Category: Regions

Rain Cuts Widespread Panic at ArtPark to One Solid Set

Well, at least we got one set of Widespread Panic, as rain and winds cancelled the second set of the famed Georgia’ jam band’s show at ArtPark in Lewiston on Tuesday, June 17, but for what we got in the first set, it was worth the ticket price, as well as my five-hour drive from Albany.

Opening with the instrumental illness of “A of D”, the seated crowd of a few thousand watched with curiosity and interest as the Athens-born worked through compositions, leaving room for improvisation in the right spots. The driven rock of “Surprise Valley” wowed the crowd via Jimmy Herring’s guitar work, while “Hatfield”, a song about the weather, was played to a backdrop of a divided sky which had formed on the horizon behind the stage, a storm drawing not far from the venue, but skirting by. These back to back extended songs, most notably “Hatfield” with John Bell’s trademark rambling lyrics, led to a short “Dyin’ Man”.

“Henry Parson’s Died”, a cover that I am not typically partial to was surprisingly strong, with Herring particularly shred-happy and consistent throughout; tonight the crowd got a real treat in southern-bred guitar playing. “Little Kin > Radio Child” featured a tight segue between the two songs about the kids. “Casa del Grillo”, a Los Lobos-style Chicano rocker was a rare treat, only played once or twice a year over the past 5 years. “Casa’s” lyrics were mixed between Spanish, English and John Bell-ese, and featured the organ accents from JoJo Hermann that perfectly framed the body of the number.

“Greta” and “Cream Puff War” were a pairing full of dirty funk and a seamless segue into “Cream Puff War’. The early Grateful Dead song filtered out of a higher intensity “Greta” jam, with Dave Schools’ bass taking charge to push Todd Nance to drive the rhythm into the faster-faced “Cream Puff War”. Listen to the two tracks below.

Then the winds came, followed by a downpour. We were asked to leave the park, and the helpful staff directed us to shelters and the parking lot. The heavy stuff did not come down for quite some time, taking pause and leading us to think we had a good shot at a second set, since this rainstorm started moments after Widespread Panic took setbreak. But the calm of the storm brought an onslaught of rain and high winds, forcing cancellation of the rest of the show. Not the optimal ending for the rare Widespread Panic show in Upstate New York, but we got one helluva set!

Download Lenny Stubbe’s recording of the show here

June 24, 2014
Kick Off Your Summer With Rusted Root, Big Leg Emma, and Soco Mojo in Oneonta

Summer is officially here, so why not get it started on the right foot with the rootsy world rock music of Rusted Root, who are making a trip out to Oneonta on Friday night, June 27! They will be performing at the historic Oneonta Theatre, which is the perfect venue for a band of Rusted Root’s caliber, as it will be sure to attract both the college crowd (for those students who are sticking around this summer) and fans who went to see the band when they first hit the scene back in the ‘90s. This show starts at 8PM, with doors opening at 7. Be sure to visit the bar in the lobby of the Oneonta Theatre before the show and between bands; a nice selection of local beers are always on tap.

Rusted Root, a band with its roots firmly set in their hometown of Pittsburgh, is a collaboration of members who have always been drawn to and experimented with every form of music, covering regions as far-reaching as India, the Middle East, and Africa. Going to one of their concerts is truly like going on a journey through all these exotic places, as they take you there with their music. Rusted Root’s most recent album The Movement (2012), as described by the band’s vocalist and percussionist Liz Berlin, is a real testament to their community of fans, as the album was created as a result of a funds contributed by fans. In addition to Berlin, the band’s current line-up includes Michael Glabicki on lead guitar/vocals, Patrick Norman on vocals/bass/guitar/percussion, Dirk Miller on guitar, and Preach Freedom on percussion. It will be interesting to hear tunes off their new album, but it is likely that they will also be performing some of their classics, such as “Send Me On My Way” and “Ecstasy”, which are always a blast to hear and experience live.

