Author Archives: terri

311 Live in Concert New Orleans 3-11 Day, 2004

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“311 Live in Concert New Orleans 3-11 Day 2004”

By terri sapp
Every year for the past few years, 311 has come together with their fans in New Orleans at the UNO Lakefront Arena to celebrate 311 Day, March 11.  The original idea was that they would play 3 hours and 11 minutes worth of the best 311 you could hope for.  That was fine and good at first, but this year, on March 11, 2004, these boys went above and beyond the call of duty, playing over four hours (64 songs to be exact) of some of (amazingly enough, not all) the best 311 songs of their time.  There are a few songs that I was surprised not to see on the DVD, and a few B-sides and rarities I couldn’t believe they played!

Nick Hexum (vocals and guitar), P-Nut (bass), SA Martinez (vocals and DJ), Chad Sexton (drums), and Tim Mahoney (guitar) have really topped themselves with this “311, Live in Concert” DVD.  Just when I thought they couldn’t do it any better, they finally give me my favorite song live (they haven’t played “Running” at all 40 of the shows I’ve attended!) along with 63 other wonderful live songs…AND on DVD!!!  If that weren’t enough, we even get a bit of the behind-the-scenes with the band and their fans, which is always more interesting when you put 311 fans at a general admission show with limited room on the front row. Continue reading →

Concert Sutra “Suckin’” on Primus

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Concert Sutra “Suckin’” on Primus

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

The anticipation of a night with three original members of Primus, one of the best rock bands in this countries’ history was enough to drive a woman like me to a high-pitched giggly schoolgirl squeal fest every time it crossed my mind.  Even more, there is no better venue in at least the southeastern United States than the Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

Les Claypool

click photos for photo gallery

From the very beginning of March 8, 2004, it was obvious that Primus still has a most dedicated fan base, even after all these years!  Upon arrival, (several hours early, due to the general admission setup) we came across a solid Primus crew.  After they FINALLY let us in, we didn’t have to wait through an opening act…nothing but Primus, baby!  On one side of us was a fourteen year old that was three years old the last time I saw these three guys play together when they headlined Lollapalooza in 1993, and on the other side was a young boy who told us all just before show time, “I have waited my whole life to see Primus!”

As soon as Larry LaLonde (on guitar) and Tim Alexander (on drums) appeared, it hit me that my favorite bass player in the WORLD was about to be within feet of the front and left of center spot I claimed just minutes earlier. Continue reading →

Love At First Sight With Michael Franti & Spearhead & Ziggy Marley

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Love At First Sight With Michael Franti & Spearhead & Ziggy Marley

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

Michael Franti

click photos for photo gallery

Do I believe in love at first sight?  Well, not usually…until I had my first “exSpearience” with Michael Franti and Spearhead on St. Valentine’s Day followed by Ziggy Marley at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia.  Cupid must have been in full force all night, because I flew out of SCAD pulling arrows out of my heart.

From the time Michael Franti and Spearhead took the stage to Ziggy Marley’s grand finale, I felt everything from political consciousness to elated happiness to love to an overwhelming urge to hug a beautiful dready man.  Mr. Franti must have felt the emotional overload in the house, because he kept asking, “How you feelin’?” (at least 23 times).

Michael Franti and Spearhead opened their show with “Soulshine” from “Stay Human.”  It was a wonderfully upbeat start for the very beginning of my journey into Michael Franti and Spearhead.  The percussionist, Roberto Quintana, stated this one off right.  Just to ease right into one of their newest tracks, “What I Be” from their newest release, “Everyone Deserves Music.”  What a fun song!  Michael Franti has a wonderful voice, both inside and Ziggy Marley, Bob's DNA!out.  The harmonies are pure and the beat bounces the crowd.  I love self-realizing songs.  “Well, well, well.”

The third song “Pray for Grace” also from “Everyone Deserves Music” was the one that really won my ear.  It burst out with a strong reggae beat, “why must I feel like this today?,” and crowd participation.  I ask myself that quite often.  This song rocks.  The drummer, Manas Itiene, and bass player, Carl Young stole the beat of my heart on “Grace,” as did the harmonies that I didn’t quite understand at first, since there wasn’t a woman in sight.  This was the first that I heard the falsettos flowing from Mr. Itiene (from what I could tell), even ending with a bit of beatbox.

