NYS Music 20​17

Author: Mike Kohli

  • The Great NYS Fair Has Your Local Music Fix

    The 2017 NYS Fair opened its gates Wednesday, August 23, and aside from the food, music, especially local, is arguably the biggest attraction at the New York State Fair. The main stage acts at Lakeview Amphitheater and Chevy Court draw the most attention, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a plethora of acts across the fairgrounds. From the various pavilions to the bars that set up camp at the fair, there is music of all types to be found.

    The Empire Experience Stage features live performances three times a day, free with fair admission. The complete 13 day schedule can be found here.

    Among the acts performing at the Empire Experience Stage are several tribute bands (Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Jimmy Buffet, Rush, David Bowie, AC/DC, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd and Sublime); Latin music featuring Edgar Pagan’s Grupo Pagan, Alex Torres and his Latin Orchestra, Orquesta La Muralla, Afrikan2 and BombaRoc along with local polka legends, Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame honorees and SAMMY Hall of Fame inductees, Fritz’s Polka Band.

    Aug. 28-31 features several original local acts presented by local rock station 95X. Oneonta’s Baked Potatoes kicks off the series Aug. 28 at 4 p.m., followed by Utica-area act Our Common Roots at 6:30 p.m. The Black River closes out the stage at 8:30 p.m.

    Other artists included in the local showcase at the Empire Experience Stage include Oswego’s Ethernauts (Aug. 29 at 4 p.m.) along with Syracuse’s Professional Victims (Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m.), Spring Street Family Band (Aug. 29 at 8:30 p.m.), Ahnest! (Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.), Townhouse Warrior (Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m.), Toronto’s Bleeker (Aug. 30 at 8:30 p.m.), Mattydale Music Collective (Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m.), Stacy White Suite (Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.) and Barroom Philosophers (Aug. 31 at 8:30 p.m.). Barroom Philosophers will also be performing at the West End Bar & Grille at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 3.  SAMMY Award recipients, Americana band the Ripcords will also be performing the Empire Experience Stage (Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.).

    In addition to the Empire Experience, there are several other stages to take in live music. The Pan-African Village is a cooperative effort between the NAACP and the New York State Fair. The village highlights New York’s African-American heritage and features vendors and performers with African and Caribbean roots. Performances are held several times per day throughout the fair’s run. Featured performers at the Pan-African stage include SAMMY Award Winner Bobby Green (Aug. 25 at 8 p.m), Matte Mase (Aug. 26 at 3:30 p.m.), Tanksley with two performances (Aug. 26 at 5:30 p.m. and Aug. 28 at 8 p.m.), Modern Mudd (Aug. 26 at 8 p.m.), Five to Life (Aug. 27 at 2 p.m.), Steve Wolf performing twice (Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. and Aug. 31 at 6 p.m.), Colleen Kattau & Dos XX (Sept. 1 at 4 p.m.), Soft Spoken (Sept. 1 at 8 p.m.), Hev’n Ayn and Friends (Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.), Afrikan2 (Sept. 3 at 2 p.m.), and the Brownskin Band (Sept. 4. at 6 p.m.).

    Some CNY favorites will take to the Dairyland Stage, appropriately located in the Dairy Building. Artists performing at this mini-stage-in-the-round include Just Joe on Aug. 31 (11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Joe will also be performing at the Courtside Grill Aug. 23-27 for two sets each day (12-1:30 p.m and 3:30-5 p.m.) Castle Creek for three half-hour sets on Sept. 2 (11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m.) and Max Scialdone on Sept. 4 (11 a.m., 2 p.m and 5 p.m.).

    Several bars take up residency during the fair and many also offer live music. The West End Bar & Grille is a NYS Fair institution. The bar is located just inside of gate six on the west side of the fairgrounds and offers live music every night of the fair. Solvay’s own Rhythm Method brings its blend of metal and classic rock to the West Side twice during the fair (Aug. 24 and Sept. 2, both shows begin at 7:30 p.m.). They will also perform at Bosco’s on Restaurant Row Aug. 28 and 29 at 6:30 p.m.

    Syracuse R&B and soul group the Horndogs bring their horn-driven funk to the West Side on Aug. 25  and alt-country musician Steve Cali performs a Sunday set on Aug. 27. Other bands performing the West End include 3 Inch Fury, Brass, Inc., the PEP Band and Kat Tale. All shows at the West End begin at 7:30 p.m.

