January 2025 Recap

Live music is the cure for winter blues! Charlie Parr and a number of tribute shows were highlights of this slowest music month of the year.

1.3 Jeff Ray Trio at 331 Club

Electric guitar wizard Jeff Ray brought along a harmonica player and hand drummer for this Friday night show.

1.5 Charlie Parr at Turf Club

Charlie Parr is one of my favorite songwriters ever, and has been since the last millennium. These Sunday night residencies have become one of the best things about January in recent years. Tickets are always in high demand, so I was lucky to make it to one.

“Jubilee” with Mikkel on washboard:

“Dog”:

Opening artist Jon Edwards:

1.5 Shotgun Ragtime Band at Driftwood

Mike C joined in the fun so there were four guitars in the house.

1.10 Kung Fu Hippies with You Enjoy Yourself at Parkway Theatre

Phish cover band You Enjoy Yourself was up first and nailed a Mike’s Groove. Somehow I didn’t get any pics of the Hippies but I recall there being an excellent “The Other One” as part of their set of GD material.

YEY:

Brad Ray of KFH:

1.11 About To Run at The Party Palace

Phish tributes two nights in a row? Don’t mind if I do! This was my first time at this private residence, a fun party for Maxine’s 50th bday!

1.19 Shotgun Ragtime Band at Driftwood

1.24 The Jones Gang and Twine at Hook and Ladder Theater

Jones Gang were joined by Brian “Snowman” Powers and Twine was joined by Kevin Dorsey on keys.

1.25 Terrapin Flyer at Turf Club

The 5 piece, Chicago based Grateful Dead tribute put on an impressive show!

1.29 Burning Blue Rain with Saltydog and Lighter Co at 7th Street Entry

Awesome triple bill for a Wednesday night in the Entry as the young blues band Burning Blue Rain was putting out an EP. Lead guitarist and singer Sweet Lou was joined by his dad on drums and mom Katy Tessman on vox for a couple during the BBR set.

Burning Blue Rain on “Sissy Strut”:

Saltydog:

“The Barfly”:

The now defunct Lighter Co:

1.29 Twine at Bunker’s

1.31 Wandering Eye at Hook and Ladder Theatre

Duluth’s all-star Ween tribute featuring Alan Sparhawk of Low, Tim Saxhaug of Trampled by Turtles and Marc Gartman of Glitterati were on hand to close out January. Wilco tribute band Via Chicago opened the show thusly:

I worry
I'll Wait
Handshake Drugs
If I Ever Was A Child
California Stars w Sparhawk on lighter

Jim Hinkley’s Wilco Tribute, Via Chicago, opened the night:

Looks like that’s 10 shows at 8 different venues, not bad!