NYS Music 20​14

Category: Regions

  • Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate with Sophistafunk; Syracuse Artists Collaborate and Fuse Worldly Sounds

    A European tour can do a lot for an artist or group. It can bring a performer to a new level of recognition and exposure. It can allow for a performer to invite a partner in crime to open for them and effectively “bring/put them up.” It can allow a performer to meet artists from all over the globe and form new collaborations and projects. It can also crystallize the love of one’s hometown where it all started, and bring an artist back for a nostalgic homecoming. For Sekou Kouyate and Joe Driscoll, Syracuse native and one-man “band” hero, touring Europe did just that.

    Joe Driscoll Sekou KouyateBesides providing a fresh fan-base, touring Europe allowed Joe Driscoll to bring along fellow Syracuse-based hip-hop heads, and inexorable party-starters, Sophistafunk. This “Euro-tripping” also facilitated Joe’s acquaintance and partnership with an absurdly gifted musician by the name of Sekou Kouyate. Joe and Sekou met at the Nuit Metis (Mixed Night) Festival in Marseille, France and developed a unique, multi-cultural sound that gave birth to the album Faya. This album, like all albums, required promotion and therefore a tour schedule. This tour brought the family back together where the roots of these musical branches started: Syracuse, including and especially the Westcott Theater. On Friday, August 22, the Westcott packed itself while Sophistafunk, Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate, and a host of other supporting local musicians played their hearts out for the hometown fans.

    Sophistafunk, led by the dual hype-man and frontman in one, Jack Brown, played time-honored songs from both full length studio albums, Freedom Is and Twentyeleven. As always, Brown laid down the intellect and positivity on songs like “Gotta Walk”. As expected, Emanuel Washington, known as E-Man, rocked the house with that heavy and tight drum sound, especially on songs like the dance-inspiring “Wil’ Out”. As presumed, Adam Gold churned out those chunky-funky lines on the keys/organ on songs like “Freedom Is”. And as a super-special, highly unexpected, and highly enjoyed surprise, Sophistafunk covered the soulful and sexy “SpottieOttieDopaliscious” by Outkast. “’Nuff said.”


    After saying goodbye to Sophistafunk (temporarily), Joe Driscoll and Sekou wasted no time getting the audience back up and dancing. Joe’s funky, reggae-infused, hip-hop melodic style of guitar provided a solid grounding and space for Sekou to add his signature hummingbird-fast arpeggios and angelic riffs in between beats. Sekou, to understate it completely, plays the kora. The kora is an instrument made partly from a humongous gourd, called a calabash, covered with cow hide, and is “formally” classified as a “double-bridge-harp-lute.” When played masterfully, this “double-bridge-harp-lute” makes music that is silky, swift, exotic, and truly exquisite. This sound, along with Sekou’s vocals, sung in Soussou (with spot-on accompaniment by Joe), symbiotically fuse with Joe’s increasingly impressive guitar work to create music that is worldly and graceful, yet familiar and catchy.

    Joe told stories, both between songs and lyrically, throughout the set. Joe commented on everything from loving and appreciating your roots; to the inevitably deepening experience of traveling the world and meeting special people with whom you connect; to the visualization of lighting a fire in your heart and then lighting someone else’s (the meaning behind the title song “Faya”). Joe’s reflective and socially conscious verses painted pictures of the many “vampires” in ghettos around the world in “Ghetto Many”, and warned of the “deepest threat”: the figurative Babylon in the song “Wonamati”; which means, “It’s got to stop.”

    Joe also made sure to play a whole new (Sekou infused) take on classic Joe Driscoll favorites, like the sweetly melodic “Mixtape Champs” and the smooth, autobiographic “Origin Myth”. This song brought onstage Sophistafunk, DJ Afar, a Syracuse saxophone player named “Hollywood”, and a very talented female trombonist whose name was unfortunately missed by this writer…for an all out Syracuse hip-hop/funk/world-beat jam session. This multi-song jam served as a fitting conclusion to a night all about roots, collaboration, and love for one’s neighbor and neighborhood.

  • Rockstar Uproar Rocks The Great New York State Fair, Despite Poor Weather and Lukewarm Ticket Sales

    It was a rainy and miserable day on August 22 at the Great New York State Fair. However, some great hard rock rolled through the grandstand. There were some problems going into the show. First and foremost, Seether, Buckcherry, and These Raven Skies DID NOT appear at this stop due to outside conflict of interest, which may have hurt the ticket sales. On top of that, there seemed to be a lack of promotion behind this show. I would be worried if Rockstar Uproar will stop in Syracuse next year.

