The Marshall Tucker Band was ‘born’ in Spartanburg, S.C. when Doug Gray teamed up with Tommy and Toy Caldwell, Paul T. Riddle, George McCorkle, and Jerry Eubanks. The name “Marshall Tucker” came from a piano tuner whose name was found on a key ring in their old rehearsal space. In 1973 Marshall Tucker Band opened for The Allman Brothers Band, and the following year, they began to headline their own shows.
Marcus James Henderson – Multi-instrumentalist
The SkyLoft in Albany, NY Crossgates Mall, was almost at full capacity on Saturday night, November 2, 2019. The crowd cheered as Doug Gray, the only original member of The Marshall Tucker Band, took center stage. At 71, and fronting the band since 1972, he still held his own.
Gray almost took on the part of an orchestra conductor, when he wasn’t belting out a crowd favorite. He would share the moments with the highly talented band members, who proved their musical chops, which included a 13-minute version of the bands’ well-received hit, “Can’t You See.”
“This is one song that’s played eight million times on the radio,” Gray told the crowd. “I want you to sing it with us.” And they did. Gray handed the microphone to two fans in the front row, and they sang a few bars. He then tossed his tambourine into the audience, and the crowd cheered again. You can see the appreciation in Gray’s eyes. The moment, it seemed, to say thank you for all the support over so many years. Truly, this must be what it is all about.
With many southern rock bands, such as The Allman Brothers not performing any longer, and Lynyrd Skynyrd on their last tour, The Marshall Tucker Band kept the genre going. Today, the band members have all changed, with the exception of Gray. B.B. Borden is on drums, Tony Black, bass and vocals, Marcus James Henderson, commands keyboard, saxophone, flute, and vocals. Chris Hicks and Rick Willis shred the guitar and vocals.
Fans become part of the show as Gray hands over the mic
Similar to many of the crooners still touring of his generation, Gray did not sing on every song, he stuck to the classics and let the younger crew take charge, and take charge they did. Each band member had at least one showcase of their talent, with Henderson and his multi-instrumentals taking much of the spotlight. Chris Hicks wailed on guitar and vocals, sounding strong. After “Take The Highway,” Borden did an amazingly-energetic drum solo, which caused standing fans to inch closer into the magic. Recent American Idol finalist, Madison VanDenburg, made a brief visit to take the stage, and tambourine. The generation gap was evident, as she didn’t know the song as Gray tried to prompt her.
If you are able to see this show, you owe it to yourself to do so. One can only hope the hard work and extended tour will help keep this genre alive for many more generations.
Chris Hicks
One of the few bands of this generation still doing an extended tour. You can find many upcoming shows on the band’s website
Setlist: “Running like the Wind”, This Old Cowboy”, “Hillbilly Band”, “Take the Highway”, “Blue Ridge”, “Fire on the Mountain”, “24 Hours”, “Midnight Promises”, ” I’ll Be Loving You”, “Can’t you See”.
A Saturday night crowd, on a Monday, settled in for a wonderful night of folk songs in the cozy and warm exposed-brick confines of Restaurant Good Luck. Honest Folk Presents brought in two great artists representing both coasts. The crowd was familiar with Portland Oregon’s Jeffrey Martin, making his third stop at the venue. The Sea The Sea, from the much closer Troy, however, were making their first appearance in Rochester and would open the night.
A male/female duo, featuring Mira and Chuck Costa, The Sea The Sea moved effortlessly between electric and acoustic guitars, a small percussion setup and an even smaller keyboard, mixing different combinations of sounds. Regardless of the instrumentation, their beautiful two-part harmonies were the true highlight throughout the night. It was remarkable how perfect their voices blended together, making a signature sound. They featured them so regularly that it started to become two parts of a single voice. On the rare occasions when only one voice rang out, it was almost as if one of the channels on the stereo was faulty.
