After a customary slow January, February in Charleston really heated up. I was able to be in the audience for eight shows, covering many genres of Rock music. In order we saw Same as it ever was, Croce plays Croce, the Gipsy Kings, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Robert Cray, Drew and Ellie Holcomb, Cat Powers performing Bob Dylan’s 1996 Royal Albert Hall concert and Marc Broussard. The shows represented the music of the Talking Heads, Jim Croce, the Grateful Dead, the Blues, Americana, Bob Dylan and Swamp rock and blues. How do you choose one show to highlight amongst those shows?

You don’t. There was more than one show that stood out and more than one show that you should see if they come to your town. I will share a short synopsis of those worth highlighting. Let me begin with AJ Croce, the only son of Jim Croce. Jim was huge in the late sixties right up to his unfortunate death in 1973, 51 years ago. The five albums that he put out in that time contained big hits that brought him fame and fortune. If you don’t know him, stream his music to understand the impact he had on the pop rock scene. AJ Croce is not hiding behind his father’s stellar career but he does honor his music. AJ Croce grew up without his father, being nearly two years old when Jim died in a plane crash. He learned how to play piano and guitar and was playing in bands by age 16. His first recording was made when he was 19 and over the years, he has established himself as a wanted session musician and touring musicians. His performance showed his mastery of the piano and his polished guitar style and voice. He is a good story teller and a great stage presence. Whether you were a Jim Croce fan or not, catch AJ’s act.

The Gipsy Kings, a guitar driven Latin gypsy band, are fronted by founder Nicholas Reyes. The band has as many as five guitarists performing together at one time and the songs are sung in the Catalyn, Spanish style. Their homage to flamenco guitar playing helps drive the songs while Nicholas’s soaring vocals took the songs to new heights. Their more than two-hour performance was sung and spoken in Spanish without any translations offered. I do have a soft spot for flamenco guitars and the Gipsy Kings are a true representation of this gypsy sound.

Robert Cray, at 71, is still going strong with his strong vocals and blues guitar style. He is a great talent and an accomplished performer. If you’ve never seen him before, he will not disappoint blues fans.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead is arguably the best Grateful Dead tribute band in America. JRAD as they are known among the fans of the band are led by drummer Joe Russo. From 2009 to 2014, Joe toured as the drummer for Further, a band led by Bob Weir and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. This was my first time seeing the band JRAD live but I left a solid fan. Their high energy renditions of Dead tunes coupled with the members ability to take these tunes to the far reaches of the jam. The band peppers a few tunes by great rock bands in their shows and gave us a cover of John Lennon’s “Instant Karma” as the encore when I saw them in Charlotte. A side thought here- I saw this band in Charlotte at an overpacked Fillmore. It was my second and last time that I will see a show there. It’s too packed, the pillars obstruct the sidelines and the staff seemed more suited to riot control than I felt comfortable with.

Drew and Ellie Holcomb are a husband and wife duo who hit the road annually for a week or two of shows together. Their Country and Pop styles blend well with their vocals to deliver an intimate, Coffeehouse style performance. Check out Drew and Ellie Holcomb as well as Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, highly recommended.

Marc Broussard is a Louisiana blues and rock performer whose been touring the country for more than 20 years. His style is often called Bayou Soul and his voice fits that style. The night we saw him he was highlighting his first major release, Carencro, from 2004. He can sing the blues and romantic ballads with the same high energy and soulful voice. I recommend you see him if he comes to your town.

All in all, it was a fine month with memorable performances throughout. If you see one of these performers, let us know what you think of their performance.

#ajcroce #gipsykings #JRAD #robertcray #drewandellieholcomb #marcbroussard #charlestonmusichall