    Doors originally were supposed to open at 2pm that day, but due to the amount of bands that pulled, the show started at 3pm. The first set of bands performed on the smaller “Festival Stage” which was set on the dirt track right next to the grandstand stage. I did like how the vender tents and autograph tents were positioned on the far side of the track. The stage itself looked and sounded great. There was only one problem. Dirt track and rain is a messy situation. But bloody hell, it’s rock and roll. The first band Blame Anchor did a fine job opening the set. There must have been only 400 people when they started. Blame Anchor was the band that won the battle of the bands competition to be part of Rockstar Uproar. I think their fifteen minutes of fame pending the rest of the tour will pan out for them. Blame Anchor played a very short set, but made it count. They had a Godsmack vibe to them.

    Bad Seed Rising played their half hour set. They’re just kids, but they impressed. It’s really hard for bands in their teens to really take off with rock and metal, but I believe Bad Seed Rising can make it in this harsh industry if they stick to their guns. They’ve got some real heart and talent.

    Canada’s Sons Of Reverly are definitely the odd band out of this line up, which is not a bad thing. It just shows they got something to prove as they’re an unsigned indie band. They were the winners of last year’s Rockstar Uproar battle of the bands. This year they made it on to a permanent slot. The fascinating thing about watching them is how they eventually won the crowd completely over by the end of their set. They seem to have a little flavor of Rush, but they have some heavy songs and songs that people can relate too. I would imagine this band will be signed within the next year. I had the privilege of interviewing them after their set.

    Tattered and Three Years Hollow played good and heavy sets, but it was festival stage headliners Escape The Fate that really made that stage explode and laid the foundation. They played a fast and heavy set and egged on the crowed, too, to get them going. Clearly, a hungry band that continues to grow and make an impact on the radio and on the road. It was surprising they were not on the main stage because they clearly belonged there on this tour. By the time Escape The Fate finished, there must have been about three thousand people in attendance. Not exactly staggering numbers for a grandstand show at the fair, but the people who were there were lucky to see Escape The Fate perform.

    After Escape The Fate graced the stage and the festival stage closed down, Pop Evil opened the main stage. There was only one problem. It was almost an hour before Pop Evil started. I understand setting up the stage and production is hard work, but there was no reason for it be that long. Especially the fact that this show had two stages. But despite the long wait, Pop Evil clicked on all cylinders and was definitely a highlight of the entire show. Their set consisted of songs from all three of their albums. Songs like “100 In A 55”, “Dance With The Devil”, and “Last Man Standing” were great and had awesome performances. Pop Evil is certainly making big splashes and really solidifying themselves as a premiere headlining act.

    Because of the shortage of bands that were originally billed, it was yet another long ridiculous wait for Skillet. It may have been worth it though as Skillet was easily the best band on the bill. They’re production was bigger than it ever was. They had violinists on stage with them too; it was such a spectacle. There was a lot of energy put into their performance, and it was a nice change of pace to hear music with a positive message too. Skillet played most of their hits, but the song that stood out the most was definitely “Awake and Alive”, which had a slightly different take on it than we are used to hearing. I did find it a little odd that Skillet, who are strong Christian believers, were on the same bill with Godsmack because Sully Erna is a member of the Church of Satan. But it’s about the music, not the beliefs.

    Godsmack, of course, headlined the show. Now don’t get it twisted, Godsmack ALWAYS puts on a great show. Even if they’re off a little on a night, you’re always going to get a great show from them. Now, I have seen Godsmack multiple times. For the past decade, the band has been no stranger to Syracuse and the rest of Upstate New York, so I’m sure there are a lot of people who have seen them multiple times. That being said, they seem to have lost a little fire in their performance that night. It was still a great show, but the energy that I am used to seeing from Godsmack over the years, I did not see at Uproar. Most notably in lead guitarist Tony Rombola. He’s very talented and was a nice guy when I met him a few years back, but it just seemed he lacked the passion he used to have on stage. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt though as maybe it was an off night or that the band is a little rusty from taking the last couple of years off. As far as their set, it was a good mixture of their classic hits and some songs off of their latest release 1000 HP. Of course, the one thing that stood out during the show was the dual percussion solo between Sully Erna and Shannon Larkin. Always enjoyable to see. And during “Whatever”, Erna threw beers at the crowd and invited some fans on stage – most notably the guy with the HUGE afro that fascinated Erna. It was pretty amusing.

    Overall, it was a good lineup, but could have been so much more if Seether and Buckcherry were able to make the bill. I think fans would have gotten a much better bang for their buck and the show would have had MUCH better attendance.

  • Hearing Aide: Neuroceptor ‘Reuptake’

    Neuroceptor, a four-piece electronica fusion group from Rochester has just released their first EP as a band, Reuptake. The group released the album on August 30 while playing the Purple Pig Music Festival in Naples, NY. Reuptake features six tracks that blend organic sounds with electronic beats.

