Flanfire

Matt Williams, Mark Ambrose, and the inimitable Jackson (plus Richard and Lynette Parks) serenaded a bunch of folks last Saturday down at the Green Muse -- a wonderful outdoor venue on Oltorf that is heavily underutilized, given the fact the place serves panini sandwiches, lots of potables (coffees, teas, adult beverages, and more) and tasty treats - and has a real laid-back environment. Matt is in town for a few days after spending the summer touring on the East Coast and Oklahoma (the Blue Door, etc.) and before heading BACK to South Carolina (where he spent his formative years) and New York City (back to the Bitter End and other gigs and his lady friend). He'll be in San Marcos on Thursday night (www.mattwilliams.com ) and gone on Friday. Good guy, good songwriter -- buddy Kevin Hennessy has been playing bass with him.

Mark Ambrose is in town for a while but wants to get back on the road to promote his amazing new CD (previously reviewed here, and more recently by No Depression magazine). He's at the Hole in the Wall tonight and back at the Green Muse later this month -- a wonderful flat picker and harmonica player, Mark sets a mood of old-time staring at the sky looking at the clouds and other such joys of the quiet life. Jackson is already at work on another CD of brand-new songs that are as good if not even better than those on "Grow Up to be a Childhood Genius."

Mark and Matt also played at Flipnotics on Sunday night (with Anthony de los Santos, who has a groovy new website that focuses on who's playing where and lets you hear some of their songs before you trek to the club and take pot luck -- the site is www.m343.com and everyone should bookmark this site if they like Austin music and want to try out new bands.
Then they were again booked at Tambaleo (the old Electric Lounge) on Monday - so I stopped by for a while. What a TREAT! A downtown bar with a huge parking lot all its own - and lots of room and comfy couches inside. A nice stage with a good sight line and even a brand-new smokers' patio outside.

Earlier on Sunday I was invited up to a church in Wells Branch to catch a set by Popstars - Dads Who Rock (aka Nathan Hamilton, Beaver Nelson and Matt the Electrician -- there are other members of this fraternity who show up on occasion as well). Nathan is working on a new CD he says will be very different from his prior works -- should be out this fall. The guys take turns on their own songs, often backing each other up with instruments and vocals. Kids get to dance and jump around -- check out the scene at its home base - Jovita's - some Sunday (check schedules).

Before our week in IV-land, we got out to the Iguana Grill in Lakeway to catch a swinging set by Kris Brown and Family Sauce - with horns and Rubin on harmonica -- lots of great fun. Kris says that producer Courtney Audain is about done with the new Family Sauce (white boy from Ohio reggae music that has a real authentic feel because Kris is really funky) CD, which features a bunch of KB originals (including Rub a Dub). Do not miss this if you like the genre.

On my birthday last month I got out to see Carolyn Wonderland and Cole El-Saleh at the Old No. 1 Threadgill's -- the woman keeps getting better as a songwriter and performer and is adding instruments to her already sizable collection of sounds. What's next? Fiddle? Do yourself a favor and catch as many of her shows as you can before she starts becoming in demand worldwide. You will kick yourself if you procrastinate.

Despite rumors to the contrary, there will NOT be a barn dance this Sunday (we are told). But next Wednesday (a week from tomorrow) I plan to be at the Saxon Pub to catch the Sapphires, who have been in studio, to see what benefits they have gained from sessions with Lloyd M.