Category: Central NY

Jimkata and Manhattan Project – Piers & Blake, November 30th

After a truly raging Halloween show a month ago at The Westcott in Syracuse, I knew that I couldn’t miss Jimkata, along with The Manhattan Project, when they came to Utica.

Both bands have been touring extensively for months, Jimkata specifically supporting their new album, Die Digital. Off to a late start, and with some time to kill before they went on, I chatted briefly with bassist Dave Rossi. After being on the road, he was glad to be back closer to home, although none too glad to be back in the chilly Upstate NY weather. We discussed the venue (really unique and the bathrooms are nice too!), the Upstate music scene (awesome!) as well as upcoming New Year’s plans. They’ll be at The Haunt in Ithaca for NYE, but I was excited to learn of their Phish aftershow on 12/28 @ Club 39!

Jimkata

Manhattan Project took the stage as the room started to fill. Many that I spoke with were excited to see what they’d bring to the table tonight. This Rochester duo has been touring extensively, with several festival appearances, including at Camp Bisco, and have been building their fan base at every stop. Having seen them several times in the past, I knew I was guaranteed a good time. It consistently amazes me that this energetic and texturally complex sound comes from just two guys, Shawn Drogan and Charlie Linder.

Their infectious mix of dub, house and techno, combined with a visually stimulating light show made their show highly danceable from start to finish. Their remixes and steady progression of songs kept the crowd engaged. “Knight Rider” remix was a true standout and had many folks in the audience looking around in awe, “Is this really happening? This is awesome!” As they closed their set, the crowd was certainly primed and ready for Jimkata.

Their set started off strong cruising easily through much of the new album, Die Digital. The new album, while still lyrically thoughtful, adds the right punches whether it be electronic beats, synth or a heavy bass line and intertwines everything so perfectly. Energy was high and the room turned quickly into a full on dance party, a crowd locked in and grooving to the sound. Their “5th member” if you will, a wall of lights in sync with the show provided an additional layer of intrigue to Jimkata’s already complex and captivating show.

Standouts of the night included “Electronic Stone”, a crowd pleaser with an extremely catchy chorus, as well as one of my personal favorites “American Cars”. Having followed Jimkata for several years, I love their growth as musicians, and their evolution of sound. Their lyrics, combined with a new found electronic edge makes for an unforgettable experience.

This was a thoroughly satisfying show, and I cannot wait to see them again at the end of the month. GO SEE JIMKATA, and MANHATTAN PROJECT! You won’t regret it.

December 5, 2012
Trey Anastasio Band to play Syracuse and Albany in January

Trey Anastasio Band embarks on an early 2013 Winter Tour this January, with stops in Upstate NY at The Landmark in Syracuse on Saturday, January 19th and a week later at The Palace Theatre in Albany on January 26th. Trey also hits off The Capitol Theater in Port Washington in between, on January 23 and 24, with the first night a rescheduled date from October, allowing ticket-holders to attend the 23rd with the original ticket. Having played a well-received Fall Tour that featured songs off his new album Traveler, these shows are sure to be incredible.

The last time Trey played in Syracuse was February 22, 2001, an incredible show that proved to be a difficult ticket at the height of hiatus, as so many Upstate fans needed their Phish fix from Trey. Mostly new songs off past studio work as well as the then-unreleased self-titled album from Trey were performed, peppered with some memorable covers (Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35, It Makes no Difference, Will it go Round in Circles?) and an acoustic “Guyute” at the end of set one. A recording of this show can be heard here, courtesy of Resident Taper Lenny Stubbe. Trey even sat in after his show with Strangefolk at Armory High (aka Styleens and Club Orange, among other names) for Neighbor > Norwegian Wood > Neighbor and that can be downloaded from the Live Music Archive.

