NYS Music 20​14

Category: Special

  • Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar Slide Smoothly at The Egg

    Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar, two legendary slide guitarists, played an intimate concert in The Lewis A. Swyer Theatre at The Egg in Albany on Friday January 31st.

    The less than 450 person crowd was surprisingly loud as Sonny Landreth took the stage to perform the first few songs solo, just a man and his guitars. With such small venue, every seat had a perfect view of Landreth as he sat down and began the show with “Next of Kindred Spirit.” His fingers easily covered the frets as he slid all over the neck of guitar with a complex simplicity. He rocked the guitar in his arms with care and a laid back attitude that you’d find on a front porch on a warm summer day. “Broken Hearted Road” introduced lyrics full of sorrow with sharp chords that cut right through you. There was complete silence in the crowd as the theatre was filled with the mind blowing humid riffs.

    20140131 - Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar 10

    Cindy Cashdollar was greeted by Landreth and the rest of the audience for the duration of the set, and thanked everyone especially Sonny for the thrill of performing together. Upstate’s own Cashdollar brought a raw and edgier sound to the southern blues rock of the evening, her own unique style of danger. Both musicians constantly exchanged smiles throughout the show, adding to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the round room. Landreth encouraged the audience to “let the spirit take you” as they went into “Cherry Ball Blues”, an upbeat blues funk song. “Key to the Highway” a cover song often performed by Eric Clapton, was described as Landreth’s own personal theme song complete with escalating rocking high notes. Cindy Cashdollar frequently smacked her guitar with graceful force and a toe tapping rhythm. Landreth seemed pleased with the show mentioning that they covered all the basics, happy blues, sad blues and everything in between before closing the set with Robert Johnson’s “Walkin Blues” with long drawn out chord attitude from Cashdollar.

    This was the first show of The American Roots & Branches series being hosted at The Egg and it set the bar high for the rest of the year. Both Sonny Landreth and Cindy Cashdollar are extraordinary musicians who make an unstoppable duo, redefining the blues with southern charm.

    Setlist:

    Sonny Landreth Solo: Next of Kindred Spirit, 2 Shuffle, Here & After, Broken Hearted Road, South of 1 – 10
    Sonny Landreth & Cindy Cashdollar: Blues Attack, Cherry Ball Blues, Key to the Highway, Hell at Home, World Away, All About You, It Hurts me too, Prodigal Son, Walking Blues
    Encore: Bayou Teche

  • Tim Reynolds and TR3 to Rock the Tralf Music Hall

    The legendary talented guitar virtuso Tim Reynolds will be bringing his band TR3 on stage Monday, February 10th at The Tralf Music Hall. Tim Reynolds, well known for his collaboration with Dave Matthews, will be joined on stage with Mick Vaughn (bass/vocals) and Dan Martier (drums/vocals). TR3 fuses different genres of music together producing a unique show not to miss.

    tim reynolds Tralf Music Hall

    Tim Britt, a Buffalo based artist, will be opening for TR3. He has been awarded the best original solo artist nightlife music award for two years in a row. Tim is a very talented musician who plays the acoustic guitar and has a Dave Matthews sound quality. Tim most recently opened for Boyd Tinsley from The Dave Matthews Band. You will want to make sure you get to the show early to catch his set.

    Tickets for Tim Reynolds and TR3 at the Tralf Music Hall can be purchased through The Tralf Music Hall  $18 or $22 day of show

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  • The David Mayfield Parade at Abilene in Rochester, NY

    To say that one has “seen” a David Mayfield Parade show is an understatement. The experience can best be described as an event that you were a part of when the Parade came to your town. The charisma that emanates from Mayfield’s heart and soul, the music that he creates and the interactions he shares with the crowd are a spectacular occasion.

    The David Mayfield ParadeThis night the venue was full and the music was hot! Highlights were hearing originals like, “Love Will Only Break Your Heart” – in true Mayfield fashion songs about love were followed by strong fiddle and bass filled dance songs, and dancing on the bar and the chairs and flat-out on the floor.

    Banter among band members is common place at live shows but banter WITH the audience is what you get from Mayfield. Saturday’s show at Abilene Bar & Lounge in Rochester, NY was no exception to the carnival side-show antics that make this band who they are and sets them apart from the others.  Mayfield was in the midst of performing his sexual prowess where he fit the entire mic into his mouth while batting his eyes and flirting with the crowd – a female fan yelled out, “I love you David!” to which Mayfield replied, “I thought I told you to wait outside”. The small crowd at the intimate one room venue erupted with roars of laughter at the well-played banter.

