NYS Music 20​17

Category: Show Reviews

  • King Buffalo Headlines Hometown Show on Eve of European Tour

    King Buffalo is taking off this week for their maiden European tour. Last year’s debut album Orion was well received both here and abroad, and they were booked to play with the Elder on across Europe and the North America. Before embarking on this adventure, they celebrated with a hometown show on Saturday, July 8 at The Bug Jar. Billed as the King Buffalo European Send Off, the show included support from Fuzzrod and Malarchuk.

    King Buffalo are no strangers to the Bug Jar. They’ve been playing at the quirky Monroe Avenue bar throughout the four years since the band formed. Show flyers are plastered on the windows below the groovy 60’s-inspired painted sign. King Buffalo’s merchandise table was set up near the front door, and included some new t-shirt designs, their album Orion on vinyl, and a variety of other products.

    I made my way past the bar and pool table to the other side of the bar, where I could hear the beginnings of a sound check. At first viewing, the room looks like any other venue, with a stage, a spot for the sound guy, and a bunch of band stickers on the walls. But look up, and there’s a fully-furnished apartment affixed upside down to the ceiling.

    Equally surprising was the first opening act. A supergroup recently formed from members of local bands, Fuzzrodd was a throwback to the antiestablishmentarian punk ethos. Their debut EP is called Fake News, and the political reference is a reminder of the rebellious origins of punk rock. Audience members chanted along to the catchy chorus “F— work, just give me the money.”

    Next up was the Buffalo band Malarchuk. They specialize in hard rock with a metal edge. The first song of their set was “Night Tear’r (Long Jammer),” which spanned an impressive 24 minutes. Lyrics are minimal on most of their songs, the emphasis mainly on rocking the guitar-bass-percussion triad. The audience at Bug Jar is known for participation. In between songs, one person yelled “Bawitdaba” and the lead singer completed the Kid Rock lyric “da bang a dang diggy.”

    Sean McVay

    The excitement in the air was palpable as King Buffalo took the stage. Without much ado, they launched into a jam that I quickly surmised was one of their new songs. Dan Reynolds laid down a thick bass line and Scott Donaldson produced a heavy beat which typify King Buffalo’s bluesy sound. Singer Sean McVay contributed reverberated melodic guitar riffs and vocalizations. They weren’t lyrics, but primordial sounds that resonated with the music and transcended the need for language.

    Everyone in the room was transfixed, caught up in the trance of psychedelic vibes, as the music flowed through songs from Orion, including “Sleeps on a Vine,” “Monolith,” and “Kerosene.” With the spotlight dimmed, they played within the glow of the LED-laced amps and drum kit. The music went on for a solid sixty minutes, with only a brief pause to thank the opening bands, but it hardly seemed enough.

    Scott Donaldson

    After the finale, “Drinking from the River Rising,” the crowd clamored for one more song. McVay conferred with Donaldson and Reynolds, then announced an encore. They chose “Orion,” the title and lead track from the LP, an epic soundscape infused with mythological lyrics. When it concluded, lights went up, and the guys beside me raised their cans of Genesee beer in salute.

    King Buffalo hung around to celebrate after their set. They perform in Germany on Friday, then make their way across the continent, from Austria to the Netherlands. After a break, they begin the North American tour, kicking off at St. Vitus in Brooklyn on October 28. For tour dates and tickets, visit their website.

    Dan Reynolds

  • Christian Lopez Band Brings Syracuse Fans Outside for Perfect Night of Music

    Under the perfect evening sky, with the most gentle of breezes blowing through the amphitheater-like backyard venue, Syracuse music lovers welcomed Christian Lopez to New York.  Being introduced to his music for the first time, house party attendees were in for a treat from this 21 year old musician and his bandmates Jason Navo on bass and Cameron McClaren on drums.

