NYS Music 20​16

Author: Jim Rizzo

  • Bernie Worrell Passes Away at 72

    Bernie Worrell, keyboardist for Parliament/Funkadelic and the Talking Heads, passed away yesterday at the age of 72.

    Bernie Worrell
    Bernie Worrell at Backwoods Pondfest, 2013. Photo by Pete Mason

    In a post on Facebook, Worrell’s wife, Judie, posted “Bernie transitioned Home to The Great Spirit. Rest in peace, my love — you definitely made the world a better place. Till we meet again, vaya con Dios.” This news came nearly six months following her announcement of his stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis.

    Born G. Bernard Worrell, Jr. in Long Branch, New Jersey in 1944 and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, Worrell began taking piano lessons at age three and wrote his first concerto at eight. He studied at the Juilliard School and went on to receive a degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1967. The school awarded him an honorary Doctor of Music degree in May.

    Worrell, also known as the “Wizard of Woo,” was best known for his work with Parliament/Funkadelic, to which he is credited with giving the futuristic sound through the expert use of the Moog synthesizer. As one of the longest standing members of the band, he was among the 15 members inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He became a de facto member of the Talking Heads through much of the ’80s, appearing on their studio album Speaking in Tongues and the much-heralded live album and concert film Stop Making Sense. More recently, he had formed the Bernie Worrell Orchestra, which featured a rotating lineup of musicians performing originals and songs from his past work with Parliament/Funkadelic and the Talking Heads.

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puDTZAlCv4A[/embedyt]

  • Hearing Aide: Assembly of Dust ‘Tales from the Oregon Trail’

    Tales-From-the-Oregon-Trail_AssemblyofDust-980x980In December 2014, Reid Genauer took Assembly of Dust on a tour of the West. They made a stop in Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 12 where they were joined by Mark Karan, of RatDog and the Other Ones. Ten songs were picked from this show, mastered and included on Tales from the Oregon Trail.

    Reviewing a live album can be difficult, especially when it’s short and every song is a highlight, as is the case with Tales from the Oregon Trail. The 10 tracks on the album contain Assembly of Dust fan favorites with full band and a couple solo acoustic songs performed by Genauer, including a cover of Neil Young’s “Comes a Time,” which is sure to delight. Genauer’s warm, folksy vocals give the song a different feel from Young’s original. The other acoustic song, “Crest of my Wing,” gives a soft, but powerful close to the album.

    The full band songs are equally enjoyable. “All That I am Now” is the longest track on the album, clocking in at just over 10 minutes with some great soloing by Karan. The very next track, “Filter,” will have listeners dancing in their seats, cars, or wherever they choose to listen to the album. The jazz/funk jam is upbeat and will leave everyone with an ear-to-ear smile. The album also contains fan-favorites “Mama” and “Rachel” that always delight.

    All-in-all Tales from the Oregon Trail is a fantastic album from start to finish. It is sure to provide an enjoyable listen for Assembly of Dust fans, old and new alike. It’s currently available for free streaming at the band’s SoundCloud page or for download at the band’s website.

    Key Tracks: Filter, Rachel, Samuel Aging, Comes a Time

  • Songs at Mirror Lake Music Lineup Features Anders Osborn, Elephant Revival

    Songs at Mirror Lake returns this summer to Mid’s Park in Lake Placid for its 11th season of free music, featuring a lineup of national acts like Anders Osborn and Elephant Revival.Songs at Mirror Lake Lineup

    Songs at Mirror Lakeis sponsored by The Pines Inn and presented by Adirondack “By Owner.” The free music series has been bringing nationally known acts to Lake Placid for 11 years to Mid’s Park on Main Street, right on the shore of Mirror Lake. As in the past, each of the seven nights of music have a different theme. The concerts are held at the new band shell rain or shine. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and enjoy the music in the park.

    The Pines Inn is a local historic hotel within walking distance of all Main Street in Lake Placid has to offer. Adirondack “By Owner” is a website featuring over 1,000 listings of vacation rentals, properties for sale and timeshares available all by owner.

    Songs at Mirror Lake runs for seven consecutive Tuesdays June 28 through August 9. All concerts start at 7 p.m.