The pair has spent a good deal of the past year on the road, and also recently relocated to Troy, both of which have been providing inspiration for a bevy of fresh new tunes, some of which they shared, like “Foreign Country” and “Stumbling Home.” Most of the set was filled with their more well-worn material, like the palindromic “Love We Are We Love” and the familial “Good For Something.” They rounded those out with two choice covers, the Bob Dylan deep cut “I’ll Keep It With Mine,” and “No Love Today” from the under-appreciated songwriter Chris Smither.
Jeffrey Martin was last on the Good Luck stage almost exactly two years to the day from this night. It was in fact the Monday after the end of daylight savings, just as it was on his previous visit. Martin’s music doesn’t really evoke blue skies and sunshine, so the fact that it was middle-of-the-night dark throughout the show, which ended at the Monday-friendly hour of 9:45, was very welcome. Perhaps it was both genius and coincidence.
For an hour Martin held court on the Good Luck stage, telling stories both in song and out. Though sometimes it was hard to tell the difference, as he noodled on his guitar during his between-song bantering and there was just something lyrical about the way he spoke. Some of the stories spanned the songs that interjected, and the songs always related somehow with the stories. Some of the stories inspired the songs, sometimes real life followed the songs, and other times the story and the song were one and the same. Stories, songs, acoustic guitar and a rich singular voice made for about as pure a folk show as you can achieve. Seems so simple, and yet it’s so hard to achieve, but Jeffrey Martin pulled it off with a natural and unfettered brilliance. It’s no wonder Honest Folk has booked him again and again.
As for the next Honest Folk show, they’ve just announced twin-brother outfit, appropriately named The Brother Brothers, who will be at The Arbor Loft on Wednesday December 11. Tickets are on sale now at early bird pricing for a limited time.
Members of the Empire State Youth Orchestra shut down the house with a robust symphony performance of four classical pieces at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday night. As the musicians took to the stage, excitement rose in the room as everyone got ready to celebrate ESYO’s 40th Anniversary Celebration. The crowded room had a diverse audience of young and old, supporting family members and fans of classical music alike. Renowned for its amazing acoustics, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall served as a perfect venue.
With as much animation as the small box on which he stood would allow, conductor Carlos Agreda drew exactly what was needed out of the 100 Capital Region middle and high school students sitting on stage.
Opening the concert was Dmitri Shostakovich’s ‘Festive Overture OP.96.’ This celebrative piece, while the shortest of the night, was the perfect set up for what was to come. ESYO Alumni Kenneth Olsen took the stage to perform the solo of the four movement ‘Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra’ by Edward Elgar. Hailing from the Albany area and a graduate of Colonie High School, Olsen feverishly tore through the piece all from memory which brought the crowd to their feet in applause.
After a brief intermission the audience returned to their seats for the final two pieces. First up was the wildly popular Overture to ‘Die Fledermaus’ by Johann Strauss Jr., bringing another witty and playful piece to the set before the musicians settled in for their most complex piece of the night. The grandeur sounds of composer Ottorino Respighi filled the venue as the students undertook the ‘Pines of Rome’ with near perfection. Through four movements, using various melodies and rhythms including a recording of a nightingale, the audience was transported to another time and place.
Agreda asked at the beginning of the concert, “Why ESYO? Why should one support the arts?” The smiling faces and teary eyes from nearly every person in the room was answer enough. ESYO provides students a chance at pursuing musical excellence and reminding us all that music speaks where words fail.
Be sure to check
out ESYO’s website for the upcoming 2019-2020
season including their annual Melodies of Christmas at Proctors Theatre in
Schenectady.
