NYS Music 20​18

Category: Capital Region

  • NYS Music Presents: Music All October Long

    As Upstate New York has officially welcomed fall and we prepare ourselves for the cold months ahead, NYS Music is preparing to keep you occupied all month long as per usual with our run down of all the can’t-miss live music for October.

    Syracuse – Funk ‘N Waffles

    As always, Funk ‘N Waffles will be the go-to place for music 7 days a week for Rochester and Syracuse.  The calendar above outlines what can be expected this month in Syracuse.  The schedule includes a healthy mix of weekly regulars, such as Pearly Baker’s Best’s Dead Nights every Monday, as well as tour performances from some of the best performers both within and outside New York State, album release parties, and of course, a Halloween celebration.   For more details, check out the list and links below.

    October 4th – The unique strand of Americana Them Coulee Boys has created includes music for every occasion ranging from excitement and dancing to quiet thought.  For a heartfelt and genuine performance, make sure to come out as they are joined by Boots ‘n Shorts.  Event link.

    October 6th – Gratefully Yours’ dream team of musicians and stellar setlists make their shows a can’t miss for all Grateful Dead fans.  If you need your fix, make sure to come out for their show on the 6th. Event link.

    October 10th – All the way from San Diego, the psychedelic rock and world beat group, Elektric Voodoo, will be playing along with special guest and soul musician Raquel Rodriquez. Event link.

    October 11th – Orlando-native, blues and jazz-inspired rock band, The Groove Orient, will be taking the stage with local favorite and psychedelic band, Astro Collective.  Event link.

    October 13th – Brutal By Design Presents will be treating Syracuse to a very special tribute night. 2Pac vs. Biggie which will feature live bands playing their renditions of two of the biggest hip-hop/rap artists of all time.  Event link.

    October 17th – It is sure to an incredible night full of music from New York State as Syracuse-native, and guitarist and vocalist of Root Shock, Phil Grajko performs at Funk ‘N Waffles and will be bringing along Charley Orlando for a dose of Americana, folk, and organica groove sounds. Event link.

    October 18th – Enter the sonic earth of Late Earth through this performance of their indie rock and pop sound as they are joined by special guest Lucy.  Event link.

    October 20th – Soulful groove and reggae rock, Syracuse-native music collective, Sundrop Rise, will be having their EP release party at Funk ‘N Waffles.  Come join the group in celebrating their new music with what is sure to be an incredible performance.  Event link.

    October 25th – For jazz that will speak to your soul and put a smile on your face, come out to Sammy Miller & The Congregation as they take over Funk ‘N Waffles with Major Player.  Event link.

    October 26th – A Syracuse favorite and local group, Sophistafunk will be performing their funk and hip-hop sound at their 90’s Hip-Hop Halloween Party with special guest The Big Takeover. Event link.

    October 27th – It’s all about the psychedelic jam bands and funky sounds as Big Sexy & The Scrambled Eggs with The Phryg and Ampevene Event link.

    October 31th – It is sure to be an energized and entertaining celebration for Halloween as reggae/soul group, Root Shock, brings the Halloween Party on the 31st. Event link.

    Rochester – Funk ‘N Waffles

    Rochester’s Funk ‘N Waffles also will be hosting a wide variety of shows throughout October.  The calendar above maps out the month and our highlights are below:

    October 4th – Fresh off the release of their album “Shapeshifter II: Outbreak”, the heavy rock fusion band TAUK will be playing with psychedelic rock group, Flux Capacitor. Event link.

    October 5th – Before the Grateful Dead tribute band, Gratefully Yours, makes their way to Syracuse, they will be stopping in Rochester for all the Dead Heads in the area. Event link.

    October 9th – Another band that will be swinging through Rochester before they hit Syracuse will be Elektric Voodoo with Raquel Rodriquez on the 9th. Event link.

    October 19th – The tribute and revival of Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black, entitled back to BACK to BLACK, will feature an opening set of originals from Remember Jones, followed by a performance of one of Amy Winehouse’s most celebrated albums alongside a 12-piece orchestra.   Event link.

    October 26th – Following their performance in Syracuse, Sammy Miller & The Congregation will be moving onto Rochester joined by the Gospel, blues and jam band group, Campbell Brothers.  Event link.

