tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41297948426576900552024-02-07T06:21:27.777-08:00MUSIC, AS CASSIE SEES ITNew York City is a melting pot of live music. Let me tell you how I see it, so that you can get out and see it for yourself...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-61452119376283166712012-02-29T14:08:00.001-08:002012-02-29T14:10:35.197-08:00I've moved...<div align="center">Please follow me over to <a href="http://thiswasgood.wordpress.com/">http://thiswasgood.wordpress.com/</a> for plenty more where this came from!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-8104761809771073852012-01-12T10:07:00.000-08:002012-01-12T10:12:23.296-08:00Just one more thing about globalFEST, I promise...<span style="font-size:130%;">NPR</span> recorded all of the concerts at globalFEST and has them up on the webs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD10FnxPFfDienXDIvhbwfxsTAJKS8bLdkYuGoiksyCbibCBd-BZOj151uhwML5z1-5648flWtVEfEqd25vLUBsr2-XR-mxodNWj5_ZZ8a7V4DFZCgCMhLQbWGf2lmzUgzD1YR2-aipw/s1600/npr_music_logo.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 175px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 47px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696809810024720978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD10FnxPFfDienXDIvhbwfxsTAJKS8bLdkYuGoiksyCbibCBd-BZOj151uhwML5z1-5648flWtVEfEqd25vLUBsr2-XR-mxodNWj5_ZZ8a7V4DFZCgCMhLQbWGf2lmzUgzD1YR2-aipw/s200/npr_music_logo.gif" /></a>ite to stream. There are even still some on the page from last year. And that is why I love NPR.<br /><a href="http://www.npr.org/series/globalfest/">Listen now!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-77684024577653606682012-01-09T18:24:00.000-08:002012-01-10T12:18:17.697-08:00globalFEST 2012 rocks us into the new year<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I</span> have come to the conclusion that <a href="http://www.globalfest-ny.com/">globalFEST</a> is my favorite day of the year. It should be a holiday. It's better than a holiday.</div>In its ninth year, it is a one-night only celebration of all things world music. This year that meant everything from the virtuoso <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wanglimusic">Wang Li</a> giving what is surely the most stunning performance on the jaw harp (that's right) that you've ever seen, to the enormity of the 60 member<a href="http://www.silkroadproject.org/MusicArtists/TheSilkRoadEnsemble/tabid/161/Default.aspx"> Silk Road Ensemble</a> exploring contemporary music on instruments from around the world. Each of the 12 sets is a completely singular experience, transporting audiences to a different point on the globe, and there are moments where everything else disappears except what's right before you. That is, until you remember that you only have 20 minutes left to catch the cross-cultural <a href="http://www.canzonieregrecanicosalentino.net/">Southern Italian</a> band upstairs.<br />Because this is my favorite holiday, I did make a point to see all 12 bands. This was easier than it may sound, as the overlapping schedule allows for, and even encourages, migration from one stage to another within the three spaces at Webster Hall.<br />That being said, the price of admission is well worth it even if you only catch one or two bands. But once the adrenaline and the rhythms and the horns start pumping through those halls, you might not be surprised if you find that you've spent five hours bouncing from one favorite to the next. And the next. And the next.<br />Here are a few of my favorites, briefly. Check them out for yourselves, and mark your calendars for early January next year so that globalFEST can round out your Holiday season with a bang. Probably on a bongo drum.<br />First: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MAKUsoundsystem?sk=app_204974879526524">M.A.K.U. Soundsystem</a>. Because they totally rocked my world.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 700px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://gozamos.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/maku-soundsystem.jpg" /></div> This 8 person Colombian get-up packed the downstairs studio at Webster Hall with their irresistible dance beats. They had the crowd blissfully grooving to their percussive funk/ reggae sounds, passionately shouting "Sera!" in response to calls for political action and joyfully jumping up and down in unison. This was where the real dancing happened, folks, making this the hardest room to leave as everyone clearly hoped the set would never end.<br /><br />Equally uplifting and groovable in its own way was the spirited music from Haitian band, <a href="http://www.belohaiti.com/live/">Belo</a>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 618px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 420px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://o.aolcdn.com/photo-hub/news_gallery/6/5/657597/1270833862438.JPEG" /> The music is full of heart and soul, as are the men behind the gentle rhythms. Belo ended the set with a chorus of repeated shouts "Do you want me to go?" To which, of course, the crowd yelled back "NO!"<br />Check out this <a href="http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2007/12/haiti_belos_son.html#">PBS story and video</a> on the band's story of hope.<br /><br />Offering some solid competition to all the seductive caribbean percussion was the French band, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/zazofficiel">Zaz</a>.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.philharmonie.lu/images_user/events/abos/448/Zaz-2a-photo_Sony_Music-240x240px_COL_72DPI_RGB.jpg" /> I preemptively included a video of this lovely lady of song in a previous post below because I couldn't resist. She is testament to the deep appeal of french jazz and blues, playfully pulling at heartstrings and filling even the vastness of the Webster Hall ballroom with her lilting vocals and natural charm.<br /><br />And then there was <a href="http://www.myspace.com/smodbamako">Smod</a>.<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 512px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yP3B_Fbu1RY/TgcHhPOc3oI/AAAAAAAACDQ/2RufeNeTQPA/236.Saturday_Smod_S.Laloux.jpg" /></div> I say that because these four men from Mali with their African hip-hop songs could charm the pants off anyone. Watching them run in place while singing and playing their instruments was definitely a hight point in the night.<br /><br />The festival concluded with <a href="http://deboband.com/">Debo Band</a>, who have come from Boston via Ethiopia and are taking New York City by storm.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.tadias.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Debo-Band_Sepia_by-Amael-Tesfaye_2011_cover.jpg" /> They crammed onto the small stage of the studio room in the basement and had every imaginable instrument represented. This was the party spot. The music was loud, with the energy of a big band jam, crossing electric rock lines with horns, saxophones and probably the most beautiful tuba I've ever seen. Seriously. I noticed it being carried around earlier and its old-world, weathered quality caught my eye even then. At a certain point, there was so much adrenaline and so many sounds coming off the stage that I wasn't sure anymore what was even going on.<br /><br />But at that point, it didn't matter. I had music coursing through my veins and my body was exhausted from all the dancing. It was way better than Christmas.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-43505307537637221932012-01-09T08:51:00.000-08:002012-01-09T18:24:20.910-08:00An initial highlight from GlobalFEST<em>(more to come...)</em><br />One of the 12 bands that ignited Webster Hall last night for the annual GlobalFEST world music celebration was this lovely little lady from France.<br />Watch this. You will fall in love with her.<br /><br /><object id="flashObj" width="486" height="412" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=607021907001&playerID=27613061001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAABm80vPk~,SFZhk5lLvq9hVT-QYcvV6Ckbdcux48iv&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=607021907001&playerID=27613061001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAABm80vPk~,SFZhk5lLvq9hVT-QYcvV6Ckbdcux48iv&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-30928642997434725982011-12-08T19:30:00.000-08:002011-12-08T19:43:48.801-08:00The Eccentricity of The Barr Brothers, Live at Joe's Pub<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">E</span>xperiencing a live show with the four musicians and countless instruments that make up the band <i><a href="http://thebarrbrothers.com/">The Barr Brothers</a></i> is somewhat akin to stepping into a laboratory; it is as if you are witnessing the process and results, the ifs and thens, of some highly creative experimentation with sounds and instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’re talking playing a guitar made out of a tackle-box; drawing a bow across a cymbal as if it were a violin; weaving thread through the strings of a guitar and manipulating the ends to create a haunting, whirring whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That kind of thing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And while it is increasingly enjoyable to listen to their recordings and try to tease apart the sounds in your head, it is fascinating to share a room with these incredibly innovative musicians and discover just where all those disparate sounds are coming from and how exactly they are being manufactured.