NYS Music 202​0

Category: Video

  • Sunday Jazz: The EarRegulars “Sessions at The Ear Inn”

    Manhattan’s historic The Ear Inn has played a pivotal role in the music scene and beyond. In fact it is the oldest bar in New York City that has continuously served alcohol since 1817.

    The Ear Inn has a very unique history after being open for two centuries. It dates back to a time where there was African aide to George Washington and The Ear served as residence for John Adams and Aaron Burr, among others. The Ear Inn was nicknamed by patrons as an untitled bar (“The Green Door”) for obvious reasons. As a result, the bar is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Buildings.

    ear inn

    Recently unearthed recordings courtest of Jazz Lives feature performances from a bevy of jazz musicians in NYC. Every Sunday night at The Ear Inn was typical – those who knew, knew what to expect – but “typical” was also remarkable. 

    Ear Inn
    The Ear Inn c. 1940 – photo by kathy barbieri

    We start back in October 2008, with a video featuring Howard Alden, alongside Jon-Erik Kellso, Danny Tobias, Harvey Tibbs, Evan Christopher, Dan Block, Sebastien Giradot, and Chuck Redd.

    “Moonglow,” featuring Tamar Korn (vocals), Dan Block (clarinet), and Harvey Tibbs (trombone).

    On June 7, 2009, the EarRegulars included Jon-Erik Kellso and Duke Heitger (trumpet), Matt Munisteri (guitar) and Neal Miner (string bass).

    June 7, 2009 features Duke Heitger (trumpet), Harvey Tibbs (trombone), Dan Block (clarinet), Matt Munisteri (guitar) and Neal Miner (string bass), who summon Louis Armonstrong with “Some of These Days.”

    Two weeks later, on June 21, 2009, featured Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet) Harvey Tibbs (trombone), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Danny Tobias (cornet) and Jon Burr (string bass).

    On September 6, 2009, enjoy the sounds of Danny Tobias (cornet), Michael Hashim (alto saxophone), James Chirillo (guitar), and Frank Tate (string bass).

    The lineup of EarRegulars on November 8, 2009, featured Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Harry Allen (tenor saxophone), and Neal Miner (string bass).

    From the EarRegulars’ session on November 22, 2009, the groups includes Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Scott Robinson (reeds), Matt Munisteri (guitar), and Pat O’Leary (string bass).

    From December 6, 2009, enjoy the sounds of Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Harvey Tibbs (trombone), Matt Munisteri (guitar), and Nicki Parrott (string bass) performing “Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives to Me” and “Blues in My Heart.”

    From January 30, 2010, the EarRegulars were Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Dan Block (reeds), Matt Munisteri (guitar), and Pat O’Leary (string bass, cello).  Here’s Billie Holiday’s “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues.”

    From March 14, 2010, an Ear Inn session featuring Pete Martinez (clarinet), Harvey Tibbs (trombone), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Neal Miner (string bass), performing “I Cover the Waterfront,” appropriate given the rainy night and The Ear Inn’s location near the Hudson River, plus “Deed I Do” by Ruth Etting and “Jazz me Blues” by Tom Delaney.

    From March 21, 2010, the EarRegulars are Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Scott Robinson (bass sax), Pete Martinez (clarinet) and guest Julian Lage (guitar).

    On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, the lineup included Matt Munisteri (guitar), Pete Martinez (clarinet), Charlie Caranicas (trumpet), Pat O’Leary (string bass), and Andy Farber (tenor saxophone), who joins in for the closing number. 

    Later in April 2010, we are joined at The Ear Inn by Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Harvey Tibbs (trombone) and Jon Burr (string bass).

    Later on, a version of “Crazy Rhythm” by Roger Wolfe Kahn & his Orchestra (1928) featuring Matt Munisteri (guitar), Harry Allen (tenor saxophone), (John Allred (trombone) and Pat O’Leary (string bass).

    From April 18, 2010, enjoy Benny Goodman’s “Avalon” featuring Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Matt Munisteri (electric guitar), Julian Lage (acoustic guitar), Harvey Tibbs (trombone) and Jon Burr (bass).