    The Empire Room, one of the fair’s air conditioned venues, will host live music twice per day over the course of the fair’s thirteen day run. Utica-based harmonica player, Matt Lomeo will perform three days with a different partner joining him each day. On Aug. 24, Lomeo will be joined by guitarist Brian Mulkerne. On Aug. 27 Syracuse-based guitarist and leader of Morris and the Hepcats, Morris Tarbell joins Lomeo. Finally, on Aug. 29, Lomeo is accompanied by celebrated jazz saxophonist and pianist, Monk Rowe. All of Lomeo’s appearances at the Empire Room are 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

    Chris Eves will make two appearances at the Empire Room, one as a solo act on Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. and the other with his band, the New Normal for a Party on the Patio Aug. 27, also at 3 p.m.

    Verona-based Opus Black String Quartet brings its unique take on classical meets contemporary to the Empire Room Patio Aug. 30 from 3-7 p.m.

    Syracuse legend and SAMMY Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Whiting brings his exciting act to the Empire Room twice. On Aug. 31, Whiting will be joined by guitarist Loren Barrigar at 3 p.m. and hosts a Party on the Patio Sept. 2 at 3 p.m.

    The Suds Factory Courtside Grille is yet another spot to catch some hot local talent throughout the fair’s run. Just Joe makes several appearances Aug. 25-27. Utica-area southern rock band the Swamp Drivers, renowned for their arsenal of homemade instruments, perform at the Grille Aug. 25-26.  High energy Syracuse hard rock and metal aficionados, Scars n’ Stripes hit the Grille for two sets on Aug. 24 (6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.).

    Boonville native Shawn “Big Sexy” Smith, a 2013 contestant on NBC’s  The Voice brings his talents to the Grille for two sets Aug. 28 (3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.). Syracuse-area classic rock and blues band The Barndogs perform Aug. 28, 29 and Sept. 3 from 6-11 p.m. and Brian McArdell and Mark Westers perform acoustic classic rock Aug. 30 (12:30 and 3:30 p.m.).

    Prior to and following Brett Michaels’ free show at Chevy Court, attendees can take in LaFayette country rockers Country Swagg. The band performs Aug. 30 from 6:30-8 p.m. and again following Michaels’ set. Syracuse funksters Skunk City close out the fair at the Grille Sept. 4 with two sets (4:30 and 9 p.m.). A regular at Funk n’ Waffles Downtown, this eclectic collective is sure to end the 2017 NYS Fair with a groove.  For Courtside Grille set times for all of the above musicians and many others click here.

    Finally, Bosco’s at the Fair and Shamrock’s host Syracuse-area country workhorses the TJ Sacco Band with both solo and full band performances. Sacco performs solo sets at Shamrock’s Aug. 24, 28, 29 and 30. He’ll be joined at Shamrock’s by the full band on Aug. 26, 27 and Sept. 2 and 3. All performances at Shamrock’s are at 5 p.m. Bosco’s will host the band Aug. 25 (7 p.m.) and Sacco solo Aug. 31 (7 p.m.). Solvay’s eight-piece funk outfit In Too Deep drops the beats at Bosco’s Sept. 2 at 6 p.m.

    Bottom line: One can attend the NYS Fair each of its 13 days and spend the entire day taking in nothing but spectacular live local music. Check a few of them out and let them know you appreciate their efforts. They’ll remember it and when they hit the big stage you can brag that you saw them when. Remember, every band was local once.

  • Glen Campbell, Country and Pop Crossover Pioneer, Dead at 81

    Glen Campbell, a country artist who successfully bridged the pop and country worlds in the late ’60s and early ’70s died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease Tuesday at the age of 81. Campbell’s Facebook page confirmed the death Tuesday afternoon.

    glen campbell
    Image: Getty Images

    Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 and was public about it as he embarked on a farewell tour backed by three of his children. What was supposed to have been a short five week tour, morphed into 151 shows, with his final show occurring in Napa, CA on Nov. 30, 2012. That tour was chronicled in the 2014 documentary, Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.