    Another moment shared between the crowd and Mayfield was set inside a circle of fans as Mayfield serenaded us with his acoustic guitar – sharing these intimate interactive moments with music and the artist is what music lovers hope for with shows like this.

    The setting is small, especially in the winter when the back deck is closed off but the intimacy that can be reached between bands and patrons can not be found in any other venue in this city. Abilene has become Rochester’s secret garden for music, whether it’s as the Americana stage at Jazz Fest or the little bar with the blue grassy – rockabilly bands in the cold of winter. This venue is perfect just the way it is and I look forward to seeing shows here in the future.

    • The David Mayfield Parade
    • The David Mayfield Parade
    • The David Mayfield Parade

  • Clap Your Hands Say Wow! Alec Ounsworth Rocks Big Blue North Studios in Utica

    Picture hundreds of people huddled around,smoking cigarettes, drinking beers under the bright lights of the grand marquee waiting to get into the show. Now take that image and think the complete opposite and that is the feel of the Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) living room tour. If a patron of the concert at Big Blue North Studios in Utica didn’t have specific directions and overview of what they were in for, they would have thought they were in the wrong place. A huge church that Big Blue North Studios now calls home was dark with nothing but a candlelit pathway leading to the entrance on January 28th.

    A kind woman was at the door, taking names, letting fans know that coffee and tea were available to the right. Yup, you heard it right coffee and tea. This was a concert? The ambiance at this point was that of an AA meeting. Confusion filled the room; confusion and anticipation. As the crowd of 40 people or so sat in metal folding chairs, the stage was set up just as if it were a living room (hence the tours name) with ablack and white TV with a scrambled image, a tan fuzzy chair, a fireplace, a table and a microphone in the middle of it all. Intimate doesn’t even begin to describe the atmosphere. When Ounsworth walked through the crowd and stepped on stage he had everyone’s utmost attention.

    This was more than a show, it was an experience, a rare one at that. Seeing an indie hero such as Alec Ounsworth playing his usually fast paced songs, stripped down and played completely different, while the farthest person away from him was 20 feet away. Ounsworth proved to his fans that he still has it and with the new formation of CYHSY, the new album has nothing but the possibility of greatness.

    Opening up with the beautiful David Bowie classic “Absolute Beginners” highlighted Ounsworth’s vocal range and not stretching it too far to get a feel for how the room would sound with an audience. The intimacy was so apparent that Ounsworth not only didn’t mind fan interaction, but encouraged it. By talking to the fans throughout. When he played “Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood”, a classic off the CYHSY self-titled debut album, there were people quietly sitting but yet moving to the music, smiling, mouthing the words, as not to disturb the ambiance of the room. At this point where the man of the hour started to cough, and sniffle a bit, making comments implying he may have a cold, but not only didn’t he stop the show, or take a break, he continued his high pitch on the verge of whiny vocals. Ounsworth offered fans a treat by playing “Blameless”, a new song off the full bands album set for a spring release, transitioning smoothly into “In this Home on Ice”, stripped down, even more so than the song’s previous versions. The show closed with “Underwater (you and me)”, off the bands second album Some Loud Thunder, a spectacular way to end the set. Arguably the bands most beautiful song made even that much more due to the intimate surroundings.

    Ounsworth proved to his fans that he still has it and with the new formation of CYHSY, the new album has nothing but the possibility of greatness.

  • Rock n Roll Resort v4: Dream Machine, Announces Initial Lineup

    After much anticipation, fans can celebrate the lineup for Rock n Roll Resort v4: “The Dream Machine”, an exclusive 3-day, 2-night multi-media experience taking place April 4-6, 2014 at Hudson Valley Resort & Spa in Kerhonkson, New York, nestled within the heart of the Catskills.

    rock n roll resort dream machineAn all-inclusive concert adventure, Rock n Roll Resort is an intimate destination event for music and arts, held within the walls of a VIP resort, that features an eclectic assembly of musical talent including electronic, funk, bluegrass and jam band performers. At the event, fans will enjoy the unique opportunity to socialize with the artists off-stage, all weekend long. A sonic, visual and intellectual voyage promising to be a full resort takeover wherever it lands, Rock N Roll Resort explores different music themes and resorts throughout the Northeast and beyond.

    Check out ‘s coverage from 2013  and photo galleries from Alex Toombs and Chelsea Valente.

