David Casey | The Reckoning Begins
Eleven originals by Helena's David Casey, known from his Watercarver's Guild days, builds on his reputation as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. Playing no less than 14 instruments (my math could be wrong – at any rate, there's a bunch!), he covers a lot of musical styles.
Former bandmate and Decemberists' front man Colin Meloy gives a nod to the "bouzouki madness" on the recording. Indeed, the Irish octave mandolin, its other name, does play a prominent part in most of the tunes here.
Accompanied by other talented Caseys (his wife Deidre, brother Nathan, and Nathan’s wife, Laura), and other guests, he manages a full slate of tunes in various styles.
The album begins with Casey asking questions of the universe in the folky, moody "The Reckoning." The whole album deals with both the positive and negative sides of that concept.
The hopeful "Love Comes Surely" has a cool bluesy sensibility and nice three-part harmony reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. "Hasn't it Been Good" is a tender… Read more
Violinists bring “dueling fiddles” to Bozeman and Missoula
Two of the most respected Baroque violinists of the Pacific Northwest will duel it out in special house concerts in Bozeman on Friday, May 11, and in Missoula on Saturday, May 12. Adam LaMotte and Greg Ewer, both of Portland, Ore., present a program titled “Dueling Fiddles.” The performances benefit the Montana Baroque Music Festival, held in July at Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort in Paradise. Read more
Road Warriors: The show must go on, come hell or high water
All performers have heard the old adage, “The show must go on!” But has anyone ever seen it written down as a requirement or actually tried to live their lives that way? Well, I have. As a musician traveling across Montana and the Rocky Mountain states for the past 38 years, I think about it on every gig I play, and every musician I know lives it too. Read more
Wylie and the Wild West | Rocketbuster
A pal from the office says listening to Wylie makes her drive too fast. Indeed, Wylie Gustafson, Montana cowpoke and prolific songwriter, master yodeler and performer, guarantees it. A quote from his new CD reads, "Caution! This album may cause speeding tickets." That's because it's jammed full of new, mostly Wylie originals in a kick-ass rockabilly style. Read more
Women in rock: Drivin’ that train
For a moment, I’m in a familiar dream. Big beautiful buses line up behind the stage. The guys in the band horse around in our very own green room. A burly tattooed roadie handles my amp with ease. Standing onstage about to start, I awake to the realization that if I make one mistake, it will be blasted with thousands of watts of power at the fans waiting in the heat to see the Doobie Brothers. Read more
Jeff Troxel and Trevor Krieger | Spirit of Our Time
Two fellows who grew up across the border from each other have released an album of folk-styled tunes replete with terrific musicianship. Singer and guitarist Jeff Troxel hails from Wyoming, and fiddle player Trevor Krieger lives in Billings. Both bear sterling music credentials. Read more
MPAC: The grand union in Fort Benton
When you read this it will be over. But at this writing it is about to happen. One of Montana’s most prized jewels, for reasons unknown, flies under the radar of most Montana musical-entertainment packages and I’m about to talk about it in public. The jewel is MPAC – the Montana Performing Arts Consortium Booking Conference and Showcase, held mid-winter every year in towns across the state. Read more