Category: Features

Interview: Trevor Lewington of Enter the Haggis Prepares to enter Putnam Den

Canada’s finest Celtic music export, Enter the Haggis, will return to the Putnam Den this Saturday, December 9, with Albany’s Black Mountain Symphony kicking the night off. Haggis Heads will unite for an energetic night of Celtic rock as part of the group’s “Broken Arms” Tour. Trevor Lewington (guitar, mandolin, keyboard, vocals for Enter the Haggis) spoke with NYS Music this week to discuss their New York fans, the Irish connection found at shows around the state, and how their studio work remains fresh after more than 20 years.

Pete Mason: Given New York’s large Irish community spread out around the state, do you find the crowds to be different when you play in New York, or are Haggis Heads a universal fanbase?

Trevor Lewington: There’s a strong connection between the US and Ireland so just about anywhere you go in this country you’ll find people with Irish roots. That said, obviously New York has one of the largest expat Irish populations so when you play in a band with pipes and fiddle, there’s big support. Our music also blurs the lines between a number of styles and many Haggis Heads across the country have little or no connection to Ireland, which is cool too. There really is something about Irish and Celtic music in general that draws the listener in and tends to get people dancing and having a good time.

PM: How was your recent show at the Westcott Theater in Syracuse? And you’ve got shows in February in Buffalo and Rochester coming up?

TL: We’ve definitely been busy recently! Besides the Upstate shows, the last couple months have taken us to California, Texas and Ireland. The Westcott show was awesome as usual – we play a wide range of venues from seated theaters to standing rock clubs and the Westcott (and Putnam Den) are two of the most rockin’.

PM: How do you feel your music has evolved over the past few years?

TL: We started as very much a Celtic/Irish Rock band and over about 10 albums have gone in all sorts of directions. Leading up to our last couple of releases we were getting further from the Celtic sound and then had a furious swing right back to our roots as a band. I think we needed a little time away from it to get excited about Celtic Rock again. We’ve also come to realize that for whatever reason this band plays Celtic Rock music in a very natural and authentic way – it helps having a Scottish piper and a fiddle player who grew up competing on the Canadian fiddle circuit.

PM: Given that 2012’s The Modest Revolution was written based on stories found in a 2012 edition of Toronto’s The Globe and Mail, and another album was written based on letters from fans, how does giving your albums themes keep the studio experience fresh?

TL: Not only did it keep things fresh but it was a great way to engage listeners. Plus, it’s usually our songs that are based on specific stories that seem to connect with our fans. That said, we’re embarking on a new record and this time I mostly just pulled lyrics from the depths of my heart and brain… and my liver… this is starting to sound a bit like haggis.

December 7, 2017
Get Brainwashed with ShwizZ’s Quirky video for “Listen To It”

This past week, ShwiZz released their video for “Listen To It,” a satirical song with an equally odd video that bounces around similar to the jams ShwiZz performs. Watch below.

“Listen To It” was conceptualized and written by Ryan Liatsis and brought to life in 2017 with the band ShwizZ. The self-referential tune encourages the listener to indeed “listen to it,” over and over again. Guitarist Ryan Liatsis shared some background on the video. “The original idea was to write more of a pop song to take the band in a different direction, but of course our love for Zappa shone through and we wound up adding quite a bit of humor and satire. The song is merely a mockery of the power mainstream media has over so many minds, “telling” them all what should be listened to, whether you like it or not! We are undoubtedly not the first people or group to shed light on this matter, but our hope is that people who view this video will consider giving a listen to small time bands, music you’ve perhaps never heard and non commercial radio and media. Or perhaps we just want to brainwash everyone as well.”

“Listen To It” was directed and produced by Paul Liatsis and Bridgeside Productions out of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn, NY, and was filmed at Bridgeside Productions Studio in Nyack, NY.

