NYS Music 20​16

Category: Regions

  • Warren Haynes’ 28th Annual Christmas Jam to Feature ‘The Last Waltz’

    The hardest working man in rock and roll revealed the lineup for his annual Christmas party Thursday. The show takes place at the U.S. Cellular arena in Warren Haynes’ hometown of Asheville, NC on Dec. 10. A line-up loaded with talent features Haynes’ main vehicle, Gov’t Mule headlining, along with a who’s who of musicians celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Band’s final show as The Last Waltz Band.

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    Haynes started the Christmas Jam in 1988 at a local Asheville club as a benefit for local charities. For the past 18 years, he has used it as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. As of last year, the Jam has raised over $1.8 million for the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.

    The 2016 version of the Christmas Jam happens Dec. 10 and is guaranteed to sell out quickly. Pre-sale tickets are available at noon Monday Oct. 24 with VIP packages also available. General sale begins Nov. 1. General admission tickets are $63 and a limited number of reserved seats are available for $73.

    Performers this year, in addition to Gov’t Mule, include Bob Weir, Michael McDonald and Jamey Johnson with Alison Krauss.  The Last Waltz Band features Haynes, McDonald, Johnson, Don Was, John Medeski and Terrence Higgins.

    Other special guests scheduled to appear include Branford Marsalis, George Porter, Jr., Steve Kimock, Marcus King, Kevn Kinney, Audley Freed, “Steady Rollin’” Bob Margolin and Mike Barnes.

    For more information on this year’s event, visit the Jam’s website.  And while you’re mulling over whether you should attend, take a gander at this stellar version of “Stormy Monday” featuring Gregg Allman from the 2013 Jam.

  • Don’t Miss Saturday’s Jam Packed ‘Brooklyn Comes Alive’

    On October 22, the musical jam spirit in New York will be at its height when the sold-out Brooklyn Comes Alive festival comes to three venues in the heart of Williamsburg. This one-day event features a veritable who’s who spanning the jam band, funk and electronic scenesbrooklyn-comes-alive-2016-featured

    Members of The Disco Biscuits, Medeski, Martin & Wood, The String Cheese Incident, Lettuce, Break Science, Greyboy Allstars, Mike Gordon Band, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Soulive and the Trey Anastasio Band are just a few of the more than 50 artists slated to perform.

    This event promises to feature performances from hand-selected super groups, impromptu jam sessions, and very rare collaborations, kicking off with brunch and running well into the depths of the evening. The venues that will host this monstrosity also happen to be Brooklyn’s most popular venues – Brooklyn Bowl, The Hall at MP, and Music Hall of Williamsburg, which are all conveniently within a 10-minute walking distance from each other.

    With the festivities kicking off at noon at The Hall at MP, brunch will be hosted inside at the MP Taverna, featuring an amazing dining experience from Michelin Star chef Michael Psilakis. For those that are worried about missing out on some of the action while fueling up, live audio will be pumped into the dining room to keep the grooves going.

    Also featured are members from groups such as The Knux, Ne-Yo, Snarky Puppy, RAQ, Nth Power, Stanton Moore Trio, Kung Fu, Primus, Dopapod, Garaj Mahal, Dub Trio, Gov’t Mule, The Black Crowes, The Stepkids, Deep Banana Blackout, Matisyahu, Organ Freeman, and Santana. In addition to the collaboration of band members from different groups, established solo artists will be making an appearance including Samora Pinderhughes, Raul Pineda, Farnell Newton, Chauncey Yearwood, Ian McGuire, Wiley Griffin, Luke Bemand and Dan Lyons.

    Holly Bowling, the solo pianist who takes Phish and Grateful Dead classic jams and transcribes them arranged for piano, will open the festivities just after noon at The Hall MP of Brooklyn. Highlights include the All Brothers Band — featuring Oteil and Kofi Burbridge, and Neal and Alan Evans — Tim Palmieri and Friends, DRKWAV, which features John Medeski, Adam Deitch and Skerik, and Horizon Wireless.

    Reed Mathis and Electric Beethoven is a new group that takes inspiration from Ludwig Van Beethoven, and has arranged some of his classic pieces for a rock group. This is one of the must see acts of the festival. The Rhythmatronix, featuring Jason Hann, Oteil Burbridge and Sting and Garage Mahal guitarist Fareed Haque, are the late-night group at The MP. This is just a small smattering of the incredible lineup put together by Live 4 Live Music.

