NYS Music 20​18

Category: Media

  • Blues Night: Former Members of The B.B. King Blues Band Ft. Tito Jackson at Alive at 5

    Thursday, June 28 was the perfect evening for the blues underneath the Albany Corning Preserve Boat Launch. The passing of a thunderstorm didn’t stop blues fans from across the Capital Region and beyond, from as far as Chicago, Illinois, from coming to Albany to attend the 4th concert of the 2018 Alive at 5 Concert Series, featuring Tito Jackson of The Jackson 5 and former members of the B.B. King Blues Band, with special guests, The Age.

    tito jackson alive at 5

    Infusing their own blend of funk and soul into their original tunes, The Age set the bar high as they brought out their funk and their soothing souls into Downtown Albany. Their short set was led on by The Age’s sister, who was providing the lead vocals throughout the evening. The Age, who happened to have a cold, wasn’t able to provide the vocals to his tunes. He was only able to provide some minimal backing vocals with his sister. Despite his lack of vocals, The Age was able to entice the audience with some sizzling guitar work on his lead solos on stage. Still, their set was just as fun and entertaining and set the mood for a great evening of blues.

    The blues remained alive and strong in Greater Albany as blues night continued inside Corning Preserve. The audience, even patrons holding up The Jackson 5 signage along the front barrier of the main stage, was anticipating the wait of the B.B. King Blues Band and their featured guitarist and vocalist, Tito Jackson. Many music fans may remember Tito Jackson from another famous musical family, the Jackson 5. Paying homage to blues great, B.B. King and the Jackson 5, this band was electrifying and certainly brought on the heat to continue to ignite a spark in the love of blues through their music and through the energy of their fans, and new fans alike.

    tito jackson alive at 5
    The B.B. King Blues Band, featuring band members Tito Jackson (lead guitar/vocals), Walter King (saxophone, B.B. King’s nephew), Darrell Lavigne (piano), Raymond Harris (trombone), James Bolden (vocals, with over 35 years as an original member of B.B. King’s Band), Russell Jackson (bass/upright bass/vocals), Herman Jackson (drums), Eric Demmer (saxophone), Lamar Boulet (trumpet), and Wilbert Crosby (lead guitar/vocals), were impressive and amazing to watch, paying homage to the late B.B. King as well as the Jackson 5 through a medley of tunes.

    Ranging from B.B. King’s “Every Day I Have the Blues,” “Guess Who” and “The Thrill Is Gone” to standard blues songs such as “Big Boss Man,” “Rock Me Baby,” “A Dog Is Still a Dog” (Tito dedicated the tune to his late father Joe Jackson and brother Michael), and even the classic Jackson 5 hit tunes “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save” and “A.B.C.” among others, the entire ensemble was on fire! The chemistry and the back to back interplay amongst the performers like Herman Jackson (drums) and Lavigne and Eric Demmer, to the guitar interplay by Wilbert Crosby, Russell Jackson (who was tip toeing towards the front of the stage playing the bass guitar as if it was a standard guitar, moving fast along the fret board), and Tito Jackson was captivating to watch! The emotion was certainly felt between the performers through their effortless performances within their song choices.

    tito jackson alive at 5

    “I love the blues!,” shouted out bassist Russell Jackson after playing one of the songs during the start of their set! The crowd was certainly giving the band and Tito Jackson some love to their blues playing all evening, waving their arms in the air and swinging album art of the Jackson 5 towards the group for them to sign at a later time.

    Upon entering the stage to perform a series of guitar solos during the middle of the B.B. King tune “Every Day I Have The Blues,” Tito Jackson took the time to thank the fans for their kind words and thoughts concerning the recent passing of his father and founder of the Jackson 5, Joe Jackson, who had passed away just two days shy of the 9 year anniversary of his son Michael’s death (June 25). Jackson had contemplated on whether or not he was going to cancel his Albany performance but had decided that the show must go on and performed in honor of both his father and brother. Jackson would also later dedicate “I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save” and “A.B.C.” to his loved ones and his fans. Concluding the evening with B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone,” Tito Jackson stood upon the large speakers and moved along the row to shake hands with his fans and sign autographs on their signage and other memorabilia while the band concluded the song to signal the end of an evening. Although the fans shouted out for an encore song from Jackson, there was no encore performance.

