Galactic and Southern Avenue pleased many fans at The Westcott Theater in Syracuse, NY. Writer Brian Cornish was there to capture the night.
The unmistakable charisma of Tierinii Jackson supplemented by the guitar and keyboard prowess of Ori Nafataly and Jeremy Powell, with background vocals and a steady beat from Tikyra Jackson, make this a great young band with a bright future.
“With Keep On, Southern Avenue reaches out to a new generation of soulsters while preserving the tradition of Stax and Memphis soul. These songs flow deep down into our hearts and bones, moving us in ways we never expected to be moved (or perhaps we refused to let ourselves be moved), the way that all great soul music continues to move us. Like many great soul songs, too, these songs urge us to see the glimmers of hope in our darkness and to embrace those around us in the arms of love.” – NO DEPRESSION
That message of hope is best exemplified in “Keep On” and the closing number, “Don’t Give Up,” from their eponymous debut album, which induced an audience sing along.
Galactic is a band that is difficult to quantify. They cover soul, funk, jazz, dub, and multiple other genres, always being influenced by what ever they hear in their hometown of New Orleans, or through their relentless world-wide touring. The band has put their money where their heart is, purchasing the legendary nightclub, Tipitina’s.
Galactic and Southern Avenue often relies on a rotating cast of vocalists, with this performance featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph & rapper Charles Stewart, AKA Chali 2na.
Unfortunately, the sound mix was a bit muddled and indistinct, which is definitely not typical of the Westcott Theater. One of the telltale signs of a good show is how many musicians and fans “in the know” show up. To that end, this show was extremely popular.
After 10 years, bassist Corey J. Feldman (Cousin Earth, Mercury Landing) will revive his original storybook rock opera The Green Emerald. Held at DROM, the show kicks off at 7:30 pm and features 13 original songs and an accompanying illustrated book. Musically, the songs range in genre from rock and funk to Latin and prog, with a heavy improvisational centerpiece consistent throughout.
First performed in 2009, this epic is making its first showcase in over a decade with a variety of players. Instead of finding a single band, Feldman decided to recruit over 20 musicians from his recent musical endeavors, each song with a different lineup. You can expect to see players from Cousin Earth, Particle, Sophistafunk, ShwizZ, Teddy Midnight, Escaper, Bushicks, Sylvana Joyce and the Moment, Big Wake, Sprocket, Jam the Radar, Uncle Ebenezer, Castle Rat, and more.
The story of The Green Emerald is inscribed with the phrase: “Created by the Universe, just wish upon this stone. You must ask the question true. Its power stands alone.” This legendary jewel can grant one wish, but only when asked the right question. Yearned for by an ancient noble, coveted by an evil king, and understood only by a wise princess, the Green Emerald alone had the power to vanquish our ancestors’ one universal flaw… their inability to see color.
Tickets are $12 adv/ $15 doors. DROM is located at 85 Ave A, Manhattan.
The city of New York is used to being serenaded. Entertainers famous and obscure alike have sung the city’s praises – delivering some of their biggest records in doing so. From Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” to Jay – Z and Alecia Keys’ 2009 fall hit “Empire State of Mind,” New York City is used to being romanticized and looked at as a potential nesting ground for out-of-towners. While clearly magnetic in its appeal, the rougher parts of the city are less likely to be spotlighted during anthem songs.
That’s the thing about hip-hop, it has always been about speaking the truth. It has a reputation for delivering an authentic inner-city experience. Harlem native Cam’ron – known for his alliteration and uniquely playful delivery – tried his hand at an ode to hip-hop’s birthplace, on the 7th track from his 2002 album, Come Home with Me.
Featuring Jay – Z, the record signified the unification of two of hip hop’s most dominant rappers: Jay – Z, the accomplished veteran and label head of Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam’ron, the captain of influential hip hop faction Dipset. The album marked Cam’ron’s first commercial release under the label and a verse from Jay – Z was the ultimate stamp of approval for his latest signee.
