NYS Music 20​19

Category: Capital Region

  • The BrokenHearted – Tom Petty Tribute gives us ‘The Best of Everything’

    The BrokenHearted – Tom Petty tribute band, has a goal to produce the “vibe” of a Tom Petty show.  Johnny insists he is not Tom Petty, but rather a really big fan who loves the music. I believe many will disagree when Johnny takes the stage. The best part is, the band members seem to be having a blast up there on stage. They seem to be the best of friends. As a band they want you to enjoy the performance. They are entertainers. They promise you a good time. If you’re a Petty fan, and who isn’t, you will enjoy the show.

    What do you do if you are a superfan, and you have talent? Well, you start a tribute band of course, which all began in 2007 when Johnny Clifford had an idea – something he was thinking about for a while. His friend, Philip Bacon, was in a Neil Young tribute band and mentioned The Hudson River Music Hall, was hosting other tribute bands. This suggestion planted the seed. Johnny didn’t believe he could get other musicians to be onboard, since a band starting from scratch, with no immediate financial gains is not the easiest sales pitch, but it worked and a mad adventure began.

    Johnny Clifford of The BrokenHearted

    Johnny Clifford has been a Tom Petty fan since the early ’80s. He loved the songs and appreciated Tom Petty’s brash confidence, stage presence and overall vibe. When Clifford was asked, Why Petty?, he responded: “The Heartbreakers are my kind of band. Mike Campbell has been his lead guitarist since the beginning. Mike has such a great tone and always plays just the right part for the song. (Mike Campbell is currently on tour with Fleetwood Mac). I hung on to The Heartbreakers like I was clinging to a life raft.”

    The BrokenHearted tom petty
    James Cappello The BrokenHearted – Bass/backing vocals

    Although none of the early bands Clifford played in were Petty tributes, the bands covered much of Petty’s early material. It wasn’t long before Johnny became known for singing and performing Petty tunes. So a tribute really does make sense for him.  He states he is not acting, but for the most part, he is just being Johnny.  After four decades he still loves the music and Heartbreakers are still his favorite.

    Frank Affinito – Drum/backing vocals

    Johnny Clifford’s voice is eerily similar to Petty. His on-stage presence is spot on. The Broken Hearted- Tom Petty Tribute band, will bring you back to the days when Tom was speaking (singing) for the Average Person. Expressing things in love, relationships, and life, that most of us find difficult to communicate. He touched our inner soul, he just had an easy way of telling stories. He somehow found the words to express the feelings within every one of us.

    Philip Bacon

    The setting was the beautifully renovated Strand, in Hudson Falls, NY on July 12, 2019. The crowd started to enter and were treated to a wonderful performance by Kelly and Son. Father, Shawn Kelly, and Son, Josh Kelly, are an acoustic/electric duo. Their wide range of songs and comedic interaction left the crowd mesmerized, not knowing what to expect. Shawns deep-toned voice, with a hint of Kris Kristofferson, crooned songs and mixed with a quick wit and laughs, blended well with Josh’s full-toned voice as they had an eclectic mix from The Beatles and Mumford and Sons to original songs.

    Kelly and Son’s Setlist: Ho Hey (Lumineers), Rocky Raccoon (The Beatles), Mad World (Tears for Fears), Breathe/Welcome to the Machine (Pink Floyd), No Vacancy (Original), Forever (Mumford and Sons), Scientist/Zombie (Coldplay/Cranberries), Dear Prudence/Awake my Soul (Mumford and Sons).