    Songs at Mirror Lake Summer 2016 Lineup

    June 28: Blues Night with Popa Chubby
    July 5: The Band Night with The Weight
    July 12: Local Jam Night with Annie in the Water
    July 19: Americana Night with Elephant Revival
    July 26: Reggae Night with Junior Marvin’s Wailers
    August 2: New Orleans Boogie Night with Marcia Ball
    August 9: Rock Night with Anders Osborne

  • Prophets of Rage Announce Full U.S. Tour

    Prophets of Rage, consisting of members of Rage Against the Machine, Cypress Hill and Public Enemy, will head out on a full tour of the U.S. starting mid-August in Virginia and closing out in October in California. The tour includes two stops in New York on Aug. 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and Aug. 28 at Jones Beach.

    por-performance

    Prophets of Rage tour dates:
    Aug. 19 – Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena
    Aug. 20 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion
    Aug. 21 – Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center
    Aug. 23 – Hartford, CT @ The Xfinity Theatre
    Aug. 24 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
    Aug. 26 – Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
    Aug. 27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
    Aug. 28 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
    Aug. 30 – Noblesville, IN @ Klipsch Music Center
    Aug. 31 – Burgettstown, PA @ First Niagra Pavilion
    Sept. 1 – Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
    Sept. 3 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    Sept. 4 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
    Sept. 5 – Kansas City, MO @ Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
    Sept. 7 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
    Sept. 10 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre
    Sept. 11 – Ridgefield, WA @ Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre
    Sept. 13 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
    Sept. 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum
    Sept. 17 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion
    Sept. 25 – Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavilion
    Sept. 27 – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena
    Sept. 29 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
    Oct. 1 – Tampa, FL @ MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
    Oct. 2 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Perfect Vodka Amphitheater
    Oct. 4 – Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
    Oct. 5 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center
    Oct. 7 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
    Oct. 8 – Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
    Oct. 9 – San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
    Oct. 11 – El Paso, TX @ El Paso County Coliseum
    Oct. 12 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheatre
    Oct. 14 – Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Event Center
    Oct. 16 – Chula Vista, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre

    Original post:

    The rumored reunion of Rage Against the Machine is here. Prophets of Rage play tonight at Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles.

    POR-SQ

    While not quite a reunion of Rage Against the Machine, Prophets of Rage consists of Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk of Rage Against the Machine; Chuck D and DJ Lord of Public Enemy; and B-Real of Cypress Hill.

    In a press release, the band said:

    We can no longer stand on the sidelines of history. Dangerous times demand dangerous songs. It’s time to take the power back. It’s time to make America RAGE again.

    The six musicians will join forces for a show at Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles tonight at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale.

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ[/embedyt]

  • Gang of Thieves Tour Stops in Utica and Troy

    Gang of Thieves will head out on an extensive tour of the Northeast and South with stops at several New York music festivals and shows in Utica and Troy.

    gang of thieves tourBurlington, Vermont-based rockers Gang of Thieves’s spring and summer tour will take them to several stops in New York as well as neighboring states. It brings them back to Lukin’s in Utica on Thursday, May 26. After a tour of North Carolina and South Carolina through the first half of June, they return to the Northeast. They’re back in New York on June 18 to play the River Street Festival in Troy, and they’ll come back to Troy on Aug. 12 for a show on the Captain JP Cruise Line.

    Gang of Thieves has several stops in nearby locations in the Northeast including their tour opener on May 20 at Harlow’s Pub in Peterborough, New Hampshire and the following night, May 21, at the Magic Hat Artifactory in South Burlington, Vermont. Following their tour of the South, they return with a show at the Kingdom Taproom in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on June 11. They play the Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Friday, June 17. A return to Vermont sees them at the Eat More Kale Festival in Montpelier on June 25 before heading to Manchester, Connecticut on July 1 to play the Hungry Tiger. Beer and music lovers will find them at the Stowe Brewers Festival on July 29 in Stowe, Vermont.

    They’re making full rounds of the area festivals including Strangecreek on May 27; Buffalove on July 30; the Organic Smiles Festival in Middletown, Connecticut on Aug. 5; Backwoods Pondfest on Aug. 6; and Mazzstock in Marlboro on Aug. 27.