Trey is no stranger to Albany, having played here six times previously with the different lineups of Trey Anastasio Band, starting out on May 15th, 1999 at The Palace and playing June 13th, 2002, November 18th, 2005, December 29th, 2006, October 18th, 2008 and most recently on February 19th, 2011 (he seems to enjoy the cold months here). That show was incredible and featured the debut of Gorillaz “Clint Eastwood”, found on Traveler. You can download Set One of Albany 2011 here and Set Two here

Tickets for all shows will be available through a real time presale beginning this Friday, December 7th at 10am EST at http://treytickets.rlc.net. For complete ticketing information or public on sale dates, please visit www.trey.com.

Update 12/5/12: The Times Union has posted a retrospective of Trey over the years in the Capital District

December 5, 2012
The 2013 SAMMY Awards Announced

The 2013 SAMMY Awards have dropped their info for this year’s event. The SAMMY’s have proven time and again to be the Syracuse music scene’s premier annual event, this year looks to be bigger and better than ever. I love the change of venue to The Palace Theater in Eastwood, it’s more intimate and elegant, putting the crowd in closer contact with the performers and honorees. Read on for submission details and get your music in to be considered.

The two day event is slated for March 7-8, 2013, with SAMMY Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Upstairs at the Dinosaur BBQ on Thursday, March 7 and the SAMMY Award Ceremony and performances taking place on Friday, March 8 at The Palace Theater on James Street in Syracuse, NY. The Awards show has been moved to spring to better recognize the calendar year of recordings. Nowak reports that the last SAMMY Awards Show in 2011 was “SOLD OUT” with over 850 musicians and supporters of local music in attendance.

Musicians, Bands and Artists are encouraged to submit their recordings for consideration. Submissions will begin December 1, 2012. Official submission forms and instructions will be available for download here. All 2012 recordings and those released between Oct. 2011-Dec. 2012 are eligible with the deadline for submitting is January 4, 2013. The very popular People’s Choice nomination/submission and voting will begin on January 1.

Everyone is encouraged to nominate/submit their favorite local band and venue to see live music online from January 1st-14th, 2013 using this submission form. Online Voting will start January 15. Tickets to the event will go on sale in February 2013.

The SAMMYS is proud to recognize the support of The Syracuse New Times, 105.9 The Rebel, 93Q, Syracuse.com, 95X, 2nd Nature Studios, The Post Standard and SubCat. If you’d like to make suggestions about the award show, or share news that you’d like us to post on our site, email them at info at syracuseareamusic.com

We’re pleased to do our little part to support this event here at Music Guide. Helping to support a viable scene in Syracuse is something we’re proud to do and we do it statewide! Don’t let us down now, you heard it here and have all the info you need to get involved! We’ll be following the SAMMY’s through the event, so stay tuned to .com and .net for more info.

December 4, 2012
The Heavy Pets at The Westcott Theater, November 30

As Syracuse greeted its familiar friend, snow, back for a season of lake-effect whiteouts and heavy winter coats, The Westcott Theater hosted the return of two performing acts, veterans of Snow City U.S.A., with nearly as much experience in Upstate New York as harsh winter weather, Sophistafunk and The Heavy Pets.

Sophistafunk, a three-piece electric funk group opened the evening to a crowd of dancing and hula-hooping Westcott attendees. Making sure everyone in attendance left the venue considering their money well spent, the trio performed for over an hour, often lengthening their songs as instrumental groves involving solos from multi-instrumentalist Adam Gold and drummer Emanuel Washington. During the prolonged jams, lyricist/vocalist Jack Brown would bust some moves not unlike those demonstrated by audience members making the most of their Friday night. The frontman encouraged the party-like atmosphere, occasionally calling out specific concertgoers on their dancing skills and involving the crowd in mid-song shouts.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GilV6JGtBfA&w=420&h=315]

Although the entirety of The Heavy Pets’ lineup doesn’t call Upstate New York home, the region was well represented Friday night by the band’s guitarist/singer Jeff Lloyd and keyboardist Jim Wuest. Meeting at Syracuse University over a decade ago, Lloyd and Wuest are veterans of the Upstate music scene, and the band’s reception by Westcott occupants made the Upstate appreciation for The Heavy Pets loud and clear.

