Category: Reviews

Candlebox at Oswego County Event Center (finally, Part 2!)

I wrote that back in late September, talking about an incredible show at the Syracuse area’s newest big outdoor venue, the Oswego County Event Center. A few months late but hopefully a way to remind everyone as they look out the window into fields of snow that summer is coming and live shows will be seen — often, and right here in Upstate New York. Candlebox

When the Syn City Cowboys took the stage, the crowd was mixed on who are these kids from Kansas City, and the women drooling over the fit bodies and refreshing look the band presents. Once they started, the focus was on good ol’ rock and roll. SCC has been around for a little over three years and continue their relentless tour schedule to bring their music to the fans. Frontman Ethan Cole says his favorite lead signer is Metallica’s James Hatfield, but while Cole may rock out like Mr. Hatfield, you will find his vocals to be a little more youthful, clean and more reminiscent of strong 80’s frontmen like Sammy Hagar or David Coverdale. If these young men stay together, keep writing pure rock tunes and stay on the road perfecting and promoting their craft – they will become a household name. In rock ‘n roll households at least.

The long summer day was just beginning to become a long summer night as Open Air Stereo walked out onto the brand new enclosed stage in Pennellville, New York. Forty years ago you’d hear a band for the first time on the local radio station. Twenty years ago it was either MTV or VH-1, and you heard them and saw them at the same time. More recently, with bands like Open Air Stereo, a band’s first exposure is often on reality television, they don’t hear the music until later (to be fair, OAS did get some decent play time on “Laguna Beach” but who was really listening?). Nine times out of ten when you finally hear the music it is a huge disappointment. OAS is that 1 out of 10 that you say to yourself, “oh damn, these guys are good!” One of the reasons they are so good was due to a Craigslist ad. Yes, you can find more on Craigslist than old tires and an escort for a lonely Friday night. Open Air Stereo found guitarist, Scott Pounds on Craigslist. This would be another time that you could safely say, “oh damn, these guys are good.”

Behind the Pennellville Fire Station just 10 minutes north of Syracuse on this summer evening was no exception. A smooth rock groove and strong beat supporting tunes like “Stuck on You” got the crowd bouncing up and down, or what some call “dancing”. The set went up and down with intensity and it was obviously that the band has been fine tuning its stage presence. Backstage, they were working on their own equipment, even fixing a snare that broke after the last gig and a night full of traveling didn’t give a lot of time to fix it. Life on the road is tough and hopefully OAS has what it takes to stick it out. There is a large market of 16-25 year old girls and the guys that follow them around that needs this music. In the process the band will continue to mature and bring in a large fan base and move past the “Laguna Beach” name and into their own. Something hard work and many miles over desolate highways can deliver.

Rumors were flying that Syracuse natives, Crows Cage, were going to start their set with a little surprise. I was eagerly awaiting by the stage to see what these hard rockers had in store for the audience. Already local favorites with more fan adorned t-shirts in the crowd than any other band, including headliner, Candlebox – they didn’t need to do something gimmicky to get the crowds attention. So, what could it be?

Aaron Bellow busts out an incredible guitar solo to start the show. The guitar whined and whimpered with delight of the fans and to the delight of my ears, too. Aaron’s big surprise was using a bow to light up the solo… it was like a slide guitarist found his way into a haunted house and had to play for all the ghouls and boys. It was actually pretty awesome. While it could have easily been cheesy, it wasn’t overly hyped nor did it last too long. It was short, to the point and therefore a powerful statement that Crows Cage was ready to make shit happen and as the sun slowly went down behind them, the energy of the festival type crowd was about to hit the next level.

Fresh off the release of their CD Forgotten Sins the band busted out tunes from the new album that turned up the tempo. “Grindstone” or “Derivation” really highlights the intense pace set by Crows Cage rhythm section: Clint Greer on drums and Tommy Rose on bass. A slick guitar lead-in allowed Eddie ‘EJ’ Carrara’s vocals to have the strong impact that was intended. After seeing Crows Cage open for national acts Devour the Day and Saliva earlier in the summer, there was something special about the line-up. Seeing them a month or two later on stage in the OCEC showed more development and a tight adhesive bond within the band. The chemistry allowed the music to flow over the crowd and melt some faces and blow some minds. With any direct support band they have one important job, above all others: get the crowd ready for the headliner. Two words, “Mission Accomplished.”