    To be a part of watching two established performers such as the B.B. King Blues Band and Tito Jackson on the Alive at 5 Concert Stage was truly an honor and a privilege to be a part of this special evening underneath the Albany Corning Preserve Boat Launch. Great blues from these living and non-living legends continues to remain strong as shown through the eyes of these great performers that continue to keep their band members and family members’ legacies alive through the power of blues.

  • Drive By Truckers Solo Show Rocks Woodstock

    Southern rockers Drive By Truckers took a free night amid their Summer tour with Tedeschi Trucks Band and The Wheels of Soul tour to play a rocking show in Woodstock, NY. The Colony, a beautifully restored building in the heart of Woodstock, hosted a full house of excited fans, braving the heat, to hear the five piece group play some of their time-tested favorites along with some new songs that will appear on their next album.

    Facing these turbulent times the only way they know how, The Drive By Truckers tackle today’s issues with straight forward and honest lyrics. Showing that they’re in the same boat as many of us, trying to make sense of a world that is making less and less sense.

  • Special Guests join Tedeschi Trucks Band at SPAC for a Night of Rockin’ Southern Soul

    Southern rock and roll rose up in Saratoga Springs at SPAC on July 3rd, with special guests led by Greenville, South Carolina’s Marcus King Band, Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s Drive-By Truckers and Jacksonville, Florida’s Tedeschi Trucks Band. If that lineup of musicians doesn’t conjure images of extended soulful guitar solos and rock n roll in the vein of The Allman Brothers Band, you may need to eat a peach. Over three hours of combined music, these three bands combined for one of the most rockin’ shows this year, and a treat for anyone able to see the Wheels of Soul tour and is treks across New York State and the country this month, headed west for a two-night run at Red Rocks in Colorado.

    tedeschi trucks special guests

    Opening with “Tell the Truth,” TTB’s love for Clapton shone on both ends of the set, with “Key to the Highway” appearing later in the set. “Don’t Know What it Means” with its blaring horn intro and Tedeschi’s pipes never fails to get bodies moving, and a giant sax bridge from Kebbi Williams segued perfectly into “The Letter.” A smooth jam in “Little Martha/Midnight in Harlem” preceded covers of Dylan’s “Down in the Flood,” and the Stevie Wonder written/The Band performed “Loving You is Sweeter Than Ever,” then punctuated by “I Want More,” an original that crescendoed like a rock orchestra, ending with thunderous drums from the duo of J.J. Johnson and Tyler Greenwell.

    The earlier performers of the evening were welcomed to the stage eagerly by both band and audience. Drive by Trucker’s Patterson Hood joined in on “Let me roll with it,” a sing along featuring double driving guitar via Hood and Trucks. Marcus King joined on guitar and vocals for Clapton/B.B. King’s “Key to the Highway” where Mike Mattison showed monster presence with his powerful vocals. To close the night, the band welcomed Eric Krasno of Lettuce and Soulive fame and Tash Neal from London Souls for an enthusiastic “Statesboro Blues.”

    There is as mantle for the wider Allman Brothers Band family, including Gov’t Mule, Les Brers, Great Southern, Derek Trucks Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more yet to come. To see any is to experience the full southern rock band sound, the real deal, every time.

    Setlist (via setlist.fm): Tell the Truth, Part of Me, Don’t Know What It Means, The Letter, Little Martha/Midnight in Harlem, Down in the Flood, Loving You is Sweeter Than Ever, I Want More, Let Me Roll It*, Laugh About It, Key to the Highway^, Shame, Bound for Glory
    Encore: Statesboro Blues+
    * w/ Patterson Hood
    ^ w/ Marcus King
    + w/ Eric Krasno, Tash Neal (London Souls)

  • Umphrey’s McGee: Welcome Back to Asbury Park

    For the eighth consecutive year, Umphrey’s McGee made The Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park New Jersey a part of their summer plans. Located in the lot behind the iconic Jersey shore rock venue The Stone Pony, the Summer Stage sets have historically showcased the metal and prog rock side of Umphrey’s Mcgee’s vast spectrum of musical influences. The 2018 installment continued this tradition by showcasing “Remind Me” as a first set closer followed by a “Wizard Burial Ground” into a  “Sludge & Death” second set opener. They would ultimately close out the second set by going back to “Wizard Burial Ground” as well.