Read Johnny Goff’s interview with Jeff Lloyd

Continuing the trend of hula hoopin’ and shoe-shufflin’ from Sophistafunk’s previous set, the crowd found themselves movin’ to The Heavy Pets’ whaling keys and funky guitar riffs. Sharing vocal responsibilities, Lloyd, Wuest and guitarist Mike Garulli, each provided leads and harmonies throughout the show, diversifying the set and demonstrating each member’s musicianship. At one point, Sophistafunk frontman, Jack Brown joined the Heavy Pets, delivering his own style of vocal accompaniment to the Pets’ jams.

The good-time atmosphere associated with bringing friends up on stage stayed prevalent throughout the entire headlining set. As if they were back at school in Syracuse, the band took beers from friends in the crowd between songs and jammed to a venue full of dancing music lovers.

After a band experiences the type of success The Heavy Pets have had throughout their career, a show back where it all started is something special for not only the musicians, but also the fans in attendance. Bands like The Heavy Pets and Sophistafunk represent Upstate New York as they travel all over the country and its nice to get a taste of what they’ve been up to whenever they’re back in town.

December 4, 2012
A guide to New Years Eve shows across Upstate NY

The end of 2012 is approaching and New Years Eve looms. Here’s a list of shows across Upstate New York with links to the venue page where you can buy tickets. Thanks to Lindsay Jones for the help in compiling the list If you have any updates to the list, post in the comments below and we’ll add them to the list.

Capital District:

Consider the Source with Timbre Coup at Red Square

Ten Year Vamp at Graney’s Stout

Funk Evolution with Skeeter Creek at Proctors

Sirsy at Putnam Den

Saranac Lake Lucid at The Waterhole – tickets via Ticketfly

Oneonta Driftwood, Horseshoe Lounge Playboys at B-Side Ballroom

Ithaca Jimkata at The Haunt

Oswego House on a Spring w/ The Blackened Blues at Old City Hall

Rochester Winter Boogie with Rubblebucket, Marco Benevento and Driftwood at Water St. Music Hall (December 29th)

The Buddhahood & Subsoil at Lovin’ Cup

Buffalo Aqueous, Funktional Flow, Universe Shark and Slip Madigan at Nietzsches

Average White Band at The Tralf

Burlington Rubblebucket with Marco Benevento, Higher Ground

December 3, 2012
Dark Star Orchestra at The Westcott Theater, November 25th

When Dark Star Orchestra made its way to the Westcott Theater this past Sunday, it was difficult for me to understand, fully, the emotion I used to have for the band.

For years I saw them dozens of times, closing my eyes and pretending I was at a Grateful Dead show and enjoying an experience I was far too young to taste myself, as Jerry Garcia had passed away when I was just eight years old.

But this DSO show was different. It was my first non-festival DSO show without former guitarist John Kadlecik, who made the leap from the minor leagues to the majors in joining Furthur, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh’s latest post-Jerry Dead collaboration in late 2009. In his place was a fitting man, one who even looks similar to Jerry: Jeff Mattson.

Well, to be blunt, I still had a blast. With a rollicking “Here Comes Sunshine” to kick things off – the crowd still filling the small venue – DSO proved to me they hadn’t lost a step. In fact, I’d say they gained a little more soul with Mattson leading the group.

“Me and my Uncle,” “Ramble on Rose” and “Looks Like Rain” had me wondering if this was an early 1970s Dead recreation, or an original setlist, which I prefer. “Deal,” “Mexicali Blues” and “They Love Each Other” told me this was definitely a recreation, which turned out to be from St. Louis on October 30, 1973. “El Paso,” “Row Jimmy” and “Jack Straw” kept the flow of upbeat tunes coming, but the band seemed a step slow. That, or I was just slow from a week of work and not Thanksgiving celebration. Who knows?

