After a classic summer potluck wound down and the sunset over the ridge, Annie Palmer began the show with some solo numbers, with voice and guitar, as well as a number of tunes backed by Dylan Metrano aka Tiger Saw. Annie's voice carries both strength and passivity, these qualities melding into a lyrical alchemy which enchants and captivates. One very memorable song was an ode to the town where she resides, Ypsilanti, Michigan which is featured on the Ypsisongs compilation. According to her myspace page, "Annie writes songs and plays them on the guitar and organ. Annie can also be found populating the ranks of various bands, including Canada, The Patrick Elkinses, Tiger Saw and The Ups. Annie has never written a song called "Buttons" or "My Friend". That was a different person with the same name. It's just a weird and unfortunate coincidence." So there is the low down skinny. Accept no false Annie Palmers.
Tiger Saw, which in this incarnation also included Annie Palmer, gave unabashedly. Songs were tender, quirky, and from the heart accented by dreamy guitar strumming and plastic harmonium and chromatic bells. Dylan exudes a paradoxical blend of shyness and comfort in front of an audience which manifests as someting very honest and powerful. The crackling of the campfire and his careful crooning were perfectly complimented by Annie's harmonies and the insects in the meadow. In true campfire form Dylan got all present to sing the chorus of his final tune.

Sarah White is a dynamic solo performer as well as the unwavering force behind her band Sarah White and the Pearls. At the campfire she treated the audience to solo versions of some of her best know favorites as well as some arcane selctions from her Bluebird record released by Jagjaguwar in April 2000. Her strumming is powerful and her voice earth shattering. She is a real Virginia lady in the truest sense of that title and a stalwart within the rich history of Virginia's folk and country legacy. Sarah is obviously at home around a campfire and that sense of home translated to a sublime performance and recording. Sarah can't be denied. You'll see.

Just as Sarah stuck her last chord, the synchronicity of the universe behaved just so and a huge tow truck arrived with a 1964 GMC tourbus, former chariot of the illustrious Hackensaw Boys. "The Dirty Bird" as it is affectionately known, will be the future lounge and accommodations for bands recording at our Monkeyclaus studio. It is currently parked behind the studio, towards the Three Ridges to the south.

As, the night's get colder still. As, the darkness and isolation of winter consume you. As you begin to forget about the carefree days of summer. Remember you can always come back here and visit these recordings and remember that the darkness can't last forever.

Listen to Annie Palmer

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Listen to Tiger Saw

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Listen to Sarah White

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Live at The Jefferson Theater - Charlottesville
Sarah White Audio

Monkeyclaus is additionally very excited to facilitate the live recording of Sarah White also from the Jefferson Theater on April 20, 2006. Miss White is Charlottesville's best kept secret in the artistic realm along with Hillbilly Werewolf. An underground singer-songwriter, White spent time growing up in both Virginia and West Virginia, which seemingly has paid off in spades. White is cool and classic all the way -- think Carter Family with a modern twist. The guitar is a sweet old Gibson acoustic, that runs a line between folk, rock, country, and punk. The lyrics are the dessert or the desert flower. Look for more excellence in the near future from Sarah and her fine band The Pearls.

Check out Sarah White's website

On April 20th 2006, Monkeyclaus recorded King Wilkie live at the Jefferson Theater in downtown Charlottesville, Virginia. It was an idyllic Virginia spring evening as the music echoed out into the downtown pedestrian mall, and King Wilkie delighted hundreds of fans inside. It was an inspired performance. King Wilkie said they had not played the downtown mall since last playing on the small stage at Miller’s years ago. The audience seemed very pleased to have King Wilkie back home and onstage. Jim Waive and the Yong Divorcees and Sarah White also gave inspired opening performances. Experience again this incredible night of music from the beloved Jefferson Theater, in the comfort of your own surroundings.

King Wilkie Set List from Charlottesville

Billy Means' Blues
Rockabye
Wrecking Ball
Father
Mother
Brandy Wine (acoustic)
Broke Down & Lonesome
Millie's Song
Damn Yankee Lad
Cold Winds
The Man in Me
Ms. Peabody (Lobby Version)
Its Been a Long Time
Angeline

Encores:
Its Not Easy
Trouble in Mind