    In past years, Umphrey’s McGee has taken the Asbury Park encore as an opportunity to bust out a cover. They have dropped both “Mother” by Danzig and “Last Caress” by the Misfits as band debuts in 2012 and 2016, respectively. And their 2014 “Front Porch” had a “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls” (reprise) mashed into it. “Don’t Go Chasing Front Porches” on Zonkey part 2 maybe? For 2018’s encore, Pantera’s “Walk” was played for the first time with this preamble from bassist Ryan Stasik; “What’s up, New Jersey!?!?!?!? Put your fists in the air! When we come to New Jersey, we come to kick fuckin’ ass and play rock and roll.  We lost a good one, we lost Vinnie. He’s up there with Dimebag. Pantera meant a lot to me growing up. Rest in peace, we’re gonna play some non-sissy type music. Let’s have some fun!”

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    Setlist:

    Set One: Nipple Trix, Roctopus, Pequod, Andy’s Last Beer, Seasons, It Doesn’t Matter, You and You Alone, Remind Me

    Set Two: Wizard Burial Ground, Sludge & Death, Xmas At Wartime, The Silent Type, Jessica, Cemetery Walk, Cemetery Walk II, August, Wizard Burial Ground

    Encore: Kula, Walk

  • Photo Gallery: Lettuce at Blue Note Jazz Festival

    The Blue Note Jazz Club hosted Lettuce for an extraordinary 5-night residency for the tail-end of the Blue Note Jazz Festival.  Photos from June 29 10:30pm set are below!

  • Music as the Last Real Magic: Imagine Dragons Cast a Spell on Saratoga

    Imagine Dragons brought the sound, look, and energy of a big-time rock show to Saratoga Springs on Friday, June 29 on their EVOLVE Tour. With Grace Vanderwaal opening, the group rolled into town with high energy, showmanship, and a unifying message of music as healing.

    Grace Vanderwaal, the Upstate teenager who made it big on America’s Got Talent, opened promptly at 7pm, bopping onto the stage singing “Dancing in the Moonlight.” Families sang along with the upbeat and likable Grace, who chatted up the audience and reminded folks she was originally from the area. Playing the ukulele and dancing barefoot, she brought a wholesome and organic positive energy to the night.

    The crowd had to wait a bit for Imagine Dragon stars to take the stage but were entertained by a slowly building classical score in the backdrop as folks filed in. Then, with steam, smoke, lights and a wall of sound, musicians were lifted on a stage above the main stage as they sang the very well known “Radioactive.”

    With the energy of big-time stars and a larger venue, Imagine Dragons musicians danced, sang and transported their audience with hit after hit. Lead singer Dan Reynolds appeared shirtless, bringing screams and gasps from many in the audience as he sang and jumped across the stage. ‘High energy’ isn’t sufficient to describe the band’s excitement and mood as they welcomed their fans; dynamic and vigorous, the group members’ smiles were matched with the audiences’ powerful spirited responses.

    Reynolds thanked the audience early in the evening for joining the band, specifying that music is the last real magic that unites people. In a climate of divisiveness, the American born band was clearly making a statement about acceptance and unity at a time when racism and hatred are more pronounced than ever.

    The bands’ vivacious musicianship pounded through the night with a wall of sound paired thoughtfully with visuals to match. Reynolds acted as a conductor, engaging the audience in singing lines like “I’m never changing who I am.” Shaking his finger at the fans, squatting to get closer to the audience, and even rolling his arms toward him in a circle, he drew the magic directly from the young families, teens and older couples who screamed lyrics of hope and self-assurance.