Easily the highlight of the knight came next with my favorite pairing of “China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider.” Mattson took the lead, trading licks with Rob Barraco, the man who has played keyboards with countless post-Jerry bands. To close the set was a spacey, yet tight, “Playing in the Band.”

The second set kept pace with a “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” a personal favorite, that featured the intricate song played flawlessly. “Big River” got the crowd back on its toes before the group bled into “Dark Star.” This wasn’t your average version, as the psychedelic riffs from Mattson were in perfect sync with the tribal rhythms provided by drummer Dino English.

The rest of the set was a segue-fest, with “Dark Star” moving seamlessly into “Stella Blue>Eyes of the World>Weather Report Suite Prelude>Weather Report Part 1>Let it Grow” before the band finally took a breather. “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad>Johnny B. Goode” closed one hell of a set. For the encore, as predicted, was “One More Saturday Night,” a tune that had the Westcott going like it was 1973 again.

While this version of DSO is definitely different from the last incarnation, one thing holds true: The Grateful Dead spirit Is alive, well and on a trip that hopefully never ends.

November 30, 2012
“We Have a Committment to Everywhere”: An Interview with Jeff Lloyd, Guitarist and Singer for The Heavy Pets

Of the many acts to come out of Central New York, The Heavy Pets have risen to headlining acts at festivals nationwide amid a consistent touring schedule. Rising from Syracuse University a decade ago and taking their talents to Miami, the quartet has regularly returned to the Northeast with a great response from fans. Johnny Goff talked to Jeff Lloyd before the shows this weekend in Syracuse (The Westcott, 11/30) and Buffalo (Nietzche’s, 12/1) as well as a Phish post show at Rebel in NYC on 12/30.

Johnny Goff: So Jeff, if you could, Can you indulge our readers with a brief history of The Heavy Pets, who have roots in Upstate NY.

Jeff Lloyd: Well, Guitarist Mike Garulli and I have been playing music together, he and I, since we met, in high school, in a little town called Goshen, NY, where we both grew up. We’ve played under various bands w/ various names since that time but it really all started in Goshen. My mother is the music teacher there and Mike and I used to be the two guys who brought their guitars to school and kind of played to kids during lunch break and like that. We both kind of had our own little crowds so we decided ‘why not combine them’ and we’ve been playing music together ever since. Then I went to Syracuse NY for college and played in a band and that’s where we met Jim Wuest, our keyboardist, and we brought him into the fold and with that came a lot of great tunes and a whole vast array of knowledge of other kinds of music that neither Mike or I had been previously introduced to. So that added a whole other element and Jim, Mike and I have been playing music together ever since.

JG: And this all kept going til after college?

JL: After college, we decided to move to Florida and start a band and do it the right way. Our original bass player for The Heavy Pets had started an internet marketing company that really took off so we decided to use the opportunity of a good job in South Florida to start fresh and we basically just, from day one, used that job as a rouse to save up enough money to be in a band full-time. It took a couple of years and we had started the Heavy Pets in the meantime and it allowed us to basically quit our jobs and focus on this full time. And so, that’s how we were able to focus solely on The Heavy Pets and being full-time musicians. And The Heavy Pets, despite having roots in Upstate NY, we are a Florida band. That’s where we started and that’s where we call home. But it’s nice, because NY has always been our home and our home away from home at the same time. When we are here, we get to see our families and when we are on the road, it’s always nice to be able to look forward to our east coast swings where we know we’ll be able to see our families and friends.

JG: So, how does that work with your touring focus? Whether or not you tour in the Southeast vs. the Northeast or vs. out West in Colorado? Where are your pockets of fanbase?

JL: We really don’t have a commitment to anywhere. We have a commitment to Everywhere. So we try to play as many places as we can. But we obviously try to tour the Northeast as much as possible. The Northeast is where we have connections and know people and we’ve been touring the Interstate 95, so I’ve spent as much time here at my home in Upstate NY as I do at my home in South Florida. Two of the guys in the Heavy Pets are from Goshen and the other three are from the Philadelphia area so we all get to see our families quite a bit. In fact, we are all visiting our families right now. (as of interview time on Wednesday, 11/28/12) so it works out really well for us.