    October 31st – Finally, the grand event for Halloween is sure to not disappoint.  The show will feature southern-powerhouse and funky-soul band, ROXY ROCA, as well as Swampcandy, and Shaba Duza. Event link.

    EVERY SUNDAY – Jazz Jam with Jon Seiger & The All-Stars starting at 3 PM for free!!

    Saratoga – Putnam Place

    October 4th – Putnam Place will be hosting the Enigma Festival Pre-Party at 10 PM on the 4th.  Entry is 18+ and the night will feature a multitude of DJs including Evac Protocol, Kill Rex, Leila, ValDee, MurMur, Send Help, and more.  Event link.

    October 6th – Power funk group, Turkuaz will be taking over Putnam Place with Butcher Brown at 9 PM.  Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time and secure your spot at this full of funk night. Event link.

    October 13th – Presented by Guthrie/Bell Productions, and always back by popular demand, come out for the Grateful Dead set of your dreams brought to you by Gratefully Yours. Event link.

    Gratefully Yours

    October 19th – Melvin Seals & JGB’s will be bringing the most satisfying mix of style, soul and spontaneity with an onstage chemistry that will be sure to have you dancing to Saratoga for the night.  Click the link to find out more. Event link.Melvin Seals & JGB

    Buffalo – Nietzche’s

    October 10th – If you’re curious what happens when you mix gypsy jazz with folk and then throw in some ragtime, come let the Ditrani Brothers & The Hammer of Spring along with James Margolis show you exactly what magical sounds they make out of this unlikely combination.  Event link.

    October 24th – It wouldn’t be Rockabilly Night without Rockabilly Steve and BR3.  Make your way to Nietzche’s on the 24th so that they can fulfill all your Americana and blues needs. Event link.Image may contain: one or more people, people playing musical instruments and text

    Western New York / Buffalo

    October 11th-14th – Courtesy of the band Folkfaces, come by the Cherry Hill Campground for yoga, workshops, art and of course, stellar live performances from acts such as Dirty Blanket, Shine Delphi, Matthew O’Brian, Haewa and Folkfaces themselves.  Click the link for more details. Event link.

    Albany

    The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

    October 12th – The distinct sounding funk and soul group, West End Blend, will be showcasing their incredible blend of horns, guitar and vocals and sharing their infectious good vibes. Event link.

    West End Blend

    October 18th – Bumpin’ Uglies will be bringing their funk-heavy ska, reggae, punk and rock sound to Albany accompanied by Victory Soul Orchestra. Event link.

    Bumpin Uglies

    October 27th – The groovy and improvisation heavy, Buffalo-native band Aqueous will be bringing their technical skill and undeniably fun dynamics to Upstate New York at the end of October.  Event link.Aqueous

    The Egg

    October 21st – Music of Cream is a group that is sure to recreate the, “chemical explosion” of all your favorites from the legendary band. Event link.Music of Cream

    Cohoes – The Cohoes Music Hall

    October 23rd – In tribute to the incredible music of Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Wailers will be recreating the good music and great vibes for Cohoes. Event link.The Wailers

    October 24th – Sonny Landreth, the virtuoso and versatile guitarist, will be performing at Cohoes Music Hall, and the performance is sure to have a little something for everyone. Event link.Sonny Landreth

  • Hearing Aide: Mirk ‘Sense’

    Mirk has been a part of the local scene since it first formed in 2009. Each of the band’s previous six releases has its own vibe, which makes it difficult for anyone to pigeonhole the band into a specific genre. The band’s sound is best described as “dance clap,” incorporating elements of pop music from different eras to get audiences onto the dance floor, and clapping.

    In the past, Mirk has played with the harmonizing doo-wop of the ’50s, the horn arrangements common in soul music from the ’60s followed by the predominant guitar and drums of the ’70s. Mirk’s sound, however, never strays from its roots of hip-hop, R&B and soul.

    Mirk’s seventh and latest album Sense is inspired by the music frontman Joshua Mirsky hears from his clients at his Foster House Studios in Albany. Mirsky said it delves more into the pop, which is evident from the electronic beats on some of the tracks. But, overall, the album is steeped in rich and soulful R&B.

    The baseline on “Priceless,” the album’s opening track, sets the tone for the entire listening experience. It introduces the listener to a smoldering atmosphere with a danceable beat with electric accents. It aptly holds your hand into the next track, “Cleopatra,” an equally hot song featuring Stellar Young frontman John Glenn.