    Cornetist Marc Caparone joins the band for Ruby Braff’s “One Hour.”

    And finally, Caparone leads the EarRegulars on “Whispering” with Harvey Tibbs, Dan Block (clarinet), Matt Munisteri, Jon Burr, and Julian Lage.

    From April 25, 2010, the EarRegulars were Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Harry Allen (tenor saxophone), Matt Munisteri (guitar) and Neal Miner (string bass). The opening song from a splendid session was a Chicago jazz classic with roots in Oliver and Bix, performed as a Basie stroll.

    You’ll also find Ben Webster’s line on “In a Mellotone,” “Did you call her Today?,” “I Got Rhythm” and “The Jeep is Jumpin’”

    From May 2, 2010, watch Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Andy Farber (tenor saxophone), Matt Munisteri (guitar), and Danton Boller (string bass) played “The Man I Love” (sans Kellso), “Somebody Stole My Gal,” and “Beer Street Blues.”

    From May 9, 2010, aka “Mother’s Night,” where the core quartet is Matt Munisteri (guitar), Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Pat O’Leary (string bass) and Jim Masters (trombone), enjoy “I Found a New Baby,” “It’s the Talk of the Town,” “Please Don’t Talk About me when I’m Gone,” and a closing “Lazy River.”

    Going back to May 16, 2010, the EarRegulars were Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Pete Martinez (clarinet), Matt Munisteri (guitar), and Greg Cohen (string bass). Watch them perform “I Believe in Miracles,” I’m a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas: Willie the Weeper,” “Mahogany Hall Stomp” and “I’m Confessin’”

    Skip ahead on week to May 23, 2010, and the weekly session included Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet), Matt Munisteri (guitar), Neal Miner (bass), Scott Robinson (tenor sax and cornet), and guest Julian Lage (guitar). This collection of musician perform “Oh Sister, Ain’t That Hot?,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” “Wabash Blues,” and “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue.”

    From May 30, 2010, here are a few combos featuring Danny Tobias (cornet), Chuck Wilson (alto sax), James Chirillo (guitar), Murray Wall (bass) Dan Block (clarinet), Pat O’Leary (cello/bass), and Tony Steele (bass). Various incarnations of these gentlemen feature “Beale Street Blues,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” and “China Boy.”

  • Zappa Documentary is Coming to Magnolia Pictures

    Zappa, the new documentary on the life of Frank Zappa is coming to Magnolia Pictures. The film will be available to the public for Thanksgiving weekend on November 27, 2020 in select theaters, as long as theater viewings are available by then, and on demand.

    Zappa will be an intimate and expansive look into the life of the iconic — and iconoclastic — musician and artist Frank Zappa.  The documentary was made with access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage. The film will explore the private life behind Zappa’s career including his knack for being involved in political turbulence at the time. The documentary is directed by Alex Winter known best for playing Bill S. Preston in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. 

    Magnolia Pictures’ President Eamonn Bowles spoke on the film saying, “Alex Winter has created an amazing documentary. Zappa is an incredibly nuanced and compelling look at the visionary iconoclast and the environment that formed him.”

    The documentary will feature appearances from Frank Zappa’s widow Gail Zappa and several of his musical collaborators.  People on the docket include Mike Keneally, Ian Underwood, Steve Vai, Pamela Des Barres, Bunk Gardner, David Harrington, Scott Thunes, Ruth Underwood, Ray White and others.

    Alex Winter spoke on the documentary saying, “This is the most ambitious project I’ve ever worked on, with a couple years of archival preservation in addition to several years to make the film itself. This isn’t your typical music doc but rather a multi-faceted narrative that aims to bring this complex artist to life. Magnolia, with its long and distinguished history of platforming great cinema, is the perfect home for Zappa.”

    For more information on the documentary visit Alex Winter’s website.

  • Frank Palangi has “Gone Mad” in his latest video

    Frank Palangi, the homegrown Queensbury, NY indie rock singer, guitarist and musician who has shown he can do anything and everything he sets his mind to, has released his latest video for “Gone Mad.”