Jay – Z begins the record by shouting out a couple of legendary figures (Michael Jordan and Notorious B.I.G.) that have hailed from Brooklyn – his hometown. He then proceeds to paint a picture of his past endeavors in the streets of Brooklyn. While the verse might come off as braggadocios, it’s merely an explanation of why he would put himself in harm’s way by entering such a dangerous occupation. For every couple of bars about his cocaine exploits, it is followed up by the resulting glory that comes from it. Going from delivering the drugs to Baltimore, to being front and center at a Knicks game.
Based on the former’s subject matter, it was pretty safe to predict what Cam’ron’s lyrics would revolve around. He wastes no time attacking the Just Blaze produced record. “Yo, there’s a war going on outside no man is safe from.” Unlike Jay – Z, he doesn’t spend any time discussing monumental figures, nor does he glorify drug dealing. Instead, he chooses to relay the realities that come with the streets, in entertaining Cam’ron fashion of course. He even manages to take a shot at fellow Harlem native Mase, attributing his departure from hip-hop due to his uneasiness with being surrounded by so much violence. Eventually Jay – Z and Cam’ron go back and forth, describing the violent crimes that they come across in their respective neighborhoods.
Overall, the record feels like a moment in time. Just Blaze’s distinctive production (loud drums, guitars and horns) captures the aggressiveness of both emcees, and the two complement each other well. The record also served as the theme song for a popular video game, True Crime: New York City.
Welcome to New York City Lyrics:
Jay – Z
Turn the motherfucking music up [Cam’Ron] Just Blaze, man. You owe me n***a
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Welcome to the Empire State. Home of the World Trade. Birthplace of Michael Jordan. Home of Biggie Smalls. Roc-A-Fella headquarters. Ladies and gentlemen, Killa Cam, Young Hov is definitely in the building Brooklyn, Harlem World (Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City) Stand the f**k up!
I’m a B.K. brawler Marcy projects hallway loiterer Pure coke copper, get your order up I bring ‘em to Baltimore in the Ford Explorer It’s going to cost you more if I gotta get em to Florida Rucka game attender With the bent pole on the sidewalk with the tin plates on the fender I ain’t hard to find you catch me front and center At the Knick game, big chain and all my splendor Next to spike and the pen left to write I own Madison Square, catch me at the fight But damn once again if you pan left at the ice If you the man that write cheques with the hand that don’t write I go off the head when I’m rambling on the mic And I go off the feds when I’m scrambling at night And if its off the set I brought hammers to the fight But we from New York City, right Cam? [Cam: Ya damn right]
It’s the home of 9-11, the place of the lost towers We still banging, we never lost power, tell em Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City Why Y’all f***n with BK’s banger and Harlem’s own gangster Now that’s danger there’s nothing left to shape up Welcome to New York City, welcome to New York City
Cam’ron
Yo, there’s a war going on outside no man is safe from It don’t matter if you three feet or eight-one You’ll get ate from me, nine and straight blown Wig split, melon cracked, all that on day one Carry eight guns, two in the trunk Two in the waist, two in the ankle, two to just spank you You can jam with them jammers, blam with them blammers It’s hot here, ask Mase he ran to Atlanta You think we know what life do, make want to mold the cycle Drinkers they so delightful, blinging with so much ice In front of sparks, body cops Dilano Block away watch by Gotti and Girvano It’s la costra nostra, someone close approach ya They’ll toast ya gopher, bread loaf with shofer Old coke they raise up and snort, blayze up ya fort Jay puff shine, cases was caught Midnight pick fights, they love a victim Watch him fore he watch you, Killa
I’m from 101, west to Hunt 40th, this shit is live Fifth-floor, 56, you know the zip, district five You’re on 22nd, you from two-one That’s on Lennox, 7th ave was news one [Jay-Z] Coverage I synethestry Got rise from defending me Cause New York’ll miss me if I’m locked in the penitentiary The judge said “Is this that thug, from the kit kat club?” But I got enough chips stacked up to make a bitch to back up [Cam’Ron] Killa, I pinch that bud, I grip that snub to hit that thug Lay up in a pitch black tug, You lookin’ at rich black thugs to get that love And we won’t stop ‘til I get back blood Holla at em Hov [Jay-Z] I’m from Flushing, Marcy, Notia, Myrtle and Park N***as’ll drive by in the day, murder you in the dark That’s why the Johnny gun I’m holding Wet n***as up like the johnny-pump is open Homie, I play hard