Rusted Root will be joined by two very special guests to open up their June 27 performance. First off, Soco Mojo, a true hometown band based out of right here in Oneonta, will be joined by another local legend, the spectacularly talented vocalist and guitarist John Scarpulla. A funky blues rock band, featuring the swirly reverberations of a Hammond and sharp jazzy sounds of a flute, Soco Mojo is sure to get everyone moving and psyched up for the rest of the evening.

The second band of the night will be none other than the runners up in ’s 2014 March Madness contest, Big Leg Emma! Based out of Jamestown in Western NY, Big Leg Emma have really come onto the jamband scene strong in the last couple of years, and if they keep up the good work, they are sure to continue growing and moving in the right direction. With a heavy base of real Americana music, throwing in some bluegrass, folk, and country for good measure, the jam component definitely comes out during their live performances, when their more dancy psychedelic side truly emerges.

If you live closer to the Albany area and can’t make it to Rusted Root’s show in Oneonta, they will be performing the following night, on June 28, at the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park. Be sure to visit www.rustedroot.com for additional tour dates.

June 24, 2014
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Play BSP Kingston Thursday June 26

Originally from Brooklyn and now based out of Philadelphia, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (CYHSY for short) will be rocking BSP Kingston this Thursday night.

Formed in 2005, CYHSY are just one of the many indie rock gems to emerge from Brooklyn and have only gained momentum since then in the underground music scene. Following the departure of some band members to other musical interests, CYHSY has essentially turned into a solo project for frontman Alec Ounsworth. The band released their fourth full-length studio album Only Run on June 3^rd, which features the single “Coming Down” with vocals by Matt Berninger of The National.

Opening the show is noise/art rock duo Stagnant Pools from Bloomington, Indiana who have been supporting CYHSY on a number of recent shows. The duo has been compared to acts such as Sonic Youth and Joy Division. Like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, they have recently released Geist on June 10 which can be previewed on their Bandcamp page.
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=80403379 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5]

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available from BSP Kingston here.

Check out Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s single “Coming Down” here:

June 24, 2014
Disc Jam 2014 pins an Unforgettable Festival Weekend

There were Discs and Jams a plenty at this year’s Disc Jam Music Festival in Barre, MA on June 13 -15, 2014. The 3-day event took place at Camp Coldbrook, a “recreation destination” and golf hot spot that offered plenty of space for festival goers to relax and enjoy the weekend. Veteran Disc Jammers agreed that Camp Coldbrook was a great new location from previous years for its spacious, softer camp grounds and were happy with the addition of late night musical sets. Tent city was an organized mess as folks were given somewhat free range of the open field located at the bottom of a hill plus you could hear the music perfectly and catch a glimpse of the light shows. VIP had the perk of wooded camping plus access to two swimming pools with a pool stage that hosted various DJ’s throughout the weekend.

Disc Jam had two main stages, the Innova stage and Rage stage, set up right next to each other providing a nonstop continuous flow of music. Circled around the stages were the various food and craft vendors as well as Disc Jam Artist Collective tent, located in the corner of the entrance. The tent was overwhelmed with visual stimulation, featuring work from 16 main artists plus diverse and consistent live art that spilled onto the walkway. The festival offered “flow classes” for those who know how to surrender to the flow and were seeking to learn hoop tricks, yoga, juggling and much more. But the main focus of the weekend was the music. Over 50 musical acts from all over the Northeast and beyond traveled to Disc Jam to experience the carefree and intimate party loving festival.

Friday

Heavy rain in the morning with dark clouds throughout the day is a harsh start to any festival but Disc Jammers came prepared and ready to party. Albany’s Mister F were lucky to miss the rain with an early slot in the day with a set that had a few songs off their latest album, The F Stands Four. They began with an electronically funky “Eye Level” to a blast of brass from Matty Carl from ShwizZ on saxophone during “Answer the Dog”. Boston’s own, The Jauntee, was up next and had a set of improvisational funk rock with an extra funky “Blownin’ Up the B Line” closer. Twiddle from Vermont provided an easy shifting of genres in their set with a steady flow. One of their highlights was the “Hattie’s Jam > When It Rains It Pours” with soulful key playing from Ryan Dempsey and lyrics reflective of the weather with hopes of sunny skies with a brief “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” tease. Headliners of the night were the mighty Turkuaz and Kung Fu, plenty of funk with different flair. New York City slickers Turkuaz brought their high energy, funk loving family to Disc Jam and left nothing but smiles, especially from their traditional but always powerful encore “Monkey Fingers” featuring solos from all over the rage stage. There was no getting around the hard-hitting funk that Kung Fu throws at you. Todd Stoops scratched his double layered keys apart while Chris DeAngelis warped the crowd with his heavy bass slapping. Straight up in your face funk!