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIQTA-6YCaWnbd-kHU_wJHcTCrFBGi62Y4n6gCo_y-7DwrxDa0Nn35dR-0BTPU4TsE414bSJ7lswIaFdRu8HDfHqqC7wKH5iOETYh8F358c9gW7PLdNHk9DM7Fh4ssvd9gskEZzff9RI/s320/Barr+Brothers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683967564416154402" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Preparing the stage for their set at Joe’s Pub on a rainy December night took almost as long as their Opening Act’s set (the very malleable voice of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jocelynadamsmusic">Jocie Adams</a> and her five piece band, whose simple yet richly textured songs share an Americana sensibility with those of The Barr Brothers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And yet as soon as the cacophony of sounds began to emanate from the small corner stage, there was no question that it was well worth the wait.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is something delightful about the humble ingenuity and eccentricity of The Barr Brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And not just the two brothers, Andrew and Brad, but also Sarah Page, who is redefining the harp, and Andres Vial as master of the drums, with his vast bag of tricks and unidentifiable instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The four work seamlessly as a team, no single part greater than another and each equally necessary to the composition of the songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Despite the bold whimsy of their sound, these are musicians with a great sense of control and focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clearly, not much is required from them as performers when what they’re doing as musicians is so captivating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Their set featured a few new songs mixed in with their increasingly popular staples such as “Beggar in the Morning” and “Deacon’s Son”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The songs bleed into one another, some even sound very similar, but the genre-defying use of rotating instruments keeps it all fresh and has an audience wondering what will come next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could be a loud rock guitar line, could be the harp plucked like a mandolin, could be gentle three part vocal harmony and rambling lyrics, could be cowbells and impressively syncopated hand clapping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most likely, whatever comes next will change the way the audience defines not only this band but also any given instrument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>Photo credit: Mike McNamara from the band's website.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-49079435750867347262010-07-02T19:41:00.000-07:002010-07-02T20:04:44.953-07:00Getting Swept Away By Leah Siegel<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">L</span>eah Siegel is plugged in, charged up and going for gold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sultry lady of song has of late been going through a transitional phase with her music, one which she confesses she would’ve done six years ago if she’d had the money, the time and, well, the balls.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well now she’s got ‘em.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The last thing she seems, in fact, is scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When she throws back her head, opens her mouth and releases sounds with such abandon and passion, she seems downright indomitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWV21vJ43sf-6C9rh9sPk7t-xYGkkEAWGRzwx5wRA71qb1UhbqOBnUe63bHwanDWkO0ySqAwBs3z_0_PF-RcZmGRk6BsWuY65lVEEt_nllJaa60SaJQ534AGwEd1St7UD7_xbo9F3rxA/s320/2459074.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489506937342053506" /> <p class="MsoNormal">The new stage at <a href="http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com">Rockwood Music Hall</a> was a jungle of twisting cords, plugs and pedals when <a href="http://www.myspace.com/leahsiegel">Leah and her band</a> took over on July 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The set was a mix of stirring new songs and reworked <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uewxfp-gH8s">Leah Siegel classics</a>, with techno beats, reverberating guitar chords and vocal looping thrown in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The sound was intoxicating, grabbing at heartstrings while also tempting feet to tap and heads to nod all of their own volition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The songs are more complex musically now, with layer upon layer of synthesizers, percussion, guitar lines and vocal echoes by way of a secondary small microphone and a mixing board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are still dark and melancholy, full of irony and angst, but now there’s an element of groove where once there was mostly rock and blues. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">But it is still Leah’s voice that makes your jaw drop and sends shivers down your spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Her emotional purging is practically contagious, which is what makes her music so irresistible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s as if everything else disappears when she opens her mouth and wails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And yet she melts right in to the cacophony around her, building on its energy, its crescendos, its power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Like one organism, the band breathing and moving together, the sounds swelling and rolling off the stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Don’t be surprised when it sweeps you up in it, as it inevitably will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You may never be free of Leah Siegel again, and that is a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-24660935463273145882010-03-11T19:05:00.000-08:002010-03-11T19:31:43.866-08:00A Secret No More<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I</span>t was the early show on a Wednesday night at the Mercury Lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><a href="http://www.aprilsmithmusic.com/">April Smith and the Great Picture Show </a>were back home after an adventure-filled tour, playing to a room filled past capacity.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">This is a band with gigs lined up at SXSW.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is a band with a song that was featured on NPR.org’s “Song of the Day”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is a band branded as “One of 30 Bands to Watch” at Lollapalooza by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Rolling Stone</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With all of these accolades, you may be wondering a few things about these Brooklynites:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Where have they been hiding? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How have I missed them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And where are they headed?</p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg252zD47l5f5NezzVXtjv_eKSzAk_gMxCl7Q6IFqS3XfoqIBXXzOeyyavKlTm8HfiUGcEWtc6GLzsbs5TtFWUnOXfAjCYD2lIGLcLJfHfZ3_JI1tCgtx9CpOh_pZnZK5p1lyzzD4rz3k/s320/APRILSMITHgavinthomasphotoIMG_4385+(Medium).JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447579767970245986" /><p class="MsoNormal">The band’s stylistic choice of suits, ties and fedoras compliments the swinging nature of their music, a throwback to days when cigarette smoke hovered everywhere and things looked better in black and white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Smith is notorious for flamboyant dresses with short ruffled skirts, but don’t be fooled by her coquettish wardrobe, her pixie cut bangs or her dimples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This little lady is a rockstar and boasts a voice you will not believe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The band’s music has an alluring balance and use of minor notes, crescendos and staccato rhythms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Likewise, Smith colors her vocals with an occasional cry or slide, and there is a strange Gwen Stefani-like shade to her sound at times, particularly in the haunting ballad, “Dixie Boy” (although I have no doubt that Smith could sing circles around Stefani).