Category: Capital Region

Weird Al’s Mandatory World Tour Continues With Newly Announced NY Shows

Last year, “Weird Al” Yankovic toured extensively in support of his latest album, Mandatory Fun. Recently he announced that he will be back at it again — this time with 78 shows between June and September.

Released in July 2014, Mandatory Fun marked Weird Al’s first number one album. He also took home a Grammy Award in the Best Comedy Album category for it. The album was well received by critics, and the virality of its music videos helped place it atop the Billboard Top 200 shortly after it was released. As NYS Music’s Michael Hallisey said, “Mandatory Fun is Al’s 14th release, and by far his masterpiece. Like Warner Brothers through Looney Tunes, Yankovic is able to tie in current events with references to the past, allowing listeners from multiple generations to enjoy.” Mandatory Fun is likely Yankovic’s last normal length album as he shifts to releasing songs through EPs and singles over the internet.

Most of the 78 shows are now on sale to the general public, including his three New York stops:

Sept. 4 The Budweiser Summer Stage at TAG’s, Big Flats, NY
Sept. 17 Proctors Theater, Schenectady NY
Sept. 24 Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY

For a full list of Weird Al’s tour stops, check out his website. Weird Al’s tour begins June 3 and wraps up Sept. 24.

February 28, 2016
Peaking Upstate: Twiddle Plumps Sold-Out Crowd

It was fitting to see a sold out Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park on Friday night for many reasons. Mainly, it signified maturity and growth for Formula 5 and headliner Twiddle, a jam-rock group out of Burlington.

Formula 5 has been working very hard lately, just wrapping up their first full tour. Led by Joe Davis on guitar, James Woods on bass, Matt Richards on keys and Greg Marek on drums, Formula 5 has quickly carved out its spot in the Northeast jam scene. It’s impossible not to draw the parallels between the four-piece and Phish, especially because the group formed while waiting in line to get tickets to a Phish show in 2009. Davis has studied Trey Anastasio and it shows in his precise, swirling, soaring guitar work

“Earthbound Tim” led way to “Pedro” which bled into “Excalibur.” Somewhere in the mix were “Down With Disease” and “Harry Hood” teases. “Floating,” “Epiphany” and a reprisal of “Earthbound Tim” closed out the show, leaving the hometown band exiting the stage with grins of approval.

Following a short break, Twiddle took the stage, backed by the Frendly Horns, which added a layer to the band not seen very much. Touring in support of their latest release Plump, Mihali Savoulidis performed using a new guitar at the show, which looked like a custom mix of a Stratocaster and a classic Guild and it sounded wonderful. It was the third show of the band’s Plumperdump winter tour.

“Gatsby the Great,” “Honeyburste,” and “Brick of Beauty”, which featured a “Shakedown Street” jam, started the two-hour set and it featured periods of extended jamming. The horns allowed Savoulidis and keyboardist Ryan Dempsey a layer of rhythmic space and both used it wisely, trading licks and staccatos before weaving their way into “Polluted Beauty” where bassist Zdenek Gubb took the lead this time and pushed the band, with the help of drummer Brook Jordan, through a funk excursion.

“Classical Gas,” “Be There,” “Complacent Race” and “Frankenfoote” closed out the set, with the audience singing along with seemingly every word.

For the encore, Twiddle had one final treat in store. Lowell Wurster, of Lucid notoriety, joined the stage to play the washboard on a version of “Did You Ever Look So Nice.”

This is the second year in a row Twiddle has sold out Upstate Concert Hall which has a capacity of nearly 1,300. Last year they did it with the support of Kung Fu. Formula 5 displayed it has the chops and dedication to continue to rise while Twiddle showed just how far they have come. It was apparent by the joyous mood outside the venue post-show that both these bands are just getting started and it’s been nice to watch them grow in the past two years.

Stream or download Ed Guidry’s recording of Twiddle’s set

Formula 5 Setlist: Earthbound Tim->Pedro->Excalibur, Floatin, Epiphany->Earthbound Tim

Twiddle Setlist: Gatsby The Great, Honeyburste, Brick Of Barley[1], Polluted Beauty, Classical Gas[2], Be There, Complacent Race, Frankenfoote

Encore: Did You Ever Look So Nice?[3]

Show Notes: This show was a part of the “Plumperdump” 2016 Winter Tour. The Frendly Horns were featured for the entire show. This was a sold-out show. Formula 5 opend the show.
[1] “Brick Of Barley” contained a “Shakedown Street” (Grateful Dead) tease.
[2] “Classical Gas” contained an “X-Files Theme” tease.
[3] “Did You Ever Look So Nice?” featured Lowell Wurster (Lucid) on washboard.