    Gang of Thieves tour dates:
    May 20 – Harlow’s Pub, Peterborough, NH
    May 21 – Magic Hat Artifactory, South Burlington, VT
    May 26 – Lukin’s, Utica, NY
    May 27 – StrangeCreek Campout, Greenfield, MA
    May 29 – Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, NC
    May 31 – Independent Public Alehouse, Greenville, SC
    June 1 – Charleston Pour House, Charleston, SC
    June 2 – Visulite Theatre, Charlotte, NC
    June 3 – The Pour House Music Hall, Raleigh, NC
    June 4 – Bulls Tavern, Winston-Salem, NC
    June 11 – Kingdom Taproom, St. Johnsbury, VT
    June 17 – Middle East, Cambridge, MA
    June 18 – River Street Festival, Troy, NY
    June 25 – Eat More Kale Festival, Montpelier, VT
    July 1 – Hungry Tiger, Manchester, CT
    July 29 – Stowe Brewers Festival, Stowe, VT
    July 30 – Buffalove Music Festival, Westfield, NY
    August 5 – Organic Smiles Festival, Middletown, CT
    August 6 – Backwoods Pondfest, Peru, NY
    August 12 – Captain JP Cruise Line, Troy NY
    August 27 – Mazzstock, Marlboro, NY

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCn1NfcMBK8[/embedyt]

  • Falling Stars Fest at Boathouse Beer Garden

    Boathouse Beer Garden will host the Falling Stars Fest on Thursday, June 30.

    fallingstarsfest

    The Boathouse Beer Garden in Romulus is hosting the Falling Stars Fest, which features New Riders of the Purple Sage, Terrapin Flyer and Evil City String Band.

    New Riders of the Purple Sage formed in the ’60s with Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Spencer Dryden of Jefferson Airplane as part of the band. They are seen as one of the pioneers of the country rock sound that took hold in the late ’60s with bands and artists like Bob Dylan, the Band and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Having retired in 1997, they reunited briefly in 2001 and were honored with a lifetime achievement award from High Times magazine. The band reunited with original members Buddy Cage and Dave Nelson in 2005 and have released two studio albums and a live album since the reunion.

    Terrapin Flyer consists of Melvin Seals, a longtime member of the Jerry Garcia Band; Tom Constanten, former keyboardist for the Grateful Dead from 1968-70; and Mark Karan, a longtime member of Ratdog and guitarist for the Other Ones on their 1998 and 2000 tours.

    The Evil City String Band is an old-time Appalachian string band from Ithaca.

    Falling Star Fest starts at 6:30 p.m. June 30. Tickets are on sale now at an early bird rate of $25 through June 1, when they increase to $30. Tickets bought at the door will be $35.

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwrqcQuZrTQ[/embedyt]

  • Tony Markellis Spring Schedule

    Bassist Tony Markellis keeps himself quite busy this spring when he is not touring with the Trey Anastasio Band. He is scheduled to play a number of shows throughout New York and nearby this spring.

    tony markellis springMarkellis, of Saratoga Springs, recently joined Floodwood, the bluegrass side project of moe.’s Vinnie Amico. He’ll join them at many shows throughout New York, starting this week. He also plays with a variety of other musicians in the area and can be seen throughout New York, primarily in the Capital Region.

    He joins Grateful Dead tribute band Dead Set on May 20 at the Westcott in Syracuse. He will also be at Summer Camp Music Festival with Floodwood. His full set of dates can be seen below.

    Tony Markellis spring dates:
    Thursday 4/28 – Floodwood – Nectar’s, Burlington, VT
    Friday 4/29 – Floodwood – The Hollow, Albany, NY
    Saturday 4/30 – Floodwood – Garcia’s, Port Chester, NY
    Sunday 5/1 – Caffè Lena Folkathon Benefit with Jo Henley (3:30 p.m.), Michael Jerling (7:45 p.m.), New Standard (8:30 p.m.) – Saratoga Springs, NY
    Thursday 5/12 – Floodwood – NaNola, Malta, NY (9 p.m.)
    Friday 5/13 – Melick, Maul & Markellis – First Reformed Church, Selkirk, NY
    Saturday 5/14 – Jeanne O’Connor and the New Standard – One Caroline, Saratoga Springs, NY (9 p.m.)
    Wednesday 5/18 – Michael Jerling – Mouzon House, Saratoga Springs, NY (7 p.m.)
    Thursday 5/19 – Floodwood – Abilene, Rochester, NY (9 p.m.)
    Friday 5/20 – Dead Set – Westcott, Syracuse, NY
    Saturday 5/21 – Jay Barady & Nick Piccinnini – Oneonta Theater, Oneonta, NY
    Wednesday 5/25 – Jo Henley Trio – Mouzon House, Saratoga Springs, NY (7 p.m.)
    Thurs-Sun 5/26-29 – Floodwood – Summer Camp Festival, Chillicothe, IL
    Wednesday 6/1 – Jeanne O’Connor Trio – Mouzon House, Saratoga Springs, NY (7 p.m.)
    Thursday 6/2 – Floodwood – Outer Space, Hamden, CT
    Friday 6/3 –Floodwood – Smoke Signals, Lake Placid, NY
    Saturday 6/4 – Floodwood – Taste of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY (7 p.m.)
    Wednesday 6/8 – Bob Warren – Little Theater on the Farm, Ft. Edward, NY
    Thursday 6/9 – Floodwood – NaNola, Malta, NY (9 p.m.)