    Rock n Roll Resort has been featured on since it’s inception, and has regularly been part of the Best of Upstate in the Best Festivals category. The Rock n Roll Resort v4: “The Dream Machine” confirmed lineup includes:

    Dumpstaphunk, Motet x2, Everyone Orchestra, Turkuaz, Cabinet, BRYAC Funk Allstars, Conehead Buddha, Nephrok! Allstars, Peter Prince & The Trama Unit, The Alchemystics, Digital $torm, Z3, Leroy Justice, Roots of Creation, TAUK, Alan Evans Trio, Goosepimp Orchestra, Danny Pease and The Regulators, The Kings of Belmont, Mark Mercier Band, Dr. Westchesterson, The Juicy Grapes, The Broadcast, Arclite, Darian Cunning Band, Michelle Sarah, Solaris, The Kind Buds, 7 Below, The Big Sway, Big Takeover, Cheatcode, Honeycomb, Mister F, Space Carnival, Cosmic Dust Bunnies, Frank Viele solo, and Political Animals.

    rock n roll resort dream machine
    Goosepimp Orchestra at Rock n Roll Resort v3

    Many artists will take the stage multiple times throughout the weekend, and more artists to confirm soon!

    This April’s Rock N Roll v4: “The Dream Machine” will showcase an eclectic mix of up and coming super talent with over 50 hours of musical entertainment, collaborative live art, activities including a golf tournament and celebrity poker competition, workshops and theme nights, cyberistic euphoria, eclectic catering and even a festival vendor row all at an affordable price and within the conveniences of the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa.

    Set within 400 wooded acres adjacent to Minnewaska State Park, and surrounded by gorgeous Catskill views, the ambiance of Hudson Valley Resort & Spa provides an unparallel layer of of tranquility and luxury–a quintessential location for such an incredible musical occasion. Guests can enjoy fitness room, arcade centers, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, heated indoor pool, and on-site shopping.

    Keep up to date with Rock n Roll Resort on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

  • Aqueous announces Spring Tour 2014 Round 2: Dopapod Run, Spring Revival 2 Night Stand

    It’s barely February and Aqueous is already having a huge year; from raving reviews on the groups latest release Live Nugs Volume 4 to the signing with Atlanta based booking agency NimbleSlick the band is clearly intent on taking 2014 by storm. Today they dropped their second round of spring tour dates which includes a 4 show run with the red hot Dopapod and culminates in the bands first known 2 day headlining stand at the 2nd annual Spring Revival festival in Macedon NY.

    NEWTOUR2014

    April 17th – Garcia’s – Port Chester, NY
    April 18th – Johnny D’s – Somerville, MA
    April 19th – The Stone Church – Newmarket, NH w/ The Jauntee
    April 24th – Putnam Den – Saratoga Springs, NY w/ Dopapod
    April 25th – Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY w/ Dopapod
    April 26th – The Waiting Room – Buffalo, NY w/ Dopapod
    May 3rd – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY w/ Dopapod & Jimkata
    May 9th & May 10th – Spring Revival Festival – Macedon, NY

    The band also announced they will be taking the end of March into the beginning of April to record their fourth studio release at GCR Audio in Buffalo.

    Didn’t have enough yet? They released this pro-shot video of new song “Kitty Chaser (Explosions)” from their NYE show at the crooked i in Erie, PA as well!

  • Eastbound Jesus: Two Night Live Album Recording at Red Square

    Upstate New York has a strong and authentic sound when it comes to bluegrass music. It’s an old world rebellion mixed with a hopeful heartache for the future that was heard loud and clear in Albany last weekend. Red Square and Guthrie/Bell Productions hosted Eastbound Jesus for two nights for a live recording session album on Friday, January 31st and Saturday, February 1st. The Northern Rock group invited Upstate bands Driftwood and The Blind Spots to share the stage and showcase their folk bluegrass talents. Eastbound Jesus has a dedicated fan base that easily relates to their catchy lyrics, contagious melodies and a love for flannel.

    20140131 - Driftwood 7

    Driftwood, the all string quartet from Binghamton, showed no mercy to their instruments or the audience as they opened the show on Friday night. They are a fierce and savage bunch of sophisticated folks who bring out the best in each other. Their lyrics and melodies follow each other in rounds that create a beautiful chaos of Americana. Driftwood’s music grows, it expands and the acoustics stretch the length of the room and outside the venue. They started with a soft lullaby of “High School Paycheck” to start the evening and the crowd was mesmerized with the mighty stand-up bass notes of Joey Arcuri. Claire Byrne won over many hearts that night as she ignited her fiddle with a burning passion that caught newcomers off guard. “Buffalo Street” was the biggest hit of the set, as the audience quickly picked up on the rhythm from the tambourine, clapping in unison and adoring the harmonies with whistling. Driftwood’s newest self-titled album is available for a free streaming on their website or Soundcloud and be sure to catch them on their tour across the East Coast this spring.