    Despite his age, this young man is a seasoned musician with more than 6 years on the road experience, playing in front of audiences of all sizes, winning them over one by one.  Raised in West Virginia, music was always a part of his family as his mother is a music teacher.  Encouraged by his parents and subjected to many country music greats  including Waylon, Willie, Johnny and Kris, the flavor of those influences as well as his personal favorites blend to become this eclectic mix in his songwriting and playing. Whether it’s a rock-a-billy tune, a slower ballad or an all out rock and roll number, audiences can’t get enough of him from the minute he starts playing and singing.

    Listening to him, his voice had a smooth John Denver-ish tone with the ballads, however, as he played his rock numbers I felt him channeling Jerry Lee Lewis’s energy and Elvis’s prowess. Moving around the back yard to capture new angles, I constantly overheard the awe and appreciation from everyone in attendance.  I would be remiss not to mention his songwriting skills were top notch as well.  His setlist was riddled with these numbers, each as well written as the next.  Two covers were sung (“Hurricane”-Levon Helms and “Use Me” – Bill Withers), however, they were sung more like tributes than as covers as you can see below.

    https://youtu.be/GQQLwTcMf0g

    Treating us to many numbers off the new upcoming album Red Arrow, produced by Marshall Altman, it’s hard to believe this 21 year old has already accumulated the skill set necessary to become a household name. One can only anticipate, as time goes on, the musical genius to come from this talented young man. Mark my words, he is an artist to remember.  Catching the eye of Rolling Stone at the American Music Fest in 2015, and artists such as Amy Helm at Cayamo in 2017, it’s apparent those in the business have already taken heed.  Booked already to partake in Rock Boat 2018, that would be one heck of a vacation and a way to be introduced to the talents of this young man, don’t ya think?

    Setlist: 1972, Man I Was , Finish What You Started , Someday , Hurricane (Levon Helm cover) , All The Time, Between Us , Morning Rise, Swim, Silver Line , Don’t Wanna Say Goodnight , Use Me (Bill Withers cover) , Caramel, Say Goodbye , Will I See You Again, Steel On The Water

  • Photo Gallery: Aqueous Welcomes Joel Cummins and Jake Cinninger to Highline Ballroom

    After a 30 minute set at Summer Stage, Buffalo’s Aqueous headed to Chelsea for a post-Umphrey’s show at The Highline Ballroom. Aqueous was joined tonight by Jake Cinninger and Joel Cummins, who joined the band for a majority of their set. After “Uncle Phil’s Parachute,” Jake and Joel hit the stage during “Don’t Do It,” and joined on a debut of Umphrey’s “Booth Love,” Radiohead’s “National Anthem,” and Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne.” To close the night, Aqueous performed ‘just one more song’ with a 40+ minute “Random Company” > “Numbers and Facts” > “Random Company” and an encore of “Origami.” Umphrey’s and Aqueous seem like a natural pairing, one that we hope to see again later this fall.

    Set: Skyway, Uncle Phil’s Parachute¹ > Don’t Do It¹ ² > Highline Jam², Booth Love² ³, National Anthem², Strange Times², Kid Charlemagne², Random Company > Numbers and Facts > Random Company
    Encore: Origami
    ¹ Unfinished
    ² Ft. Jake Cinninger and Joel Cummins of Umphrey’s McGee
    ³ Aqueous debut, Umphrey’s McGee cover

    Setlist via Aquiantances

  • Audience Gets Wet and Keeps Dancing at Umphrey’s McGee in Central Park

    Central Park’s Summer Stage has quite the lineup this summer, with the centerpiece being a double bill of prog/jam goodness in Aqueous and Umphrey’s McGee on July 7.

    Aqueous performed just two songs, “Second Sight” and “Kitty Chaser,” in their 30 minute, all-too-short set to start the night, but that would be remedied by their post-show later this evening. Umphrey’s opened up their set with some technical issues, doing a double take on “Bridgeless” as a result. After the second attempt, the band played “Miss Tinkle’s Overture,” hinting they were slightly pissed off but pressed on with “2×2” and “Dump City” which highlighted the rest of the set, and the final segment of “Bridgeless” finishing the first set.

