Two thousand and five was a lively year for music in our town, with CD sales down again, live music taking place at the theater level while struggling in the clubs, and being in a band, at least around here, seeming to be as much about music as about fame. One rock band that has been equal parts music and fame for more than 40 years provided the focal point of 2005 at Scott Stadium in October. The Rolling Stones survived Brian Jones, Allen Klein, Altamont, heroin, disco, punk, Jerry Hall and Rich Palermo to show that being the last band standing does not mean they are any less vital. Many locals got to see a true legend for the first and last time.
We had more than our share of excellent national shows this year: Consider Freakwater at the Gravity Lounge, Sharon Jones at the Satellite Ballroom, Dwight Yoakam and the Pixies at the Pavilion. But my vote for best show of the year is the hands down choice of Neko Case and The Sadies at Starr Hill last February. The Sadies played a great set of psychedelic rockabilly, but when they took the stage together, there was such a like-minded fit, with their slow, moody frame for her matchless voice. Case is the goddess of the gangs, with a huge vocal talent and exceptional songwriting. She’s the woman who men leave their wives for, only to find themselves spit back out an hour later.
Locally, I always enjoyed shows by American Dumpster , The Hamiltons and the X-Porn Stars. Paul Curreri’s electric show was a blast. But one of the big surprise bands was Big Bob and the Nightcaps, who played punk rock straight out of 1979. Their songs were smart and dumb. The musicians sounded great, as did the feedback between tunes, and the whole band had a great sense of musical intuition. Soul Sledge was big on the scene, and Navel got to tour with their idols, King’s X.
What about those bands right under the radar: Soul Canoe plays fine music with their delicious harmonies and beautiful guitar playing. Andy Waldeck’s C-villians are all pros. George Melvin always rolls out a smoking quartet.
Studios recorded lots of music. Rod Coles put Sarah White’s music to tape in Esmont. Sandalwood made Robin Wynn and Doug Schneider eternal. Monkeyclaws studio got lots of raves. Paul and Lyn Brier sold the oldest studio in town, Virginia Studio Arts, to UVA grad Chris Dourmann, and the Briers plan to become Mexican residents this summer. Kevin McNoldy at Crystalphonic also blew town for Florida and left a mysterious goodbye note. Jeff Romano’s Greenwood Studio might be the busiest that I’ve seen.
New CDs this year included Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees’ fine debut of honky tonk, Las Gitanas blender full of East European and old-time music (you can’t beat Mischa Hood singing in Serbian), King Wilkie’s Tierra Del Fuego EP, Corey Harris’ new CD with Morwenna Lasko, and the wild Rah Brahs all on record. Lauren Hoffman jumped back into the fray with a new recording. Bob Girard shows that he cannot and should not stop making music, with a new CD out, one in the can, and a new band, Gasp.
After six years, The Hackensaw Boys, who released their fifth CD, Love What You Do, are understanding the joy and the frustration of trying to get the band to that next level: constant touring, no money and Jimmy Stelling’s website. The boys sure sounded good talking to NPR’s Scott Simon. Naked Puritans’ Lance Brenner traded in pure pop joy to play in The Falsies in a chicken suit with a lead singer in drag. Is this some sort of admission? However, many musicians in town, who play very regular gigs, Chris Leva, Mike Rosensky and Jeff Decker, Matthew Willner, Travis Elliott, et al, show that you can really be in it for the music. Jamie Dyer’s cross- country trip led him right back to the place of ultimate happiness, Escafé on a Sunday night.
As clubs go, Mike Lane finally sold his stake in the Outback Lodge, and a lot of bands seem happier to go in there again. The new owners are giving live music the college try, as Goth and metal bands seem to gain popularity. Starr Hill and Brian Allenby parted ways, and rumor is that Starr Hill was trolling for a new location to perk up their business, including a look at the Jefferson Theater. For now they seem ready to stay put with new managers and more local bands. Coran Capshaw became part owner of the Satellite Ballroom, and hopefully for such a great room, that will mean more stability. Fellini’s has been one of the most generous clubs to musicians in town. Future venues include Belmont’s Sax, which will host blues and jazz, and Cardinal Café in Scottsville.
Do UVA kids even go listen to live music like they used to? Any band playing on the Corner (and that includes true music lover Benny Dodd, who has played Coupe’s every Wednesday night for going on 20 years) can describe the total lack of audience interest, though the bar is packed, until that last song when the kids start yelling for “Rocky Top.” Or the unbelievable sale of Ipods, which means that digitally delivered tunes can be listened to in the isolation of earbuds. As I am writing, Crutchfield is sold out of Ipods for the year. The digital revolution is how the record business killed itself. Karaoke is an “art form.”
The big addition to the Charlottesville music scene was, of course, the Pavilion. Loved by some and reviled by others, the Pavilion seems a sure sign that the old Charlottesville of my memory, Sunday afternoons biking on empty streets, drinking Guinness at Miller’s on Saturday nights and knowing half of the customers, or even stopping in the Corner parking lot to get a buzz cut from True Love Always’ John Lindaman, is long gone. For all the great music happening, the new Charlottesville seems more like a place of out-of-town money, hip, trust fund kids high-fiving each other at Blue Light, Hummers and a City Council whose sole reality is an expanding bottom line.
Arrivaderci, Paradiso. Hello, Hollymead.