    Glenn is one of four local musicians brought along for the ride on this 12-track album. Another, Nick Horace of The 7th Squeeze, lends a powerful performance on the ambient track “First of Her Name.” Tara Merritt lends her vocals on two tracks. The Albany singer has been associated with members of Groovstick and The Chronicles. She really shines through on the final track, “Rapture.”

    Your up-close and personal dance tracks move aside after “Pretty Brown Eyes.” featuring Troy R&B artist James Rock providing the hook with his silky smooth voice. From there, the pace picks up a notch with “Options” and “Living It Up,” only to ease back subtle like.

    By the time you get to “So Bad,” you will understand that this is not a disco dance compilation. Sense is light the candles, turn the lights down low, sexy. This is the soundtrack to your Friday night; whether you have plans with someone, or you plan to cruise the scene downtown. Audiophiles with their headphones should also check this out. Whatever your intent may be, this is good music.

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYSmusic. TheSpot518 and NYSmusic work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Mark Anthony Manning: The story of a rising 20-year-old Albany singer

    The 20-year-old man’s voice soared as he played the piano in a minuscule practice room, eyes shut as he swayed to the music and several veins appeared across his face and neck. The dim lighting and tight space made the experience feel more intimate and hearing his voice echo sonically through the surrounding walls projected the impression of a cathartic release of pent-up energy and passion.

    Mark Anthony Manning had invited me to meet him there at the Massry Center for the Arts in the College of Saint Rose in Albany. He is currently a junior student there and studying towards a bachelor’s degree in Music Industry. Performing a few original songs on the black Steinway & Sons piano which he’d penned, he said that he mainly plays pop and R&B music, is a songwriter, and he has two music-related jobs.

    First, he has been working as a wedding singer for Silver Arrow Band, a company which performs at festivals, corporate events, private functions, and weddings, since early summer. In Manning’s case specifically, he travels with them across the state to perform a collection of requested songs for people’s weddings. Silver Arrow Band has won numerous accolades, including WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards every year since 2016.

    “It’s by far the best job I’ve ever had. There’s just so many musicians and you just get offered gigs. I’ve never been to a wedding with like the same exact band, it always like switches out because it’s a company,” Manning said.

    According to him, he usually gets paid at least $500 or $600 per wedding, although it depends on what musical instruments and how many fellow Silver Arrow Band members are brought for the wedding performance. “It helps me pay the bills and I like getting to travel with them,” he said.

    His second stint is being the frontman and lead singer of his own live student band, called Mark Manning and the Sexy Bitches.

    His fellow bandmates are Joseph Taurone on the drums; Gabriel Klinger-Horn playing the guitar; Sam Walczyk on the bass; Dan Carr who is in charge of synth, auxiliary percussion, and can substitute for drums guitar and bass; and finally, Kyle Robinson and Amy Branham who both serve vocals and play the piano too. All are St. Rose students, whom Manning met when he was still a sophomore, and they collectively rehearse together every Monday night.

    Manning first met Klinger-Horn during a college party early last fall where after some small talk, Manning expressed his desire to start a band. He was surprised when Klinger-Horn revealed he plays the guitar and knows of two peers, Taurone and Walczyk, who play the drums and bass. Over time, the remaining members joined but ironically, the band did not have an official name yet.

    It was not until the day of their very first performance together, which occurred at the Rice House — a venue that showcases local collegiate and young adult music talents — in Albany back in October 2017. He noted that that was the night the band made a name for itself in the Saint Rose community and the overall local music scene.

    “That day, I was like, ‘I don’t even know what to call us, guys.’ But there was this other band called Hasty Page and one of its members, Josh Morris [who serves vocals and plays the drums] said ‘Mark Manning and the Sexy Bitches’ as a joke,” he admitted. “I then slipped and said it accidentally onstage. But the performance was so much fun and looking back now, we weren’t really friends back then and we’ve since improved so much. It was the first night we really clicked and bonded. The name just stuck since then.”

    In fact, he recalled that eventually, people from Silver Arrow Band once saw him perform with his own band, and they asked him if he was interested in working for them too as a wedding singer.

    Having started to write songs upon entering college, Manning said “right now, all our songs are about relationships, unreciprocated love and how they don’t work out.”

    “I have not one happy song,” he joked.

