An active fan of Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds since the first time I saw them at Mountain Jam in 2012 (click here for that story), I have introduced their music to many music friends. Over the past decade I have penned numerous stories about the band that when pieced together follow their work down an adventurous pathway… (FTC in Fairfield Feb 13, Irving Plaza Dec 2013, Brooklyn Bowl Feb 2014, Mountain Jam 2014, Roy’s Hall March 2016). Needless to say, I was super delighted when the band reemerged after COVID in White Plains July 2022 as part of a double bill with The Spin Doctors. That show seemed to be the beginning of a new chapter for lead singer Arleigh Kincheloe and harmonica playing brother Jackson Kincheloe.
On May 6, 2023, Arleigh and Jackson was joined on stage by drummer Lee Falco and guitarist Connor Kennedy at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock opening for (and later joining) the wonderfully talented Amy Helm and the groove crushing Helm Family Midnight Ramble crew. As expected Arleigh and Amy Helm + Band were crazy lip-smacking good.
There were so many amazing songs performed that night. The highlight for me was the big and bold rendition of The Band’s “Remedy” (produced by one the best… Professor Louie – who by the way talked about the making of this song in his Music People Project interview (click here to watch).
What I didn’t expect that night (and was left giddy about for days after) was how amazing guitarist Connor Kennedy was. It is uncanny how much he reminds me of a hybrid Rick Danko/Robbie Robertson. What a compliment fur sure!! That man can sing and play.
Most impressive is how Kennedy makes everyone around him better. Here are two video clips I grabbed that give a small glimpse of the magic…
The last time I covered Sister Sparrow I “recommended” she bring on a dynamic guitar player and vocalist like Jackie Greene or Scott Sharrard… Connor Kennedy fits that bill perfectly. I hope this new pairing sticks in the future.
The first time I saw Connor was in Sept 2015 at The Speed of Sound Festival at Dutchess County Airport. Here is a great pic I snapped of Conner that afternoon (funny how he looks like My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James in this shot)…
In his interview with me for the Music People Project (click here), drummer Lee Falco talked about his close relationship with Connor Kennedy that began when they were teens playing the garage on the first of their many musical collaborations.
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| Lee Falco (above) is interview #28 on The Music People Project |
I as rambled in my story the last time I went to Levon’s Barn to catch a show — The Sheepdogs in October 2022 (click here for that story) — seeing music at Levon Helm Studios is a must do for music people like us. There are a bunch of great shows coming up at THE BARN like Deer Tick and Leo Kottke. I hope to get back soon.
I must also say how super cool it was to see so many old friends (Joe Bavaro and Gene Kenny!! and others from my hometown Nyack) hanging by Levon Pond before the show. There is nothing more enjoyable for me than talking music with hardcore music people.
See you at the next Ramble rancholeros…..
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