NYS Music 20​17

Category: Reviews

  • Brit Floyd Wows Syracuse Crowd

    Classic Dark Side of the Moon prism tee shirts were abundant in Syracuse as Brit Floyd performed its Immersion World Tour 2017 at the OnCenter’s Crouse-Hinds Theater April 18 to a near capacity crowd of both young and the bit more seasoned.

    Brit Floyd speaks fluent Floydian.  The tribute act has toured the world since 2011 and has mastered the art of Pink Floyd’s catalog while still managing to put its own stamp on the music.

    brit floyd syracuseA highlight of this particular show was the homecoming of Brit Floyd bassist and Chapman stick player, Ian Cattell. Cattell grew up in the Syracuse area and performed in many Syracuse area bands prior to joining the Australian Pink Floyd Show in 2005. He is equally adept at channeling Roger Waters and David Gilmour. One unique instrument he employed during the later era Floyd songs is the Chapman stick. It is a long 10 or 12 stringed guitar used to play bass and melody lines.  Cattell’s gig with the Australian Pink Floyd Show led to his current one in 2011. You can read more about Catell in the NYS Music preview interview here.

    Brit Floyd dipped its toes into every era of Pink Floyd’s history, from the psychedelic era “Astronomy Domine” off the band’s 1967 debut album to the opening numbers, the instrumental “Cluster One” and “What Do You Want From Me” from 1994’s The Division Bell.

    What you get with Brit Floyd is attention to detail. The band is respectful of the source material, yet still manages to put a Brit Floyd twist on it.  The lighting and visual effects (the circular video screen used is the same one Pink Floyd used on the Division Bell tour) are top notch. The sound circled the theater, creating the intended immersion effect. It was a full on immersion into Floyd.

    brit floyd syracuseThe graphics used introduced the year of each song played and mixed public domain videos and images along with original animation synchronized to the music and lights.

    Cattell and musical director/guitarist Damian Darlington took on the vocal roles of Roger Waters and David Gilmour with daft precision. Cattell’s inner Waters proved a highlight throughout the night. Cattell also took turns on Gilmour-sung songs such as on the A Momentary Lapse of Reason track, “One Slip.” Cattell claims his natural voice is more similar to that of Gilmour’s. This was proven on the latter era Floyd songs he captained.

    Lead guitarist Edo Scordo manages what few who cover Floyd can. He has the Gilmour feel. While Gilmour may not be the most technical guitarist in rock, what he brings to the table is an emotion that translates through his fingers to the fretboard. Scordo has that knack. Throughout the night, he nailed the solos, smiling at the adoring audience as he did so.

    brit floyd syracuseThe band is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Animals album on this tour. Following the second set opener “Astronomy,” the band broke into the familiar keyboard intro and pig noises that open “Pigs on the Wing, Part 1” from that album. The crowd immediately responded in favor. Not stopping there, Brit Floyd seamlessly worked its way through the remainder of the “first side” of the criminally overlooked album.

    They jumped forward to 1987 for the following two songs, “A New Machine (Part 1)” and “Terminal Frost” before the alarms and bells broke out for a trip to the Dark Side, of the Moon, that is. “Time” and “Breathe (Reprise)” are what this audience came to hear. Darlington broke into the lead lines of “Time” sounding every bit like Richard Wright.

    The true highlight of the night, however, was still to come. Vocalist Angela Cervantes wowed the crowd with her hair-raising performance of “The Great Gig in the Sky.” Those in the know, realize this song, originally performed by Clare Torry on Dark Side, utilizes lyric-less female vocals as another instrument over Wright’s piano. On this night, Cervantes, accompanied by Ryan Saranich on keys, nailed it, lifting the audience out of its seats for the first standing ovation of the night.

    brit floyd syracuseFollowing the Dark Side tracks, the spirit of Syd Barrett paid a visit to Crouse-Hinds in the form of “Wish You Were Here” and “Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-VII).” The video screen flashed video of early Floyd performances and glimpses of Barrett to the applause of the crowd. During “Wish You Were Here” Scordo and Darlington traded acoustic riffs as Darlington sang accompanied by those in attendance.

    The second set ended with Cattell showing off his acting chops. A chair, television and lamp, props mimicking those used in the film version of The Wall, were carted on stage as Cattell emerged dressed in a lab coat and carrying a clipboard. Cattell’s played the role of the menacing doctor to a tee and Darlington’s solo was spot-on.

    The band returned after “Numb” for a two-song encore. The first was a surprising pull. Darlington broke into the angst-ridden Waters-penned track “Not Now John” from Pink Floyd’s final album with Waters, The Final Cut. The song is one of Floyd’s heavier numbers and this brought raised fists and head bobbing from the audience.

    Brit Floyd closed their near-perfect Syracuse evening with a pulsing “Run Like Hell” from The Wall accompanied by a tremendous light and laser show. If there were anybody left disappointed by this show, they were simply not Pink Floyd fans. Brit Floyd is likely the closest we’ll come to a true Pink Floyd experience these days. Fans of the music would be wise to catch this band on tour.