    Much like their Midwest counterparts playing in the Bronx this evening, Umphrey’s began to heat up when the rain cleared. Jams blossomed through the encore with two huge sandwiches in their second set. “Plunger” opened, as did the skies during “Utopian Fir” which had a “Whole Lotta Love” tease, as well as “Driven 2 Tears” which segued back into “Fir.” If the crowd wasn’t already wet, “Mantis” > “The Triple Wide” > “Mantis” took care of that. An encore of “Rocker Part 2” capped the night and sent the fans streamed out of a moist Central Park and headed to the Highline Ballroom where Aqueous and Umphrey’s would join forces for the after show.

  • Tedeschi Trucks Band Rocks SPAC with Hot Tuna and The Wood Brothers

    Tedeschi Trucks Band‘s Wheels of Soul tour rolled into Saratoga Springs on July 3 with rock legends of new and old, The Wood Brothers and Hot Tuna. Hot Tuna performed with their electric trio, featuring Justin Guip of Levon Helm Band on drums and two energized 70+ year old rock legends, Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady, strutting through classics and bouncing around the stage. The Wood Brothers brought a stripped down sound that was full of gusto, including spirited renditions of “Luckiest Man” and a set closing “Ophelia.”

    tedeschi trucks hot tuna wood brothersTedeschi Trucks Band stole the show and brought the audience to their feet numerous times throughout the show, sparking the crowd on this 4th of July weekend as though they had bought tickets for spiritual renewal. In many ways, that is what the night provided. TTB opened the night with a cover of Derek and the Dominoes’ “Anyday” with Mike Mattison providing ample vocal support to Susan Tedeschi. (Coincidentally, on June 16, Bobby Whitlock of Derek and the Dominoes opened his show at The Egg with the same track off Layla and Assorted Love Songs.)

    tedeschi trucks hot tuna wood brothers“Don’t Know What It Means” was one of the numerous times Susan showed off her powerful vocals, as well as Kebbi Williams’ jazz chops, during a breakdown at the end with drummers Tyler Greenwell and J.J. Johnson. Susan didn’t let up by then belting out “Anyhow,” supercharging the venue with three big band numbers to kick the set off. Carey Frank, filling in for the recovering Kofi Burbridge, made his presence known on “Let Me Get By” and “Save Me,” adding to the big band sound as the show wound down. Rock goddess Susan and husband Derek put on a clinic of blues guitar, pounding out powerful chords and engaging the audience, eliciting cheers as peaks were reached, only to then be taken higher and higher. The final songs of the set bookended a monster rock ‘n’ roll show that had hardly a mellow moment.

    For the encore, a perfect tribute to the late Gregg Allman in “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More” preceded Susan’s calm rendition of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?,” one that made it feel like we were at a revival and ready to head out and preach her good word. To close the night, “Made Up Mind” allowed all vocalists, including Mattison, Mark Rivers and Alecia Chakour, to show off their vocal chops. Susan then asked the audience to offer birthday wishes to a member of the TTB crew, Bobby, by singing “Happy Birthday” to him, an exclamation point on a night of pure rock ‘n’ roll.

  • Dead and Company Play Perfect Sets During Return to Citi Field in New York City

    Dead and Company’s third tour made its way to Citi Field on June 24 while the Mets were away in San Fransisco, defeating the Giants by a score of 5 – 2. The summer evening weather made for a spectacular night of music with a packed stadium.

    The long-standing game of guessing the show opener was on the tongues of many before the 7:30 downbeat and, regardless of incorrect guesses, “Dancing In The Streets” (which debuted earlier this tour) got the Queens crowd moving to the pace of the night. The relaxed but fun set continued on with the likes of “Jack Straw,” Tennesse Jed” and “Cold Rain and Snow” among others. Dead and Company jumped the gun by capping off the set with the party-rousing “One More Saturday Night,” more often seen in the second set of a Dead show.