    Regarding his songwriting process, it “usually starts with me getting my feelings hurt in some shape or form, and I’ll come to practice and I tend to have the chords first, before getting the melody and tempo. I mean, every song is different though. Some songs, the melody will come to me first in my head before I work on it with the piano.”

    Originally from Long Island, he identifies himself as “maybe a baritone but I’m definitely not a tenor. But I wouldn’t just say I’m a bass either.” Among his sources of inspiration are Beyonce, John Legend, Daniel Caesar and Kirk Franklin. He personally enjoys gospel, jazz and soul music.

    “My three siblings, cousins and I were all like a gospel and sang a lot of gospel, and it was cute that we were all family and being in church,” he recalled his childhood days. “We were called like The Manning 6, but eventually, they all grew out of music and I just didn’t.”

    After Manning began trying to take piano lessons in second grade, then fourth grade, and again in tenth grade, it was not until attending St. Rose where he had to take four semesters of piano to genuinely improve his piano proficiency.

    He was also highly active in musical theater growing up, particularly when he attended Patchogue-Medford High School in Suffolk County, Long Island.

    In terms of high school musicals, he played Gary Coleman in “Avenue Q,” Mr. Black in “Wild Party,” The Wiz in “The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical” and Donkey in “Shrek the Musical.” In college, his credits include playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in “Hairspray” and Mitch Mahoney in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

    “It just feels like this was something I was born to do, I don’t want to do anything else,” he concluded. He hopes to eventually move to California sometime after graduation to grow as an artist. He even wants to become head of A&R — standing for artists and repertoire, they choose certain artists to get signed and develop their brand — of a music label someday.

    “In California, there’s so many record labels and young people out there chasing their dreams,” he said. “I just feel like the resources are more open there. If you want to be noticed by someone important, that’s the place to go. But I really believe in myself and have so much faith. You have to, no one else is going to if you don’t.”

    For now, Manning maintains a website at iammarkmanning.weebly.com and has an upcoming extended play coming out in either October or November.

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Coffee and Conversation: Learning about Yaddo Gardens

    Locals got to learn more about the Yaddo Gardens, an artist community in Saratoga Springs, and its historical origins during the Friday, Sept. 14, installment of the Coffee and Conversation series at the Bethlehem Public Library.

    Lesley LeDuc, a docent and a member of the Board of Directors at Yaddo, spoke about how it is a recognized place where artists, filmmakers, poets, musicians and writers can apply to stay for a period of time to escape their everyday surroundings and work on their crafts. Its renowned resident artist program is divided into five categories: Literature, Visual Art, Music Composition, Performance, and Film & Video.

    This “artist colony” is located just off exit 14 on Interstate 87. While the area is accessible to the public, the property remains privately owned.

    LeDuc introduced the prominent Trask family, the patriarch of whom was financier and philanthropist Spencer Trask (1844-1909) a graduate of Princeton University who founded his own law firm. He and his wife, Katrina (1853-1922) a fellow philanthropist and author, had several children, all of whom died prematurely.

    Together, they bought this 400-acre estate back in 1881 and moved into the currently-standing house in 1893, after the original burned down in 1891. It became an artist colony around 1926, according to LeDuc.

    “There’s 55 rooms in this 45,000-square foot estate, 20 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and I think if I remember correctly, there’s 16 fireplaces,” LeDuc said, chuckling. “When we do public tours of the area, someone always asks me about the number of fireplaces.”

    Tours of the Yaddo Gardens are offered every summer and fall. The estate, which serves as the site for “25 to 35 weddings every year,” according to LeDuc, is also notably populated with multicolored gardens, fountains, marble and a pergola.

    In addition to presenting numerous historical photographs of the family, the estate and its gardens, LeDuc also displayed postcards that featured the estate in the early 20th century. She also shared about how the property’s overall aesthetic features, including its statues and fountains, began to deteriorate over the years, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, and how there has been an effort to restore them ever since.

    “We clean the marble statues with toothbrushes once or sometimes twice every year,” she explained. “They’re all marble so they’re very porous and we have to be very careful.”

    The pergola, the so-called dominant feature of the gardens, consists of 38 ionic columns and is about the length of a football field. It is a popular location for weddings at the estate.