    The film followed Campbell on that final tour and revealed the up close and personal experiences of a person suffering through the various stages of Alzheimer’s and its effects on loved ones. Campbell’s daughter, Ashley, who played keyboard and banjo on the tour, told The New York Times in 2014, “It was almost like a game of roulette. You’d have a great show and then a difficult show, and you’d start to wonder, ‘Oh no, is this getting towards the end?’”

    glen campbell
    Photo Credit: Henry Diltz

    Following that tour, Campbell retreated to Nashville where he received long-term care until his death. His final studio album Adios! was recorded following the farewell tour. He was accompanied by such artists as Vince Gill and Willie Nelson, covering songs from Nelson, Bob Dylan and Harry Nilsson, and his longtime collaborator Jimmy Webb. The album was released this past June.

    Campbell was the seventh of 12 kids, born to an Arkansas sharecropper on April 22, 1936. He began playing guitar at the age of four with a Sears and Roebuck guitar and was performing on local radio by age six. Campbell quit school, obsessed with Django Reinhardt at the age of 14 and moved in with his uncle, Dick Bills, who had a band in Albuquerque.

    A move to Los Angeles in 1960 at the age of 22 kick started a professional career that had Campbell performing with the infamous Wrecking Crew, a loose-knit group of LA studio musicians who became Phil Spector’s house band. The Wrecking Crew acted as the backing band for dozens of the most popular artists of the ’60s, including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, the Monkees, Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley, the Mamas and the Papas and the Beach Boys.

    According to Rolling Stone, “In 1963 alone, he appeared on 586 cuts and countless more throughout the decade, including the Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas,” Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” and the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”

    After sitting in on some Beach Boys sessions, Campbell became a touring member of the band, replacing Brian Wilson, who had suffered a nervous breakdown. Campbell toured with the band through 1965.

    His late ’60s collaborations with Jimmy Webb brought Campbell’s biggest success, with songs such as “Wichita Lineman,” “Where’s the Playground Susie,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Galveston.” His popularity and status as a crossover artist took off in 1968 when he hosted a summer replacement show for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. The gig led to his own variety show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, hosting such musical luminaries as Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, the Beatles, Neil Diamond and Linda Ronstadt on CBS. The show ran from 1969 through 1972.

    Webb wrote a heartfelt tribute to his “big brother” in a post to Facebook.

    Campbell’s career stumbled a bit in the early ’70s as problems due to alcohol and cocaine use created issues both personally and professionally. In 1975, he resurfaced with several of his most well-known songs topping both the country and pop charts. The Allen Toussaint-penned “Southern Nights” and his signature song, “Rhinestone Cowboy” both hit number one on the Billboard charts during this period.

    His later years were spent championing younger country artists such as Keith Urban and Alan Jackson and recording albums of gospel music. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. The album Ghost on the Canvas was released in 2011 and featured collaborations from indie rock icons Paul Westerberg of the Replacements, who wrote the title track, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and Jakob Dylan of the Wallflowers.

    Campbell is survived by his fourth wife Kimberly, their three children, Cal, Shannon and Ashley, Debby (from his first wife, Diane Kirk), Kelli, Travis and Kane (from his second wife, Billie Jean Nunley) and Dillon (from his third wife, Sarah Barg.

    Webb eulogized, “Let the world note that a great American influence on pop music, the American Beatle, the secret link between so many artists and records that we can only marvel, has passed and cannot be replaced.”

  • Jimkata Announces Indefinite Hiatus

    Ithaca’s Jimkata made a surprising hiatus announcement on its Facebook page Tuesday, announcing the band will be put on hold indefinitely.

    https://www.facebook.com/jimkatamusic/posts/10155605657749189:0

    In the post, the band alluded to reaching a turning point in its career, leading to the decision to go on indefinite hiatus to focus on other projects and the members’ individual lives.

    Jimkata got its start at Ithaca College in 2005. Originally, the jamtronica band didn’t take itself seriously, taking its name from the 1985 gymnastics-meets-karate movie Gymkata, starring Olympian Kurt Thomas, a movie so notoriously bad, it’s a must-watch. Constant touring and a do-it-yourself work ethic earned the band a loyal fanbase as it transitioned from a jamband to a more electronic sound.

    Founding members Evan Friedell (vocals/guitar), Aaron Gorsch (guitar/keys) and Packy Lunn (drums) grew up together in the Upstate college town of Oneonta. Bassist Dave Rossi joined after meeting the other members during his freshman year at Ithaca. Rossi was dismissed from the band in 2015.

    jimkata hiatus

    The band has had a largely DIY ethic since its formation, turning to fans in online campaigns to finance its albums and tourning non-stop. The band’s latest album, 2016’s In Motion was financed through a PledgeMusic campaign. Such techniques tend to endear a band’s fans to the music as they feel a sense of ownership. Jimkata has felt a sense of pride in its DIY ethic and the relationship with its fans. Friedell says, “We just road dogged it. It’s all DIY. Doing 150 shows a year, sleeping on floors, recording songs along the way. We built everything organically, all word of mouth. The advice we got when we started was ‘Just go out and play. It’ll pay off.’”