Earlier in the week leading up to the show I was able to talk to Candlebox’s Kevin Martin about the bands “comeback”, the purity of rock, how things have progressed since their peak in the 1990s, new material focused on a new message, and a new sound. Candlebox can still delight the audience with classic favorites like “Far Behind” and “You”. But even those classics now have a refreshing twist live, either through an acoustic set up or even a slight ska/dub influence. The show at the Oswego County Event Center was no exception. The crowd was pumped up and the band maintained that energy mixing in the old and the new. Guitar licks from the legendary Peter Klett dropped more than one jaw as original Candlebox drummer, Scott Mercado, set the pace.

From the V.I.P. poster signing to the dominant stage presence and command of the crowd, Candlebox did not lose their touch with their fans. An openly supportive marijuana rights agenda influenced a few fans to light up and partake after the sun went down behind the stage. That scene alone, sunset while the band lights grew in intensity gave me chills. The photos could never do it justice. My recommendation is to plan at least one or two shows there in 2014 so music fans can truly appreciate the new venue.

December 20, 2013
Acoustic Magic: Ed McCain’s Trio

Mohawk Valley Community College’s Rome campus was the perfect venue to showcase the Ed McCain Acoustic Trio and the sold out crowd was treated to an amazing performance. Ed McCain, best known for his songs, “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More”, played these crowd favorites along with many more that spanned his 20+ year career. Joined on stage by Craig Shields on saxophone and wind instruments and Larry Chaney on lead guitar, the three performed seamlessly together.

Many times you see acts that sound awesome from the studio and their live show doesn’t live up to the hype. Not in this case with Ed McCain. The live show sounded as good if not better than the recorded versions. Ed’s strong voice and personal presence wins over the crowd immediately, and his personal narration of songs and their road to the studio makes the song more meaningful as though it was now a personal story for the listener. When Ed shared stories of how the songs came about, the subjects they covered, or the people he introduced to you through the songs there was no way you could hear the song again and not reflect back on the story.

Never again will I be able to hear Marvin Gay’s “What’s Going On” without thinking of RJ’s Barbecue and the story Ed told of this amazing man and his friendship. Nor will I ever not think sax players have it going on since hearing the story behind the song “One Thing Left” and how no matter how charismatic Ed was that evening, it was Craig that had the pretty girls attention. Then there was the song “Sign on the Door” that came about after Ed lent an ear to someone sitting next to him one night at the bar. Songs are written by artists for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they are to celebrate, sometimes to heal, but no matter how they came to be, we tend to apply to our personal lives. It’s this gift of story telling that makes Ed McCain an amazing writer, performer, and entertainer.

It was a pleasure sitting down and talking to Ed about music, life in Greenville, and his passions for every day life. This passion that comes across in his music, as well as his genuine love of family, music, and surroundings are what makes his music so personal and loved by many.

December 19, 2013
Completely Unchained – Completely Off the Hook

Completely Unchained, one of the most well known and loved Van Halen tribute bands once again returned to the Central New York region to rock the house at the Turning Stone Showroom. If looking to travel back to the 1980’s during the height of hair bands and rock and roll, all one had to do is close their eyes and they were be transported right back in time to a Van Halen concert as they played songs like “Jump”, “Hot For Teacher”, and “You Really Got Me Going” to name just a few.

Completely Unchained – Turning Stone 2013

Talented musicians Eugene Henriksen on lead vocals, Johnny Roggio on guitar, Mason Swearingen on bass, and George Pagonis on drums have perfected not only the sound of Van Halen, but the look and energy that fans have loved for decades. These accomplished musicians are true performers and a must see for tribute bands fans.

