats: Want to go out to eat on Thanksgiving? Here’s a running list of Asheville restaurants open on Turkey Day.
–127 Hours: I’m certain Asheville’s outdoorsy types – and they are legion – will be flocking to see the new Danny Boyle flick 127 Hours, which tells the harrowing story of a 27-year-old hiker who in 2003 fell and was trapped in a narrow slot in Blue John Canyon in Utah, his right arm wedged against the rock wall by a boulder. The hiker, Aaron Ralston, faced an existential crisis and a practical issue, reports the New York Times in its review of the film.
As all roads lead to Asheville, the movie also has a local connection. James Franco, who plays Ralston in the movie, has been studying the past couple of years at Warren Wilson College’s well regarded master’s writing course, and has been spotted around town quite a bit. Check it.
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You're the best. Thanks again!!!!