    Setlist: High School Paycheck, Words, Lost Indian, Dusty, Buffalo Street, 2 Kill Ya, Brother, Before I Rust, Carby, Outerspace, Sun’s Going Down

    Friday night proved to be another fun filled Eastbound Jesus show with lots of flannel, foot stomping and group sing-alongs. The weekend kicked off with “Easy Now” and with the lyrics, “It feels like forever since I’ve known that I’ve been home” there was a great cheer of appreciation and excitement. Jerry Reed’s “East Bound and Down” was a surprise for fans as it brought out the southern hillbilly in everyone. “North Country Girl” brought out a romantic flair with rolling guitar chords and charming vocals from each member. EBJ welcomed Driftwood’s fiddler Claire Byrne for a few songs, demonstrating that she can hold her own with the boys and brought a graceful yet rowdy style to the set. One of the perks of Red Square is the intimate space giving you the ability to get up close to musicians so that when they each member gets that same crazy look in their eyes; you can feel the music really kick in. EBJ saved some of their most climactic songs for the end such as “Where The Winter Goes” and “Waitin’ On The Sun” with each song building up unlimited possibilities for hard strumming and thunderous rhythm. The night ended with a three-song encore, much to the crowd’s delight who were already thirsty for Saturday’s show.

    Setlist: Easy Now, I Wouldn’t Know, Pickin It, East Bound and Down*, Here’s to You, North Country Girl, Sittin by the River, Roll in my sweet Baby’s Arms, Talking to John, Ghost Town, Southbound Train, Corn Whiskey, Doors Open, Tennessee, Maggie’s Farm, Where The Winter Goes, Waitin’ On The Sun, Beat The Breaks

    Encore: Out Yonder, Mouthful of Diamonds, Hold On Me Now
    *Cover by Jerry Reed

    Keep scrolling and Check out Tabitha Clancy’s review and photos from Saturday night below!

    The live album party continued in a “Small Town, Saturday Night” fashion, much like Hal Ketchum would say. Eastbound Jesus brought the grit and the grind to Red Square in Albany for a second night of recording.  These Greenwich swashbucklers are music machines just pumping out song after song after song but not in a boring factory line kind of way. Their high-energy arrangements are supported by well written lyrical stories. The PBR imbibers are a synchronous target audience of these blue-collar tunes turning the night into a merrymaking group participation event.

    Eastbound knows their audience well and seemingly walked the crowd through a warm-up first. “Beat the Breaks,” new to the amassed catalog of tunes, was the only song played both nights. “Without You” is a slow, sweet melodic piece with just the right touch of sadness.  Creating a build up, Eastbound kicked it up a notch with “Holy Smokes!” A special treat was in store for the room when Bryan Brundige (trombonist from The Chronicles) and Tony Meier (keys) were called up to “Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine,” in a collaborative jamband and calypso groove rendition of The Grateful Dead’s “Turn on Your Lovelight.”

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    Eastbound Jesus crafted a set of crowd favorites from their discography, new tunes and threw in a few covers for what will soon be a playlist on a live disc. Their punchy personalities, stage camaraderie and homogeneous blend of instrumentation can only mean, “Someday, it’s gonna go down.”

    Stay up to date with on Facebook and Twitter for news when Eastbound Jesus’ live album will be released this coming winter/early spring.

  • Hearing Aide: Cibo Matto ‘Hotel Valentine’

    Cibo Matto have not made a record since 1999’s Stereo Type A. For 15 years fans of the band have been left waiting in anticipation for a new musical statement from the duo. While the principals of the group, Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori have been busy contributing their numerous talents to other artistically satisfying projects, the Cibo Matto name and output has become an image in the rear view mirror. That premise is no longer relevant.

    The duo’s new release, Hotel Valentine due February 14th, shows that time has been more than kind to the duo. The fun emanating from Cibo Matto’s first two releases in 1996 and 1999 respectively has not left the group, alternately, the musical excitement has been combined with a serious artistic expression and expansive sonic palette. Hotel Valentine is the result of two years work by Miho and Yuka. Hatori stated recently regarding the recording, “Hotel Valentine is the cinematic bricolage of Yuka and me,”. The undeniable chemistry between the duo is the impetus for the development of the collection, after years of alternative collaborations the girls have come back together with a fury.