December 18, 2013
Magical Connection – John Sebastian at the Cafe Veritas

John Sebastian performed solo acoustic at the Cafe Veritas in Rochester on December 7th was not only a musical cross-section of Sebastian’s hall of fame career, but an intimate investigation of the roots of the music that has influenced generations. The softly lit room was accented by candles and featured as its centerpiece a slightly elevated wooden stage and large colorful peace symbol.

The sold out crowd welcomed Sebastian who appeared, dressed in black with acoustic guitar and bright flashing smile. After gently chiding an audience member who was preparing to take pictures, Sebastian made it clear he wanted the crowds undivided and complete attention. The show traced Sebastian’s beginnings as a Greenwich Village folk musician, gazed as his numerous gold records as a member of the Lovin Spoonful, and examined his love of jug band and blues music.

To start the show, Sebastian began to pick the bluesy opening to Mississippi John Hurt’s ‘I’m Satisfied’. Sebastian’s voice still reveals glimpses of his younger throat that once contained honey, but now has a pinch of gravel and a slight blues man’s rasp. Through out the evening Sebastian would frame the songs with extended dialogues expressing the genesis of his songwriting, his Lovin Spoonful band mates, influences and family. The following chunky slice of finger picked blues called ‘Don’t Stop’ prefaced a trio of Lovin Spoonful tracks who many in the crowd were highly anticipating. Sebastian paused prior to these numbers and spoke nostalgically about his love for Motown and how it influenced his development as an artist. During this discussion Sebastian started to strum the classic Motown hit ‘Heatwave’ slowly speeding the riff up, eventually morphing it into the introduction of the Spoonful’s own ‘Do You Believe In Magic?. An amazing glimpse into the genesis of one of the 1960’s most enduring songs, and a prime example of the concert’s’ enjoyable ‘show and tell’ makeup.

‘You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice’, and a definitive version of ‘Younger Girl’ followed, musically warming up the crowd who watched in rapt amazement. Sebastian encouraged a singalong atmosphere, and smiled often, singing directly to the crowd like an old time Greenwich folkie. His perfect guitar strikes emitting golden notes, clear as a winter night, expressed immaculately by the acoustics of the room. Sebastian switched between two hollow bodied acoustic/electric guitars throughout the evening, both instruments delivering clarity and tone, his voice, slightly weary from the years, but full of expressiveness and rich personality.

After the excitement created by the mini Spoonful set, John quieted things down, first speaking of his children and wife lovingly, then performing a version of ‘Strings of Your Heart’ as fragile as a bird’s egg. Keeping with the theme Sebastian then, in beautifully tender fashion delivered an instrumental lullaby he used to put his boys to sleep with. Intricate and weightless, Sebastian eyes were closed tight, lost in the music, picking the crystalline melody, an absolute high point of the evening.

Sebastian then leaned on his guitar and proceeded to tell a humorous anecdote about his going out of style at least ‘four or five times’ over his career, and that one of the times he went back in style was with ‘Welcome Back’. A jubilant singalong followed with Sebastian crooning the popular theme song he wrote for the historic television comedy. Highly enjoyable, and truly a piece of ‘good time music’ as the Spoonful’s credo used to be, the crowd responded with tremendous applause.

Another solid track off of Sebastian and Grisman’s 2007 album Satisfied came next with ‘Passing Fantasy’, before moving into another developed dialog where Sebastian explained in greater detail his relationship with Mississippi John Hurt. Sebastian then displayed a few finger picking techniques ‘borrowed’ from Hurt using the examples to slide seamlessly into a stomping version of ‘Lovin You’, the opening song from 1968’s Hums of the Lovin Spoonful. The show reached a grand peak and a pair of Lovin Spoonful numbers followed quickly and definitively closed the 75 minute set. ‘Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?’ and ‘Daydream’, perhaps the most beloved song in the Spoonful catalog, closed the show to a complete standing ovation. Sebastian a true entertainer, playing to the crowd, interacting with them on musical and conversational levels left the stage to boisterous applause.