  • Hearing Aide: Gramatik ‘Epigram’

    EpigramEpigram, a short saying representing a larger meaning or idea. The album art for Gramatik’s ninth album, Epigram, is the epigram. Being an outspoken advocate of free music sharing, Gramatik often engages in discussion on Twitter. The concise and lucid quips people send in 140 characters – epigrams – are often the initial inspiration for his music, which led to the album’s name.

    Epigram is a short, yet powerful, album featuring collaborations with many popular names in hip hop, such as Raekwon, ProbCause, and Adrian Lau. The album’s 10 tracks span the range of electronic music and includes bits of dubstep, downtempo, and straight up electronic hip hop. Gramatik strays from his usual sampling of music from the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s for his latest release. Instead, he chose to sample the music of his musician friends. The result is a concise album that flows from track to track and keeps the listener engaged and awaiting the next hook or beat to drop.

    “Tempus Illusio” kicks off Epigram with a short, intensifying tune. “Satoshi Nakamoto” is a rap, loosely based on Bitcoin, invented by Satoshi Nakamoto, sung over jazzy samples. It features both Adrian Lau and ProbCause trading up the vocal duties. “War of the Currents” is straight up dubstep. Gramatik remixes Laibach’s “Eat Liver!” into a more danceable track with elements of dubstep and house. The album closes out with the more downtempo “Anima Mundi,” featuring Russ Liquid, which nicely bookends the first track.

    Overall, Epigram is an excellent collection of beats displaying Gramatik’s skills. In staying true to his ideals, the album is available as a free download or through traditional paid download outlets, such as iTunes and Amazon.

    Key tracks: Satoshi Nakamoto, Native Son, Native Son Prequel, Back to the Future

  • Widespread Panic to Stop Touring

    Widespread Panic will stop touring following a New Year’s Eve show at the end of 2016.

    Widespread Panic, who celebrates 30 years together as a band this year, have decided that after this year, they will no longer tour. Fans will be happy to know that they still intend to play short runs like their famed Red Rocks run, and festivals like the New Orleans Jazz Fest, but will no longer go off on extensive tours.

    Speaking with Jackson, Mississippi’s Clarion-Ledger, Jo Jo Hermann, the band’s keyboardist, said “We’re really wearing it out this year because we’re basically going to call it touring-wise after this year; we’re not going to tour anymore.” He made sure to emphasize that the band is not retiring or breaking up. “We’re still all brothers and still going to play together. … It is really not that big of a deal, I don’t think.”

    Widespread Panic is currently in the middle of their spring tour, which takes them through the South and Midwest, ending with a sold-out three-night run in Chicago May 5 to 7. Following about a month off, they head back out on a 20-night summer tour, which kicks off June 17 in Rogers, Arkansas and includes a sold-out three-night run at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado June 24 to 26 and three nights in Las Vegas July 8 to 10 before closing out in Los Angeles on July 16. Tickets for many of their shows are still available. They have no further dates scheduled, but have hinted at a New Year’s Eve show.

  • CashorTrade.org Breaks the Internet

    CashorTrade.org announced some new features on their site that will help posts gain exposures through social media.

    As part of their efforts to help users buy, sell or trade tickets for concerts, CashorTrade.org incorporated some new features into their site that are meant to increase exposure for the posts. As part of these efforts, the team created new groups on Facebook and Twitter for every state in the U.S. along with groups for each of the artists, bands and festivals represented on the site. In addition to Facebook and Twitter, CashorTrade.org has expanded to their own sub-Reddit to increase exposure to the face value movement. When posts are made searching for, selling, or trading tickets for various events, they will be automatically posted to the respective social media group on all platforms based on the artist or festival and the location of the event.

    To help maintain all the newly created groups, CashorTrade.org is looking for ambassadors to help promote and grow the various groups. To help users request information on becoming an ambassador or to join the various groups, they created an Exposure page with all the information regarding their new efforts and links to the individual social media groups.

    CashorTrade.org is the leading secondary marketplace for fans to buy, sell or trade tickets to concerts at face value. Since the site’s creation in 2009, the community has grown to nearly 250,000 users.

    New York State Music is one of CashorTrade.org’s partner sites.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3kpeoeNDXo