Palma Violets are a new band from London. Their debut album isn't due to come out until February yet their first single, 'Best of Friends', was voted NME's 2012 song of the year. Not a bad start to their career ehh? Watch and listen below and judge for yourself.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Dr. John
Ever get the feeling you were going to miss out on something cool and still not go? I felt that way when I saw Dr. John was coming, with friends, to the Brooklyn Academy of Music for 3 nights last spring. I had heard a bunch of tunes from his kick ass new cd 'Locked Down' yet for some reason I never thought to buy tickets. I recently came across the video below 'Ice Age' on youtube and now I just kick myself for not going. Watch and listen below and see what I am talking about. He has a huge cast of characters backing him up including Dan Auerbach, from Black Keys, who produced the album. Seriously, when does Dan Auerbach ever sleep?
Ice Age 'Live from BAM'
Revolution 'From BAM'
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Bowie
The Thin White Duke is back! David Bowie shocked the music world yesterday releasing a new single and announcing that he would be releasing his first LP in over a decade this upcoming March. All on his 66th birthday! Word is that he has been working in secret on the disc for the past two years. This is exciting news. Bowie has never been shy about pushing the envelope with his music and while I think this first single is a little uneventful, I am very anxious to hear more. Welcome back David and Happy Birthday!
Here is one of my Bowie favorites
The new song, 'Where Are We Now' is a rather mellow and reflective tune, hence the title
Here is one of my Bowie favorites
The new song, 'Where Are We Now' is a rather mellow and reflective tune, hence the title
Monday, January 7, 2013
BOB MARLEY
I finally got a chance to watch the fantastic documentary film MARLEY, about the great Bob Marley. This movie is an enlightening and beautiful tribute to a great man that gave us so much and left us way to early. The film provides and in depth look at Bob's life from those closest to him including surviving band members, wife/girlfriends and children. It unearth's details of what drove Bob to music, his passion to spread his message, his Rastafarianism beliefs, his power to connect countries separated by political differences even surviving an assassination attempt, all the way to behind the scenes footage of the last days of his life. We are presented with details that even the biggest Marley fan and even 'family' members are surprised to find out along with awesome live footage from his earliest shows all the way to his last from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Gone but never forgotten, Bob Marley brought reggae to the world. Some of the best music to ever reach out ears. See this movie.
Enjoy some Bob:
Enjoy some Bob:
Friday, January 4, 2013
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert-Same Love:
I heard this song a number of times before I really heard it. Great song. Powerful message. Awesome video. Well done...
I heard this song a number of times before I really heard it. Great song. Powerful message. Awesome video. Well done...
Thursday, January 3, 2013
A November To Remember...
November came and went with 3 shows of vastly different sounds, vibe and proportions on my calendar.
JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION w/Bloodshot Bill
-November 3, Bowery Ballroom
It has been a while since I have seen the Blues Explosion so I was excited to see they would be playing the best music venue in NYC, The Bowery Ballroom, while touring to support their latest release, Meat and Bone. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion oooze cool and their live shows are nothing but legendary. The trio consists of lead guitar/some bizarre wood box that makes cool noise/lead singer Jon Spencer, guitar/harmonica/backing vocals Judah Bauer and Russell Simins who bashes the hell out of the drums. It is hard not to use the word cool a lot when speaking of JSBX. To start with, Jon Spencer seems to always play in bands with cool names such as Pussy Galore, Boss Hog and The Honeymoon Killers. The music JSBX play blends blues, punk, rockabilly, soul and with Jon behind the mic you can include a little 'gospel preaching'.
With Hurricane Sandy hitting NYC earlier in the week, the lights came on in time and JSBX were the first show to play in a week. This meant a lot to the band as they are considered a 'downtown NYC' band, so playing in their backyard to uplift some heavy hearts is what we all needed. The show had been sold out for weeks but the venue was 80% full as people were not able to make it due to the storm. Jon spoke briefly about Hurricane Sandy, mentioning how he spent the day helping his brother in law cleaning out his apartment and reminding us that we're New Yorkers, lets work together and we are going to be all right. 25% of tickets and merchandise from all their shows this week would be going to the Red Cross and hurricane relief.
