NYS Music 20​17

Category: Peekskill

  • 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 20th year 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.

    Dark Star Orchestra Paramount Hudson ValleyA 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.

  • Dark Star Orchestra Expands on Fall Tour to Include East Coast Dates, Including 20th Anniversary Show in Albany

    Dark Star Orchestra rolled out more 2017 tour dates. The newly added East Coast performances include a handful of shows in New York, including DSO’s 20th anniversary celebration on November 11 at the Palace Theatre in Albany. The fall dates lead up to a Cosmic New Year’s Run which includes three nights at Philly’s Electric Factory from December 29 through New Year’s Eve. Details and tickets are available at DSO’s website.

    dark star 20th anniversaryDark Star Orchestra Remaining 2017 Dates:

    Sept.21 – San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theatre
    Sept. 22 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Austin
    Sept. 23 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas
    Sept. 26 – Salina, KS – Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
    Sept. 28 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
    Sept. 29 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
    Sept. 30 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
    Oct. 2 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown
    Oct. 5 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland
    Oct. 6 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
    Oct. 7 – Columbus, OH – Express LIVE
    Oct. 10 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
    Oct. 12 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic
    Oct. 13 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre
    Oct. 14 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater

    Dark Star Orchestra Fall Tour – Part 2 (Newly Announced Dates):
    Nov. 10 – Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theater
    Nov. 11 – Albany, NY – Palace Theater
    Nov. 12 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Hudson Valley
    Nov. 14 – Northampton, MA – Calvin Theatre
    Nov. 16 – Portland, ME – State Theatre, Portland, Maine
    Nov. 17 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
    Nov. 18 – Worcester, MA – Worcester Palladium
    Nov. 19 – Ithaca, NY – State Theatre of Ithaca
    Nov. 21 – Concord, NH – Capitol Center for the Arts
    Nov. 22 – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak
    Nov. 24 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
    Nov. 25 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
    Nov. 29 – Richmond, VA – The National
    Nov. 30 – Richmond, VA – The National
    Dec. 1 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVA
    Dec. 2 – Washington D.C. – The Anthem ( ** Recreating Grateful Dead’s 6/14/91 R.F.K. show **)
    Dec. 28 – Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theater
    Dec. 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory – with Dirty Dozen Brass Band
    Dec. 30 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory – with Keller Williams solo
    Dec. 31 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory – 3 sets of DSO

  • The Beatles vs Stones? The British are Coming to Peekskill’s Paramount Theater

    The British Invasion swiftly swept over the United States in the 1960s, bringing the world pioneer rock musicians that still have the world buzzing in nostalgia over their music decades later. With the Beatles and the Rolling Stones leading the pack, two tribute acts will storm into Peekskill’s Paramount Hudson Valley Theater for a musical play-off of the ages. On Thursday, June 29, tribute acts Abbey Road and Satisfaction– The International Rolling Stones Show, will go head to head during “Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown” as each group swaps time on stage performing a total of three power sets each, with interwoven outfit changes. 

    For many, a show down was only a Sunday afternoon daydream while spinning Rubber Soul and Out of Our Heads with a friend in their bedroom. 

    Some argue the Beatles reign over the rest with Revolver notching the title of Greatest Pop Record of All Time while others credit the Stones with their ongoing ability to create. Nevertheless, both unarguably left an indelible footprint on the music world we currently live in.

    Following reminiscent tunes like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” Twist and Shout,” “Paint it Black” and “Honky Tonk Woman” as well as an experimental mash-up finale, the end of the night will bring a real-time, rock-and-roll the vote session as the audience determines who rocked the hardest.

    Tickets are range from $30 to $60 and may be purchased online at the Parmount Theatre’s website, by phone at (914) 739-0039 or at the Theatre Box Office.

  • Melissa Etheridge Returns to Paramount Hudson Valley with a Big Sound

    In less than a year since making an impressive solo performance at Paramount Hudson Valley, Melissa Etheridge returned on April 29 with her full band for another appearance at the historic theater.

    EtheridgeIt was a night filled with some of her popular tunes and several off of her 2016 release, Memphis Rock and Soul, including her take on venerable blues/rock staples from the likes of Albert King, The Staples Singers, and Isaac Hayes among others. The room felt electric from the moment Etheridge stepped on stage with one of her several Ovation guitars in hand, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd even before striking the first notes of “Angels Would Fall.”

    Last year Etheridge made a solo appearance at the Paramount, at times creating a one-person band set against a backdrop of a dozen or so guitars including a new bass she picked up at Division Street Guitars (right around the corner from the theater). This time with a full band the musicianship on stage from everyone was excellent, with plenty of warm-hearted anecdotes to fill the time between songs.

    Her show felt like a tribute of sorts to the Memphis blues and rock and roll songwriting, often citing Stax Records artists as inspiration while introducing the songs off of her latest release. Combined with her showmanship, Etheridge’s rich tenor  vocals validate the authenticity of her take on those songs and the style.

    Although she didn’t pick up a guitar at the local guitar store around the corner from the Paramount as she did last year, Etheridge expressed a bit of gratitude and appreciation for the venue and the city of Peekskill.

    With Etheridge’s trend of releasing a new album every few years, it’s likely just a matter of time before she is welcomed back to the Paramount with open arms.

    Setlist: Angels Would Fall, Similar Features, Any Other Way, I Want To Come Over, Fearless Love, I Want To Be In Love, Respect Yourself (People Stand Up), Hold On I’m Coming, Born Under A Bad Sign, Chrome Plated Heart, Come To My Window, Bring Me Some Water, I’m The Only One->Rock Me Baby->I’m The Only One

    Encore: Like The Way I Do

  • Al Di Meola Celebrates New and Old Songs at Paramount Hudson Valley

    A steady crowd gathered for a musical treat as guitar virtuoso Al Di Meola brought his tour to a close on its last stop at Paramount Hudson Valley on Feb. 26. His stop at the historic Peekskill theater in support of his latest release Elysium, also marked a celebration of the 40th anniversary of one of his first releases Elegant Gypsy.