    Shawn Kelly
    Shawn and Josh Kelly of Kelly and Son

    Now, was time for the main event. The Show was originally going to be two full sets, however, no break was taken, and the band just forged on pounding one fantastic tune after another. At one point, Clifford reached into a trunk and pulled the famous Mad Hatter Hat out- the crowd loved it! The fans knew what to expect- They knew Clifford and the band would not disappoint. The first few strums and everyone knew the opening song, “I Need to Know,” where the upbeat selection set the stage for the remaining songs. Even though it was a long set, the crowd wanted more, and begged. The band obliged with a fantastic rendition of “Kings Highway”

    Setlist: I Need To Know, Don’t Do Me Like That, Mary Janes Last Dance, You Wreck Me, Learning to Fly, You and Me, Won’t Back Down, Breakdown, Listen to Her Heart, Walls, Don’t Come Around Here No More, Here Comes My Girl, Handle Me With Care, Rock & Roll Star, Feel a Whole Lot Better, Free Fallin’, The Waiting, Face in the Crowd, Yer So Bad, You Don’t Know How it Feels, Refugee, Runnin Down a Dream, American Girl.

    Encore: Kings Highway

    Clifford, Cappello, Affinito and Donnelly make a great team. True fans, enjoying what they are doing. After so many years, most bands would appear to just be going through the motions, you don’t get that feeling here. There is a comradery, band of brothers so-to-speak. These guys love what they do, and it shows throughout their performance.

    If you have not experienced this band yet, be sure to catch them at these upcoming shows:

    Sat. July 20 – Powers Park Concert Series – Troy, NY 6:00 PM
    Friday July 26 – Putnam Place – Saratoga Springs, NY 9:30 PM
    Sat. August 10 – The Eddies – Gloversville NY 2:40 PM

    Check out their Facebook page for updates



  • In Focus: A Taste of the Islands Land in Albany with Reggae’s Culture

    Culture is reggae’s most dominating harmony group. Born in the 70′s golden age of reggae, Culture gained acclaim for its long series of classic “roots” albums. Joseph Hill, singer and songwriter for the legendary Jamaican vocal trio, collapsed and died while on a 2006 tour of Europe. Kenyatta Hill’s career began the day his father’s ended. Kenyatta stepped onstage and delivered electrifying performances and was able to complete the tour. While pursuing an active solo career, Hill keeps the Culture legacy alive by thrilling old and new fans with the classic sounds of this legendary harmony group. Performing at Jennings Landing in Albany with reggae from Jojo Romero & NIghtshift, Thursday, July 11, which was no exception.

    Culture’s rendition of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song,” had chill fans swaying. When Kenyatta noted he was not political, but then began the first few notes of “Policeman,” a song with lyrics of mistreatment by police officers, the crowd roared in support of the band.

    It was a fantastic show, which kept a large demographic of fans happy. The tones of Kenyatta’s voice were smooth yet robust. If you are a fan of reggae or would like to hear what it’s all about, definitely look out for Culture.

    Albany reggae

  • Jonatha Brooke Continues Pride Series at Caffè Lena

    Caffè Lena will continue their Pride Series with a performance by Jonatha Brooke on July 18th at 7:00 pm. Jonatha has an extensive music resume. She has released eight albums under her own label, Bad Dog Records. Her songs have appeared in Disney films and in popular television shows, most notably the theme song for the television show “Dollhouse”. Currently, she has been writing songs with Katy Perry and The Courtyard Hounds.

    Jonatha Brooke also wrote and performed in “My Mother Has 4 Noses” which was based upon living with her mother while she went through the later stages of Alzheimer’s. While living with her, she would write down the entertaining bits and pieces of their day to day life. She would encourage Jonatha and was a part of the process, noting when something she had said was particularly good. The title of the play itself comes from her mother, who said, “After all, how many people do YOU know who can say they have FOUR noses?”

    Many have been touched by the play, and Jonatha has included a section on the website for “My Mother Has 4 Noses” where people can submit images of their loved ones and write something to honor them.

    Jonatha has performed at functions in the past to support the LGBTQ community such as the LCCP (Lesbian Community Cancer Project) and is an ally to the LGBTQ community.