    As the second set rolled onward from the beautiful “Scarlet Begonias” opener, they let Oteil sing, as some t-shirts have said. Burbridge has been making more of a vocal appearance on this tour and took the lead on singing “Comes a Time,” making for a spectacular performance of the song coupled with Mayer’s atmospheric noodling on Dead and Company’s debut of that song. Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman put on a unique rhythmic soundscape for the drums/space break which was integrative of acoustic and electronic sounds and instruments including Hart’s multi-string, one-note Beam.

    The encore was truly something special for the New York crowd. The familiar opening riff of “Touch of Grey” rang through the crowd noise as the projection faded to the b-roll live footage of the synchronized light show atop the Empire State Building across the East River in Manhattan. Without much of a skip the happy feels were capped off in a rock-and-roll fashion with “Johnny B. Goode.”

    Dead and Company’s two night run at Citi Field last June was a good showcase of the chops of a Grateful Dead family lineup who had only been on tour for about one and a half years at that point. In this year’s single show at Citi Field, Dead and Company showed an ever-flourishing presence of musicianship on stage miles ahead of the band’s debut shows in Albany and NYC in the fall of 2015, which even then were noteworthy.

    Setlist:

    Set 1: Dancing In The Streets > Jack Straw, Here Comes Sunshine, Tennessee Jed, Cold Rain and Snow, Bird Song > One More Saturday Night

    Set 2: Scarlet Begonias > Viola Lee Blues, Estimated Prophet > Comes A Time > Eyes Of The World > Drums/Space > The Other One > Morning Dew

    Encore: Touch Of Grey > Johnny B. Goode

  • Intrepid Travelers EP Release Party At Buffalo Iron Works

    Thursday June 29 was a busy night across Buffalo, musically speaking. The real celebration went down that night at Buffalo Iron Works. Intrepid Travelers released their latest EP Everyday Is Your Birthday to a packed crowd. Witty Tarbox opened up the festivities. They describe themselves as indie riffs over a rhythmic funk foundation fond of improvisation. Being relatively new to the scene as a band they lit up the stage setting the tone for the evening. They ended their set with Vulfpeck cover “Cory Wong” with help from Donny Frauenhofer from Intrepid Travelers. Almost hard to believe they have been playing together for under six months. Be sure to check these guys out during their set at Cobblestone Live on Saturday July 15.

    With their tour speeding up, Intrepid Travelers had enough time to release their latest EP to a delighted hometown crowd in the 716. They hit the stage close to 10:30 and it was ON from there.  The first four songs of their set were off of their latest EP Everyday Is Your Birthday. From there they traveled to a funky but unfinished “Electric Avenue.” A few more covers as well as a few more off their latest release were sprinkled in throughout the rest of the set. Ellen Pieroni was featured on alto sax for the Lettuce cover of “Madison Square.”

    There aint no rest for the wicked. Intrepid Travelers are already back on the road with five shows in the first week of July spread across the Midwest. Halfway through July they will be traveling home with shows on July 15 at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester and July 16 in Buffalo at Cobblestone Live.

    Intrepid Travelers Setlist:

    Soundcheck: Get IT to you

    Set 1: On Inside > Destinesia, Dark Disease > Funnel > Jam > Electric Avenue(1) > Jam > Maddy & Anna, Captain Jon > Final Voyage, Madison Square(2)$, 1999(3), Stand The Heat > Get IT To You

    (1)Eddy Grant cover

    (2)Lettuce Cover

    (3)Prince Cover

    $ Featured Ellen Pieroni (Folkfaces) on alto saxophone

    Witty Tarbox SetList:

    Pyramid, Pabst Blue Rhythm, Surfslut, Trevor, Bitch Has Got An Attitude, Scmitty n Bags, Prepare To Launch ^, Moving Pictures, Cory Wong*#

    *Vulfpeck Cover

    # w/ Donny Frauenhofer (Intrepid Travelers)  on Keys

    ^debut

  • Mountain Jam 2017 Keeps Pumping out Great Jams

    Mountain Jam Music Festival in Hunter, NY celebrated their 13th anniversary with a tremendous lineup of legendary, famous and diverse musicians. Passes to Mountain Jam were an unforgettable gift for Fathers Day!