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The vibrant complexity of the songs is rounded out by Nick D'Agostino (like a contemporary mobster) on drums, Brandon Lowry on keys and accordion, Stevens on bass (both electric and upright) and Marty O’Kane on lead guitar and mandolin (played with uncanny vigor).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QPxMpTG3TFQ&rel=0&color1=0xffffff&color2=0xffffff&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QPxMpTG3TFQ&rel=0&color1=0xffffff&color2=0xffffff&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><p class="MsoNormal">Halfway through the set, Smith declared: “I think it’s time to dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think a Charleston is in order.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Until, that is, Smith unleashed that extraordinary voice with its soaring resonance and effortless power, which instantly stopped you dead in your tracks, sending shivers up your spine.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the end of the set, I overheard a man comment: She was on fire tonight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Which begged the question in my mind: When is she not?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have a feeling that any time April Smith performs, no matter how many times you’ve seen her, she leaves you thinking the same thing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Damn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">is</i> this girl and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">where</i> did she come from?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>Photo by Gavin Thomas from a show at the Bowery Ballroom</i></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-86769477890700907812010-03-05T09:14:00.000-08:002010-03-15T18:30:56.858-07:00Tally Hall. Unplugged.<div style="text-align: center;">“I don’t know if this helps,” Zubin Sedghi offers as he tilts the microphone towards Rob Cantor’s guitar.</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">“Probably not, since I played that wrong anyway,” Cantor replies.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">(It also didn’t help because the mike wasn’t on.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuPbADjcOV1TR_DINMt-WwNv3bl15607LaFNI1a0H5zOL45ss6xXaVaSPZ017ReDgJ3X-_BZ7V8DdLg9nzwKs5atTDOMqQk91HTu1huvjNHN3aCzf1jsBYAcwEmuIk5To0qQrDlHG3UQ/s320/l_6ed8377315d197f0b33072e3360c4566.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445204242957901378" /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> H</span>alfway through their set at<a href="http://www.boweryballroom.com/"> Bowery Ballroom</a>, the men of Michigan band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tallyhall">Tally Hall</a> announced from the stage that the next song would be their last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>People checked their watches; this seemed very odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Concurrently</span>, a man with a trumpet began making his way from backstage through the crowd and up to the balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Also odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Three minutes later, the congenial musicians were following the trumpeter’s lead, as a recorded voice played over the sound system, gently encouraging the audience to take a seat on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(And don’t think too much about how dirty it may be.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Murmurs and giggles broke out and the crowd obeyed, eagerly and earnestly. Amidst all the excitement, the band began setting up shop on the ballroom floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> Illuminated by an array of floor lamps, four men of Tally Hall, along with special late addition and stand-in, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/caseyshea">Casey Shea</a>, began the second half of their set tucked under the balcony on the side of the Bowery Ballroom floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were unamplified, whether they knew it or not (my bet is they didn’t), which required a greater focus from the audience and also allowed for every individual voice to be heard floating around the now intimate feeling space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Unexpectedly, the rock concert suddenly turned into a sing-a-long (with an occasional trumpet blasting from above).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The only thing missing was the campfire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Those of us unfortunate ones who didn’t know the songs or the words had to strain to pick up the complexity of the compositions, but the creative ambience made our efforts more than worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It felt as if these guys had invited hundreds of us over to sit in their living room while they played some ditties they’d been working on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Despite the technical difficulties (or perhaps thanks to them), the performance was a novel and singular experience of the band's contagious music that will not be easily forgotten or replicated.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><i>Photo courtesy of the band's Myspace </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-90015707493258000602010-02-08T13:23:00.000-08:002010-02-08T13:47:08.045-08:00The Good Graces of Grace McLean<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">R</span>eclining on pillows at the foot of a grand piano, being serenaded by the ever impulsive yet soothing, honeyed voice of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/graceodile">Grace McLean</a> is one of the more perfect ways to spend a winter’s Sunday afternoon.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On Sunday, February 7th, for a piece aptly titled “Living Room Experience”, McLean had turned a black box theater into a space so warm and comfortable, complete with paper lanterns strewn across the floor and a floor lamp by the piano, that it was redolent of being in a friend’s living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The show was part of an ongoing singer/songwriter series called <i><a href="http://www.theflea.org/show_detail.php?page_type=0&show_id=12">Music with a View</a></i> at the Flea Theater in Tribeca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The event is defined as a “lab-like space” that is “dedicated to nurturing new works and to the free exchange of ideas, thoughts and opinions between artists and the audience”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iNK3ldWPKs2UEs0tsizKjiRx-iejPFjTzqFwiotpJ0w4UCvBkQWDN2DEMM6jtuRKw9jHymxzC-ff0XhAOF6l0zpTUbojp-8RE8uOFfbhMz1zq56zQLcISd6qILqp638K99p8UMgg-n4/s320/m_fc62e11ae19b41a9bb5e84ea3625703e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435988578632561090" /><p class="MsoNormal">McLean capitalized on this idea of a relationship with the audience by encouraging her attentive crowd to join her in breath exercises during her self-imposed “Intermission”, as well as asking them to close their eyes to let the images of a song titled “The Dream” wash over their imaginations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She also invited the eager young men and women to share a secret with their neighbor before launching into her “Secret Song” and the room momentarily erupted in whispers and giggles reminiscent of a child’s sleepover.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Her rapidly percussive songs, delivered with the utmost vocal control and perfect diction, were accompanied by Justin Goldner on bass and Hiroyuki Matsuura on percussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The instrumentation of her music is subtle; a gentle background to her dynamic voice and clever, story-driven lyrics.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></i></span></span><i>“I’m in love with my friend’s roommate/ I hope that he’s not gay/</i><span><i> </i></span><i>Keep in mind <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>it<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i><i>wouldn’t be the first time affections have wandered that way”</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The series was the perfect forum for an artist like McLean who is an innately charming performer with sharp comic timing and an ease that makes her irresistible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One song flowed swiftly into the next, introduced by witty remarks and closed promptly with a simple ‘Thank you’. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Her show left you longing to recreate those feelings of peace and bliss at home in your own living room. It would surely be much easier if Ms. McLean could be a permanent fixture next to the sofa.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of artists' myspace page</span></i></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-15631763148867354592010-02-03T14:10:00.000-08:002010-02-04T08:33:02.442-08:00ban*ter |ˈbantər|<p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpFirst" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">T</span>here are moments in most live musical sets that more or less require some sort of dialogue, or banter, on the part of the musicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The smaller the setting, the closer the audience, the more necessary the banter seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The truth is that this act of bantering is almost as much of an art as the music-playing itself and yet many musicians seem to lack the requisite skills.</p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:0in">The Banter is important because it effects the momentum of the set: it can either interrupt it or it can drive it forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It could be said there are even musical elements to it: a harmonious balance, a cadence, a duration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The problem many musicians run into is a lack of intuition with this bantering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They may talk too much, or not enough; they may tell random stories from their day or their lives that come across as purely irrelevant; worst of all they may try to make jokes and fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There’s probably a reason you are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>a musician and not a comedian, my friend (Although, for the record, Steve Martin in the company of his Banjo Band has the art of Banter DOWN).</p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:0in">All that being said, when musicians rock the art of the Banter, they stand a cut above the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are suddenly performers, not simply music-makers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireFQc5ff97MqVPVb2wiPpJ6oiXzKIaqCR54cjnNE9d5PMwoYnSDU1h8QeRif4edCy8GJCMC6oDe5G9yn97PwGloICFaW4qP-Npdf_8lUEing_K2cRyN7G79sgUci5qt4WYT4MufHLOTI/s320/l_346b57d5a56cbbd3e89e5249a8b421a4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434145579459331922" /> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:0in">A prime example can be found in the trio that is <a href="http://www.thespringstandards.com/">The Spring Standards</a>: James, Heather and James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The most impressive part of their relationship, and consequently their banter, is that it feels genuinely collaborative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No one seems to be the ring leader and no one is trying to steal the spotlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is Banter, in the true sense of the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is playful, relaxed, endearing, completely comfortable yet totally unplanned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They finish each other’s sentences and make impromptu puns off of each other’s remarks, as well as off of comments from the audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are in tune with one another’s senses of humor and at the same time it is clear that they respect and enjoy each other.</p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:0in">As a result, we, the audience are charmed by these three incredibly talented musicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A wall is broken down that separates them, the rock stars, from us, the civilians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our hearts open and we trust them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We want to hear every word they say and every note they play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Which is lucky for us because The Spring Standards’ music (around the Banter) is even more enchanting than the banter itself (hence our reason for being at a music set and not an improv show).</p> <p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:0in">So can an excellent musician be terrible at banter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or can a band with sharp and witty banter play unappealing music?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most likely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But without some level of proficiency in both, they may never be truly great performers.</p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="text-align: center;margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b><i>**Don't miss The Spring Standards in action again at <a href="http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com/">Rockwood Music Hall</a> on Tuesday February 9 at 8 pm**</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast" style="text-align: right;margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Photo credit: Jeffrey Augustine Songco, from the band's Myspace</span></i></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-75896250589572667672009-09-05T09:21:00.001-07:002009-09-05T11:01:39.006-07:00A New Obsession<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"> D</span>o yourself a favor: meet <a href="http://www.myspace.com/pearlandthebeard">Pearl and the Beard</a> (even if it's not in person for now). Listen to their music, be awe-inspired, fall in love. As one of the opening acts for <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tigercity">Tiger City</a> last night at <a href="http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com/">Mercury Lounge</a>, this trio was the very definition of a hard act to follow.</div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 177px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpNtsykhdD-fRak4DT9rrpX4FvjwfEebanDh4AsHnKbVsb_4twnDlP-HRJZGQ2t5tXzOn8Gm2jC0ohYzNx6ru3KJFSLbChcZ3WcBBhLOPsheYUeXOVs08w9G78uU2s9BFvfibVgRBJbo/s320/pearl+and+the+beard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378037507556515666" /><div> </div><div> About half the crowd (and it sure was crowded) raised their hands to express that it was their first time seeing this gem of a band, consisting of Jocelyn Mackenzie, Jeremy Styles, and Emily Hope Price. The band is headed off on what they call the "Raise Your Glasses Tour" (as in eyeglasses, spectacles, if you will) and at its mention, they all, as if on cue, lifted their eyeglasses from their eyes. But not to worry, they will be back and playing here at home later in the fall (October 27th at <a href="http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,calendar/Itemid,40/year,2009/month,10">Joe's Pub</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div> The Brooklyn-based band has a dynamic sound, layered with guitars, a cello, a variety of percussive elements (including hands and feet), an accordion, a glockenspiel, a melodica. Basically, you name it, these three play it. And on top it all they have composed beautiful harmonies, perfectly in sync, orchestrated with the precision of a concerto. Their talent is also apparent in the fact that one song sounds quite different from the next; from slow and languid ballads to poppy crowd-pleasers to crooning, passionate anthems. From a song featuring six or seven rotating instruments to one that was entirely vocals and percussion, building from claps and stomps to drums and shouts. </div><div><br /></div><div> What makes these two girls and a guy a hard act to follow, in addition to just some great listening, is the overt sense of play they have together on stage. Their energy and passion is infectious and you only wish you could have as much fun doing your own work. </div><div><br /></div><div> A few lines into one particular upbeat song, it became clear that they were covering the theme song to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Yes they were. It was a medley, in fact, with highlights from "Men in Black" and "Wild, Wild West" thrown in for good measure. It was a little bit of genius. Here it is: see for yourself.