    Set One: Cluster One,  What Do You Want from Me, Welcome to the Machine, Coming Back to Life, Another Brick in the Wall Part 2, One Slip, One of These Days, Us and Them, Any Colour You Like, Brain Damage, Eclipse

    Set Two: Astronomy Domine, Pigs on the Wing, Part 1, Dogs, A New Machine (Part 1), Terminal Frost, Time, Breathe (Reprise), The Great Gig in the Sky (featuring Angela Cervantes), Money, Wish You Were Here, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-VII), Comfortably Numb

    Encore: Not Now John, Run Like Hell

  • Back in the New York Groove: Three Nights of The Disco Biscuits at The Capitol Theatre

    Philly jamtronica legends The Disco Biscuits took their act to The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York for three nights of pulsating grooves that were accentuated by a breathtaking light show. This run featured some intensive freeform jams, the band’s customary creative song structuring and even a sit in from an old friend.

    disco biscuits new yorkThursday, April 27

    Thursday night’s festivities kicked off with a fairly straightforward run through of “Story of the World” that quickly picked up steam and soon transitioned seamlessly into a “Shem-Rah Boo” that was left unfinished. Instead, the jam took a dark, techno-y turn into “Gangster,” replete with vocoder sounds supplied by keyboardist Aron Magner, before steering back to the conclusion of “Story of the World.”  A somewhat rare standalone “Strobelights and Martinis” followed and the uptempo instrumental number featured an incredible array of laser lights strewn throughout the theater, a constant theme throughout the entire run. “On Time,” a song from the band’s 2010 release Planet Anthem, brought a most enjoyable first set to a close.

    Stellar musical improv and long, deep jams were the story of the second set, highlighted by a spellbinding “7-11” opener that was stretched out to max capacity. In the midst of one of the slower portions of the jam, a figure emerged from the side of the stage. None other than Matisyahu, who has sat in with the band on two other occasions, soon began displaying his freestyle prowess as The Disco Biscuits temporarily went from headliner to support act, laying down grooves and giving the well known Jewish rapper a musical template from which to work, so to speak. After leaving the stage, the Biscuits then reverted back to the headliners they are and dropped a monster “Floes” that served as one of the true musical peaks all weekend. Yet another silky smooth transition followed with the delivery of “Pilin’ It High” before an impeccable “House Dog Party Favor” brought a rousing and magical set of music to a close. With little time for an encore, “Kitchen Mitts” was the play and one of the rare “sing along” songs the Biscuits feature regularly had everyone doing just that.  One incredible night of music was now in the books with two more chapters to follow.

    disco biscuits new yorkSet 1: Story Of The World> Shem-Rah Boo^> Gangster> Story Of The World, Strobelights and Martinis, On Time
    Set 2: 7-111> Jam*> Floes^> Pilin’ It High, House Dog Party Favor
    Encore: Kitchen Mitts
    ^unfinished
    *with Matisyahu

    Friday, April 28

    Building off the energy from Thursday, the line to get inside stretched around the block leading to a packed house with an aire of excitement weaving its way through the crowd. Fans were treated to a laugh when Marc Brownstein stepped to the mic before the band jammed into “Air Song,” making a joking reference to Ja Rule’s Fyre Fest which was in disarray in The Bahamas. “The Champions,” which emerged from “Air Song,” is staking itself out to be one of the best new songs written by the Biscuits in some time. “Spacebirdmatingcall” slowly crept from “The Champions” and was driven into high gear by Brownstein, leading to the culmination of Thursday’s “Shem-Rah Boo” and took a quick turn into a raging “Down to the Bottom,” which led to an eruption of joy from the crowd, and into the ending of “Spacebirdmatingcall” to cap the set.

    disco biscuits new yorkA palindrome of 5 songs covered most of the second set, sandwiching inverted middle sections of “Jigsaw Earth” and “Pimp Blue Rikkis” inside “Save The Robots” for a high energy/no let up hour with some “Basis for a Day” teases mixed in. “Highwire” found the crowd tapping into reserves of energy that was needed as they wrapped up “Down to the Bottom” and threw in a “M.E.M.P.H.I.S.” encore for good measure. Night 2 had a lot of heat and boded well for the finale of the run to come on Saturday

    Set 1: Jam> Air Song*> The Champions> Spacebirdmatingcall> Shem-Rah Boo^> Down To The Bottom> Spacebirdmatingcall
    Set 2: Save The Robots> Jigsaw Earth&#> Pimp Blue Rikkis> Jigsaw Earth&> Save The Robots, Highwire*> Down To The Bottom
    Encore: M.E.M.P.H.I.S.
    * unfinished
    ^ ending only/completes 4/27
    & inverted version
    # middle

    That segue back into SpacebirdMatingcall… pure ?? #discobiscuits #lasers

    A post shared by NYS Music (@nystatemusic) on

    Saturday, April 29

    Piggy-backing off 2 unforgettable nights in Port Chester, Saturday night was the sensational ending to the Disco Biscuits at the Cap trilogy. The four took to the stage with Barber ready to jam, dressed head to toe in a red jumpsuit and shades. In no time, set one launched and opened with “Papercut,” a popular choice as of late; having been played 25 times total since 2007, the Brownie track segued into the first Uncivilized Era track of the night, “Aceetobee,” inciting a multi-story fan sing-along. Flawless transitions between songs and into “Tempest” kept the night moving seamlessly and even found fans trapped in banter, unable to guess which tracks would come up next before coming full circle to “Aceetobee.” With only a brief pause after the three song execution, “Confrontation” hit the crowd hard. Having been just recently played during February’s Philly run and acting as a popular choice since 2010, “Confrontation” may be slowly dwindling but still manages to sneak its way into consistent and relevant setlists. “Rock Candy” came next as the fluff between the “Confrontation” sandwich and capping off set one with a 3 minute standing ovation as the PA natives looked up at the crowd and soaked it all in.