    According to keys player Mike Lopresti, who also wrote and produced the album, “most of the tracks are inspired by some piece of nature or culture…the whole concept of Neuroceptor is blending electronica with these organic and natural inspirations.” With tracks like “Estuary Path”, “Roads of Spain”, and “Giant Earth Shattering”, Neuroceptor’s fascination between natural and synthetic dualities surfaces in both song titles and composition.

    neuroceptor reuptakeThe opening track, “Anura” is named after the Greek term for the genus classification of “toad.” The tune has an underwater feel, setting a fluid tone for the EP. Beginning with fast, snappy drumming and a tight bass line, the addition of melodic keys shore up the full sound. As the track progresses, a plethora of croaking sounds, produced with analog synthesizers, create an out-of-this-worldly amphibious effect. The electronica track, nearly seven minutes in length, gets intense in the middle, but returns to the melody for a gradual comedown as it closes.

    The aquatic vibe carriers over to the second track, “Ganges of Heaven”. Led by the guitar, this tune follows a more linear rock path than “Anura”. Third up, “Roads of Spain” introduces the band’s versatile side with a mix of reggae samples and ambient synth sounds. One could easily imagine blasting this jam at a summer beach party.

    “Estuary Path” showcases Lopresti’s production skills. Both eerie and ambient at once, the song has the most personality of any on the album. It commences with the flowing theme introduced in the first couple songs. A few minutes in, however, sharper, more menacing synthetic sounds are incorporated. The track progresses through a Daft Punk-esque section before closing with strange samples playing over the dance party version of The X-Files theme song. As a whole, the nearly nine-minute long song is a captivating journey with distinct sections.

    While Neuroceptor’s first self-titled EP was recorded solely by Lopresti, he recruited a band for a live show and they’re featured on the new album. “Reuptake is supposed to highlight us as a band,” Lopresti stated. “Giant Earth”, the fifth track, starts a bit slowly, but picks up with some funk in the middle and concludes with the most deeply layered and fullest sound on the EP. The finale, “Collective”, returns to reggae for an easy-listening ending to the album.

    Overall, the six tracks on Neuroceptor’s Reuptake blend electronic and instrumental sounds to create a well-balanced, smoothly flowing album. Each song is both easy to listen and dance to, while there are certain nuanced points that may require a couple listens to fully appreciate. You can listen to more of Neuroceptor here, and they will next be playing live on September 20.

    Key Tracks: Anura, Estuary Path, Giant Earth Shattering

    neuroceptor 2

  • The Nth Power Makes Debut in Buffalo on Chillgrimage to Hancock

    10462784_498814903584071_2315225169758555355_nJust over a year ago, five musical soul mates came together to form The Nth Power and have seamlessly risen to the top, carrying the power of love and transcending the senses in the most purely uplifting manner. The supergroup of sorts is comprised of keyboardist and singer, Nigel Hall, whose raw emotion and passion is one of the many driving forces within their music. Drummer/vocalist Nikki Glaspie, who recently parted ways with the NOLA funk outfit Dumpstaphunk, truly believes in what The Nth Power is doing and made the band her primary focus with the decision. Rounding out the group is Nick Cassarino on guitar and vocals, Nate Edgar who holds down the low-end on bass, and percussionist Weedie Braimah. The band may be less than two years in the works, but have an immense amount of experience with members playing with such acts as Lettuce, Beyonce, John Brown’s Body, Warren Haynes Band, Toubab Krewe, and the aforementioned, Dumpstaphunk.

    Taking on the soulful side of funk, the group embraces a mutual love and respect for music’s power and utilizes the tool to take people on a roller coaster ride of emotions, hitting them right where it counts. Their live show has been described as more than just music and, as the band rolls into town next Friday, Buffalo is ready to embrace the band’s love with open arms.

    The Nth Power is set to play Catskill Chill Music Festival the following night in Hancock, NY with a late night set start time of 1:15am. For those in the western N.Y. region, this is a great opportunity to check these guys out if you’re unable to make the fest. Being that this is the band’s first time to the Queen City, they’re hoping to see a good turnout and mutual love for their overall mission. If you have ever checked out their Twitter page, you will see a lot of hashtags that say #thenthpowerlovesyou, and it’s through their music that it’s expressed. On the flip side, I can say to them that #buffalovesyouback and the excitement and anticipation for the show is washing over the city with less than a week left.

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    Photo by Joshua Brasted

    Opening the night will be Jamestown’s smackdab. The funk band not only draws influence from the headliner, but was extremely excited to be announced as the opening act. The five-piece is fronted by singer Jon-Marc Johnson and also includes Matt Baxter on guitar, Mark Cooper on keys, Ryan Ecklund on bass, and Daniel Witherspoon on drums.

    Tickets are only $10 in advance and can be purchased here. They can also be purchased at the door for $12.

