Jodie Manross, HuDost, Ten Cent Poetry and Brent Thompson in one night!

Jodie Manross, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

I've gotten pretty addicted to the Speakeasy at the Preservation Pub. Unlike the smoke-easy downstairs there is no, well, smoke. What you will find is a place to actually sit and listen to music, which is a pretty valuable thing. It's like the Square Room in that the expectation of most people gathered is that we will all actually listen to the music being performed. The acoustics in both places are also excellent, but the speakeasy has a bit more personality and is much more intimate. It's as if you are sitting in the musician's living room hanging out.


Brent Thompson, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

 That's the environment that Homegrown and WFIV have chosen for their weekly broadcast at 7:00 every Wednesday night and I'm so glad. I don't make every show, but I've made most of them so far. A couple of weeks ago Urban Brother and myself enjoyed a great evening of music starting with Homegrown's presentation of Brent Thompson.


Brent Thompson, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

 His music is very good. The best comparison I could think of while listening to him perform was Amos Lee, so I'd say if you like Amos Lee, this is probably your local guy to investigate. If you don't know Amos, you should definitely look him up. For a little vocal support and a significant enhancement to the visual appeal, he brought a young lady to the stage to perform with him. I didn't catch her name. I felt like he could have probably benefited from offering her a larger part in the vocals.


Ten Cent Poetry, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

 

Ten Cent Poetry, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

After Homegrown ended three other acts took the stage in sequence. Ten Cent Poetry is based in Asheville, but they play pretty much throughout the southeast and their music is quirky, indie, folk with excellent songwriting and harmonies. The duo includes Chelsea Lynn La Bate on guitar and Melissa Hyman on Cello. As far as I can tell Chelsea Lynn "is" Ten Cent Poetry and Melissa is part of the band, but I can't imagine one without the other, so I'm not so sure. The way their harmonies bounced in unexpected directions reminded me of the Civil Wars, but they have much more of an edge and a dynamic range than those guys. The Roches came to mind and there has to be a tip of the hat to the Indigo Girls.

HuDost, Preservation Pub, Knoxville



HuDost, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

HuDost performed next and they are difficult to categorize. "Country and Eastern" is one of the phrases on their facebook page, I believe and that's pretty apt. This is another duo in which it is difficult to tell if "HuDost" is the nomme de guerre for lead vocalist/harmonium player Moksha Sommer or for the band which also includes Jemal Wade Hines on vocals, (amazing) guitar and anything else with strings along with a complicated arrangement of electronics. The music was hypnotic without becoming boring, melodic but not predictable and exotic without seeming completely foreign. You just have to go to their page and listen. Based in Montreal and New York, this is a musical act that deserves a very large following.

Jodie Manross, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

Jodie Manross, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

The night ended with an appearance by Jodie Manross who cut her musical teeth in Knoxville, moved to New York for several years and is now back home still making her musical magic. Her large voice still takes center stage and her sweet personality could charm the most jaded crowd. Being a Bob Dylan fan I was delighted to hear her open with "Make You Feel My Love." Unfortunately she and her guitarist apparently agreed that he would beat a rhythm out on his guitar that really distracted and over-shadowed the beauty of her treatment. It would have been much better acapella. That said, her brief set was dynamic and this is one jewel I'm happy to have returned to our little city. I'll look forward to hearing her again.

So, it was a great night of music, but it continues with at least a one hour version each Wednesday night. Tonight's show features Ryan Michaels. Why not come see what it's all about?

Homegrown plus a rare treat at the Preservation Pub Tonight

Travis Singleton, Homegrown, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

I've caught several of the recent Homegrown shows at the Preservation Pub and I've had a great time at them all. Hosted on the second floor, which is 95% smoke-free, it's a beautiful setting for acoustic music. The format of the show features an hour of tunes and conversation hosted by Joe from I105. For those of you who remember the shows live from Disc Exchange: this is much better. There is plenty of seating facing the stage, cool beverages and a pretty good pizza if you are so inclined. The show is free.

Travis Singleton, WFIV Homegrown, Preservation Pub

Travis Singleton, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

A couple of weeks ago the featured artist was Travis Singleton. I'm constantly amazed at how many talented artists live in our little city. Just when I think I've heard or at least heard of most of them, I run into someone who is presented as a local institution of whom I have never heard. Travis is one such artist. His strong melodies and sometimes beautifully piercing lyrics make him a force in local music. I'm not sure how I've missed him. He is good as an acoustic artist, but check out his music on his facebook page linked above and you'll hear him in full electric glory.

Martha Christian, Preservation Pub, Knoxville

Last week Martha Christian brought her uplifting music to the Homegrown stage. Vibrant, positive and charming, she filled the stage with her understated presence. Ironically, Ms. Christian, who calls Sevierville home, plays in a praise band. Could there be a better name for a praise musician? Her songs are hopeful, positive and uplifting reflecting, I suppose, her rootedness in her faith. Words like "faith," "grace" and references to something larger than ourselves pervade her music.

Martha Christian, Preservation Pub, Homegrown, Knoxville

Her praise band background is belied by her breathy introductions presented over softly strummed chords. Those I could do without, but it was difficult not to be taken in by her considerable charms, her geuine humility and her excellent vocals. Artists like her make me wonder if Praise Bands today will be like the black church of the fifties, giving us our next generation of pop/rock/R and B artists.

Jodie Manross (from website)

Tonight promises to be a great night at Preservation Pub. Homegrown starts at 7:00 and features Brent Thompson and his low-key, jazzy Americana. After Brent a special show ensues on the stage in the speakeasy with Jodie Manross in a (recently) rare appearance in Knoxville along with Ten Cent Poetry and HuDost. Hopefully we'll be graced with selections from her new album "Myth of Solid Ground." Jodie is a transplanted Knoxvillian currently living in and working out of New York City. She used to work at the Knox County Public Library, so she's certainly "homegrown," if not strictly local anymore. She and the others will play from 8:00 to 10:30.

Who could ask for a better Wednesday night option than this? Here's a sample of Brent Thompson to get you ready. See you there.