    disco biscuits new yorkAlthough night three appealed to a ravier side of the Biscuits, the setlist was crafted down to a science, treating fans to an equal split of classic jams and electronic tuneage. Keeping the party raging, a captivating “I-Man” opened up set two while leading into “Munchkin Invasion,” or so it seemed. After a decent amount of playtime, everyone on foot at the Cap was duped with a hard fake out, leaving Munchkin unfinished and instead taking on an electric “Cyclone” with abstract and mind-bending visuals climbing up the Capitol Theatre walls and across the dome ceiling to match. “Little Betty Boop” came to fans in an astray, inverted package and while the transition guessing game continued, “Loose Change” followed. While it seemed many weren’t familiarized with the bust-out On Time EP track, it was played so flawlessly that it certainly made an indelible mark for those hearing it for the first time. “Munchkin Invasion” was revisited as senses were heightened waiting for the resolution that never came. Faked out yet again, “Loose Change” also came with “Svengali” teases. Revisiting “I-man” as bookend tracks for set two, both halves added up to nearly a half hour of full on crowd engagement and an “And the Ladies Were the Rest of the Night” tease as “I-Man out on the loose!” rang throughout the famed Port Chester venue.

    Before capping off the three night run, the quartet came back on stage for a massive “Digital Buddha” encore, complete with Magner’s hands flying across the keys, technicolor lights and a projected image of buddha sitting on the regal venue walls. The pins for “Digital Buddha” may sell for a pretty penny but witnessing the encore full force was priceless.

    Set 1: Papercut-> Aceetobee-> Tempest-> Aceetobee, Confrontation-> Rock Candy-> Confrontation
    Set 2: I-Man*-> Cyclone-> Little Betty Boop*^-> Loose Change**-> I-Man***
    Encore: Digital Buddha

    *W/ Munchkin Invasion Fakeout
    ^ inverted
    ** w/ Munchkin invasion Fakeout and Svengali teases
    *** w/ and the ladies were the rest of the night tease

  • Carolyn Wonderland Heats Up the Dinosaur

    Carolyn Wonderland returned to Central New York April 14, performing a benefit for the NYS Blues Fest in a night of raucous blues at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Syracuse. The Austin-based performer showcased her powerful voice and mastery of the lap steel and Telecaster to the faithful gathered upstairs at the famed Willow Street venue.

    carolyn wonderlandWhether belting out blues standards like Blind Willie Johnson’s “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” or her own soulful original, “Only God Knows When,” Wonderland proved that she is one of the genre’s most dynamic acts. Her Joplin-esque rasp held the crowd’s attention while her six-string prowess had jaws on the floor.

    Wonderland (Her real name is Carolyn Bradford.) and her band, Kevin Lance (drums), Bobby Perkins (bass) and special guest Shelley King (guitars/vocals) turned in a 15 song set mixed with classics and originals. The rhythm section kept the time with an understated tone while Wonderland and King stood front and center, beautifully harmonizing and joking with each other throughout the set.

    To say the crowd was appreciative would be an understatement. Throughout the set, fans jockeyed for position to get a glimpse of Wonderland’s furious fretwork. Wonderland has garnered a loyal Upstate New York following since she opened an impromptu Midnight Ramble at Levon Helm’s studio in Woodstock in 2009. She has since performed in that hallowed room at least a dozen times. Performances at Rochester’s Lilac Festival in 2010, the 2012 NYS Blues Fest in Syracuse and the 2016 Chenango Blues Festival in Norwich have provided strong word of mouth recommendations most artists can only dream of.

    Watching Wonderland perform, it is obvious that the stage is her place. She becomes the music, whether it’s her song or somebody else’s. This was especially obvious during her solo in the King-penned “Welcome Home.” The sound coming from her Telecaster was a mix of emotion and intensity. At one point, as she reared her auburn mane back, her eyes rolled back in her head, lost in the song. Wonderland never goes through the motions. When she’s strapped in, the audience better as well because she’s taking you on a trip from South Texas through the Delta, straight up to Chicago.

    The show opened with an acoustic set from Syracuse’s Colin Aberdeen. He has been working the Central New York music scene for more than 25 years and has become somewhat of a godfather to Syracuse musicians. Aberdeen is well steeped in everything from the blues to all forms of Americana.  Joining Aberdeen for several songs was young harmonica player Max Eyle. He and Aberdeen goaded the crowd into some call and response and the crowd eagerly responded. Aberdeen, a member of Los Blancos, the Barking Loungers and the Westcott Jugsuckers, is one of Central New York’s hardest working musicians and was a perfect fit to open this show.

    Following Wonderland’s show, the party continued on the main floor of the juke joint as the Carolyn Kelly Blues Band took the baton on Carolyn night. Kelly’s soul, especially in the Roosevelt Dean song, “Somebody Told Me,” brought tears not only to her eyes but to many of those in attendance as well.  Todd Fitzsimmons’ stellar guitar work kept the blues going well into the night, capping off yet another terrific night of music in the Salt City.

    The 2017 NYS Blues Festival lineup was announced at this show. You can find more information about this free downtown festival, taking place July 7-8 here.

  • Rochester Congregates for the Gospel of Robert Randolph

    With an even mix of covers, instrumentals, and tracks off his new album, Got Soul, in just a little over an hour, Robert Randolph made Anthology his house of gospel worship. When you’re on stage with Randolph you’re a part of his family, whether you share blood relation or not. Other than his actual cousin Marcus sitting behind the drums, the names and faces have changed over the years. But their mission has stayed the same. Robert Randolph and the Family Band conduct a non-denominational service espousing love, hope and energy via a program of invigorating and uplifting funk and soul filtered through the unique style of pedal steel guitar originating in the Sacred Steel church. On a cool and damp April 20, the traveling ministry arrived in Rochester.