ESYO
Upcoming Concert Dates
Nov. 24 – TBA
Dec. 6 – Fransworth
Middle School – Guilderland, NY
Dec. 15 – Massry
Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
Dec. 19-22 –
Proctors Theatre – Schenectady, NY (Melodies of Christmas)
Feb. 1 – Crossgates
Mall – Albany, NY
Feb. 12 – Clayton
B. Bouton High School – Voorheesville, NY
Feb. 13 – TBA
Feb. 27 – Massry
Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
Mar. 9 – UAlbany
Performing Arts Center – Albany, NY
Mar. 29 – UAlbany
Performing Arts Center – Albany, NY
Apr. 1 – Proctor’s Theatre
– Schenectady, NY
Apr. 26 – Troy
Savings Bank Music Hall
May 1 – TBA
May 2 – Arthur
Zankel Music Center, Skidmore College – Saratoga Springs, NY
May 3 – Brown
School – Schenectady, NY
May 10 – Massry
Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
May 17 – Massry
Center for the Arts, College of Saint Rose – Albany, NY
May 31 – Saratoga
Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
June 20 – GE
Theatre at Proctors – Schenectady, NY
This November and December, guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady will take to the road to close 2019 as Hot Tuna and wrap up their 50th year with acoustic shows with electric holiday performances as well.
Town Hall in New York City will host the tour kick off with two nights of electric Hot Tuna on Nov. 29 and 30, with special guest Steve Kimock. The Jefferson Airplane alums will then team up with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams for 11 shows around the Northeast and Midwest, including stops in Troy, Poughkeepsie and Buffalo. Hot Tuna will then close out 2019 in Florida with shows on Dec. 28 in Clearwater and Dec. 31 in Ft. Lauderdale with an electric performance. Full tour dates can be found below.
Hot Tuna Fall Tour Dates
Nov. 29-30 – The Town Hall – New York, NY* Dec. 2 – Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center – Bethlehem, PA^ Dec.3 – Troy Savings Bank Music Hall – Troy, NY^ Dec.5 – Bardavon 1869 Opera House – Poughkeepsie, NY^ Dec. 6 – The Colonial Theatre – Keene, NH^ Dec. 7 – Garde Arts Center – New London, CT^ Dec. 9 – Asbury Hall – Buffalo, NY^ Dec. 10 – The Palace Theatre – Greensburg, PA^ Dec. 11 – Kent Stage – Kent, OH^ Dec. 13 – Park West – Chicago, IL^ Dec. 14 – Fitzgerald – St. Paul, MN^ Dec. 15 – Turner Hall Balroom – Milwaukee, WI^ Dec. 28 – Bilheimer Capitol Theatre – Clearwater, FL Dec. 31 – Parker Playhouse – Fort Lauderdale, FL+
* w/ Steve Kimock ^ w/ Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
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.
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
After the Crossgates Mall crowd at Jupiter Hall in Albany dissipated, the dark metal corridors echoed with the growling sounds of screams from beyond.
The Chaos Collective, an upstate live entertainment group, and event manager Joe Vonschinzel, brought the areas darkest, loudest, most theatrical death and black metal bands together for what will, unfortunately, be one of the venue’s last shows.
As you walked to the closed doors and slowly opened them, you could see blue and white light pulsating from the stage. The screams and drums, mixed with wailing deep guitars, made one feel as though they were entering another world, another dimension. The bands put it all out there for the fans, and the fans loved every thunderous moment.
The metal lineup for the night at Jupiter Hall was: Vile Tyrant, Goatmass, Scavengers, Organ Harvest, Faced518. Jupiter Hall will have their last show next weekend, June 14, with Revenge, a non-make up Kiss tribute, Frank Palangi, The Hard Luck Souls, and Wasteland Junction.
Sing Out! New Yorkcelebrates New York’s leading role in championing equal rights through innovative concerts, close encounters with today’s most adventurous artists and composers, interactive workshops, collaborative community events, film screenings, and artistic happenings throughout Troy and the New York Capital Region.
