NYS Music 20​16

Category: Genres

  • Chenango Blues Festival 24th Annual set for August 19-20 in Norwich

    On January 29, Chenango Blues Festival organizers were presented with the “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award during this year’s International Blues Challenge. The award is in recognition of their twenty-four years of all-volunteer festivals presented “by blues fans, for blues fans.” They have consistently presented both fan favorites and the very best new talent they can find in a relaxed setting, with many fans stating that this is their favorite blues festival every year. A look at this year’s 24th annual Preferred Mutual Chenango Blues Festival lineup reveals another astounding collection of musical talent.

    Frontier Communications – Free Friday night show, August 19th
    6:00 – 6:45 p.m. – Funky Blu Roots  The Chenango Blues Festival kicks off with a Central New York based band with a diverse catalog of styles. Veteran blues fans will recognize singer, harmonica player, and all-around blues ambassador Tom Townsley contributing his talents.

    7:15 – 8:30 p.m. – Englishman Laurence Jones, just 24 years old, has already had 3 record releases on the prestigious Ruf Records label. His newest, Take Me High, was released on July 22. He has led his eponymous power trio since the age of 17 and does so while living with Crohn’s disease, requiring a daily regimen of diet and medication and monthly two-hour treatments. While studying at Birmingham University, he was faced with a decision – stay and take his final exams or go on tour with Johnny Winter and Walter Trout. There are some things that simply can’t be learned in the classroom.

    9:00 – 10:30 p.m. – “For blues fans, by blues fans” is the Chenango Blues Festival’s guiding principle. They respond to fans by routinely bringing back crowd favorites. Davina and the Vagabonds were a huge hit on the main stage in 2012, and return to headline Friday’s free show at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Their sound encompasses the New Orleans style reminiscent of Professor Longhair, gospel, soul, Tin Pan Alley songs and beyond.  Davina Sowers is an entrancing presence backed by a rhythm section featuring a stand-up bass and the deft drumming of Conrad McRae Hammergen while rounded out with a trumpet and trombone. DATV released their latest recording, the live album Nicollet and Tenth in March of this year.

    Saturday, August 20th

    The Saturday schedule lists over ten hours of music, alternating between the Sheffield Bio-Science Infield Stage and the Nelson & Flanagan/Grouse Ridge Kennel Tent Stage

    Infield Stage
    12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Noah Wotherspoon Last year, Wotherspoon and his band mates placed second in the finals at the International Blues Challenge with Wotherspoon receiving the Best Guitarist Award. Those achievements have had him in demand at festivals and venues from coast to coast. Earlier this year, the band saw its debut release entitled Mystic Mud.

    1:45 – 3:00 p.m.- Southern Avenue In a town renowned for premier musical talent, Memphis-based Southern Avenue is generating a lot of buzz for its live performances. Israeli born Ori Naftaly on guitar, Daniel McKee on bass, and sisters Tierinii Jackson on vocals and drummer Tikyra Jackson make up this dynamic band that is sure to catch fans’ ears and turn their heads.

    4:00 – 5:15 p.m. –  Curtis Salgado  One of the world’s very best blues and soul vocalists, Portland, Oregon’s Curtis Salgado, makes an infrequent swing to the East Coast and fans will come from near and far to hear him. In 2013, Salgado was the Blues Music Award Winner for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year and also won Soul Blues Album of the Year. An extraordinary harmonica player as well, Salgado’s latest Alligator Records recording, The Beautiful Lowdown, was released in April of this year.

    6:15 – 7:30 p.m.- Canned Heat The legendary blues band still features the rhythm section of Adolfo “Fito” de la Parra on drums and bassist Larry “The Mole” Taylor. The group took its name from a Tommy Johnson tune referring to the habit of straining inexpensive Sterno through cloth and drinking the alcohol. Best known for their hits “On The Road Again,” “Let’s Work Together” and the unofficial theme song to the movie Woodstock, “Going Up The Country,” they also were credited with rediscovering numerous blues men and reviving their recording and performing careers.

    8:45 until ?? Anders Osborne A triple threat as a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Osborne’s relentless touring has won him thousands of dedicated fans throughout the world. He has written hit songs for pop, blues, and country artists and performed with reggae, blues, funk, swamp rock, jazz, and jam bands. His brand new recording, Flower Box, was released July 22.

    Tent Stage

    1:00 – 1:45 p.m. – Vanessa Collier Band Led by the Berklee School of Music trained vocalist, saxophonist, and songwriter Collier, this group looks to be yet another in a long list of outstanding emerging artists identified and brought to Norwich by Chenango Blues Festival organizers.