    If you’re still on the fence, check out a video of The Nth Power below. Being that this is their first show in Buffalo, the band is sure to dig deep and put on a great performance for all who show up to The Tralf next Friday.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0-WQ7zCsBY

  • The New Mastersounds Kick Off Tour in Buffalo Next Week

    Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds
    Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds

    Over the years, music has become more accessible than it’s ever been. With internet radio sites, 160GB iPods, satellite radio, YouTube, and every other outlet, the amount of choices out there are near limitless. Listening to music in your headphones and in the car are one thing though, while actually experiencing the collective force of a live show is far different. Even with how accessible music is, shows are still something that unfortunately can’t be everywhere, all the time. We’ve yet to figure out the whole geographical boundary thing, outside of live streaming, which is ultimately a better-than-nothing alternative. The further a band is from you, the lower the chance you will see them. It’s still just as dead simple as that. Thankfully for one band, that is all about to change. This Fall, The New Mastersounds, a band whose roots in Leeds, England has limited their Stateside exposure, are making their rounds with a first-time stop in MANY Upstate cities with three nights in Brooklyn (9/11-9/13) and closing Catskill Chill (9/7), the band will be making first time trips to Buffalo (9/3), Rochester (10/7), Saratoga Springs (11/8), and Syracuse (11/9).

    The New Mastersounds are riding on the heels of their latest album Therapy, which was released back in March. While they will surely play a few off of the album, the depth of their catalog should bring out some longstanding favorites and a few surprises. The show in Buffalo will be the tour kickoff and is being held at one of Buffalo’s best venues in The Tralf. On the same stage where Lettuce played earlier in the year, the British funksters will bring their jazz-spiked flavor out for all to hear, and finally see. The anticipation around the city for fans is getting stirred into a frenzy with less than a week before the show. The band is known for their blending of old school tone and approach with pure energy. Their music’s simple mission is the passing of kinetic energy, whether through dance, foot tapping, or a neck-jarring head nod. There’s just no way to shake that.

    With the Catskill Chill Music Festival looming, the Wednesday night show is the perfect setup for anyone who is looking to get a sneak peek of what they’ll be in for down in Hancock. What you won’t find at The Chill though, and coming to Buffalo for only their fourth show, is West Coast-natives Orgone. The band calls Portland, Oregon home and, again, with the geographical divide, the band has not made it over on this side of the country as much as fans would like. With the funk scene thankfully growing stronger in every city, this band can now make a worthwhile trip to help spread their word.

    The combination that was put together by ECE Presents for this show is worthy of an applause. And while we’ll get the jazz side of funk from The New Mastersounds, Orgone plays on the soul side of funk’s fence. Regardless of style, both bands have been around a while and surely will not disappoint the expected packed house at The Tralf.

    The New Mastersounds

    Grab your tickets now to these shows throughout New York State:

    |  Buffalo  |  Hancock (Catskill Chill)  |  Brooklyn (9/11, 9/12, 9/13 Early, 9/13 Late)  |

    |  Rochester  |  Saratoga Springs  |  Syracuse  |

  • “Lace Up” Albany – Machine Gun Kelly Adds Armory Date

    Rapper Machine Gun Kelly, aka MGK, may be on tour with Limp Bizkit, but that isn’t stopping him from taking a night that the tour has off to stop up to Albany to play the Washington Avenue Armory. The 24-year old is no stranger to Albany fans who have packed the place last year to see this dynamic young star.  MGK released his second full album last year, Black Flag, and is perhaps best known for his many mixed tapes that he released leading up to being signed by Diddy three years ago to Bad Boy Records.

    “I got the name Machine Gun Kelly because of my rapid-fire delivery when I was 15 and started doing shows,” says MGK.  That rapid delivery is still there mixed with the maturity of time.  Fans relate to his lyrics, coming from a broken home and being an outcast in tough neighborhoods with no brothers or sisters to look out for him.  Colson Baker moved around as a child and was essentially raised simultaneously by his father and the streets after his mother left him at a young age. Ready for the prime time, MGK is on a shooting star and passengers should hop aboard now.

    Mark your calendars for an Oct. 4 date with openers to be announced soon. Tickets are available now at Ticketfly.  Avid Entertainment has promised an exciting fall line-up for the second largest venue in the city, and this, along with other fall dates previously announced such as, Masquerave, Pierce the Veil, Slayer, it is a good indication that they holding true to their word.

    A hint at a big announcement yesterday by Washington Avenue Armory’s Michael Corts gave us a hint as to whom may be announced. His partner at Avid Entertainment, Darren Sparato, all but confirmed my educated guess this morning.

    Early tour releases already showcased a New York City date on October 8 and a Boston date on October 10, with a few off dates in October as the only viable option. The big hint in the clue was 19XX. Did it mean the band 1975, a reference to Van Halen’s famous album 1984, or Prince’s party anthem, “1999”? No, I think it paid reference to Machine Gun Kelly’s chest tattoo, Est. 19XX.