The Albany Symphony is committed to telling the stories of our time, place, and history through collaborations between composers and fellow artists, and through the creation of new music. In late May and early June 2019, we will shine a light on New York State’s leading role in social justice history through Sing Out! New York, this year’s American Music Festival and free concert tour. To frame an artistic discussion surrounding the fight for inclusion and equality in New York State, we drafted a broad team of artists, including a number of emerging composers who represent our richly diverse community and partnered them with other creative artists and community organizations from myriad disciplines. Then we invited them to tell stories, about the heroic figures, defining events and related issues of some of the most defining equal justice movements in our history. We paired remarkable new and recent works by composers who have led the fight for social justice in New York State alongside established works, and we designed immersive events that celebrate the things that bring us together as New Yorkers and as human beings.
David Alan Miller, Albany Symphony Music Director
The Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival will return to Troy with performances and happenings at EMPAC, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Troy’s Monument Square starting Thursday, May 30 through Sunday, June 9. Curated by Grammy Award-winning conductor and Albany Symphony Music Director, David Alan Miller, the festival will turn downtown Troy into a hub for new American concert music featuring 50 new or recent works by 38 composers, including 27 world premiere performances. The Festival includes works by acclaimed composer-activist David Del Tredici, and four-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer, John Corigliano, as well as performances by composer/performer Molly Joyce, the Argus Quartet and soprano Hila Plitmann. Sing Out! New York kicks off on Thursday, May 30 with First Draughts Reading Session & Beer Tasting and runs through Sunday, June 2 in Troy. The musicians, then embarks on a four-concert regional tour in Schuylerville (June 6), Schenectady (June 7), Albany (June 8), and Hudson (June 9), New York.
The American Music Festival Sing Out! New York explores the storied legacy of New York’s rich cultural history in the fight for inclusion and equality. Two milestone anniversaries frame the festival: the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
“I began researching the history of the suffragist movement last year in advance of its centennial. I discovered that many of the seminal events of the movement happened right here in New York. At the same time, I knew that June 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, that amazing moment in Greenwich Village when members of the LGBTQ community stood up and demanded true equal rights for all. By exploring these movements together, we send the message that the fight for social justice and equal rights never includes just one interest group but applies to all of us.” – David Allen Miller
The stories of the activists who led these movements, and their significance today are the basis for each festival event. On Friday, May 31, the Dogs of Desire, combining popular culture and classical ensemble, will premiere five commissions inspired by the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. The Albany Symphony will premiere a suffragist inspired piece by composer/performer Tanner Porter on Saturday, June 1 alongside Pop-Pourri with soprano Hila Plitmann, David Del Tredici’s first in his series of works based on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and John Corigliano’s Piano Concerto with pianist Phillip Edward Fisher. Albany Symphony will record both Pop-Pourri and the Piano Concerto for commercial release.
Sing Out! New York is a terrific addition to the slate of events taking place across New York State this summer to celebrate WorldPride and commemorate Stonewall 50, and the concerts will inspire travel to the Capital-Saratoga vacation region. Empire State Development and I LOVE NY are excited to support this great series of events and the always innovative work of the Albany Symphony.
Ross D. Levi, New York State Executive Director of Tourism
According to Executive Director Anna Kuwabara, “The American Music Festival is the annual blossoming of the Albany Symphony’s commitment to the music of our time, to giving voice to the stories, aesthetics, thoughts, and emotions of our society right here, right now. The Festival is a hub for new music, and it is our opportunity to celebrate and unite our community, to transform lives and be transformed through the power of music. The four free Sing Out New York! Tour events are our joy and honor to present. The program in each community includes Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, sing-alongs, and summertime favorites. The centerpiece of each is one of the newly commissioned works from the Dogs of Desire concerts earlier in the Festival. Along with great music, we look forward to bringing attention and business to each site with family activities, food trucks, fireworks, and other festivities.”
Tickets and Festival Passes to the American Music Festival Sing Out! New York in Troy May 30 – June 2, 2019 are on sale now and can be purchased through the Albany Symphony Box Office: 518-694-3300, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or online. Performances take place at EMPAC Concert Hall on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and Troy’s Monument Square
The American Music Festival Sing Out! New York Tour concerts at Hudson Crossing Park in Schuylerville, Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady, Albany’s Jennings Landing, and Basilica Hudson are free and open to the public.