    You know you’re on a ski resort when you see ski lifts overhead and snow machines beside you.  RV’s and tents were discretely and comfortably located making for exceptional accommodations.  Only a bit of cool light rain cast a shadow, but it’s cooling was welcome.

    The Thursday night pre-party crowd packed The Healy Brothers Automotive stage in Hunter Lodge for Marco Bennevento Band, who  warmed up the audience with their rendition of Sunday’s Headliner Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle.” Most of the hits they played were from their newly released album Live from Woodstock. Closing out the pre-party and reappearing on Friday night was adopted Brooklyn son Sinkane. He’s an English man via Sudan who blends kraut-rock, progressive-rock, electronica, free rock, funk and Sudanese pop, creating one big late night dance party.

    The endurance award goes to the energetic Andy Frasco and the UN. The joyous smiling Frasco with his giant wavy afro played five different times during Mountain Jam. Twice he performed impromptu because he’s so much fun to dance to. Andy’s energy is so contagious the audience just needs to let loose.

    The star of Friday and perennial crowd favorite was Colorado’s own The String Cheese Incident. For their debut to Mountain Jam the band played a distinct blend of rock and jam grass for about three hours. They played twenty songs spanning their 23-year career. They encored with their song “Nothing but Flowers.”

    Seattle’s own The Head and The Heart also performed earlier on Friday playing energetic folk rock blended with beautiful harmonies. Their catchy tunes made for a fun sing-along. Also from Colorado was Elephant Revival who delighted Hunter Mountain with a mix of folk and bluegrass exporting the Rockies to create a Colorado high that was thoroughly delightful

    Toronto’s own highly anticipated Glassnote recording artists The Strumbellas brought an exciting mix of pop folk rock. Their performance of “Spirit” lived up to The Mountain Jam video preview with the whole crowd singing along almost knowing all the words.

    Warner Brothers recording artist Gary Clark Jr, a recent guest on the CBS show NCIS New Orleans brought soulful blues which rocked the mountain. He sure did not disappoint the ladies. His shredding on the guitar echoed legendary blues musicians in a Louisiana blues tradition. He’s scheduled to open for Eric Clapton in Los Angeles in September. (Did I tell you the line up was fabulous? Let me say it again).

    Shovels and Rope project a big booming sound for a Southern rock duo. Hailing from South Carolina the couple delighted the crowd featured their 2013 song of the year “Birmingham.”

    Saturday’s headliner Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers would have been great alone but bringing out Marty Stuart was a bonus guest playing on a classic hit. He also played plenty of hits including “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Falling” and “Refugee” which turned Mountain Jam into one big sing-along. The crowd knew every word of all his songs including songs from the 90’s album Wildflower.

    The handsome 6’4″ Matisyahu, a Jewish American reggae vocalist and beat boxer played hits like “King without a Crown” and “One Day.” Best of all Matisyahu introduced his new album Undercurrent. Performing with his band, we were truly wowed by his control of the audience

    Michael Franti, a Bay area native led the crowd in the Sunday morning yoga session. Later he and his band Spearhead played a really fun afternoon love-dance set. Encouraging the crowd to dance together and mingle was just more joy to compliment the beautiful sun shining day. His special guests were Lucas Nelson and his percussionist to magnify his great party atmosphere on this beautiful bright sun shining day, playing his hits “Say Hey” and “Sound of Sunshine.” His spouse, an ER nurse inspired their foundation Do it for the Love, supporting the terminally ill. Please go to their website and nominate a deserving hero today. It’s free for all to do.