  • Cowboys and Cowgirls Flock to SPAC for WGNA CountryFest

    Beach balls were flying and raindrops were falling during CountryFest at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Hosted by 107.7 WGNA, a country radio station out of Albany, CountryFest featured A-list country acts like Eli Young Band, Big & Rich, and Old Dominion. SPAC’s Live Nation Country concerts usually have a large turnout and this was no exception. The amphitheater was filled by the time Eli Young Band took the stage at 6:30 and the fans had already been enjoying themselves tailgating in the parking lot before making their way to their seat or placing their lawn chairs in the perfect place to view the concert.

    Eli Young Band kicked off the show with a roar from the crowd. The rain didn’t keep the fans from having a good time singing along to the band’s hits, such as “Crazy Girl” and “Drunk Last Night.” They were a perfect opening act. Getting the crowd pumped with some of their country classics from the 2000’s, Eli Young Band started on the right note. Lead singer Mike Eli’s voice sounded just like the recordings fans know and love. It was very refreshing to hear country music sound as real as the topics being sung about.

    The show took a turn when a DJ from Schenectady, New York started playing confusing mash-ups of country hits with early 2000’s hip-hop high school dance songs. Country music has been in its teenage phase of life and experimenting with many different elements of music, some further away from the singing pedal steel and lively fiddle riffs than others. An avenue that many country artists have tried out is rap and hip hop, incorporating the use of drum machines and quick-witted rap verses.

    countryfest

    Big & Rich displayed that they are one of those artists that decided to drive head-on into this new sub genre of country music by inviting Texas country rapper Cowboy Troy on stage with them to add clever verses to their old songs and many of the cover songs that they performed. The whole performance felt a little too far from the celebration of country music that one would expect when going to a country music festival. They definitely brought the most “Wow” factor to the show and, for better or for worse, the crowd seemed to enjoy it. There were many parts of the performance where the looks on fans’ faces said, “What is going on?” Mostly when a man in a Spiderman suit came out and they started singing the Spiderman theme song. One commendable aspect of the show that was heartwarming and made any sense was when John Rich invited a United States veteran on stage and asked him to say a few words. After the few minutes of clarity, it went right back into a medley of songs from all different genres, from “American Pie” by Don McClain to “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, before finishing with their smash hit “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).” Overall, the whole set left fans happy but slightly confused and wondering if they were still at CountryFest.

    CountryFest

    The night ended with the high energy, lovable group of guys known as Old Dominion. Their pop-country hits had people singing along and dancing until the end of the night. Matthew Ramsey’s charming personality reached out to many fans in the front by giving out high fives and signing personal items. They played a humanizing acoustic set while sharing their stories coming up as songwriters in Nashville, Tennessee. Playing songs that other country artists such as Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley have made famous, the frontmen of the band, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, and Brad Tursi, revealed to the crowd that fans had been listening to their music for a while before Old Dominion was even making music together. Their story was very inspiring and the short acoustic versions shed light on not just how musically gifted the group is, but what brilliant songwriters they are as well. They announced that their new album is coming soon and gave CountryFest a sneak peek at a new song on the record called “Smooth Sailing.” The tune fits perfectly into their sound with a catchy melody and clever lyrics. Country music fans should keep their eyes and ears open for Old Dominion’s next album because if the rest of the record is as good as “Smooth Sailing,” it will be a great listen that embodies the fun aspects of country music.

    Photo gallery by Dakota Gilbert.

  • Formula 5 fans reflect on Highlights ahead of Final Performance this weekend

    Formula 5 has made a name for themselves in the past 7 years, performing at a rally for Bernie Sanders, with shows in more than 20 states, festival appearances across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, their own Ben & Jerry’s shake, as well as three studio albums, two live albums and their own festival, Rock the Dock, taking place this Friday in Lake George, in what will be their final performance for Formula 5.

    Then, that will be it for Formula 5. The band announced in March that they would go on indefinite hiatus following their Rock the Dock festival on Friday, July 12. The Magic Beans, Eastbound Jesus, Swimmer, West End Blend, Mike Powell, and JT Maple will also perform ahead of their final performance.

    We asked fans and former band members for their favorite memories of the band, whose short tenure left an indelible mark on the jam scene in the Northeast.