    In its statement, the band stated:

    Its a very vulnerable thing to create music and share it with the world, not knowing how it will be received. For it to have been received with love and passion all these years is an honor. And to have existed as an independent band supported by friends, fans, and family for ten years feels like a privilege regardless of any challenges we’ve faced. But in short, we’ve busted our ass, given it our all, and for now we’re gonna take a step back and bust our ass in other directions. We look forward to staying connected with you and hope to hear from you as we pursue new projects. This is not the end of the music, but it is the end of this particular chapter of Jimkata.

    The hiatus is not immediate, as the band still has several dates to perform, including a set at the Night Lights Music Festival in Sherman, south of Buffalo, Aug. 24-26 and October dates in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and New York. Tickets for the October shows go on sale Friday, July 14 at 11 a.m.

    Catch Jimkata in October:

    Oct. 19 – Flour City Station – Rochester
    Oct. 20 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo
    Oct. 21 – Westcott Theater – Syracuse
    Oct. 26 – The Hollow Bar & Kitchen – Albany
    Oct. 27 – The Main Pub – Manchester, CT
    Oct. 28 – American Beauty NYC – New York

  • Rome Summer Concert Series Kicks Off July 10 with Fritz’s Polka Band

    The City of Rome’s annual summer concert series at Griffo Green at Rome City Hall kicks off its season of free Monday concerts July 10. All shows are held from 6-8 p.m. each Monday night throughout July and August. Beverages will be available for purchase and food trucks will be on hand on selected nights. There will also be a food truck rally July 24.

    Kicking off this year’s series on July 10 is SAMMYS Hall of Fame inductee Fritz’s Polka Band. Fritz’s Polka Band was formed in 1978 and has been active ever since. While the word “polka” is in the band’s name, it is not solely a polka band. Fritz’s Polka Band performs everything from classic rock to blues to country. Check out FPB’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” below.

    Vinyl 45, a five piece performing hits from the ’60s and ’70s, takes the stage July 17 followed by acoustic duo, the Boxed Set on July 24. The latter is also the date of the Food Truck Rally. Local food trucks will be lined up along North Washington Street for concert goers’ culinary concerns.

    The Pine Ridge Mountain Band visits Griffo Green on July 31. This four piece specializes in southern rock. You’ll hear classics from the Allman Brothers Band and Lynryd Skynyrd as well as contemporary hits from Blackberry Smoke and Tom Petty.

    Their version of the James Gang’s “Funk 49” can be seen below.

    Caut!on makes an appearance Aug. 7. This local favorite dips into the catalogs of the Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, the Band and other Americana and jamband staples along with its own original compositions.

    Red Hush has been performing around Central New York for upward of 20 years. Their hard rock style has earned them a loyal following throughout the area. Griffo Green will be rocking when these guys take the stage Aug. 14.

    The series wraps Aug. 21 with a performance of classics and contemporary rock and country by Dubonnet. Dubonnet is another veteran Central New York act with a strong following.

    The Rome Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Davidson Auto Group and the City of Rome Department of Parks & Recreation. Admission to all events is free.

  • Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar Features National Artists All Summer

    The Riverboat Bar in Alexandria Bay has announced a stellar lineup for its Summer 2017 Live Music Series. Both regional and national touring acts will be featured at Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar.

    alex bay's riverboat barThe primarily free series brings live music to the Bay Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer. It began June 3 with Broken Arrow Hearts and followed with Earphorik, Mick Fury and Mister F. Friday’s featured artist is the Tyler Pearce Project, a soulful pop-rock act from Rochester.

    Saturday features local Bay act Adapter., an original improv band influenced by moe., the Tragically Hip, Pearl Jam and the Black Keys.

    The Riverboat is the only Thousand Islands area venue that spotlights such a prominent array of national and regional acts. Most shows are free to the public and cover a variety of genres. The main focus is to feature bands from the New York State music scene from cities such as Buffalo, Rochester, Albany and Syracuse that have made names for themselves performing at festivals and venues throughout the Northeast and beyond.