2019 American Music Festival Sing Out! New York Calendar can be found at their website.
It was Funk Night at the Rustic Barn Pub. Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan, featuring Albany’s Justin Henricks, brought out the funk, as they welcomed spring in their return to the venue.
The Northampton, Massachusetts-based band features: vocalist Beau Sasser double-timing on Hammond Organ, guitarist Dan Thomas, drummer Jimmy “The Italian Stallion” Robitaille, vocalist Ali McGuirk and Justin Henricks on guitar and vocals. Together, this border-crossed band got fans to dance and enjoy an evening of funk, blues and soul, on a snow-covered spring night.
“We’re keeping Aretha Franklin in our hearts,” called out McGuirk after covering her own unique spin on Bad Company’s “Rock Steady.” McGuirk and company throughout their two sets, paid homage to the late soul singer in their beautiful renditions of “Baby I Love You,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Save Me!!” Franklin’s music, especially in the genres of funk, blues, and soul, had made an impact on Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan. Through Sasser’s tasty piano solos and McGuirk’s sassy vocals, they were able to breathe new life into these iconic songs.
Being in their lineup for six months, the group decided to stick with playing cover songs for the show. Hearing the musical tightness of each cover being performed, you wouldn’t realize that they’ve been an ensemble for such a short period of time. Their sets were tight and entertaining and each song performed was covered with its own musical twist, that was unique and captivating to their audience.
From their up-tempo disco version of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed Delivered,” to playing a Frank Zappa tune that was inspired by both “Sticky Feet” and Sasser’s “Feeling Alright” (Joe Cocker) piano rhythm and a shortened, jazzy Allman Brothers Band “Whipping Post,” it was interesting to watch and hear these iconic tunes being covered well. Their cover of James’ Brown’s “Cold Sweat,” allowed you to observe the band’s chemistry, topped with outstanding soloing among Sasser, Thomas, Henricks and Robitaille, who played the drums with assistance of a tambourine to make additional noise in the jam-based song.
McGuirk returned to the stage for their final set to sing, “Can’t Hide Love,” “Taxman” (The Beatles), “Love the One You’re With” (Crosby, Sills, and Nash), “Save Me” (Aretha Franklin) which included Thomas using his lighter as a slide to perform his solo since leaving his slide upstairs, among other 60s-70s inspired songs that were enticing! McGuirk, apart from her work in Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan, will be performing in Woodstock on April 11, although little details are known about the time and venue of where her solo gig will take place. She announced her upcoming show towards the later part of the gig after performing a great rendition of “Taxman.”
Their musicality and the talent that each member expressed through guitar riffs, piano soloing and vocals left you impressed. The audience and venue were moved by their music. They wanted to hear two encore songs that the band had never performed live. One of which was “Uncle Remus” (Frank Zappa) sung by Sesser and another featuring McGuirk on lead vocals, to close out the evening.
Spring fever sprung at the Rustic Barn Pub as Beau Sasser’s Escape Plan came into town shaking those winter blues away, and to welcome spring with some good funk, blues and soul.
This article was originally published by The Spot 518.
As Lúnasa winds up their North American spring tour, it would be remiss not to take an opportunity to sing their folk praises. The sextet had quite the reputation to live up to, even as a first time attendee, after being quoted by New York Post as the “Hottest Irish Acoustic Group on the Planet.” With special guest Natalie Merchant, we would expect nothing less.
For those of you who have not heard of Lúnasa, they are an award winning Traditional Celtic band from Ireland. Touring extensively over the course of the last 22 years, the band brings the highest level of musicianship.
With Kevin Crawford on flute/whistles, Trevor Hutchinson on bass, Cillian Vallely on Uilleann Pipes/whistles, Colin Farrell on fiddle, and Ed Boyd on guitar, this group melds together perfectly, bringing a flawless sound to their audience.
