NYS Music 20​13

Tag: bearsville theatre

  • Aztec Two-Step gave a dose of folk-rock to the Bearsville Theater on April 27th

    A beautiful evening of music took place at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on April 27th with the legendary folk-rock band Aztec Two-Step.  Over the course of two sets of music, Rex Fowler and Neal Schulman had the intimate crowd in the palm of their hands.  The night took place in the lounge of the Bearsville Theater rather than the big room, making the evening even more special by being physically very close to the performers.

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    Between sets Rex and Neal hung out by the merchandise stand and chatted with everyone who wanted to.  It was a wonderfully laid back Saturday night show. As soon as Rex and Neal took the stage, the appreciative crowd gave them a huge ovation.  Both men are very good story tellers and jokesters and showed it very early on.  All night they had funny stories ranging from origins of songs to stories about other musicians to a lovely tribute to Richie Havens.  Another great thing about the show was that they had no written set list and discussed which song to do next in front of everyone, which of course led to more jokes.

    The relaxed feeling of the show made everything all the better. Rex and Neal have a great bond on stage.  Their harmonies are still perfect after being together for 42 years and their guitar work is excellent.  Neal can really handle a guitar.  Some of his solos through the evening were jaw dropping.  Both musicians moved from folk to rock to blues to country easily showing that their music is full of variety and that they have something for everyone.

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    A first set highlight was “The Ballad of Humpty Dumpty and Cinderella” which saw the audience participate in the chorus after an invitation from Rex and Neal to help them out, easily making for a highlight of the evening. The set continued with Neal saying “You know some bands have lists up here, and we don’t blame them” as the audience laughed seeing that Rex and Neal weren’t sure what they would open up with.  Early on in the set they stated how all acoustic duo acts owe their livelihood to The Everly Brothers and they did a great cover of “Walk Right Back.” Following that, Neal and Rex went right into “Tonight I Wish I Was in Texas” which was a clear highlight with great harmonies.  They ended set one with “The Persecution & Restoration of Dean Moriarty (On The Road)” and it was a perfect set closer.  The song is a tribute to the novel by Jack Kerouac and it does the book justice. Some of second set highlights were “Killing Me”, “Highway Song”, and “Johnny’s an Angel”.  The last one is a tribute written for John Lennon a week after he was killed in 1980.

    All three of these songs were excellent and received well by the small crowd at Bearsville.  After finishing the set, Neal and Rex briefly went to the side of the stage and then came back, joking with the crowd they didn’t know if it was a well-deserved encore or they were just coming back to come back.  They were obviously joking as they were getting a huge ovation from the fans in attendance.  With a two song encore of “Whiskey Man” and “Prisoner”, they ended on a high note, receiving a standing ovation from the entire crowd at the end of the second song.  It was a great evening of folk rock and if you have a chance, be sure to see these two great musicians for a thoroughly enjoyable evening of music.

  • Aztec Two-Step brings folk-rock to The Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on April 27th

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    The Bearsville Theater is bringing a great evening of folk-rock to their stage on April 27th with Aztec Two-Step.

    Formed by Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman in 1971, they have been going strong ever since.  This acoustic duo has been the talk of the music community for over 40 years with their great harmonies always being the first thing that is spoken of.  There is a great documentary that was made in 1999 called No Hit Wonder that goes through in a depth history of the band and their amazing legacy.

    Their most recent collection “Cause and Effect” is a collection of re-worked and new material that has social and political themes throughout and celebrates Rex and Neal being a band for over 40 years.  If you’re looking for a great evening of wonderful acoustic guitar playing, rich harmonies, and fantastic songwriting, then make sure to get to Bearsville this coming Saturday.  You can get tickets now at The Bearsville Theater or at The Bearsville Theater box office.

  • Todd Rundgren releases his 24th solo album “State” and tour dates

    One of the coolest parts of writing is the opportunity to review music by my favorite artists. I’m not a critic unless I’m badgered into it. If I listen to something that I don’t care for, I don’t write about it, simple as that. I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, for me it’s all about giving exposure to music I believe is exceptional. But writing about Todd is a pure joy! He’s been one of my favorites since “Hello, It’s Me” hit the airwaves. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him in concert twice. Once with his band Utopia at the opening of the “Ra!” tour and again two years ago at The Oneonta Theater, which I reviewed on these pages. I’m about to spin State for the first time and share my thoughts on it with you. Here we go!

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    Photo by Sandra Jackson at Sublunar Studios [Visual Design]
    State is a one-man-band project like so many other of Todd Rundgren’s works, ten tracks that reflect industrial and contemporary electronic elements. This is his 24th solo release and it’s touted as a fusion of rock, soul, R&B and electronica.

    Todd sets an immediate electronica tone with a sequencer running to open “Imagination”, then lays down a little “War Pigs” crunch line. I’m not sure if it’s a vocodor or just effects on the vocals, but the echo element emphasizes the topic, or lack thereof. It’s like the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, or is it two devils? They push and prod against each other in an almost tug of war right up to the first solo which is quintessential Todd. Exposing an inner battle in song, “I am what I am, that’s all that I am. Same old situation. No imagination. I tell myself.”

    Bordering on trip-hop with a twist of Todd mayhem. He said he listened to Skillrex, interesting and a bit alarming! “Serious” feels like a mix of 80’s elements from fuzz-tone funk bass to chorus-like synth flourishes right down to the R&B influenced vocals. A total switch of the gears, just like you’d expect from him, it’s like Was Not Was on steroids. He keeps the sequencer rolling on “In My Mouth”, accompanied by electronic drums and processed vocals. Sounding something like a musical therapy session, perhaps describing words on the tip of his tongue that he can’t release.

    “Ping Me” reflects the modes of communication we use today as much as how we diagnose a interpersonal problem described as a technical problem. The inability to express feelings that has been exasperated through our use of the internet medium. Just send a signal and I’ll know you’ve heard me, but did you really? The electronic funk feel rolls on through “Angry Bird”. It’s like he’s playing the game to describe the ebb and flow, lose a life, gain a trophy, re-charge, start over, pretty much a relationship video game soundtrack. “Smoke” has all of the elements of a New Order collides with Todd’s signature R&B/blue-eyed soul feel. He often plays an under-lying sexual tone expressed through analogy. He remains oblique enough to allow the listener their own definition, truly one of the most difficult of songwriting pieces.

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    “Collide-A-Scope” gets heavy on the electronica in a stream of thought lyric. As if he’s spinning the wheel on a kaleidoscope of his emotions, again the analogy-like exposition of feelings through an electronic medium. The real heart trying to be heard, but washed under a tide of programming and lack of ability to communicate. The metronome-like percussion of “Something From Nothing” gives a machine voice to a clock left hanging on a wall in a deserted town. Hanging onto hope, which equates to nothing more than a nail on a wall, expressed as faith, which ends up being nothing. “Party Liquor” is a full-force shot at the whole dj dance-hall scene. Exposing the vacuousness and soulless nature of the genre. It’s remarkable that all of these sounds were created with one guitar and a laptop, but that’s surely the shape of music today. The difference is these things are used by a brilliant musician, not a kid using Garage Band. The lyric suggests how easy it all is when you’re in the right place at the right time. Pure misogyny. The closer, “Sir Reality” reduces the real to the ridiculous in a simplification of what actually is, a Wizard of Oz-like opus of belief. Believe what I tell you is real, not what you actually feel. Pure Todd.

    There is also a 2 CD limited edition of State which features a recent concert on Disc 2. Much like every other Todd album I’ve heard, this one is highly recommended as his constant evolution as a writer and musician are in full force here. Don’t forget, he plays every instrument, sings every vocal, engineers and produces this work. Don’t try this at home, trustafarians.

    Todd will be touring in support of “State” beginning at The Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY for an “Official State Visit” on May 5th and 6th.

    Tracklist:
    1. Imagination
    2. Serious
    3. In My Mouth
    4. Ping Me
    5. Angry Bird
    6. Smoke
    7. Collide-A-Scope
    8. Something From Nothing
    9. Party Liquor
    10. Sir Reality

  • Sitting down with The Wailers’ Aston Barrett, Jr and Drummie Zeb

    The Wailers started their current tour just two days after Christmas and January brought them through Upstate NY.  Lewis Tezak, Jr. offered a great review of the Seneca Niagara Casino on January 12th and NYS Music was at the Bearsville Theater show in Woodstock less than a week later to sit down with The Wailer’s drummer Drummie Zeb and keyboardist/bassist Aston “Famz Jr.” Barrett, Jr.

    NYSMusic:  So, Aston it was nice to see you on stage with your dad.  I noticed that this is only your second show back on this tour, what were you doing before that?

    Aston Barrett Jr. (AB):  I was in India playing with Julian Marley.

    NYSMusic: What’s it like to play reggae in India?

    AB: It’s nice, man. They love reggae.  Everytime I go on the streets it was like, “Family Man, Family Man, Wailers.”

    NYSMusic: So it was nice to be recognized?

    AB: Oh yes.

    NYSMusic: So Drummie, you have been on the tour since it started?

    Drummie Zeb (DZ):  We started this tour on January 27th and played right through 2012 and into 2013.  We played New Years Eve in Telluride, Colorado. Way up there, beautiful country.

    NYSMusic: I know how Aston got into the Wailers, how did you get in (the Wailers)?

    DZ: Oh my my you have to go back a few years now.  I met Famz in the early 80’s and I saw Carlton right after Bob Marley. They were on a tour it was either 83 or 84, Carleton was playing and the tour came through DC.  Junior Marvin, Al Anderson, Alvin Patterson, “Wire” Lindo, Tyrone Downie – the whole band. And Carleton, the Mighty Carleton. I saw him rattle that snare.  I can still hear it now. *makes the sound* Because he was sitting way up there, because of how the stage was in this building. It was unreal.  It was such a pleasure to see him work.  Good god, man, I was just always seeking out those drums. So, we drove from Virginia for two hours to that show that night to meet Famz.  And ever since that night, they would be on tour and I would be on another support band called the Awareness Art Ensemble. It was a big band in the 80s and we would support the Wailers every year.  We’d see Famz and hail up each other through the 80s and then through the 90s… all the way to 99. And Famz and I were on a show together, he sees me and says “hey Drummie” and I’m so honored, always to be amongst him and he asked if I would be interested in reviving the set. I said “yes, truly!” And time would go on but we met them in the 80s and I think that’s where it started. Cause I was on the set.  I think with any young musician you need to stay on the set.

    NYSMusic: Truly, thank you.  Aston, do you remember your uncle Carleton?

    AB: Nah, I was too young.

    NYSMusic: I understand, what’s it like to play with your dad?

    AB: It feels nice.

    NYSMusic: Is he a tough critic?

    AB: He’s a good father. You know it’s an honor all the time. Everytime I look at him.  Sometimes I am playing and I’m like “oh shit that’s Family Man” and then I’m like, oh, he’s my dad. You forget you know? I look at him so highly and so proud to be his son. It’s like, “wow!” So anytime I am playing music, I try to reach the higher, higher, high. The highest standard and keep my father’s music inside me and my uncle’s music there. This music will never die, it will go on forever and get bigger and bigger and bigger until it finds its right people.

    NYSMusic: I am glad to hear that and that leads to my next question. You guys have been touring now since 69 to now.  Where do you guys see the Wailers going? Studio? Another album?

    AB: Plenty of more albums to come. The only thing is that the singers now in these days are very different. As we listen to the message of Bob’s days. Almost every singer that comes out has a message. I don’t think they can sing the same message these days because it’s different times. So what we are dealing with now is more positive and positive vibes. It’s more peaceful and mind, body and understanding.

    NYSMusic: So, Drummie, if we go back to the positive vibes, why do you think Family Man chose Survival for this tour?

    DZ: I know last year it was talked about with Roger (Steffens). It was talked about to get a little intention to it.  And God bless because last year we did the Uprising record. We did all the Uprising songs last year and tonight was Survival.

    NYSMusic: Is there a Confrontation tour coming up?

    DZ: That would be great. It’s one of my favorites and I tell his (Aston’s) father that all the time. Because we used to play “Buffalo Soldier” from Confrontation. But all the rest of them are such anthems. You know “Trench Town” and “Jump Nyabinghi”. I mean, wow!

    AB: “Mix Up, Mix Up”

    DZ: Ah, “Mix Up, Mix Up” oh man that record right there. We’d be dancing off the stage ourselves there because I wait to play that one.

    NYSMusic: I just love the trilogy and you can see the Wailers evolve with those three albums.

    DZ: That’s a good idea.

    NYSMusic: Kaya was before those and sort of ganja loving and laid back.

    AB: 1978! Ah right.

    NYSMusic: So you are touring for the next two months and then what? Are you doing any festivals?

    AB: I don’t know yet, but in June and July it’s festival season and if there is a Reggae Festival we should be here.

    NYSMusic: My first Wailers show was a festival in the early 90’s.

    AB: Ah that probably was with “Wire” (Earl Lindo), “Carrot” (Irvin Jarrett) , Junior Marvin was the lead singer at that time and Carrot’s Third World Band. First time to see them, respect, respect.

    NYSMusic: With the chaos in the world today, I don’t know how much has really changed.  What is your message to the world?

    AB: Peace, Love and Unity. That’s all we can bring.

    DZ: Jah guide that One Love. Keep moving forward ever, backward never.

    NYSMusic: I like that.

    DZ: Yes, sir.  I think we just need to say it more. Send more vibrations out there. Because we are coming closer and we are feeling more love. More vibrations. More. So we will put the sonic sound of survival out for all of 2013 and really push this message. That is a powerful delivery of music, man.

    NYSMusic: I really appreciate your time. I know you have a long day and playing again tomorrow in Pennsylvania.

    DZ: It’s great. The audience hear felt great here. Everyone was warm, very accepting, we’d still be up there playing, man. It felt like that.

    NYSMusic: It was a great show and our goal at is to get people out to the music. There is nothing like seeing it live.  Aston, do you see the role as bandleader getting passed from father to son soon?

    AB: Whatever Jah says. Whatever my destiny is we don’t know, but we are all good people. We will follow the right way, we do good so good will follow us, right?

    NYSMusic: I was happy to see you slide over from keys to bass.

    DZ: And to the first question you said, “Where’s the Wailers going?” Se this new generation right here (points to Aston Jr and Avery). To the future that. It’s done already. It’s going on.

    NYSMusic: And it sounds good.

    DZ: Alright! Rastafari long live. Jah Bless.

    NYSMusic: Thank you for your time.

    DZ: Thank you for your time. Love.

    AB: Give thanks for your time and stay safe. God Bless.

    If you haven’t caught the Wailers yet on this trip through Upstate there is one more chance.  They will be performing at Turning Stone Casino on January 23rd in the showroom. Tickets are only $10/$15/$20.

    Also, Upstate Reggae Woodstock presented its first award last Thursday at Bearsville Theater to Aston “Family Man” Barrett, one of the founding members of The Wailers.  A Rennie Cantine original crafted wooden bass guitar signifying Famz’ lifetime of innovation and musical excellence on bass guitar and his steadfast commitment to world touring and producing music for the next generation of reggae talent.  “May Family Man and The Wailers always return to perform in Woodstock, the home base for music,” said Lea Boss of Upstate Reggae Woodstock.