With the main stages closed at 1am, late nighters had the option of checking out the Disc Jam Music Hall that featured music until 4:30am. The music hall featured your typical stage with open dance space and a 2nd level walkway around half of the hall. The talk of the night was Indobox as they performed light, upbeat electronica. The storm of Indobox creates no destruction; it is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The Silent Disco Tent was exclusively for VIP and staff members and was kept low-key despite the fast paced beats being pumped through the headphones.

Saturday

Heavy clouds still lingered into Saturday with brief breaks of sunshine and plenty of wind gusts. Santa Mamba was a great way to ease into the day thanks to their salsa flair from Rhode Island. Their cover of Peter Frampton’s “Oh Baby, I Love Your Way” was refreshingly spicy. Aqueous brought their improvisational rock jams from Buffalo with original compositions and catchy melodies, setting the groove bar high. Goosepimp Orchestra was a collection of crazy characters, donned with various wigs and party hats that created a loud funk party on the Innova stage. Their fun-loving attitude was carried out with their booming brass section and the boogie beats from the bongos. Alan Evan’s Playonbrother, formally known as the Alan Evans Trio, proved they are more than just a jazz band. Their sound is gigantic with shattering guitar shredding from Danny Mayer and Beau Sasser must have extra arms to work the keys the way he does. Alan Evans is a thunderstorm on the drums as his vocals come out clear as day.

With the clouds finally clearing, the night sky was filled with stars and a full honey moon, unleashing the wild side in party goers just in time for the evening sets. Disc Jammers got a double dose of Consider the Source for a two-hour set on the main stage and a late night acoustic set. Their bizarre and Middle Eastern psychedelic tunes are powerful, warping experiences, acoustic or not. If you’re lucky enough to get close to the stage, you can marvel at the focused finger picking skills of Gabriel Marin and John Gerrara with Jeff Mann controlling the rhythmic speed. The main act of the night was Dopapod, who were happy to return to Disc Jam for another year of experimental funky rock. The quartet from Boston blasted off with “Like a Ball” with screaming vocals and a steady climbing melody. After a 17 minute space odyssey from “STADA” with “Smoke on the Water” teases, Dopapod brought out one of their biggest fans, Kristen DeTroia, to celebrate her 100th show. The set went on after a brief set break with a pretty decent glow stick war ensuing as they soon as “Trapper Keeper” began. Dopapod makes you feel like a kid again with their playful, adventurous funky bass and relentless dance rhythms.

Sunday

Sunday brought out blue skies with limited clouds, plenty of sunshine and with a full music schedule, the day was looking bright. Hope Road: A Tribute to Bob Marley and The Wailers woke up the crowd with their laid back, chill tunes that the reggae legend and lifestyle is known for. There was no sleeping through The Party Band, a marching band that paraded around the campsites with a full brass section and drum line playing classic tunes and today’s radio hits. Otis Groove, a trio from Boston, delivered a set of high voltage rock with some funky Hammond organ playing by Sam Gilman. Disc Jam got spun some Hip Hop Funk when Upstate NY band, Sophistifunk took the main stage with Jack Brown spitting the ever true words of “Sex, Drugs, Rock n Roll”. The unstoppable duo known as The Hornitz got bumped up to an earlier slot and got put on the main stage with no argument from anyone. Their fresh beat boxing and brass horn looping is original and fun as they remix Phish’s “Lengthwise” and “Day Man” from the popular TV cult show, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. One of the most up and coming cover bands took over the main stage with tributes to Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish to form Pink Talking Fish. Their setlists are incredible as they easily transition from one smash hit to another twist of a surprise like “2001>Life During Wartime>Run Like Hell.”