February 28, 2016
Legends Alert: Leon Russell and Dave Mason at The Egg on February 28

Rock legends Leon Russell and Dave Mason will perform at the Hart Theater at The Egg Performing Arts Center on Sunday, February 28 at 7 PM. Part of the American Roots & Branches concert series, the two rock music icons will perform individual sets with their bands, performing a variety of classic songs from their storied repertoire, including Leon Russell’s “Delta Lady,” made famous by Joe Cocker, and Traffic’s “Feelin’ Alright,” among many other hits from across their careers.

Tickets for the concert are $34.50 and $39.50 and are available at The Egg Box Office at the Empire State Plaza, or by telephone 518-473-1845

February 25, 2016
Ed Mann Joins Paul Green’s Rock Academy for Tribute to Frank Zappa

Ed Mann, Frank Zappa‘s longtime drummer, will join forces with Paul Green’s Rock Academy for a special night of Zappa music at The Hollow in Albany on Saturday, March 5.

Paul Green, founder of School of Rock and inspiration for Jack Black’s character in the movie of the same name, has been teaching children to play rock music, including that of Frank Zappa, since 1998. His students have played Lollapalooza, Carnegie Hall, CBGB and Austin City Limits. They have worked alongside many Zappa collaborators including Ike Willis, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Denny Walley, Adrian Belew and Mike Keneally.

The Rock Academy is about to kick off a yearlong collaboration with Zappa drummer Ed Mann, who has appeared on more Zappa albums than any other member of the band. Mann has had a successful career post-Zappa as well, including teaching music at different colleges, recording for film composers and pioneering the development of holistic sound therapy. In 2012, he began working with various jam bands on percussion and as sound artist.

The show takes place on March 5 at 8 p.m. at The Hollow Bar and Kitchen. Tickets are currently available for $12 in advance or $15 at the door the night of the show. Acoustic Trauma will play a late set beginning at 11 p.m.

February 24, 2016
Hearing Aide: Bump ‘Broken Fix’

One of the timeless dangers of cataloguing relationship woes through song is the risk of drowning in cringe-worthy cheesiness. Bump and their debut album Broken Fix is swimming in an industrial vat of artery-clogging Velveeta. Released in October, the self produced album was recorded over the course of a week in an old barn in Cambridge, NY. Mixed by JJ Beck at Akin Studios and mastered by Larry DeVivo at Silvertone Mastering.

Formed in Saratoga Springs, cheesemongers Todd Pasternack (guitar), Angela Ford (bass), Gregory Nash (drums) and special guest Kirk Juhas (piano/B3) comprise Bump, and have formulated an almost unpalatable recipe over-salted with boring and predictable lyrics in a watered-down interpretation of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Any hope for attaining béchamel quality music on this album is melted by weak vocals.

The first track “Hello Again” serves up Pasternack’s whiney voice with Ford’s backup vocals adding more confusion than complexity to the laid-back rock flavor. He opens the song, “Hello again, did my text get through? And are we still friends, or did we lose that too? Just send me a picture of your broken heart, tell me once again we should never have started to care.” Predictability breeds familiarity, so despite the eye-roll inducing lyrics, many listeners can at least relate to their meaning.

“Wrecking Ball” opens with grungy guitar before Ford’s voice emerges, evoking a gentle Pocahontas quality that doesn’t support the musical tone reminiscent of “The General” by Dispatch. An alien-like mid-song lyrical breakdown is an intriguing experiment that seems out of character for the album as layers of Ford’s voice hauntingly echo each other.

In full Flight of the Concords fashion, “How Could You Go So Low” presents feathery falsetto and restrained instrumentation, emphasizing the exaggerated vocals. “Anymore” holds a promise of redemption with bluesy jazz instrumentation and whirling organ before the words “Just can’t maintain this lifestyle anymore/Will my spirit no longer fly? The wings are paralyzed,” interrupt the mystical instrumentals.