    Cibo Matto

    Electronic music can often leave even the most ardent listener somewhat emotionally cold in regards to the equipment and production techniques used. In the case of Hotel Valentine the warm and soothing analog vibe of the record is an olfactory smorgasbord. Honda reveals a clandestine grab-bag of grooves over the course of the recording ranging from smooth R and B, funky house, to tribal fire dances.Her sonic decision making is eclectic and knowledgeable. Hotel Valentine is a thematic as well as a cinematic excursion, with the girls in the band calling it, ‘a metaphor, a question, an answer, an idea, a feeling; A strange and vivid scene.

    The records introduction comes with a ‘Check In,’ where misty dual vocals swirl around a magnetic drum line that pulls the music in closer to your head. A hallmark of the album is the dynamic and diverse breakdowns that occur throughout every track. Multifaceted choices in production arm the collection with suspense and surprise. The next track ‘Déjà vu’ is aural anime, featuring seemingly innocent but sensually charged and ticklish vocals. The song shifts from 70’s soul, to hallucinatory cloud walk verse, then through a rippling hip hop breakdown. This song is sticky sweet, with a vocal groove made up of florescent colors and carnival candy. A standout track.

    ‘10th Floor Ghost Girl’ is irresistible ‘club pop’, with a guitar riff peeled straight from the grooves of a James Brown record.  Again, the duo illustrates an innate ability to offer differing vibes and flashing glimpses through the course of one track. This tune features a distorted ‘dubby’ chorus breaking up the fast paced dance of the number.

    The juicy center of the recording containing ‘Emerald Tuesday’, the catchy as hell album single ‘MFN’(featuring Reggie Watts), and the title track ‘Hotel Valentine’ is a salmagundi of reggae beats, deviating tribal rhythms, uniquely constructed vocal ragas,  and contrasting musical movements.  Miho’s vocals really shine throughout this sequence and at points elicit actual physical reactions. The vocals throughout the album are blended, mixed and presented beautifully. The story of the record continues to open like a mystery box, a small segment of interpretation and understanding with every musical reveal. The pure buzzing modified sound of ‘Empty Pool’ is recorded claustrophobia, its organic melody existing in a silvery underwater world of blue chrome.

    The album then moves through ‘Housekeeping’, a trippy bounce house track assisting with the dynamic close of the record, which to these ears echoes the influence of Chimera label mate Yoko Ono, whom Honda has collaborated. The recording concludes as it opened this time with a ‘Check Out’ filled with delectable vocal melody lines, this time layered over the top of tenderly picked acoustic guitar echoes. A  farewell through a song that sounds as if the track is disappearing in to the horizon, or is falling rain collected into pooling water. Disorienting symphonic mantras gain substance, disorienting effects shift until rupturing back into the airy acoustic guitar segment, thus concluding the record.

    The musical tale of Hotel Valentine is journey well worth the wait for fans of the internationally renowned duo, or for those searching for another musical experience in their lives. The multitude of catchy melody lines and inspired beats adds up to a experience the runs the gamut of emotion.  While there are multiple moments of joy and dance, there are an equal number of moments containing musical drama and apprehension.  Cibo Matto will be playing at the BSP Lounge in Kingston on February 9, 2014 to promote this new release. Tickets are available for $15 Adv/$20 Dos at the following locations Jack’s Rhythms, Darkside Records and Gallery, Woodstock Music Shop and outdated: an antique cafe.

    Key Tracks: Deja vu, Emerald Tuesday. MFN

  • Steve Martin Returns to the Rochester Jazz Festival This June – Tickets On Sale Tomorrow!

    SteveMartinandtheSteepCanyonRangersfeatEdieBrickell

    XRIJF announced the return of Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers to the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre for the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival 13th Edition, which will be held June 20-28. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m. at rochesterjazz.com. Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers last performed in Rochester at the XRIJF in 2012 in two sold-out shows.

    Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell will perform on Saturday, June 21. Tickets are $105 boxes/$95 orchestra/$80 mezzanine and loge/$65 balcony plus $8 per ticket service charge/facility fee. All performances will be at 8:00 p.m. at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

    Check out ‘s 2013 XRIJF coverage – Peter Frampton’s Guitar Circus and Willie Nelson & Family

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  • James Taylor Coming to Upstate in July

    jamestaylorpresssummer2014James Taylor has announced an extensive North American tour that will go from May 30th – August 5th right in the middle of the tour, Taylor will be playing back to back nights in Upstate, NY –  July 19th he will be playing at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and the next evening July 20th, he will be at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

    This tour is going to see James Taylor backed by an “all-star band” more information will be available in the future.  Stay right here to see who is in this band as we will be giving that information to you as we hear more about it.

    Tickets will be on sale soon and are sure to go quickly as James Taylor is always a popular act to see.  Don’t miss out on what is sure to be one of the better tours of the summer.

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