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 Sad news today: guitar hero and hugely influential rock pioneer Bo Diddley died today (Mon. June 2) of heart failure at the age of 79. According to new reports, Diddley suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke. Since his earliest days recording side for the old Chess label, he never stopped touring or working until last year. 
Born Ellas Bates (he later changed it to Ellas McDaniel) in Mississippi in 1928, he grew up in Chicago and switched from boxing to playing R&B and blues in the 1950s. His first big break came in 1955, when Chess released his debut single, “Bo Diddley” — bold tune that featured his unique, reverby electric guitar sound and the signature, syncopated rhythmic pattern (nicknamed “shave and a haircut, two bits”). Follow-up hits included “I’m a Man,” the calypso-tinged “Crackin’ Up,” “Who Do You Love,” “Road Runner,” and “Bo Diddley Does Gunslinger” (click audio sample below).
 His early band featured a guitar-playing lady named Duchess and a maraca-shakin’ sidekick named Jerome Green. Their repetitive, beat-heavy style influenced just about everyone who followed them — from Buddy Holly and the Rolling Stones to George Thorogood & The Destroyers (he had a role as a pool shark in that band’s “Bad to the Bone” video clip) and The Clash.
Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received a lifetime achievement award in 1999 at the Grammy Awards. He’s rightly considered to be a founding father of rock ’n’ roll.
“Gun Slinger”
Through two sets of original songs, various bluegrass and country standards, and reworkings of blues and pop songs, Georgia acoustic group The Lovell Sisters delighted a packed house at the early-afternoon gig (Sat. May 31) at the Charleston Music Hall (37 John St.). Presented by the venue and Bennett Hoffard Company, fiddler/singer Jessica Lovell, dobro player/singer Megan Lovell, and mandolinist/singer Rebecca Lovell were in fine form and very high spirits.
 Backed by additional guitarist Matt Wingate (a MerleFest guitar pickin’ champ) and upright bassist Andy Nall (a longtime Lovell family friend from the hometown of Calhoun, Ga.), the Sisters blazed through their first set, offering plenty of newly-written material (“Blood is Thicker,” a ballad about a inter-sibling love triangle stood out) and a few gems off their album When Forever Rolls Around (Jessica said, “We’d like to do one from our first album … well, it’s out only album so far, but that just sounds better!”).
There was plenty clowning around, sassiness, and genuine graciousness between Jessica, Megan, and Rebecca — which was amusing and endearing, but three main elements of the concert struck the audience: the sisters’ high level of technical skill on their individual instruments; their distinctive singing styles and vocal agility; and their increasingly expansive song compositions.
 While Jessica may have stood out as the more vocal “frontlady” with the jumpiest stage presence and more to say on the mic between songs (she’s a fun and respectful emcee), Rebecca shined brightly with fiery virtuosity on the mandolin and a deep, soulful singing style — a hugely impressive feat, as she’s a mere 17 years of age. On dobro and lap steel, Megan’s solid technique and more stoic on-stage demeanor added balance to the boisterous jammin’ happened across the stage (at one point, she dedicated a piece to Union Station dobroist Jerry Douglas — “the man who inspired me to play this instrument”). All three swapped solos with Wingate, who dazzled with his dizzying flat-picking.
All three sang beautifully through out the night — from tearful melancholic original ballads like “Cryn’ My Heart Out” to grassed-up version of Johnny Cash, a cool-strumming cover of Don Williams, and a respectful cover of Linda Ronstadt (their “chilled out” version of Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt’s “I’m Blowing Away” was inspired by a clip on YouTube.com).
 One of the more amusing moments came during a closing number (a “train song … not too fast, please”). It’s always cool to see a professional act recover from mishap — especially with humor and grace. Jessica stood at the mic after the intro looking sightly confused while the rest of group played though what should have been the first verse. Her bandmates started grinning and cracking up. Jessica looked over to Rebecca, then to Megan, then stopped the song. “I can’t remember the first verse!” Her sisters nearly fell down laughing (Rebecca actually dropped to her knees), and the crowd chuckled with them. “Should we play this again?” Jessica asked. The audience roared, and they tore back into it, nailing every solo and vocal harmony. Such a recovery would have won approval from most audiences, but this audience had been totally won-over by the opening tune.
 Bandleader John Harrison — the bearded main dude, lead singer, guitarist, and synth player in Chapel Hill rock/fuzz-pop band North Elementary — really went to town with the noisy rockstuff last night (May 29) at the Village Tavern, sharing gear and band members with fellow N.C. indie rock band Schooner in front of a small but supportive crowd. At one point during the first number, as a pounded chords out of a small keyboard at stagefront, Harrison kinda resembled an angry-looking Seth Rogan … or at least a grouchy, PBR-swiling Seth Rogan … it was awesome.