Key tracks: Wrecking Ball, How Could You Go So Low, Anymore

February 24, 2016
Steely Dan Touring This Spring and Summer

Steely Dan is hitting the road again this spring and summer, kicking off its tour at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have booked several New York dates in addition to the opener, including stops in Niagara Falls, Bethel and Saratoga Springs.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will first hit up theaters and event centers on the initial leg of the Dan Who Knew Too Much tour before Stevie Winwood joins them, hitting sheds and amphitheaters country-wide throughout the summer months.

Following the tour opener in Port Chester April 18-19, the band makes a quick jaunt to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for a show April 22.

The short spring leg visits the Seneca Niagara Events Center in Niagara Falls April 29, before wrapping at the Borgata in Atlantic City April 30.

Following a month-long break, the tour picks back up in Cincinnati, where fellow Hall of Famer Steve Winwood joins the tour.

Full tour information is available at Steely Dan’s Facebook page. Ticket sales begin Feb. 26. Information is available here.

Steely Dan’s The Dan Who Knew Too Much Tour Dates:

4/18 — Port Chester, N.Y.
4/19 — Port Chester, N.Y.
4/22 — New Orleans, La.
4/24 — Birmingham, Ala.
4/27 — Wallingford, Ct.
4/29 — Niagara Falls, N.Y.
4/30 — Atlantic City, N.J.
6/7 — Cincinnati, Ohio*
6/8 — Detroit, Mich.*
6/10 — New Buffalo, Mich.*
6/11 — Chicago, Ill.*
6/13 — Morrison, Colo.*
6/14 — West Valley City, Utah*
6/16 — Mountain View, Calif.*
6/18 — Hollywood, Calif.
6/19 — Las Vegas, Nev.*
6/22 — Dallas, Texas*
6/23 — Kansas City, Mo.*
6/25 — Little Rock, Ark.*
6/26 — Atlanta, Ga.*
6/29 — West Palm Beach, Fla.*
6/30 — Tampa, Fla.*
7/2 — Charlotte, N.C.*
7/3 — Camden, N.J.*
7/4 — Holmdel, N.J.*
7/7 — Mansfield, Mass.*
7/9 — Bethel, N.Y.*
7/10 — Saratoga Springs, N.Y.*
7/12 — Bristow, Va.*
7/13 — Colonial Heights, Va.*

* with Steve Winwood opening

February 23, 2016
Wild Adriatic Record Live Album in Saratoga at Putnam Den

Wild Adriatic brought its show to the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs with a bit more hype than a typical show. The three-piece rock band, based out of Albany, announced months ago it was going to record a live album on February 20 in the Spa City. For a group that has been on a straight upward trajectory, which included an appearance at Bonnaroo last year after winning a lengthy Battle of the Bands put on by the Den, Wild Adriatic seems to have the hunger and determination to rise to the top of the rock world.

But before the near capacity crowd would be treated to two hours of in-your-face rock and roll by Wild Adriatic, Greenwich-based Let’s Be Leonard set the tone for the evening with a jazzy, up-tempo performance that lends itself somewhat to Steely Dan-meets-Herbie Hancock. The five-piece — displaying two guitars, bass, drums and a saxophone — weaved together a show reminiscent of a sunny Saturday afternoon set at a small festival. Guitarist Matt Griffin and saxophonist Connor Dunn traded solos over Karl Bertrand’s chunky rhythm and Chris Cronin’s bopping bass. Paul Gauy provided the beat.

Toward the end of Let’s Be Leonard’s set, the Den grew crowded as fans filled in to support the local boys. Wild Adriatic’s drummer, Mateo Vosganian, was darting around the venue, greeting friends and fans. There was a festive and mildly rowdy feel, as many people had undoubtedly enjoyed the Saratoga Beer Summit in the hours prior.

As soon as the trio took the stage, the energy in the room grew electric. “Never Enough,” “Letter,” “Tight Grip” and “Lonely” started the show and saw guitarist Travis Gray and bassist Rich Derbyshire hop around the stage. Gray’s voice is a solid fit for their sound, which has a classic rock with an edge feel. The crowd in the front sang along as the band kicked it up with some fiery guitar work from Gray.

After a breather, they launched into the Led Zeppelin favorite “The Ocean.” Gray again danced up and down the fret board with precision. “Can’t Be Your Man,” “Woe” and “Because of Me” continued the energetic theme. A spirited take on Neil Young’s “Keep On Rockin’ in the Free World” showcased Gray’s vocal abilities.