    The service began, as they often do, with the organist filling the air with thick swirls, preparing the crowd for prayer. Things took an unexpectedly dark turn with a quick cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” But in that quick two-minute flourish the darkness would stay for the remainder of the night. It quickly moved into another cover, this one of ZZ Tops “I Thank You,” which is featured on Got Soul.

    From there Randolph kicked into the first of three stunning instrumentals he would intersperse throughout the evening. Each had it’s own character, but followed the tried and true Sacred Steel format, begging the question: Can you be summoned to scream Hallelujah and Amen without a prayer being uttered? Randolph proved the answer to be a resounding ‘Yes,’ as he stretched and twisted notes, sculpting the structure of sound, building it slowly to ecstatic peaks. Randolph may have adopted a slick and polished exterior in his studio output, but from the inside looking out, he’s still the same old impassioned and energetic force of musical enlightenment.

    And the new songs came off well from the stage as well, with the band rolling through uplifting takes on “Find a Way,” “Love What You Do,” “Shake It,” and “I Want It.” On “Love Do What It Do” Robert egged on his sister Lenesha to freestyle about their childhood trips up to Rochester to see the Campbell Brothers at their church on Goodman Street.

    The encore began with Randolph on stage alone, eliciting some gorgeous Hawaiian pedal steel sounds on the instrumental “Heaven’s Calling” before the rest of the band filed on for one big final thank you and their version of the Sly and the Family Stone classic “Thank You Falettin’ Me Be Mice Elf Agin.” The band filed off again mid-jam, leaving just the original Family Band members, Marcus and Robert, to close out the evening with a breakdown jam that drifted off into midnight.

    Rochester’s own soul superhero, Danielle Ponder, got the evening off to a hot start. Public defender by day, soul-belting goddess by night, her and her band the Tomorrow People mesmerized the early crowd with powerful heartfelt grooves, highlighted by a sexy and sultry cover of “Crazy.” Luke Wade and his young trio, playing together for the first time, played a set chock full of original love songs, with “Morning View” and “On Fire” being the stand outs.

    Setlist: War Pigs > I Thank You, Instrumental, Find a Way, Instrumental, Shake It, Superstition, Instrumental, Love Do What it Do, I Want It E: Heaven’s Calling > Thank You Falettin’ Me Be Mice Elf Agin

    [ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”462″ sortorder=”10308,10324,10319,10309,10320,10311,10321,10310,10312,10323,10315,10317,10322,10313,10314,10316,10318,10304,10305,10307,10306,10303,10298,10296,10300,10294,10302,10297,10295,10301,10299″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_pro_mosaic” row_height=”180″ margins=”5″ last_row=”justify” lazy_load_enable=”1″ lazy_load_initial=”35″ lazy_load_batch=”15″ display_type_view=”default” ngg_proofing_display=”0″ captions_enabled=”0″ captions_display_sharing=”1″ captions_display_title=”1″ captions_display_description=”1″ captions_animation=”slideup” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]

  • Hearing Aide: Twiddle ‘Plump- Chapter Two’

    In January of 2015, Vermont based jam quartet Twiddle launched a Kickstarter for Plump Chapters One and Two. With their fan’s help, the band set out to launch two separate chapters. Fifteen months after Chapter One’s December 2015 release, Twiddle has unveiled Plump Chapter Two, the second half of the two-volume set.

    Plump Chapter Two is juicy. It’s full of variety. It’s thick with unexpected sounds. It’s a glimpse into the vast musical variety that makes Twiddle such a success live.  Producer Ron Saint Germain (311, Bad Brains, Sonic Youth) masterfully brings Twiddle’s self-professed ability to “spin tall tales over an intricate soundscape of hi-def shred” to life.  At its completion, Chapter Two reads like a nod to the master sounds of the 90’s alternative rock scene.  And at the height of 90’s throwback in fashion, pop culture and music, Plump Chapter Two is just the right sound at the right time.

    The album begins and ends at the hands of Twiddle’s pianist and keyboard guru Ryan Dempsey. “Enter” is only a mere 30 second glimpse into Dempsey’s contribution throughout the album. His compositions and his performance throughout Plump Chapter Two are whimsical and cartoonish, yet somehow also romantic and tortured. Dempsey deserves MVP nods for magically weaving the most classically branded sounds flawlessly throughout the album.

    “Enter” is the perfect introduction to “Orlando’s”, a 9-minute jam vehicle which is a nicely packaged glimpse into Twiddle’s catalog history, with over a dozen references to some of the band’s most beloved songs, characters, and mantras.  But the song is also a peek into the band’s live show. Simply stated: the tune is catchy. It contains the sing-a-long type of ear worm that gets stuck in your head. The song is highlighted by the powerhouse duo of Dempsey and bassist Zdenek Gubb. Together, the pair weave groovy and unique  gems that put bounce in your knees. It’s a wonderful trend that, thankfully, is repeated more than once.

    Originally called “L.A. Beach Song,” “Moments” has the potential to be the album’s most prevalent single. It’s the perfect showcase of guitarist and lead vocalist Mihali Savoulidis’ ability to write delicious hooks and positive emotionally fueled lyrics. The feel-good vibe of “Moments” makes it the perfect summer tune. If radio takes the bait, this song has the potential to be everywhere by early fall.