Then during a break, wherein the band broke into a tease of Bob Marley’s “Mellow Mood,” Michael Franti said that this was their first time playing in Savannah, and that some folks had told him to “forget about Atlanta” because the people of Savannah love music.  Well, as someone from Atlanta who was in the audience that night, I hope that is not the case, and that we (in Atlanta) see them come around soon.  Onto “People in Da Middle,” which is a dirty reggae beat with more of the best harmonies from Itiene on drums, rockin’ percussion from Quintana, and a guitar solo from Dave Shul that seemed to sing itself.   This song from Spearhead’s album “Home” is another that makes it impossible to pick a favorite from these guys.  Continue reading →

The Concert Sutra Loving Snake Oil Medicine Show & Ras Alan

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The Concert Sutra Loving Snake Oil Medicine Show & Ras Alan

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

Carolyn and George Pond

click photos for band website

            Just after the turning over of the new year, I heard a rumor that a really cool bluegrasstafarian group, Snake Oil Medicine Show, would be opening a show at the Georgia Theatre.  I had heard mention of SOMS from close friends before.  Having to work on Fridays, and not living in Athens usually prevents me from making the Georgia Theatre before the second act comes on.  However, having heard of the good time that is a Medicine Show, and also finding out that there would be a bonafide reggae master in the house, Ras Alan, I knew immediately that I would do whatever it took to make it for the WHOLE show from the first second!!!

            From the beginning, there was reggae music playing over-head, which was the perfect vibe to get the crowd ready for what was to come.  Having never heard one note from either the Snake Oil Medicine Show or Ras Alan, I did not know what I was in for.  Before the show started, I went over to check out the merchandise table and check out what they were all about, and much to my surprise, there were band members AND Mr. Alan setting up and waiting to go on stage.  I couldn’t help but be drawn to want to say hello to who I found out to be Ras Alan, basically, just because of the positive vibration that exudes from him and the dreadlocks that have, over many years, grown all the way down his back!  Continue reading →

Tupac Resurrection In His Own Words

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“Tupac Resurrection In His Own Words”

by terri sapp

The 2004 release of “Tupac Resurrection In His Own Words” marks a true heartfelt nod to one of the most intelligently powerful lyricists of all time.  Tupac, in his life, touched many people’s hearts through his words, music, rhymes, and his many characters, both on and off screen.  In his death, he has touched so many more with his overall message that will forever remain alive in those who truly understand it. This DVD captures the intensity surrounding Tupac Shakur by having his own voice speaking his own words all through.

From start to finish, “Resurrection” displays the raw emotion that encompasses its main character.  From start to finish, we are invited to experience the life and death of Tupac through photographs throughout his life and of his death; through videos of public appearances and home videos over the years; and through clips of his one of a kind artistic expression.  Having been born and raised a true Revolutionary by Revolutionaries, Tupac’s message has always remained strong, no matter what the topic. Continue reading →

Concert Sutra Doin’ it Buffalo Style

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Concert Sutra Doin’ it Buffalo Style

by terri sapp

Photographs by Leah Yetter

© Concert Sutra, All Rights Reserved

Tara Nevins on guitar

click photos for photo gallery

As I approached the Variety Playhouse on November 8, 2003, I could feel the ground underneath pounding and vibrating as the music stampeded out of the front door.  Immediately when I came around the corner and saw the crowd kickin’ up dust, I knew I was dealing with a herd!

A little confused, I roamed the range to find the perfect view for the gazing onlooker such as myself.  Once I was a little closer, I found that, sure enough, I WAS in the midst of the grasslands during mating season.  At first, I was sure that there was to be an opening band, and thought I may have missed out.  Then, I questioned, have they added some buffalo to their herd?  I recognized Tara Nevins (on guitar, fiddle, vocals, accordion, and scrub board), Jeb Puryear (on guitar, vocals, and pedal steel), Jim Miller (on guitar, banjo and vocals), Kathy Zeigler (on lowery organ, keyboards, and vocals), Phil Weinrobe (filling in for Jed Greenberg on bass), and Tom Gilbert (on drums).  But had never seen the guy in the black suit with yin-yangs all over the jacket and down the legs!  Come to find out a friend of mine was a big fan of Jim Lauderdale.  I have to say, I am not much on country music, but this guy fit into the herd just right with the way he molds his genre with so many other styles of music. Continue reading →