Seth Faergolzia stopped by The Bop Shop for the 10th of fifteen episodes in this season’s Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight. The experimental folk rock artist spoke with the show’s producer/host Dan Gross about Multibird and his other bands, his recent European tour, and participating in the 100 Songs Project. Following the interview segment, Faergolzia and the members of Multibird performed a selection of songs, including “Garbage Night,” “High Diver,” and “Yup’s Birthday.”
The ninth episode of this season’s Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight series features guitarist Mark Grover. In this session, Grover talks with producer and host Dan Gross about what drew him to playing this style of guitar and his process for writing and transcribing the works of others for playing finger style. After the interview, he plays a selection of songs, including renditions of “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Higher Ground,” arranged by Grover and Eric Roche.
George Harrison left a vast legacy, part of it in the form of his collection of rare recordings. The Estate of George Harrison has partnered with Craft Recordings to create the HariSongs label.
Selections of world music will be released from Harrison’s archives. Along with the announcement comes the digital-only release of two out-of-print albums: Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan In Concert 1972 and the last collaboration by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, Chants of India. For the first time, this music will be available to enjoy and share on streaming platforms.
About In Concert 1972:
“In Concert 1972 was originally released via Apple Records in 1973, with a statement that read: “Within the small community of Brilliantly Gifted Musicians there exists an even smaller world of Masters. Two of these masters recently joined together in concert …” The album features two of Indian Classical music’s greatest artists at the height of their powers, the sitar maestro Ravi Shankar and master of the sarod, Ali Akbar Khan. The album captures the live recordings from a performance that took place at New York City’s Philharmonic Hall on October 8, 1972 and was produced by George Harrison (with Zakir Hussain and Phil McDonald). Featuring tabla accompaniment by the great Alla Rakha, this mesmerizing concert comprises three ragas played in the jugalbandistyle (or a duet played by two solo musicians) and became a poignant tribute to the guru of both soloists (and the father of Ali Akbar), the great Allauddin Khan, who had died but a month previously. Audio for this reissue was sourced from the original master 1/4″ analogue tapes which were digitized at FPSHOT (Friar Park Studio Henley On Thames) and remastered by Paul Hicks, Gavin Lurssen & Reuben Cohen at Lurssen Mastering (Hi-Res 96/24 and 192/24 audio also available).”
“Chants of India by Ravi Shankar and produced by George Harrison was originally released in 1997 on Angel Records. Recorded in Madras, India, and Henley-on-Thames, UK, this collaboration was referred to by Shankar as “one of the most difficult challenges in my life, as a composer and arranger”, and draws upon the sacred Sanskrit texts of the Vedas, Upanishads and other scriptures. He added, “the repetitive use of mantras invoke a special power within oneself and I have tried to imbibe this age-old tradition in this recording… into which I have poured my heart and soul.” Audio for this reissue was sourced from the original Digital master tapes, also remastered by Paul Hicks, Gavin Lurssen & Reuben Cohen at Lurssen.”
On April 27, Ace Frehley celebrated his birthday and released a new song, proclaiming that after all these years, he’s still a “Bronx Boy.” The song is a the first single from his upcoming eighth studio album. No date or title yet on the new release, but the first release has a lot of old-school rock and roll grit that shows the co-founding Kiss is still a contender. Rumor has it the new album will be out this summer.
Paul Daniel Frehley was born and raised in The Bronx (Boy), New York City, the youngest of three children of Esther Anna (Hecht) and Carl Daniel Frehley.
Frehely grew up on the corner of Marion Avenue and 201st Street, off Bedford Park Boulevard (also known as 200th Street) and Webster Avenue in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx.
Frehely invented the persona of The Spaceman (a.k.a. Space Ace) and played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. After leaving Kiss, Frehley embarked on a solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour.
Frehley’s second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclusion of what was originally purported to be the band’s Farewell Tour. His most recent solo album, Origins Vol. 2, was released on September 18, 2020. Guitar World magazine ranked him as the 14th Greatest Metal Guitarist of All Time. Outside Kiss, Frehley had commercial success, with his first solo album going platinum. His first album with his “Frehley’s Comet” band was also a big seller. Frehley is noted for his aggressive, atmospheric and melodic guitar playing and is also known for the use of many “special effects” guitars, including a Gibson Les Paul guitar that emits smoke from the neck humbucker pickup and produces spinning pyrotechnics, and a custom Les Paul that emits light based on song tempo.
Surmiser’s latest EP, Hold The Static, will be available on June 8. The grungy garage punk band will celebrate the release with a show on June 9 at The People’s Cauldron in Rosendale. The band issued a music video for “Trains,” from the upcoming release, which debuted at New Noise Magazine.
‘Trains’ is about dead-end life in a small city and an analogy to the way that people in this place, and indeed these types of places, allow themselves to be derailed by anger, addiction and the patterns created of the previous generations mistakes.
The video was shot by shot by Mike Parish of 424recording.com. Jay Andersen at Bohemesphere in Saugerties recorded and mixed Hold The Static. It was mastered by Oliver Ackermann at Death By Audio, Brooklyn, NY.