    The pergola also had to be restored as it was made out of terra cotta which deteriorates “from the inside out … and the columns were all taken down.” While some columns were still capable of being reused after restoration, others had to be replaced completely.

    “We were all afraid of when the columns were taken down,” she said. “And the restoration cost almost $500,000. But eventually, they were all put up again and they just look like they came back, looking better than ever.”

    An audience member later asked how the name “Yaddo” came about. LeDuc said that while there have been at least six untrue “fanciful” versions of where the name came originated from, it actually came from Christina, the Trasks’ young daughter who once mispronounced the word “shadow.”

    Each week, the Coffee and Conversation series features a visiting speaker who comes to discuss either their professional or personal expertise about a work of art or a local landmark for about an hour. The series, co-sponsored by Bethlehem Senior Projects, Inc., takes place at the Bethlehem Public Library weekly on Friday afternoons beginning at 1 p.m.

    The next Coffee and Conversations event will take place on Friday, Sept. 21. For more information about this week’s visit here.

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Hearing Aide: Groovestick ‘Mosaic’

    Mosaic carves out a unique jazz-funk sound in the vein of Head Hunters while injecting subtle pop melodies, making the album as accessible as it is complex. Original member Dan Gerken (guitar/bass/vocals) has assembled a power house of a group with Chris Carballeira on keyboard/vocals and Dave Berger on drums. A fun mixture of richly dynamic songs gives Groovestick a few staple releases, as well as 10 tracks of dance-able tunes drawing influences from funk pioneers all over the board.

    Right from the start, any funky human can tell that the album is going to be a pleasure to listen to. “Balloons” sets the scene with a laid back groove with a great hook and a theme of soulful guitar solos and organ majesty is conveyed immediately. Groovestick takes a handful of sticky riffs a step further than offering a single hook and elaborates on that by casting out a collection of ear worms within each song. They tastefully add in elements of prog rock by developing and layering on new ideas and hooks for the listener to latch on to. It is vital to be able to keep the song interesting to the audience in this style and genre, and Groovestick shows they definitely learned how to engage people with a song by playing live and getting that feedback. The key here for the band is that they were able to transfer the atmosphere of a live show onto an album. They do really well to keep the songs fun, and are able to showcase their jam-ability; no doubt a product of their intensive work on stage and in numerous musical projects.

    The second and sixth tracks (“Mischief”, “Nola”) show the band foremost instrumentally, as they’re able to keep the vibe of the opening track going without needing any words. Groovestick takes a wordless tune and still emotes the feeling of each piece through their skillful improvising. There are a few instrumental tracks on the album overall, with one standout being “Crablegs.” Gerken’s bass lines match seamlessly with Carballeria’s left-hand work on the organ to great effect. One major point on the album that stands out is the way these two are able to sync so well together to hold a groove. Berger is able to lay out quick yet spacious drum beats to hold the groove down, giving each song a flash of jazzed taste. There is a lot of play with dynamic range as well, namely in “Scrumptious” where the band seamlessly breaks the song down to almost nothing before coming back into set the mood for the next song, “Inkblot.”

    A highlight track on Mosaic is definitely “Inkblot.” It’s possible to write an entire review on this one song with how many dimensions the band is able to mesh together. From jazz, to funk, to even ska (!), this song covers so many bases while still being….a song! The band is able to navigate the line between these genres and fuse them together. As a whole, the album has a similar feeling to this song in that the transitions between each song gives the album a nice instrumental and dynamic arc. Switching between vocalized and instrumental pieces while maintaining a consistent theme and feel added a lot to the listening experience and gave a nod to the deep knowledge the band possesses in their musical experience.

    All of the performances are very tight, with everything from rumbling and climbing bass solos, to ripping guitar leads and magnificently executed key-lines, with the drums never faltering in the groove foundation. This was a very fun listen! Definitely check out Groovestick’s release and go out to see them live if they come to town. It’s going to be interesting to hear some of these songs live with how much they make me want to dance in my seat.

    Album release party is 9/29 at Parish Public House!

    Key Tracks: Inkblot, Crablegs, Mischief

  • Photo Gallery: Lark Fest

    Albany’s Lark Fest 2018 featured beautiful late summer weather and local acts including opener The Ryan Leddick Trio, Bendt, and Mirk who released their fourth album Sense the night before. Kimono Dragons and Victory Soul Orchestra w/ J.B., aka Dirty Moses, kept the crowd pumped for headliner The Age.