</div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G42xKfVDkN8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G42xKfVDkN8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div> Later, after some disclosure about playing a love song in a rock club, they launched into a new song (and welcomed suggestions for its title) which silenced the enthusiastic room. Only afterwards was it admitted that this was the first time they had ever played the song for anyone. And therefore, they said, comfort can be taken in knowing that it was the worst that the song will ever be played. Which sure bodes well for the future of the song. And the band, frankly.</div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-55868665852901762822009-07-05T08:35:00.000-07:002009-07-06T08:06:55.140-07:00Jenny Lewis Rocks Battery Park<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">"S</span>aturday. In the Park..." Jenny Lewis begins quietly; a gentle lullaby that is a striking change after an hour of her rocking and<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXBHYiMtgD1dOJj4zxCpRb79UNMF5xyZAWAGi-W5LdNgs_-lGuknYC_vHATGba5W4BQ75i4LTFl10Y4SjRaZ8tu3eVyTueiazBaCmr_htnDYpNAvPwP_MDGwITevhxoWtDXIaYSxfr_c/s200/IMG_0696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355009434170751826" /> crooning at the <a href="http://www.rivertorivernyc.com/events/index.php">River to River Festival</a>. But suddenly the hundreds of fans scattered throughout Battery Park know where the song is going, as she continues a capella, "You'd think it was the Fourth of July..." (Which it was.)<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.myspace.com/jennylewismusic">Jenny Lewis</a> and her band seem to be the very definition of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">musicians</span>. They rotate instruments, demonstrating a range of skills that is far from common in their contemporaries. Sure, Lewis is the lead singer and also plays the keys, plus the acoustic and electric guitars, but the other lady of the group, Barbara Gruska, for example, is equally impressive as a backup singer who also rocks on the drums and the harmonica.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hour long set (as the opening act for their good friends, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/conoroberst">Conor Oberst</a> and the Mystic Valley Band) featured Lewis classics such as "Acid Tongue", "The Next Messiah" and Rilo Kiley's <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2tcqt_rilo-kiley-silver-lining_music">"Silver Lining"</a> plus one or two new songs. And of course, they pulled Conor Oberst out to join them on one song, at which point he and Lewis pressed their faces together to share the microphone center stage. </div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NWaYvS4VgfAu-MIDqxez6E2g9wSikaoT0J_OHf_piMTFzjCCFJfpWrGNpXaEgMSnO2GlpS7abLy4aqTtVaeJYQCqZ8pwKBhoCuG1l3kLgdfAyHeZDP42ceixIxvRb8eq0mhL-MWJZY4/s200/IMG_0702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355010188816597426" /><div><br /></div><div>The most impressive thing about Lewis and her band, aside from their obvious talent, is the way that they just make you want to be a musician. They not only make it look cool and fashionable (Lewis in her typical tight, short shorts), but also, and more importantly, they make it look fun. That accounts for the energy that rolls off the stage and floods the audience, even one as diverse and sprawling as that on the lawn at Battery Park. They are, needless to say, excellent performers; just enjoying doing their thing, with nothing to prove. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the set, as her piano notes reverberated over the pulsing drums, Lewis raised her American flag, then waved, simply and shyly, and turned and walked off the stage, leaving the two drummers to a solo showdown on the empty stage. And somehow, her humility and grace made us all proud to be American. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-68311832940989025752009-07-01T06:42:00.000-07:002009-07-02T09:13:37.898-07:00One Woman Who Draws A Crowd<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/juliaweldon">J</a></span><a href="http://www.myspace.com/juliaweldon">ulia Weldon</a> is one of those transparent performers who wears her heart on her sleeve. Her lyrical songs speak beautifully to her unique sense of humor and perspective ("I wanna write like Bobby Dylan and go to jail like Johnny Cash"). Even her guitar strumming seems dictated by her impulses, alternating between big and passionate and quiet and gentle. <br /><div> Playing for the first time at <a href="http://www.rockwoodmusichall.com/">Rockwood Music Hall</a> on June 30th (to a full house despite her admitted fears that no one would show up), Weldon was candid about her nerves. "I'm gonna forget some lyrics," she warned before one song, mid-set, "Just get ready for it." </div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_4RbbZcxZiOZELtGYf01g4rumAN7rylAyywPXLBWFzJataAgmZAgb2kFV9V-tGsBL4Zn5OgXzH55xI0BhJvCV6ZemeATSYJWiuXRu_OlpwI78Rw7yaZwQB8KyFBG1zGp1K5Dc1lAy3M/s320/mail-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353895720709600914" /><div>And yet there is something about her that is charming and comforting despite all nerves. As an audience, you feel well taken care of.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a well thought out set, even visually, hinting at Weldon's career as an actor. "Apparently there are sitting and standing songs," she mused as she found herself moving to and from the stool. </div><div style="text-align: left;">She threw in one song a capella, short and sweet, and later invited <a href="http://www.myspace.com/alyssaclarerobbins">Alyssa Robbins</a>, a friend and peer in the singer/songwriter scene, to join her onstage. This duet hinted at a good idea for Weldon and her one-woman show; she shares the stage just as well as she holds it on her own, but some of her songs benefit from additional harmonies and instrumental layers.</div><div> She is a woman of surprises: the things that come out of her mouth are never what you're expecting. Even her songs go in unforeseen directions, such as "One of These Days" which dissolves pleasantly into her own version of "Over the Rainbow". </div><div> So who knows what to expect at Weldon's next show? Other than a charming performance. And probably a stool. </div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Photo credit: Rebecca Greenberg</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-11427592240405172442009-05-28T09:28:00.000-07:002009-05-28T09:59:24.195-07:00Play Away...<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvgyMvzC41cAShFIvKfiB_j4HW-mfX73myrcWru_sJWor7QQcDF03p7nyGXlH-17vSedPghzELxgmb9smgLUj0yv04P8YPTY_fHURzRmTL734y9CNFsBo5Wl1aBKlCsB0EqnANEZX-mg/s320/l.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340918645368488514" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I</span> don't know what it is about the<a href="http://www.boweryballroom.com/"> Bowery Ballroom </a>that brings out the off-the-wall playful energy of musicians.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>The members of both <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jukeboxtheghost">Jukebox the Ghost</a> and the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jennyowenyoungs">Jenny Owen </a><a href="http://www.myspace.com/jennyowenyoungs">Youngs</a> band who played there on May 27th were no exception. They may have been, in fact, the pinnacle of the statement. </div><div>The two bands, who were finishing up a three week tour, collaborated at both the end of Youngs' set and at the end of Jukebox's headlining set. This put eight passionate musicians, who had spent three weeks on the road together, onto the same stage and, needless to say, their camaraderie and joy was palpable. They beat each other with tambourines, they laughed and shimmied and flirted, and at one point, three of Youngs' musicians (two guitarists and the drummer I think it was) ended up piled on top of each other on the stage floor. Mid-song, mind you.</div><div>During the single cover that Jukebox played ("Temptation" by New Order), dozens of black and purple balloons were released suddenly from the balcony. As they were tossed around the ballroom, the sense of bliss and play sky-rocketed. Fans (and presumably friends of Jukebox pianist, Ben Thornewill) at the foot of the stage found great amusement in pounding Thornewill with balloons as he energetically sang through the song, pausing to shout: "It's hard to play with balloons!".</div><div>Perhaps. But it's certainly not hard to find the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">play</span> in playing the Bowery Ballroom. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-size:small;">Photo of Bowery Ballroom by curtis w. on www.yelp.com</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-21216007539554959672009-05-19T12:21:00.000-07:002009-05-19T12:50:06.428-07:00Steve Martin and the Banjo Band<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">W</span>ho plays a banjo in a suit and tie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Steve Martin does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(Who else would, really?)