Derbyshire and Vosganian provide an air tight rhythmic combo that gives Wild Adriatic a sound that is unique, funky and noticeable. Add in Gray’s fret work, and the band has a winning combination, no better displayed than during the show-closing combo of “Good Times, Bad Times”>”Communication Breakdown.” The crowd hadn’t thinned out at all and judging by the satisfied look on most faces, Wild Adriatic accomplished what it set out to do. It will be exciting to see how the raw energy translates to tape.

Wild Adriatic Setlist:

Never Enough, Letter, Tight Grip, Lonely, The Ocean, Can’t Be Your Man, Woe, Because of Me, Trouble, 40 Days 40 Nights>Rockin In The Free World>40 Days 40 Nights, Heavy Soul, The Fool, The Spark, Cooperstown, Use Me, Bound To Let You Go, Lose My Mind, Strange Persuasions, Mess Around

Encore: Untitled New Song, Superstition, Good Times Bad Times>Communication Breakdown

Let’s Be Leonard Setlist:

Jumpship, Rocky Road, Open Your Eyes, Comet> High and Dry, Most Days> LGWC> Most Days> Sad Town tease> Boy Into Man> Pourdungchoo> Sad Town, TOT, Wandering Frisbee

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February 22, 2016
518 Songfest at the Egg

The 518 Songfest, a local singer/songwriter showcase, will take place at the Egg in Albany on Saturday, Feb. 27.

The 518 Songfest is part concert and part panel discussion that will showcase four local up-and-coming musicians along with songwriter Tim Moore, who wrote hit songs “Second Avenue” and “Rock and Roll Love Letter.” The other musicians include Bryan Thomas, Ashley Sophia, Benjamin John and Rhiannon’s Lark (featuring Alyssa Yeager). Sandy McKnight, co-producer of this event and producer of the Indie Fest at the Egg, will also take part in the panel discussion. The discussion will be led by the other co-producer, Andy Gregory, and Exit 97.7 WEXT’s Dave Michaels, who will be fielding questions from the audience.

Attendees will want to arrive as close as possible to 6 p.m., when the doors open, as performers and sponsors will have booths setup in the Swyer Theater lobby and be available for questions and to autograph merchandise. Meet-and-greet sessions will also take place during intermission. Seating will begin at 6:30.

Tickets for the show are available for $10 at the box office or online. Buyers are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as seating will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, with the best seats going to the earliest buyers. Proceeds from the event will benefit Columbia Arts Team, WEXT and the Egg, all 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWbZ4iWWAAQ[/embedyt]

February 20, 2016
RAQ Stuffs the Hollow on Reunion Run

RAQ is baq. Let’s hope they continue this upward trajectory.

The four-piece band has not played much in recent years due to members being tied up in a cavalcade of other projects. A somewhat perfect storm recently paved way for the band to start playing shows again, and let’s just say the group’s performance in Albany, N.Y. at the Hollow proved these guys are quite well-oiled.

Guitarist Chris Michetti and keyboardist Todd Stoops seem to have a connection that goes beyond what might happen between confident and talented band mates, as displayed by the opening pairing of “Premium”> “Hannah,” which saw virtuous playing from both. Drummer Neal Evans and bassist Jay Burwick held down the rhythm section, which settled nicely into the background.

“Push the Lil Daises”>”Late Night”>”Will Run” kept the show at a sprinter’s pace, before “Momamoth”>”Dance Hall Days”>”Momamoth”>”Wax” did nothing to put anyone to sleep. Michetti is a guitar player who can shift from trance to metal to jazz to chunky rhythm and back around again without missing a measure. I don’t know how else to describe him.

“Transcontinental,” “Shirley,” “Donkey Show” and a “Late Night” reprise closed out the rocking set. The encore consisted of “Tequila All Day”, “Nationwide”, and the ever elusive “Sweet Cream Butter”. The packed crowd exited the Hollow content, from what I could tell.

Let’s hope that RAQ decides to keep this train rolling so that everyone who wasn’t there last week can experience this group for years to come.