But luckily for us in the crowd, Sebastian had one final surprise in store, reappearing with only a harmonica in hand to stand solo at the microphone. Sebastian, who’s father was a famous classically trained harmonica player, instilled in him a love and respect for the instrument. Sebastian stated that in his home, ‘the harmonica was not a toy’, so for those of us in the crowd that were hoping for a bit of harp playing, we were in for a treat. Sebastian plowed trough an extended harp journey that wailed and wined with the breath of rock and roll and blues, displaying all the tricks of this virtuosic player. The performance could have concluded only one way, and Sebastian hit it perfectly with an awe inspiring display.

John Sebastian created a musical atmosphere at the Cafe Veritas that encouraged attentiveness, revealed musical secrets, and encouraged audience interaction. The performance hearkened back to the early coffee house performances of the 1960’s in content as well as attentiveness by the performer. It’s refreshing to witness an artist so at ease with his legacy, and concentrated on delivering the goods to his audience even after all of these years.

December 17, 2013
Peekskill Brings Holiday Cheer with NRBQ

The recently reopened Paramount Hudson Valley in Peekskill, known before 2013 as Paramount Center for the Arts, played host to a double bill of blues and rock that no music lover could say no to. Billed as a “Holiday Hoedown,” the evening was headlined by NRBQ with the Nighthawks opening.

The night began with an hour-long set by Washington, D.C. natives The Nighthawks. The set was carried largely by the roaring vocals and harmonica of Mark Wenner. Their set list was laden with fast-paced rockin’ blues with the right amount of soulful blues led with the vocals of drummer Mark Stutso, a recent 2010 addition to the band’s lineup.

NRBQ’s set had something for everyone, with an eclectic mix of blues, rock, pop, and rockabilly spanning their entire career since 1967. Accompanied by a sax and trombone, the band took the stage fit for the season with their rendition of “Frosty the Snowman” followed by a cover of David Rose’s “The Stripper.” Not too long after taking the stage, audience members were dancing in the isles to “Paris.” NRBQ is well known for not adhering to a strict or necessarily consistent set list between shows. This spontaneity on stage made for a truly genuine performance connected to the audience. Not to mention the energy and enthusiasm of founding member Terry Adams on keys, which kept the crowd engaged for the entire performance.

The audience was treated to a somewhat unusual encore to wrap up the evening. Where one may expect the band to return to the stage with one or two of their hits, NRBQ instead took to the stage wheeling out a road case set atop with a number of hand bells. Donned in the finest attire fit for Jimmy Fallon’s “Twelve Days of Christmas Sweaters” segment, the band had the audience laughing in good humor as they did a 4-part medley of holiday tunes on the bells.

NRBQ has been through a few changes over their 45+ year career with changes in the band’s lineup in the last 10 years and a few hiatus periods. Their performance at the Paramount has proven that the group has withstood the test of time and still a notable act to catch for all generations.

December 17, 2013
CNY Gets Early Christmas Gift – Trace Adkins’ ‘The King’s Gift’ Tour

Central New York was recently honored to kick off their holiday season with a very special guest, Trace Adkins, who is currently touring and promoting his new Christmas album ,The King’s Gift. The Stanley Center for the Performing Arts was honored to be on the list of venues he is visiting during this tour.

Trace, best known as an award winning country performer and the winner of the All Star Celebrity Apprentice, surprised fan club members and special guests with a special pre-performance and question and answer session. With his wit and down to earth mannerisms, he answered questions, shared stories of his family and spoke of his projects and past events as though he was just like ordinary folk. However, once the show began, it was apparent just how much of a superstar this man was and how respected and loved he is by his fellow bandmates and audiences all over the world.

The setting for the show looked as though it was straight out of a Currier and Ives Christmas card. Trace entered bearing gifts and throughout the night shared not only his musical renditions of popular Christmas tunes, but also the history behind each tune. The Celtic flavor of the night added a special uniqueness to the music appreciated by the audience, and his rendition of “We Three Ships” with the Celtic intro by Andrea Zohn was one of the most impressive renditions of the tune ever sung. Traveling with some of the most talented musicians, audiences are also being treated to an introduction of up and coming musician Lily Costner whose angelic voice together with Trace’s bass blends so beautifully on numbers such as “Silent Night”.