  • A Bluegrass Double Header with Railroad Earth and YMSB at Rochester’s Party in the Park

    Rochester’s Party in the Park has returned to the original location of the concert series this summer and music lovers couldn’t be happier about the move. Music events are always well attended in the city center and with the spectacular lineup of artists, this summer of music has been a good one, especially with Railroad Earth and YMSB.

    Kelli_Marsh_Justin_YMSB-1016

    With the recent surge in Bluegrass music in the last several years, Rochester bluegrass fans were in for a treat when Party in the Park served up a double-header of bluegrass with Railroad Earth and Yonder Mountain String Band as co-headliners of the Thursday night event. The show brought a full crowd to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square Park for a night of dancing and local food from on-site food trucks. The energy was phenomenal, the music was on point and concert goers were delighted with the sounds of bluegrass music.

    YMSB opened the night with a set list full of favorites like “My Gal” and jammy, out of the ordinary, fantastic “Only A Northern Song” – where the band proved that even without Jeff Austin, they still have undeniable energy that can’t be contained. With Austin’s departure the band had to look elsewhere for someone to fill that void and the result has been the addition of mandolin player Jacob Jolliff and Allie Kral on violin. Although Austin’s place could never be filled, the addition of Kral and Jolliff seems to be a comfortable fit.

    Kelli_Marsh_Justin_YMSB-1005

    Highlights of the night included the addition of Allie Kral on violin with YMSB and two songs with RRE; after the departure of Jeff Austin, fans have been wondering which direction the band was going to go in with filling in his place, without replacing what Austin brought to the band. The result was a more than pleasant surprise with her addition.

    I had the opportunity to speak with Kral after the show and I asked her about leaving Cornmeal and what it was like to be on stage with the boys from Yonder Mountain String Band and whether this was a permanent thing for her. With a giant smile on her face she explained how she had only been playing with Cornmeal for so long and now she’s learning  jazz and more bluegrass and it’s awesome; she went on to say that her husband was happy she was on tour and enjoying herself. When I asked if this might be a permanent gig for her she stated, “Not permanently but I’m happy to be here.”

    Kelli_Marsh_Justin_YMSB-1028

    Railroad Earth Setlist: Lordy Lordy, Head, When the Sun Gets in Your Blood, Carrying Coal to Newcastle, A Day on the Sand, Bird in a House, Monkey, Walk Beside Me, Hard Livin’, RV*, Like a Buddha*

    * with Allie Kral on violin

    Yonder Mountain String Band Setlist: Blue Collar Blues, Hello City Limits, Don’t Worry Happy Birthday, Finally Saw The Light> Girlfriend Is Better> Finally Saw The Light, Dire Wolf, Pockets, Dominated Love Slave, Long Time, Loved You Enough, My Gal, Honestly> Only A Northern Song> Honestly,
    E: Southern Flavor

    Download the show here for the Music Archive

  • The Great NY State Fair Starts With a Bang

    Starting The Great NY State Fair has started off with a bang, and some lightning, Kellie Pickler took the stage at Chevy Court to a packed crowd holding umbrellas and wearing ponchos.  These hardcore country fans were in for a treat at the Fair’s first free show.  Full of charm and talent, this young lady brought sunshine to the audience as she sang, shared stories, and gave an amazing performance to kick off the fair’s first show of the year.

    Randy Houser – Grandstands Day 1

    DAY ONE – Rain or Shine, The Show Must Go On

    The one thing that stood out about Kellie was how personable she was with the audience.  Whether it was waving to those shouting her name, holding up signs, or just waving her way, she made sure she acknowledged each and every one with a smile and a wave as though seeing an old friend once again.  She even signed several autographs during her encore number.  My first time and definitely not the last time I see this country girl perform.

    Day  1 at The Great NY State Fair was chock full of country superstars.  Country music fans hit the lottery with the Grandstand lineup Thursday evening with one of country music’s most loved entertainers, Brad Paisley headlining and he brought along some very special guests, Charlie Worsham, Leah Turner, and Randy Houser to join him.

    I had the opportunity to cover these four performers earlier this year for NYS Music at the Taste of  Country Music Festival down at Hunter Mountain in the beautiful Catskills.  I immediately spotted Charlie Worsham out in the crowd doing what I loved about him most. He was down in the audience just hanging out and talking with all his fans, signing things, and being incognito right up until the time he put his earpieces in and jumped up on the platform and began singing and showing this audience just what he’s about.  This young man is one hell of a guitar and banjo player.  Sporting his signature orange converse, which he claimed he wore in honor of our Orangemen, he came right out in to the audience to pick and shred number after number.  He told the crowd, “You may not know me….yet,” “yet” being the key word in that sentence as once you see Charlie in person, he’s really hard to forget.  Yes Charlie, I was there for your first experience crowd surfing.  It was epic and I have photos to prove it.