February 17, 2016
Albany Symphony Orchestra 2016-2017 Season Features Yo Yo Ma

The Albany Symphony Orchestra announced their 2016-2017 season, and it’s a big one with special guests Yo Yo Ma and anniversary celebrations.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Grammy Award-winning musical director David Alan Miller, the Albany Symphony Orchestra has a big season lined up for their 87th year, including a performance with special guest cellist Yo Yo Ma and six world premiers. Miller’s strong devotion to music education, dynamic presence on the podium and dedication to the music of our time have brought a new level of success to the orchestra. The new season is designed to celebrate the collaboration between Miller and the musicians.

The 2016-2017 season will also feature a number of special guest musicians in addition to Yo Yo Ma’s visit on Dec. 8. From the press release:

The gala opening concert will feature soprano Saili Oak and pianist Natasha Paremski. In January, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1 will be performed by the great Russian virtuoso, Ilya Rashkovskiy. Other artists making their first appearance with the Albany Symphony include oboist Kathleen Needleman, violist Richard O’Neill, and guest conductor Karina Canellakis. In addition, there will be soloists from the Bard College Conservatory for the Mozart & Bach weekend. Several outstanding guest artists will participate in the American Music Festival in May, including the radiant violinist Chee-Yun and legendary Indian Folk-Clarinetist Shankar Tucker.

The season runs from October through June, with an opening night gala on Sept. 24. Season subscriptions are available, though they do not include the Evening with Yo Yo Ma. However, subscribers will have early access to purchase those tickets.

2016-2017 Season:
Opening Night Gala- Ravel & Sibelius
Saturday, September 24, 2016: 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Saili Oak, Soprano
Natasha Paremski, Piano
Reena Esmail: “Aria” for Soprano and Orchestra
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5

Peer Gynt
Saturday, October 22, 2016: 7:30PM
Sunday, October 23, 2016: 3:00PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Katherine Needleman, Oboe
Reznicek: Donna Diana Overture
Leroy Anderson: Three Pieces
Rouse: Oboe Concerto
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Suite No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini

Water Music & Schumann
Saturday, November 19, 2016: 7:30PM
Sunday November 20, 2016: 3:00PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Richard O’Neill, Viola
Handel: Selections from “The Water Music”
Theofanidis: Viola Concerto
Bermel: “A Shout, A Whisper, and a Trace”
Schumann: Symphony No. 4

An Evening with Yo-Yo Ma
(Non-Subscription Series, but first access to season subscribers)
Thursday, December 8, 2016: 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Wagner: Prelude to “Die Meistersinger”
Dvorak: Serenade for Strings
Conor Brown: New Work (World Premiere)
Elgar: Cello Concerto

Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto
Saturday, January 7, 2017: 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Ilya Rashkovskiy, Piano
Barber: The School for Scandal Overture
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Corigliano: Symphony No. 1, “Of Rage and Remembrance”

Brahms’ Fourth
Saturday, February 18, 2017: 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
Karina Canellakis, Guest Conductor
Higdon: Dance Cards
Beethoven: Triple Concerto
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor

Mozart & Bach
Saturday, March 4, 2017: 7:30PM
Sunday, March 5, 2017: 3:00PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Soloists from the Vocal Division of Bard College-Conservatory
Mozart: Symphony No, 40 in G minor
Torke: Three Concertinos for Solo Instruments and Orchestra (World Premiere)
Bach: Cantata No. 78 “Jesu, der du meine Seele”

Beethoven’s 9th
Saturday, April 8, 2017: 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Albany Pro Musica Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, No. 6
Tsontakis: 25th Anniversary Commission (World Premiere)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor (“Choral”)

American Music Festival
Saturday, May 21, 2017: 7:30PM
EMPAC
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Chee-Yun, Violin
Shankar Tucker, Clarinet
Harbison: Partita for Orchestra
Theofanidis: Violin Concerto
Reena Esmail: Clarinet Concerto (World Premiere)
Mellon Young Composer: New Work (World Premiere)

Additional Subscriber Specials:
Roscoe: An American Grand Opera, by Evan Mack (Concert Premiere)
Saturday, October 15, 2016: 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
A new opera composed by Capital Region resident and Skidmore College Professor Evan Mack, based on the novel of the same name by Pulitzer Prize winning author William Kennedy.

Magic of Christmas
December 4, 2016: 3:00PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor

American Music Festival
May 18-21, 2017
A weekend of innovative new works by living American composers, artistic happenings, and special events across Troy, including performances by the Albany Symphony and the Dogs of Desire.

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbspIl7-5V8[/embedyt]

February 15, 2016