    Nashville and Hollywood Walk of fame recipient Peter Frampton sparkled as ever with phenomenal musical energy playing all his hits including “Show Me the Way” and “Do You Feel Like I Do.” He played “Black Hole Sun,” a tribute to acknowledge the recent loss of former tour mate Chris Cornell. His use of the talk box made it one of the coolest cover renditions I have ever heard.

    Top headliner Steve Miller Band closed out the fabulous Jam. Recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee The Steve Miller Band played an energetic sing along set including their most popular hits “Abracadabra,” “The Joker” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” The hi-light of the set was when he brought out Peter Frampton to play a rocking blues hit that awed the audience with all their skills.

    With so many great bands playing with such beautiful weather, Mountain Jam 2017 was one great festival, so if there are some bands on the lineup you love, buy some early bird tickets and go jam on the mountain because you will have a blast!!!

  • Celtic Woman Voices of Angels Tour Lifts Central New York To a New High

    Voices of Angels was a fitting title for the Celtic Woman tour that recently stopped in Syracuse at the Oncenter on June 21.

    The three angelic vocalists on the tour were Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, and Eabha McMahon, and together with the multi talented newcomer Tara McNeill on violin and harp, they melodically painted a picture of their homeland. This production once again outdid themselves putting together a show that highlighted the amazing harmonies of Celtic Woman and the phenomenal musicianship of the band and choir.  Playing many crowd favorites, their mix of traditional and popular music brought the crowd to their feet.

    They now are winding down and heading home from their North American tour which included 90 cities and 94 performances.  I would like to leave you with one of my favorite numbers from the show, a sean dos song, “Sadhbh ní Bhruinneallaigh.”  Eabha McMahon’s performance of the this traditional tune brings you to the musical experience of the Irish culture in its truest form, the trad session.

    Setlist: Mo Ghile Mear, My Heart Will Go On, Dúlman, Isle of Hope, Amazing Grace, Across the World, As She Moved Through the Fair, The Kesh Inn, Danny Boy, Nil Sén La, Téir Abhaile Riú, Orinoco Flow, For the Love of a Princess, Ave Maria, Walk Beside Me, Óro Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile, Percussion Solo, The Voice, Sean Nos Song, Westering Home, Time to Say Goodbye, You Raise me Up and Parting Glass

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  • Train Brought All the Love to Darien

    Upon arrival, you’d think there wasn’t much going on at Darien Lake Amphitheater, but once you entered the venue, it was a whole different story. It was pretty packed inside and fans were scrambling around to get to their seats before O.A.R came on. You could see the dividing wall between casual concert goers and ones who were die hard based on the shirts or what they sang, for every song that both bands played that night. Whichever side you fell on, you were not to be disappointed by the upcoming performances.

    Train is led by singer/guitarist Pat Monahan and the stage made it clear who was in charge. Except for a couple of occasions, everybody stayed on their designated risers, leaving the front of the stage to Monahan. He’s full of stage tricks, seeing which side of the crowd can sing louder or turning a video camera onto the audience. During the song “If It’s Love,” Pat grabbed cell phones from the audience and would take a selfie while flawlessly singing the song. He also brought out Natasha Bedingfield to sing the song “Bruises” and it was a perfect duet to say the least.

    O.A.R.’s music is a genial blend of straightforward rock and light reggae. They are a six-piece band from Rockville, Maryland and a mighty band indeed. From start to finish, their presence was strong and most members had quite the facial expressions and charisma. Guitarist Richard On was engaging with the crowd and even at one point tossed a pick to a little girl in the front row. Vocalist Marc Roberge was all smiles during the show and had the fans singing along with him swaying to and fro. The night went without a hitch and not one individual seemed to leave displeased by the night’s performances.

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