I have been doing a lot of reflection this past week…really since the new year started and there are some new changes down the pipeline for Red Line Roots to be announced in a few weeks. But, I digress, part of the reflection has been on the amazing music I have taken in in the last 12 months, both in and around Camber-ville and now in our new home base up here in Vermont. Burlington has been mighty good to us and we have found the piece I feared would be missing in our move to a more remote place in venues such as Light Club Lamp Shop/Radio Bean and Higher Ground in Burly and smaller spots in Montpelier like la Puerta Negra, Skinny Pancake and of course the Honky Tonk Happy Hour at Sweet Melissa’s on Fridays.

Occasionally, at the very right moment I have my camera at the ready and capture the moments not just in still image, but also video. Looking back at the RLR youtube page, we saw a shitload of really good music this year and its damn near impossible to whittle it down to any type of favorites, but there are the few where the atmosphere and the music was just right for chill inducing or need to dance moments that are embedded in my mind. Here are 6 of those moments that I keep reliving over and over again and am damn happy I had the foresight to switch over to video mode and hit the red button on…

Aoife O’ Donovan at The Sinclair (Cambridge, MA April 13, 2016) : I was a tad bit late on the draw here but “Stanley Park” is still a pretty quick tune and it somehow manages to completely encapsulate and move you in its short life emanating out through a pin drop crowd at the Sinclair. It was this moment that also introduced me to some jaw dropping playing courtesy of Anthony da Costa and turned me on to his solo work. This evening of music felt like it could have been in your own living room, not a sold out 525 person rock club. The intimacy of the show was mind boggling and we got there extra early to snag our spot front and center.

 

 
Mandolin Orange at The Sinclair (Cambridge, MA February 25, 2016) : I am noticing a pattern between shows at the Sinclair, Yep Roc artists and being introduced to artists in bands I love who’s solo music I inevitably fall in love with. Mandolin Orange with the full band was sublime. The harmonies, the bluegrass fury infused solos and the dynamic that unwound itself on stage was equally badass and beautiful. They ended their set with this quickfire reel that had the place hollering, stomping and clapping along. It was also this night that I was introduced to a voice that will forever haunt me (in the best way possible): Josh Oliver. Oliver lead his tune “Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” and the moment the first word “on” , the crowd erupted into disbelief at how uniquely gorgeous, genuine and moving his voice is. The addition of him to Emily and Andrew was nothing short of amazing.

 

 
Brian Wright and Aaron Lee Tasjan at Atwoods Tavern (Cambridge, MA March 29, 2016) : “I’m haunted by secrets, that ain’t right to keep / and you would not believe, the things that I see when I try to sleep“…fucking heavy. Wright’s writing is some of the best in roots and americana today and that voice, man that voice. Though this show was billed as an ALT one, the spotlight was redirected to the guitar slinging, harmony singing sideman for a toned down break in the middle and we were all given quite a treat. The duo together was brilliant and you could tell that between both of them there was a care and grace with how they handled each other’s songs. It was a beautiful thing to witness carried out on stage and those harmonies in the chorus…slay me gently boys, slay me gently.

 

 
Christopher Paul Stelling at Thunder Road (Somerville, MA May 6, 2016) : Its hard to think of another artist who pours as much of themselves out of their body and onto the stage night after night as CPS. The guy is just a monster performer and the passion and energy with which he performs live is inspiring and astonishing. This evening he was joined by Matty Murphy for a bit as well as Kieran Ledwidge…though to start the night off it was all Stelling on display with his take on Wayfaring Stranger directly into his tune Hard Work…few words are more descriptive and direct to explain the ethic that this songwriter encompasses and we are all out of breath just watching him perform his picking acrobatics and foot stomping on stage. This night was no different.

 

 
Zach Schmidt & The High Life at Radio Bean ( Burlington, VT July 3, 2016) : The fireworks were going on down at the waterfront this night which could have made for a rough night, but the crowd coming back to their cars heard a rumbling coming out of Radio Bean and it was the genuine words and honky tonk dance being painted by Schmidt and his band. They were supposed to play an hour set, which soon doubled in time as an adoring crowd wanted more. This was one of the most fun shows I attended all year and having some dear friends up and in town was wonderful. ‘Company Man’ is a crowd (and personal) favorite of mind, this performance just further solidifies that.

 

 Sam Moss at La Puerta Negra (Montpelier, VT July 14, 2016) : I have seen 1,000 artist with just their voice and a guitar but few are as engaging and curious to watch as Sam Moss. He effortlessly and virtuoustically finger picks and sings in a beautiful, lilting voice that seems to soar and make itself comfortable at the ceiling of every room he performs in. This particular night I was coming from another concert down the street and stumbled up the stairs to a small crowd gathered around a stage draped in velvet curtains. Moss is absolutely brilliant. He seems subdued, quiet even, but the sounds coming from the stage are earth shakingly gorgeous and poingnant. One of my favorite people to watch on a stage and just close my eyes and get lost in the music of.