    A few hours after brunch is concluded, Brooklyn Bowl and Music Hall of Williamsburg will open and will stay open throughout the night.

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    Full List of Performers:
    Joe Russo (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead/Furthur/Benevento-Russo Duo)
    Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers/Dead & Company)
    Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits)
    Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits)
    John Medeski (Medeski Martin & Wood)
    Borahm Lee (Break Science)
    Natalie Cressman (Trey Anastasio Band)
    James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band)
    Chris Bullock (Snarky Puppy)
    Scott Metzger (Joe Russo’s Almost Dead)
    Kofi Burbridge (Tedeschi Trucks Band)
    Alan Evans (Soulive)
    Neal Evans (Soulive)
    Eric “Benny” Bloom (Lettuce)
    Jesus Coomes (Lettuce)
    Adam Smirnoff (Lettuce)
    Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce)
    Roosevelt Collier
    Michael League (Snarky Puppy)
    Skerik
    Todd Stoops (RAQ)
    Nate Werth (Snarky Puppy)
    Nikki Glaspie (The Nth Power)
    Nick Cassarino (The Nth Power)
    Nate Edgar (The Nth Power)
    Courtney J’Mell Smith (The Nth Power)
    Manic Focus
    Will Bernard (Stanton Moore Trio)
    Tim Palmieri (Kung Fu)
    Jay Lane (Primus/Electric Beethoven)
    Rob Compa (Dopapod)
    Eli Winderman (Dopapod)
    Adrian Tramontano (Kung Fu)
    Holly Bowling
    Rob Marscher (Matisyahu)
    Brasstracks
    Fareed Haque (Garaj Mahal)
    Cochrane McMillan (Tea Leaf Green)
    Andy Hess (Gov’t Mule/The Black Crowes)
    Eric Slick (Dr. Dog)
    Dan Edinburg (The Stepkids)
    Jen Durkin (Deep Banana Blackout)
    Johnny Durkin (Deep Banana Blackout)
    Jason Hann (The String Cheese Incident)
    Adam Deitch (Lettuce/Break Science)
    Robert Walter (Greyboy Allstars/Mike Gordon)
    Reed Mathis (Electric Beethoven)
    Rob Somerville (Kung Fu)
    Benny Rietveld (Santana)
    Jake Sherman
    Raul Pineda
    Farnell Newton
    Danny Sadownick

  • Tea Leaf Green Makes The Crowd Scream

    ‘Twas a night of dim lit eye candy and musicality, where Stop Light Observations opened up the evening ahead of Tea Leaf Green at Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, October 15, like a fresh can of soda pop. SLO, a southern-retro-electro-rock band, holds an intricate blend of influences, some of which include revival, folk, Motown, and indie. Groups like this one build a strong bond over the years, having been formed in their teens.

    tea leaf greenThe members entered and dropped their little pup on the stage, being their biggest groupie. Fans obsessed over the charming pooch as his friendliness filled the atmosphere and matched the cool vibes of the performance.

    The crowd was getting rowdy, for Tea Leaf Green was due to perform next and blow the audience away. Alas, the musicians played a mean set at this fine tea party; Josh Clark sparked the floor with his guitar and powerful vocals, Trevor Garrod made love to the keyboard and killed it with the harmonica adding some vocals as well. Eric DiBerardino made the crowd bounce with his bass. Lastly, Cochrane McMillan and Scott Rager beat the drums to match the rhythm of the fan’s heartbeats.

    They played moving songs throughout the night, some of which included “Sleep Paralysis,” “Red Ribbons,” “Germanating,” “Bouncing Betty,” “Let us Go,” and ended the night with “Incandescent Devil.” Each song had its own bit of flare with an emotional build up and release, including a bit of rock, jam, and hypnotic beats.

    tea leaf greenTLG stems from the heart of the Golden State in San Francisco; these talented individuals pour love and dedication into their stellar performance, with an array of overlapping vocals. Each artist fused a piece of their soul into each album, which ultimately created an intriguing mix of sounds; if only I could spread this kind of jam onto my toast.