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Well maybe not always in a suit and tie, but yes, he does play the banjo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Quite well, in fact, as evidenced by his new album, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Crow</i>, ranked at the top of the Bluegrass chart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The suit and tie was more a formality (literally) of a benefit concert for the Los Angeles Public Library, which he played at the Club Nokia theater downtown L.A. on May 11.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He shared the bill with the brilliant North Carolina bluegrass band <a href="http://www.steepcanyon.com/">Steep Canyon Rangers</a> and later shared the stage with his old friend John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The show opened with an interview (turned battle of the wits) conducted by humorist Dave Barry.</p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSGdhF5wvwefV6n9w4n3HPDbGAXnq-HKGHQEnm_moRsCeo29zEtudfJWSjNJ4ITMxeuTI7jUW79Am7O_WnbKZukEMMArR4lGq2RKp-x0ZoD6aKu-QKiIJtBJxRxKrtTU_JFLejEOqmY0/s320/steve+martin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337622740082974114" /> <p class="MsoNormal">Although the concert flirted with stand-up comedy, Mr. Martin is a serious banjo player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And yet he doesn’t take himself too seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>On more than one occasion, he mocked himself for his lack of skills with the microphone (and even necessitated being rescued by a technical director).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“It’s still the amateur night for me,” he reasoned, “It didn’t cost that much to get in.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Typically in bluegrass music, the sense of play far outweighs the sense of order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yet this was not the case on stage at Club Nokia, where it felt as though these bluegrass boys were playing by the rules: focused and serious with no time for knee-slapping or hooting and hollering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The audience was equally well mannered, seated as if at a classical recital rather than a toe-tapping celebration of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Martin left the stage for two songs, allowing the Carolina boys two songs on their own, at which point they flocked to a cluster around the microphone and played with the real charm and energy of a bluegrass jam band.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Most of the songs were from Martin’s new album, one written decades ago while living in Aspen and, admittedly, “probably high” (“Pitkin County Turnaround”); one within the last few years while on vacation in the Caribbean (“I have $35,000 invested in this song” he proclaimed).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Most were instrumental, as he acknowledged his shortcomings both in writing lyrics and in singing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Steep Canyon Rangers demonstrated their mastery of both of these skills, however, in catchy songs, exhibiting beautiful three part harmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The result was an amusing contrast between their harmony and Martin’s monotone one line interjections.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The image of a young Steve Martin sitting around, high up in the mountains (pun intended) with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (and maybe Jack and Hunter and other notorious Aspen locals) is striking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It feels truer not only to the essence of the music, but also to Martin himself, than this dressed-up version that seemed desperate to free itself of the suit that just doesn’t fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-23177309679432738542009-02-17T14:09:00.000-08:002009-02-17T14:27:40.656-08:00Behind the Music with Pete and J...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"I was terrified. Actually, I wasn't terrified until I met you."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">-Pete, of Brooklyn band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/peteandj">Pete and J</a>, talking about J</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_K56c89r_q_-Miei_hMauBQ8JrghlfiIjGFX-zgUparjm5ePltQM3XPT0mDL0hkGdEz8FQcyicQZ1rzHFu-xXGVQlA9H2MmAEBKt73eC8mdqJg-jrStf9nXAm2ksZlp21f2kyehO4L0/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303892945221134962" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Read the story of Pete and J, excerpted from an interview at the Second Sundays Series at Rockwood Music Hall:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.profilesofhope.com">www.profilesofhope.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-4784982787739114442009-02-08T10:40:00.000-08:002009-02-08T19:29:37.710-08:00Leah Siegel Lets It All Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI8i1KIHbcNCg4aX92Zskkpy3-NJfMK5gwGcpEMbTVbrWjK4SwVdrIRYUC1L1ky5H4RIVqWQIez5jcctlLxEepTVSqZmgAdNrYafzuUmCrMIHYi1t-7J0grQhN_d0RpyETQmfyrOw9wE/s1600-h/leah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI8i1KIHbcNCg4aX92Zskkpy3-NJfMK5gwGcpEMbTVbrWjK4SwVdrIRYUC1L1ky5H4RIVqWQIez5jcctlLxEepTVSqZmgAdNrYafzuUmCrMIHYi1t-7J0grQhN_d0RpyETQmfyrOw9wE/s320/leah.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300633864145058418" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">B</span>rooklyn singer <a href="http://www.myspace.com/leahsiegel">Leah Siegel</a> knows how to draw a crowd. At the Living Room on February 6, the room was filled beyond capacity with Leah-fans, old and new. The set started late (much to her apologies) as they waited for Steve Elliot, the guitarist, to arrive (he was, as she promised, well worth the wait). <div>Leah is a rockstar, in the most unconventional, charming and humble way. She cradles the lyrics of her songs, and you can sense the emotion they illicit as they roll off her tongue. Everything about her music, in fact, is dictated by her emotion: from her volume, to her pitch to her tempo. It is music that moves you, both physically, as well as emotionally. Every note pulls you in closer, as her voice soars delicately to the top of her range, or she throws back her head and opens her mouth, releasing a sound so powerful and resonant that everything else seems to disappear.</div><div>Her band is no less talented or innovative. Especially Elliot, who, in one song, picked up a bow which he ran across the strings of his electric guitar during a particularly striking solo. That was unique in and of itself, but also because it is about the only thing that could steal attention away from Leah. </div><div>Check her out for yourself, before her rockstar-dom makes her shows too hard to see. It's already getting to be a tight squeeze at the Living Room...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-size:small;">Photo from a previous show at the Living Room; posted on artist's Myspace</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-61380290108615920332009-02-08T10:02:00.001-08:002009-02-08T10:34:24.093-08:00Get on this PAPER ROUTE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3NqNY7tF8dmYFJeaCl0QyRQcnxtY_rLE7IfMGcHDWmrFRCbTEaRemHtgDbQCrZMXkhzrsThiCf96BbVomyiO6kfGpNSKR52Qhbm0M69sVrCRLmanILkv7FI2yHO3E44jHWu6p3DTmKo/s1600-h/l_ee491990b7644ca4b31c41406db804a1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3NqNY7tF8dmYFJeaCl0QyRQcnxtY_rLE7IfMGcHDWmrFRCbTEaRemHtgDbQCrZMXkhzrsThiCf96BbVomyiO6kfGpNSKR52Qhbm0M69sVrCRLmanILkv7FI2yHO3E44jHWu6p3DTmKo/s320/l_ee491990b7644ca4b31c41406db804a1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300495519958738834" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I</span>n one of those sets that flashes by, ending prematurely, the Nashville band <a href="http://www.paperrouteonline.com/areweallforgotten/">Paper Route</a> set the bar high as an opening act for the new Indie-wonder-band, <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=157949947">Passion Pit,</a> at the Bowery Ballroom on February 4th. They played back to back songs, with little time wasted on chitchat, and their energy was both thrilling and infectious. Their performance was so impressive, in fact, that they not only worked up the crowd for Passion Pit (which is the mark of any strong opening act), but also built up the expectations. Could the headliners top their opening act? (They did, but it was close). The dramatic energy of Paper Route's performance was accented perfectly by their last moment on stage: the lead singer, in his small bowler hat, shoved the microphone away triumphantly while the last notes of the song lingered in the air. The image lasted longer than the band, for as soon as the microphone stand returned to its upright position, the musicians were gone, leaving the audience in breathless awe.