We missed opener Ava Luna and entered to the crazy one man rockabilly show Bloodshot Bill playing on the balcony of the venue. This sweaty mess of slap guitar, drums and harmonica wrapped into one was an awesome warmup that lead us right up to and introduced JSBX. You couldn't ask for a better warmup and intro and you could tell that the band loved it as much as the crowd did. In addition to the full throttle in your face barrage of music that is a Jon Spencer Blues Explosion show, the backdrop to the stage was a trippy 60's lava-lamp-like imagery from Liquid Light Lab that took things to a different level, especially for those in an altered state. The show was a fantastic mix of new and old and while I haven't picked up the new cd yet, the new songs were new, fresh and classic JSBX. The 6 song, 18 minute encore of Greyhound, Afro, RL Got Soul, Blues X Man, Fuck Shit Up and Bellbottoms capped out a night and while we walked out you couldn't help but think if Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has something to do with it, yes, everything is going to be all right.
Check out the encore! MADONNA
11/12, Madison Square Garden
Review #1
This was the first time I have ever seen Madonna live and will be the last. Not saying it was a crappy show, just saying that when you pay as much as I did for the tickets, I'm bound to be let down. But tonight wasn't about me, it was about my wife as I got these tickets for her birthday. I've always respected Madonna as she is a true pioneer and pop royalty. She always finds ways to reinvent herself that is relevant to the times yet still be Madonna. Touring behind arguably her weakest cd MDNA, I was still somewhat excited to witness my first ever Madonna show. The tickets said, doors 7, show at 8, so we rushed to the Garden figuring we would grab some food at the newly renovated venue and be in our seats in time for the 8 pm start. The hallways were filled with freaks, both girls and guys dressed like Madge and her backup singers over the years and I have to say, some were pretty impressive. It's one thing to dress up to go to a concert, it is another to dress up in costume like the performer. I say bravo to some of you.
So we get to our seats, fresh pastrami sandwich and beers in hand at 7:45. The venue was less that 50% full. We overheard some people saying that she isn't coming on till later. Others say 9:30. Some say 10. I ask one of the ticket takers and they tell DJ at 9, Madonna at 10:30. Huh? Then why does the ticket say 8?! Ok, me and Madge are off on the wrong foot. I did a quick search on my phone to hear that yes, indeed, she was coming out after 10 at all of her shows on this tour. Philadelphia even booed her, then again Philly booed Santa Claus. I guess if I wasn't a novice Madonna fan, I would have known this. Regardless, the show must go on. At 9, some DJ that will remain nameless comes out. I say he will remain nameless because I didn't hear him say his name and he wasn't worthy enough for me to look up who he was after the show. He had the crowd dancing to some fun but pretty much generic songs then he did something dreadful. He told us the next song was off his new cd and then he, uh, um, oh no. He sang! DJ's don't sing! Shut up! Ok, enough on this dude. Thankfully, he only performed for 45 minutes. Being finished at 9:45, we thought that maybe Madonna would hit the stage at 10 or 10:15 at the latest. NO, she made us wait even longer. She didn't hit the stage until 10:47 and when she did, it was a full on Broadway like spectacle with numerous set and costume changes and more dancers in freaky outfits than you can imagine. While I was already angry as having to wait almost 3 hours, I will admit that the first set sucked. Her voice seemed to struggle as did her 54 year old body keeping up with her dancers. Also, I didn't know what the hell was going on. She was running around the stage with fake guns shooting at random guys while singing a song from her new cd. I was thinking, this shit better turn around quick or we are exiting early. Second costume change she came out in her marching band/cheerleader outfit and things started to get pretty good. She even had the marching band elevated above the stage which was pretty cool. The show progressed on thankfully mixing in hits such at Papa Don't Preach, Express Yourself (with Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' mixed in), Open Your Heart, Vogue and Like A Prayer which are the reasons why everybody was there.