JG: So how does your Florida home and Upstate NY roots jive with any shows you guys have coming up?

JL: So we basically a lot of December off in Florida and we have this one week left up here with shows in Boston, Northhampton, Syracuse and Buffalo and we’re really excited about this week right now. But then we go home and we have 2 weeks in Florida, where we’re not off, but we’re gonna be home and doing some private events and a corporate gig. But the main reason for us being home in Florida is to practice and rehearse and we’re gonna do another EP. We just released an EP called “Everywhere Sessions Volume 1”. The whole idea behind that is us being in a studio playing live, in a natural setting. But, it’s in a studio, and we’re just getting some great takes of our songs being played live. We basically played each song twice and in every situation, the second time just came out money. And that’s what the “Everywhere Sessions” is. We went from this whole idea where we were making these albums where we were working with this fantastic producer out in California and adding all these bells and whistles but this is really a little more natural. This is us. This is kind of, the way, we would always want to do things.

JG: Would you say this approach is getting back to your roots?

JL: Well, yeah. Actually, We’re really getting back to what we’ve always wanted to do: And that is go in to a studio and pound out some great recordings where we get to show people who are we as a band live on stage but in a studio setting. So we’re gonna go home and try to record another EP and try to release that right around Christmas time. Also, we’ve been working on these videos that kind of correspond to the “Everywhere Sessions.” I can’t get into it too much but the previous videos were us driving around in a van and talking about various subjects and then playing songs that in some way, relate to the topic we were just talking about. But we’re gonna be expanding that idea by taking us out of the van and putting us into some different kinds of settings where we show “us just being us”, you know? We’re just trying to show people who we really are. I think our greatest assets is ourselves so we just want to try to show people us being real.

The Johnny-5: Five fun questions for Jeff Lloyd of The Heavy Pets

1) JG: Top 3 deserted island albums?

JL: Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest, Paul Simon – Rhythm of The Saints, Jimi Hendrix – Band of Gypsies

2) JG: Worst job you’ve ever had?

JL: Boston Market in high school.

3) JG: Your Secret indulgence?

JL: Watching the NY Giants

4) JG: Any Place in world you’d want to visit before you die?

JL: The Great Pyramids in Egypt

5) JG: Name any Musician (dead or alive) you’d most want to play with?

JL: Frank Zappa or Bob Dylan

November 30, 2012
Jams for Tots – Give Back and Get Down

With the Holiday Season under way, there is no better time to help those who are less fortunate. For the past few years, Luke Weiler, aka Positive Mental Trip, has been spreading holiday cheer as well as musical jams around NY. Going on its 7^th year, Jams for Tots teams up with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots to raise money and donate toys at shows. “Every kid should feel that someone cares enough about them to get them a present. That’s the reason we do this” Luke Weiler, Jam for Tots Coordinator. Each event hosts different musical acts and talents that play for free to support the cause.

Concert goers are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy worth $5 or more retail value and they will get into the show for free. Those who don’t bring a toy will pay a cover fee, with all funds getting donated to purchasing toys for children this holiday season. All toys and cash donations go towards the Marine Corps Toys for Tots except for the Athens Jams for Tots where the donations go specifically towards the children in Greene County.

The following are the 5 Jam for Tots scheduled events:

December 1 at O’Tooles– 1814 Central Ave Albany, NY: Live Music from 6PM – 2AM Bands include Positive Mental Trip, Catalyst, Of the Mountains and many more.

December 7 at Trexx Nightclub- 323 N. Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY Bands include Positive Mental Trip, Mikey Parkay, True Risen, The Blockheads and many more.

December 8 at Upper Deck– 1 West Street, Gloversville, NY Bands include Positive Mental Trip, Weather Machine, Of the Mountains, Catalyst and many more.