    Bands returning to the Riverboat this summer include New York acts Mister F, Black Mountain Symphony, Chris James and Mama G, Subsoil, Folkfaces, Annie in the Water, Tiny Music, Haewa, Boogiehood, Adapter, Balkun Brothers from Connecticut, Tweed from Philadelphia, After Funk from Toronto and Jiggawaltz from Vermont.

    In addition to these returning acts, the venue welcomes newcomers Earphorik from Fort Wayne, IN, Formula 5 from Albany, the Old Main from Utica, the Medicinals from Rochester, Funktional Flow from Buffalo and the Tyler Pearce Project from Rochester.

    alex bay's riverboat barJoin NYS Music and the Riverboat Bar for a summer full of great live local, regional and national music.

    Alex Bay’s Riverboat Bar Summer 2017 Live Music Series:

    June 30 – Tyler Pearce Project
    July 1 – Adapter.
    July 7 – Boogiehood
    July 8 – Formula 5
    July 14 – Balkun Brothers
    July 15 – Black Mountain Symphony
    July 21 – the Old Main
    July 22 – Chris James & Mama G w/s/g Johnny Richards
    July 28 – Funktional Flow
    July 29 – Tweed
    Aug. 4 – Subsoil
    Aug. 5 – Folkfaces
    Aug. 11 – Annie in the Water
    Aug. 12 – Tiny Music
    Aug. 18 – After Funk
    Aug. 19 – Jiggawaltz
    Aug. 25 – the Medicinals
    Aug. 26 – Haewa

    Check out footage of upcoming Riverboat artist Formula 5 below:

  • Empire State Building and Dead & Company Teaming Up for Citi Field Synchronized Light Show

    Saturday’s Dead & Company show at Citi Field will have a special sit-in for the encore. Empire State Reality Trust, owners of the iconic Empire State Building, has teamed up with Dead & Company and New York’s classic rock station Q104.3 to provide a synchronized LED light show to illuminate the famed tower as the band performs its encore at Citi Field.

    The Empire State Building’s light show will be designed by Marc Brickman and begins at approximately 11:00 p.m. Those not at Citi Field can still enjoy the music through the iHeartRadio app or over the air on New York’s classic rock station Q104.3.

    Once the show is over, it will be available for viewing on the Empire State Building’s Facebook and YouTube channels as well as the Dead & Company YouTube channel.

    Dead & Company recently performed at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. You can read the NYS Music review of that show here and video from SPAC below.

  • Hearing Aide: St. Phillip’s Escalator ‘The Derelict Sound’

    Come on out to the garage, it’s hot in here. Rochester’s St. Phillip’s Escalator released its latest batch of psych-garage-blues rock on Record Store Day. The Derelict Sound, the band’s second full-length, is just that, an amalgam of the influences this power trio has cited since first forming as teenagers back in the early aughts.The band, guitarist/vocalist Ryan Moore, drummer Zachary Koch and bassist Noel Wilfeard, have been best friends since childhood and have been playing together as a unit just as long.

    The Derelict Sound is heavily rooted in the psychedelic sounds of the late ’60s garage bands. Many of the tracks wouldn’t be out of place on Lenny Kaye’s Nuggets compilation. Yet while there’s that trace of the past in the band’s sound, there’s a sense of looking forward as well. “New Age,” the lead single from Derelict signals just that in the band’s sound. It’s a swirling, not-quite-a-pop song that takes a step back from the band’s more frequent references of the Stooges, the Sonics and Blue Cheer.

    The album was recorded live at Temperamental Recording in Geneseo near Rochester. In an interview with NYS Music in March, Koch spoke about why they chose to record live, “It was not just a live record, but the bass, drums, and guitar, the core of it we played together because it’s the only way we could draw that energy. We tried before to record separately.” This is a band that thrives in a live environment. That is apparent when listening. The production feels live and gives the listener a great indication of what to expect in person.

    While the production value isn’t exactly what one would call “clean,” it is, after all, a garage rock album and it hits all the right spots. “Turn On, Get Out” opens with uptempo snare drumming reminiscent of Mudhoney. Koch’s beat drives this one and is one of the high points of the album. A Ron Asheton-style guitar solo kicks the frenzy up a notch before settling back in to Koch’s pocket.

