Whoa Nellie!

Fans attending Nellie McKay’s recent shows have occasionally experienced a nice surprise—namely, Howard in the guitar chair for her band “The Aristocrats.” Howard appeared with Nellie’s band in San Francisco, Seattle and Cleveland recently. Here’s a video of the two performing Hoagy Carmichael’s video “Two Sleepy People.”

New Recordings Nearly Ready

“BETTER GET RIGHT,” Howard’s first studio album in four years, is finished and being readied for a spring 2010 release. Featuring the Biting Fish Brass Band, the recording features a mix of HF originals, traditional gospel and at least one surprising cover. A preview of the record is streaming RIGHT NOW on the site—a version of the old spiritual “Down By The Riverside.” Check it!

Live from New York!

TWO BIG NYC SHOWS: Howard makes his CITY WINERY debut this month, with a big triple bill featuring BRAZZ TREE and PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER on September 15. Then, two days later, THE ‘BASEMENT TAPES’ PROJECT returns to New York for a show featuring none other than author GREIL MARCUS as part of the CUNY GRADUATE CENTER’S “Concerts and Conversations” series!