Catch ShwiZz on December 9 at B.R.Y.A.C in Bridgeport, CT, December 15 at Casa Del Sol in Nyack, NY and on January 11 at 10pm they’ll be part of a live TV performance “Raw Music Sessions,” available for viewing on Channel 79 Time Warner Cable and Fios Staten Island

December 6, 2017
Refusing the Rules of the Game, Grace VanderWaal Steals the Show

Refusing the Rules of the Game, VanderWaal Steals the Show: How a 13-year old’s authentic sound reminds us to be ourselves

Tucked in between artists still struggling to find their voices, Grace VanderWaal let her light shine brightly at the Palace Theatre Tuesday night hosted by local radio station FLY 92. Skipping on the stage wearing a feline headband, worn jeans, a modest knit top and raspberry socks tucked in loafers, 13-year-old VanderWaal charmed the audience immediately with her authentic smile and honest voice.

Strumming her ukulele and stretching her ethereal voice with “Moonlight” and “Florets,” VanderWaal smiled, jumped, danced, and even sang with her hands at times betraying some nervousness normal for 8th graders. This New York State kid from Suffern’s talent is far beyond normal though; she writes her own songs, and her performances offer a fresh and vulnerable persona rarely seen in pop music these days.

She was incredibly earnest when she asked the audience to sing along to “I Don’t Know My Name,” perhaps her most widely recognizable hit from TV show America’s Got Talent. She added that it makes her happy to hear people sing her words, and the audience eagerly obliged.

Songs like “So Much More Than This” and “Scars To Your Beautiful” speak with authority about being young and not wanting to fit in, and accepting imperfections with pure joy rather than compromise. Who better to peddle hope to teenagers that a thirteen-year-old who titled her first short release “Perfectly Imperfect?” VanderWaal offers hope from a place of reality: she isn’t just writing about being awkward and inexperienced, but from living and embracing being awkward and fresh on the scene. In fact, she’s holding on tightly to who she really is, and is reminding us that we should, too. Her promise was that by being oneself, one can actually be happy.

VanderWaal covered “Home,” and the intensity of her plucky, hopeful spirit couldn’t be contained. Accompanied by a keyboard, guitar, and drummer, VanderWaals’s contagious smile and energy helped to forgive some pitches she reached for a just slightly fell flat. Because of her joyfulness, the message of authentic courage, and marching dance style across the stage, it was easy to forgive the few notes that didn’t quite meet their mark. She hopped like a small finch across the stage, singing her lyrics and owning the Palace.

By the end of the short set, she had inspired singing, dancing, and even crowd participation with cell phone lights. VanderWaal certainly doesn’t play by the rules, as she wrote in her song. She left us with goosebumps and this startling realization: we were in the presence of a real musician, an authentic teenager, and a genuine hope monger for her generation.

Keep your eyes and ears open for Grace VanderWaal. Her joy won’t, and shouldn’t, be contained. If you get the chance, go catch some of it. You will leave uplifted and be believing not just in music, but even a bit in your imperfect self again, courtesy of VanderWaal’s youthful wisdom.

December 6, 2017
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Play Packed Paradise

Friday, December 1st, the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, MA hosted a sold out Pigeons Playing Ping Pong show. “One of the fastest sellouts we’ve ever had,” exclaimed Greg Ormont, rhythm guitarist and front man of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. The crowd was surging for both sets in the packed club, the band feeding off their energy. You could see it in their eyes as they belted out heavy jams.

Their cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” was met with a very positive scream from funk-hungry fans. Their set list was a “flocker’s” wet dream, keeping them in motion for the whole night. Even during the set break, it seemed like the dance floor was still in rhythm. After two incredible sets, the quartet ended with a long, dark and heavy “Live It Up” encore.

Pigeons is closing their “Pizazz” tour this weekend in Philly at the TLA and Pittsburgh at Mr. Smalls Theater on December 8 and 9. They close the year on a high note with two shows in Cleveland at Beachland Ballroom December 29 and 30, and end with a bang at Madison Theater in Covington, Kentucky on New Year’s Eve.