    While Chapter Two has plenty of shiny, radio friendly hooks, it is also full of unexpected moments.  The album is littered with typical tinges of sadness, love and angst. But it’s the new way with which the band handles this subject matter that is the album’s biggest suprise.  When the band revealed the album’s third track “Juggernaut” this past April at the PlayStation Theater (NYC), fans were surprised and delighted by the tracks shock and awe factor. But the song’s live reveal does nothing for the power of the studio version. The song is angry, forceful, and political, yet it still has a conscience.  “Juggernaut” feels part Rage Against the Machine, part Beastie Boys.

    Yet, despite the expansion of this edgier studio sound into the Twiddle catalog, Savoulidis stays true to his lyrical values. As with all his poetic content, Savoulidis continues to show a duality in his prose which is sometimes whimsical, heartfelt, and hopeful while managing to create a subconscious call to action.

    Chapter Two is also home to Twiddle’s signature yarn spinning tales via “Nicodemus Portulay” and “The Fantastic Tale of Ricky Snickle.” In the middle of the album, sits “Forevers.” This one take, improvisational piano piece showcases Dempsey’s classical training at it’s finest.

    Bassist Zdenek Gubb is a quiet force behind Twiddle’s most unique showings. His musical growth is the most evident, especially between Chapters One and Two. It’s in instrumental songs like “Milk” and “Peas and Carrots,” of which Gubb is given full songwriting credit, that listeners truly hear the musical creativity inside his head. Dempsey’s piano arrangements highlight both song’s unique timing signatures and unexpected transitions.

    Drummer Brook Jordan contributes lead vocals and full songwriting credit for two of the albums tracks “New Sun” and “Drifter.” There is an easy, soft timbre in Jordan’s vocal work. “Drifter,” which has yet to be released live, is poised to be the album’s sleeper hit. The song contains finely placed instrumental work by both Savoulidis and Dempsey. Jordan’s signature mellow and smooth songwriting style is the perfect base for the tune to take on new life live with plenty of space for musical exploration.

    Towards the end of Chapter Two are three golden nuggets.  “Blunderbuss” which was debuted live almost a year ago, when the band played the Captiol Theatre in May 2016, is a powerhouse instrumental.  Technically, the song is a knock out.  It is rich in tone and musically sound,  but the studio version is missing a certain “je ne sais quoi.” There is an edge and grit to the song live that doesn’t quite fulfill its full potential in the studio.

    “Fat Country Baby” a quick and playful bluegrass tune is a mere 70 seconds but requires multiple listens to appreciate the vast layered production quality. “Dinner Fork” is a perfect blend of Dempsey’s signature sounds – part classical, part terrestrial. All four members bring something different to the song. Savoulidis’ guitar brings an edge while Jordan and Gubb’s respective rhythm  work lays a solid base for Dempsey’s handy work.

    Through of all of its success, Plump Chapter Two misses only on superficial levels. There are often abrupt transitions in feeling between tracks.  It’s an unused opportunity to create a story with the songs presented on Chapter Two.  And although tracks like “Juggernaut” and “Moments” are perfectly placed in terms of commercial viability, the album’s track listing order could have made for a much more impactful finished product.

    Savoulidis shows great restraint vocally throughout the album.  His powerful lyrical content is highlighted by rich diction and confident conveyance. But that clarity of delivery also appears to have sacrificed a small amount of emotional delivery. It’s a tricky balance for even the most seasoned of vocalists. While both Savoulidis and Jordan nail their respective vocal work, much like its predecessor Chapter One, both of Twiddle’s main vocalists have yet to find a way to blend their voices.

    Newly remastered songs from Chapter One, which includes a rerecorded 2017 version of Twiddle’s “When It Rains, It Pours ” will be released with Chapter Two as the band’s first ever two-volume set. Chapter One’s “Five” is represented twice with both a new radio edit and the original album version. As of release day, Plump will only be available for purchase and download as a two-disc set.

    Plump Chapter’s One and Two drops April 28 via all major downloading sources including iTunes and Amazon. Pre-order of the double disc are now available and includes three immediate downloads accessible immediately. In addition, a double disc vinyl set is available for purchase through Twiddle’s website, however vinyl will not be shipped until August 2017.

    Key Tracks: Orlando’s Bar, Juggernaut, Moments

  • Hearing Aide: Leslie Mendelson ‘Love & Murder’

    With so much noise going on in the world today due to technology, from cell phone beeps and rings to endless updates on various apps, it’s easy to get lost in the computer-strung clutter. The one enjoyment that can take an individual away from the murky shadows of continuous information overload is music. Sure, there are endless amounts of live shows available for streaming on the internet, but to really get to the raw simplicity of a note takes putting on the headphones and pressing play on the new album by singer Leslie Mendelson. Love & Murder is her first work released in eight years.

    Mendelson’s latest album steps away from her earlier work and presents music in a simplistic form, featuring full-bodied folk tunes filled to the brim with emotional ebbs and flows. The ten track album begins with a darker emphasis, as “Jericho” slowly carries the listener into the overall theme. Stripping away the extras, and focusing on the vocals, lyrics, and calm melody, it’s easy to sit back and get lost in her angelic voice. “It’s been a long time coming,” lyrics within the opener, have never been more true, as fans have patiently been waiting eight years for this new album. It was well worth the wait.

    An uncomplicated, piano heavy “Coney Island” takes listeners on an emotional whirlwind. Stringed instruments add to a heaviness surrounding the lyrics, while Mendelson’s vocals tear at the heartstrings. “Murder Me” continues the enigmatic vibe surrounding the album, as Mendelson’s voice, both mysterious and wispy, are charged with a heaviness tipping on sadness and loss.