  • Mister F and lespecial hit The Hollow on Friday, October 21

    Mister F brings lespecial to town this Friday, October 21 to The Hollow Bar and Kitchen in Albany. Featuring performances of brand new material and some very special guest collaborations between the bands, Mister F is stoked to be back on their home turf before heading out into the Midwest for a tour with McLovins next week. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of show.
    mister f lespecial
    Having recently returned from Luna Light Festival in Maryland, Mister F welcomed Holly Bowling to the stage to play keytar on “Answer the Dog.” Keyboardist Scott Hannay shared the story on the sit-in: “We had talked a number of times in the past about having her throw down on my keytar, but the timing just hadn’t yet worked out. She reached out to me shortly before we pulled into Luna Light festival this past Saturday and we made it happen. She’s a natural on that thing. Someone get that girl a keytar!”

  • Brian Wilson Extends Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary Tour

    Brian Wilson announced last week that he will extending his Pet Sounds: The Final Performances 2017 Tour through 2017, with an addition of 37 new dates starting on March 27th at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, FL through May 28th at the Santa Barbara Bowl in Santa Barbara, CA.

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    The tour is in celebration of the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary, in which Wilson and his band perform the album in its entirety, mixed with additions from his solo work and other Beach Boys classics. Traveling with him are special guests fellow former band members, Al Jardine and Blondie Chapin.

    In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Wilson commented on the tour saying, “It reminds me of the harmonies that we did,” Wilson said. “My favorite part of music is harmony. That’s the part of music I like the most. I like the full harmony.”

    Wilson and band will be in Albany, NY on April 26 at the Palace Theater.

    For more information and tickets, visit www.brianwilson.com.

    Brian Wilson Pet Sounds: The Final Performances 2017 Tour Dates

    March 27 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
    March 29 – New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theater
    March 31 – Durant, OK – Chocktaw Casino
    April 1 – Mayetta, KS – Prairie Band Casino
    April 2 – Park City, KS – Hartman Arena
    April 4 – Fort Collins, CO – Lincoln Center
    April 6 – Boise, ID – Morrison Center for the Performing Arts
    April 9 – Seattle, WA – Paraount Theatre
    April 12 — Edmonton, CA – Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
    April 13 — Calgary, CA – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
    April 15 — Winnipeg, CA – Burton Cummings Theatre for the Performing Arts
    April 17 – Sioux City, IA – Orpheum Theatre
    April 18 – Des Moines, IA – Civic Center
    April 19 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater
    April 21 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre of Columbus
    April 22 – Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Live
    April 23 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
    April 25 – Hershey, PA – Hershey Theatre
    April 26 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre
    April 28 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey P.A.C.
    April 29 – Boston, MA – Lynn Auditorium
    April 30 – Worcester, MA – Hanover Theatre
    May 2 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – FM Kirby Center
    May 3 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre
    May 6 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
    May 7 – Chattanooga, TN – Tivoli Theatre
    May 9 – Birmingham, AL – BJCC Concert Hall
    May 12 – Houston, TX – Revention Music Center
    May 13 – Austin, TX – AC Live at the Moody Theater
    May 16 – Tulsa, OK – Brady Theatre
    May 18 – Albuquerque, NM – Kiva Auditorium
    May 19 – Tucson, AZ – Centennial Hall
    May 20 – Laughlin, NV – Harrah’s Laughlin
    May 22 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre
    May 24 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Civic Theatre
    May 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Pantages Theatre
    May 28 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl

  • “From One Chord to Another,” Sloan Celebrates a Landmark at Daryl’s House

    Sloan has been at it for 25 years, but could easily have been a footnote in Canadian music history if not for their fortitude. Formed at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax in 1991, the alt-rock quartet has made a name for itself in its homeland, winning several East Coast Music Awards and a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album — 1996’s One Chord to Another. This album, however, almost never happened at all.sloan Sloan was signed to Geffen Records early on, as label executives rushed to find the next Nirvana. As part of a burgeoning Halifax music scene that included Eric’s Trip and Thrush Hermit, that saw a gold rush to the maritime province from the labels, Sloan was the band that survived.

    The band’s first two albums Smeared and Twice Removed were released on Geffen in 1992 and 1994 respectively. After a dispute with the label over lack of promotion for Twice Removed,  the band took some time off, leading some to believe they had broken up. Sloan self-produced and self-released the follow-up to Twice Removed, One Chord to Another.  Sunday night, the band rolled into Daryl’s House Club in Pawling for an intimate rendering of that landmark album on its 20th anniversary of release.