December 5, 2017
Live Music across the State this December, Presented by NYS Music

Once again, NYS Music is happy to present to you another packed month full of great live music for New York State. Make sure not to miss out on these shows taking place in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Saratoga Springs and Cohoes.

Albany/Cohoes/Saratoga Springs

December 8 – For an unforgettable pop-funk and party-rock performance, don’t miss when Ripe takes Putnam Den with psychedelic-soul duo Okey Dokey and indie rock band Campo! Event link.

December 9 – On their 20th Anniversary “Cheers and Echoes” Tour, the highly acclaimed group Enter the Haggis will be stopping in Saratoga Springs a memorable night of Celtic Folk Rock. Accompanied by Black Mountain Symphony, it’s sure to be a night of incredible performances. Event link.

December 15 – Back by popular demand, Pink Talking Fish will be sure to bring an electric performance with their unique synthesis of hits from Phish, The Talking Heads and Pink Floyd. This time Annie in the Water is joining them to open up the night with some funk, reggae and rock. Event link.

December 23 – For a fresh take on your favorite Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers come see Steal Your Peach Band. It’s a can’t miss show for jamband fans. Event link.

Cohoes (Presented by Guthrie/Bell Productions)

December 3 – At Cohoes Music Hall, come see Hot Tuna Acoustic, electric blues power duo of Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady. You don’t want to miss these living American music legends. Event link.

December 7 – Fresh off the release of their second album Cheen, Lespecial will be at Parish Public House with Backup Planet to give a dynamic and captivating contemporary rock performance. Event link.

December 8 – As it reads in their biography, “If intergalactic beings of pure energy, after initiation into an order of whirling dervishes, built some kind of pan-dimensional booty-shaking engine, powered by psychedelics and abstract math, it’d probably just sound like a CTS tribute band.” And that’s exactly why you can’t miss this. If you have not experienced “Sci-Fi Middle Eastern Fusion” yet, there is no better opportunity than coming to see Consider The Source with Teddy Midnight at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Event link.

December 9 – For pure musical brilliance and a horn section to die for, come see Big Mean Sound Machine with special guest Nautilus at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Event link.

December 16 – Gratefully Yours would like to bring every Dead head their dream setlist of Grateful Dead music. For this show at The Hollow, head to the bands website and make your suggestion for what the ideal setlist would be, then come out for an incredible performance! Band website.  Event link.

December 20 – For a moving performance and an intimate night with Bettye LaVette, featuring simply her stunning vocals and a piano, come to The Cohoes Music Hall. Her soulful style is widely acclaimed by all who have experienced her live and definitely a treat you do not want to miss out on. Event link.

December 22 – ‘Tis the season for the Guthrie/Productions Christmas Party, this year featuring Eastbound Jesus, Girl Blue and the Eastern Highs at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen. Nothing like some good bluegrass and rock and roll to get you in the holiday spirit! Event link.

December 29 – For a once in a lifetime experience, come see The Talking Heads tribute band, Start Making Sense, at The Cohoes Music Hall for some 80’s rock and funk. Event link.

December 31 – Ring in the New Year with Mister F and Goose at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, a walk across Pearl Street from Twiddle the same night. Come see Mister F’s last performance before going on hiatus and celebrate the new year! Event link.