    Immediately following Charlie was one of country music’s on the rise female artists, Leah Turner.  The one thing that strikes me about Leah Turner is her strength.  Her voice is strong, her presence is strong, and her impression is lasting.  Rocking the audience and turning heads, the amazing performer is quickly making her mark in the country music business as a force to be reckoned with.

    The next artist opening up for Brad was Randy Houser.  I was happily anticipating this particular artist because this would be the first time I saw Randy perform his full show.  Randy’s musical talent was put to the test this past June when on the way to the Taste of Country Music Festival, his bus broke down somewhere along the Pennsylvania highway.  Making a split second decision, Randy and keyboardist, John Henry Trinko, packed it up and headed up through the mountains literally arriving five minutes before he had to go on.  Playing an all acoustic set that was spectacular, I couldn’t possibly imagine how he would top that show.  Well, the bus arrived this time, and he brought it.  With a full band behind him, Randy whipped the audience into a frenzy, leaving it all out on the stage.  One word,  sensational.  So happy I was able to see and hear him both full on with a full band and then stripped down acoustically.  When it boils down to it, he is truly an amazing musician and vocalist, and talent such as that is unmistakable.

    With the audience primed and ready to roll, the main event began.  The one thing I must say about Brad Paisley’s show, is that it’s two shows in one.  The perfectly choreographed video that plays behind Brad as he plays hit after hit, is spectacular and puts this show on a whole different level.  I should expect no less, as Brad is truly on a different level.  Brad is and amazing vocalist, but is also one amazing guitarist, I must add.  I think it’s the one part of the show I look forward to the most.  Shredding out like the rock star he is, you can’t help but love the new direction country music has been taking, getting back to their southern country rock and roll roots.  For those of you who haven’t followed Brad and the comical tweets of late, Brad has been mischievous to say the least.  With a new album, Moonlight In The Trunk, ready to be released this week, Brad took matters into his own hands allowing his fans bits and pieces of the album prior to the release date and against the wishes of his record label. This release was extremely important to Brad as his last album didn’t have the intended effect it was supposed to have.  Brad felt that taking control and releasing on his terms would accomplish not only the message he wanted to send his fans, but thank his fans for being supportive over the years. Have to say, the comical scuttlebutt between Brad and his label was fun to watch unfold, almost making you wonder if it was a practical joke.  In the end, Brad got his wishes did things his way, while the label did things their way and invited the  fans to thank him personally by leaking his real email address.  In the end, Brad, Label, and Fans all were happy.

    DAY TWO – The Show that Could Possibly Break All Records

    With Day One in the record books as an amazing start to the 2014 Fair, Day Two was bound to possibly be one of those days that beat some records.  There are several factors that would assist in making a day at the Fair a record-breaking day….cooperating weather…special events going on…special day for select groups…or the acts at the stages…yep it was the act going on at Chevy Court at 8PM that would definitely shatter some records this day.  This artist was one of those names that would surely draw a full paying crowd at the Grandstand, but instead the Fair treated their attendees to this act for free.

    The Fair treated fairgoers to Jason Derulo.  I am still waiting to see if Jason was able to break the Bruno Mars attendance back in 2011 of 35,000.  Looking at the crowd that evening, I believe it may have come close.  Attendees began saving their seats before the 2pm Smashmouth show, and by the time 6pm came along, the inner area was cordoned off.  This wasn’t just an entertainer coming out to the middle of the stage and singing.  This show had everything.  Jason Derulo is already known for his amazing musical talents as a vocalist, but until you see him live, you can’t ascertain his true talents.  He came out with a full entourage of professional dancers as he commanded that stage keeping up with each and every step they laid down.  All I kept thinking of was how much he reminded me of Michael Jackson, with the voice and the moves.  He definitely has something special.  Dancing With The Stars would be handing him that trophy for sure if they included him in one their upcoming seasons.

    DAY THREE – Mr. 305 Hit’s the 315- Everyone Loves Some Bacon, Brothers That Is

    As Day Three began, the NY State Fair included two amazing shows at the Chevy Court stage.  The 2PM show was Sean Kingston, which I unfortunately missed, as I’m still figuring out how to be in two places at once.  However I was able to take in their 8PM show with The Bacon Brothers Band.  What an amazing group of performers they were.  Rocking with a bluegrass, country, jazzy, pop vibe this group were thoroughly entertaining and very talented with a big variety of instrumentation which included various percussion, harmonica, mandolin, electric and acoustic guitar, keyboards, etc.  Was so pleased they made Central New York one of their stops on their summer tour schedule.

    At the Grandstands on Day Three we had Mr. 305 himself, Pitbull.  This distinguished performer is hugely talented and one of the best business men I have ever seen in the music business, taking the business by storm and branding himself as a worldwide superstar.  He has appeared in numerous collaborations, taken home award after award (including a Grammy) and built himself an international empire in a ten year span. Taking the stage in a tailored suit and sunglasses, his charm, style, and charisma spilled over into the audience as they screamed and cheered his name.  Singing hit after hit, Pitbull had a stronghold on the audience from the moment he came out.