    As if sharing a personal moment with Mendelson, “Chasing The Thrill” has an air flowing around the lyrics, as well as the melody, with a reflective core gluing the song together. A haunting “Crazy” gently drifts along. Unhurried and light, this track sways in a musical breeze, allowing the listener to relax and fall within the grip of the beautiful winding notes.

    An unexpected appearance on the album comes from the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, as he guests on the cover of Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou.” Weir originally discovered her as she performed her own twist on “Friend of the Devil,” and has since invited her to join him during performances. Their intertwined vocals throughout this song make for an affectionately graceful rendition that Orbison would be proud to hear.

    An effortless “Love You Tonight” rolls along at a confident pace, turning the corner away from the darker tones. Bright lyrics embody the upbeat notes, lifting spirits as the album progresses, without losing the overall feel of the simplistic mood. Maintaining hopeful enthusiasm, another cover takes hold, this time with a tip of the hat to Bob Dylan. A gorgeous rendition of “Just Like A Woman” is carried by the simple strums of the ukulele, with touches of guitar and harmonizing vocals gently sprinkled in to round out the effortless track.

    “The Circus Is Coming To Town” carries a mystical energy, surrounded by mystery and uncharted vibes, throwing the listener into a dusky trip under the big top. The album ends with a cover of the 1954 country classic “Cry, Cry Darling,” originally written by Jimmy Newman and Jimmy Miller.

    Love & Murder flows freely. It’s stocked with raw simplicity and no holds barred emotion. Take a trip away from technology with this beautiful album filled with heartfelt tracks, deep with fearless tenderness. The natural flow from track to track will take the listener on a ride reaching into the depths of one’s soul, making sure to pay attention to each note and lyric, without getting lost in the noise.

    For more information about Leslie Mendelson and her new album, Love & Murder, please visit her official website.

    Key Tracks: Jericho. Love You Tonight. Cry, Cry Darling

  • Hearing Aide: Talking Under Water ‘Talking Under Water’

    Talking Under Water takes us on a journey that some of us know too well: the winding path to recovering a broken heart. At times achingly candid, the overall tone of the album is triumphant, featuring big choruses and soulful vocals that stir the intricate songwriting. Talking Under Water is a five-piece outfit hailing from Rochester. Their namesake debut LP is a great premise for what we can expect from this promising group.

    After Dave Chisholm received his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Eastman School of Music for jazz trumpet in 2013, he found himself returning to his roots of singer-songwriter. The project began to take on life when he decided to put together a band. He elicited help from fellow former Eastman students Elise Hughey (cello), Alex Patrick (guitar) and Joe Parker (drums).

    “I really think cello lends itself well to the type of songs I tend to write–these reflective, melancholy, lyrical things–so I asked Elise to play,” Chisholm told NYS Music. “She has both her Bachelors and Master’s Degrees from Eastman, as well. In any project she’s a part of, Elise really puts everything she has into it.”

    While Parker and Patrick’s contributions live on with this LP, Talking Under Water now features Colin Gordon (piano), Matt Bevan-Perkins (drums) and Samantha Thomas (vocals). According to Chisholm, there are plans in stow to record this summer with the current line-up.

    The group recorded in December of 2015 at Temperamental Studios in Geneseo, NY. A large portion of the LP was recorded live; and Grammy Award winner Stephen Roessner produced and mixed the record. Violinists Marja Alanen and Molly Werts McDonald, and violinist Ben Magruder joined them in the recording studio, along with jazz trombonist Brendan Lanighan and Matthew Sieber-Ford on tenor saxophone.

    One of the driving forces of this record is to give people a guiding path in times of trouble. “I just think about the hard times I’ve had, the struggles I’ve faced with regards to my own mental health–it seems like sad songs really serve such a strong purpose for those times in our lives,” Chisholm wrote. “So often the overwhelming feeling during dark times is one of isolation, and sad songs tell me that I’m not alone. The message is ultimately one of empathy. I hope listeners find this music cathartic when times are hard, and point the way for a more hopeful tomorrow, even on just a personal level.”

    The album begins with an alluring piano tune, and Chisholm’s voice quickly follows in the first track, “Lost,” which has the first big chorus that could be seen as the band’s signature sound. The interplay of instruments and artistic melody exhibits the diligence the band poured forth while producing the record. The second track, “We Used to Dream,” blends the horn section seamlessly into their sound. “Days Like Today” shows Beatles inspiration, while the piano certainly adds a wonderful element to the building melody. Finally, the track “Gravity” is an acoustic melody, eventually backed by Hughey with stirring cello, where Chisholm once again displays his wide vocal range.

    The album will be released on Friday, April 28, 2017. To pre-order your copy today, visit here. Talking Under Water will hold an album release show on April 29 at The Little Theater in Rochester. For more information, go here.

    Key Tracks: Lost, Days Like Today, If My Body Freezes

  • Formula 5 Gets By with a Little Help From Their Friends During ‘All Points North’ Album Release Party

    Capital Region jammers Formula 5 pulled out all the stops for their final All Points North album release party in Saratoga Springs in front of a full crowd of familiar faces and an exponentially growing fan base. After premiering the album in its entirety in New Haven with Relative Souls, the foursome decided to team up with the New Paltz-rooted The Other Brothers to serve up slices of true NY funk and soul on a Saturday night with a dirty laundry list of reasons to celebrate.

