Review: The Gypsy Folk Circus of Dirty Bourbon River Show

Dirty Bourbon River Show- "Spectacular & Magnificent Day" (video)

In an unsolicited pitch to your humble correspondent, a member of Dirty Bourbon River Show characterized his band's approach as "New Orleans Gypsy Folk Circus." There's no way I could pass on that.

Sure enough, I adore the collective's Volume 2. The new album demonstrates that the members of Dirty Bourbon River Show hold Kurt Weill and Professor Longhair in equally high regard.

While the band's pithy description is unique, Dirty Bourbon River Show is hardly the first act to stumble down the same neon-lit path. The genre's godfather, of course, is Tom Waits. Calexico, Gogel Bordello and Nick Cave are kissing cousins. Honorary influences include Chet Baker, Leonard Cohen, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, Django Reinhardt and Jimmy Scott.

That's mighty fine company for circus folk.


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This week's new releases, in order of personal preference: Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi, James Carter, Meredith Monk, Ran Blake, Tinie Tempah, JD Allen, Iggy Pop, Hank III, Killer Mike, Levon Helm, Matraca Berg, New Boyz, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, Ben Harper, Face to Face, The Elected, Moby and Elvin Bishop.

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Busta Rhymes, Twista and Yelawolf join Tech N9ne on "Worldwide Choppers". Cha!

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Snooky Young has died. (Initial tip from BGO.)

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Here's raw footage of a performance by new Kansas City band BeardKCrazy. It's like a mashup of King Sunny Ade's Syncro System and Miles Davis' On the Corner.

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Rockfest! Here's my review.

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Kansas City Click: Portugal the Man appear at the Record Bar on Tuesday.

Max Justus is on Wednesday's bill at the Record Bar.

Jason Bonham does this Thursday at the Voodoo Lounge.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)