I’m from 101, west to Hunt 40th, this shit is live Fifth-floor, 56, you know the zip, district five You’re on 22nd, you from two-one That’s on Lennox, 7th ave was news one [Jay-Z] Coverage I synethestry Got rise from defending me Cause New York’ll miss me if I’m locked in the penitentiary The judge said “Is this that thug, from the kit kat club?” But I got enough chips stacked up to make a bitch to back up [Cam’Ron] Killa, I pinch that bud, I grip that snub to hit that thug Lay up in a pitch black tug, You lookin at rich black thugs to get that love And we won’t stop ‘til I get back blood Holla at em Hov [Jay-Z] I’m from Flushing, Marcy, Notia, Myrtle and Park N***gas’ll drive by in the day, murder you in the dark That’s why the Johnny gun I’m holding Wet n***as up like the johnny-pump is open Homie, I play hard
Y’all n***s man, why Y’all can’t f**k around man It’s the ROC b***h, Killa, my n***a Jigga, Sigel, Beans Diplomats man, holla, Dash Get the f*** off our dicks I own this s**t right now man, I ain’t going nowhere
On a January Wednesday, Fred Norris played a sold out show with his band at Arlene’s Grocery in the lower east side of Manhattan. Fred is best known for his role on The Howard Stern Show where he has been a writer, producer and sound effects genius for over 30 years. The new line up of his band includes Fred on lead vocals and guitar, Steve Goulding on drums, Graham Parker on guitar and Mekons on bass. Opening for The Fred Norris Band was Steve Addabbo and Megan Reilly.
Fred and his band sounded great and they didn’t even get to do a proper sound check before their set. They played for over an hour and performed 12 original bluesy rock songs including “Get In Line,” “Sense of Pretending” and “Lost in the Ether.” Fred then welcomed singer/songwriter Erica Smith to join the band for the melodious “How Long.” What was also very much enjoyable was Fred talking about each song and what inspired him to write them. Some of the songs were about his daughter Tess, while others were about current social issues such as greed, corruption and the threat of war. You can see the full setlist below.
Arlene’s Grocery used to be a bodega/grocery store which was turned into a bar in 1995. It is mostly a venue for local punk and hard rock bands. Other notable performances include Arcadia Fire, Jeff Buckley and Lady Gaga.
Setlist: Get in Line, Uptown One, Cool Surface, Sense of Pretending, How Long, Lost in the Ether, The End, There Goes The Show, The War Within, Paradise
The Band’s Levon Helm would celebrate his 80th birthday on May 26, and the late drummer will be remembered with four performances by the Midnight Ramble Band during May. With three shows on May 8, 9 and 15 taking place at the drummer’s Woodstock studio, a final performance on May 30 will take place at Mountain Jam Festival in Bethel.
Helm, who passed away in 2012 due to cancer at age 71, will be celebrated by an all-star cast, including Jackie Greene on May 8, Nicki Bluhm on May 9 and Daniel Norgren on May 15.
The former Sherman’s Amusement Park in Caroga Lake, NY will be donated to the non-profit Caroga Arts Council, with intentions to develop the site into a music venue.
Located 10 miles northwest of Gloversville, the Fulton County attraction opened in 1921 and closed in 1980, due in part to attractions such as The Great Escape and Storytown opening in Lake George, off the well-traveled Northway.
Kyle Price, founder of the Caroga Arts Collective had kept the region alive by bringing talented musicians to the area for a five-week festival in the summer. Where the bumper car ride used to be is now the main stage for Caroga Arts Music Festival, offering a series of free performances and community outreach programs. Thousands attend the events with the festival dedicated to increasing accessibility to chamber music, cultivating creative and interactive experiences and showcasing some of the world’s top professional artists from the U.S. and abroad.
George Abdella, who donated the land to the town of Caroga Lake in 2014, was always hoping for preservation of the grounds. But since the town didn’t make the effort to hold up the preservation of the venue, Abdella brought the town to court, reclaimed ownership, all so he could donate the land to Caroga Arts. “I’m hoping that someday people will come here to hear these musicians; they’re going to have all kinds of music,” he said.