She showed us why she still commands top billing, high ticket prices and is considered one of the most powerful women of the past century. At one point in the show she spoke about the recent election and of Hurricane Sandy. She told us that she went to Rockaway Beach with her kids to see the destruction and she saw people helping others and it was all good. People applauded this but I thought that she wasn't any different from other people that were going out to these areas and taking photos of the destruction so they could post them to Facebook or Instagram. The only difference is that Madonna went there and got her photo taken! Did she roll up her sleeves to help out? She she donate any of her millons or even a % of tonight's show towards relief? She did perform a very mellow version of Like a Virgin in which she stripped down and rolled around like a stripper telling people to throw money up on stage, which would be donated towards charity. Maybe it's just me, or maybe I am just cranky about the night but I thought this was a rather weak effort. Maybe she would have taken a page out of Jon Spencer's book and not only went to to help out people rather than for a photo op and donating some merchandise of ticket proceeds would have been more respectable. While I appreciate these artist for their do good ways, some of the bigger names need to shut the fuck up and sing. I get the feeling that it has become part of their act and therefore not even from the heart anymore. Madonna, you sang Papa Don't Preach. Maybe you need to take heed to your words.
Desperate attempt to stay relevant: The night after seeing her, rumor has it she brought out the Gangnam Style dude and did his dance with him. Ugghh. Come on Madonna, you are better than that!
Review #2 (my wife's review)
"Although I loved the show, she's a dick"
THE HELIO SEQUENCE
11/15, Bowery Ballroom
Back at Bowery a few weeks after the Jon Spencer show to catch this 2 man Portland, Oregan band that blend alternative rock with dreamy indie pop. It is bands like this and nights like tonight that makes me love music so much. We bought tickets at the door, the venue was modestly filled and everybody was happy. The 15 set was heavy on songs from their well received fifth full length album Negotiations and their fantastic last album Keep Your Eyes Ahead. Their dreaminess exploded on songs from Negotiations with tonight's opener One More Time as well as October, The Measure and Downward Spiral. These songs blended perfectly with old takes such as Can't Say No, Captive Mind, You Can Come To Me and the perfect one two punch of Keep Your Eyes Ahead of Me followed by Lately. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this show. This band has given me nothing but pleasure from the first time I heard them and I'll never pass up an opportunity to see them.
Opening song "One More Time" (not my video)
JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION w/Bloodshot Bill
-November 3, Bowery Ballroom
It has been a while since I have seen the Blues Explosion so I was excited to see they would be playing the best music venue in NYC, The Bowery Ballroom, while touring to support their latest release, Meat and Bone. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion oooze cool and their live shows are nothing but legendary. The trio consists of lead guitar/some bizarre wood box that makes cool noise/lead singer Jon Spencer, guitar/harmonica/backing vocals Judah Bauer and Russell Simins who bashes the hell out of the drums. It is hard not to use the word cool a lot when speaking of JSBX. To start with, Jon Spencer seems to always play in bands with cool names such as Pussy Galore, Boss Hog and The Honeymoon Killers. The music JSBX play blends blues, punk, rockabilly, soul and with Jon behind the mic you can include a little 'gospel preaching'.
With Hurricane Sandy hitting NYC earlier in the week, the lights came on in time and JSBX were the first show to play in a week. This meant a lot to the band as they are considered a 'downtown NYC' band, so playing in their backyard to uplift some heavy hearts is what we all needed. The show had been sold out for weeks but the venue was 80% full as people were not able to make it due to the storm. Jon spoke briefly about Hurricane Sandy, mentioning how he spent the day helping his brother in law cleaning out his apartment and reminding us that we're New Yorkers, lets work together and we are going to be all right. 25% of tickets and merchandise from all their shows this week would be going to the Red Cross and hurricane relief.