With a night filled with music, humor, and nostalgia, Central New York thanked Trace Adkins and for making a stop at The Stanley and kicking off the Christmas season.

December 16, 2013
Best of 2013 – Part 1, Best Shows around NYS

2013 has been a great year. We have expanded our staff and coverage to bring more bands and live acts to the attention of fans and readers, and are looking forward to 2014 with great anticipation as we focus on the music coming out of all corners of New York State. Music festivals and incredible tours pepper the Upstate New York music calendar, giving broad musical choices for the 8 million New Yorkers who call Upstate their home.

Our staff writers and photographers were asked to look back at the full year of music in Upstate New York and beyond, and weigh in with their best of 2013. We looked at 10 categories – Best Upstate Show, Best Show, Best Upstate Album, Best Album, Best Upstate Festival, Best Festival, Best Upstate Venue, Best Venue, Best Band on the Rise and Jam of the Year – and came up with the best music we have seen and heard this year. We’ll bring you two categories each day this week

Here’s part 1 of 5, looking at the Best Shows of 2013

Best Upstate Show

Top Picks

Phish at SPAC, 7/5

Pearl Jam at First Niagara Center, Buffalo 10/2

Phish at Glens Falls Civic Center, 10/23

Rest of the Best

Turkuaz, The Westcott Theater, Syracuse 2/28

BB King, The Massry Center, Albany 4/14

Ian McLagan Solo, Lovin Cup, Rochester 6/23

Phish, SPAC 7/7

John Brown’s Body, Grassroots Festival, Ithaca 7/20

Railroad Earth & Yonder Mountain String Band, Saranac Brewery 8/3

Woodstock Sessions with Alan Evans Trio 8/24

Allman Brother’s Band with Steve Winwood, SPAC 8/28

Aqueous with Lotus, Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor 8/29

Jimkata, Marris Amphitheatre, Oriskany Falls 8/31

Michael Franti, Upstate Concert Hall, Clifton Park 9/16

FarmAid, SPAC 9/21

Start Making Sense, The Hollow, Albany 9/27

Bad Cello, The Cult of the Crying Moon and The Bird Calls, WERW Launch Party, Syracuse 9/28

Pretty Lights Live in Albany, 10/31

Chicago and the Utica Symphony Orchestra, The Stanley Center, Utica 10/5

Rubblebucket, The Westcott Theater 11/20

Best Show Overall

Top Pick

Phish at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City 11/1

Rest of the Best

Tenacious D, House of Blues, Boston 3/4

Huey Lewis, Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown 5/11

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Great Googa Mooga Festival, Brooklyn 5/17

Yonder Mountain String Band, Cumberland, MD 5/26

Dirty Projectors, Lincoln Hall, Chicago 6/13

The Rolling Stones, TD Garden, Boston 6/14

Warren Haynes & The Boston Pops, Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration, Lenox, MA 6/22

Tipper, Burning Man, Black Rock Desert, NV, late August

Sound Tribe Sector 9, Bank of America Pavilion, Boston 8/31

Elvis Costello and The Roots, Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn 9/16

STS9, Landmark Theater, Syracuse 9/21

Turkuaz, Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn 9/25

The Disco Biscuits, City Bisco, Philadelphia, PA 9/28

Steely Dan, Beacon Theater, NYC 10/5

Nine Inch Nails, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ 10/15

Phish, DCU Center, Worcester, MA 10/26

Bernhoft, The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA 11/1

Phish, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ 11/2

Dark Star Orchestra, Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT 11/19

Railroad Earth and Peter Rowan, Sherman Theater, Strousberg, PA 11/30

Did we miss a show this year that you thought was great? Sound off in the comments!

December 16, 2013
A Look at One Last Shot

As the frontman to Syracuse’s One Last Shot, the 23-year-old takes to those notebooks to find the words that will accompany the band’s music. Together, it’s a matrimony between the ethereal world of his craft, and the driving force of the music.

As a wordsmith, Jeremy Miller is a slave to every epiphany. At home, he has notebooks, napkins and spare scraps of paper, for each time he has been visited by his muse.