The Nth Power do more than play music on stage, they are spreading love. They have a smooth R&B soulful with enticing vocal harmonies that ease the crowd into the groove. But when Nikki Glaspie starts to wail on those drums, the contagiousness had Nigel Hall playing his keys so hard that he literally sent them flying. He had to ask if anyone had crazy glue to piece it back together while Weedie Braimah stretched his worldly bongo skills for listening pleasure. The last two acts of the night were double hitter super jams with a special Disc Jam Funk All-Star set and Particle and Friends Super Jam to close down the main stage. The All Star set consisted of Alan Evan’s PlayonBrother guitarist Danny Mayer, Nikki Glaspie on drums, Aaron Bellamy on Bass, Club D’Elf keyboardist Amy Bellamy with Brian Thomas and Jared Sims on horns. Jen Durkin from Deep Banana Blackout joined in on vocals and tambourine as she cheered “Let’s Funk It Up!” Before Nigel Hall could join in on the fun, the power cut out resulting in an urgent rush of staff who luckily had it up and running for the final act of the night, Particle.

The West coast quartet of Particle brought up some special guests to help end the weekend at Disc Jam. The Hornitz joined them for the set starter of “The Battle Without Honor or Humility” also known as the theme to Kill Bill. Shred master Danny Mayer once again hopped onstage for his turn for “W”. Eric Gould’s friends of Pink Talking Fish Richard James and Dave Brunyak sat in for “Metropolis”. Particle jammed out their space rock until a little before midnight with half the attendees still left with the option of camping until Monday morning.

After a weekend full of unlimited music, art and disc golf, Disc Jam continues to be a festival that is spinning towards a bright future. Disc Jam is a great festival for families, people new to the scene and those who keep coming back for more. Here’s hoping that Disc Jam has found at home at Camp Coldbrook and will return next year bigger and better than ever.

June 24, 2014
Lucky Jukebox Brigade keeps the Waterhole Hopping

An enthusiastic crowd danced the night away at the Lucky Jukebox Brigade’s free show at the Waterhole on Thursday June 12th.

Lead singer Deanna DeLuke wasn’t feeling well that night, with what she described as a “sore throat/cold/cough/laryngitis mess,” so the band made some changes to the lineup to compensate. Ragliacci, a side project featuring Lucky Jukebox Brigade percussionist Kristoph DiMaria on guitar and tuba player Andy Burger, opened the show with some fun gypsy folk-style tunes.

After they wrapped up, Lucky Jukebox Brigade took the stage. The Albany-based band, which formed in the fall of 2010, sounded like a band of gypsies as they began. DeLuke’s smoky voice was soft and strained but beautiful as she strummed her baritone ukelele. The horn section – Burger on tuba, Chris Weatherly on euphonium and trumpet, and Jimmy Affatigato on saxophone – played long, mournful notes and bass player Geppi Iaia, percussionist Kristoph DiMaria and drummer Carl Blackwood kept things driving.

One of the fun things about this band is they switch things up a lot. Band members switch around instruments relatively frequently – they probably did a little more of it due to DeLuke’s sore throat, but it’s clearly at least part of the regular act. Some of the most fun I had was watching DiMaria sing a song that was clearly a story, and the dramatic gestures he used as he told it.

In addition to changing up instruments, they also often switch their sound. Many of the band’s songs sound like a band of gypsies holding a carnival; one song, “Carnivultures,” even has someone acting as a carnival barker, boasting about sideshow acts. But their music samples from a variety of other styles as well. Some bordered on ska, hip hop, punk and funk, while others have a ’50s feel to them. The variety kept surprising the people bopping along on the dance floor.

Most songs seemed to be original tunes, but they did blend in a few covers, including Blind Melon’s “No Rain” and the No Doubt ska tune “Spiderwebs.” In the end, they had plenty of music to keep the crowd dancing till well past many people’s bedtimes on a school night. In the end, DeLuke said she had a lot of fun. “The crowd was so warm and energetic that I felt better as the night went on,” she said in an email after the show.