    Sloan has made its bones sharing writing duties, vocals and instruments among the band’s four original members: Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, Patrick Pentland and Andrew Scott. Power chords, hand claps and Beatle-esque harmonies are hallmarks of the Sloan sound.  All these elements were firmly in place for the intimate audience of hard core Sloan fans this night.

    Make no mistake, this is not a simple pop band. To survive 25 years in the business requires more than just catchy songs. The lyrics from each of the members reveal a depth that belies the catchiness of the music.

    Throughout the history of pop music, many of the most poignant songs have carried a sense of darkness. The Beatles exhibited this to the extreme in “Run For Your Life” from the Rubber Soul album.  And while Sloan has never intro’ed a song as bluntly as John Lennon did with,”I’d rather see you dead little girl than to be with another man,” a quick glance at Sloan’s song titles bears this out: “Everything You’ve Done Wrong,” Nothing Left to Make Me Wanna Stay.”  Sloan has the songwriting chops to turn a subject such as unrequited love into dark poetry with a pop melody.

    Daryl’s House Club is an offshoot of Philly Soul legend and half of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Hall and Oates, Daryl Hall’s popular internet, now MTV Live show, Live From Daryl’s House. Hall opened the club in Pawling in 2014 as a venue to feature intimate gigs similar to those seen on his show. Tickets are sold as reserved seating or standing tickets and all reserved seats are at tables, allowing patrons to enjoy a meal and some drinks prior to and during a performance. The main performance space has room for a couple of hundred patrons. Wait staff meander in and out of the seated areas, taking orders and delivering dishes. It makes for a a dinner theater type atmosphere that doesn’t much allow for audience participation during a show, especially one for a band with such uptempo music.

    This tour is a celebration of the band’s watershed moment. They’re playing the One Chord album in its entirety during the first set of each show. However, the music they were celebrating almost seemed like an afterthought as patrons ate their dinner during the performance.  Murphy commented on this fact a couple of times during the set, “Finish chewing your food and sing along with us on this one,” he said, introducing “G Turns to D.”

    Despite the limitations on audience participation, though with many in the crowd being in their late 30s/early 40s, there may not have been a whole lot of physical participation anyway. The band rallied through the album in its entirety. The participation in the chugging “G Turns to D” included many hand claps and singing along from those in attendance. A smooth transition into the Beatles, by way of Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, “A Side Wins” had fans swaying in their seats.

    The set concluded with “400 Metres,” a song that wouldn’t be out of place on a Pavement album with its speak-talk lyrics. The hypnotizing keyboard presence mixed with Pentland’s guitar ended the set with a chill vibe reminiscent a late night ’70s FM radio show.

    “Coax Me,” opened the second set, encouraging the devoted to sing along. This opened the doors to a rousing second set featuring many of Sloan’s greatest hits, including what is probably its best known song, “Money City Maniacs” as well as “Losing California,” a song requested all night long by some of the more boisterous fans in attendance.

    The band seamlessly traded instruments and vocals throughout the night. Murphy stepped behind Scott’s sparse drum kit while Scott grabbed a guitar and sang and Ferguson took up the bass several times. The formula of equals behind this band is what has kept it going for 25 years. All four members contribute to the whole. And while there’s a formula to the sound, Sloan is far from formulaic. Their songs echo past eras, yet remain uniquely their own.

    Those in attendance on this night were the Sloan faithful in downstate New York. Some traveling great distances to see their cult heroes in the intimacy of Daryl’s House. They were treated to a special show from one of music’s hardest working bands.

    In a more fair world, Sloan would be playing a sold out show at Madison Square Garden rather than a small downstate club in front of noshing patrons on a Sunday night in October. Somehow, you can’t help but wonder if Sloan prefers it this way though.

    Sloan’s One Chord to Another 20th Anniversary Tour continues throughout the U.S. in November, finishing with a show in Buffalo at the Iron Works Nov. 19.

    Check out some fan-shot video of Sloan’s encore performance of “If it Feels Good, Do It” from the Daryl’s House Club show below.

  • Sturgill Simpson Simply Stuns the State

    Outside, on the streets of Ithaca, the plants were dying and the leaves were falling. But inside, in the cozy majesty of the State Theater, country was ‘In Bloom’ as Sturgill Simpson took the stage Thursday night.

    Simpson and his big band (Laur Joamets on electric & slide guitar, Chuck Bartels on bass, Bobby Emmett on keyboards, Miles Miller behind the kit and on backing vocals, Scott Frock on trumpet, Brad Walker on saxophone and Jon Ramm on trombone) played over two hours in a career-spanning set. There was no opening act, there was no encore and there wasn’t an unsatisfied soul walking out the door at the finish.

