Posts Tagged ‘Ben Sollee’
Sollee and Moore’s Dear Companion Tour
February 20th, 2010
Posted in Concerts
A couple of good ol’ Kentucky boys done well. Ben Sollee, the acclaimed cellist who got his start with Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet (featuring banjo wiz Bela Fleck), has teamed up with Cold Spring native, Daniel Martin Moore, for one of the most exceptional musical collaborations I can think of in recent years. The duo recently kicked off their tour, which will take them all over the country, including shows at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, and NPR’s World Cafe Live with David Dye in Philadelphia. They spent the day yesterday on Hamilton Avenue in Northside, for an intimate in-store performance at Shake-It Records and later packed the Northside Tavern just across the street.
They’re playing the songs off of their new record, entitled Dear Companion. Benefiting Appalachian Voices, the songs come from the issues facing mountaintop coal mining removal while inspiring to put a stop to it. The problem is most known in the Appalachian Mountains, where explosives are used to remove the mountaintops and dumping the excess rock and soil into valleys and hills. Studies have shown that by doin this, there are serious environmental and health impacts.
The album was written and recorded in 2009, and produced by none other than Jim James of My Morning Jacket, who also plays on a few tracks. They’ve assembled a full band, which includes Cheyenne Mize on the violin and guitar, and Dan Dorff on drums and piano. Familiar with the solo efforts of both artists but having not yet heard this new album, I wasn’t exactly sure what these songs would sound like. But any fan of either could’ve guessed it would bring a little of each’s sound and that it would surely be something special.
The foursome played a short but sweet set, Moore standing tall and still for most of the evening, while Cheyenne and Dorff kept the rotation going on their number of instruments, even seeing Sollee jump in on the drumkit at one point. Although the packed room made it difficult to see what each musician was doing with their fingers on their instruments, the main focus of this sound I was hearing for the first time appeared to be in the beautiful four-part vocal harmonies. What each musician brought to the stage complemented each other throughout, never too much of one thing, seemingly spread as close to perfect as possible. Moore with his signature soft-spoken voice and gentle plucking of his acoustic guitar strings, and Sollee bringing the blues and soul alive in both his voice and the way he played the cello.
Cincinnati Music News and Local Releases
February 16th, 2010
Posted in Local Music, New Music Releases
Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore
Dear Companion
Cold Spring’s very own Daniel Martin Moore has teamed up with renouned cellist Ben Sollee (of Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet), for a collaboration seemingly sent from the heavens above. Recorded close to home, the two focus on “the problem of mountaintop removal coal mining and its impact on the people and heritage of central Appalachia.” A portion of the proceeds will benefit Appalachian Voices, an organization devoted to putting a stop to mountaintop removal. The album was produced by another Kentucky native, Jim James of My Morning Jacket. They’re currently out touring the material, and have assembled a live band including Dan Dorff on percussion and Cheyenne Marie on violin and electric guitar. They’ll tour all thru the midwest and all over the east coast, which include stops locally at Shake It Records and the Northside Tavern on Friday, February 19, and an in-studio performance on the World Cafe in Philadelphia with host David Dye. Have a listen to a track from the album below.
500 Miles to Memphis
We’ve Built Up to NOTHING
The Cincinnati country/punk outfit has released the long-awaited follow-up to 2005’s Sunshine In A Shotglass. I haven’t heard the new album yet, but I understand the songs have “dramatic differences” from their previous record, which include a full orchestra. The album is being “shopped to major record labels” and is onsale right now only on their website. Make sure to check them out February 26 at Newport’s historical Southgate House. Also on the bill that evening are The Kentucky Struts, duppy a jamba, Nashville’s Shotgun Lover, Pennsylvania’s Underground Saints, De Los Muertos, Six Nights Alone, The Mudpies and Paul K.
Pop Empire
Rainy Child EP
Make sure to return to the Southgate House on the following night (February 27) where the newest band in town, Pop Empire, will release their first collection of songs. Cam Cochran (The Sheds/Lion’s Rampant) unveils a different side of his musical persona in this band, leaving behind the folky-storyteller songs for alternative, electro pop. Also on the bill are a couple of Cincinnati’s most popular acts, The Seedy Seeds and The Lion’s Rampant. The Seeds are set to return to Austin’s South by Southwest Festival next month, while the Lion’s will release their long-awaited debut.
Related show
Getting to Bonnaroo
June 9th, 2009
Posted in Bonnaroo 2009, Uncategorized
This isn’t exactly a story on how to get to Bonnaroo, although you can find directions here. No, this is a story of one man’s journey to Bonnaroo by way of bicycle. Not just any man though. This is about one of the performer’s of this year’s festival, Ben Sollee.
The 25-year old Lexington, Kentucky Cellist who began the trek last week, will be making stops along the way for six shows in coffeeshops, libraries and colleges in both Kentucky and Tennessee. In all, Sollee will be traveling over 300 miles to get to Bonnaroo, along with his new friends, Marty and Katie Benson.
To read the full story, click here.
Bonnaroo 2009 Artist: Ben Sollee
March 18th, 2009
Posted in Bonnaroo 2009
Singer/songwriter Ben Sollee is a classically trained cellist, who mixes folk, bluegrass, jazz, R&B and soul, creating a sound all his own.
Also a member of Abigail Washburn’s Sparrow Quartet, the Lexington, Kentucky native has appeared on the local Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour, and was even named one of NPR’s Top Ten Unknown Artists of 2007.
Last May, Sollee released an EP, and one month later came his full-length debut album, Learning to Bend.
Other artists you may like:
Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, Brett Dennen, Elvis Perkins, A.A. Bondy
