HYMN FOR HER
At 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10
Sentient Bean, 13 E. Park Ave.
Somewhere in the dirt between the blue grass of Kentucky and the swamp mud of the Mississippi Delta, the seeds for Hymn For Her’s gritty acoustic music took root. Maggi Jane and Pierce Ternay present themselves liker a hayseed White Stripes – it’s just the two of them, playing a three–stringed guitar box, dobro, acoustic guitar, banjo and a lil’ old drum kit.
As Lucy Tight and Wayne Waxing, the Philadelphia–based duo travel the country in a 16–foot 1961 Bambi Airstream trailer, with their daughter Diver and their black lab Pokey. “Lucy Tight and Wayne Waxing are just our alter egos when we’re living in the Airstream, recording a record, playing shows, driving down the road and crankin’ tunes – and showering,” says Jane.
H4H’s album Lucy and Wayne and the Amairican Stream, which contains a dozen slamming acoustic tunes with one–word names (“Cave,” “Here,” “Fiddlestix”) was recorded in the trailer, during breaks from the twosome’s arduous and sweaty tour schedule.
It’s a lifestyle they chose, specifically, after 12 years in the MPEband. “We were coming out of a band that played and traded just about every instrument under the sun,” says Jane. “We wanted to simplify our show, our lives, all the cord spaghetti on stage, and so we put out an acoustic record. Then, we missed rocking out, and added the cigar box, kick drum and high hat, a dobro, and a bullet mike.” See hymnforher.com
SAVANNAH CELTIC CHRISTMAS CONCERT
At 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1802 Abercorn St.
Advance $17, $10 under 12; At the door $20, $12 under 12
Reservations and info: (404-441-7848)
For 18 years now, Emory University in Atlanta has put on a gala Celtic Christmas concert at the Schwartz Center. One of the participants is Savannah native Moira Nelligan (pictured), a fiddler of considerable prowess, and a singer whose light, airy tones have brought favorable comparisons to the likes of Alison Krauss and Welsh folk balladeer Mary Hopkin. She also plays accordion, bodhran and recorder.
Nelligan headlines this local version of the event, with her band the Dixie Jigs (teenage guitarist sons Mickey and Moses, husband Michael Hickey - playing an Irish mummer - and champion Irish step dancer Jacquie Berger and her dance troupe). Also on board is Savannah's pre-eminent Irish singer/songwriter Harry O'Donoghue, playing his beloved Christmas tune "It's Going to Be a Snowy Night." The Savannah medieval harp and fiddle duo Everyman will also perform.
Jigs, reels, festivity, spirituality and heart-wrenching harmony. Ahhh.
As if that ‘twernt enough, St. Paul's is a beautiful, 103-year-old structure where there's a Celtic Mass each and every Sunday. See myspace.com/moirenelligan
JAMMING WITH EROK
Guitarist Eric Culberson was the host of a Savannah jam night for 20 years; he took a hiatus while recording his upcoming CD, In the Outside, and now he’s back and ready to roll (and rock). He’s started an all new Jam Night Wednesdays at Live Wire Music Hall, and it’s just in the nick of time as a good percentage of area clubs have deep-sixed live music on weeknights. Best of all, Culberson says, the club is providing a good backline for musicians who want to come out and play, including guitar amps, keyboards, percussion instruments and sundry other essentials. Jam Night starts at 8 p.m. every Wednesday (except for Dec. 15).