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    Simpson’s albums famously stretch the fabric of country music, adding in threads of soul, roots, blues and psychedelic elements. Live it plays as kind of a country soul revue, with a three-piece horn section, ever-present slick guitar and a keyboardist that isn’t afraid to mix in some spacey Moog. The band was utilized to full effect throughout the set, whether covering material from his debut High Top Mountain or his breakout sophomore release, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, each of which dominated the first half of the show. The music also moved the audience to full effect, from head to toe, with head bobbers, shoulder swayers, fist pumpers, booty shakers and foot stompers. Surprisingly, the most country the band sounded all night was in a phenomenal twanged-up cover of Led Zeppelin’s “When the Levee Breaks.”

    It was over an hour before they played material off Simpson’s latest, A Sailor’s Guide to the Earth. After a spacey and noisy intro, the album finally broke into the set with “Welcome to Earth.” The song built in intensity with the horns bursting out into a funky groove that smoothly found it’s way into the second track on the album, “Breakers Roar.” The set continued on as they tackled the entire album front to back. Simpson played the part of band leader throughout, coaxing more guitar, quickening the rhythm or adding more horns, simply with motions of his guitar or a nod of the head, commandeering the stage and in turn the packed theater. “Keep It Between the Lines” brought the outlaw country down to New Orleans with funky horns and B3 organ. They stretched the center out to fit extended solos in from nearly everyone in the band, including an extra groovy bass and drums section. It reached a fever pitch that was fit for a show-stopping set closer, but they were just getting started. Still yet to come was their stirring soul-country cover of Nirvana’s “In Bloom,” the heavy-rocking “Brace For Impact,” with Simpson finally strapping on an electric, and the set-closing “Call to Arms” complete with a “Soulful Strut” jam and a proper off-the-rails scream-to-the-end finish.

    Setlist: Living the Dream, A Little Light Within, Water in a Well > Long White Line > Call Me The Breeze (Lynyrd Skynyrd) > When the Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin), ?, ?, The Promise, Railroad of Sin, It Ain’t All Flowers, ?, Some Days > Turtles All the Way Down, Hero, Welcome to Earth > Breakers Roar, Keep It Between the Lines, Sea Stories > In Bloom, Brace For Impact, All Around You > Oh Sarah, Call to Arms

  • Summer Reflections on the 2016 Great New York State Fair

    Summer time is what NYS Music considers their busy season.  With outdoor venues in full swing, festivals across the country, and every band that is touring out on the road at this time hitting the Northeast during the warmer weather, it becomes quite hectic keeping readers up to date on the latest of happenings.  Sometimes once things settle down a bit, it is better to just reflect back with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee or a great Saranac Oktoberfest, and enjoy these highlights after the fact. In this case, it’s time to reflect on the 2016 Great New York State Fair.

    With a brand new entrance, the Fair welcomed more than 1,117,620 visitors through its gates this year, breaking all previous records.  With the new found space acquired after the demolition of the Grandstand area, the Fair was able to spread out a bit more giving fair goers more elbow room with its new configuration.  With all concerts now completely free to Fair goers, it was a pleasure to be able to see a wide variety of acts as they visited Central NY this year.

    The lineup this year offered a little something for everyone.  Newcomers X Ambassadors made an appearance as well as Kesha, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Toto, Survivor, Macy Gray, Brian Wilson, Herman’s Hermits, Flo Rida, Culture Club, Rachel Platten, A Great Big World, and Chicago together with a multitude of other national and local acts from today and yesterday throughout the fairgrounds.

    Being a child of the 80’s, Air Supply was one of those bands that dominated the airwaves during that time singing ballad after ballad touching the hearts of many.  This Australian duo have been making beautiful music since 1975 and this long lasting duo was widely welcomed by fairgoers this year.  Choosing from their expansive catalog of hits, such as “All Out of Love,” “Even The Nights Are Better,” and “Every Woman In The World” to name a few, Roger Hitchcock and Graham Russell jumped around the stage in the heat, waving and pointing to fans just as they did back in the height of their careers back in the 1980’s. Those in attendance were well entertained, and it was a pleasure to take the time travel back to my 7th grade dance once again.