To celebrate five and a half decades on the air, SUNY Geneseo’sWGSU will host a music festival and food truck rodeo on Friday, April 27 from 4-7 pm. “Genny Fest” takes place on the college campus and is free and open to students and the general public.
Festival-goers can catch music from up-and-coming New York City musicians, all-girl rock band Jackknife Stiletto and singer-songwriter Allison Leah. Seven food trucks will be on site, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Proceeds from t-shirt sales and donations of cash or nonperishable food will benefit Foodlink.
Following the festival, The Geneseo A Cappella concert takes place at the College Union Ballroom (tickets are $5, and will be available at the door).
The latest installment of Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight starred critically acclaimed award winning saxophonist Jimmie Highsmith Jr. In this, the eight installment of season 5 of the series, Highsmith is interviewed by host Dan Gross before playing a selection of smooth jazz songs. On the stage, Highsmith is joined by Dave Labman on keyboard, Mark Terranova on bass, and Bruce Pitts on drums.
Rochester Indie Musician Spotlight hosts live events, which are free and open to the public. Episodes are recorded at Bop Shop Records at 1460 Monroe Avenue in Rochester from 7-9pm. Jon Lewis will finish out the fifth season and mark the series’ 50th episode on April 27.
BB King’s Blues Club & Grill in NYC’s Times Square announced that it will be closing its doors, citing a rent hike as the reason for closing. The lineup for the final week includes shows by William Bell’s Memphis Soul Revue (April 22), Rick Ross (April 23), Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh (April 25), El Gran Combo (April 26), and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic (April 28). The finale on April 29 features Buddy Guy. Tickets are on sale now.
photo: Steve Malinski, NYS Music
“Despite many sold out shows, the location’s rent escalated to an unsustainable level, leaving us no choice but to close our doors. Unfortunately this has become a growing trend in New York City, with other iconic music venues and businesses falling victim to opportunistic property owners. This venue’s legacy extends much further than the stage, playing a role in Times Square’s revitalization two decades ago. It is a shame that wasn’t taken into consideration regarding its future in the area. Nevertheless, we feel extremely grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from both fans and artists over the years to create some truly historic and incredible memories in this space. We hope that we can find a new place to call home very soon so we can continue bringing live music to you all.”
– Tsion Bensusan, chief operating officer
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill Closing Week Celebration Show Schedule:
April 17 & 18 Buddy Guy
April 22 William Bell’s Memphis Soul Revue
April 23 Rick Ross
April 25 Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh + Special Guests
April 26 El Gran Combo
April 28 George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic + Special Guests
April 29 Buddy Guy
Huey Lewis And The News have announced that they are cancelling all upcoming performances. The announcement is on the advice of doctors whom Lewis has consulted regarding recent hearing loss. In an online statement, Lewis stated:
Two and a half months ago, just before a show in Dallas, I lost most of my hearing. Although I can still hear a little, one on one, and on the phone, I can’t hear music well enough to sing. The lower frequencies distort violently making it impossible to find pitch. I’ve been to the House Ear Institute, the Stanford Ear Institute, and the Mayo Clinic, hoping to find an answer. The doctors believe I have Meniere’s disease and have agreed that I can’t perform until I improve. Therefore the only prudent thing to do is to cancel all future shows. Needless to say, I feel horrible about this, and wish to sincerely apologize to all the fans who’ve already bought tickets and were planning to come see us. I’m going to concentrate on getting better, and hope that one day soon I’ll be able to perform again.
Huey Lewis and the News hit the rock scene in the 80’s, achieving 13 Billboard Top Ten singles and selling millions of records worldwide. Over the past few decades, they have been continually active, performing live and recording a total of nine studio albums. Last fall, they released a 3-disc career-spanning set entitled Collected.
Since opening up about his hearing loss, Lewis has received an outpouring of support, for which he expressed his gratitude in a separate statement. “The response from my colleagues, friends and fans has been truly overwhelming. And extremely heartening. It helps me to focus on improving, and finding a way to sing again. Thanks to everyone.”
Read our review of Huey Lewis and the News at Tarrytown Music Hall on the 30th anniversary tour in celebration of Sports.
Columbia University announced the 2018 Pulitzer Prize Winners on Monday afternoon. In the category of music, the Pulitzer Prize Board chose Hip Hop artist Kendrick Lamar for his critically acclaimed album DAMN., which was released one year ago. In a statement, the committee called the work:
a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.
Kendrick Lamar at Pitchfork Music Festival 2014
Lamar is the first rapper to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, which has traditionally been awarded to jazz or classical artists. The prize is named for Hungarian-born journalist and publisher Joseph Pulitzer. Pulitzer has been described as an innovator, a visionary, and a passionate crusader. In his will, he made provisions for fourteen prizes for excellence in journalism and related arts. It has since expanded to twenty one categories, including music.
Dana Canedy, administrator of the prizes, told the New York Times, “The time was right. We are very proud of this selection. It means that the jury and the board judging system worked as it’s supposed to — the best work was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.”
Lamar had no immediate comment on his monumental achievement.