<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic;font-size:small;">Photo by Brandon Chesbro, from the band's Myspace</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-90896599608724496502009-01-29T09:50:00.000-08:002009-01-29T10:35:46.739-08:00Christina Courtin: New York's Best Kept Secret<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5n3LXNBvOMZ0NHHtLiWOB63P2UI7vKJZfjID-_h4Bp50WW_zTtPnqOqo6TJj4OLAMnAhJ3OGfi038BoXAah8Ig2eg7FBJlydntCY577B0O_GPxJBnYmGXyfFAQAZLDW3Cd0xsYOuwgA/s1600-h/23660021_1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5n3LXNBvOMZ0NHHtLiWOB63P2UI7vKJZfjID-_h4Bp50WW_zTtPnqOqo6TJj4OLAMnAhJ3OGfi038BoXAah8Ig2eg7FBJlydntCY577B0O_GPxJBnYmGXyfFAQAZLDW3Cd0xsYOuwgA/s320/23660021_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296785704083458418" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A</span> few years ago, it seemed <a href="http://www.myspace.com/christinacourtin">Christina Courtin</a> was all people in the New York music scene were talking about, as they followed her around the downtown circuit, on stage everywhere from Joe's Pub to Rockwood Music Hall. But somehow I always seemed to miss her; until last week, when I quite fortuitously stumbled upon her as the opening act for Andrew Bird's show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg.<div>Ms. Courtin is a very physical performer: she holds her ground center stage, but rocks back and forth on her legs, as if with a little more momentum she could launch directly forward into the audience. This physicality, combined with the quivering, slightly dissonant sound of her voice adds up to some sort of hybrid between Bjork and Jodie Foster's legendary character, Nell (and, misleading as that may seem, I mean that in the very best of ways). </div><div>Courtin's repertoire runs the gamut from rock to blues to gentle ballads, but it is the twangy country melodies that seem most improved by her unique, irresistible vocal style. Striking as that is, however, she is firmly supported by the men in her band, all of whom play and sound like a true ensemble of equally important parts.</div><div>Let me say one more thing as further testament to the unique character that is Christina Courtin. She stepped out on stage in front of a house of Billyburg hipsters/Andrew-Bird-lovers wearing a tight gold one-piece, with a black belt and black boots. She claims it was because it was bassist Ryan Scott's Golden Birthday. </div><div>"Am I the only one wearing a gold one-piece tonight?" She interjected between songs, "I hope so. But I also... don't hope so". </div><div>I don't think Christina has to worry much about the risk of blending in, in any sense or on any level. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Photo from <a href="http://www.christinacourtin.com">www.christinacourtin.com</a></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-8522187582112002132009-01-14T09:12:00.000-08:002009-01-14T10:05:47.314-08:00Wakey Wakey at the Living Room<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn6r5yX-ApyGls6MxS5PkS3rTua0QJigFDLQeWo3aaM0FxROUKt2XBZFCtCVi9DD06ssBS9-35rvLBSj2XM5045ZwI5APeVCnIFNQqdiIDZq-6y_J74IVvOrtlFyXGhyphenhyphenr_IngJTeBg2s/s1600-h/wakey+at+mercury.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqn6r5yX-ApyGls6MxS5PkS3rTua0QJigFDLQeWo3aaM0FxROUKt2XBZFCtCVi9DD06ssBS9-35rvLBSj2XM5045ZwI5APeVCnIFNQqdiIDZq-6y_J74IVvOrtlFyXGhyphenhyphenr_IngJTeBg2s/s320/wakey+at+mercury.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291208997032918514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-size:180%;">G</span>et yourself down to the <a href="http://www.livingroomny.com">Living Room</a> one of these last two Mondays in January to see Brooklyn locals <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wakeywakeymusic">Wakey Wakey</a> rock the room during their month-long residency. The five-piece plus band delivers music that makes your toes tap and your heart ache all at once. Mike Grubbs is the man more or less at the center of the sound. His banter and laughter between songs is charming to no end, but it is the music that will really win you over. Grubbs starts many of the songs with a simple folkloric melody on the piano and then, cued with perfect accentuation by Jamie Alegre on the drums, the songs take on a richly textured sound, layered with electric instrumentation (the electric-violin tends to upstage the electric guitars) and nuance.<br />Wakey's songs flirt with some bright piano chords a la Ben Folds, but stand out on their own due to the vulnerable and honest quality of the lyrics and the passionate and raw crooning of Grubbs' vocals<span style="font-style: italic;">.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Wakey Wakey are true performers: their gracious and playful nature is comforting and amusing and their skills as musicians have the ability to awaken your senses, your passion, your emotions. Like an addiction, they'll leave you wanting more. Thank God for month-long residencies. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo by Frank Celenza from the Mercury Lounge CD Release party</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-91587586027425878692009-01-08T12:44:00.000-08:002009-01-08T12:59:08.596-08:00A Word with Andrew Bird<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kLX1girDzd-TDsGhg-Vpzby9TRAvJ1ofkvwQPWDgs9W3wYhAvVwIowWG9HyJaePer4BWUEdjDvPjXrNvb7lOqZ3Jy72V7vcx10hPO4WTbNAAF12ydmH98-bwYIOiwd02XTLI3WR3zks/s1600-h/IMG_0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kLX1girDzd-TDsGhg-Vpzby9TRAvJ1ofkvwQPWDgs9W3wYhAvVwIowWG9HyJaePer4BWUEdjDvPjXrNvb7lOqZ3Jy72V7vcx10hPO4WTbNAAF12ydmH98-bwYIOiwd02XTLI3WR3zks/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289030038850376386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Written for WirelessBollinger.com</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo from Bird's show at Hiro Ballroom, NYC, October 2008</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>ndrew Bird’s literate brand of pop is carried out with virtuoso talent and enough eccentricity to ensure that his music is idolised by some and misunderstood by others. Because of this complexity it’s not surprising that Bird speaks in adjectives and broken sentences – taking his time to make sure his message is correct, yet moving in and around points. This is particularly so when Bird describes his new album, <em>Noble Beast</em>.<br /><br />Compared to past efforts<em> Noble Beast </em>was produced relatively quickly. Bird strived for this streamlined recording to ensure that the initial idea behind the album was maintained. “I wanted it to be more woodsy, kind of mossy, earthy, kind of like that kind of steamy decay of things”, Bird explains.<br /><br />When asked about the album’s lyrical themes and his characteristic vocal phrasings – part stream of consciousness, part neurotic tales and, on <em>Noble Beast</em>, partly songs of hope – Bird states that he makes a point of visiting Natural History Museums when he’s on tour for inspiration. “[The Field Museum in] Chicago is, like, older and mustier and heavier and darker. [New York’s American Museum of Natural History, where the interview is taking place] is kind of light and airy. But there are more dinosaurs in New York. " That’s cool, right? <a href="http://www.wirelessbollinger.com/content/view/1890/84/">read more...</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-91933219005415089692009-01-02T13:03:00.000-08:002009-01-02T13:34:38.459-08:00Blitzen Trapper is Returning to NYC!<span style="font-style: italic;">If you missed these Portland, Oregon up-and-comers in November, don't worry: they will be back to play the <a href="http://www.boweryballroom.com/">Bowery Ballroom</a> on February 27 and the <a href="http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com/">Music Hall of Williamsburg</a> the night after, February 28th.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyswyaz5FcASeNszGXnrILgc84-EXU51HHJHH6AGrsfaAks4vAMTqHtMfPbXTTTcyY-g5mVzrDP93Om63D2GcTzox-n4ijy9-dqZZvQFEXM1FppSN6tSSElWiWRqMA01OIoC0-0e3u5wQ/s1600-h/full+band+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyswyaz5FcASeNszGXnrILgc84-EXU51HHJHH6AGrsfaAks4vAMTqHtMfPbXTTTcyY-g5mVzrDP93Om63D2GcTzox-n4ijy9-dqZZvQFEXM1FppSN6tSSElWiWRqMA01OIoC0-0e3u5wQ/s200/full+band+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286807303264010946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Review written for WirelessBollinger.com</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></span></span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size:180%;"> T</span>he live show that Blitzen Trapper put on at Terminal 5 in Manhattan on November 17 was something like watching a road race. The gun goes off and the band fires out of the gate,<br />with high energy rock songs, well executed but very focused and mostly devoid of emotion. With their sights set so firmly on the track, it’s hard to tell if they’re actually enjoying themselves. But after a few songs, the sextet settles in, finding their own rhythm (which is accented in each of their six bodies in unison) and exposing more and more of their unique sound.