    Filmed at Sweet Basil’s, as well as his home studio, Palangi coordinated for the video in recent months with Director Cameron Gallagher and Producer Frank Palangi.

    The video is composed as an otherworldly talent competition at a mysterious location, which leaves Palangi walking into a rigged scenario and leaving him with no control. “Gone Mad” serves as the third chapter of of recent videos, including “Break These Chains” and “Set Me Free.”

    Frank’s music is an evolution of the rock and metal sounds of the 80’s and 90’s with a dose of post-grunge mixed in. Despite the title, “Gone Mad” offers a refreshing and positive outlook that serves up a feeding frenzy of heavy guitar work and deep, gritty vocals.

  • Utica’s Big Blue North hosts moe. for weekend live streams

    Well, moe. was supposed to perform at Vernon Downs this past weekend, but the powers that be pulled the plug just two days prior to the shows. Making lemonade out of lemons, moe. instead streamed both nights of shows from Big Blue North Recording Studio in Utica, where they had been rehearsing for the shows. The band sent the following video message to fans prior to the show.

    Over the two nights, fans were treated to a tracks off the new album, This is Not, We Are, a few classic moe. jam vehicles and a couple of choice covers that left the fans buzzing on the couch and online.

    Highlights from the two shows included a “St. Stephen” jam in the new song “Crushing,” “Timmy Tucker” and “Brent Black” both providing ample room for improvisation, and a cover of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side,” sandwiched in between “Bear Song” to end the first set of the weekend.

    On August 1, the band paid tribute to Jerry Garcia on his birthday with a “West L.A. Fadeaway” that was anything but your typical cover of a Dead tune. Rob starts this out with heavy funk in his bass as Al’s gutiar takes a spacey journey to the lyrics. Full of just the right amount of notes, the band put a most unique twist on the song, one you’ll want to check out below.

    With a rousing “New York City” to end the two nights, moe. tipped their hat to the Big Apple with their ode to the heart of the Empire State and epicenter of COVID-19 pandemic in America.

    If you missed the shows, order here from Tour Gigs.

    Setlist – July 31, 2020

    Set 1: Johnny Lineup, Akimbo, Along for the Ride,
    Tubing The River Styx > The Pit > Dangerous Game > Bearsong > Walk On The Wild Side > Bearsong

    Set 2: Brent Black > Mar-Dema > Who You Calling Scared, Four, ATL, Can’t Seem To Find, Billy Goat > Brent Black

    Encore: Plane Crash, Jazz Cigarette

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uKkKXyMpKA

    Setlist – August 1, 2020

    Set 1: Buster, Downward Facing Dog > Deep This Time, Undertone > Letter Home, Tailspin, Skitchin’ Buffalo > Skitchin Buffalo Reprise > Wind it up

    Set 2: George, Blue Jeans Pizza > Crushing > LL3 > Bullet, Don’t Wanna Be > Timmy Tucker

    Encore: West L.A. Fadeaway, New York City

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZwlrwxqfT8

  • Joe Bonamassa Releases Revamped Classic “Colour and Shape”

    With a dramatic entry into the world of blues opening for B.B. King in Rochester at the age of 12, Joe Bonamassa has carved out a place in blues history for himself which spans a decades-long career that has produced 15 solo albums, 11 of which reached #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts.

    Twenty years ago the first of those albums A New Day Yesterday was released and the fan-favorite track “Colour and Shape” was introduced to the world. Now with a more evolved style listeners can experience Joe Bonamassa’s artistry all over again with the 2020 release of “Colour and Shape”.

    Coming August 7 via J&R Adventures, Bonamassa will be releasing a revamped version of his debut album A New Day Yesterday with both new vocals and mixing remastered by long-time producer Kevin Shirley. Listeners can pre-order the album now.

    This revamped album will include not only six of Bonamassa’s original tracks but also six cover songs from historically renowned blues and rock artists. The cherry on top is that three never before heard bonus songs will be added, produced by Stevie Van Zandt for Bonamassa.