    3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons At the 2016 IBC Awards, Hunter and Seamons won first place in the solo/duo category. A unique approach has the pair focusing primarily on pre-World War II music including jazz, Appalachian folk music, field hollers and work songs, and jug band favorites. Respectful musical historians as well as first class musicians, Hunter and Seamons are an opportunity to hear songs and sounds not always presented at festivals.

    5:15 – 6:15 p.m. – Duke Robillard No less an expert than Jerry Portnoy, who once held the harmonica slot in Muddy Waters’ band, has said of Robillard, “Believe me, I’ve played with all of them, and Duke is the man.” He played the main stage in 2012 with his full electrified band and returns this year for an acoustic set, highlighting his 2016 Blues Music Award winning album, The Acoustic Blues & Roots of Duke Robillard, on Stony Plain records.

    7:30 – 8:45 p.m. – Carolyn Wonderland With a raspy edge and a powerful delivery, Carolyn Wonderland’s voice surrounds the listener, grabs hold and doesn’t let go. Add to that her impressive attacking style of playing guitar without a pick and you have an artist that easily attracts fans throughout the U.S. and Europe. Her appreciation of those fans was never more evident than following a recent incident in which her tour money and personal belongings, including cell phone, wallet and passport, were stolen while she was on stage in the Canary Islands. Fearing she might have to end her European tour, fans rallied behind a gofundme effort and raised a significant amount of funds in ten hours. The U.S. Embassy in Madrid was able to provide her with a replacement passport and, following the conclusion of her European tour, she will return to the U.S. and blow the roof off the tent stage. Do not miss this blues woman!

    Ticket Prices: Friday night show is free! Tickets for Saturday – $25.00 in advance; $35.00 on the day of the show. See the festival website for more info.

  • Hearing Aide: Lotus “Eat the Light”

    Bringing back that same lovable soul of Nomad, Lotus recently released their thirteenth studio album, Eat the Light. Since their start in 1999, Lotus has been wowing listeners with ways of creating new sounds, while remaining distinctively Lotus, and continuing their legacy with a new 10-track record where every song features vocals.

    Lotus Eat the Light It is a pop record in the sense that the arrangements are purposely simplified and the melodies are catchy,” bassist Jesse Miller said. “We want people to be humming these songs days after hearing them. The album doesn’t need an accompanying catalytic life story to be explained, just put it on the stereo and enjoy.”

    This album includes guests such as, Oriel Poole, Steve Yutzy-Burkey and more. Each track having vocals will certainly open many doors for Lotus, especially in the jam scene with tracks such as “Move too Fast,” which is an evocative and playful track with a skittering drum beat and insistent, syncopated bass line. It evokes the feeling of weightlessness, while having a head-nodding beat and vocals by Johnny Fissinger (Philadelphia’s Damn Right!).

    Not that Lotus needs any help gaining likes, but taking this new approach with Eat the Light will certainly entertain a whole new audience while keeping their diehard fans excited, especially since they plan on releasing a 2016/2017 tour.

    Key Tracks: Fearless, Sleep When we are Dead, Eat the Light

  • LoCash and Skeeter Creek at Alive at 5

    With only a five percent chance of rain forecast before the Thursday, July 28 Alive At Five event, who knew that there would be a cloudburst when Skeeter Creek took the stage at the City of Albany’s “Country Night’ featuring LoCash as the headliner. Fans of Skeeter Creek and those who arrived early for the headliner were soaked within minutes, but most didn’t care. The show was for free and seeing two great bands, getting something to eat and drink to unwind before the weekend is what Alive at Five is all about.

    locashSongwriters and vocalists Chris Lucas and Preston Brust of the LoCash band have charted seven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts so the fans were out in force by the start of their fine set at Broadway & Columbia Street in Downtown Albany at Tricentennial Park after the rain stopped.

    LoCash’s country music style is a mixed bag of styles with a spattering of rock and rap mixed in flawlessly. It’s all good and so singable with audience friendly hooks galore as the many thousands of fans proved time and again with a sing-a-long throughout the show.

    The City of Albany Events Department has a nose for selecting their ‘Country Night’ acts. They’re always on the brink of moving up to bigger venues in the very near future. Several years ago they brought in an ass-kicking concert by Lee Brice, and later Dustin Lynch, and look at them both now! Lee and Dustin have both opened up for major country acts at SPAC, with Dustin having just opened up for Luke Bryan at SPAC.

  • Hearing Aide: The Phryg Self-Titled Debut

    ThePhrygBrooklyn-based progressive funk quartet The Phryg released their full-length self-titled debut album last month. The band formed in 2013 and released their debut EP Midnight Snack in 2014. They tour regularly in the New York and Pennsylvania areas.