    Another band extremely popular in the 70’s and 80’s drew a huge crowd when The Commodores played on Day 5.  Still moving and grooving like they did all those years ago, William King, Walter “Clyde” Orange and J.D. Nicholas played favorites such as “Nightshift,” “Easy,” “Three Times A Lady,” and their signature song “Brick House.”  The electric experience had the crowd up on their feet the majority of the night singing and dancing along.

    Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers also drew a large crowd.  Playing favorites such as “Mandolin Rain” and “The Way It Is,” this musical master proved to be so much more than the pop star one expected.  Traveling around in the early 90’s, Bruce joined the legendary group The Grateful Dead on tour, and has performed with legendary country performer Ricky Skaggs since 2007.  You can see the influences of these two genres reflected in his new body of work which pleased me beyond belief.  Concert attendees anticipated a remix of music that brought him to light and he delivered that and so much more with his new sound of bluegrass music.  Amazingly entertaining was Mr. Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers. Yes indeed.

    On the final Sunday fair goers had a nice mix of rock and blues as they welcomed legendary blues guitarist Robert Cray at the early show. Cray’s music was uplifting and catchy as he worked cute comparisons of love and food and animals into a mix of bluesy goodness that brought a smile to your face. With numbers like “Side Dish,” “Chicken In The Kitchen,” and “Great Big Ole House,” Robert Cray’s ability to work puns into his lyrics was endearing and his musical genius proved to the packed crowd that he is one of the greats.

    Daughtry packed Chevy Court, as thousands of fans waited for the former American Idol star to take the stage.  Surprised by the size of the crowd taking in the show,Daughtry howled at the crowd claiming that he “Did not know we had this many friends here in Syracuse. Damn, Ya’ll ready to have fun with us tonight? You ready to party with us?” Daughtry then led the crowd in clapping their hands as the band played “Feels Like Tonight.” Taking a quick breather after the song “Superman,” he shared with fans that the band was in the process of writing a new album and joked that the band didn’t have a new song yet to play for them, but all he knew was that it would be a rock album. Daughtry held the mic over the crowd several times as fans were singing along with him. Giving a shout out to his keyboardist, Elvio Fernandes, Daughtry shared that this local hometown hero was born and raised in Rochester. A very fan oriented musician, it was not a surprise when he called a fan to the stage to sign his guitar, and better yet, to have the entire band sign the guitar.

    For fairgoers each year, there are tried and true exhibits, agriculture competitions, events, and food vendors one must visit to truly experience the fair. Whether it’s fried dough, wine slushies, rides, horse competitions, or the Indian Village, the Great NY State Fair has something for everyone’s taste.  One of the new events that was most popular was the food truck contest. This event went over amazingly well as thousands took advantage of the $2 tasters all day long as the food trucks lined Chevy Court.  From was peanut butter and jelly to meatballs, there was literally something for everyone.  After a day long of tasting each purchase gave you an entry ticket to win prizes for both the taster and the food truck owner.

    Literally thousands of new yorkers and tourists from beyond, visit the Great New York State Fair for 12 days at the end of summer, each year. Traditionally, the last day is reserved for the best deal, $1 admission. What appears to be the biggest day for attendance, has now become the busiest day for the Chevy Court. On Labor Day, Chicago entertained just over 30,000 people with a fantastic performance full of rocking guitar licks, heavy horn-playing, and soaring vocals. Beginning their 2-hour long set, the band embraced the stage for the first time in 26 years with an instrumental introduction before kicking off with “Questions 67 & 68” as “Dialogue (Part I & II)” followed.  Throughout the whole show members took turns strutting their moves at the front of the stage, bringing fans deeper into their performance.   Highlights of evening included their super hits, “Beginnings,” “Free,” “25 or 6 to 4,” and “Saturday in the Park” followed by a spectacular fireworks display at the front gate as attendees exited the fair for the last time.

