My Favorite Uncle

Last week I caught the all-female string band collective Uncle Earl at the Gravity Lounge (a really cool little music room) in Charlottesville.

When the foursome started singing their pre-bluegrass, front-porch story songs, it made the atmosphere feel pastoral and simple. Their angelic harmonies had the crowd in awe; voices you don't often find in the burgeoning contemporary old-time movement. Each gal took a turn in the spotlight, offering sweetly authoritative, yet distinctly different rotating vocals that float gracefully over the musical mix of the old Celtic world of fiddle reels with post-modernly sheened original songwriting.

Before the show I reviewed their new CD, "Waterloo, Tennessee," for a local paper. The disc was produced by of all people former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. I confess I had no idea JPJ had any interest in string bands, but he certainly touched this one up in all the right places, adding hints of folk rock and blues to the equation.

They'll be back in the region for Merlefest at the end of April. If you're into the new school, old-time thing, I recommend checking them out.

Happy Trails,

J.F.

Calling All Gear Addicts...Here's Your New Crack

I hate to blatantly endorse any company, but Steep and Cheap (steepandcheap.com) is too great for me not to gush on it. In case you haven't heard, it's a relatively new website that posts one piece of outdoor gear at a time and sells its entire stock of the single item at a ridiculously reduced price until its gone. Within the past couple of weeks I've grabbed a Dakine ski bag for 20 bucks and pair of vegan La Sportiva shoes for just under 30. Right now I'm barely resisting some Spy shades that are on sale for 70 percent below retail. I refresh the site at least three dozen times a day, salivating in anticipation of the next deal. Sad, I know, but if you happen to have any gear whore tendencies like me, this site could save your wallet--and your marriage. My wife threatened separation after the fifth box arrived at the house last month. Luckily one of them contained two brand new Mountain Hardwear Wicked Ts in a female size small (at $11 a piece it was a no-brainer!) and suddenly all was right in my house again. I know there are more of you out there that can't resist a gear deal. Check it out, but be warned...it's addictive.

Happy Trails,

-J.F.