Buffalo – Nietzsche’s

December 1 –  Formula 5, Blue Rootz, Vinyl Orange Ottoman – catch three powerhouse jam bands to kick off December! Event link

December 8 –  Strange Machines, Dr. Slothclaw – Boston jam wizards Strange Machines are out to Buffalo on the heels of the release of their new album Voice of Color, along wit Dr. Slothclaw, an out of this world, freak explosion of funk, progressive rock, blues, and everything beyond that you must see for yourself. event link

December 16 – Murmur (A Tribute to R.E.M.) recreates the power and passion of R.E.M.’s live performances with precise musical detail. Event link

December 22 – Censored by ZFT: A Tribute to Frank Zappa. Honoring the music and legacy of Frank Zappa with two sets of his music. The show will feature songs from all eras and bands with an ensemble similiar in size to his touring bands of 1975-1976. Event link

December 27 –  THE TRUTH, Elliot Scozzaro. THE TRUTH is a jazz/funk/fusion quintet from Buffalo, NY that takes a modern approach to improvising while keeping a connection to the deep language and history in the jazz community. Event link

December 31 – Celebrate New Years Eve at Nietzsche’s with Folkfaces and Intrepid Travelers! Event link

Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

December 5 – Backup Planet’s progressive funk-rock performances will have you feeling like you’re time traveling. They will joined this time by the Jimmy Wolf Blues Band. Event link.

December 7 – Check out Deadgrass, the five piece tribute band to Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Event link.

December 8 – Mammal Dap, the electronic group, will be hitting Funk ‘n Waffles with the anti-genre indie band, SeeppeopleS. Event link.

December 14 – Come out to The English Project’s Album Release Party for a free show featuring Chris Jame & Mama G, and make sure to grab an album while you’re there! Event link.

December 16 – Dodapod After Party featuring Syncpulse, Craig Brodhead of Turkauz. Event link

December 21 – For some progressive and psychedelic rock, come see Railbred, Astro Collective, and Fordham Road. Event link.

December 22 – Come celebrate and hear some great jam rock music at The Album Release Party Chris Eves & The New Normal with Chiggin. Event link.

December 23 – Syracuse’s longtime favorite hard rock band, Dracula Jones, will be performing with special guest TBA. Event link.

December 28 – For night one of their rock and roll New Years run, Gang of Thieves with Balkun Brothers will be hitting Funk ‘n Waffles and bringing their funky riffs, high energy, and some special surprises with the help of KTR Lighting. Event link.

December 29 – Barrom Philosophers, Astro Collective, and Organic Soul will be performing and bringing an overall mix of reggae, rock, and psychedelic sound. Event link.

December 31 – Don’t miss Sophistafunk, for some hip-hop, funk fusion with Syracuse’s own Skunk City, the funk rock experience. Event link.

Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

December 5 – Be sure to click the link to the event page to grab your tickets for Larry Carlton Quartet with Chet Catallo & The Cats for some jazzy blues guitar. Event link.

December 6 – Another local opportunity to see Lespecial with Backup Planet while they’re in New York. Event link.

December 7 – Right before they hit Syracuse, Mammal Dap with SeedpeopleS will be giving you another opportunity to hear them in Rochester. Event link.

December 8 – And right after they rock Syracuse with their Grateful Dead tribute, Deadgrass will be coming to Rochester. Event link.

December 15 – For an unforgettably unique, psychedelic hip-hop fusion show, come to Hyperborealis III to see Haewa, Pine Needle Soul, and SKYwalker. Event link.

December 20 – Railbred, Astro Collective, Fordham Road will be rocking out in Rochester before they roll to Syracuse. Event link.

December 22 – Vanishing Sun will be releasing their album live, so the four Rochester-based including Lost Wax Collective, The English Project and Eli Flynn will be jamming together the celebrate. Don’t miss it! Event link.

December 23 – Pearly Bakers Best, The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band and The Beatles tribute band will be bringing their usual great performance from their weekly residency in Syracuse to Rochester. Event link.

December 28 – Personal Blend will be releasing their reggae/rock EP with special guests Upward Groove, and a solo performance by Joe Kaplan. Event link.

December 30 – Check out The Pumpkin Patch All-Star Party featuring Barroom Philosophers, Syracuse’s own genre benders, as well as Mother Funkin Planets, Stone Jack Ballers, Aaron Rizzo, Nic Deluc. Event link.