<br /> With a combination of shaggy beards and tight hipster jeans, it comes as no surprise that the music from these Portland, Oregon men is a cross between blues/country and rock/funk. Eric Earley sets the mark as the lead singer, who at times croons with the whiny resonance of the best Country singers, only to later bust out a grating opening chorus, screamed into the microphone, flirting with heavy metal associations while maintaining the precision of a classic rock band.<span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeNfcLnu8R6bM9R4i8mzQZj4vcyEHsQTUmDZzviD2KBpVXxrvbM7gKQb-ycUutmreyZaC_EgnfocsdNPA1gKbBZh6uZBmsPymfXQe4otemC2ChwHZLPs7dhWWRre0B820aSSOnnWDOhg/s1600-h/full+band+wide+shot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeNfcLnu8R6bM9R4i8mzQZj4vcyEHsQTUmDZzviD2KBpVXxrvbM7gKQb-ycUutmreyZaC_EgnfocsdNPA1gKbBZh6uZBmsPymfXQe4otemC2ChwHZLPs7dhWWRre0B820aSSOnnWDOhg/s200/full+band+wide+shot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286807888901607042" border="0" /></a></span><br /> It is not only the vocals from Earley, however, that stand out. Many of Blitzen Trapper’s songs are colored with striking three-part harmonies, pulling the sound back towards blues and country no matter how hard it’s trying to veer away (the occasional introduction of Earley’s harmonica has the same effect).<br /> Their live set was diverse and spanned more musical genres than their typical album; like a sampling of all the options open to them as musicians. This appeared to be more fun for the audience to experience than it was for the young men onstage, as Earley rushed each song’s ending with a cold “Thank you” and the band exited the stage somewhat hurriedly and anti-climatically to allow for Iron & Wine (the headliner) to set up.<br /> For a band that can so clearly hold their own in one of the biggest venues in New York City, they could afford to relish in the moments a little more. Take a lesson from the tortoise: slow and steady wins the race. It helps to make it fun along the way as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-16997352112336772362008-12-16T08:11:00.000-08:002008-12-26T08:37:43.363-08:00A San Francisco Jazz Show, Banjo-Style<span style="font-style: italic;">Bela Fleck and the Flecktones have a short residency at the <a href="http://www.bluenotejazz.com/">Blue Note</a> starting Wednesday, December 17th. If their show at Yoshi's in San Francisco last month is any indication of what to expect, then their gigs here in New York should NOT be missed. Although, with these guys, it's hard to ever know just what to expect...</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXgPwtrd7klXGBPe6dXko8kkFPX3IZTnquJX1T-otZ8reCgOgaaTvrKt72eUjtcHBme__waWAkz7Y-5dsOrbW3ET06E9TTv6Fo3rbkDgCnYLx7aI3LkSX6n4iHTRnzuLUar6HGIbO43E/s1600-h/IMG_0333.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXgPwtrd7klXGBPe6dXko8kkFPX3IZTnquJX1T-otZ8reCgOgaaTvrKt72eUjtcHBme__waWAkz7Y-5dsOrbW3ET06E9TTv6Fo3rbkDgCnYLx7aI3LkSX6n4iHTRnzuLUar6HGIbO43E/s200/IMG_0333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280424634880467298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">written for CabaretExchange.com:</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size:180%;">W</span>hat does it mean to defy expectations as a jazz quartet? It means to feature, even star, a banjo instead of a guitar. Two banjos, in fact: an acoustic one and a purple electric one. It means to play the banjo with such silky delicacy and to illicit notes from the electric bass at such extreme ends of the musical scale that the absence of a guitar goes unnoticed. It means to open a set with a song deeply rooted in funk music, move into a medley of Christmas songs and then add some sprinklings of bluegrass here and there to taste. To defy expectations means, at the end of the day, to play like Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. <a href="http://www.cabaretexchange.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=640&Itemid=27">Keep reading...</a><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-61940987691896858872008-12-09T13:17:00.000-08:002008-12-11T12:33:38.239-08:00Why 'The Hot Left' is Hot...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYZaEYBe9hoHDmu-Y4D8IuEMCI1xLn_SyHeR4MFAVpeOw608N75Ty0r34wz5kcKPzmHX-JgeFoCu05vHA67Q6jzqfj67fk56m8wdkUuoa6ELK40krN6re_0FaJekh-7-tgGHq9h7F53Q/s1600-h/dave+and+chris.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYZaEYBe9hoHDmu-Y4D8IuEMCI1xLn_SyHeR4MFAVpeOw608N75Ty0r34wz5kcKPzmHX-JgeFoCu05vHA67Q6jzqfj67fk56m8wdkUuoa6ELK40krN6re_0FaJekh-7-tgGHq9h7F53Q/s400/dave+and+chris.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277919100680704770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">M</span>usic is starting to trickle through town from Brooklyn band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thehotleft">The Hot Left</a>, especially now that they have officially released their first album. The collection of ten songs starts off with a bang and moves through diverse musical styles and lyrical themes to end on gentler, more contemplative fare. As a whole, the songs feature catchy guitar hooks (with lead singer David Feddock on guitar and Chris Olson on electric bass), driving tempos (from Pat Van Dyke on drums) and ambitious vocals (despite the occasional unbalanced harmonies). Feddock has written lyrics that are witty yet still reveal an appealing vulnerability behind his rough-edged vocals.<br /><br />What is most unique (or Hot?) about these guys is their ability to dramatize everyday activities in Brooklyn, charged with toe-tapping rhythms and energetic melodies. From the pain of "It's eight o'clock in the morning and the landlord's running the vacuum", to the familiar relief of "I crack a little smile as I jump the turnstile... right on time again [for the Q train]" to the upbeat but bluesy lamenting of "Stuck in Brooklyn all alone", these songs are like a bright soundtrack for the lives of anyone dealing with the trials and tribulations of New York City.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo of David Feddock (left) and Chris Olson (right) from their MySpace photo album</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4129794842657690055.post-55772829246143491422008-11-25T12:08:00.000-08:002008-11-25T22:14:15.834-08:00Some Noise from the Silent Years<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBGGtzNc8UAvihl9r_YAch0j9I9cXCMBu8KS104sl7K360Or0BRqknZGE8mFwwSy6WMYsVHZFfArsXCv_-BVZKtJpavzJf8C4lG1m2Grf5KnEfBGp9v-mZU4JSdWj_C9eimoXeArIMT4/s1600-h/IMG_0093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBGGtzNc8UAvihl9r_YAch0j9I9cXCMBu8KS104sl7K360Or0BRqknZGE8mFwwSy6WMYsVHZFfArsXCv_-BVZKtJpavzJf8C4lG1m2Grf5KnEfBGp9v-mZU4JSdWj_C9eimoXeArIMT4/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272844768866808162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">As published on WirelessBollinger:</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>t nine months old, Josh Epstein used to hum in his crib. A prodigy? No, “just an infant that hummed”, he humbly clarifies. From little things big things grow, and now he is the lead singer of a Detroit band called <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thesilentyears">The Silent Years</a> who have just released their third album <em>The Globe</em>.<br /><br />Their new album is “about the universality of everything,” Epstein explains, “Everyone’s got these problems, and I’m not saying that one is more real than the other, but they’re both equally real to the person who’s experiencing them at the time. The really rich kid in Long Island who’s upset that he didn’t get a BMW for his 16th birthday and the really poor kid in Harlem who’s really upset that he didn’t get, you know, breakfast. They’re both really upset. And while you might say the latter example has the real conflict, they’re both real to those who are experiencing them and the person in Long Island has absolutely no clue in most instances that there’s someone else with a problem that’s greater than their own and that feeling of pain is very real.” <a href="http://www.wirelessbollinger.com/content/view/1817/84/">keep reading...</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo of Josh Epstein from the live show at the Hiro Ballroom, NYC</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0