    Larry Shippee

    Since that first Tumbledown weekend (2016) when a bottle of acid laced whiskey led to great friends and a love for Formula 5, to almost year later finding out that said bottle of acid whiskey was the catalyst to “Figure Out A Feeling,” to raging in costumes at Horror Camp, to late nights after Nectar’s, to pen rips on stage at ADK Fest, to deer hits, it’s been a WILD RIDE.

    formula 5 final

    Tasha Mase

    It was at Putnam Den and Formula 5, Mister F and the Other Brothers were playing. It was the first live music I had seen since moving to the 518. I didn’t know anyone, but it didn’t matter, all that mattered was the music and it was everything you wanted it to be.

    Gyasi Owens

    My favorite Formula 5 show was the 2016 Halloween show up at King Neptune’s in Lake George. They set up a projector and did a jam over a major battle scene from Lord of the Rings. It was epic. Doing an improv rhyme during a cissy strut jam at Dino BBQ in Troy was also dope!

    Sue Davis

    I remember talking with all of the guys in the band over the years while they grabbed a bite to eat at the house on their way to their next local gig. They were excited to share their music as they hit the road and cultivated more F5 fans across the country. The Halloween & Ugly Christmas sweater shows were so much fun. I have great memories of the sounds of the crowds as they yelled and applauded at the end of many of their jams. It was always so great to see all their friends who came out to the shows. They always made sure to shake our hands or give us a hug and tell us how great they sounded and how proud they were of the band. It’s been a wild and wonderful ride and I enjoyed my nights out until 3am!

    Jared Lindquist

    When I was a junior in high school, I skipped my prom to go see my first F5 show at the Stone Church in Newmarket, NH. I really shouldn’t have even been in that club, but after meeting the band for the first time and getting a few songs in, I knew I made the right choice. I believe that show had the debut of “Blue,” it was so new that Matt had to read the lyrics off of a sheet. It became one of my favorite songs of theirs and is always sticks out in my mind as making missing prom worth it.

    Mike and Maria Kane

    Disc Jam 2015: The Relix tent acoustic set they played a cover of one of my favorite bands songs which was awesome but I think they did a “Catch Me” that day too which might have been the last time I saw mike perform it

    King Neptune’s after ADK Fest 2017: This was the first time I saw them really in the heart of their own turf, which I kind of always thought was Albany but was really enthused by the Lake George vibe surrounding the guys

    Eastbound Throwdown, September 2017: When F5 stared their set opening up the weekend, it was raining good but Mikey and I didn’t give a fuck and raged the hell out of their set. As the weather broke, so did a lot of others.

    The Hollow, April 28, 2018: this was the last time I saw F5 and the last night I partied before I found out I was having our baby.

    Rock the Dock 2018: Mike and I shared with all the guys that we’d be having a baby. Matt Richards dedicated the set to us – not on the mic, but to our faces, which was even cooler to me. We have loved this journey. It is sad to see it end but we will treasure the memories, the music, and the people forever.

    Jaclyn Osterhout

    My favorite moment with Formula 5 is when I was in Colorado and they were creating a song called “Blue.” I listened to them play the same four notes in our Airbnb about 20 times. It was so annoyed until the song came to fruition and now it’s my favorite and how cool that I got to be a part of that.

    Alyssa Ladzinski

    Watching Formula 5 open up for The Disco Biscuits in Albany was so exciting, seeing how they perfectly hand-crafted their setlist to fit the music and style of that night. And more of a personal memory, ANY time they played “Excalibur,” no matter where I was at a festival or show, you bet I’d find my way over to the stage.