    From 8pm-10pm, fans rolled through the Putnam Den doors to enjoy the likes of a free keg with The Other Brothers set slated to rock at 9 pm. With a 15-song set, the six-piece of Chris Owens (vocals), Brandon Bera (drums), Gabe Marquez (keys), John Morrison (Guitar), Jared Nelson (Percussion) and Jordan Mendelson (Bass) kicked off the night with their rock and roll origins, soulful captivation and soaring vocals. Having convened in 2012 at SUNY New Paltz, the group is in the midst of preparing their first studio album, Jones. Having played shows for a few years and acting as seasoned veterans on the Rock and Roll Resort lineup, it’s a bit surprising that they’re only releasing their first album. At the same time, it allows you to get in on the ground level and perhaps grow with a band you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing or listening to before.

    From first impression, you could tell The Other Brothers’ sound and Owens’ powerhouse vocals provided a pleasing contrast to Formula 5 and what was to follow. As their set unraveled, each song found the front man, dressed in pale pink, rocking his hips back, forth and around town and further exploring his vault of dance moves. During a fun reggae-fusion tune, “These Cycles,” Owens’ charisma and onstage conversation demanded your attention–all that was left to do was listen and sway along with him. He often took the audience through anecdotes of how song titles came to be and strange one-off experiences that helped shape their musical contributions. It was hard not to keep your eyes locked on Nelson as his hands transitioned through tapping the congas and tossing a shaker, tambourine and rain stick for high points of the set, which also included Mendelson, sporting a Iron Maiden hockey jersey, impressively hitting quick tempo switches and odd time signatures on “Your Machine.” “Hit You Up” brought out the first guest of the night, Wavy Cunningham, to ease smooth tunes and a bit of rap into the set while the ending track of the night, “Levee for Free” had all fans on foot and Formula 5’s Joe Davis (also sporting pink) delivering tasty licks on guitar.

    The eclectic group of six will open up for Vulfpeck’s Theo Katzman on April 19 at the famed Capitol Theatre in Portchester, NY.  Looks like all is pointing North not only for Formula 5 but for these New Paltz natives as well.

    The Other Brothers Set List:

    Sleep Yo, Good Thing, The Man, Don’t Mean A Thing, Love Recedes, These Cycles, K2 in the Bathroom, New Friends, Can I Get It?, Why You Are, Hit You Up*, Game Show Radio, Your Machine, Bound, Levee for Free*

    * Wavy Cunningham

    $ Joe Davis from Formula 5 on guitar

    After a short introduction from a sincerely grateful and proud band manager, Pete Mason, Formula 5 immediately launched into their double header with transcending energy and multicolored lights boasting “F” and  “5” from the top corners of the stage.

    set the tone for their Saturday night gig with kinetic energy that only kept building. While fans may have heard the newer tunes from recent gigs and even more recent album release teases, it was the first time listening to the entire album in a live setting, lending their ears to Formula 5’s natural creativity and improvisation. Bassist James Woods sported a slight smirk all night, which could be attributed to a number of things, but we’ll just pin it on the electric energy and a “load-off” feeling of finally offering the band’s new studio album to the world. The merch table was freshly stocked with musical material both new and old, freshly crafted Trout Waters pins and newly designed T-shirts available for longtime fans and those just discovering their music.

    Having transformed a Kickstarter goal into reality, Joe, Matt, and James long awaited the night’s celebrations after pouring endless amounts of effort into their third studio album which follows their self titled debut album, April 2014’s Edging on Catastrophe and one live album, Live Five Vol. 1. The quartet implemented some classic strategies as well as newfound ways to draw a dancing crowd to their Putnam Den gig. Joe and Matt dedicated a few hours of their day to Albany’s own Madison Avenue Ben and Jerry’s shop on free cone day to dish out tasty frozen treats to Albany locals, hand out fliers for the album release show and spin their newest record to listening ears and the hungry humans attached to them–talk about a marketing triple threat. 

    Set one presented All Points North front to back, with friends Phil Chow on trumpet and Bryan Brundige of The Chronicles on trombone during “It Goes” paired with a loud exclamation of “I love horn-ula 5!” from the depths of the crowd. Not only did Brundige lend a helping horn on stage, he handles audio engineering at OverIt Media and aided the guys through their All Points North journey in the studio. A long set break brought set two, chock full of covers, a “Tweezer” tease and a loaded surprise sit in. Following a jam and “Booher’s Pass,” moe.’s own Vinnie Amico took to the drum kit during “Pedro” to sit in for the group’s drummer. The two seamlessly transitioned on and off stage while the drummer tried to use his surroundings to aid the beat to try and smoothly dip back behind the moe. veteran. Amico’s presence was unplanned, making the surprise sit in all the more sweet. The seasoned drummer happened to be hanging in the Saratoga venue before wandering into the back room and admitting  he was a Formula 5 fan and excited to see their set. From there, an organic sit in blossomed to cap off an already exceptional night.

    Next up was a double header of covers with Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry” and Steely Dan’s “Hey Nineteen,” band and fan favorites alike. Appropriately closing out a night of well deserved festivities and completing a pretty solid song cover trifecta, the night was wrapped up into a funky package with a Phish phavorite, “Run Like An Antelope.” Keeping the momentum rolling the next day, the guys announced their participation at The Werk Out Music and Arts Festival alongside Dopapod, Emancipator, BIG Something, Spafford and more. They’ll keep the grooves going with a continued Spring 2017 tour as summertime bliss will bring Formula 5 tunes not only to the festival circuit but directly to phans during the Madison Square Garden Baker’s Dozen run.

    Formula 5 Set List:

    Set I: (“All Points North”)

    Come Along, Sad Bed*, Trout Waters, Pt. I & II, It Goes…^, Excalibur, The Birch Tree^, Q&A, Do Tell^, Figure Out A Feeling^

    Set II:

    Jam -> Booher’s Pass, Pedro$, Dirty Laundry$, Hey Nineteen!