 Word from blues series organizer Gary “Shrimp City Slim” Erwin came in that this year’s Early Bird Blues series — part of Piccolo Spoleto’s Blues/Jazz events — has been packing the crowds to capacity at the Mad River Bar and Grille (32-B N. Market St., 888-374-2656). We checked out last evening’s performance from Old Crow and barely fit into the room, which was teeming with older tourists, yuppies, crusty local blues fans, and entire family units.
Old Crow was on stage for two full sets of acoustic Delta blues, ragtime, blues-rock, and bluegrass (played on fiddle, dobro, double bass, guitar, field snare and harmonica). Guitarist/vocalist Jim Crow led the way on several numbers, swapping lines with Smoky Weiner and Hazel Ketchum. Crow sounded really cool on their rendition of Tom Waits’ syncopated tune “Jockey Full of Bourbon.”
Ketchum switched between acoustic guitar duties and playing an antique marching snare with a pair of brushes (she’s pictured here after the show with Smoky Weiner). The crowd was into it —way more than we expected, especially for a happy hour scene in the Market. Thumbs up to Mad River for hosting these events — this might turn out to be an important venue for more blues and jazz events to come.
There’s more to come in the Early Bird series. Aussie blues-rock guitarist Geoff Achison performs this evening and on Mon. June 2 at 4 p.m. S.C. legedn Drink Small gets down on Tues June 3 at 4 p.m. Chicago blues/rockabilly guitarist Matt Walsh and his duo perform on Thurs. June 5 at 4 p.m. Fans and novices who dig boogie, authentic country blues, indigenous roots music, and a gritty bar atmosphere should make plans to attend. Cover is $10. Music runs from 4-7 p.m.
Singer/songwriter Jay Clifford — a longtime local favorite, formerly of Charleston pop/rock band Jump (a.k.a. Jump, Little Children) — has been keeping mighty busy this spring. This Sunday (June 1), he and a group of musical colleagues will set up on the stage at the Village Tavern for a special music video shoot for “Know When to Walk Away,” the lead-off track on his new solo album. The video shoot is open to the public (there’s a $2 cover at the door).
 Directed by actor/writer/filmmaker/music fan Zach Braff (of TV’s Scrubs … he also wrote and directed 2004’s Garden State), the final clip for will be edited and arranged with footage from the Tavern as well as fan-generated footage.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for those of you who have always dreamed of being a rock star or aspire to be the next Spielberg,” Braff says on the video production web page. “This is your chance to make your fantasy a reality! It couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is download the song, grab a camera, rock out, and then send it.
According to the venue, Clifford and his band will run through the song several times, then perform the Garden State soundtrack in its entirety for the crowd afterward.
Clifford is set to perform during the Piccolo Fringe series next week. He’ll play a three-night gig, from June 5-7, at the American Theater (446 King St., 843-722-3456). Tickets are available for $15 at www.ticketmaster.com.
 Acclaimed soprano saxophonist Stefano “Cocco” Cantini and his quartet perform at The Cistern this evening (Sun. May 25 at 9 p.m.) during another elegant Wachovia Jazz Series event. The Tuscany-based saxophonist is well-known for blending traditional jazz styles with traditional Italian folk and classical work. He names his favorite and most influential saxophonists as John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Dave Liebman, and John Simon.
“Coltrane’s A Love Supreme as the first album I remember having in the house as a child,” he told City Paper last week. “He’s still my favorite saxophonist.’
 But the origin of his amusing nickname may not be so well known: “The word ‘cocco’ is the translation of ‘coconut’ here,” Cantini explains.  “When I was a child, I really liked ice creams. The one I liked most had a comic print design of a cowboy character.” Cocco Bill was an absurd Wild West cartoon character drawn by an Italian artist Benito Jacovitti. The character ended up on the wrapper for gelati in the 1970s. “I took this cowboy name because I really like the ice cream and the image on the ice cream cover,” he says. “That’s why my friends nicknamed me Cocco.”
For over 12 years, Spoleto Festival USA and the organizers of their jazz and world music events have utilized the support of Wachovia Bank and delivered a wide range of international musical artists. Under the careful guidance of director/producer Michael Grofsorean, the Wachovia Jazz Series regularly delivers a diverse lineup of veteran and up-and-coming artists who specialize in just about everything under the global jazz tent — from Latin and Afro-Cuban, bossa nova, flamenco, and traditional swing and bebop, to modernistic and experimental. This year’s Wachovia Jazz series is no exception.