Caroga Arts wants to transform Sherman’s Amusement Park into a world class arts venue while keeping the historical landmark intact.
As the best kept secret in Upstate NY, artists performing at Caroga Lake Arts Music Festival come from across the world, including those from premiere music conservatories including the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Yale School of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, and Eastman School of Music, among many others.
When musicians collaborate, you can expect a few things – a merging of styles, unique covers, and the strengths of each to shine even brighter. With Hayley Jane joining up with Annie in the Water to kick off a 10 show Hayley in the Water February tour, there is a stellar degree of mutualism already on display throughout their first three shows in Saranac Lake, Schenectady and Utica over February 5-8.
An acoustic set from Hayley Jane, with Annie in the Water joining for a few songs, kicked off each night, setting the tone for a thorough night of music and a taste of what these artists are capable individually, as well as when they join together. The second set, a full performance of Fleetwood Mac’s seminal 1977 album Rumours, was simply magical. Not only is the album chock full of classic rock gems, to the point where you are taken back by how many great songs are on one album, but Hayley Jane’s vocals and the well rehearsed sound of Annie in the Water truly brought the album to life. Hit after hit, including the underrated opening track “Second Hand News,” found all musicians in lockstep with each other, adding genuine, organic energy to classics including “Dreams,” “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way,” “The Chain” and “I Don’t Want to Know.” Hayley Jane shone bright on “Gold Dust Woman” and “Songbird,” channeling Stevie Nicks in a way few can. Listen to their performance of “Dreams” from Saranac Lake’s Waterhole.
Annie in the Water continued the night with a set of originals, including the fan favorite “Hey I’m on my Way,” plus “Sativa,” “In the Sand” and “Crispy” (with a dose of 4 Non Blondes “What’s Going On?”), the latter of which brought Hayley Jane back to the stage. Add in Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade” and Talking Heads “Burnin’ Down the House” (after a fire alarm went off briefly in Utica) and you’ve got an impressive range from a band that not only has the audience enjoying ever minute of it, but the band is clearly having a blast too.
This is a phenomenal series of shows and one with great potential, surely a ‘catch it while you can’ tour. Don’t sleep on Hayley Jane and Annie in the Water performing Rumours – two incredible forces in the Northeast music scene rarely join together to create a memorable performance such as this.
Feb. 12 – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY
Feb. 13 – Flour City Station – Rochester, NY
Feb. 15 – Stowe Cider – Stowe, VT
Feb. 19 – Stone Church – Brattleboro, VT
Feb. 20 – Arch Street Tavern – Hartford, CT
Feb. 21 – Electric Haze – Worcester, MA
Feb. 22 – Higher Ground – Burlington, VT
Annie in the Water Setlists:
Feb. 7 – Frog Alley Brewing – Schenectady, NY
Hey I’m on My Way, Pleasure in Sin, In the Sand/Freestyle, Crispy (w/Hayley Jane), Sativa (w/Hayley Jane), Time to Play—>Bulls on Parade
Feb. 8 – Jewish Community Center – Utica, NY
Change My Mind, Carry the Music, Burning Down the House, River, Crispy (w/Hayley Jane), Fire on the Mountain (w/Bill Foose), Sativa
Chris Meier, Hayley Jane and Bradley Hester
Hayley Jane, Bradley Hester & Michael Lashomb
Ryan Trumbull & Brock Kuca of Annie in the Water
Trampoline Jetstream
Anthony “Zee” Donaldson of The Disruption NetworkR
On July 11, the Central New York Irish Festival will hold its inaugural event at MKJ Farm in Deansboro, New York. This rural setting will provide the setting to continue a favorite family tradition of music, camping, and fun celebrating the Mohawk Valley region’s rich Irish heritage.
The one-day, family-friendly celebration will include a kids’ zone with activities for all family members. It also will feature crowd favorite, Buffalo Heavies, as they demonstrate their athleticism in the Traditional Highland games. For those interested in tracing ancestry, an experienced Irish genealogist will be on hand to help. Local Irish dancers will entertain with a jig or two, while local food and beverage vendors will offer a variety of options.