    The Phryg kicks off with “Hello Miss,” a six minute progression that opens with a funk groove bringing the whole band into the mix. The song moves through variations of the opening groove to the bridge, which features a brief piano solo, before the song climaxes with a rocking solo from guitarist Collin Patierno. It finally comes to a close returning to the initial funk groove.

    The second track “Puddin’ Head,” which is also the shortest track clocking in just under four minutes, brings a nice slow funky groove throughout. “Turn You Out” is a keyboard-led tune that rounds out the start of the album. “Crispy Hat” is an instrumental tune that shows off the band’s capabilities. The final track “Tang Slayer” is a perfect cap to the album.

    The album is straight up funk grooves throughout and will keep those listening moving. Unfortunately, they don’t stray very much from a standard form with many of the songs feeling as though they were written off the same groove. The production quality of several tracks is lacking, leaving the listener wondering if they’re listening to a demo or a fully produced album. Overall, The Phryg’s debut album is a fun listen, if lacking in places.

    Keep updated on The Phryg at their website and on Facebook.

    Key Tracks: Hello Miss, Crispy Hat, Tang Slayer

    [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUuSq252aGo[/embedyt]

  • James Taylor Showers His Fans with Love – in Syracuse

    Through a career spanning six decades, James Taylor has put his stamp on the American songbook. That catalog of songs, as well as many outstanding cover tunes, were on display by Taylor and his All-Star Band Saturday, July 30 at the sold-out Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse.

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    Taylor delivered far more than fans had a right to expect in a two set show lasting over 2-1/2 hours. His top-notch 11-piece ensemble included Rochester native Steve Gadd and Luis Conte on drums and percussion, Walter Fowler on trumpet, Blue Lou Marini on sax and flute, vocalists Arnold McCuller, Kate Markowitz, and Andrea Zonn, Michael Landau on guitar, Jimmy Johnson on bass, and Larry Goldings on keyboards. Above and beyond all that were the iconic songs and unmistakable voice of JT, Sweet Baby James, the one and only James Taylor.

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    He was engaging, sharing stories of how certain songs came to be at different points in his career, and often hilarious. He joked about intermission. “I don’t even know why we have one. I usually just stand behind the curtain over there and stare at my watch for twenty minutes.” Surprisingly, he moved to the front of the stage during intermission, signing autographs and posing for photos with fans, and continued doing so while the band returned to the stage and jumped into an instrumental piece. Special praise is deserved by the sound technicians who made that venerable old arena sound better than I’d ever heard. Every voice and every instrument could be identified. If you have the opportunity to see James Taylor in concert, do so. There is nothing quite like seeing a world class musician at their very best.

    Setlist:

    Set 1: Wandering / Secret O’ Life, Everyday (Buddy Holly), Walking Man, Today Today Today, Country Road, Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Coppermine, Carolina In My Mind, (I’ve Got to) Stop Thinkin’ ‘Bout That, Fire and Rain, Shed a Little Light.

    Set 2: Up on the Roof (Carole King), You’ve Got a Friend (Carole King), Promised Land (Chuck Berry), Shower the People, Angels of Fenway, Sweet Baby James, Steamroller Blues, Mexico, Your Smiling Face.

    Encore: Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd), How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) (Marvin Gaye).

    Second Encore: You and I Again

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  • Hobbled moe. Peps Energetic Saranac Crowd

    It’s a Central New York institution put on by New York’s jam band. For the second consecutive evening, moe., complete with an injured bassist, shook the Saranac Brewery to its hoppy core on Saturday with two sets filled with guitar-driven improvisation, fun set lists and even a few unconventional covers.

    Bassist Rob Derhak was in a seat for the entire show, laid up with a leg injury, which did not limit him in any way, as he was as animated as ever in the band’s annual residency in Utica. If Friday’s show was more laid back, then Saturday’s was a lesson in in-your-face rock and roll.
    Jim Houle Photography - moe. - Saranac Brewery - Saturday - NYSMusic Files-5

    And warming up the rowdy crowd was funk band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. PPPP laid down a straightforward set filled with danceable and rhythmic numbers. Out of the gate, “Seat Of My Pants” featured a big solo each from guitarists Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey, which were catapulted by the backing beats of drummer Vinnie Amico.  “Big World”>”Ricky Marten”>”Spine Of A Dog”>”Not Coming Down”>”Wormwood”>”Okayalright” took up the next hour or so. While there wasn’t a section of the groove that stands out as supreme, the songs flowed together, allowing moe. to display the tight musicianship they’re loved for. “McBain” featured a short outro jam that crescendo-ed the crowd into happy oblivion just before setbreak.