    E: Run Like An Antelope~

    *Unfinished

    ^ Phil Chow on trumpet, Bryan Brundige on Trombone

    $ Unfinished, Vinnie Amico of Moe. on drums

    $Don Henley cover

    ! Steely Dan cover

    ~ Phish cover

  • John Mayer Launches his Search For Everything World Tour

    The musically acclaimed John Mayer kicked off his latest tour at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY on March 31, 2017. This tour is in support of his recently released studio album entitled The Search For Everything.

    Search For EverythingThe format of his concert included five chapters to help guide the audience through the show, which featured songs from his entire repertoire of music. The sets consisted of a digital backdrop that projected different scenes for each song. Mayer began by playing a set with his full band stretching as far back as his 2006 Continuum era to open the show with “Belief” and later playing “I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You).” During this first chapter, in addition to live debuting “Helpless,” Mayer stepped away from his sidekick guitar with a microphone in hand to engage with his audience during “Moving On and Getting Over.” He decided to play the hook back multiple times varying the speed and melody while breaking out unusual dance moves rarely seen in his live performances.

    Not only is John Mayer a brilliant lyricist with a distinguishable voice, but he is also an incredibly talented guitarist. The second chapter of his show was composed of three well-known songs and referred to as the ‘acoustic’ set, allowing him to display his mesmerizing guitar skills. In this chapter specifically, the crowd could be caught singing along to every word of “Daughters” and his infamous cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” where he was accompanied by band-mate and fellow guitarist David Ryan Harris.

    Search For EverythingEvery concert on this tour also features songs from John Mayer Trio (JM3) during which Mayer excitedly invites the legendary bass player Pino Paladino and drummer Steve Jordan to perform alongside him. The trio reunited on stage to play both original JM3 songs and covers from the greats such as Chuck Berry and Jimi Hendrix. Each show on this tour features well-known, new and obscure tracks from Mayer’s vast musical library.

    Some highlight performances from the fourth chapter were songs from his earlier record “Why Georgia.” Mayer also reminisced on the making of Paradise Valley before playing the light-hearted “Dear Marie.” After leaving the stage and returning for his full band encore, playing songs like the anticipated “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,” Mayer exited the stage for what the audience thought was the last time, only to return a few minutes later to booming applause from the audience.

    Search For EverythingFor this final chapter, the entire stage set was transformed into a blank white page except for the word ‘Epilogue’ which flashed on the screen. Mayer appeared alone on stage sitting at a white piano which he used to accompany himself for the final song, “You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me.” At the conclusion of the song, he walked through a stage door in the middle of the white screen that was not visible to the audience, leaving one to wonder if his passage through this door is meant to symbolize his continual Search for Everything.

    Excitement amongst long-time fans started buzzing from the moment Mayer announced his tour. His opening show exceeded my expectations as the emphasis was placed upon the music with a tasteful amount of production elements. I personally can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve for future shows and encourage all who have the opportunity to see him on this tour.

    Setlist: (Full Band): Belief, Helpless, I Don’t Trust Myself (With Loving You), Love on the Weekend, Moving On and Getting Over (Acoustic): Daughters, In Your Atmosphere, Free Fallin’ (Trio): Who Did You Think I Was, Promised Land, Wait Until Tomorrow (Full Band Reprise): Blues Run the Game, Queen of California, Edge of Desire, Dear Marie, Why Georgia, In Repair

    Encore: Stitched Up, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (Epilogue): You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me

  • Hearing Aide: Woods ‘Love is Love’

    Some protest music speaks to specific events. Sometimes it commands specific actions. Other times it is a non-specified reaction. Woods’ Love is Love is a reaction to the unexpected turn of events that flipped the United States on it’s head last November.

    Recorded in the immediate months that followed, it is not overly negative, angry or sad. As the title clearly states, it is steeped in feelings of love. If you made a word cloud of the compiled lyrics of this six-song EP, ‘LOVE‘ would stand central, big and bold, eclipsing all others by a large margin. This is a record borne in protest, but one that exists to lift up and comfort. If the ‘Love Trumps Hate’ slogan needs a soundtrack, this is it.

    Woods fans will find immediate comfort in the familiar psychedelic rock sounds with it’s signature mix of Ethiopian jazz influences as the band had built into their last standout record, City Sun Eater in the River of Light. Horns, psychedelic guitar, groovy bass and in-the-pocket rhythms wrap around each other to form a bond not easily broken throughout this tight 30+ minute set.

    The record kicks off with positivity and warmth on the title track. It’s a song that instantaneously gets added to the Woods canon like it was there all along. “Bleeding Blue” sounds like the soundtrack to a Rocky montage, had Rocky been training in the streets of London while being chased by a throng of young screaming women. “Lost in a Crowd” brilliantly adds a sunny splash from the Caribbean to the already thick mix. Beginning with a din of digital crickets, “Spring is in the Air” builds to colorful and blooming horn blasts, but never quite explodes through to summer. Instead it falls quietly into “Hit That Drum.” The EP isn’t just oozing positivity, doubt and struggle do rear their ugly heads. But lead man Jeremy Earl more or less explains the main drive for the album in “Hit That Drum,” singing “Feeling dark / feeling down / I hit that drum / It takes me away.”

    They end it with a return to the title track, and a question, “How can we love with this kind of hate?” And comes the answer: “Say that love is love.”

    Key tracks: Bleeding Blue, Lost in a Crowd, Spring is in the Air

Built in Breakdance