“I have notebooks stacked with pages, and pages of lyrics and poems and random thoughts I quickly write down,” said Miller.

“My notebook has turned into my cell phone notepad,” said Miller, “but if I have paper around and don’t think about my cell phone I’ll write down ideas quick. (Laughs.) If I don’t do that I could forget the idea as soon as I think of it.”

One Last Shot carries the label of “local band”, one that calls Syracuse home as the band struggles to branch out farther. They’ve played Buffalo and Rochester. As one would expect, they aspire to do more.

One Last Shot, out of Syracuse, NY, includes Rikki Kemz, David Royal, Angelo Zinkovitch, Adam Vlassis and Jeremy Miller. (Photo credit: One Last Shot)

Calling them a local band would be misleading. They avoid the mistake of relating their sound to Metallica – is that before And Justice for All or after the Black Album when they went grunge? Nah.

“Our influence (musically) is based off of a lot of music,” said Miller. “We’re very musically diverse people.”

This October, the band released Bastards of the Plague. It’s a 12-song LP that clocks in a little over a half-an-hour. No bombastic tracks on this one, as the longest track noses around the four-minute range. The band’s musical diversity is most apparent as their sound transitions from metal to almost punk as one goes chronologically through the CD.

“I was listening to a lot of Elvis, Smashing Pumpkins, Danzig and Every Time I Die,” said Miller. “[But}the band as a whole really is influenced by the post-hardcore of the early 2000’s. It’s when we really felt the scene was amazing.

“Usually I close my eyes when listening to the guitars and drums and think of a story going on to the music. If it was a soundtrack to a movie, what would be going on in the scene? Then I see if I already have something I wrote forever ago that works… but usually I write new lyrics to the songs.”

The soundtrack to Bastards of the Plague includes many action sequences. “Hell’s Empty” is one of a few battle anthems that pits the protagonist against the forces of Hell itself.

This is the moment to choose your sides

Everyone’s got to pick

If not you’re just born to die

They’re coming

We’re running

But I refuse to feel the fire burn inside the Devil’s eyes

Hell’s empty

They walk among us tonight!

“Bring Out the Dead” is another such anthem, one that showcases some of the precision of Rikki Kemz rapid drum play. He brings the cadence to a feverish pace that accompanies the theme of the song nicely.

The metal aspect of this LP ends with “A Lizard in Brenda.” (Now, hardcore metal fans should not be concerned about this perceived shift in genres. It’s subtle, if there at all.) Matt Good of From First to Last contributes an eerily angelic voice to an otherwise graphic song describing vengeance in the most violent of ways. Good’s addition provides depth and complexity that makes this track standout. William Control (Aiden) also makes a noteworthy contribution on “Bury A Legend”, not only providing his pipes but his wordsmith talents as well.

Brenda is followed by “Neon Gods” paying homage to the barroom brawlers of the world, and continues to impress from there. Each of the remaining songs possess introductions that are reminiscent of The Offspring’s Smash. The first few seconds of guitars , played by David Royal, Angelo Zinkovitch and Adam Vlassis (bass), play along with Kemz in a similar fashion to the legendary California punk rockers.

Steve Sopchak, who has produced and mixed for larger acts like, The Venetia Fair, Ice Nine Kills, The Ataris, and Such Gold, adds a professional touch that does not allow the vocals or any one instrument overpower the rest. Should you have the opportunity to see One Last Shot, take that opportunity. A CD purchase would also not be regrettable. Bastards of the Plague is a well-polished showcase of a local band that is deserving of more attention.

CDs can be purchased by visiting http://onelastshot.storenvy.com/.

December 16, 2013
Hearing Aide: Colby Dix – i am. it is. you should be.

Colby Dix puts his talent and experience front and center on his first standalone album, i am. it is. you should be. Showcasing his singing and songwriting abilities, Dix conveys deep emotion through his acoustic guitar and his humbled, yet steadfast vocals. Having grown up in Southern Vermont, Colby showed early musical promise and was proficient with multiple instruments at an early age.