We missed opener Ava Luna and entered to the crazy one man rockabilly show Bloodshot Bill playing on the balcony of the venue. This sweaty mess of slap guitar, drums and harmonica wrapped into one was an awesome warmup that lead us right up to and introduced JSBX. You couldn't ask for a better warmup and intro and you could tell that the band loved it as much as the crowd did. In addition to the full throttle in your face barrage of music that is a Jon Spencer Blues Explosion show, the backdrop to the stage was a trippy 60's lava-lamp-like imagery from Liquid Light Lab that took things to a different level, especially for those in an altered state. The show was a fantastic mix of new and old and while I haven't picked up the new cd yet, the new songs were new, fresh and classic JSBX. The 6 song, 18 minute encore of Greyhound, Afro, RL Got Soul, Blues X Man, Fuck Shit Up and Bellbottoms capped out a night and while we walked out you couldn't help but think if Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has something to do with it, yes, everything is going to be all right.
Check out the encore! MADONNA
11/12, Madison Square Garden
Review #1
This was the first time I have ever seen Madonna live and will be the last. Not saying it was a crappy show, just saying that when you pay as much as I did for the tickets, I'm bound to be let down. But tonight wasn't about me, it was about my wife as I got these tickets for her birthday. I've always respected Madonna as she is a true pioneer and pop royalty. She always finds ways to reinvent herself that is relevant to the times yet still be Madonna. Touring behind arguably her weakest cd MDNA, I was still somewhat excited to witness my first ever Madonna show. The tickets said, doors 7, show at 8, so we rushed to the Garden figuring we would grab some food at the newly renovated venue and be in our seats in time for the 8 pm start. The hallways were filled with freaks, both girls and guys dressed like Madge and her backup singers over the years and I have to say, some were pretty impressive. It's one thing to dress up to go to a concert, it is another to dress up in costume like the performer. I say bravo to some of you.
So we get to our seats, fresh pastrami sandwich and beers in hand at 7:45. The venue was less that 50% full. We overheard some people saying that she isn't coming on till later. Others say 9:30. Some say 10. I ask one of the ticket takers and they tell DJ at 9, Madonna at 10:30. Huh? Then why does the ticket say 8?! Ok, me and Madge are off on the wrong foot. I did a quick search on my phone to hear that yes, indeed, she was coming out after 10 at all of her shows on this tour. Philadelphia even booed her, then again Philly booed Santa Claus. I guess if I wasn't a novice Madonna fan, I would have known this. Regardless, the show must go on. At 9, some DJ that will remain nameless comes out. I say he will remain nameless because I didn't hear him say his name and he wasn't worthy enough for me to look up who he was after the show. He had the crowd dancing to some fun but pretty much generic songs then he did something dreadful. He told us the next song was off his new cd and then he, uh, um, oh no. He sang! DJ's don't sing! Shut up! Ok, enough on this dude. Thankfully, he only performed for 45 minutes. Being finished at 9:45, we thought that maybe Madonna would hit the stage at 10 or 10:15 at the latest. NO, she made us wait even longer. She didn't hit the stage until 10:47 and when she did, it was a full on Broadway like spectacle with numerous set and costume changes and more dancers in freaky outfits than you can imagine. While I was already angry as having to wait almost 3 hours, I will admit that the first set sucked. Her voice seemed to struggle as did her 54 year old body keeping up with her dancers. Also, I didn't know what the hell was going on. She was running around the stage with fake guns shooting at random guys while singing a song from her new cd. I was thinking, this shit better turn around quick or we are exiting early. Second costume change she came out in her marching band/cheerleader outfit and things started to get pretty good. She even had the marching band elevated above the stage which was pretty cool. The show progressed on thankfully mixing in hits such at Papa Don't Preach, Express Yourself (with Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' mixed in), Open Your Heart, Vogue and Like A Prayer which are the reasons why everybody was there.