    S Malinski - Al Di Meola - Paramount Hudson Valley-3

    Before starting his first set, Di Meola took a couple of minutes to introduce his band, most of whom he has known or played with for many years – Philippe Saisse (keyboards, marimba), Gumbi Ortiz (percussion), Elias Tona (bass), Luis Alicea (drums) and Evan Garr (violin). Kicking off with the fast-paced and melodic “One Night Last June,” the first set intertwined tightly-knit improvisation traded between band members with Di Meola’s brilliant songwriting. Before wrapping up the set the theater was treated to a throwback to Di Meola’s days as a teenager playing with the prog supergroup Return to Forever with “Medieval Overture.”

    S Malinski - Al Di Meola - Paramount Hudson Valley-8

    As skilled as Di Meola is on electric guitar, he is equally talented on acoustic guitar and started the second set with a few acoustic songs by himself and later with some help from the rest of the band. He opened this portion with a work-in-progress titled “Ava’s Dream Sequence,” inspired by his daughter. Leading back into the electric portion of the second set was a teaser of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.” The set was exciting with a looser, more improvised feel to it focusing more on his older compositions/collaborations.

    S Malinski - Al Di Meola - Paramount Hudson Valley-2

    Perhaps the most appreciable part of Di Meola’s performance was the career-spanning diversity of the setlist. Not only did he perform songs from early in his career including a few from Elegant Gypsy (to mark that album’s 40th anniversary), but he included recent compositions from Elysium and a few favorites from his collaborations with Chick Corea and Return to Forever. It was nothing short of a top-notch end to a tour.

    Setlist

    Set 1: One Night Last June, Flight Over Rio, Babylon, Senor Mouse, Adour, Medieval Overture

    Set 2: {acoustic set}, Black Dog, Midnight Tango, Song to the Pharaoh Kings, Dark Eyed Tango, Egyptian Danza

    Encore: Chiqualin, Race With Devil on Spanish Highway, Sorceress

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  • Al Di Meola Bringing ‘Elegant Gypsy’ 40th Anniversary Tour to Paramount Hudson Valley Feb. 26

    Pioneer of jazz and Latin fusion guitar Al Di Meola is on the road celebrating the 40th anniversary of his second studio album Elegant Gypsy as well as his 2015 release Elysium. With a number of dates around the United States and Canada this past month, he concludes the tour this Sunday night at Paramount Hudson Valley in Peekskill.

    Since his first release in 1976, Di Meola has established himself as a prolific writer and virtuoso of the guitar, blending jazz, rock, and Latin music into his songwriting. With an extensive career over the past 40 years he has tallied over 20 albums to his name and collected many accolades and awards for his work. In his career he has also collaborated with several notable names including Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White as part of the super group Return to Forever when he was just 19 years old.

    Di Meola’s February tour is an extension of an extensive 2016 world tour for Elysium to help mark the 40th anniversary of Elegant Gypsy. Sunday’s show at Paramount Hudson Valley starts at 7pm with tickets still available here or by calling the box office at 914-739-0039. Special meet-and-greet packages are available by calling the box office which include access to the soundcheck and a pre-show  Q&A with Di Meola in the theater.

    Joining him on tour is Philippe Saisse (keyboards, marimba), Gumbi Ortiz (percussion), Elias Tona (bass), Luis Alicea (drums) and Evan Garr (violin).

  • Gaelic Storm Hits The Paramount with Irish Cheer

    A mainstay of the Celtic touring bands, Gaelic Storm returned to the Hudson Valley in January with a delightfully entertaining night of music to wrap up one segment of touring before heading back out on the road for a number of shows in Florida.

    Hitting the stage with a swift start, Gaelic Storm quickly warmed the room up with “Pina Colada in a Pint Glass.” The mood for the night was set early with some quick jokes from the stage about football including an affectionate jab at the Jets. Before the set was through, the band had a little dance contest fun for both the ale-tipped adults and the few kids in the crowd, to the tune of “Darcy’s Donkey.”

    With over 3,000 shows under their belt in their 21 years, it’s no surprise that the band was so natural and comfortable with being on stage. With plenty of humor and wit, singer Patrick Murphy was cracking jokes and sharing plenty of stories between songs which, most of the time, were as entertaining as the music itself.

    After a break, Gaelic Storm came back for a looser, rowdier second set with a set of jigs and their version of the classic “Whiskey in the Jar,” getting a few more dancers in the isles. The second set also brought the entertaining far-fetched, but possibly true, story behind “The Night I Punched Russell Crowe” and audience favorite “Scallywag” to close the set.

    The band returned for a two song encore starting with a cover of “Stand By Me” and their own “One More Day Above the Roses.” Before the last song, Murphy took a moment to praise the Paramount – “small towns have the nicest theaters” – a remark made with regard to the many venues the band has played.

    Set 1: Pina Colada In A Pint Glass, Jigs, Never Drink ‘Em Dry, Cape Cod Girls, Rustling Goat Gang, Girls’ Night In Galway, Girls of Dublin Town, Darcy’s Donkey, Black And Tan
    Set 2: Jigs, Whiskey in the Jar, The Night I Punched Russel Crowe, Rubber Arm, Drink the Night Away, Green Eyes/Red Hair, Scalliwag

    Encore: Stand By Me, One More Day Above The Roses

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