    As NYS Music covers the Great New York State Fair, we would like to point out a few notables to make sure you take the time to see.  I always have loved the 25 cent milk, the butter sculpture, and all the animals, this year my new discovery was the butterfly exhibit.  For a single $1, you can enter a tent filled with the most beautiful butterflies as they twitter and land on you.  Was an amazing experience and such a cool find right inside the Horticulture Building.  Oh, and while you’re there don’t forget to get your $1 baked potato.

    Looking forward to the next three days there,  the musical acts, foods, and adventures you too can share at the worlds first and best the Great NY State Fair.

  • Bernie Williams & His All Star Band Impress A Hometown Peekskill Crowd

    Bernie Williams and his All-Star Band played a mix of tightly composed originals and well-known covers to an ecstatic Hudson Valley Paramount Theater crowd on Friday, August 22.

    Saxophonist Richie Cannata, formerly of the Billy Joel Band, played musical director on stage to an ensemble that included a singer, trumpet player, keys player, bassist, two guitarists, and two drummers.  With love pouring from the crowd, Williams sounded at home on stage in Peekskill, alternating between acoustic and electric guitars.

    Williams at The Paramount.

    Local musician Nick Rael kicked the night off, playing a drummer-backed acoustic set for 40 minutes.  After two originals, Rael caught the crowd’s attention with Bob Marley’s “Is This Love.” He showed strong vocals during a cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes,” and original “81 Ford Grenada” induced empathetic chuckles and a choral sing-along from the crowd.  Rael closed his set with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” which drew plenty of cheers.

    Williams led his band on stage to a standing ovation at 8:45 p.m.  The Westchester resident opened the night with the title track from his album Moving Forward.  The album features 14 tracks and was nominated for “Best Instrumental Album” Latin Grammy award in 2009.  During the live track, Williams grooved on his electric guitar.  Richie Cannata, who kept a tenor and soprano saxophone nearby all night while also directing the show, pointed for a trumpet solo while Williams picked out smooth jazz scales on the guitar. “It’s great being here near home tonight,” Williams said between songs. “Back in Puero Rico, my mom was an educator for 40 years. She gave [me and my siblings] a well rounded-education and wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer. Well, here I am though.”

    Williams told anecdotes and interacted with the crowd throughout the set. He dedicated a slow, catharctic cover of Sting’s “Fragile” to Don Zimmer and thanked Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens for providing the inspiration for “Desvelado” (Spanish for sleepless). “I didn’t have to interact with an audience in my previous career,” Williams joked, “so I’d say this is a lot harder.” “Ritmo de Otoño,” the rhythm of the fall, exhibited Williams’ composition skills at their finest.  The tune began with a soprano saxophone solo from Richie Cannata reminiscent of the silky hook in “Baker Street.”

    The band kicked into gear for a Latin-jazz fusion that conjured images of its autumnal title.  The drummers both played crisp solos and each note from Williams’ guitar was poignant.  Richie Cannata dropped to both knees, wagging his saxophone over his head from side to side dramatically.  The jam crescendoed, reaching to 97% before dropping back into the original solo from Cannata on the soprano sax.  With a final bang, the full band joined back in, earning another standing ovation.

    Many pairs of fathers and sons donning Yankees caps and shirts filled the Paramount’s seats while a talented father-son pair shared the stage.  After waiting patiently during the first half of the set, Richie’s son Eren Cannata proved he had inherited his father’s musical ability while singing an acoustic-backed cover of “Imagine.”  The crowd expelled an audible “ahhhh” of delight when the John Lennon classic was recognized, and many swayed along in their seats.  When the band played a cover of Steve Miller’s “Fly Like An Eagle,” Eren showed that he also has his father’s flair for dramatics, dancing across the stage, one moment reaching to the sky, the next pointing to the crowd and igniting a clap-along.  He scatted smoothly during “Alphabet Blues” and flashed his wide vocal range during an exuberant cover of Van Morrison’s “Domino.”

    As the show progressed, the crowd grew more and more engrossed.  Eren Cannata’s energy was contagious and, when guest saxophonist Jay Beckenstein joined the party during “Fly Like An Eagle,” the crowd really “wow’ed.”  Beckenstein decided playing one sax at a time was not enough.  With an alto sax in his left hand and a soprano in his right, he played the chorus as the band sang along.  Another highlight came during the last song of the set when Richie Cannata pointed out everyone for a solo, including a funky slap-down from bassist Gene Perez.

    The band left the stage to roaring applause which, after a minute, turned into a “Ber-nie Will-iams” chant.  He reciprocated the love with a final acoustic solo with the spotlight on him.  While Williams may be better known for the four World Series rings he earned with the New York Yankees, his performance at the Paramount showed he can also enthrall a crowd with a pick and guitar.