She showed us why she still commands top billing, high ticket prices and is considered one of the most powerful women of the past century. At one point in the show she spoke about the recent election and of Hurricane Sandy. She told us that she went to Rockaway Beach with her kids to see the destruction and she saw people helping others and it was all good. People applauded this but I thought that she wasn't any different from other people that were going out to these areas and taking photos of the destruction so they could post them to Facebook or Instagram. The only difference is that Madonna went there and got her photo taken! Did she roll up her sleeves to help out? She she donate any of her millons or even a % of tonight's show towards relief? She did perform a very mellow version of Like a Virgin in which she stripped down and rolled around like a stripper telling people to throw money up on stage, which would be donated towards charity. Maybe it's just me, or maybe I am just cranky about the night but I thought this was a rather weak effort. Maybe she would have taken a page out of Jon Spencer's book and not only went to to help out people rather than for a photo op and donating some merchandise of ticket proceeds would have been more respectable. While I appreciate these artist for their do good ways, some of the bigger names need to shut the fuck up and sing. I get the feeling that it has become part of their act and therefore not even from the heart anymore. Madonna, you sang Papa Don't Preach. Maybe you need to take heed to your words.
Desperate attempt to stay relevant: The night after seeing her, rumor has it she brought out the Gangnam Style dude and did his dance with him. Ugghh. Come on Madonna, you are better than that!
Review #2 (my wife's review)
"Although I loved the show, she's a dick"
THE HELIO SEQUENCE
11/15, Bowery Ballroom
Back at Bowery a few weeks after the Jon Spencer show to catch this 2 man Portland, Oregan band that blend alternative rock with dreamy indie pop. It is bands like this and nights like tonight that makes me love music so much. We bought tickets at the door, the venue was modestly filled and everybody was happy. The 15 set was heavy on songs from their well received fifth full length album Negotiations and their fantastic last album Keep Your Eyes Ahead. Their dreaminess exploded on songs from Negotiations with tonight's opener One More Time as well as October, The Measure and Downward Spiral. These songs blended perfectly with old takes such as Can't Say No, Captive Mind, You Can Come To Me and the perfect one two punch of Keep Your Eyes Ahead of Me followed by Lately. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed this show. This band has given me nothing but pleasure from the first time I heard them and I'll never pass up an opportunity to see them.
Opening song "One More Time" (not my video)
Sunday, October 14, 2012
MORE CATCHING UP...
THE JAYHAWKS-September 15, Williamsburg Waterfront (Brooklyn)
When I first heard about this show, I was super excited, then when I noticed it was going to be free I thought, uggh, this is going to be a shit show. I had yet to be to the 'new' location of shows on the waterfront so I wasn't sure what to expect. The old location used last summer was OK as it provided great views of Manhattan. I heard this new spot was odd and cramped. Earlier in the week, the Jayhwaks had just played a sold out show at the Wellmont Theater in New Jersey, it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and this show was free. I thought it was going to be packed. Much to my surprise, it wasn't. It was half full at best. Still can't figure out what kept the crowd away, but it didn't bother me. Tonight the Jayhawks played a career spanning set of 20+ songs that would make any fan happy. These guys have been around since 1985 and don't seem to have missed a step with the beautiful harmonies of Mark Olsen and Gary Louris banging out hits such as Wichita, Take Me With You When You Go, Blue, I'd Run Away, Two Hearts, Miss Williams Guitar, Tampa To Tulsa and Waiting for the Sun. The small crowd didn't effect their performance and it gave those of us in attendance a bit of an intimate show feel despite the large venue.
VACCINES- September 10, Bowery Ballroom (NYC)
"They seem so grown up" was my wife's comment as the Vaccines took the stage tonight to celebrate the first of two sold out New York shows. We were lucky enough to see the Vaccines when they made their USA debut on this same stage early in 2011, so yes, they have grown up a bit and they were armed with new tunes from their upcoming release 'The Vaccines-Come of Age'. While most bands touring behind a new CD will build a set list heavy on new songs, the Vaccines didn't seem to do that sprinkling in fantastic new songs such as No Hope and Teenage Icon among their 'classics'. The 16 song set flew by and before you know it, they were gone. No encore. Bummer.