    In 2015, Saranac released a moe.-themed beer, aptly titled Hoppy Hour Hero, a strong IPA that was the featured beverage of the night. (Amico discussed this and a range of other topics with NYSMusic back in May). Without hesitation, moe. began playing “Happy Hour Hero,” which exulted a huge road from the attendees.

    “Bearsong” began and amidst the noodling emerged an unusual treat: House of Pain’s iconic hit “Jump Around.” It’s expected for moe. to throw in covers here and there, but I was among many who didn’t see this coming. The crowd sang every word of the anthemic chorus, before the band veered into “Tailspin.”

    Jim Houle Photography - moe. - Saranac Brewery - Saturday - NYSMusic Files-36

    “Opium” then bled into “lylelovit.” With the curfew approaching, and the guitars dueling, Schnier began “Downward Facng Dog,” eliciting a huge applause, and closed out the energetic and overall very good set with “32 Things.”

    “Buster” brought the 2016 Saranac run to a close and gave the moe.ron famoe.ly nothing but smiles and happiness. The band thanked the crowd and exited, and everyone in my area began hugging and embracing.

    Now that the band has found a legitimate home in CNY, it begs the question: Is moe. ever bringing moe.down back? Amico has said it will be back, so now we just have to wait. But two nights at Saranac every summer is a pretty great consolation.

    07/30/2016 • Saranac Brewery • Utica, NY
    Summer Tour 2016

    Set 1: Seat Of My Pants>,Big World > Ricky Marten > Spine Of A Dog > Not Coming Down > Wormwood > Okayalright McBain

    Set 2: Happy Hour Hero, Bearsong > Jump Around > Tailspin >, Opium > lylelovit.>, Downward Facing Dog >, 32 Things

    Encore: Buster

  • Jerry Garcia’s Solo Catalog is Now Streaming

    Trixie Garcia announced this week that her father’s Jerry Garcia Collection would be available for streaming, as well as an archive of numerous recordings and Jerry’s visual art. This will be an exclusive look at never before seen imagery and music from the legendary Grateful Dead frontman.

    Starting on Friday August 5, a collection of 34 reissued albums will be streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play and available for download through Google Play and iTunes.

    Among the albums available for streaming are Run for the Roses, Reflections, Ragged but Right and numerous compilations and volumes of his live performances.

  • Gregg Allman Cancels Tour Dates Due to Serious Health Concerns

    Gregg Allman has cancelled several upcoming tour dates through October, citing serious health concerns. All dates beginning with Peach Music Festival in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Aug. 12 through the Clearwater Florida Jazz Festival on Oct. 16 have been canceled. This also includes Allman’s August dates with ZZ Top.

    Allman

    Allman will return to the stage for a performance at the Laid Back Festival at the Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 29. All subsequent dates are confirmed to take place.

    Though details concerning Allman’s condition have not been released, he is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic. In a Facebook post announcing the cancellations Allman writes, “I want to thank my fans and friends for supporting me while I rest up and focus on getting better and back on the road as soon as I can. I’ve been working hard with my band, my pride and joy, to play our music for everyone. We’ll see y’all in October.”

  • moe. Brings More Than Tasty Brews to Saranac On Friday July 30, 2016

    Some families, if they’re lucky, have reunions every year or so. If you’re a moe.ron, its whenever moe. the band is able to park it and throw down for a couple of days. Last weekend, the boys dropped into their old stomping grounds of Utica for two nights of their annual stint at the Saranac Brewery, over July 30-31, 2016; bringing a wave of openers and late night shows, along with their own bust-outs and full throttle psychedelic rock to 830 Varick St.

    With Ryan Montbleau opening the first night, fans were treated to a full band which, in typical Montbleau fashion, kicked off the weekend with sulky vibes mixed with high intensity big band sounds encapsulated within a small ensemble.

    People who know what a Montbleau Band show is capable of were buzzing over his electricity and for those who only thought they knew, were served a healthy dose of wild female vocals, buttery trombone, crazy fingered keys, and the smooth charm of the talented singer-songwriter.

    With gray skies, high heat and humidity hovering, a crowd with a propensity for partying gave moe. full-bellied cheers as the first set began with the classic ,”Timmy Tucker,” a sign that things were off to a great start. “Timmy” sneakily segued into the bouncy “Threw It All Away” followed by another segue back into “Timmy.”

    A quick hello and welcome to Utica from bassist Rob Derhak led into the cautionary, in-your-face monster, “Don’t Fuck With Flo” followed by “CIA.” Fans were then treated to two covers, “Fame” by the late David Bowie, and Steely Dan’s “Bodhisattava,” with Ryan Montbleau, accompanied by his female vocalists, sitting in on the performance. The two covers showcased guitarist Chuck Garvey’s vocal abilities and classic rock chops to help close out a stellar first set.