    Mike McDonald (former keyboardist)

    When asked to write about my favorite moment in Formula 5, I very quickly realized it would be much more difficult to choose than I first expected. Having been a part of it from the beginning and experienced the highs and lows, I can imagine mine (or any member) may differ significantly from what others might think. So I decided to pick 3 from my time with Formula 5:
    StrangeCreek 2012 – Joe had been in the band roughly 6 months and we had begun to turn a few heads in the jam scene, albeit mostly local to Upstate N.Y. Thanks to some help from Greg Bell, we were able to land a Friday afternoon slot at the very sought after annual festival StrangeCreek in Western Masschusetts. We were incredibly nervous for this show as many bigger bands on the jam scene who we looked up to were on the bill, and it was our first slot at a major regional festival. We started our set on the Vernville stage to a mostly empty field but it very quickly turned into one of the largest crowds we will have ever played. I vividly remember the energy and fun of that set, in part thanks to it being captured by a Wormtown taper. Check out the “Movin On” > “Jam”> “Trampled Underfoot” from this show.

    Brooklyn Bowl with Natalie Cressman and Elise Testone, March 2015: Things had been having an upward trajectory in most of late 2014-2015 and we were stoked to have an opportunity to play this legendary venue in Brooklyn. We had the pleasure of having Natalie Cressman of Trey Anastasio Band on trombone and American Idol finalist Elise Testone on vocals as well as playing to a great crowd in Brooklyn.

    2015 Garrison Beer Blast – This was one of my last shows with the band and really a homecoming of sorts for the band in Lake George as 2015 proved to be our biggest year of growth so far. We headlined a great one day festival with some awesome bands and some of our best friends and fans in attendance. I particularly felt this was some of our best playing to date and we had an amazing recording of the entire performance along with some videos.

    Ed Kulseng

    As I sit here and reflect on all my memories with Formula 5 I can’t help but feel remorseful. It feels as though I’m writing a eulogy. A dear friend who always had a magical gift for bringing my favorite people together is no more; it’s really like writing dozens of eulogies. Everywhere I go to this day, I’m stopped by people I’ve met as a direct result of F5. My life and that of my friends is forever different. This is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Instead of burying a friend, I’m burying six of my best friends dreams.

    If you would asked me seven months ago, I would’ve told you that F5 would be gracing the stages of Madison Square Garden, SPAC, Red Rocks, or just about every other major concert venue around the country but instead I’m here struggling to come to terms with the fact that they may never play again. When I spoke before of F5, I used them as a conduit of inspiration for my musician friends who looked up to them and what they had – tight and blissful improvisions and their ability to draw crowds that would pack The Hollow so tight.

    F5 was more than a jam band, and more than my friends. These guys are notorious for doing everything in their power to share whatever spotlight they could harness with other musicians and artists. So many places I’ve been I can say I wouldn’t have gone without them cramming me and Kevin in the van, making room for me at the last minute. The amount of times that F5 stuck their neck out for me or carried me back to the van, propped me up and got me home safe made me feel like a piece of shit. Of every memory I’ve made and every story I’ve told, the good ones always start with “this one time at Formula 5” so I guess I’m just having trouble coming to terms with the fact that no more memories are going to start like that and I might not have as many stories to tell moving forward.

    The first time I drink in a bar, F5 was playing The Black Oak in Oneonta. Bill (Shattuck, original bassist) convinced the bouncer to let my underage friend Eric in. The first time I skied, F5 played Hunter Mountain – James gave me my first and only set of skis and Joe taught me. My 21st birthday was F5 at The Monopole. I drove to Hampton for a Phish show and Greg took me in and let me crash. I always hoped they’d play at my wedding and maybe even my funeral. Every time I walked into an F5 show, people knew my name, people knew who I was and welcomed me with a hug. These guys are my brothers and their fans are my family.

    For the first time it’s hard to put my F5 hat on, because now I have no more shows to sell, no more merch to push, and now I worry about the condition it’s in. Now that hat is an artifact, a relic of my youth, one I have to preserve. I love this band, they carried me on their backs to adulthood and gave me too much to list. Joe, Greg, James, Matt, Mike and Bill what you have built will never be forgotten, thank you for everything!

    Formula 5 Rocks the Dock in Lake George on Friday, July 12th. Other bands include The Magic Beans, Eastbound Jesus, Swimmer, West End Blend, Mike Powell, and JT Maple. Get tickets online or at the box office.