'No Hope'(from Come Of Age) AFROPUNK FESTIVAL, August 26, Commodore Barry Park (Brooklyn)
Wow. This was a free-for-all. This free show in Brooklyn has been going on for a few years and I never made it over. It always seems like it would be pretty cool with a mix skateboard and bmx competition, two stages of of eclectic music and DJ's all for $0. Saturday's line-up included Das Racist and Erykah Badu. We made it over on Sunday in time to catch some of Janelle Monae's packed set with our end goal of catching Brooklyn's own TV On the Radio close things out. This festival offers a fun setting with the freedom to to do pretty much what ever you want. A lot of people even brought their little kids to enjoy the setting and the music. With the setting of the festival in what seems to be a neighborhood park squeezed between a lot of apartment buildings, the show had to get done early. TV On the Radio was scheduled to play an hour long set to be done by 9pm but they didn't hit the stage till 8:15 and they seemed to play everything faster to squeeze in their set list. I was a little let down as I figured they would have made sure the headliner would get at least a full our. All in all, this was a fun day and a great festival.
LUMINEERS & OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW-August 6, Central Park Summerstage (NYC)
We sat outside for this show and got their midway thru the Lumineers set. The night was a good mix of folk and bluegrass. I'll admit, while I have heard of Old Crow Medicine Show, i've never really listened to their music and didn't realize they have been around for the 12+ years that they have. Sitting outside a show Summerstage is great but you really can't see the stage so while you can hear perfectly, you aren't fully involved in the show. OCMS played a lively set and seemed they could have played all night and from the sounds of the crowd it seemed they would have stayed all night right along with them. We caught the last few songs of the Lumineers and I really like they. They are a relatively new folky band band touring behind their very well received first cd. I'd catch both of these bands when they come thru again
Old Crow Medicine Show-Wagon Wheel
WILCO-July 24, Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
I caught Wilco last summer at Central Parks Summerstage right around the release of their latest CD, The Whole Love. While the cd is good, I wouldn't put it in their top 4. The show was heavy on the new material and I hadn't even purchased it yet, so the show was just OK. Fast forward one year and this was a memorable night. To start, Prospect Parks bandshell is the best outdoor music venue in the city, minus the outrageous food line. The bandshell is set within trees in the corner of the park and tonight was a beautiful summer evening. Wilco proved why they are one of the best live bands out there performing a near 30 song set list that touched on every one of their cd's including the Mermaid Ave. collaboration with Bill Bragg. Even the material from The Whole Love sounded awesome tonight. It is tough to pick up stand out songs from this show as everyone provided a smile, a head nod and a walk down a memory lane which is the Wilco catalog. The band's live show seems to age like fine wine tweaking the arrangement of songs to the point that it almost seems like a new song. I assume it will be a while before Wilco comes back around on tour and I'm already looking forward to it. Until then, I can go to bands website and download tonight's show and relive this night whenever I want. Its a great thing.