    Setlist: Moving Forward, Go For It, Desvelado, Ritmo de Otoño, ?, Imagine, Fly Like An Eagle, Fragile, Alphabet Blues, ?

    Encore: Domino, Williams acoustic solo

  • Zac Brown Band Serves Up Much More than Chicken Fried

    While most people may know the Zac Brown Band as those country guys that sing about fried chicken and a cold beer on a Friday night, I can assure you there is a whole lot more on this band’s menu. Upstate New York fans in Darien Center and Saratoga Springs had the opportunity to hear country, rock, blues, bluegrass, metal, and island music in the same evening. Six different bands didn’t play, just one. Well, two if you count the spectacular opener, Sturgill Simpson, who is in a category all to himself.

    Sturgill Simpson started the evening off with no introduction and no high-production stage setup. It was just Sturgill, his band, and their immense talent. That alone was enough to fill the stage. While he may have sung a cheating song in pure old country fashion to start the evening, die-hard country fans were met with great music and some non-traditional country topics as the set progressed. Simpson looked like he walked off the set of Welcome Back Kotter, wearing a non-country uniform consisting of a 3/4 sleeve baseball jersey, think 1970′s. In fact, everything about him screamed the ’70s – his attire, his musical style, and even his haircut. It was reminiscent of listening to AM radio in my mom’s kitchen – tapping my feet while eating my Farina Cream of Wheat and grabbing my bagged lunch before running off to school. However, with lyrics like “There’s a gateway in our mind that leads somewhere out there beyond this plane, Where reptile aliens made of light cut you open and pull out all your pain” and “Every morning when I rise I look in the mirror and despise, The sight of everything and all that I’ve become.” This is definitely not my mama’s country music. Perhaps more like listening to a modern-day metaphysical outlaw – a splendid mix of Kris or Willie’s ability to write and Merle or Waylon’s soulful badassery that spews out in the music. Sturgill didn’t speak a whole lot on stage, but when he did, he commented that “this (SPAC) is a really cool venue, man” and that Upstate “is a really beautiful place.” A nice realization to others that New York is much more than skyscrapers and taxi cabs.

    The Zac Brown Band could possibly be country music’s best live band. Their music pulls you in, though after hearing it, you might choose to jump right in on your own. It was no surprise that the eight-piece band brought a huge sound, featuring three guitars (Zac plays along while singing with his rich, melodic tones), fiddle, bass, keys, drums and additional percussion. The multi-part harmonies supplied by the rest of the band gave emphasis to choruses, as if the 17,000 in attendance singing along to every song weren’t enough.

    Upbeat fiddlin’, sweet guitar pickin’, twangy singin’ all went together to make some soulful, redneck rock. From that to Mediterranean feel, island music, the band seemed to do it all. It didn’t matter what type of tune ZBB played, the crowd stayed on their feet and danced the summer night away. The first set included a brief intermission while the stage crew switched over to the acoustic set. During that time, the entire band didn’t leave the stage. Instead, they shot, flung, slingshot and tossed about a hundred t-shirts into the eager crowd.

    The acoustic portion included six of the band members playing various stringed instruments, including Clay Cook on mandolin and John Driskell Hopkins on the uke. The harmonies were out of this world and throughout SPAC, couples embraced and swayed side to side as the lyrics plead “don’t give up on me”. The acoustic set also included James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” and Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”, but someone forgot to include the piano. Before the set ended, he brought a young boy to the stage, and after a brief introduction, nonchalantly added, “Derek, let me introduce you to your new friend” and handed him a signed guitar.

    The second set started with a storm, hail and lightning on a shim covering the entire front of the stage. As the music started up, lights began to shine on the musicians behind the shim. “Let it rain, let it pour” being sung as the shim rose, yet the storm continued behind the band. During the brief ten-minute set break, Zac found the time to change into a top hat and dressed all in black. Shortly into the set, an unexpected cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” had Hopkins wailing out the lead vocals. The country crowd let their hair down and put their horns up high as they sang as loud and proud as they did for Zac’s owns songs. Toward the end of the second set, Zac Brown Band busted out Marshall Tucker’s iconic “Can’t You See”.

    During “Colder Weather”, Zac spent the whole song shaking hands and offering up fist bumps to the front couple rows in the pit. A sincere smile came across his face as he gazed up over the appreciating audience. You could see the reciprocated appreciation in his eyes.

    The first song of the encore, “Day of the Dead”, had the entire band in glow-in-the-dark skeleton outfits. The four-song encore also included Charlie Daniel’s “Devil Went Down to Georgia”, and it took until the last song of the show for fans to hear “Chicken Fried”. It may have been the most popular dish on the menu, but the variation throughout the evening couldn’t help but make you feel both full and satisfied.