  • Jackson Browne and Lucius Bring Classic and Indie Rock Together at SPAC

    It was a humid Friday night in Saratoga Springs, where people of all ages were buzzing in anticipation for a throwback experience from singer/songwriter Jackson Browne at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Have you seen him before?” was one of the questions floating around the amphitheater and the responses varied from person to person. Many different dates of shows spanning from the early ’70s and onward came from the mouths of dedicated fans, proving the long-lasting impact Browne has had in his career. The show started right on time at 7:30 p.m. with the Brooklyn-born indie pop band Lucius.

    Jackson Browne
    Photography:  Carl Scheffel

    Lucius opened the show with a chilling a capella rendition of “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” with the women fronting the band wearing matching red ponchos and body glitter on their faces and palms. Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig stood around one microphone at center stage facing each other and immediately caught the attention of the crowd with their powerhouse harmonies. Though the stage setup allowed for the singers to be intimate and have a clear way to communicate cues for each other, it took away from the audience engagement and closed off a relationship fans desire from a live performance. The one microphone did aide the duo in creating a fading or floating audio and visual effect during their last song  “Woman” which played with the depth of the dynamics of the song nicely. The show heavily featured the two fronting ladies, however, the group consisted of three other band members playing their share of instruments, swapping between percussion and guitar frequently. Jackson Browne joined them in the middle of their half hour set to perform “Willin’,” entrancing the amphitheater with their three-part harmonies. Lucius released a compilation album of their back catalog, new songs, and a duet with Roger Waters in 2018 called Nudes. 

    Loud cheers from women and men alike echoed through the walls of SPAC when Jackson Browne and his band took the stage to close out the show with an impressive two hour set. Browne’s performance was filled with many of his classics that were easy to sing and dance along to even if you didn’t know the words. “Take It Easy,” which Browne co-wrote with The Eagles, was the second song in the more than 20-song set and it brought everyone to their feet. Browne’s easy-going vibe on stage seemed to take the edge off the heat and provided a relaxing atmosphere after the excitement of the 4th of July the day before. Browne joked about his age after there was a guitar mix up, saying to the stagehand, “I think you brought me the wrong guitar,” followed by the stagehand coming back out with the supposed right guitar and a sense of confusion. After a few seconds of conversation and bending down to read the setlist, Browne admitted that he was wrong and that he should have brought his glasses with him on stage. Many of Jackson Browne’s songs relate to immigration and issues that America deals with today. He played songs such as “Walls and Doors” that was written by Cuban singer/songwriter Carlos Varela and “Lives in the Balance” which were both in reference to South America and its culture. “Lives in the Balance” featured a very soulful performance from one of Browne’s backup singers, Chavonne Stewart, whose beautiful voice brought new life to an old classic. Lucius came out to help Browne on the last four songs and it was the perfect climax of vocal harmony and instrumental genius. The two acts were clearly very close and the respect and love for one another made for a really enjoyable performance. 

    Jackson Browne
    Photography:  Carl Scheffel

    Lucius setlist: A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Ilene Woods cover), Tempest, Right Down the Line (Gerry Rafferty cover), Something About You, Go Home, Turn It Around, Willin’ (Little Feat cover), Two of Us On the Run, Woman

    Jackson Browne setlist: I’m Alive, Take It Easy, The Pretender, Enough of the Night, The Long Way Around, Tender Is the Night, You Love the Thunder, These Days, Mohammed Radio (Warren Zevon cover), The Dreamer, Lives in the Balance, Walls and Doors (Carlos Varela cover), Doctor My Eyes, Somebody’s Baby, I’ll Do Anything, In the Shape of a Heart, Running on Empty, Dusty Trails (Lucius cover), City of Immigrants (Steve Earle cover), I Am a Patriot (Little Steven cover)
    Encore: The Waiting (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover) 

  • RATT Rocks the Skyloft

    RATT’s In Your Direction Tour made its eighth stop of the 17-show tour at the dazzling new Skyloft in Albany, NY on Friday, July 5 and did not disappoint. Rumors were swirling, claiming the show might be canceled due to poor ticket sales, but there was no evidence of that. The Skyloft, the new venue at Crossgates Mall in Albany, NY was packed with cheering fans. The volume was loud, and the vibe was energetic.