    Influences are a-plenty throughout. Aside from the Stones, Stooges and Sonics references, there are times one can pick up shades of the Dickies’ “You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)” at the open of “Outside Mind.” The Escalator then brings you back down to Fun House-era Stooges dirge before kicking you over the rail into Dickies territory again. Koch is the driving force on this album. It is obvious that he is informed by such icons as Ginger Baker and Keith Moon.

    Ultimately, The Derelict Sound is a highly satisfying record that implores repeated listening. The band had a limited edition run of 300 copies printed in vinyl format. It is also available for download/streaming and on CD.

    Key Tracks: Turn On, Get Out, New Age, Outside Mind

    The Derelict Sound Tracklist:

    1. Sleepy Silver Train Haze
    2. Turn On, Get Out
    3. New Age
    4. Outside Mind
    5. Find My Way
    6. She’s Gone
    7. Turn the Blame
    8. Whiskey Woman Blues
    9. Undone
    10. All is Lost

  • The Record Company Rocks the Westcott

    “We’re the Record Company, and we play rock and roll.” This is how the Record Company’s lead vocalist/guitarist/harpist Chris Vos often introduces his band at the start of a performance. While said in an understated fashion, it is no understatement.

    Throughout the nearly hour and a half performance at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater May 20, The Record Company proved time and again that they do indeed play rock and roll. Steeped in a blues tradition but still maintaining a contemporary rock sound, the Record Company is out to prove that rock is not dead.

    Before The Record Company hit the stage, opening act, Nashville-based duo Smooth Hound Smith, won over the crowd early with some self-deprecating humor and foot stomping blues. The husband and wife duo, Zack and Caitlin Smith had a great stage presence and could easily have passed as the headliner on this night.

    Zack Smith plays guitar, harmonica and foot drum as well as handling the majority of the vocals, a virtual one-man band. He has a country-blues feel with a touch of rockabilly. Caitlin Smith adds percussion and lush vocals with a bit of a Nashville touch and the occasional Janis Joplin wail to round out the Smooth Hound Smith sound.

    The Record Company, Vos, Alex Stiff on bass/vocals and Elmira native Marc Cazorla on drums/keys are as cohesive a unit as you’ll find in music today. The rhythm section is tight and Vos is a multi-instrumental maestro. Vos’s bluesy vocal style was perfectly complemented by Stiff and Carzola’s harmonies all night.

    One can derive many influences in the music of The Record Company – Delta and Chicago blues, gospel, mid-70s stadium rock and even hip hop. The latter was exhibited in a spirited, bluesy cover of the Beastie Boys “So What’cha Want” that had the near capacity crowd happily bouncing along.

    Vos leans heavily on his weathered Fender lap steel at shows and for good reason, he made that thing sing, especially on the greasy blues dirge “Rita Mae Young.” His harmonica style, especially in the band’s single “Hard Day Comin’ Down” beckons Bob Dylan.

    Speaking of Dylan, midway through the show, the band worked in a three-song acoustic mini-set, anchored by a scorching version of “Subterranean Homesick Blues.”

    The set closed with Vos lying his acoustic guitar across his lap for lesson in the slide. Stiff and Cazorla kept the back beat while Vos furiously worked the guitar and later the harmonica on the appropriately titled, “The Burner.” Cazorla was often pulling double duty on his bass, sometimes playing it as a lead instrument as well as using a slide.

    The show closed with a one-song encore, a new one from the band’s latest album. “In the Mood” is a blues, via Mod era Who, romp that ended the night on a high note, including crowd participation on the chorus. The band took a collective bow with appreciative smiles, the audience reciprocated, another audience won over. This is a band that is on to bigger things, dragging honest rock and roll along with it.

    The Record Company Setlist: On the Move, Baby I’m Broken, Hard Day Coming Down, Night Games, Rita Mae Young, Feels So Good, Crooked City (acoustic), I’m Changing (acoustic), Subterranean Homesick Blues (acoustic) (Bob Dylan cover), Don’t Let Me Get Lonely, So What’cha Want (Beastie Boys cover), Turn Me Loose, Off the Ground, The Burner
    E: In the Mood

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  • Gregg Allman, Dead at 69

    Founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, Gregg Allman has passed at the age of 69, according to his official website. A statement on the site said the following:

    It is with deep sadness that we announce that Gregg Allman, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, passed away peacefully at his home in Savannah, Georgia.

