Young musicians dominate the press and public consciousness, because talent and the energy of youth will always be compelling. But if we’re talking about music as a capital ‘A’ Art, people like Bo, Joe and Vicki have been making music for well nigh five decades…
Bo Ramsey
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Track Premiere: Kelly Pardekooper’s “Long Goodbye”
Next Friday, Oct. 26, former Iowa Citian Kelly Pardekooper releases his ninth studio album, 50-Weight (available for pre-order). And, as the title implies, he’s come back to the beginning: his very first demo, 30-Weight, was recorded 20 years ago in his Iowa City basement.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Bo Ramsey — Wildwood Calling
Bo Ramsey Wildwood Calling www.boramsey.com There is an adage in guitar circles that says, “Tone is in the hands.” In other words, the unique sound of a guitarist comes from how they play and not the gear they use. Nowhere is this more evident than with Bo Ramsey’s very distinctive guitar tone and sound — […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The Pines explore and preserve tradition
The Pines and photographer Danny Wilcox Frazier FilmScene — Fri., Apr. 1 at 3 p.m. The Pines, with Bo Ramsey Englert Theatre — Fri., Apr. 1 at 7 p.m. In the Little Village review of The Pines’ latest album, Above The Prairie (Red House Records), Matt Steele quotes an interview with Benson Ramsey: “[T]raditional music […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Preach the Blues: Bo Ramsey and Highway 12 play The Mill this Saturday
Bo Ramsey and his band, Highway 12, will be playing The Mill this Saturday for what will surely be a legendary night of folk-rock and blues, with Kelly Pardekooper…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
On the Beat: Reunion Rock
Kelly Pardekooper began his musical career right here in Iowa City. Though currently based in Indianapolis, Pardekooper certainly hasn’t abandoned his Iowa roots. His 2011 album, Yonder, was produced by celebrated Iowa City country legend, Bo Ramsey. The album features plenty of Ramsey’s guitar work and consists of mostly live recordings at Minstrel Studios, […]
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Album Review: Iowa City Song Project
Iowa City Song Project maximumamesrecords.com As a teenager hungry for a scene larger than the veritable cultural island of Bellevue, IA, at night I would arrange and rearrange my radio antenna to try to capture KUNI to get a glimpse of the world of music around me, which included bands from Iowa City. It […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
On the Beat: Summer listening guide
Summer in the Clubs! Live Music Venue GUIDE Iowa City is what is known in the biz as a ‘small market.’ Acts on national tours book shows in Iowa City based on it’s geographical position within a half-day’s drive of Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City—it’s a great place to shoehorn a show in […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Show Preview: Pieta Brown at The Mill with The Vagabonds, 4/9/11
Pieta is back home this weekend with a show at the Mill on Saturday night. At her side will be her constant companion Bo Ramsey who will be surrounding her homespun variety of folk, blues, rock and country with his harmony vocals and guitar atmospherics. Opening for Pieta will be local folky songbirds The Vagabonds.
Posted inAlbum Reviews
Pieta Brown – One and All
Local Albums: May 2010 – One and All, the sixth full-length from Pieta Brown, finds the folky at her most relaxed and confident. One and All feels like a commiseration at The Mill: It’s easy, fluid and full of prospective delivered in a comfortable drawl. The album opens with a double-shot of hopeless romanticism. “Wishes […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
The First Family of Folk
Pieta Brown said she gets so nervous when she opens for her dad that she can “barely talk.” “It never goes away, that dad factor,” she told the Englert crowd, “specially when it’s that dad.” And who can blame her? That Dad’s voice, guitar-playing and presence get more imposing with each passing year. Who other […]