December 31 – Dirty Blanket and Root Shock will be starting off the year right with great music at Rochester’s Funk ‘n Waffles New Year’s Eve Celebration. Head to the link for tickets and more information! Event link.

December 5, 2017
The Kerfuffle Before Christmas Night One

Christmas is almost upon us and what better a way to spend leading up to it than at a concert with three great acts. Alternative Buffalo 107.7 hosts The Kerfuffle Before Christmas (TKBC) every year. This year was different; they split it into 3 separate concerts. The last Thursday of November was the night one of three, hosted at Buffalo Riverworks. The venue itself isn’t too new, but they are new to putting on large concerts.

Upon entry, you could see some people were in the Christmas spirit and were dressed to accompany it. Barns Courtney kicked things off for the night and got the crowd on their feet. At one point, he climbed the scaffolds that were part of the stage, singing to the fans as he went higher and higher. His voice, practically faultless throughout the pop rock morsels he delivered, and the adoring audience singing most of the words back to him only cemented his newfound rock star status.

In her first appearance in Buffalo, NY, Bishop Briggs, legally known as Sarah McLaughlin, then walked onto the stage. You could sense a little nervousness in her just based on her mannerisms, but soon enough those were shaken off and she ran the stage effortlessly. Her stage name stems from her family’s hometown of Bishopbriggs in Scotland. Sarah is most famously known for her hit “River” that she sang second song in and that really sparked energy in the crowd. A good portion of female singers portray themselves in a seductive manner when they are singing – not Bishop. She was wearing a track suit and was running back and forth on the stage as her long black pig tails followed right behind her. She didn’t stop smiling the whole time as if the whole thing was surreal. She is new to the music world and soon enough I think she will be dubbed queen of dark pop.

Headlining the night was the ever so popular New Politics who have created such a cult following over the last several years. Buffalo is their second home base, they come here several times a year. They make it well known that they are very humbled to be here, met with such open arms. They sang classics such as “Harlem” and their newest hit, “One of Us.” They also debuted a new song called “Color Green” which is about David Boyd’s new daughter, Wolfgang, whom he recently had with girlfriend Christian Marie Serratos who is famously known for being Rosita on The Walking Dead. These guys never disappoint when it comes to a performance, from crazy antics like break dancing moves that you’d find at the NYC subway stations to flawless solos from guitarist Søren Hansen.

Night one of Kerfuffle was a success. If this is any indication as to how the other two shows will be, we are in for quite the treat. Tickets are still available for both shows. You can find them on www.alternativebuffalo.com or at local FYE stores.

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December 5, 2017
Hearing Aide: Sharon Coates ‘here now’

Rochester-based songwriter and vocalist Sharon Coates recently released her second album just in time for winter, entitled here now. This eleven-track jukebox brings a variety of styles to our ears, with a persistent folk and americana intention, only complimented by her soft vocal timbre.

Her intriguing lyrical stories take us through her personal timeline, apparent in her reminiscent song “The Town Where I Live,” and in her evolution of complex concepts through poetry in “Cathedral.” Joining her on the record are instrumentalists Dave Drago, Alex Northrup, Jacob Walsh and Dave Chisholm, and in sync, their sound is familiarized as Southern country, with use of an accordion, banjo, organ, and even a trumpet to round out the sound.

With interesting rhythm changes and unique guitar strumming patterns, songs like “Mexico” and the major-minor combative “Just Don’t” stand out as the album’s commanders. The song’s opening track “A Bullet Ain’t Got A Name” has a slight Tom Petty hint to it, with a light, smooth groove to introduce Coate’s new chapter. Her initial release was back in 2016, and it wasn’t long before she was ready to release new material to her listeners, and this album was well delivered the second time around. There’s no reason for her to be here now, when she’s been here all along, releasing music back-to-back.

Despite her library of music, Sharon Coates puts her music in few places. To listen to her full album, you can go to her Bandcamp site, or stream a few songs form her album below.

