Bill Thompson

Buddy and Jim define harmony

Bill Thompson — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:09:16 +0000

It sounds like the set-up for a bad gag: How many harmony singers does it take to (fill in the blank)?

The good news, however, is the emergence of Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale into card-carrying stars is no joke.

Dada works 'Puzzle' 20 years later

Bill Thompson — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 01:16:10 +0000

In real life, 20 years is a long time. In rock ’n’ roll, it’s more like dog years: few bands stand the test of that much time unless they’re in the midst of a Hall of Fame career.

Hall of Famer, Jorma Kaukonen, returns to Cincinnati

Bill Thompson — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:22:29 +0000

Like many Americans, Jorma Kaukonen is thankful to have a job these days. He is even more thankful that it is the same job he has had for more than 50 years.

It might be hard to imagine, but Kaukonen, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, will turn 72 next month.

Move over Rocktober...November is more Notable for Live Music.

Bill Thompson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 14:26:59 +0000

Everyone knows that November has 30 days.

What’s surprising about the month this year is that more than 25 top-notch performers will visit Greater Cincinnati.

For a third time, Watkins is still charming

Bill Thompson — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:06:36 +0000

There’s a temptation to marvel at the list of musicians that Sara Watkins has played with during her career and come to the conclusion that she is a lucky woman.

Top-flight acts in town this week

Bill Thompson — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:48:32 +0000

It’s another fine week for live music. In addition to Wednesday’s double-header of Anders Osborne at the 20th Century and Mary Chapin Carpenter with Tift Merritt at the Taft Theatre, here are four more shows worth consideration.

Tift Merritt enjoys traveling alone

Bill Thompson — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 02:54:28 +0000

Ten years ago, Tift Merritt released her first album, “Bramble Rose,” to a chorus of “the next Lucinda Williams” or “the next Emmylou Harris” or “the next fill-in-the-name” of your favorite female Americana singer-songwriter.

Anders Osborne finds redemption

Bill Thompson — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 19:27:08 +0000

Anders Osborne grew up in Sweden, so it’s uncertain whether schoolchildren there were familiar with the “three R’s (reading [w]riting and [a]rithmetic).”

Take it easy? Not Jackson Browne

Bill Thompson — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 07:01:22 +0000

Jackson Browne did double duty Saturday at PNC Pavilion. Not only did the singer-songwriter thrill the crowd with entries from his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songbook, but he served as emcee and gracious host of a rotating cast of characters that featured Sara Watkins, who opened the show and joined Browne for the second half of his set.

Mindy Smith has faith in herself

Bill Thompson — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:32:37 +0000

For Mindy Smith, the devil has always been in the details. And, for that matter, in the big picture as well. The Nashville singer-songwriter, a pastor’s daughter who attended Cincinnati Bible College before making music her career, recently released her fifth album, the self-titled “Mindy Smith.” It’s a landmark project, her first record since leaving the Vanguard label.