    The second set began with a bang, as drummer Vinnie Amico rolled off the opening beats to “Water,” followed by the instrumental ditty “Hector’s Pillow;”  the first two songs of a six-song segue. The beloved “Bring You Down” began patiently, but the jam soon grew to heights the song is known to reach. Yet each time the beauty of it is expanded upon as guitarist Al Schnier soloed his way into the songs closing lines, “be with me, be with me,” all while checking off stats as the first time played in the city as well as at the brewery.

    The last half of the segues included the epic “Silver Sun”. The Pink Floyd inspired tune quickly turned into a beast as it transitioned into the Grateful Dead’s “The Other One,” using the same quadraphonic sound implemented earlier in the summer by the bands front-of-house engineer, Steve Young. Heads were spinning as sound echoed from the towering brewery back onto the fully loaded crowd and segued back into “Silver Sun.”

    The night was completed with “Mar De Ma,” an Amico-penned instrumental honoring his wife and daughters, “Y.O.Y,”, and “Plane Crash.”

    Much to many fan’s pleasure, the band strayed from the setlist and chose “Sensory Deprivation Bank” for the encore. Attendees were then unleashed into the streets to take part in the late night acts offered throughout Varick Street.

    moe – Saranac Brewery, Utica, NY – July 30, 2016

    Set I: Timmy Tucker > Threw It All Away > Timmy Tucker, Don’t Fuck With Flo > CalifornIA > (n.h.) Fame, Bodhisattava

    Set II: Water > Hector’s Pillow > Bring You Down, Silver Sun > The Other One > Silver Sun, Mar-DeMa (n.h.) Y.O.Y., Plane Crash

    Enc: Sensory Deprivation Bank

  • 15th Annual Albany Jazz Fest Announces Lineup

    The City of Albany has announced the lineup for the 15th Annual Jazz Festival, to be held on Saturday, September 10. The day-long free event will be held at the Washington Park Parade Grounds, due to construction at Jennings Landing.

    The Ellis Marsalis Quintet headlines Jazz Fest, a legend of modern premier jazz piano. The father of Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason, all legends in their own right, the patriarch of one of the world’s most famous musical families will perform with a quintet of musicians for a memorable headlining performance.

    Lucky Chops, a brass band who made their name in the NYC subway system, calling on their roots at LaGuardia Arts High School. Having toured Demark and France, as well as clubs all over New York, they were featured on MTV’s “Girl Code Live” and carry a wide fanbase that grows with each performance.

    KJ Denhert blends urban folk & jazz that can move you to laugh, dance and cry.  She steps out of the box for her latest recording, Album No. 9, exploring genres that have influenced her throughout her career. Praised for her pathos, originality and impeccable musicianship, KJ is a one-of-a-kind songwriter, guitarist and performer, not to be missed.

    Jazz Caravan, based out of Albany, is a trio blending west-coast modern and Latin jazz stylings. Roger Noyes (guitar), Tony Berman (bass) and Jim Ketterer (drums) make up this unique trio, drawing on mid-century swing to bop and post-bop, as well as Ellison-inspired music, mashups of Monk and Brubeck-based figures; an odd-meter remake of a traditional hymn, a swingin’ rendition of folk melodies inspired by Leo Tolstoy, a hard-backbeat take on baroque and klezmer music, and even a Latin-groove reconstruction of Led Zeppelin.

    Cliff Brucker & Full Circle is led by multi-instrumentalist and composer/producer Brucker, well known in the Capital Region for his 40 years of performance in the region. Full Circle includes Leo Russo, a local jazz legend, as well as pianist Larry Ham, trumpeter Dylan Canterbury, guitarist Mike Novakowski and bassist Otto Gardner, all masterful players who have performed with some of the most important names in jazz.

    Schedule of performances during the 15th annual City of Albany Jazz Festival:

    Cliff Brucker & Full Circle 1-2pm

    Jazz Caravan 2:30-3:30pm

    KJ Denhert 4-5pm

    Lucky Chops 5:30-6:30pm

    The Ellis Marsalis Quintet 7-8:30pm

    Since its debut in 2002, the City of Albany Jazz Festival has featured an eclectic array of all-time musical greats, critically acclaimed up-and-coming artists and local favorites at Albany’s most spectacular outdoor venues. Great food, beverages and vendors make the Jazz Festival an event for all ages – and admission is still free! No glass, animals or recording of performances. All City of Albany parks are now curb-to-curb tobacco-free.