  • Lark Fest to Pack a Punch this Weekend in Albany

    When Adrian Lewis takes the stage at Lark Fest this Saturday, Sept. 22, he will complete an unofficial Triple Crown here in the Capital District.

    Better known as The Age, Lewis played Rockin’ on the River and Alive at Five this year. He and his band will headline upstate New York’s largest one-day street festival this Saturday.

    “I’m super excited about Lark Fest,” said Lewis. “I’ve wanted to be a part of it for a few years now and it’s kind of mind blowing that we are going to be a headlining act this year.”

    To place his excitement into perspective, he opened for the B.B. King Blues Band featuring Tito Jackson at Alive at Five this June.

    The Age is one of two headlining acts which also includes Stellar Young. Saturday’s performance will be Stellar Young’s third at Lark Fest.

    “We’re so humbled to be a part of such an awesome event,” said lead vocalist John Glenn. He added that the band will be selling sunglasses to fund its third release “And Turned to Ash.”

    The lineup to this year’s festival, the 37th for Lark Street, is worth taking note.

    The music starts with Becoming a Ghost at 11 a.m. Becoming a Ghost most recently played at WEQX’s Battle of the Bands at Jupiter Hall. It put on a high energy, interactive performance that moved the crowd. The band could have just as easily won the competition to open last week’s Pearlpalooza.

    The lineup continues with the Ryan Leddick Trio, Onlyness, Bendt, Greens, Mirk, Apostrophe S, Kimono Dragons, Useless Cans, and JB & Victory Soul Orchestra. Stellar Young takes the stage at 3:45 and The Age follows at 4:20 p.m.

    The all-day event expects to attract 50,000 people with live music, local vendors, food trucks and more. Start walking at 10:30 a.m. and finish the day at 5:30 p.m.

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Premiere: Let’s Be Leonard release “Channel 2” video off ‘Static’

    Let’s Be Leonard has released the second video off their sophomore album Static, for the track “Channel 2.” The video features art design by Toni Nastasi and whimsically depicts the central focus as a love affair between Nick, and his mop-lover, Sally. “Channel 2” follows on the heels of “Most Days,” released earlier this summer.

    The band will release one more single prior to the release of the full film. The feature will be shown at intermissions during a three-day stint at The Barrelhouse in Saratoga Springs on October 11, 12 and 13. Let’s Be Leonard will also appear in Troy at River Street Pub for Troy Night Out on September 28 with Great Mutations and Better Pills.

  • Repetitive but Never Boring: Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band Cover Old Favorites

    Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band brought a bit of nostalgia to Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Friday, September 14, covering 25 well known songs from the ’80s and ’90s. On a stage decked out with a large drape screen-printed with a peace sign, sunflowers, and stars, the former Beatle, Sir Richard Starkey, Jr., brought together an eclectic group of performers. On stage with Ringo in the group were Colin Hay of Men at Work, Steve Lukather of Toto, Gregg Rolie of Santana, and newest member Graham Gouldman of 10cc. Percussion and sax featured Warren Ham, with Gregg Bissonette focused on drums..

    Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band

    Starr bounced out to the stage after everyone else, smiling and singing, echoing back to folks who offered “I love you” praise with “I love you too!” Flashing peace signs and telling jokes that had a canned, somewhat repetitive rhythm, Starr’s fans smiled and seemed to honor his worn humor kindly with the knowledge of a well-seasoned audience. This was Ringo Starr, after all, one of two still living former Beatles. He has earned the right to be silly and predictable. Starr, meanwhile, enjoyed himself tremendously, laughing at jokes tricking the audience and playfully engaging fans with silliness.

    The group rotated through their best-known hits from each ensemble they were known for previous performances in, lending a sort of cover band feeling to the night. From “It Don’t Come Easy” to “Evil Ways,” “Black Magic Woman,” “Land Down Under” and “Africa,” the music had a familiar bounce and four count. Fans had to wait for the third song to get a Beatles tune; Starr recalled that piece, “What Goes On,” was co-written by Lennon, McCartney, and Starr – and he lamented playfully that he knew the audience believed as he did that he should’ve had top billing on the authorship.

    Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band

    Later, when “Yellow Submarine” started, fans howled their approval. This was, after all, why many spent their Friday night at the Spa City venue. Ending “A Little Help From My Friends” with Lennon and Yoko’s “Give Peace a Chance” mixed in, Ringo’s message about peace and love being “the only way” rang out throughout the park.

    The audience members, mainly an over 50 set who appeared to adore Ringo as much today as they did when they were in their teens, had already bought that message years ago. But they sang along, swaying in the moment with the peace of their earlier days. The audience even flashed the peace signs back to Sir Ringo.

    Ringo Starr and his All Starr band were somewhat predictable in their song choices and repetitive rhythm and vibe. But people didn’t come to hear new music, as much as to remember old favorites. Watching the 78 year-old former Beatle flash peace signs and cue folks to believe in peace and love was oddly reassuring though on this cool night in Saratoga. We need repetition sometimes, to remind us that the simplest messages are often the truest. Be kind. Give peace a chance. Smile more. Just like Ringo and his friends.

  • Holly Bowling Lets It Grow in Cohoes

    Holly Bowling stopped in for a show at Cohoes Music Hall this Sunday, September 16. Bowling, hailing from San Francisco, is well known for her solo piano transcription of the infamous 36 minute version of “Tweezer” that Phish played in Tahoe, NV in 2013. She started touring as a solo act soon after, captivating unsuspecting audiences with her soulful renditions of Phish classics. She soon expanded her act to include a vast number of Grateful Dead tunes, which can be heard on her studio release Better Left Unsung.

    Holly Bowling Cohoes

    Bowling opened up the Sunday show with “It’s Ice,” an incredibly intricate Phish composition which she plays with ease. This segued into “McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters,” which featured a “China Cat Sunflower” tease in the section that is typically reserved for McConnell’s solo. Bowling was able to open up this piece as well as any multi-instrumental band could, showing her ingenuity in experimentation, even as a solo artist. She delighted the crowd when the end of “It’s Ice” emerged from deep within the depths of “McGrupp.” After this, she paused to acknowledge her gratitude for her presence here, and explained her love for the building, which was the sight where the name of her band, Ghost Light, was conjured.

    The first set continued with the Grateful Dead’s “Lost Sailor” which transitioned into Phish’s “Roggae,” which was played and finished in its entirety. This was followed by a beautiful version of the Dead’s “Mountains of the Moon,” which drifted effortlessly into “Saint of Circumstance,” completing the “Lost Sailor” for any familiar Dead fans.

    Holly Bowling Cohoes

    After a short break, Bowling came back for a nearly continuous second set. A soaring version of “Bird Song” opened the set, which flew beautifully into the first complete part of “Weather Report Suite,” including the prelude. This naturally blossomed into an uplifting rendition of “Let It Grow,” really bringing the energy up in the room.

    Bowling seamlessly transitioned from this Dead heavy set into Phish’s “A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing,” which then flowed into a fun version of “Sand.” This was followed by Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter,” which proved to be just as powerful of a song when played by one woman on a grand piano, as it is with four of the greatest rock and roll musicians of all time. Bowling then brought back the Dead by gliding into an impassioned version of “Morning Dew.” After a brief pause, Bowling closed out the set with “Swept Away,” a Phish rarity that is welcome to any diehard fan, and which fits perfectly with Bowling’s style as it reflects her ability to maintain the emotional integrity of the songs that she transcribes. To top it all off, this shifted seamlessly back into the end of “Let it Grow,” which truly completed the second set.

    Holly Bowling Cohoes

    Upon leaving the stage, Bowling came back for an encore. “Slave to the Traffic Light” proved to be a perfect fit, with a warm, uplifting jam that would have left Page himself smiling from ear to ear. Not only was this classic composition executed with perfection, but it also included a “Let it Grow” tease, making it a unique reflection of the performance from that night.

    Following this performance in Cohoes, Holly Bowling will be returning to Albany on November 14 at Jupiter Hall with her band Ghost Light.

    Set 1: It’s Ice > McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters > It’s Ice*, Lost Sailor > Roggae, Mountains of the Moon > Saint of Circumstance
    Set 2: Bird Song > Weather Report Suite Prelude, Weather Report Suite Part 1 > Let It Grow > A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing > Sand > No Quarter > Morning Dew, Swept Away > Let It Grow
    Encore: Slave**

    *w/ China Cat tease
    **w/ Let It Grow tease

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