Returning to guitar and finding his way to Berklee College of Music in Boston, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Production & Engineering and then spent time on the road with national artists such as Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Matt & Kim, Sonia Kitchell, Jazz Mandolin Project, The Breakfast, Touchpants, Soulive, and Spookie Daly Pride, either as a sound engineer, producer, or as a musician.

i am. it is. you should be. never gets too loud but is bold in the direction of some songs and the ambitious length of the 11 tracks on the album showcase Colby’s range. “Two” starts the album with soft ’70s rock, ala Jim Croce and Don McLean, with a long and paced acoustic melody binding the music to the lyrics. A little country grit is exhibited on “Forget This”, but not too much; there’s even a hint of Bon Jovi in this track.

“I Know I Know I Know” is in the vein of Bon Iver, but without the hipster baggage while “Too Far” features eerie keyboards and languid, lingering lyrics from Dix, “And I’ll turn the outside into wind, I’ll blow you away with the darkness of my sin”, then embarking on a guitar solo worthy of your full attention. “Away”, while short, rings of a Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds duet. Sounding very Pet Sounds-ish is “Try as you Might”, one of the best songs on the album, while the closing song, “20 June”, features soft flute in the background, almost pulled right out of studio “Stairway to Heaven”.

Colby Dix has a solid musical resume and this album features profoundly entrancing vocals and fantastic acoustic guitar work. Give a listen below to “Too Far”, and if you’re near Burlington on Saturday, stop by Nectar’s starting at 7pm for the Official CD release party.

Key Tracks: Too Far, Away, Try as you Might

December 13, 2013
Marco Benevento and WOLF! Keep Albany Warm at Red Square

Marco Benevento last partied at Albany’s Red Square months ago on the first day of June. An exciting Saturday night at Red Square started off with the garage-rockabilly stylings of WOLF! Scott Metzger treated the crowd to his raw guitar work throughout the set, while Taylor Floreth kept the steady beat going underneath him. Dave Dreiwitz played bass with them for the second time ever and fit right in with them. Scott joked between songs with the crowd and it seemed as if the hour was over before it started. Hopefully Scott will bring the band back around to the Capital Region soon for a longer performance.

With the cold weather quickly settling into Upstate, Benevento had the Capital District already excited for 2014 as he promised to announce the month of his fall residency at Red Square. Marco Benevento blasted off with “The Real Morning Party” a youthful tune with Nintendo charm that geared the crowd up for play time. The trio went on into a blur of covers throughout the night such as The Bangles “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Jump into the Fire” by Harry Nillson. Benevento donned the big tiger mask for one of his newest songs from the album, Tiger Face, “Limbs of a Pine”, getting a big roar from the audience and bowing to bassist Dave Dreiwtiz. Andy Borger hit hard the petals with Benevento raising his mug in approval with a catchy verse leading the crowd to a repetitive “HEY/WOO” cheer. The crowd was rowdy all evening, but really took it to an extreme during the song, with a few people walking on stage and dancing.

Benevento and Dreiwtiz exchanged smiles during “RISD” as they played with upbeat and innocent lightheartedness. “Escape Horse” brought about a dark, dangerous side to the night as Benevento hit every note on his keybords with tremendous madness and Borger pounded deep beats. The band took a moment to thank the fans and asked for their vote on which month in 2014 their residency at Red Square should be. October got the loudest cheers and Marco proclaimed, “As long as we have the ladies with red clown noses, we’ll be here next October, celebrating the release of a new album at that time!” The night ended with the group singalong of “Rainy Day Women #12 and #35” by Bob Dylan and the curveball of Britney Spears “Toxic.” It’ll be seem like a long year until Marco Benevento returns to Albany in October, hopefully he’ll return for another season starter. Until then, Benevento will be ending the year at The Capitol Theatre on Dec 27th with Joe Russo’s Almost Dead and a post-Phish Show at the Highline Ballroom on Dec 30th and he will be sitting in with The Midnight Ramble Band for a special New Year’s Eve Ramble at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY.

December 13, 2013