The band’s second album, Familiar Fevers, is scheduled for release July 18. They will play a WEQX-hosted album release party along with Black Mountain Symphony that night at 8:30 p.m. at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen in Albany.

For a taste of the new album, watch the cute video they just released for the song “Bend at the Marsh,” where they play their instruments while playing on a playground and then get in a big squirt gun war.

You can also check them out at an Alive at 5 after party at the Hollow June 19, and when they open for Rusted Root on June 28 at the Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park.

The music keeps going through the summer at the Waterhole with free music each Thursday night through the venue’s Party on the Patio series. Go to www.saranaclakewaterhole.com for more information.

June 23, 2014
Marco Benevento at The Saint in Asbury Park

New Jersey native Marco Benevento took the stage at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ for a weekend of live music in a most intimate setting. The Saint, with a max capacity of 150, is one of the last small sized venues of its kind. If you haven’t had a chance to catch a show at The Saint, the diminutive size becomes a catalyst for a most memorable experience.

Friday night was filled with instrumental jams, dancing, and light-hearted interactive jokes between the crowd and band. Songs like “The Real Morning Party” and “Limbs of a Pine” had the band and crowd vibrating in unison for the duration of the night. A most unexpected and beautiful cover of “Fearless” had the entire room silenced holding on to every note, building up, to let it all out for a funky fun rendition of “Benny and the Jets”. Marco also invited local singer-songwriter Nicole Akins to the stage for a bluesy rendition of “Dazed and Confused”.

This weekend also included the debut of Benevento’s new song “The Saint” in honor of this iconic venue. This new song as well as several vocal tracks will be on his new album “Swift” which will be released in September.

June 23, 2014
Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies and Exodus to Raise Washington Avenue Armory

The Washington Avenue Armory announced this morning legendary heavy metal group Slayer, will headline a show on November 25th that will include Suicidal Tendencies and Exodus.

“We are way f—ing excited about hitting the road again with Suicidal and Exodus,” said Slayer frontman Tom Araya. “F—ing intense. See you in the fall.”

Each of the three bands has had a hand in establishing the popularity of heavy metal music from the start of the 1980s. Slayer went as far as winning two Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance in 2007 (“Eyes of the Insane”) and 2008 (“Final Six”). This tour comes a year after the loss of original member, guitarist Jeff Hanneman.

In 2010, Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis and his only performance after that was two songs during an encore at one of Slayer’s Big 4 performances in April 2011.

A few weeks ago Rob Dukes parted ways with Exodus, former vocalist Steve ‘Zetro’ Souza plans to return to fill the role.

The US tour launches November 12th from Oakland, CA.

Tickets for Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies and Exodus can be purchased through all Ticketmaster locations, through the Armory’s box office, or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000.

June 23, 2014
Rochester Jazz Festival 2014 Opens to a Huge Success: Friday Night Photo Gallery

The 2014 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival kicked off on Friday with large crowds and packed houses. The sites and sounds of Jazz Fest seem to improve from year to year. With free stages offering music in the streets, festival goers also had their choice of local restaurant food vendors, to locally famous food trucks like Cheesed and Confused. No matter what you taste is, it’s sure to be satisfied by this festival.

Headliner Janelle Moane belted out tunes to he delight of a packed Kodak Theatre. Her unique brand of pop-jazz was a delight. She embodies what a female jazz artist strives to be, while offering up her style and stage presence. For her encore she invited members of the audience to join her on stage.

Whether you saw any of the free shows or purchased tickets to one of the headliners at the Kodak Theatre, if you attended this weekends festivities you surely had your fix of live music.

Check out our photo galleries from Friday night by our own Kelli Marsh.

Out & About at the Jazz Festival

Photos By: Kelli Marsh

Holophoner at Max of Eastman Place

Nikki Hill at Abliene

Janelle Monae at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

June 23, 2014
Albany Playhouse at the Park Sounds Phishy This July

The Park Playhouse recently announced 2013 Tony Award nominee, Hands on a Hardbody will be featured at the Lakehouse in Albany’s Washington Park this July.

