Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank @ the Cabooze 12/28

Having recently returned from a trip out west opening for Trampled by Turtles that reportedly saw a great many full houses, The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank were in prime shape for a late December Sunday night show at the Cabooze. After a nice opening set from the Pistol Whippin Party Penguins, the place had a great crowd ready for some rock. Brothers Ian and Teague Alexy were joined by sometimes drummer Paul Grill for an energetic set that brought us favorites like "2010", "Holyoke" and "Minnesota Song".
(I just noticed that the version of that tune on Myspace boasts guest Marco Benevento doing some big time piano work.
http://www.myspace.com/hobonephewsofunclefrank)

Guest fiddler Ryan Young (of TBT and Pert Near Sandstone) joined for a few songs and incited more feverish grooving on the dance floor. These guys always throw down and put on a great show. You can catch them on Feb 14th along with TBT and Two Many Banjos at the Cabooze in what will surely be a sold out show and a hootin Happy Valentines Day.

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings @ The Pantages 12/2

Here in Minnesota, we have a State Fair so damn cool that they provided free Sharon Jones shows for fairgoers the first two nights of the yearly great Minnesota get together. So, fortunately this was the second time this season we got to see Sharon Jones and her fantastic funk soul backing band, The Dap Kings. Ms. Jones is simply phenomenal, and her energy is virtually unmatched in today's music biz. Our seats at downtown Minneapolis' beautiful Pantages Theatre were in the second row of the Orchestra Pit, but we were informed by security during the opening band's set that the seats would be removed and it would be a free for all dance party in front of the stage. No big surprise there, but Brianna managed to stay front and center the entire show and take what are some of the coolest concert photographs ever. Dig: