“The world is counting on us now, we have to find a way.” Powerful lines are imbued in the new song, “We’ll Come Together,” by Queens based singer and native New Yorker Craig Greenberg.
“I wrote this song the day after the 2020 election, from having a strong positive feeling that I hadn’t had in a very long while about the country,” Greenberg expresses when asked about the message of the song.” Coming off a year of isolation, lockdowns and protests, it’s safe to say that we need a catchy song that promotes unity.
Although the message of the song is, “Getting past our the differences of the previous few years,” Greenberg originally saw this piece as a, “Sardonic type of song in the vain of Randy Newman,” but after really hitting on the positivity message, Greenberg decided to keep it as an uplifting song, going on to say, “And really I just thought, coming out of the pandemic, people could just use an upbeat song.
When asked about any specific lines or images that were meant to be conveyed, Greenberg responded with, We’ll love our country the red white and blue. All the other colors, yeah we’ll stand for them too” really sums up the feeling of the song for me.”
Greenberg has also released a video for the song, which has received a great response from the public, shown above.
Greenberg has self-released 4 albums in the past 10 years, the most recent a 12 track album titled “Phantom Life,” which was released in Dec 2020. He has performed upwards of 1000 shows, since his start playing in bars while living in Chile, and later Spain.
His songs have received praise in American Songwriter, the Huffington Post, Relix Magazine, and have been played on radio stations all around the country and internationally.
Greenberg was born in Bayside, Queens and grew up on the south shore of Long island. His mom was from Manhattan and Westchester, and Dad from Brooklyn. When he was 25, He left NYC to teach English abroad in Chile. He was only supposed to be there for six months, but was offered his first gig playing covers in bars. Preforming six nights a week for another year, Greenberg learned to sing and preform.
“I was fortunate to have a few good music teachers at my public school in LI, and as well a private guitar teacher, who really opened my eyes and ears. I also had several friends who were more advanced players who I would have show me stuff as well.”
“I’ve been making music as long as I can remember. I knew from a young age that I wanted to affect people and improve their lives, and when I started writing music that just seemed like the ideal way to do that.”
For upcoming events, new music and updates visit craiggreenbergmusic.com
The 2021 New York State Blues Fest, a free concert at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse over Thursday June 24 till Saturday June 26 in Chevy Court. Downtown Syracuse’s Clinton Square hosted Dumpstaphunk at the last Blues Fest held in June 2019.
Artists included Larkin Poe, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Carolyn Wonderland, Vanessa Collier, Ghost Town Blues Band, Ray Fuller & The Bluesrockers The Gabe Stillman Band, The Ripcords, Miller & The Other Sinners, Diana Jacobs Blues Band Jane Zell & The Zelltones Colin Aberdeen & Max Eyle Hot Dogs & Gin Chris Merkley, Mark Nanni and Ryan Holweger.
County Executive Ryan McMahon helped kick things off on Thursday for one of the Northeast’s largest free festivals. Southern Pennsylvania power trio Gabe Stillman Band and Robert Randolph and the Family Band opened the first sounds at Chevy Court in over a year, with Stillman Band performing a great cover of Bill Withers “Friend of Mine.”
Robert Randolph and The Family Band helped bring the State Fair experience to all in attendance. The family band has Lenesha Randolph on vocals, Ray Ray Holloman on guitar Stevie Ray Ladson On Bass, and Rochester native Levi Bennett on drums.
Stevie Ray Ladson, Lenesha Randolph, Robert Randolph
The group periodically changed instruments during their soul set performance. Lenesha Randolph was quoted “It was great to be out in the land of the living. Such a great time, thank you guys for welcoming us.”
Local Solvay saxophone player Dunham Hall got the call at 5:30 to join Randolph’s set at 7PM. He showed up and laid down saxophone for an extended cover of Sly and The Family’s Stones “Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf) Again”.
Levi Bennett Ray Ray HollomonnRobert Randolph Lenesha Randolph
Robert Randolph spoke with NYS Music at the Jus Sum Jazz lounge following his show:
Matthew Romano: It’s good to have you guys back in New York State performing live. What memories come to mind when you play Upstate?
Robert Randolph: It’s crazy how many iconic shows have happened up here. One of the first shows I played with The Word was at a small club in Syracuse in 2000. The Word is playing at Tipitina’s at Jazz fest in New Orleans this year. It’s a vibe.
MR: This jazz club has a New Orleans vibe to it.
RR: Yea I like it. It’s reminds me of a modern day juke joint.
MR: What shows have you attended in New York State that made an impact?
RR: The first Phish show I saw was at Madison Square Garden. I remember it was a blast but it also humbles you. It’s one of these things where It all becomes special. I go to the Dicks shows in Colorado too.
MR: What shows of your own are on the horizon in New York State In 2021?
RR: I’m playing with The Word at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock. That’s gonna be special, def come check that out.
Robert will be performing at the Gorge Amphitheater with Dumpstaphunk and Dave Matthews Band Labor Day weekend when live music continues at the Fairgrounds.
Vanessa Collier from Dallas took on a James Brown-like stage presence on Friday night at the Fairgrounds. She was out front counting on the one in between playing funky arrangements on lead saxophone.
The Fabulous Thunderbirds from Austin TX helped keep that legendary blues smoke going to close the night. Attendees in the crowd reflected on Stevie Ray Vaughn’s New York State Fair performance in 1986. The Austin, TX guitarist played “The Sky is Crying” while the rain came down upon the old grandstands. Vaughn and Double Trouble walked a tightrope at Miller Court in 1989 as well.
Saturday afternoon’s set by The Ghost Town Blues Band from Memphis was definitely channeling older spirits. Gregg Allman’s chilling composition “Whipping Post” was taken on by the ensemble. Matt Isbel’s whiskey gravel soaked vocals helped resurrect Allman’s sound. Trombonist Suavo Jones traded notes off Cedric Taylor’s howling B3 Hammond to boot.
Perhaps this was a nod to the 50th anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band closing the Fillmore East. Their final performance on June 27, 1971 found the Allmans playing until 8AM. 2016 NYS Blues Fest artist Butch Trucks reflected “I remember Duane (Allman) walking in front of dragging his guitar while i was sitting there completely burned and he said “Damn its just like leaving church”
Suavo Jones
Rebecca and Megan Lovell from Georgia performed as part of Larkin Poe to close the weekends music. They are descendants of tortured artist and genius Edgar Allan Poe. The duo and their band treated the crowd to songs off their 2020 album’s “Self Made Man” and “Kindred Spirits.”
The title tracks lyrics resonated on the blues soaked audience “I was down and out, now I’m up again When I roll the dice, everybody wins Like a cannonball, moving down the track, Baby’s on her way, she ain’t coming back”
New York Blues Fest has made its way back across the land helping ease everybody’s same old blues on a different day.
The power duo Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson are the songwriters behind all of the hilarious and character-revealing songs from the hit Apple TV series Central Park. With the first two episodes of the second season premiering on June 25th, they have had to overcome challenges that are brought about by making a TV show during COVID-19. The pair however are used to overcoming adversity by being two successful women in the entertainment business.
The show is a musical about a family who lives in Central Park because the father (Owen) is the park manager. It follows their untraditional NYC life and their attempt in saving Central Park from getting turned into condos.
Making the show during COVID-19 presented obvious challenges not being able to work together in person or in a studio. But as Kate Anderson explained “the music team really pulled off a miracle and got everybody set up at home. All the actors were sent mics and equipment and walked through how exactly to set it up. They would drop off music and all kinds of stuff at their homes. It just became this real team effort to get it going and to keep it going and to keep everybody employed and to keep the show on track.” Anderson then continued how “there were additional challenges after that, It took an incredible amount of patience on the actor’s side and also on the music team side.”
When Samsel and Anderson were writing songs, they are given the script and would “find these little gems,” Elyssa Samsel was saying, “and for example, Elwood had a pet worm named Diane and we were so tickled by that, that we sort of took that and ran with it and it made it into more than one song. And it’s so fun. Now we see fans of the show and they mentioned Diana the worm. And I’m like damn.”
Making these songs was a lot more than just a job during COVID-19, “it was still all over zoom and a lot of times it was the highlight of our day because it was a way to be connecting with people. Working hard on something and having fun and making each other laugh during such a dark time was really a lifeline for us” Kate Anderson said.
“It was love at first write”
Kate Anderson remembering on the first time they had met.
The pair who are now living on the West Coast wasn’t always the prominent team they are now. They had met at a New York City writers’ workshop, being part of the women minority of the class that first day, they were paired together and were wearing the same outfit. They had also figured out that they were practically neighbors “It was just the beginning of the best collaboration and the best friendship that we’ve ever could have hoped for,” Elyssa Samsel recalled.
Elyssa Samsel on left and Kate Anderson on right
But even with all of their success and projects throughout the years “there’s definitely times where we feel not trusted or underestimated because of maybe our gender or our age or both,” Anderson said. But regardless of that, she continued that they “figured out that the best way to collaborate is to be extremely respectful and treat others the way that you want to be treated, so we always try to enter the room and treat everybody like they know what they’re doing, and we are so grateful to be working with them, and I think in that situation it’s helped us to get through some murky water.”
“We want to be that for other women you know and maybe we’re not there yet, but hopefully we will be someday. “
Elyssa Samsel on wanting to be a role model for other women after reflecting on women who have helped them.
Elyssa Samsel then talked about how they’re “so lucky because we had other women to look up to who were crushing it in their field. Women like Jodi Picoult was such a guide for us and always encouraged us in those situations where we might have felt that we were outnumbered or not being taken seriously.”
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers played as part of the Beak and Skiff Orchards 2021 concert series down Apple Valley Road in LaFayette, NY on June 16, 2021.
“I’ve got a daughter in law in LaFayette, Louisiana,” he told the crowd. The band’s performance was part of a brief Northeast run to start the year. Bruce brings that old summer tour magic back to life for all those in attendance, 30 years to the day he was part of an iconic set opening Eyes of the World with the Grateful Dead at Giants Stadium.
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at Beak and Skiff Orchards,NY
Bruce’s archives shows what a true artist he is. Hornsby is consistently reimagining his sound with the a band. Syracuse region basketball fans might like to know that he played Allen Iverson of Georgetown in a game of one-on-one when the Virginia natives used to cross paths in the 90’s.
Bruce’s on stage team this night consisted of J.V. Collier on bass, Chad Wright on drums, J.T. Thomas on keyboards, John Mailander on Violin/Mandolin, and Gibb Droll on guitar. The 17 song setlist was a full court press blend of rock, gospel, heartland rock, jazz, bluegrass and blues.
Certain lyrics resonated across New York’s four season changing landscape. Show opener “Absolute Zero” could have been a nod to the unusually cold night in LaFayette. “Hey, come on, let’s go down to two seventy-three below” Up next was the most chilling composition of the night for “Shit’s Crazy Out Here” with Bruce singing the title track amidst heavy deep jazz transports.
Bruce Hornsby in LaFayette, NY
Mid set, the iconic “That’s Just the Way It Is’ ‘ got people dancing under the setting sun, including an extended improvisational jam to keep the song fresh to the times. The iconic piano riff that was part of West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur’s remake (and on what would have been Shakur’s 50th birthday) was reciprocated with Bruce sampling Snoop Dogg’s “Drop it Like it’s Hot” over the house speakers.
The song appropriately named “Prairie Dog Town” had Bruce exit the piano to center stage on his dulcimer, leading vocals over the mix. Snoop Dogg’s beat segued into J.V. and Chad holding the bottom end down for a funky outro. Bruce scatted “Popping up, popping down, burrowing making their funny little sounds, guarding the ground and spotting all around watch your dry bones in the prairie dog town”
J.V. Collier, Bruce Hornsby, Chad Wright, Gibb Droll, John Mailander, JT Thomas
The highlight of the night was a true blend of California artists. The band’s opening chords to “Sunflower Cat” might have tricked you into thinking it was Grateful Dead’s “China Cat Sunflower” during Summer 1991. Bruce’s original lyrics over the Dead groove make it his own: “ In my dreams I can fly high, over fields and across the sky, then I’m awake and I’m back on the ground, if you could take me back up there, I’m down, I’m down with that’.”
Mid-song, J.V. Collier and Chad Wright locked in on Tupac’s “California Love” groove with on the spot reimagined lyrics to the surrounding landscape. J.V. sang “ New York State… knows how to party… In the city of… Lafayette, in the city of good old Utica…In the city…of Syracuse.. We keep it rockin… you keep it rockin.” The band then crushed the “New York Love” remix before a shift back into “Sunflower Cat” to close the show.
Bruce Hornsby, J.V. Collier
The evening was encored with the “pod people” getting down in front of the stage for “Rainbows Cadillac.” Bruce called out to the crowd “Every night about a quarter to ten, from the middle of June till summer’s end. People would gather from miles around to see the mighty Rainbow knock ’em down, sending the audience into the night wide-eyed as part of New York’s live music return.
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers – Beak and Skiff Orchards – Lafayette, NY – June 16, 2021
Setlist: Absolute Zero, Shit’s Crazy Out Here, The Rat King, My Resolve, Fields of Gray, The Way It Is, Walk in the Sun, Spider Fingers > Dreaded Spoon, Funhouse, Every Little Kiss*, Shadow Hand*, Prairie Dog Town*, Sunflower Cat > (California Love) > Sunflower Cat Encore: Rainbow’s Cadillac * Bruce on dulcimer
The rhythm section of the Noisemakers J.V. Collier (bass) and Chad Wright (drums) took some time to talk past, present, and future music experiences in New York State at the Hotel Syracuse the night before the show:
Matt Romano: It’s good to have you guys back in New York State to play live. What great memories come to mind playing here?
J.V. Collier: Over 27 years, every time coming to New York is memorable. I love City Winery in TriBeCa, The Blue Note and Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, We’d go to Woodstock to Levon Helm’s Studio at his barn in Hudson Valley for their Friday night jams. When Bruce and I started, we played at Woodstock ’94 with The Band and got to rehearse there. I was only supposed to play three songs and then Rick Danko was like “stay up here.” All these great horn players from the city, like Howard Johnson. But playing with The Band was an amazing thing. Woodstock ’94 we hung out all three nights. During Green Day’s set they cleared everybody off stage except Bruce and I for some reason. So it was great. I remember the park in New York City where Jaco (Pastorius) used to stay. I don’t know if you heard he used to sleep with his bass and basketball there towards the end. But I’d go to that spot and try to gain something from his spirit to play off.
MR: You guys were here virtually at the end of last year to help raise 500K plus for Upstate Hospital in Syracuse to benefit front line workers a block from here.
Chad Wright: We did it at the Teragram Ballroom in downtown L.A.. We prerecorded it and it was the first time we did anything last year since August of 2019.
MR: Does Bruce keep you guys on your toes with the variety of his catalog?
J.V.: The great thing about playing with Bruce is the surprise guests along the way. You never know. Chick Corea, Dave Garibaldi, Bonnie Raitt. His studio gig is like his live gig because what he wants it to be different all the time. He always pushes you to be better.
MR: How does composition compare to improvisation?
CW: When I got this gig, Bruce was great at explaining that there is no structure. But there’s a method to the madness…but it’s all subject to change to be fluid.
J.V.: Some nights are magic and you don’t want to let it go. You get to a space and it’s a thing. 2:45 to 3:00 hours used to be the normal set times. Bruce has the mentality of an athlete. He’s the point guard. He’s orchestrating what everyone’s gonna do up there. He’ll pass you the ball and wants you to do something with it before it comes back
June is ablaze in the Finger Lakes region for live music. Ithaca’s Lakewatch Inn offers 30 foot high wooden ceilings as part of a barn where acoustic performances shine. On Friday, June 11, London McDaniel and Tim Reynolds each performed solo in front of an intimate crowd in New York’s rolling hills.
Lakewatch Inn Ithaca NY
At 7:30 P.M, London McDaniel plugged in so we could tune out. London’s new recordAnatural Aphrodisiaca just won a 2021 SAMMY Award for Best Jazz. Three songs in to sunset, a version of Led Zeppelins “Over the Hills” and far away let the crowd know he was locked in to the Southern Tier.
After his set McDaniel was recounting about a conversation with musician Mike Stern from Miles Davis Bitches Brew album. “This history of music is so great. The greats go out of their way to do it. Every lick I play I work hard for”
London McDaniel
Tim Reynolds treated the crowd to his acoustic set at 8:30 PM sharp. His Martin 6 and 12 strings were on deck. Ups, downs, ins and outs… hair raising. The new tune “If Everything Could be OK for Just One Moment” was inspired from a Tom Petty performance at Beacon Theater. Reynolds sported an old Tom Petty road crew tee for the show. He also debuted a self taught interpretation of a Bach composition while at home during “dark times.”
Tim Reynolds
The track “Summer Night in December” off That Way felt like a nod to Tim’s last Southern Tier performance at Homer Center for the Arts in Winter 2016. Reynolds left his loop on full blast ambient mode as he exited the stage at 10:00 PM. After an 18 song set, he visits the moon outside. Returning to encore the show with his classic composition “Stream.”
Tim is a chameleon of different acoustic genres with plenty of slide guitar accents reminiscent of Duane Allman at Muscle Shoals. Reynolds reflected on an experience of once playing Duane’s Gibson on loan for a show. “That was a big moment for me, the ryhthm pick up on it was kind of muddled but it didn’t matter. I remember Carter saying that guitar sounds nasty man.”
Matthew Romano: Producer Daniel Lanois’ lyrics from “Beauty of Wynona”… “Where you been since last December?” come to mind tonight. You along with Brady Blade, Tony Hall, Ray Paczkowski, Trey and Dave all collaborated on his material.
Tim Reynolds: Did you hear his last album, Heavy Sun? He (Lanois) produced it. The vocals are like you’re in church but also has that skanky dub reggae sound. I love Tony. You know those guys when your playing a gig, he’ll look right at you? That’s him. He’s a bad ass. Tony and Brady just lock in some way that’s perfect.
TR: Daniel came to sit in with Dave and Friends for his song The Maker. Emmy Lou Harris was also there. So many people playing so I just did the melody while he sang it. He looked back smiling and I’m like its Daniel Lanois… WTF. He was so cool. During soundcheck in the empty arena he was playing this Brian Eno space funk.
MR: What was an arena act you saw from the audience for a live performance that you remember fondly?
TR:Peter Gabriel and Sting at Madison Square Garden a few years back. I’ve got the hoodie from it with me. The show was back and forth yet also a little competitive. They did each others songs. Peter Gabriel covered “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” but like Al Green style! Every time the crowd sang the chorus back to them…they waited to pause.
TR: When Peter did “The Rhythm of the Heat” with both bands I screamed like a woman and I only have one vocal chord.
MR: Nights like those are truly an influence on your own sound. How much is composition compared to layers of improvisation?
TR: Most of it now is composition. For my recent streams I went in and really learned these songs. Especially if people are going to be tuning in to watch it. It took a lot of different phases to get to that.
MR: How does it feel playing your work in front of a live audience in a small room like this before returning back to big amphitheaters later this Summer?
TR: Oh, incredible. I think this year is wide open man.
As Reynolds wrapped a two-night run at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs. he provided a great way to end his Empire State weekend ahead of sold out shows at Lakeview Amphitheatre in Syracuse and two night run at SPAC with Dave Matthews Band.
Spinning off Friday night’s conversation in Ithaca, Reynolds opened the show with an acoustic version of Daniel Lanois song “O Marie.” After the Dust settled, Reynolds covered another Lanois classic, “The Messenger.” The notes chosen to cover this work are a great blend of Tim’s originality mixed with Lanois’ influence.
Reynolds delivered the full two-part composition of Segovia I and II for all, keeping good intentions going as he told one of the first gathered crowds in Saratoga Springs for live music the relatable origins of “To Touch Yearning.”
Tim Reynolds was able to break the barrier and relate to being in the audience for a moving musical experience. During the encore for his acoustic version of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” The seated crowd all stood to rise and applaud with the same energy Reynolds’ had seeing Gabriel perform live at Madison Square Garden. Just another live music spring seed growing into Summer.
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds head back to Riviera Maya, Mexico in 2022 for a three night beach run at the Moon Palace Resort.
Jim Furlong is the owner of Last Vestige at 173 Quail Street in Albany. A native of Albany, Jim opened up a mail-order business that also has a storefront, just over 30 years ago. He has moved locations once (across the street) and has had to expand his store further into his backyard.
He stands just over six feet tall wearing a graphic T-shirt, stylishly old jeans, and sneakers to match his thick grey hair that is a bit shaggy at most. He leans back with comfort in his store and folds his arms over his chest as he thinks back to different times when his hair wasn’t so grey, and he was living a bit more of a wilder and freer life; whether it was working odd jobs, going to school, drawing, or moving to NYC with his band. Jim shares his story with NYS Music.
Jim Furlong. Photo: Joseph Regan
The man behind Last Vestige
I grew up in the South End off of 2nd Avenue. It was a good mixed neighborhood, German and Irish, African American, Italian 1950s through 60s early 70s. When I got old enough and I moved out when I was out of high school. I worked factory paper mill, construction, loading trucks. And then I went to SUNY for fine art for a couple of years. Went to New York City with a program through SUNY to study art for a semester in the city. Then I came back and was bouncing around.
Worked at a pizza place called Albany Campus Pizza, which was over in Westgate. Every dorm room had a party. I mean I delivered pizzas there with the Albany campus. I mean, I’d get tipped with bongs and joints. And you got to the room and everybody back then all these Long Island kids that they had these massive stereo systems that they moved up with speakers and you just get to the room, and you’d be hearing Aerosmith blaring from the room. You bang on the door and the door would open up and there’s smoke there’s, there’s beer baby. Yes Sir, no problem. OK, I gotta go back to this pizza place now get another eight more pies that come back up for the next batch.
Then I went to junior College of Albany, which is Russell Sage. Considered now over on New Scotland Avenue and Academy that was Russell, now I think it’s four years but I went there, and I got a two-year degree in commercial art. And then I was working at record stores doing my own artwork.
In 1980. We formed a punk rock band here in Albany when I was in my mid-20s and I was in a group called the A. D’S.”
Jim Furlong in his store- Shot By: Joseph Regan
A Unique History
Anyways we played in Albany for, well throughout most of the 80s moved to New York City with the band. We tried our luck down there for a while, didn’t work out, of course, but it was a good time.
This fella in Manhattan, who had tons of vinyl from his loft apartment over to this shop on West 23rd that we opened up, so I worked for him for a couple of years.
In 1984, I moved back from the city, and I decided to start a Mail Order business based on what I had learned working in New York. And then around 1987 or 1988, like three years into it, I was doing well enough that I just couldn’t do a day job anymore. I was just selling records all through the Mail, all over the world, US, overseas. I built up a good clientele and while a lot of guys were getting rid of their records and because of the CD thing over here plus a lot of the record stores were going out of business or and a lot of guys were buying records. People would walk in with amazing collections and the guys were putting them out at these various stores I travel around the state. You could get albums that were two and three bucks, and I could sell for twelve or fifteen online. So that was a fun gig.
In 1986, when (Governor Mario) Cuomo senior made the drinking age 19 and then a year later, they went to 21 that essentially killed college drinking bars in Albany area and New York State for that matter. In 1987 a friend of mine purchased the building that’s no longer across the street, Frank’s Living Room. It was a famous SUNY college bar. It was a notoriously crazy bar. I went in a couple of times because I was a townie, but I mostly went to other places, but I went in there. Place was so small, and people were sitting, and people are shooting darts. I mean, it was insanity.
Frank closed up and I was rehabbing that for her doing some carpentry work on the side with the Mail Order and then she said you want to open a store. I said well I don’t know, you know, I’m doing good with the Mail Order, I don’t want to drop a whole bunch of money on rent because all I got is records. She said, well, you can rent my store out. I’ll do it like a really cheap rental for one year and we’ll see how it goes and all I had to do is remodel it so it was pretty much a wide-open space because they took the bar out before I even got there.
Last Vestige Upstairs Mail Order Room – Photo Shot By Joseph Regan
I opened on Halloween of 1989. And then the store started building up and getting more popular, and I ran out of space.
This was a laundry mat for college kids, but the guy who owned it was a freak and he was a drug addict, and he was kind of a weirdo. But in 1992 it came up on the Albany County auction block because taxes the guy hadn’t paid $60,000 he owed on the building, so they took it from him. I went to the auction. First time I went they wanted to open the bid at $60,000, so nobody bid on it. Then I went back three months later they put it back on the next auction for only $40,000 to start and I was told by somebody that there was a family that were thinking about grabbing it for a restaurant.
The guy said “OK coming up to 173 Quail Street, opening bids is $40,000 and I looked over at them and they just sat there. So, I raised my hand and said “I’ll take 40” and they never countered it, so I was the only guy who bid on it.
By New Years’ of 1993, I opened. In this part here (the main room upon entry), this floor and the one above is added on about six years later, because I needed more space.
My overseas business was spectacular, but the price of postage now is kind of tough. One Greek guy coming twice a year and he would, he would like me. “Hey, Jim! I love your records!” He’s pulling out, you know all the heavy metal Black Sabbath albums. “Looking good! Good!” He’d tell me. But those days are gone now because it’s harder to get that stuff.
Selling Your Records
Their really good stuff goes quick and like I said, I used to have 20 Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon in my backup, you know if I sold one boom. Now there’s none and if one comes in, it’s like ‘”Thank you God!” You know same with Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Stones, all the classic rock guys like that all your punk rock or your stuff from the 80s. Any of those albums that come in, I’m lucky if I have one or two in a backup at any given time.
I love when someone walks in with a great record collection to sell and I love getting a phone call from people who say, “You know, I’ve got this big collection, a couple 1,000 albums. Can you come to my house to look at it?” Sometimes you go there and it’s amazing stuff, and sometimes it’s almost all garbage.
One of the T-Shirt Designs Jim Made: Photo By Joseph Regan
Being The Boss
It’s been a rollercoaster ride. You know sometimes there’s a year or years where the business was lean, you gotta just juggle and balance and do what you can and can’t get by. Then there are other years where it’s killer and you’re just thank God you can keep the door unlocked because you know there are certain things that no matter what you do, or how bad, or goo, dit is the prices go up. Nothing cheapens.
You know, I’ve been pretty fortunate. I pay all my bills and everything. I don’t owe anybody any money which is a good thing, but you’ve gotta know what not to buy and what to buy because people, as far as everybody is concerned, they got the best stuff in the world.
Jim Furlong in his store: Photo by Joseph Regan
I’m either the worst boss or the greatest boss in the world. The two guys at the counter have been with me for at least 25 years. The other guy has been with me close to 20. Kim works up in the mail order department, she’s been with me since I was across the street the year after I opened.
I didn’t know in 1989 that I’d still be here in 2021. I wasn’t sure. But here I am, and I own it so.
Episode 122 of the Rochester Groovecast Podcast highlights a returning guest, Anthony Siciliano of “Head To The Roots.”
From high energy stomp to mellow campfire acoustic, Head to the Roots is the music mind-child of Anthony Siciliano. Anthony pulls at the roots of folk, blues, rock and reggae music. The fabric of his songwriting is both thought-provoking and playful, woven with themes of life exploration, travel, and love, while carrying undertones of spirituality and human coalescence.
From the main stage at Rochester’s beloved Cornhill Arts Festival to stages spanning across the Northeast, and New England, Anthony has shared his music in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In the midst of his musical career, Siciliano has shared the stage with members of Twiddle, and has played with members of The Buddhahood, and Multibird.
Since September 2020, Head to the Roots has evolved into its mightiest form yet, with joining members Chris Palace (drums) and Drew Rosenberg (bass and keys) bringing power and groove to this newforming trio. Aside from live performance, Anthony continues to write, produce and release original music, where April 2021 marks the horizon line for a brand new album release.”
In this episode, host, Ben Albert, and Anthony Siciliano discuss what’s happened this past year, most importantly, Head To The Roots’ new album, “Seeker.”
During the podcast, the boys isten to and discuss two brand new tracks, “Seeker” and “Flower City!” Keep in touch with Head To The Roots on their website.
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At Rochester Groovecast, the mantra “We’re Fans First!” harnesses the belief that the best businesses are built by fans. The podcast is deeply dedicated to playing an active role in the culture of its local scene.
The brainchild of Rochester native, Ben Albert, was created in 2016 to serve as a portfolio of the city, and nowadays, the entire region.
The podcast believes in the artistic brilliance abundant in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding regions. Ben seeks to play a pivotal role in our community by helping give Rochester a well-earned voice. He has seen firsthand the abundance of talent, character, creativity, innovation, and beauty the Flower City has continuously offered.
“Opera singer-turned-indie singer-songwriter Sally Drutman seemed to appear as a sudden apparition last July when she released her dream-like first single “Milky Blue” as Sally Louise. Less than a year later, Louise has wasted no time in expanding her stylistic palette across a sprawling collection of 10 self-possessed songs with “My Hands Are On Fire,” available via Desert Flower Records…” “
Her vocal sincerity and technical skill seize the spotlight.”-Daniel J. Kushner of City Newspaper “Here lyric writing is powerful and her vocals are stunning.”-Prism Reviews In this episode, host, Ben Albert, and Louise dive deep into performance, practice, marketing, and everything LOVE of music! The best part, we listen to two of Sally’s most popular singles, “I Won’t Call Your Bluff” and “Never Be The Same Again!”
At Rochester Groovecast, the mantra “We’re Fans First!” harnesses the belief that the best businesses are built by fans. The podcast is deeply dedicated to playing an active role in the culture of its local scene.
The brainchild of Rochester native, Ben Albert, was created in 2016 to serve as a portfolio of the city, and nowadays, the entire region.
The podcast believes in the artistic brilliance abundant in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding regions. Ben seeks to play a pivotal role in our community by helping give Rochester a well-earned voice. He has seen first hand the abundance of talent, character, creativity, innovation, and beauty the Flower City has continuously offered. Listen to all episodes of the show:
Deco & The Dusters are “wholesome original lyrics vocalized with attitude in a unique blend of Rock, Country, Blues and Irish Folk.” Two members of the group, Declan “Deco” Banko and Ignatius Marino came on The Rochester Groovecast Podcast to discuss their new tracks.
Listen To The Podcast:
https://soundcloud.com/rochestergroovecast/deco
Watch The Full Episode:
At Rochester Groovecast, the mantra “We’re Fans First!” harnesses the belief that the best businesses are built by fans. The podcast is deeply dedicated to playing an active role in the culture of its local scene.
The brainchild of Rochester native, Ben Albert, was created in 2016 to serve as a portfolio of the city, and nowadays, the entire region.
The podcast believes in the artistic brilliance abundant in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding regions. Ben seeks to play a pivotal role in our community by helping give Rochester a well-earned voice. He has seen first hand the abundance of talent, character, creativity, innovation, and beauty the Flower City has continuously offered. Listen to all episodes of the show:
In episode 119 of the Rochester Groovecast Podcast, Ithaca’s Mosaic Foundation premiers two tracks off their new album, Unity Is Dub.
International roots reggae group Mosaic Foundation sits down with Rochester Groovecast to discuss their brand new album, Unity Is Dub! During the episode, we listen to two tracks for the very first time, “Love For All” and “Door of No Return.”
Listen To The Podcast:
Watch The Full Episode:
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At Rochester Groovecast, the mantra “We’re Fans First!” harnesses the belief that the best businesses are built by fans. The podcast is deeply dedicated to playing an active role in the culture of its local scene.
The brainchild of Rochester native, Ben Albert, was created in 2016 to serve as a portfolio of the city, and nowadays, the entire region.
The podcast believes in the artistic brilliance abundant in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding regions. Ben seeks to play a pivotal role in our community by helping give Rochester a well-earned voice. He has seen first hand the abundance of talent, character, creativity, innovation, and beauty the Flower City has continuously offered. Listen to all episodes of the show:
