Phish bassist Mike Gordon has released a new live CD. Recorded on March 22, 2014 at The Rio in Vancouver, British Columbia, the CD features Scott Murawski on guitar, Tom Cleary on keyboards, Craig Myers on percussion, and Todd Isler on the drums in support of Gordon. The show has been remastered and is available at livephish.com.
The Rio in Vancouver show includes tracks “Long Black Line,” “Face,” “Paint,” and “Jumping,” off Mike Gordon’s studio album, Overstep, which released on February 25, 2014. Also on the Vancouver release is “Peel,” during which front-row fans joined in the music-making process by hitting the keys on a light-up keyboard that spanned the length of the stage. According to Gordon, “all the new cannons were firing,” and “’Peel’ kept traveling into crevices of our dreamworlds.”
Gordon will be taking his talents to South Beach. Phish rings in 2015 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, December 31-January 3.
“I did a special show with Wavy Gravy a while back, and we were supposed to talk about Woodstock” Arlo Guthrie recalled on Sunday, November 16 at Bardavon, as he tuned his sparkly blue 12-string acoustic. “The thing is, neither of us could remember much of anything.”
Guthrie began the second set at Poughkeepsie’s Bardavon Theater with the recollections of Woodstock he did have. After a helicopter dropped him off, Arlo was told he had to play a day before planned. “Someone told me ‘Arlo, you gotta play, man!’ and I just said, ‘I can’t go out there!’ ”
It did not take long for one to realize Guthrie’s anecdotes and tales are as essential to his show as singing and strumming. Genuine laughter reverberated around the historic theater for much of the night, as he demonstrated a practiced sense of humor. With long flowing white hair and a deep raspy voice; Guthrie had the stage to himself for the last night of a solo tour. A harmonica hung around his neck, four acoustic guitars rested beside him, and a black bay grand piano sat behind Guthrie. Each instrument was utilized during both of his 45 minute sets, featuring timeless folk and blues tunes.
It is no surprise that Guthrie looked at home on the Bardavon’s stage. He grew up with his father Woody and his pals drinking whiskey, plucking guitars, and singing the blues, the first generation to record music. Guthrie dedicated an old folk tune to one of those friends—his mentor, friend, and Hudson Valley legend Pete Seeger. “I remember Pete played this song thirty years ago and I didn’t think of it again. Then, one day I was walkin’ down the sidewalk and it got in my head and wouldn’t leave!” Guthrie exclaimed before proffering “Deep Blue Sea.” He devoted another song to Ramblin’ Jack Elliott after describing the night he met his wife of 43 years, Jackie, at a rodeo in Hollywood with Elliott.
Guthrie teased the crowd with a few lines from “Alice’s Restaurant” while joking that he might have written a briefer song had he known everyone would clamor for it the rest of his career. His other most recognizable song, “City of New Orleans” drew the loudest applause of the night from an enthusiastic fan base. “Al The Goose” and “The Motorcycle Song” enticed more laughter from the audience. Guthrie closed the night by inviting the crowd to help in a cover of his father’s “My Peace.” Nearly everyone joined in for an awe-inducing conclusion to the evening.
Arlo Guthrie demonstrated to the Bardavon faithful why he has been touring for four decades. He combines timely humor with his warm personality and music prowess to produce an entertaining performance. No one left the show early or checked their watch; rather, fans were eager to sing along and laugh deeply as Guthrie seemed like an old friend on stage.
Folk icon Arlo Guthrie comes to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie on November 16 for a Sunday show not to be missed. and The Bardavon are giving away two free tickets to the show. Share this post for a chance to be one of the lucky fans!
Guthrie was born in Coney Island in 1947, the son of legendary songwriter Woody Guthrie. He grew up surrounded by Pete Seeger, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Ronnie Gilbert, Cisco Houston and other American greats, so his live musical debut at the age of 13 was no surprise. Since that first performance 53 years ago, Guthrie has toured the globe carrying on the folk legacy his father started. Arlo performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival , many Newport Folk Festivals, and has played with the likes of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Doc Watson. Next Sunday, he brings his legacy back to the Bardavon for the first time in more than two decades.
Fans will be pining for a live preview of “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” a musical monologue that will be played from myriad radio stations 11 days after The Bardavon show. A satirical first-hand account of Guthrie’s criminal charge of littering and his subsequent disqualification from the Vietnam draft, the 18+ minute anti-war song has become nearly as synonymous with Thanksgiving Day as turkey and football. Like “Alice’s Restaurant,” many of Guthrie’s tunes include political and social commentary, and poignant anecdotes and stories are sprinkled in during shows.
As Guthrie states on his website, “Sometimes it’s good to just let go of the world and enjoy the natural progression of things.” That’s what admirers will do on November 16 as The Bardavon’s two tiers will be filled with fans spanning many generations.
Click here to purchase tickets to the 7:00 pm show and share this post for a chance to win a free ticket!
According to the band’s website, Echo of Miles will be a 3-CD collection of demos, covers, B-sides, instrumentals, and unreleased tracks chosen by lead guitarist Kim Thayil. “Storm” opens up with a catchy riff from Thayil before he delves into heavier shredding. Matt Cameron throws in an assault of tight drum fills while Ben Shepherd lays the bass line.
Chris Cornell‘s voice, one of the most recognizable in the grunge world, is also featured on the newly dropped track produced by Jack Endino. One of seven previously unreleased songs to be featured on the new set of discs, Soundgarden recorded “Storm” this past May in Seattle. The first album of the set—Originals—includes “Storm,” fellow new track “Kristi” and 16 other Soundgarden jams. Covers, the second disc, also will have 2 new tracks while disc three, Rarities, features 5 previously unreleased jams out of 15 instrumentals, remixes and demos.
Click here to purchase the prerelease of Echo of Miles. More information can be found on Soundgarden’s website.
Art Garfunkel, the eccentric singer from Queens, has found his voice after suddenly losing it in 2008. On Oct. 24, Garfunkel read poetry, told stories and, of course, sang to an admiring crowd at Poughkeepsie’s Bardavon Opera House. A true master of singing, Art has reacquired his talent and is proud to share his voice with fans once again.
The legendary performer was joined by Nashville native Tab Laven on the acoustic guitar for a long set of music. The room was held in reverence as Art sang Simon and Garfunkel classics “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,” “Scarborough Fair” and “Homeward Bound.” The evening included much more than Garfunkel reproducing hits, though. He painted a picture of singing to a sold out Royal Albert Hall, recalling fans leaning over five tiers to cheer him on. Garfunkel described the tragedy of losing his voice and the challenges imposed by finding it again with a national audience listening. He joked about whether he or Paul Simon would speak at the other’s funeral, leading into a goosebumps-inducing “Sound of Silence.”
Dressed in dark jeans, a white button-up shirt, and black vest, tufts of Art’s signature curly hair still sprouted from the sides of his head. While most of the proud anti-war singer’s hair may be gone, his vocal acuity is breathtaking once again. After taking a couple of songs to get primed, Garfunkel’s unmistakable voice carried beautifully during “Perfect Moment.” He later stated his top five favorite singers, then sang a hit from one of them—Randy Newman’s “Real Emotional Girl.”
Garfunkel also read prose poetry including pieces dedicated to Jack Nicholson and his son Beau. He read another poem to a nine-year old version of himself: “Life is a fabulous mystery. You must be kind to people and remember that singing brings joy.” From 8:10-9:40 Friday night, he brought that joy, massaging souls with the melodic caress of his voice. The evening concluded with a version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” that launched the audience onto its feet, whistling and catcalling to the adoring singer.
It is hard to imagine a singer as soothing and comfortably familiar as Art Garfunkel. His voice is a national treasure that was on full display in Poughkeepsie Friday night. If you get the chance, do not pass up the opportunity to catch this living legend.
On October 11 and 12, 2014, a group of proud community members hosted the first Shuck ‘N’ Jive Mountain Bike & Music Fest in Newtown, CT. While the quaint New England town, which was placed under the national spotlight after the infamous shooting in 2012, carried on as normally as possible, an eclectic group of bicyclists, music fans, wine lovers, families and friends gathered in the woods a few miles away to live in the moment, dancing and singing, hiking and biking at McLaughlin Vineyards.
“Some people say it’s too soon,” Newtown resident Terrence Ford said before introducing funky five-some Kung Fu to an intimate and exuberant crowd to close the show Saturday night. “I say we’re right on time!”
As children ran freely and 20-somethings danced alongside 60-somethings, hope filled the field behind McLaughlin Vineyeards’ wine tasting room. The weather symbolized locals’ resolve: heavy raindrops fell from a gray sky as the music commenced and bikers hit the Grapes of Wrath mountain bike course Saturday; by the end of the day, however, the sun shined brightly and spirits soared high.
Bobby Paltauf and his band were the first of a slew of Connecticut musicians to take the stage. Wearing a mean face and wielding his axe, Paltouf tore though a bluesy rock set. With all eyes on Bobby, he ended the set with a dark rendition of “In The Hall of the Mountain King” that left me humming the tune for the rest of the day. While he may not be old enough to drive a car in most states—that’s right, he’s 15—Paltauf can already control a stage with aplomb.
The Alpaca Gnomes
After the Alpaca Gnomes played an entertaining set that included covers of “Midnight Rider,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “With a Little Help From My Friends,” I meandered over to the McLaughlin Country Store for the wine tasting. Still early in the afternoon, I had the place to myself. Samples of the vineyards’ three whites and two reds came with detailed descriptions from knowledgable and friendly staff. Their most popular white, Blue Coyote, was crisp and smokey; a tart and dry red, Vista Reposa, was my favorite. Portions were more than generous and they refused to let me pay after seeing my “Media” laminate. Like the rest of Shuck ‘N’ Jive, everything about the McLaughlin wine tasting was pleasant.
The Z3
Feeling a bit warmer on a nippy mid-October day, the music also heated up as The Z3 took the stage, opening with “Fifty-Fifty.” The three-piece side project, consisting of Kung Fu guitarist Tim Palmieri, Alan Evans Trio organist Beau Sasser and Max Creek drummer Bill Carbone, played tunes spanning Frank Zappa’s career, often producing a magnificent sound that seemed to come from more than three musicians. Between funky covers, the guys sipped beers and told jokes to the growing crowd, clearly enjoying themselves as much as anyone.
Jen Durkin and the Business and Sons of F.U.N.K. were the next two scheduled acts. Durkin and her band came out first, but it didn’t take long for the Sons to follow. Rather than breaking up the sets, the bands shared the stage, playing continuously for nearly three hours and inviting nearly every musician on hand to join in. Artist at large Billy Iuso hopped up and ripped on his guitar as the sun finally came out. Highlights of the super-set came when Durkin belted “God made me funky!” and the Sons of F.U.N.K led Parliament Funkadellic classic “We Want the Funk”.
Sons of F.U.N.K and Jen Durkin and the Business
By the time Max Creek took the stage, the crowd had grown from a couple to a couple dozen to roughly a couple hundred. The Creek demonstrated why they’ve been playing strong for forty years, putting on an incredible set of music. Billy Iuso joined for a moving version of “Blood Red Roses” that they jammed on for over sixteen minutes. Keys player Mark Mercier proved looks can be deceiving; he appears more like an assuming veteran professor than a rock star, but the man was merciless on the piano all night. While much of the crowd, having floated along with the Creek before, sang along to hits like “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight,” “Thank You (For Letting Me Be Myself),” and “Yes We Can Can,” I felt my eyes widen and jaw drop multiple times. There were a few special moments where everything except the clean and glorious vibrations of Max Creek was tuned out.
Max Creek
After their introduction from Ford, Kung Fu closed the night in style. Tenor saxophonist Robert Somerville blew into his hands a few times to warm them up before blowing up his instrument, then Palmieri literally jumped into the set, striking down on his guitar strings with the landing. Fresh off a recent string of shows with Dopapod, drummer Adrian Tramontano did not slow down or miss a beat back with Kung Fu; he crushed a solo between encores as many looked on in disbelief. Bassist Chris DeAngelis has a relatively quiet stage presence but plays a booming bass and Palmieri’s picking hand looked like it was moving in fast forward when they played “Hollywood Kisses” off new album, Tsar Bomba. The funk kept everyone grooving and warm as keys player Todd Stoops knew when to get down and when to get weird. Billy Iuso scooted in between Somerville and Palmieri at the end, adding an exclamation point to a great day and night.
Kung Fu with Billy Iuso
Shuck ‘N’ Jive was one of the family friendliest festivals and there did not seem to be a single hiccup in the first year music fest. Between the fantastic music, delicious wine, bike racing, and welcoming crowd, not much could go wrong. Even a damp morning could not dampen anyone’s spirits. I will be back next year to spend time with some of Connecticut’s finest musicians and friendliest citizens.
Hard Working Americans may sound redundant as a band name, but the newly formed super group offers refreshingly unique takes on classic hits. On October 28, the band releases a rockumentary The First Waltz through Melvin Records and Thirty Tigers. Justin Kreutzmann directs the film which chronicles the band’s formation, first show in Boulder, Colorado, and release of their self-titled album in 2014.
Todd Snider brought the band together in 2013. An admirer of the jam band scene’s virtuosic musicianship and fan of the poetic lyricism in Americana music, Snider needed to marry these two musical worlds. From this desire, Hard Working Americans was born. Snider recruited Widespread Panic’s bassist Dave Schools, Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s Neal Casal, Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi on the keys, Duane Trucks on the drums and pedal-steel guitarist Jesse Aycock to form the powerhouse group.
The rockumentary begins with a folksy version of “The Star Spangled Banner” and pans in to Snider lighting up a joint. “We smoke grass all day, don’t go to church every day… I have a dream—catcher hanging in my fucking rear-view,” Snider quips. “I’m also a flag-waving, country-loving American patriot and I feel like patriotism has been stolen from people like me. And it’s for that reason I called my most talented hippie buddies and convinced them… we’ve got to take that flag back for the silly.”
Snider formed the band for Americans like me and—most likely—you. They’re here for those of us that get our hands dirty for our money and fly our freak flags just below the stars and stripes. We’re proud to be Americans, and we’re equally proud of our freedom to express individuality.
According to Staehly, “It’s about great songs that fell through the cracks… [Snider] spent years gathering up these stray songs, a real humanitarian effort.” It’s also about the people who fell through the cracks—the blue-collared Americans who march to their own beat and love doing so.
The album Hard Working Americans features 11 covers from the likes of old-school country artist Frankie Miller, satirical pop pianist Randy Newman, and southern rock singer Kevin Kinney. Snider refers to the tracks as “a bag of what I’d call perfect songs, all of them written by my friends.”
The First Waltz will be available on October 28. View the official trailer below.
Every rocker/ninja’s favorite band, Kung Fu, kicks off its fall tour this weekend and Upstate New York gets two of the first three shows.
The Fu will provide musical therapy to Baltimore, whose Orioles just fell a step short of the World Series, on Thursday night. Friday, Kung Fu brings their high-octane funk fusion to Syracuse’s Westcott Theater before wrapping up the weekend at The Hollow in Albany on Saturday.
Like every great funk outfit, the band has a bassist, Chris DeAngelis, who will send vibrations through your bones and shake up your soul. Each show gets more than slightly Stoop-ed as Todd Stoops handles the keys and Robert Somerville will be center stage crushing the tenor sax. Adrian Tramontano is absurdly relentless on the drums and Tim Palmieri, who just added a newborn ninja to his family last week, rounds out the band on guitar.
If you’re not following Kung Fu on Facebook yet, you’re missing out. Earlier this week, the band offered free tickets and 10% commission to volunteers for manning its merch booth all weekend. Wednesday, Stoops took to the social media site to give away free tickets to anyone who asked — no contest or duties involved.
For more information or to check out Kung Fu’s new album, Tsar Bomba, visit the band’s website.
Tickets to Syracuse’s show can be purchased here. Click here to purchase Albany tickets.
And in case you can’t catch them this weekend in Syracuse or Albany, the band is heading to Western New York later in the tour for a stop in Buffalo on Nov. 13. Click here for tickets to their show at The Waiting Room.
Music lovers from all walks of life packed Woodstock’s Bearsville Theater on Saturday, October 4 for the inaugural Woodstock Jazz Festival. The evening began with a highly entertaining piano set from GRAMMY nominee Uri Caine, which featured two sets including John Medeski on the organ; and concluded with an inspired cover of Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry” sang by Jack DeJohnette. The music rolled along for more than four hours and the man who dreamed up the festival, drummer Ben Perowsky, dedicated the festival to local legend Sonny Rollins.
Uri Caine
Uri Caine went on stage at 7:30PM and folks rushed to take their seats or claim standing room. Even the separate bar area was overflowing and, despite a chilly night outside, the cavernous, barn-like theater was warm with bodies packed tight. There were multiple drum sets, an organ and various other instruments on stage but the attention was focused on Caine seated behind a black baby grand piano. Caine’s vaunted resume includes a stint as the LA Chamber Orchestra composer in residence, more than two dozen recorded albums, and the aforementioned GRAMMY nomination for “The Othello Syndrome”; His modernization of Verdi’s Otello. While Caine paid homage to the classics Saturday night, a playful side twinkled through during his Bearsville set. Looking cool and tranquil behind the piano, it sounded like his left hand produced a number for a king’s chamber while the right played something more fitting for a Mississippi riverboat. His unique style had the audience tapping along on their legs or nodding emphatically. Caine’s enthusiasm was evident when he spoke between songs. He played until 8:30PM sharp and drew a huge standing ovation from the crowd.
After a short break, RedCred had their chance to show off. Consisting of tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Chris Speed, drummer Ben Perowsky, and organs/keys player John Medeski, the trio only took one brief break in the middle of a continuous hour-long set. At moments, the three played harmoniously with each other. Then, they would unceremoniously diverge down their own paths. Medeski oozed out thick, eerie notes while Perowsky utilized every surface of his kit— clicking on the snare rim, clinking a cymbal’s edge and blasting out rudiments on the high hat—and Speed belted out sensual sax licks. Just before they lost you in a dense jazzy jungle, they made eye contact and pulled it all back together seamlessly.
Perowsky on the drums with Medeski (L) and Speed (R) in background.Chris Speed
Perowsky, a NYC native whose talent and exuberance rivaled each other onstage, deserves all the acclaim he received for being the event organizer. Medeski, whose genius is instantly evident in his thoughtful eyes, wowed everyone with his organ-izing. The set concluded with a Weather Report favorite, “Face On The Barroom Floor” which allowed Speed to showcase his ability and versatility, beginning with a clarinet solo and concluding on the tenor saxophone.
Everyone was eager for the last act. Each seat was claimed and extras were brought in; those standing shuffled on tip-toes for a better look at the stage as Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield, and Larry Grenadier joined John Medeski. Inspired by the musicians’ lofty presences, a ubiquitous awe fell over the room before an impromptu shush-off lightened the mood—someone in the crowd “shhh’ed” the audience, then another “shh” followed and another, until it sounded more like a bunch of leaky inflatables filled the theater than jazz aficionados.
After a good laugh, DeJohnette, who has played with the likes of Miles Davis, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock and many others, led the show from behind his drum set as the group covered music made famous by Davis, John Coltrane, and Frank Sinatra. DeJohnette conveys emotion through the drums as well as anyone and does not lack in speed or creativity. He played complex fills and kept obscure time while playing “Inspired By Tony Williams”. He teased the crowd, slowly building up the solo before finally letting loose to everyone’s delight.
Throughout the set, Medeski mouthed each note as he alternated banging on his backless organ and the baby grand while his foot, dancing along frantically, seemed in danger of flying off its leg. Scofield, meanwhile, rocked his guitar into acquiescence, drawing emotional lines from it. During “I Fall In Love Too Easily” he decided it was shredding time. The band followed Scofield’s lead as he kicked in the wah pedal and belted out slick runs, launching them into the heaviest jam of the night.
Bassist Larry Grenadier attacked his upright, plucking its strings fervently and deftly. With DeJohnette backing him on the drums, Grenadier busted out a mind-boggling solo in the middle of “Promise.” The only time his hand strayed from bass strings was to push his glasses back onto his nose, but even that action seemed part of his time-keeping. Medeski and Scofield smiled on admiringly before joining back in to fill the theater with a full, rich sound. The whole set was electric and reached a climax when they concluded with DeJohnette singing “No Woman No Cry”. While the majority of the night was dedicated to instrumentals, the audience was ecstatic to hear the Bob Marley cover and nearly everyone sang along.
The inaugural Woodstock Jazz Festival proved to be a huge success. Woodstock’s Bearsville Theater provided a comfortable and intimate setting and the musicians did the rest, playing late into Saturday night. The event was run smoothly and one can imagine the night’s honoree, Sonny Rollins, would be proud to know so many people enjoyed an evening of jazz together in his honor.
If you’re in the Tar Heel State this December, be sure to have yourself a Muley little Christmas, Christmas Jam XXVI that is.
Gifts come a little early as Warren Haynes26th Annual Christmas Jam is scheduled for Saturday, December 13. The renowned guitarist has hosted the event since 1989, donating the proceeds to charity; Habitat for Humanity has been the beneficiary since 1998. While Warren brings his soulful guitar-playing Upstate to Hunter, NY for Mountain Jam every summer, his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina gets him during the winter holiday season. Haynes’ relentless work ethic and benevolent personality have helped the event grow each year and Christmas Jam now takes place at the 7,500+ seat U.S. Cellular Center.
Kreutzmann’s new super-group, Billy & The Kids, features The Disco Biscuits’ keys/piano guru Aron Magner, Tea Leaf Green bassist Reed Mathis, and American Babies’ Tom Hamilton. Magner and Hamilton’s chemistry was recently on display at Catskill Chill, where they played with fellow Disco Biscuit Marc Brownstein and Lotus’s Mike Greenfield as Electron. Magner also sat in during Hamilton’s American Babies set for a fantastic cover of the Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie;” with Kreutzmann running the show and Mathis joining in, fans can expect a killer set.
Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill makes his inaugural trek to Christmas Jam in 2014. Gill has a GRAMMY award for each finger and toe on his body and will add a twang of country to the Southern rock show. Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell, whose own award collection includes this year’s Americana Music Awards for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Cover Me Up”), and Album of the Year (Southeastern), brings his talent to Asheville as well.
The initial lineup is rounded out by Hard Working Americans and The Revivalists. Like Billy & The Kids, Hard Working Americans is another all-star band, consisting of singer/songwriter Todd Snider, Chris Robinson Brotherhood’s Neal Casal on the six-string, Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools on bass, Derek’s younger brother Duane Trucks on drums, Jesse Aycock on the steel guitar, and Chad Staehly on keys. Their 2014 self-titled debut album features 11 cover songs, and Asheville is their penultimate scheduled stop on a national tour. The Revivalists is a New Orleans group with a brass section and a huge sound. The band plays soulful funk that sparks dance parties. Christmas Jam is their final stop on a national tour reaching 20+ cities.
The aforementioned musicians alone would put on an incredible show, but there will be many more artists announced in the coming weeks. Pre-sale tickets go on sale October 13 and regular tickets become available October 17. They always go fast, so be sure to treat yourself to a happy holiday by joining Warren’s incredible event.
Folk icon 
The legendary performer was joined by Nashville native Tab Laven on the acoustic guitar for a long set of music. The room was held in reverence as Art sang Simon and Garfunkel classics “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme,” “Scarborough Fair” and “Homeward Bound.” The evening included much more than Garfunkel reproducing hits, though. He painted a picture of singing to a sold out Royal Albert Hall, recalling fans leaning over five tiers to cheer him on. Garfunkel described the tragedy of losing his voice and the challenges imposed by finding it again with a national audience listening. He joked about whether he or Paul Simon would speak at the other’s funeral, leading into a goosebumps-inducing “Sound of Silence.”
