Today we look back to November 23, 2005…

Conspirator Turns The Key

The Disco Biscuits are currently in Philadelphia deciding on their new drummer. Meanwhile, Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner have confirmed a series of dates with DJ Omen as Conspirator in preperation for the early December release of _ The Key_. The electronic trio will appear in Troy, NY (12/7), Lancaster, PA (12/8), Falls Church, Va (12/9) and Baltimore (12/10) in support of its studio debut . The Pnuma Trio will join Conspirator for all four of the shows, while in Lancaster hometown heros the Quagmire Swim Team will also play between the two bands.

The Last Waltz Revisited

A selection of notable musicians will reinterpret The Band’s final performance at Atlanta’s Smith’s Olde Bar Friday. The multi-band event, organized by Houndog’s Kris ‘Jelly Roll’ Gloer, will interpret over 20 selection’s from The Last Waltz, which featured cameos from Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan and Ronnie Hawkins among many others. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s Kevin Harris and Efrem Towns, Cowboy’s Tommy Talton, The Sundogs, the Georgia Satellites’s Rick Richards and Swami Gone Bananas, as well as the Houndog, are among the artists scheduled to appear Friday. Gloer, who organized a similar event last year, is also already looking towards 2006, promising more festivities to mark The Last Waltz’s 30 anniversary.

Vince Herman, YMSB’s Dave Johnston and members of Shanti Groove to Pay Tribute to Mark Vann

December 16 has been set as the date for the third annual Mark Vann Foundation Holiday Benefit Show and Art Fair. Vince Herman and Great-American Taxi, Swing Set Featuring Yonder Mountain String Bands Dave Johnston, Arthur Lee Land, Greg Garrison, Jon Black Dog Rindell, Doug Baker and members of Shanti Groove comprise the events initial lineup, scheduled to take place at the Boulder Theater. A number of special guests will likely also pay tribute to lauded Leftover Salmon banjo player who passed away on March 4, 2002. In addition, the annual benefit will also host a canned food drive which will no doubt help keep Vanns motto to Dream Big, Go Big, and Pick Big a reality.

A Night at Nassau with the Allman Brothers

The Allman Brothers will look to the Chuck Leavell-era for its latest archival release. Nassau Coliseum 5/1/73 captures the lauded group shortly after the recording of 1973s Brothers and Sisters and includes such signature ABB-cuts as One Way Out, Jessica and Mountain Jam. Recorded on the heels of Duane Allman and Berry Oakleys deaths, this two-disc set features the short-lived lineup of Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Dickey Betts, Jaimoe Johanson, Leavell and Lamar Williams. Sadly, Williams, a Vietnam veteran, succumbed to Agent Orange-related cancer a decade later, while Leavell currently serves as keyboardist for the Rolling Stones. Moving back to the present, the current edition of the Allman Brothers Band is presumably off the road until its stretch of shows at New Yorks Beacon Theater this March.