Key Tracks: Mexico, Just Don’t

&lt;a href=”http://sharoncoates.bandcamp.com/album/here-now-2″&gt;here now by Sharon Coates&lt;/a&gt;

December 3, 2017
Hard Soul returns with new EP featuring new Single “See Me”

It’s been almost three years since Troy’s emotive rockers Hard Soul have performed in the Capital District, but the wait is over. The group has announced the release of their new EP This Will Hurt, due out on Friday, December 8. The band has released an official video of the audio for “See Me,” the first single of the EP on Youtube and the track on Bandcamp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNSggmmIyWo

Lead singer Johnny Salka shared his thoughts on the new EP and return. “Hard Soul has always been about creating simple, singable songs that can connect with listeners of all musical backgrounds. The new EP is a renewed approach to that songwriting ethos which represents the last three years and next step in the musical evolution of Hard Soul. We’re absolutely stoked to share the new songs with our fans and the rest of the world.”

The EP features five tracks, including three brand-new songs and two new arrangements of previously-released acoustic tracks “Fairer ShorTes” and “Have To Be A Miracle,” which originally appeared on the band’s 2015 EP Fairer Shores.

Salka’s hometown of Troy gets some love in the new single. “The main riff of ‘See Me’ is forever linked to South Troy, a proud neighborhood in my home city where I wrote the song, with the chords and melody materializing early one morning. There was an immediate acknowledgement that there was something special about it. The song slowly evolved into a powerful display of riffs and vibrant vocal harmonies; however, the simple arrangement retains the song’s energy even while being performed on a simple acoustic guitar.”

The group partnered with longtime collaborator & producer Steven “SolidGold” Goldman on their latest musical effort. Returning for the new EP is Nick Kossor (guitar), Steve Thompson (guitar, backing vocals), Mark Podbielski (drums), along with new addition Sean Murphy (bass guitar). The record also features Mike Perri (The Racer) who performed “I Am The Hurricane” and “This Will Hurt,” delivering a thundering performance on drums.

December 3, 2017
Author Garret Woodward to Discuss “If You Can’t Play, Get off the Stage” in Champlain and Albany

North Country native and author Garret Woodward will give a reading and discuss his book “If You Can’t Play, Get Off the Stage” on Wednesday, December 27 at Champlain Meeting House in Champlain, NY, and on Thursday, December 28 at Nine Pin Cider, both starting at 6:30pm. Currently based in Asheville and serving as the Arts/Entertainment editor for The Smoky Mountain News, as well as music editor for Smoky Mountain Living magazine, Woodward published his debut book earlier this year to rave reviews.

Diving into the rich, vibrant and controversial history of bluegrass music, “If You Can’t Play, Get Off the Stage: Bluegrass in Western North Carolina and Beyond” features interviews, profiles, quotes and conversations with the biggest names in bluegrass, mountain and string music, including: Andy Hall (The Infamous Stringdusters), Balsam Range, Billy Strings, Bobby Osborne, Claire Lynch, Dave Johnston (Yonder Mountain String Band), David Grisman, David Holt, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, Eric Gibson, Frank Solivan, Graham Sharp (The Steep Canyon Rangers), Jeff Austin, Jesse McReynolds, John Cowan, Larry Sparks, Marty Stuart, Paul Hoffman (Greensky Bluegrass), Peter Rowan, Raymond Fairchild, Rhiannon Giddens, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Reno, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, and many more.

Born in Rouses Point, Woodward graduated from Quinnipiac University and then crisscrossed America for several years as a music journalist, covering backyard get-togethers and festivals like Burning Man, Rothbury, Grand Targhee, Outside Lands and Wakarusa. In 2015, Woodward won first place in the North Carolina Press Association awards for “Arts & Entertainment Reporting” for his cover story “Bless Your Heart — The State of Women in Bluegrass.” In 2016, Woodward was nominated for “Bluegrass Print/Media Person of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). The NCPA also recognized him with another first place in 2016 for “Lighter Columns” for his weekly column in The Smoky Mountain News, “This must be the place.”