    Bruce Hornsby and The Noise Makers Setlist: On Western Skyline, Across the River, Funhouse, Tennessee Jed, Celestial Railroad, Pretty Polly, Every Little Kiss, Over the Rise, Jacob’s Ladder, Life in the Psychotropics, Mandolin Rain, The Way It Is, Encore: Rainbow’s Cadillac

    Robert Cray Setlist: Chicken in the Kitchen, Poor Johnny, It Doesn’t Show, Nobody’s Fault but Mine, On the Road Down, Phone Booth, Two Steps From the End, Side Dish, Great Big Old House, I Shiver, Right Next Door (Because of Me), Strong Persuader, You Move Me. Encore: Time Makes Two

    Daughtry Setlist: Go Down, Outta My Head, Feels Like Tonight, Waiting for Superman, Renegade, In the Air Tonight, Crazy, Tennessee Line, Home Sweet Home, Diamonds, It’s Not Over, Over You, Home, Long Live Rock & Roll. Encore: September, Purple Rain

  • Hearing Aide: Shovels and Rope “Little Seeds”

    Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, better known as Shovels and Rope, pour their hearts out in the newest release, Little Seeds. What I found so fascinating about the album was the fact that they were able to touch upon so many different types of folk and Americana music, but still manage to paint a light coat of something distinctly them. While the songs may sound incredibly different from beginning to end, the duo’s gently massaged track selection presents an incredibly supple flow that highlights their talent and eclectic taste.

    The first and second tracks introduce a band that is confident, gritty and loud! While some of the later songs may be appropriate for a quiet evening of snuggling up with your honey, “I Know” and “Botched Execution” would be more suitable for a late night party with some of your closest friends. It isn’t until the third track, “St. Anne’s Parade,” where we step into the chill zone with the soothing vocal harmonies and soft, simple acoustics that frequently drift into Little Seeds. I would consider this “soulful Americana” as Hearst and Trent passionately belt out the well-written lyrics.

    “The Last Hawk” picks the tempo up in the most pleasant way and reassures the listener that this album is going to stylistically take us for a ride. As much as this studio project was about their personal experiences, many Upstate New Yorkers will connect with the references to Woodstock and Saugerties in this particular story. “Mourning Song” has a lyrical structure similar to that of a traditional Irish folk tune and tells the tale of a grieving wife’s connection with her deceased lover through music. The theme of birth and death and all that we feel in between is presented throughout Little Seeds, but the duo’s songwriting ability is so hardy that the same concepts are presented in such unique and different ways.

    “Johnny Come Outside” is another one of the calmer, thought provoking numbers which has a hook resembling Bob Dylan’s widely covered “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.” Where Dylan has had an influence on generations of folk, blues and Americana artists, Shovels & Rope are planting the seeds that will grow into the next garden of fresh young sonic storytellers. “San Andreas Fault Line Blues” introduces us to yet another taste of bluesy gospel music, but this time one can hear Johnny Cash casting his light on the duo’s lyrical approach. “BWYR” is a haunting and topical song that profoundly delivers the ugly messages of racial injustices in a world where all we need is some peace. The faint sounds of police sirens whisper in the background of this enlightening and important piece of poetry. “Eric’s Birthday” seamlessly fades into the last track, “This Ride,” and delivers the euphoric reminder of life and love before sending us all on our way.

    Whether you have just given birth to a new child or have recently lost someone, Little Seeds will help you reflect. Ever experience loneliness, bliss, heartache or confusion? Listen to this album. If you enjoy gathering around the campfire with family and friends or spending the day alone in a busy city, this release is for you. Filled with powerful messages, spiritual symbolism, and deeply expressed life lessons, Shovels & Rope have created a robust collection of songs that you can play in front of your grandparents, your grandchildren and everyone that you meet along the way.

    Key Tracks: St. Anne’s Parade, The Last Hawk, Johnny Come Outside

  • WEQX Presents Nothing But Thieves Oct. 20 at Lucky Strike Social w/ The Wrecks

    On Thursday, Oct. 20 catch Nothing But Thieves U.S. tour on their stop at Lucky Strike Social in Albany, for a free show presented by WEQX. They will be joined by special guests, The Wrecks.

    Nothing But Thieves is a five-piece band from Essex, England consisting of old friends Conor Mason (vocals), Dominic Craik (guitar, keys), Joe Langridge-Brown (guitar), Philip Blake (bass) and James Price (drums).

    The group offers an alternative/indie sound that has a ghostly, tender quality that flows well within their eloquent songwriting. They have shared the stage with artists like Awolnation, Arcade Fire, Twin Atlantic, and more.

    This is the second tour they’ve done in the U.S. The first tour back in 2012 contributed greatly to their growth as an emerging band with its own original sound, according to the band’s Soundcloud. Their debut studio album through Sony Music Entertainment back in 2015 entered the official U.K. chart at number 7 and topped iTunes chart at number 3.