    The love song “Next To Me” seemed to speak directly to anyone who has loved and received unconditional love regardless of errors. Reynolds spoke of lovers and loners, reminding everyone that love needs to start with themselves before it is shared with another.

    Guitarist Wayne Sermon’s riff screamed out his own intense talent during “I’ll Make it Up to You.” For a brief moment, we were back in the 1980s with guitarists whose talent could steal the entire show. Sermon’s control of his instrument and confidence in the vertical riff brought gasps from the audience; it almost didn’t belong in the pop feel of the night, except to remind us that Imagine Dragons is, in fact, a rock band.

    After a beautiful rendition of “Mouth of the River,” complete with backdrop visuals of sunset, the group moved to a second stage embedded in the audience for three acoustic songs. This set, if not moving simply due to the closeness to fans, ended with a heart rendering “I Bet My Life on You,” a song about how parents give up much for their children with little in return, and yet everything in return.

    As if all this emotion and movement wasn’t enough, the band returned to the stage for a powerfully intense version of “Demons.” With fans singing along, Reynolds spoke directly out about depression and seeking help rather than facing demons alone.

    The fevered pitch of the concert had multiple peaks, including confetti and balloon drop punctuated moments during songs about love, appreciation, and the vitality of life. Finishing with “On Top of the World” and “Believer,” fans were mesmerized.

    Imagine Dragons reminded us: music really is the last real magic in the world.

    It unifies us. It reminds us to care for ourselves. It connects us to others. It reminds us to hope. And it stays with us, even after the last note is played.

    Setlist: Radioactive, It’s Time, Whatever It Takes, Yesterday, Walking the Wire, Next to Me, Shots, I’ll Make It Up to You, Start Over, Rise Up, Gold, Don’t Know Why, Mouth of the River, Born to Be Yours, Amsterdam, I Bet My Life, Demons, Thunder, On Top of the World, Believer

  • Photo Gallery: Blues for Breakfast Makes a Splash at Troy’s Rockin’ on the River

    Burlington’s Blues for Breakfast performed for Deadheads dancing in the rain at Troy’s Rockin’ on the River on June 27. Over the course of three hours, the Seth Yacavone led Dead tribute band performed a wide array of Grateful Americana and a mix of classic rock, reggae, Motown, and originals. Check out Blues for Breakfast in August in Plattsburgh at North Country River Jam.

  • Let’s Be Leonard share first official music video “Most Days” off upcoming album “Static”

    Let’s Be Leonard have shared the first glimpse of their crowd-funded album Static in the form of “Most Days,” the band’s first ever official music video ever. The full movie of Static will premiere on July 27 at Park Theater in Glens Falls, NY, followed by two sets of Let’s Be Leonard. More info can be found here.

  • Episode 7 of Empire State Music Podcast features Kat Horton of Night Lights Music Festival

    Join host Andy Hogan for Episode 7 of Empire State Music Podcast, with special guest Kat Horton of Night Lights Music Festival and 1039 Presents. Listen on Simplecast or Soundcloud below.

  • Fangeist and NYS Music announce Live Stream Partnership

    Looking for live streams of music across New York, the country and the world? NYS Music and Fangeist have you covered! Today, we are proud to announce a partnership with Fangeist, an online global live music platform that lets users hear a curated list of live streaming music daily, discover new music releases and local shows.

    fangeist

    Fangeist was built upon the theorem that live music can reach far beyond the stage where it’s being played. While there is no substitute for being there in person, witnessing a real-time live streaming concert from an artist you love is an engaging, disruptive, unique and very powerful viewing and sonic experience. This is why NYS Music has partnered with them – their mission is to bring more live music into your life by connecting you to thousands of shows streaming live and in real time from around the world from your favorite artists.

    Fans can build profiles based on concerts attended and communicate with like-minded people via news feeds. Sign up for the Fangeist Newsletter and get streams in your inbox daily

    Check out daily live feeds at NYSMusic.com/Fangeist

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