    To get live updates of Bonamassa’s new exploits be sure to visit his website, Youtube channel, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as checking out Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation, a charity established to support musicians and the musical arts.

  • Karolina Rose Releases Music Video for Power Anthem “Runaway Angels”

    NYC-based alt-pop artist Karolina Rose has released the music video to her new single “Runaway Angels,” a deeply personal place of experience from the nomadic artist, split between NYC, Los Angeles, and Europe.   

    Karolina Rose

    Rose’s previous singles include the glittery upbeat rhythms of “Greytopia” and the dusky grooves in “Objection.” “Runaway Angels” is the latest installment of Karolina’s versatile brand of ‘noir rose pop’ and step three in her visual EP project.

    Speaking about “Runaway Angles,” Karolina explains: 

    Runaway Angels is more ballet-inspired with a graceful, haunting feeling. It balances between this place of healing and a place of hell—running from a dark, painful abyss of memories that mostly only come up while you’re dreaming. I started releasing the EP last year and these last two songs were quite personal to me. I took some months off on a sort of spiritual journey to look within and do some healing; Runaway Angels helped me process a part of my life that was really difficult for me. It’s euphoric to exercise this part of me out and share it. The chorus was written in my apartment and the rest of it was finished on a vacation during the thick of the #metoo movement. I wrote parts in the middle of the night and tweaked it on the beach with a mini Taylor I had with me and my laptop.      

    Karolina Rose’s compelling track inspires listeners in an empowering way while on their own journeys of finding love and healing.

    https://soundcloud.com/karolinarose/

  • Hallie Spoor Releases Inspirational New Music Video for “City Angels”

    Brooklyn based folk/rock singer-songwriter, Hallie Spoor releases her newest music video which inspires joy, youthfulness and unity despite the global shutdown.

    Cover art for Spoor’s newest album, “New Ground.”

    Spoor’s song “City Angels,” promotes a feel good attitude, during a time that many of us are struggling emotionally because of the pandemic.

    “The idea I had was that during this time of isolation and separation, I thought we could use more joy,” Spoor said.

    Growing up in Denver, the young musician is now based out of Brooklyn. She has played at several famous music venues like, Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook and Rockwood Music Hall.

    Spoor completed her first national tour last fall through playing small performances in unique locations with the well known music events start-up, Sofar Sounds.

    Spoor’s website describes her as an “old soul,” who possesses similar sounds to Joni Mitchell. That part of her personality comes out in the music video where she created a collage of pictures and video clips sent to her by friends and family. The collage promotes memories and a cheerful outlook on life in the city.

    According to her Youtube page, Spoor wrote “City Angels,” after experiencing a lonely day in NYC. Her mood changed after running into a few, “New York characters.”

    “All these very human moments made me feel like I might belong after all. So, this video is dedicated to them- the city angels that make us feel like we’re home in this exciting, scary, beautiful place called New York,” Spoor wrote.

    Hallie Spoor asked her friends and family to send her nostalgic pictures and video clips.

  • Weird Al doesn’t throw away his shot with “Hamilton Polka”

    Just one day after the musical’s release on Disney+, Weird Al Yankovic uploaded a comedic mashup video to go along with his 2018 “Hamilton Polka.”

    weird al hamilton

    Parody artist Weird Al is famous for his mashup polkas of famous songs. His first polka, “Polkas on 45,” was released in 1984. Weird Al has continued to make polkas throughout the decades using each generation’s music. His most recent is “NOW That’s What I Call Polka!,” which was released in 2014 and features songs by Miley Cyrus, One Direction, Daft Punk, and more.

    The single was released in 2018 as a part of the Hamildrop series, where different artists made remixes of Hamilton content throughout the year. Miranda has been a fan of Yankovic since he was a kid, and hearing the song was a dream come true for him. He and Weird Al have been good friends for some time, and Yankovic describes Hamilton as “maybe the greatest piece of art [he’s] ever seen,” so he pulled out all the stops to make sure that the “Hamilton Polka” was perfect. 

