Upcoming Shows You Should Go See in Des Moines

Hey everybody its hump day and I can't wait for the weekend like most people. Going off of yesterday's post I thought it would be wise to post some upcoming shows in Des Moines that people should go see to support their local music and local venues. So here are my top five upcoming shows you should go see.

5)Gimikk- This Friday at the House of Bricks in Des Moines, 9 pm.

Now I haven't had the privilege of seeing these guys live in person yet but I've heard great reviews and if their latest CD "Travel My Direction" is any indication, this is a great local band you cannot miss. Now the show is 21 and over so that may keep some away but in the future if you hear these guys are playing then you should definitely check them out. I know I will.

4)Ryan Bingham- March 6th, Vaudeville Mews, 6 pm.

This show is a little ways off but that should give you plenty of time to set time aside now. Ryan Bingham is one talented artist who has skirted under the radar of many because he is not totally mainstream. But for those who wonder who he is have you scene the movie Crazy Heart that came out last year with Jeff Bridges? Well the hit song Weary Kind was written and performed by Bingham. This is one artist that you have to see for yourself so set aside time on March 6th to go see him.

3)Jonny Lang w/ The Bob Pace Band & MINT- March 25th, 7 Flags Event Center, 8 pm.

This is another show that is on the distant future but sure to be a good one. Tickets are a little high at $30 but you get to see local guitar sensation Bob Pace along with headliner Jonny Lang. Lang is a very great guitar player and musician that many people would love if they have not heard him already. This is one show that fans of guitar would definitely die for.

2)The Nadas 2nd Annual February Des Moines Residency at Vaudeville Mews- Starts February 2nd, 6 pm.

The Nadas will have a month long stay at the Vaudeville Mews starting February 2nd and going every Wednesday until February 23rd. That gives you four chances to see one of Iowa's most well known acts. The Nadas are a very interesting sounding group and the music is truly great to listen to. The shows are all ages and $10 to get in. If you are looking for a treat on a Wednesday night in February then go check out The Nadas, you won't be disappointed.

1)Devon Allman and the Honeytribe at All Play in Des Moines, February 11th at 9 pm.

This band is outstanding featuring the son of Gregg Allman of Allman Borthers fame on guitar and vocals. The band's latest CD Space Age Blues is currently out and is definitely a good listen. This is one artist who I was sad I missed last time he was in Des Moines but not this time. At $10 a ticket you can't go wrong listening to a great blues/rock band like this. Make sure to check them out when they roll through town!

Well that's my top five upcoming shows to go see. Obviously however there are many other great shows and venues to check out in Des Moines so make sure to go out and support your local music scene fellow Iowans.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS

Stevie Ray Vaughan: Never Another Like Him

Hey everybody I'm back for my third week of blogging on Music Reviews by a Musician and I've decided to start off the week with something special to me.



Stevie Ray Vaughan

Last Friday I talked about what makes a guitarist special and I mentioned one in particular; Stevie Ray Vaughan. The reason I focused on SRV for Friday's blog is because he is my first and truly number one inspiration for my guitar playing. Stevie Ray Vaughan is a very special guitarist in many, many ways. His tone, phrasing, stage presence, soul, and heart poured through every song he played and made him the soul reason in my opinion that blues music became popular again in the 1980's.

From his debut album "Texas Flood" until his untimely death in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990 in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin; SRV completely turned the world of guitar and blues music on its ear and made people stop and listen to his music when they heard it.

His fiery Texas style guitar playing combined with elements of R&B, jazz, early blues pioneers, and influence from other artists like T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Lightning Hopkins, and most notably Jimi Hendrix on top of countless others became a centerpiece for a remarkable career.

From early hits on songs like Pride and Joy, Texas Flood, Voodoo Chile, and Love Struck Baby to later hits such as Couldn't Stand the Weather, Crossfire, Tightrope, and The House is Rockin, SRV turned on a whole new generation of guitar players to the blues. And his effect is still being felt today some 20 years after his death.

Countless young artists are doing their best to pick up where SRV left off after his passing and keep the blues alive. Guys like Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tyler Bryant, Jonny Lang, and even John Mayer all have elements of SRV's playing infused into their playing styles and they are all doing their part to keep alive a type of music that is slowly dying away amidst the mainstream music today.

But even then no matter how hard these guys try there is no way to duplicate or match what SRV did and still does today. He was a phenomenal talent that will never, ever be matched in my opinion. He is simply an amazing talent and the odds of someone like him coming along in the future are very small. If I were a betting man I would not put money on that. That is why I feel that there will never be another like him.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,

JAS

Image coutesy of Joe Bielawa, Creative Commons/Flickr