The setting for the evening was Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Living in Troy a short period of time back in the early 90’s, I don’t recall this charming neighborhood of brownstones, little pubs and shops with such grand architecture all around. It was the perfect setting for a perfect evening of music. The venue itself is a work of art, with the most amazing lighting and acoustics. You couldn’t ask for a better place to see Lúnasa.
Performing two full sets of music from their extensive library, Crawford would occasionally set up the songs with a personal story about who wrote the number, what inspired it and what the audience would be in store for. He was witty and charming, making the audience feel comfortable from the start. It was a personal insight that would invest you even more into the evening.
Later they were accompanied by the acclaimed Natalie Merchant, lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs. Her voice is sultry and smooth, with lyrics that speak to your soul. As she took the stage with the band, she spoke of joining them last year on a tour of Ireland, sharing how they came to work together. While working on a collaborative album, Merchant was looking for some of the world’s leading musicians to join her, she did not hesitate to invite them, and the rest they say is history.
Ironically, was fun to hear that the first time she ever saw Lúnasa was in this very venue, pointing to the row and seat she sat in. Unbeknownst to the band, she longed to join them on stage that evening. Fast forward a few years later and the chemistry they share on stage is a true synergy.
Slow down, stay a while and unwind with something like you have never heard before. Troy, NY natives, BURLY, have created a lush, warm and plain relaxing collection sure to help you let go of the days struggles – sinking into your chair for a spell. You won’t find anything else like it, and it just might be your odd cup of tea you never knew you needed.
The album is laced with jazz, folk and indie influences with poetic lyrics layered over the top of each track. They’re literally poems. The “Infinite Broken” lyrics are lifted directly from one of the non-performing member’s own poems. Lyrically, it’s intriguing. But what really sets this group apart is the instrument arrangement: jazz inspired percussion, airy guitar, breathy saxophone, thoughtful bass and mellowing vibraphone. This ensemble is reminiscent of pivotal jazz groups and it’s warming to see a modern revival of this set up. That being said, the group is still in their grassroots stages, so there is a lot of experimentation happening here. We find rockish songs, ones with a western feel and some that are plain melancholy.
We start out with “Branches of Blood” and to be honest, the whole song is perplexing. Highly interpretive lyrics, unique instrumentation and odd time signatures and tempos make the song intriguing, and a bit discomforting. But it’s still very good. It’s obvious that everything is done with intention and diligence. The fact that the group can evoke so many emotions within the songs is incredible. It’s a great way to kick off the album, but as stated before, things keep changing.
Another one of their best is “Happy Birthday 2001,” a song about a “half-remembered birthday party of a high school friend.” Lyrically, it’s pretty comical because we’ve all been to those awkward parties, finding the piano in the basement and “stabbing at the piano keys,” playing video games and “smoking weed out of a corn cob pipe” and “talking to cousins, trying not to seem like a kid”. Beyond that, we find a style that’s high energy and rockish, a much different feel compared to the rest of the album. Yet, it still holds a jazzy feel thanks to the vibraphone and sax. “Happy Birthday 2001” gives an otherwise cringeworthy story, a light hearted and airy feel. It’s just fun to listen to.
“Kent Lame” brings the vibe down. Way down. We’re told a story about, what we can only suspect, is drugs use and the effect it has on people. “I met crystal hazard… two days with two friends of mine confused on acid.” One can only assume. It’s accompanied by a very fitting tone – a soft bed of slow and deliberate instrumentation. This is the vein of the group and they’ve mastered it.
This is one of the most interesting albums I’ve heard in a long time. And although BURLY has done an incredible job creating such a unique atmosphere, I would hope to see more work like “Happy Birthday 2001” in the near future. And whatever you do, don’t get rid of that vibraphone.
Key Tracks: Branches of Blood, Happy Birthday 2001, Kent Lame