    The “Hamilton Polka” is Weird Al’s third polka to use songs by only one artist. “The Hot Rocks Polka” features songs only by The Rolling Stones, and his “Bohemian Polka” mashes up Queen’s famous “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The “Hamilton Polka”  still made history as being the first time Yankovic used multiple songs by one artist but from just one album. 

    He features some of the most popular songs from the show, including: “Alexander Hamilton,” “Wait For It,” “The Schulyer Sisters,” “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down),” “You’ll Be Back,” “The Room Where It Happens,” “Right Hand Man,” “Guns and Ships,” “Washington On Your Side,” “Non Stop,” “History Has its Eyes On You,” and “My Shot.”

    Even with the songs’ uniformity, Weird Al manages to stay true to his style and add silliness to the single. The comically edited lip syncs of the video feature the 2016 cast of Hamilton performing Weird Al’s vocals. The actors’ dancing and blocking for each song is shown, finishing with the cast’s final bow.

  • Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music presents “Two Kinds of Law”

    It’s a tale as old as time: the rich, famous, and privileged get a slap on the wrist for offenses that would ruin anyone else’s life. Previously observed by Truman Capote and Martin Luther King Jr. in the mid 1960s, the assertion that there are “two kinds of laws” still holds true today. NYC rocker Mickey Leigh employs the phrase again in Mutated Music’s new single, just as current affairs reiterate the divide. Nationwide protests have highlighted the police’s double standard in dealing with Black and white Americans, and President Trump has commuted his friend and former campaign advisor Roger Stone’s prison sentence.

    Mickey Leigh

    About “Two Kinds of Law,” Mickey Leigh told SPIN,

    “Music is magical in so many ways. Rock and roll is one form of it that, magically, can be purely fun, but, at the same time can be a way to spread a message. And, aside from having a lot of fun with it, me and my fellow Mutated musicians think both are equally important – as long as it’s an important message […] The importance of “equality” and “justice for all” has come to the forefront of our lives like never before. and, it’s a message that needs to be repeated…repeatedly. There aren’t many ways to repeat a message repeatedly without boring people to tears, aside from immersing it in a catchy chorus and irresistible rhythm.”

    Mickey Leigh

    This immersion is definitely successful. While its lyrics and melody are simple, “Two Kinds of Law” still packs a punch as a socially conscious earworm. The video opens with Leigh playing guitar on his couch, but quickly shifts to footage of a police shooting. The spreading of such videos can potentially be reckless and traumatic, but here it’s blurry, brief, and non-graphic. Next, Leigh sings “Hush now children, don’t you cry; daddy won’t be home and I’m telling you why” as a Black mother mouths the line to her children. The video concludes with a cameo from a certain disgraced athlete from the 90s, perhaps the quintessential example of the two kinds of law.

    Mickey Leigh is partially known as the brother of Joey Ramone, but he’s had his own prolific career as well. He’s been a longtime fixture to the NYC music scene, and was previously in the bands Birdland and The Rattlers. He also published a book in 2009 called I Slept with Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir.

  • Burning Bicycles Release Debut Single “Moonlight”

    One of the newest bands to come out of New York City‘s Indie underground, Burning Bicycles makes their debut with the single “Moonlight.” Originally released April 13, this track serves both as an acknowledgment of NYC’s crisis with COVID-19 and a call for hope amid the chaos.

    In this track you can hear the Burning Bicycles leaning into their psychedelic rock roots, crafting a dreamy track that pairs a mellow glimmering guitar with a laid back beat. Burning Bicycles states that “Moonlight’ encourages our fans to be aware of the world around them, but not to give up on their dreams and ambitions: regardless of the conditions we face.”

    I couldn’t agree more with their assessment and the chorus perfectly exemplifies their intent, further adding to the inspiring and uplifting tone of the track.

    “Don’t break away, Look around at the world that you stay, Living in and, Don’t let them take, All your dreams it’s the reason why you live”

    Be sure to check out Burning Bicycles newest single, “War” and find them on their Facebook for updates on their coming releases.