December 14 at Crossroads Brewing 10 2nd Street, Athens, NY Bands include Positive Mental Trip, Phil Massaro Symphony, John Pinder Band and Billy Lester.

December 15 at The Finger Bullet 1692 Bennett Street, Utica, NY Bands include Positive Mental Trip, Sassafrass Jenkins, Joe Sweet, Catalyst and many more.

November 29, 2012
Syracuse Guitarist Miss E. Releases Killer New CD Yesterday’s Muse

Miss E. is Missy Ragonese, a guitarist/percussionist/ singer/songwriter based in Syracuse. She plies her trade in and around Central NY under several monikers: Miss E., Miss E. Duo, her main band Dovetail Joint and Miss 3, a female power trio.

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get your name out there and this lady lays it on the line every day. Yesterday’s Muse is like “the story so far” in her journey as a professional musician. While her influences become clear, her voice and guitar licks quickly establish a style both contemporary and individual.

Let’s run this baby up the flagpole and see what happens. Miss E. is joined by her Dovetail Joint band-mates Paul Carpenter on bass guitar and Dan Redmond on drums, along with a guest appearance from Syracuse native Paulie Cerra on sax. “Cherie”, the opener, is sweetly melodic featuring Paulie’s silky licks rolling over Miss E’s deft rhythm line, a very smooth beginning that transitions nicely into “Always”, a bittersweet reminiscence. Miss E. knows how to tell a love story and you can feel her swoon as the memory swirls. It’s downright beautiful, her voice rich and sure, the guitar dances with her while her heart opens lyrically.

Each song segues to the next with sounds from nature leaving no empty spaces between each piece mixed by perfectly by Jeff Moleski at Moletrax Studios. “Just One Kiss” is the first track where Miss E. lets the electric guitar rip and cuts loose some solos. Her soaring licks melding with the heart-felt vocals to fully express her emotion in the moment.

“A Girl Like Me” switches up gears a bit with this song of determination and defiance against the road-blocks of a musician’s life and the belief in a dream that keeps her going against it.

“The Tide is Turnin’” turns it up several notches on the attitude meter as Miss E. wails a growling vocal line accenting her screaming guitar solos. This is all about spitting in the face of oppression no matter what form it takes and she reveals several. The reggae break puts a light beat behind the most serious in a Marleyesque way.

Isolation can be confused by onlookers as arrogance and “Anything Less” paints a picture of reality vs. conceived illusion from others jealousy. A hand that holds you down, instead of lifting you up, until you realize what really counts is your own image of yourself. Her sultry, knowing voice echoes their words until you can feel her confidence take over in the final verse. Very powerful stuff here, most artists don’t have the nerve to be this self-expressive and it’s a hallmark of the whole album.

“Oh No” let’s Miss E. wave her Hendrix flag, her funky wah pedal work and gritty voice scream out, trying to pull someone back from the edge and expressing the intense frustration that can bring. Her solo lines cast a lifeline that seems to not reach the intended goal.

“Hold On” brings a reggae feel to a lover’s cry for patience, but we all know how difficult waiting can be. She pleads for the space to make things right before they can be together, and the raw emotion in her voice makes you want to believe.

Paulie Cerra returns on “Super Woman Lover (SWL)”, his sax is as sultry as her dream sequence verbalized. I know I said it before, but the lady can write a love song. This time she’s flat out confident and sexy, determined and strong. The “Spooky” feel is perfect for the topic and twists the lyric in your mind.

A little bit of Carlos pops right out of “When It’s Your Turn”, from the Latin percussion feel to the chord progression. Almost a dare or a challenge to step-up and keep it real, it’s softly in your face and honest.

“Is This Love” could almost be a Toy Caldwell tune, simple and to the point, yet emotive in the guitar line, more than through the lyric. Each solo ascending the previous to the ultimate conclusion and the answer to the question asked. Both.