The news is of particular interest to Phish fans, as the musical score was written by none other than Trey Anastasio. Anastaio’s score received the 2013 Dramatist Guild Frederick Loewe award for Dramatic Composition, as well as a Tony Award nomination that same year.

Anastasio is a guitarist, composer, and vocalist for the famous Vermont-based jamband, Phish; but he is no stranger to the classical arts, having his orchestral “Evenings with Trey Anastasio” performed with the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Colorado Symphony.

Hands on a Hardbody, based on the book written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Doug Wright, focuses on the events and drama that ensues after ten people prepare to win an automobile by being the last one to keep his hand on the car.

Shows run Tuesday through Sunday, From July 1st to July 26th, starting at 8 p.m. Seating is free in the amphitheater section, and blankets and low-backed chairs are permitted. Reserved Seats and Premium Bleacher Seats can be purchased on the Playhouse website, or by calling the box office phone at 518-434-0776.

June 20, 2014
Art Garfunkel Brings Unique Show To Peekskill

A beautiful late spring afternoon in the lower Hudson Valley was concluded with a performance by Art Garfunkel at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theatre in Peekskill. Billed as “An Intimate Evening With Art Garfunkel,” that feeling was real from the moment of entering the theater: the audience dressed in better-than-jeans, stage dimly lit with a cloth-draped table, two microphones and a stool.

Garfunkel arrived on stage to a standing ovation after a few refrains on guitar by his guitarist Tab Laven, a showing of the loyalty by his followers of many years and admiration by a few members of a younger generation in attendance. Despite having to call off a 2010 tour with long time musical partner Paul Simon due to injuries affecting his voice, it was clear that the packed theater was eager to hear the singer perform once again after four years of recovery.

It was a unique type of show for the singer who had often performed his popular folk shows alongside Paul Simon to large audiences. Part song, part story, it reflected some of the emotion of a traditional folk concert with music mixed with spoken word and audience participation by softly singing along with some songs. Feeling nostalgic, Garfunkel shared stories and thoughts from his personal and professional life reading from handwritten notes on the backs of envelopes. He spoke of his experiences at the height of fame 44 years ago in New York City, memories of working alongside Jack Nicholson in his brief acting stint and the songwriting/recording process (particularly in regard to “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”). He reflected on the beauty and joy of his son Beau, who was one year old at the time he wrote that short poem in 2006. His story that resonated most was his “Note To Self,” one he also presented on CBS This Morning as seen here:

Retrospective aside, Garfunkel did perform several crowd pleasing songs – major hits from his time with Paul Simon, a few covers originally by his favorite songwriters as well as some of his own recordings. With beautiful guitar intonations by Laven, the duo presented memorable performances of “The Boxer,” “Homeward Bound” (substituting “Peekskill” into the lyrics), “99 Miles From LA,” “Kathy’s Song,” and “The Sound of Silence” among others. The evening concluded with an arrangement in progress of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” where Garfunkel is working hard at bringing his voice back.

Garfunkel started the evening with a remark about being the least jaded of performers out there. He confirmed his thought at the end of the evening with an unscripted Q&A session with the audience. He was humbled by compliments and enthusiastic in his answers often elaborating beyond the point of the question.

Throughout his career Garfunkel had been famed for his high octave register. Fans expecting to hear that on his tour may have been let down. However, the singer who was proud to acknowledge on stage that his tour is a “public rehearsal and recovery,” did not disappoint in his performance. Now in more of a tenor/alto range, his singing had a gentleness to it that resonated wisdom in song. There were a few times where he faded to a whisper when he tried to reach the highest of notes, a sign that he still has a little more progress to make. However, it did contribute a nuance that worked into the songs nicely, especially adding grace to “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” At 72, Garfunkel showed a resilience and determination to bring his voice back 100%.

Art Garfunkel’s performance at the Paramount will be not be forgotten by his many fan in attendance and hopefully will be planted in the memories of the younger people in attendance for years to come. While there is nothing in the books, Garfunkel had expressed his openness to touring with Paul Simon again in the future which surely would be a show not to miss based on what we saw at the Paramount.

June 20, 2014