Continuing a tradition in the Mohawk Valley, this summertime festival will offer an additional opportunity to showcase great Irish talent and musicians and fun for all.
Advanced sale tickets for the Central New York Irish Festival, and camping spots, can be purchased at cnyirishfest.com.
Hailing from Westchester is a four-piece indie rock group called Back From Nothing. And they are bursting onto the scene with their brand new album Someone Say Something.
The first track, “Rabbit Hole,” kicks off the album with an anticipating guitar and drum build that blossoms into a nostalgic punk-rock sound. Looking to accommodate the rock-driven sound are the raw vocals that tie the whole package together. As the track progresses, it opens up into an electrifying guitar solo that brings the energy to an all time high, ultimately leading to you shredding on your air guitar. The end of “Rabbit Hole” smoothly blends into the beginning of the next track to keep the party going with “Zombie Man,” a lighter song but one that still matches the energy of Someone Say Something.
Digging deeper into the album, you’ll find “New Logic” that is dominated by the drums and is the ultimate head-bobber on this album. This track was written, recorded, and mixed in the band’s home studio. They later went on to make a music video for the track that really showcases how fun and interactive their shows are. It’s a total “in your face” track that takes influence from indie rock bands ranging back to the ’90s.
Someone Say Something is the band’s album that refines their sound as a whole, and pioneers a new sound that combines punk and indie together in an even mix. If you ever went to Vans Warped Tour, this band is the one that would be jumping around on stage and playing a captivating show. Back From Nothing has proven themselves to be a great fit for performances ranging from festivals to packed house shows, and they are thrilled to show the world their new music.
Follow Back From Nothing on their social media pages for new music and updates!
Key Tracks: Rabbit Hole, New Logic, Zombie Man, Good Thing Going
Arizona’s improvisational jam rock quartet Spafford kicked off a three night run on Friday night at the Brooklyn Bowl. They delivered high energy tunes to the sold out crowd immediately upon taking the stage- and never looked back. The band also brought a high tech light rig that elevated visuals throughout the show. They were supported by, and are currently on tour with, Connecticut’s Eggy.
Known for blending rock, funk, jazz, reggae, ska and electro-pop, Spafford’s members include Brian Moss (guitar), Jordan Fairless (bass), Andrew Johnson (keyboards), and Nick Tkachyk (drums).
Eggy’s line up consists of Michael Goodman (bass), Jake Brownstein (guitar), Dani Battat (keyboards) and Alex Bailey (drums).
Brian Moss
Eggy kicked off the festivities to sizable crowd, as their Connecticut fan base was out in full force. They installed an “Eggy” sign on Battat’s keyboard stand, and dove into their flawless set of jam rock that often reminded this reviewer of Moe. Towards the end, they paid homage to Blind Melon by covering “No Rain,” which was a hit with the crowd. Andrew Johnson from Spafford the keyboard space with Battat for this cover, and the synergy was quite notable. Eggy’s impressive execution felt more like a main course, despite being tonight’s appetizer.
Johnson sits in with Eggy for Blind Melon’s “No Rain”
Spafford quickly made haste by taking the stage and unleashing a monster “Shakedown Street” cover by the band who started the jam rock genre, The Grateful Dead. Their exquisite light rig heightened the already powerful house lights at the Brooklyn Bowl, much to the delight of NYC Metro region crowd. They were so massive, in fact, that they took up a sizable chunk of the stage’s real estate.
The second set included more of Spafford’s signature improvisational rock, funk and electro fusion. Moss’s guitar work was on another level tonight, and was often seen exchanging smiles and jubilant glances with Fairless, Johnson, and Tkachyk. They also dispatched another notable cover of “Peaches”, by 90’s alt-rock band, The Presidents of the United States. The show wrapped up with the high energy “The Reprise” as an encore, sending the crowd home thirsty for more.
Spafford wrapped up their soon to be legendary three night run Sunday night at the Brooklyn Bowl with a special Acoustic only performance. Visit their tour page for details on future performance dates.
Set One: Shakedown Street, Mind’s Unchained, Hollywood > The Remedy, Plans
Set Two: America, Doghouse > Part II > Musette, My Road (My Road), Peaches, Galisteo Way