LOWDOWN HUDSON BLUES FESTIVAL w/
NEKO CASE & CHARLES BRADLEY, July 12, World Financial Center (NYC)
Nothing says blues more than indie rock darling Neko Case and sould singer Charles Bradley?!? Rather confused how this line-up came together but who am to complain? This was a beautiful setting in downtown NYC, along the water in plain view of a fantastic sunset. Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires did their best James Brown like performance with some killer soul as the sun wilted over the hudson river. Neko Case along with backup singer Kelly Hogan never really seemed to get going. They battled sound issues all night which held the band back and prevented them from letting loose. Still, Neko continues to have one of the more beautiful voices out there and I'll never turn down an opportunity to hear her sing such beauties as I Wish I Was the Moon, Maybe Sparrow and Hold On Hold On
Neko Case-Hold On Hold On (not from the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival)
TALLEST MAN ON EARTH, June 20th, Town Hall (NYC)
I started my obsession with Swedish singer-songwriter, Kristian Matteson a.k.a The Tallest Man On Earth earlier this year. I've been aware of him and his music for a couple years but after hearing his songs on a regular basis on KEXP, I dove in a picked up his first 2 cds. These cd's instantly got heavy rotation brightening my daily subway commute in a way that I never expected. His Dylan-esque singing pitches up a bit higher when coupled with his Swedish accent creating a unique folk twang. My deep obsession was rewarded when I not only found out TMOE would be coming up with a new cd early in the summer, but that he would be playing the legendary mid-town theater Town Hall. Two sold out shows, I was lucky to get tickets to night one. Live, his music takes on a different emotion. It is just him on stage choosing between a number of guitars (electric and acoustic) and even piano. He mixed performing standing up and sitting down during song, seeming to almost ready to fall off the edge of his chair. His voice sucks you in as do his lyrics and mannerisms as he moves around the stage. I can't explain how much I enjoyed this show, minus the two idiots that felt the need to yell out "ridiculous" during a number of the songs. In the movie Gladiator, they say 'win the crowd'. Tonight, The Tallest Man on Earth won us over from the very first song and never let us go, even being so generous as to make a point to 'thank us for listening'. A classy line by a classy performer.
A recent performance of The Tallest Man on Earth on KEXP.
When I first heard about this show, I was super excited, then when I noticed it was going to be free I thought, uggh, this is going to be a shit show. I had yet to be to the 'new' location of shows on the waterfront so I wasn't sure what to expect. The old location used last summer was OK as it provided great views of Manhattan. I heard this new spot was odd and cramped. Earlier in the week, the Jayhwaks had just played a sold out show at the Wellmont Theater in New Jersey, it was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and this show was free. I thought it was going to be packed. Much to my surprise, it wasn't. It was half full at best. Still can't figure out what kept the crowd away, but it didn't bother me. Tonight the Jayhawks played a career spanning set of 20+ songs that would make any fan happy. These guys have been around since 1985 and don't seem to have missed a step with the beautiful harmonies of Mark Olsen and Gary Louris banging out hits such as Wichita, Take Me With You When You Go, Blue, I'd Run Away, Two Hearts, Miss Williams Guitar, Tampa To Tulsa and Waiting for the Sun. The small crowd didn't effect their performance and it gave those of us in attendance a bit of an intimate show feel despite the large venue.
"They seem so grown up" was my wife's comment as the Vaccines took the stage tonight to celebrate the first of two sold out New York shows. We were lucky enough to see the Vaccines when they made their USA debut on this same stage early in 2011, so yes, they have grown up a bit and they were armed with new tunes from their upcoming release 'The Vaccines-Come of Age'. While most bands touring behind a new CD will build a set list heavy on new songs, the Vaccines didn't seem to do that sprinkling in fantastic new songs such as No Hope and Teenage Icon among their 'classics'. The 16 song set flew by and before you know it, they were gone. No encore. Bummer.
'No Hope'(from Come Of Age) AFROPUNK FESTIVAL, August 26, Commodore Barry Park (Brooklyn)
Wow. This was a free-for-all. This free show in Brooklyn has been going on for a few years and I never made it over. It always seems like it would be pretty cool with a mix skateboard and bmx competition, two stages of of eclectic music and DJ's all for $0. Saturday's line-up included Das Racist and Erykah Badu. We made it over on Sunday in time to catch some of Janelle Monae's packed set with our end goal of catching Brooklyn's own TV On the Radio close things out. This festival offers a fun setting with the freedom to to do pretty much what ever you want. A lot of people even brought their little kids to enjoy the setting and the music. With the setting of the festival in what seems to be a neighborhood park squeezed between a lot of apartment buildings, the show had to get done early. TV On the Radio was scheduled to play an hour long set to be done by 9pm but they didn't hit the stage till 8:15 and they seemed to play everything faster to squeeze in their set list. I was a little let down as I figured they would have made sure the headliner would get at least a full our. All in all, this was a fun day and a great festival.