    The crowd was pumped when the first notes of the opening song “In Your Direction” rang out. Without a break, the band then went into and wailed on “Wanted Man.” The show came to a close with the wildly anticipated “Round and Round.” See the complete setlist below.

    Stephen Pearcy of RATT

    Perhaps the band is falling into place with the new members, now that they have played half of their tour. Things will only get better so check their website for upcoming shows and cities.

    https://www.therattpack.com/


    Setlist: In Your Direction, Wanted Man, Dangerous But Worth the Risk, You Think You’re Tough, Walkin’ the Dog, Way Cool Jr., I’m Insane, Lack of Communication, Lay it Down, You’re In Love, Lovin’ You’s a Dirty Job, Slip of the Lip, Nobody Rides for Free, Body Talk, Back for More, and closed out with the fans wildly anticipated Round and Round


    Ratt consists of lead vocalist Stephen Pearcy, bassist Juan Croucier and “new breed” members — drummer Pete Holmes (Black ‘N Blue), and guitarists Jordan Ziff (Razer) and Chris Sanders (Britny Fox, Knight Fury)

    Chris Sanders
    Jordan Ziff
    Stephen Pearcy

    Juan Croucier

    Pete Homes
    Pete Homes

  • Chris Fisher and Conehead Buddha Gifts Hometown Reunion

    Virginia, there is a Santa Claus; and he has granted all of the good and bad children of the Capital District a very precious present, a Conehead Buddha reunion show! A night filled with frolicking funk and ska that only this classic jam band, formed in the mid-90’s, can provide. Conehead Buddha, once a mainstay of the NYS music scene, will be reuniting for a once in a lifetime spectacle at The Marble Rock House located in Leeds, NY on Saturday July 13 at 9PM. The musical establishment is co-owned by Neil Murphy and long time Conehead Buddha Trumpet player, Terry Lynch, so it will definitely be a hometown performance with their loyal fans in attendance.

    Chris Fisher Conehead Buddha

    Founder of Conehead Buddha and front-man Chris Fisher has traveled back to New York State from his new home base of Brentwood, Tennessee, and along with Lynch they have organized a gathering of Conehead Buddha members, from various iterations of the band’s lineup throughout their 25 year + run. A notable exception to the band’s roster will be the absence of longtime Buddha saxophonist Shannon Lynch whose indelible presence will be missed. Her duties will be expertly filled by Neal Spitzer, who is also a Conehead Buddha alumni.

    The night will be a retrospective of Buddha’s extensive catalog mined from their six LP’s of original material released over the years. Tickets are $15.00 and are expected to sell out for the show, so make sure to purchase them prior at the Marble Rock House website.

  • 39th Annual Old Songs Festival Storms into Altamont

    The 39th annual Old Songs Festival was held in picturesque Altamont, New York, nestled just below the towering Helderberg escarpment. Thousands of fans gathered for the weekend celebration of folk music, instruments, and friendship. Campers braved the, at times, heavy rain to hear more than 40 performers over the 3-day festival. 

    Intimate performances were held on three main stages, spread between the outdoor amphitheater and inside the fairground’s buildings. Musicians and festival goers gathered for more than 100 workshops over the weekend on topics ranging from dancing, open tuning, the bodhran (an Irish frame drum), and clawhammer banjo playing.  

    The festival drew performers from across New York State, as well as the world, including Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and South Africa. It was impossible to hear every performance, but the days were packed with great music. The artists were masters of their instruments, and wove together song and storytelling that made a performance in a barn in front of hundreds of people feel like sitting in a friend’s living room, listening to a jam session. 

