Alanf’s blog…
Scattered thoughts

Monday, January 17, 2005

Why you should see Spearhead…

Author: site admin
Category: Music

We went and saw Michael Franti and Spearhead on Saturday night and had a great time. They have morphed their show from a funk/soul/hip-hop vibe into a more rock driven performance, which has taken some of my enthusiasm away, but they still put out an amazing energy with some of the best socially conscious lyrics being written.

Michael Franti of Spearhead

Michael Franti, the lead singer and inspirational force behind Spearhead, is an ex-college basketball player, a long time musician and social rights activist. He has melded all this together into a band which is continually changing but always speaks loud and clear about the issues of today, whether those are the prison system, the wars around the world, the death penalty, AIDS, world hunger, etc. He is particularly critical of our current government and the war in Iraq, both issues which I endear me to his music all the more.

A Spearhead show is a blast of energy, unlike any other concert I’ve ever been to. Their music, whether it be soul or funk or hip-hop or rock or any other label, has the crowd moving. Franti is jumping and leaping from the moment he hits the stage which is infectious. Watching a Spearhead show from the back of the venue is like watching a sea of humans with everyone in constant and frantic motion.

The band gives you music to enjoy, energy to dance to and a message to contemplate. All excellent reasons to catch one of their shows.

[image from Glastonbury Festival 2004 web page]

Monday, December 6, 2004

Why you should go see Cosy Sheridan…

Author: site admin
Category: Music

As a lot of folks already know I’m an avid fan of nearly any kind of music. The best way I’ve found to hear live music is at a house concert, where someone invites a musician to come perform in their living room. The singer-songwriter/folk scene is exploding with house concerts right now and I have a few friends here in Colorado that host them.

Last night Jonna and I went to hear Cosy Sheridan at our friends Greg and Debbie Ching’s house (the Aspen Meadows House Concert Series). I’ve seen Cosy plenty of times over the past ten years and this show was as good as any past performance.

Cosy Promo shot

Cosy is an amazing lyricist and performer. Her songs range from gut-wrenching to hysterical. One of her concerts is like an emotional roller coaster. One minute you’re laughing uncontrollably, the next you are in stunned silence. She understands how to share intimate, heart-rending truths, then change the mood to something light and humorous, crafting the concert into something memorable, cathartic and enjoyable. (In addition to her concerts, she also has a one woman play, part narrative part song, called “The Pomegranate Seed” which is incredible.)

If you are really lucky, you may get to see her perform with her partner T.R. Ritchie who is another equally impressive singer-songwriter, as they sometimes tour together.

There are a lot of house concerts in the Colorado area but that is just part of a national trend. If you’re interested in catching one it shouldn’t be hard to find one in nearly any part of the country.

[image from Cosy Sheridan web site]