December 3, 2017
Dark Star Orchestra Continues 20th Anniversary Celebration at Paramount Hudson Valley

On Nov. 12, Dark Star Orchestra traveled downstate from a show at the Palace Theater in Albany to Paramount Hudson Valley in Peekskill the next night to continue celebrating their 20^thyear of performing authentic Grateful Dead show replications. The saying “never miss a Sunday show” was once again validated by DSO’s stellar sets at the Paramount a day after the 20th anniversary of their first show in 1997.

A fun game for the audience at any DSO show is to take a guess as to what Grateful Dead show the band is covering (which they later reveal before their encore). Shortly after the start of the first set it was fairly easy to narrow the time frame to the late 1980s/early 19990s from the prominence of the keys and later the style of the drum break. DSO broke form slightly to perform a selective setlist in the style of a particular show which in this case was based on the stylings of 7-19-1990 at Deer Creek Music Center in Indiana. Even though the show wasn’t an exact replica of a Grateful Dead setlist, it showed DSO’s endowment for channeling a particular Grateful Dead style seamlessly through set substitutions to maintain the feel of a real Dead show.

Set 1 started with a quick recognition of “Jack Straw” and continued on with an easy groove through the set. The 1940s blues standard “It Hurts Me Too” anchored the first set with a remarkable feature of singer Lisa Mackey’s vocals. Rounding off the first set was “Deal,” starting off like any Grateful Dead performance of the song interlaced with plenty of noodling intricately replicated by Jeff Mattson (who replaced long-time DSO guitarist John Kadlecick in 2010). Like a firecracker on a short fuse Mattson’s noodling quickly went from its regular form to a fiery hot guitar jam before coming back around to a quick refrain of the chorus.

The second set was a bit more true to the Deer Creek show it was modeled after with just two song substitutions. True to a Grateful Dead second set the song run was continuous until the encore even with the contrast between some adjacent songs. Leading in from a “Playing In The Band” reprise, original DSO drummers Rob Koritz and Dino English gave the subtle hints about the drum break about to happen. Koritz and English began with a more structured duet between the two kits before loosening up to move around for a more improvised percussion break including some electronic drums (something Billy Kreutzman and Mickey Hart started incorporating in the late 1980s). While “Space” is what it is for some folks, it’s a good opportunity to zone in and hear something unexpected. The latter part of the second set capped off the show with a strong finish. A Spanish jam akin to Maurice Ravel’s 1928 composition “Bolero” (from which the music of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” was inspired) segued into a crescendo that progressed through “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” “Black Peter,” and “Not Fade Away.”

Keyboardist Rob Barraco took a few moments before the encore to explain a little bit of the setlist and to plug DSO’s four-night Jamaican excursion in January. The Dead’s 7-19-1990 show only included “U.S. Blues” but DSO took the opportunity to make it a perfect close to the show by adding on “Mr. Charlie.” With many unique and excellent Grateful Dead cover acts out there, Dark Star Orchestra has shown again their consistency in delivering a genuine Grateful Dead tribute.

Dark Star Orchestra, Paramount Hudson Valley, Peekskill, NY

Set 1: Jack Straw*, They Love Each Other*, Good Times Blues, Row Jimmy*, Blow Away, It Hurts Me Too, Althea* > Deal
Set 2: Foolish Heart* > Playing In The Band* > China Doll* > Uncle John’s Band* > Playin’ Jam* > Drums* > Space* > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Black Peter* > Not Fade Away*

Encore: U.S. Blues*, Mister Charlie

* denotes songs from the Grateful Dead setlist

(Omissions from Grateful Dead 7-19-1990 setlist: Desolation Row, Picasso Moon, Promised Land, Victim or the Crime, All Along The Watchtower)

Check out a recording of this DSO show on archive.org.

December 2, 2017

Built in Breakdance