 On opening night — Fri. May 23 at the Cistern (tonight!) — San Fran-based jazz vocalist Paula West (pictured) and the George Mesterhazy Quartet — with Mesterhazy on piano  (pictured), bassist Barak Mori, drummer Tony Reedus, guitarist/vocalist Ed Cherry — will surely captivate the audience with a cool set of tunes, including standards from the jazz world as well as the folk, Celtic, country, blues, and rock ’n’ roll sides of things.
Wanna see Paula West and the Mesterhazy Quartet performing Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” at a recent gig? Click here, will ya? It’s a peach.
Bill Elder (a.k.a. Leo Black) — composer, guitarist, and producer for Nashville’s The Dynamites — leads the funk/soul band back to town this Thurs. May 22, alongside with frontman Charles Walker.
 Last August the ensemble — Elder, Walker, bassist Jackson Eppley, percussionist Chris Patterson, organist Tyrone Dickerson, drummer Derrek Phillips, trumpeter Jon-Paul Frappier, and sax players Chris West and Jonathan Jackson — dazzled the crowd at the Windjammer with their smooth grooves and peppery syncopation, playnig a few reworkings of soul and rock standards and lots of stuff from their recent band’s, Kaboom!
“The way this whole thing started was really just for fun,” says Elder. “With all the musicians I worked with, on a production basis and recording basis, we all had similar influences … stuff very much rooted in the funk and soul origins. It wasn’t about the money. It was about getting together and doing a strong soul revue.”
“I can’t say enough about the horn section,” he adds. “They’re some of the hottest players in Nashville, which is one of the most competitive musical areas imaginable. They all have really dug deep and sunk their teeth into the Dynamites.” Tickets for this week’s Windjammer gig are $8. Show time is 10 p.m.
 There’s a bit of buzz on Dexter Romweber’s gig at the Tin Roof on Thurs. May 22. Audiences will get to watch a documentary film on a him and his previous rock band, The Flat Duo Jets, before being treated to a live set from The Defilers (who were recently added to the bill) and his latest duo with sister Sarah Romweber on drums (formerly of Let’s Active and Snatches of Pink). They embrace the same vintage rock spirit as the Jets — a sound inspired by the deep cuts of the 1950s and ’60s.
“When I first heard Elvis Presley, that’s when I started falling in love with ’50s music,” says Romweber. “When I hear today’s music, I don’t hear that purity any more. It’s all glossy and computerized, like, suddenly the raw edge of rock ’n’ roll doesn’t exist any more. I think the type of music I’ve done is like an overall primitive vibe.”
 Shot and edited by Athens, Georgia: Inside/Out director Tony Gayton, Two Headed Cow includes old footage of the Flat Duo Jets from the mid ’80s and covers Dexter’s career as a bandleader, songwriter, and dedicated rock ’n’ roller. City Paper ran a City Pick/Soundcheck on the event this week. This screening will be followed by a Q&A and a live set.
Asheville-based roots/soul/ R&B band Laura Reed & Deep Pocket will be accompanied by a very special guest on stage this week — Motown veteran and Hammond B3 master Ike Stubblefield. They jam at the Pour House on Wed. May 21. 
 Stubblefield started his career in 1968, playing with such Motown greats as The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and others. Currently based in Atlanta, he’s recently collaborated with Quincy Jones, the Derek Trucks Band, Jeff Sipe, Jimmy Herring, Col. Bruce Hampton, Francine Reed, and Susan Tedeschi.
Reed and the band have been busy touring with Peter and Lorin Rowan, Larry Keel, Vince Herman, and The Overtakers in Negril Jamaica. Their newly-released album Soul:Music was recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville.
Doors will open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $7 at door.
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Sad news today: guitar hero and hugely influential rock pioneer Bo Diddley died today (Mon. June 2) of heart failure at the age of 79. According to new reports, Diddley suffered a heart attack in August, three months after suffering a stroke. Since his earliest days recording side for the old Chess label, he never stopped touring or working until last year. 
His early band featured a guitar-playing lady named Duchess and a maraca-shakin’ sidekick named Jerome Green. Their repetitive, beat-heavy style influenced just about everyone who followed them — from Buddy Holly and the Rolling Stones to George Thorogood & The Destroyers (he had a role as a pool shark in that band’s “Bad to the Bone” video clip) and The Clash.