    Main Stage performers included: Bepe Gambetta, the Italian guitarist; Musique à bouches, a Canadian acapella group; Sharon Katz and The Peace Train, from South Africa; Tui, A fiddle duo; Mulebone, a New York Based blues duo; Poor Man’s Gambit, a traditional Irish trio.

    The entire festival had a feel of a family reunion. Several kids could be seen riding bikes in the infield, as well as taking advantage of the numerous kid’s music and activities. As Sunday’s performances drew to a close, attendees could be heard asking, if not reassuring each other that that they would see one another next year.

    • Old Songs Festival
    • Old Songs Festival
    • Old Songs Festival

  • This is what SPAC Sounds Like – Phish returns to Saratoga Springs

    With a summer tour progressing steadily along, and each subsequent venue seemingly raising the bar higher at each stop, expectations for the upcoming set of Phish shows at Saratoga Performing Arts Center were at a fever pitch. The band never seems to disappoint at this classic Upstate NY shed, showing us this is what SPAC sounds like when the boys from Vermont come to town. Coming off of three stellar shows in Camden, marked with a notably missing “Tweezer Reprise” from the final night, expectations about the SPAC opener (and rest of the show) were rampant and lofty.

    what SPAC sounds like
    Photo by Dave Decrescente

    In vintage Phish fashion, the band bypassed the “Tweezer Reprise” opener many expected to happen as a nod to the unfinished business in Camden and replaced it with a first-time-played cover of The Everly Brothers’ “Cathy’s Clown,” leading to a confusing and somewhat mellow start. Afterwards, the expected “Reprise” was delivered in full force which fired up the crowd instantly and began a long stretch of high energy rock anthems, including “Carini,” a song that’s already opened two previous shows this tour. A silky smooth transition of funk from “AC/DC Bag” to “The Moma Dance” then followed before a mid set “Theme From the Bottom” that served as a respite of sorts. A rare performance of “Home” was a welcome surprise in the first set and set the waves in motion for the powerful “Bathtub Gin” that followed. That would have been more than sufficient for a complete first set, but Phish had other ideas and tacked on the perennial “Walls of the Cave” set closer in typical high octane, raucous fashion.

    what SPAC sounds like
    Photo by Dave Decrescente

    After a brief “Cool Amber and Mercury” to open Set 2, Mike Gordon provided the opening bass slaps to “Down with Disease” and with that we were off and running with a 21 minute gem of a jam. This instant classic found its way into the full “Scents and Subtle Sounds,” complete with intro which was soundchecked earlier that night, then dipped into “Twist” to continue a set of deep exploration. From there, the energy was sustained with “Wilson” > “Scent of a Mule” and “Fuck Your Face,” before a mild breather in the form of “Halley’s Comet.” The set closed out with a “Harry Hood” that closed out yet another Phish set that sustained the all killer/no filler trend that has been steady since Camden.

    For the encore, much discussion led to Fishman tapping the kick drum to signal the start of “Fee,” which found Trey having megaphone issues but still pushed through with the help of the audience. “A Life Beyond a Dream” from Ghosts of the Forest, built up towards a pleasant landing ground, and after slight discussion, Phish wrapped up their second 3-song encore in a row with “First Tube.” Trey ran around the and marched from stage left to stage right hamming it up with the fans as he burned through the pinnacle show closer.

    what SPAC sounds like
    Photo by Dave Decrescente

    Setlist via Phish.net

    Soundcheck: Home, A Life Beyond a Dream, Scents and Subtle Sounds (intro)

    SET 1: Cathy’s Clown[1], Tweezer Reprise > Carini > AC/DC Bag > The Moma Dance > Theme From the Bottom, Meat, Home > Bathtub Gin > Walls of the Cave

    SET 2: Cool Amber and Mercury > Down with Disease[2] > Scents and Subtle Sounds > Twist > Wilson > Scent of a Mule[3], Fuck Your Face > Halley’s Comet > Harry Hood

    ENCORE: Fee, A Life Beyond The Dream, First Tube

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