LUMINEERS & OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW-August 6, Central Park Summerstage (NYC)
We sat outside for this show and got their midway thru the Lumineers set. The night was a good mix of folk and bluegrass. I'll admit, while I have heard of Old Crow Medicine Show, i've never really listened to their music and didn't realize they have been around for the 12+ years that they have. Sitting outside a show Summerstage is great but you really can't see the stage so while you can hear perfectly, you aren't fully involved in the show. OCMS played a lively set and seemed they could have played all night and from the sounds of the crowd it seemed they would have stayed all night right along with them. We caught the last few songs of the Lumineers and I really like they. They are a relatively new folky band band touring behind their very well received first cd. I'd catch both of these bands when they come thru again
Old Crow Medicine Show-Wagon Wheel
WILCO-July 24, Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
I caught Wilco last summer at Central Parks Summerstage right around the release of their latest CD, The Whole Love. While the cd is good, I wouldn't put it in their top 4. The show was heavy on the new material and I hadn't even purchased it yet, so the show was just OK. Fast forward one year and this was a memorable night. To start, Prospect Parks bandshell is the best outdoor music venue in the city, minus the outrageous food line. The bandshell is set within trees in the corner of the park and tonight was a beautiful summer evening. Wilco proved why they are one of the best live bands out there performing a near 30 song set list that touched on every one of their cd's including the Mermaid Ave. collaboration with Bill Bragg. Even the material from The Whole Love sounded awesome tonight. It is tough to pick up stand out songs from this show as everyone provided a smile, a head nod and a walk down a memory lane which is the Wilco catalog. The band's live show seems to age like fine wine tweaking the arrangement of songs to the point that it almost seems like a new song. I assume it will be a while before Wilco comes back around on tour and I'm already looking forward to it. Until then, I can go to bands website and download tonight's show and relive this night whenever I want. Its a great thing.
LOWDOWN HUDSON BLUES FESTIVAL w/
NEKO CASE & CHARLES BRADLEY, July 12, World Financial Center (NYC)
Nothing says blues more than indie rock darling Neko Case and sould singer Charles Bradley?!? Rather confused how this line-up came together but who am to complain? This was a beautiful setting in downtown NYC, along the water in plain view of a fantastic sunset. Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires did their best James Brown like performance with some killer soul as the sun wilted over the hudson river. Neko Case along with backup singer Kelly Hogan never really seemed to get going. They battled sound issues all night which held the band back and prevented them from letting loose. Still, Neko continues to have one of the more beautiful voices out there and I'll never turn down an opportunity to hear her sing such beauties as I Wish I Was the Moon, Maybe Sparrow and Hold On Hold On
Neko Case-Hold On Hold On (not from the Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival)
TALLEST MAN ON EARTH, June 20th, Town Hall (NYC)
I started my obsession with Swedish singer-songwriter, Kristian Matteson a.k.a The Tallest Man On Earth earlier this year. I've been aware of him and his music for a couple years but after hearing his songs on a regular basis on KEXP, I dove in a picked up his first 2 cds. These cd's instantly got heavy rotation brightening my daily subway commute in a way that I never expected. His Dylan-esque singing pitches up a bit higher when coupled with his Swedish accent creating a unique folk twang. My deep obsession was rewarded when I not only found out TMOE would be coming up with a new cd early in the summer, but that he would be playing the legendary mid-town theater Town Hall. Two sold out shows, I was lucky to get tickets to night one. Live, his music takes on a different emotion. It is just him on stage choosing between a number of guitars (electric and acoustic) and even piano. He mixed performing standing up and sitting down during song, seeming to almost ready to fall off the edge of his chair. His voice sucks you in as do his lyrics and mannerisms as he moves around the stage. I can't explain how much I enjoyed this show, minus the two idiots that felt the need to yell out "ridiculous" during a number of the songs. In the movie Gladiator, they say 'win the crowd'. Tonight, The Tallest Man on Earth won us over from the very first song and never let us go, even being so generous as to make a point to 'thank us for listening'. A classy line by a classy performer.
A recent performance of The Tallest Man on Earth on KEXP.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)