Short Takes: Scythian, Junior League Follies, Song of the Mountains

ALL ABOARD!
Hold the trains and herald the news.

Music chameleons Scythian headline the dawning of the Bristol Train Station Concert Series on Nov. 6 at the historic train station in Bristol, Va. Promoter Eric Blevins of Broken Strings Productions has high hopes for the new series.

“I want to bring in bands whose music needs to be heard,” Blevins said recently.

Certainly Scythian applies in that regard. Brewed with a blend of Celtic and various world music sounds including Jewish Klezmer, Scythian’s style amounts to music to dance to. Consider them a high-octane rocket ride. Not a bad way to start a concert series.

IF YOU GO
What: Bristol Train Station Concert Series
Who: Scythian
When: Nov. 6, 8 p.m.
Where: Bristol Train Station, 101 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Bristol, Va.
Admission: $20 advance, $25 at the door
Info: (423) 383-2901
Web: http://www.thebristoltrainstation.org/testimonials.html
And: http://www.scythianmusic.com

VIVA LA FOLLIES
Good times for a good cause.

So it goes with Viva La Follies, a variety talent show set to stage at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol, Tenn. on Nov. 6 and 7. Featuring local country singer of note April Taylor along with a litany of local talent, the show amounts to a notice of just how varied and prevalent talent is in the region.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Junior League of Bristol. Junior League efforts in the community help mend a variety of needs. Those include Backpack for Kids, which helps to feed elementary-age kids whose families are facing economical challenges. So come, have a good time, do a good deed.

IF YOU GO
What: Viva La Follies
Who: April Taylor and local acts
When: Nov. 6-7, 8 p.m.
Where: Paramount Center for the Arts, 518 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: $15 regular admission, $40 with patrons’ party
Info: (423) 274-8920
Web: http://www.theparamountcenter.com

SIZZLING SONG OF THE MOUNTAINS
Music that’s hotter than the center of the sun awaits all who can withstand the heat and the heart.

To tune in then turn out for November’s installment of the monthly nationally syndicated PBS program Song of the Mountains on Nov. 7 at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Va. That’s a mouthful but then there’s a stage full of music on tap.

Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out headline. Williams and Clark Expedition open the show. And in between, Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper. Altogether look for them to ignite an incendiary bluegrass show with all the fire of Cleveland’s volcanic fiddling.

IF YOU GO
What: Song of the Mountains
Who: Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, and Williams and Clark Expedition
When: Nov. 7, 7 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Theatre, 117 E. Main St., Marion, Va.
Admission: $25
Info: (276) 783-6093
Web: http://www.songofthemountains.org 

MUSIC NOTES: Mark your calendar. Country legends George Strait and Reba McEntire announced on Nov. 2 that they plan tour together next year. Closest stop to the Tri-Cities? Knoxville’s Thompson-Boling Arena on Jan. 29. No word on when tickets will go on sale.

“I can’t wait to get back out there and perform some of my favorites from “Twang” along with hits the fans already love,” Strait said. “And with my friend Reba, we will make it a really spontaneous night.”

Rock out to a couple of major anniversary album releases this week. For classic rock fans there’s the Rolling Stones’ “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones in Concert,” a 40th anniversary box set with two CDs and one DVD. Quite simply the best live rock album ever released.

For grunge rock fans comes Nirvana’s “Bleach.” The 20th anniversary edition blisters as one of rock’s most scathingly raw albums of the grunge era. This edition includes a spectacular, previously unreleased live recording of a show from Feb. 9, 1990.

Already have those? Then check out geek-rock gurus Weezer and their pop-infused “Raditude.” If country’s more your thing, then perhaps Carrie Underwood’s “Play On” will satisfy the y’all in you. And for the Contemporary Christian fans, Steven Curtis Chapman graces the exquisite “Beauty Will Rise.”

This week’s free MP3 download comes from Christian pop trio Barlowgirl. Download their harmonies-laden song “Hello Sunshine” from their new album “Love & War” by going to http://www.amazon.com and then entering Barlowgirl “Hello Sunshine” in the search engine. When the subsequent page loads, simply click on the song and enjoy.

And that’s it this week for Short Takes and Music Notes. Until next time download a song, buy an album, see a concert and by all means stay tuned.

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at