    Gregg struggled with many health issues over the past several years. During that time, Gregg considered being on the road playing music with his brothers and solo band for his beloved fans, essential medicine for his soul. Playing music lifted him up and kept him going during the toughest of times.

    Gregg’s long time manager and close friend, Michael Lehman said, “I have lost a dear friend and the world has lost a brilliant pioneer in music. He was a kind and gentle soul with the best laugh I ever heard. His love for his family and bandmates was passionate as was the love he had for his extraordinary fans. Gregg was an incredible partner and an even better friend. We will all miss him.”

    Gregg is survived by his wife, Shannon Allman, his children, Devon, Elijah Blue, Delilah Island Kurtom and Layla Brooklyn Allman; 3 grandchildren, his niece, Galadrielle Allman, lifelong friend Chank Middleton, and a large extended family. The family will release a statement soon, but for now ask for privacy during this very difficult time.

    Rumors had swirled for weeks that Allman had entered hospice care, only to be debunked by Allman himself in a statement on Facebook

    gregg allmanAllman and his brother Duane, who died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, formed the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. The band quickly became an influential member of the burgeoning improv scene, performing at the now legendary Summer Jam show at the Watkins Glen race track on July 28, 1973, along with the Grateful Dead and the Band in 1973. The show, which received the Guinness Book of World Records honor of “Largest Audience at a Pop Festival,” drew upwards of 600,000 fans.

    The band’s breakthrough album, At Fillmore East, featuring extended versions of “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Whipping Post,” put the Allmans on the musical map. Fillmore is, to this day, considered one of the best live albums ever produced.

    Allman began his career on guitar but his brother Duane’s talent on guitar eventually resulted in Allman settling as keyboardist for his namesake band, setting the stage for his near 50 year career in the recording industry.

    Allman married Cher in 1975. Together they had a son, Elijah Blue Allman. Allman was recording solo at this point and recorded an album with Cher, Two the Hard Way that was met with scorn from the press. The ensuing tour created friction between Cher fans and Allman fans, resulting in Cher cancelling the tour.

    In 1987, Allman reached a renaissance with his solo album I’m No Angel. The title track reached number one on the Billboard charts and signaled a resurgence for the musician.

    Allman’s chemical dependency, resulting in a 2010 liver transplant never truly weaned. He commented on it in an interview with Stuff Magazine in 2011:

    “my generation…we were all just such heavy drug takers. We didn’t know no different. We didn’t know no other way. It was what we did. And that’s going to come back and hit ya – and it got me. But I’ve been clean a while now, I quit it all – finally – 16 years ago, thank god.

    The Allman Brothers Band regularly performed an annual run of shows at the Beacon in New York, a run that concluded in 2014 after 238 sellouts. Allman had been scheduled to perform with ZZ Top on tour last year but pulled out due to health reasons. He had been working on his first solo album since the Allman Brothers’ retirement with producer Don Was.

  • UPDATE: Explosion at Ariana Grande Concert in Manchester, England Kills 19, Injures at Least 50

    British police have responded to an explosion during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Early reports indicate that 19 people were killed and 50 injured in what is being investigated as a possible terrorist act.

    Explosion at Ariana Grande concertThe bomber was identified as 22 year-old Salman Abedi, the son of Libyan immigrants. According to authorities, he died in the explosion. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the terror alert to its highest level.

    Grande responded to the attack in a tweet after the show:

    https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/866849021519966208

    The Dangerous Woman Tour was scheduled to make a stop at London’s O2 Arena Thursday but TMZ is reporting that Grande has suspended the tour indefinitely.

    Among the 22 killed and 59 injured in the attack were many children under 16.

    The BBC is reporting that the blast occurred in one of the foyers to the arena at approximately 10:35 p.m. BST. A second suspected device was located in the vicinity of the explosion.

    The injured are being treated for shrapnel-type wounds amid a huge police presence. A bomb disposal unit was also dispatched to the scene. The Greater Manchester Police issued a statement via Twitter regarding the incident:

    A video posted by a concertgoer shows the ensuing panic within the arena moments after the explosion.

    https://twitter.com/hannawwh/status/866775833553379328

    Grande is on a world tour to promote her Dangerous Woman album. Her publicist confirmed that Grande is O.K. She is next scheduled to perform at O2 Arena in London on Thursday. No word yet as to whether that will happen.