“Shoot Me Down” sets its tone right off the bat, it rocks hard and bares her heart. Humility is always a tough topic and the wanting to retain it is tougher. She pleads for honesty and guidance from her inner self, or is it from her lover? To be oblique as a writer is a slippery slope and she navigates this one with skill.

“Indigo Sunset” pays a musical homage to the Indigo Girls, Miss E.’s light touch on the acoustic reminds me of a lighter “History Of Us” melody, not the topic, but the feel of the guitar. A great closer that gives her a chance to show-off her acoustic chops to match the variety of feels she has playing electric.

Overall this is a fabulous and daring album of life-stories, the best music always comes from the heart and Miss E.’s heart is all over each cut here. I found this to be a great cruising disc, especially when you can listen to it completely without interruption. I bet it’s pretty good to make-out to as well.

You can find Miss E. and Dovetail Joint on facebook and her disc is available on cdbaby

Check it out and support local music!

Key Tracks: Always, The Tide is Turnin’, Is This Love

November 28, 2012
The New York Banjo Summit at The State Theater, November 2nd

Dan Smalls Presents and the State Theater of Ithaca hosted a magical experience with the New York Banjo Summit on Friday November 2, 2012. All in attendance in the nearly packed house were treated to a mixture of history, storytelling, music and showmanship from an all-star line up of musicians spanning many styles of banjo music. I left the theater feeling utterly grateful to have been in the audience.

One would be hard pressed to find a venue as suitable as The State Theater for this kind of show. The theater itself dates back to around the 1930s, the time period the banjo asserted itself as an American instrument in popular culture. It’s quaint and relatively small with a historical feel and an overhanging balcony assuring that even the cheap seats get a good mix of the stage sound. Every note rang clearly and precisely in the room. Even the breathy, husky lilt of the voices of the pioneers on the stage reached out and touched our ears.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXZ2xQIYVV8&w=560&h=315]

I was anticipating some great music and had done my research before arriving, but I still found myself surprised by how much I learned about the banjo and banjo music in general. Somewhere between a songwriter’s circle complete with a story or 10, a showcase and a presentation, this show truly left the audience with a well rounded view of how varied the music birthed out of a banjo can be.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kThZrIuEj0&w=420&h=315]

Some highlights for me included a poignant expression of a proletariat anthem “How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live,” raising the hair on my arms with its lyrics still so relatable. This is part of how this instrument crept deeply into the hearts of the American people; it backed so many songs of struggle of the working man and the enduring qualities that make us human. I was also taken completely aback by Richie Sterns! As much as Bela himself has tailored the banjo to suit his particular expression, so has Richie Sterns with this aggressive and progressive rockabilly lean. Utilizing several effects, Sterns’ play was edgy and crisp; his demeanor truly grateful and amiable Of course, Bela Fleck’s unique style of heavily working harmonics and his tuning pegs relentlessly left us breathless as he took his solo spotlight moments. There is something sacred in the air when Bela plays with such intensity and the audience shared in some beautiful moments of near meditation. Tony Trischka is a true showman and it was downright fun to watch him interact with Bela and the rest of the band and to hear his quips and stories. He is also a master at the instrument blending more contemporary play with jazz and the essence of old foot tapping barn-thumpers. Under his hands, many styles of banjo play converge. Trischka and Bela created an impressive display of a four armed banjo beast, both playing the same instrument at the same time with astonishing precision and speed. Weissberg delightfully taunted with “Dueling Banjos” and ultimately delivered an interesting slightly deconstructed version of the fan favorite.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRaAfmhObSY&w=560&h=315]

The backing band was also superb with fiddle player Alex Hargreaves receiving a fair share of attention. I would have liked to have heard the upright bass up in the mix a little more prominently, but that is likely personal taste over a genuine criticism.

All in all, the New York Banjo Summit was a beautiful, touching and evocative experience in lovely Ithaca that I will honestly carry with me my entire life. If you have a chance to catch this tour somewhere, even if it is only from clips online, I urge you to do it!

November 21, 2012