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Everything Broad Ripple HomearrowRandom Ripplings Homearrow2006 12 29arrowColumn

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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v03n26)
Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
posted: Dec. 29, 2006

Buzzing Around Town

Reviews

Otis Gibbs
December 9, 2006
Live From the Fields' House Concert
I can't think of any time that I've missed an Otis Gibbs Indianapolis show in the last 10 years unless I was working. I've had the pleasure of seeing Otis play in a wide range of places - from opening for Dr. Ralph Stanley at the Vogue to closing down The Patio. I've heard him sing around a campfire at my parents' farm and in front of line dancers at Stables. He has played at all five Tonic Balls and hosted all five Midwest Music Summit Songwriters in the Round.
I can honestly say, this was my favorite Otis performance. Otis always does a good job of engaging the audience. He is one of the few musicians that can draw the crowd close to the stage, and he is always accessible to the audience. There generally is not much bar noise when Otis is playing. This was even better.
The gracious Cyndi opened her home to music-fan-strangers. Everyone brought treats for the pitch-in, and the living room was set up with rows of chairs. Otis played his songs with the backdrop of the curtains topped with Christmas swag. He told us stories between the songs - Otis has great stories that range from funny (being mistaken for a homeless man in Europe) to sad (a re-gifted Christmas ball). He played several Christmas songs that he claimed not to remember the words to-I was tempted to prompt him since I've been listening to his Christmas CD since October.
House concerts are very intimate, and generally the way I prefer to see music. Otis Gibbs and a guitar - it does not get any better than that.


Three Wise Guys
December 20, 2006
The Red Key
It is a special occasion when there is a band at the Red Key - tables are moved and everything. I counted five Wise Guys and one was clearly a woman (of course her name is Pat-hmm). They performed traditional Christmas songs with a bluesy slant. They played one jammin' Frosty the Snowman. From the Red Key I headed north to Birdy's.


Birdy's X-mas Party
December 20, 2006
Birdy's
The Birdy's X-mas party is one of my favorite traditions for the year (note to Mom: except for family gatherings, I promise). I love hanging out upstairs by Santa Otis and the lovely Amy Lashley and the buffet (not necessarily in that order). I get my photo snapped with Otis each year. I keep looking older and Otis looks exactly the same. It must be that Santa magic at work. It is also a chance to catch up with old friends. Jeff Zuckerman and Carrie Sloe were visiting from Los Angeles, and I got to meet several people that I know through the music web site indianapolismusic.net. It's great to see what people actually look like. All of the bands play Christmas music; It ain't Christmas until you've seen Vinyl Shriner performing the Chipmunk's Christmas Song. It is a helium-helped masterpiece. All the bands were terrific: The Common, Rebuilt, Jessica Benge (boy, can that girl sing) and Ashworth.
I really appreciate what Birdy's has become for the music community. Thanks Sue, Mike and Jeff.

Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Vinyl Shriner mid-helium.
Vinyl Shriner mid-helium.
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Nora and Santa Otis
Nora and Santa Otis
image courtesy of Amy Lashley




DJ Rusty
December 20, 2006
The Jazz Kitchen
Technically it might have been Thursday by the time I got there. I stopped at the Jazz Kitchen on the way home (it really is on the way home). DJ Rusty was spinning to a full house. The bar is a great cozy spot for music and some dancing in place. The crowd was Jazz Kitchen regulars, musicians and neighborhood folks.
I also allowed myself a moment of nostalgia. A fence is up around the CATH/Atlas property. This is a good thing, as the site is being prepared for the arrival of Fresh Market next year. The fence also means that the buildings will be demolished soon. Standing in the rain, on the other side of the fence seemed like a good time to finally say good-bye to the CATH building.

DJ Rusty at The Jazz Kitchen
DJ Rusty at The Jazz Kitchen
image courtesy of Nora Spitznogle
Quan




A Very Standard Christmas
December 21, 2006
Locals Only
The Birdy's party felt like a family reunion to me, but The Standard Recording party felt like looking at the next generation of nieces and nephews. All the cool kids were there, and I'm old enough to be their mother. They are very nice to Auntie Nora. I arrived in time to win a copy of A Very Standard Christmas, which I'm listening to as I type. I missed Red Queen Hypothesis (last minute Christmas shopping) but arrived in time for This Story. I commented that they all looked really young, and I was right. This talented group is planning on a summer tour. More Animals of the Arctic were up next. Their sound is low key.
The energetic Everything, Now! played next. I first saw them a year ago and enjoy them each time I see them. They packed the area in front of the stage for their set. Alan (Gazette chief) had to stand on a chair to photograph them. Yes, the old folks had chairs. [I am sure Nora did not mean to imply that the Gazette editor is old! -Alan] The band Harley Poe was up next, and their songs were fun and quirky, but I had to go home by then. It was almost midnight and I do have a full-time job, and not much sleep the night before (see Wednesday's activities). I was sorry to miss Arrah and the Ferns. My friend Tom sent me the following text message review (aren't we modern?). "Arrah & and the Ferns-tiny banjo. Everthus the Deadbeats-circusy."

Red Queen Hypothesis
Red Queen Hypothesis
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Kevin Phillips of Red Queen Hypothesis
Kevin Phillips of Red Queen Hypothesis
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


This Story
This Story
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Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Laura Relyea and Gavin Wilkinson of This Story.
Laura Relyea and Gavin Wilkinson of This Story.
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


More Animals of the Arctic
More Animals of the Arctic
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Jon Rogers of Everything, Now!
Jon Rogers of Everything, Now!
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Cristian Riquelme of Harley Poe.
Cristian Riquelme of Harley Poe.
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan


Joe Whiteford of Harley Poe.
Joe Whiteford of Harley Poe.
Quan


Buzzing Around Town - by Nora Spitznogle
Quan




Out and About:

I ran in to drummer Devon Ashley at Northside News Café on Sunday, December 16th, 2006. He'd only been back in town for a few hours, on a break from touring with Evan Dando from the Lemonheads. He and Vess Ruhtenberg have been on the road with Dando since October. And when I say road, I mean road: they have played all over Europe and the States. The Lemonheads are playing The Vogue on Friday, February 16th, 2007. Tickets are on sale now.





Not-for-profit director by day, music writer by night, Nora Spitznogle reviews music that happened and previews music and events around Broad Ripple Village. Nora managed CATH Inc coffeehouse at 54th Street and College Avenue for seven years. During that time she hosted hundreds of local and touring musicians, both at the coffeehouse and her home. When CATH closed in 2004 and the music was no longer coming to her, she had to wander from her corner of Broad Ripple to see what is happening elsewhere. You can find her at Second Helpings during the work day, waitressing at the Red Key on Saturday nights and prowling Broad Ripple music venues the rest of the time. Visit Nora's Web site nora-leona.blogspot.com, send any questions, comments or suggestions to Nora@BroadRippleGazette.com




nora@broadripplegazette.com
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