On September 11, famed bass-guitarist Tommy Stinson will be performing with his latest rock ensemble, Cowboys in the Campfire. The longtime bass-guitarist for pioneering alternative rock group, The Replacements, and hard-rock group, Guns N’ Roses, has now partnered with steel player, Chip Roberts. The duo is working on an album set to be released later this year, but first, they will host a benefit concert to raise awareness for an organization that is not only near-and-dear to Tommy Stinson’s heart, but one that sees his daughter as an active participant.
Perfect Ten Hudson is an after-school program that benefits girls between the ages of 8-18. They are an independent non-profit organization committed to building respect, dignity, fairness, caring, equality and self-esteem with respect to the diverse life challenges of each girl.
This free performance will be held at The Park Theater in Hudson, NY at 723 Warren St., on September 11, beginning at 7PM. Donations will be encouraged at the show where concert goers can also purchase signed posters.
In addition to the live performance, Tommy Stinson has donated various items that are being sold off in a silent online auction. The items include a bass, case and jacket that accompanied him on several Guns N’ Roses tours, record bags made from The Replacements t-shirts and more. There are many other items to bid on including an art experience with Victoria Wyeth (granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth), a guitar signed by Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, an in-home chef experience and lots of rock and roll memorabilia as well as local Hudson dining/entertainment/hotel packages.
The auction is live until Sunday, September 12 at 11:55 P.M. and can be found here.
Capping off the Summer with a “wild” performance, the 2021 Capital Concert series came to a bittersweet close Wednesday night in Albany, with the final event at the Empire State Plaza headlined by Saratoga Springs’ hopefuls Wild Adriatic and Troy mainstays Super 400.
The free event presented by SEFCU was initially scheduled to be outdoors, but with lingering precipitation from Hurricane Ida, organizers made the early call to move inside and underground to the underutilized Convention Center.
Holding nothing back on this night, Wild Adriatic [Travis Gray(guitar), Rich Derbyshire (bass) and Mateo Vosganian (drums)] expanded from trio to five-piece for this special performance, enlisting keyboard player Dusty DeLuke and Let’s Be Leonard saxophone player Connor Dunn to help fill out their sound. The additions paid dividends early as the band opened with some of their oldest material, a one-two punch of “Letter” and the always upbeat “Mess Around.”
From there the band slipped into the opening track off their 2019 Our Time EP, “Hard Living.” Now firing on all cylinders, it felt like the boys put a little extra stink on a riff-rockin ‘Same As It Ever Was>Mistreated” jam sandwich, which at one point included a bit of call-and-response interplay between Gray and the audience.
Not done with sandwiches and segues just yet, Wild Adriatic would also uncork Tight Grip >Duende >Tight Grip and then finish up the set with an impressive triple decker treat that went from ” 40 Days, 40 Nights” to “Appleton” to a surprising cover of the Phish song “Carini,” one of the headiest type-II vehicles in their catalogue.
The band would eventually find their way back to “Appleton” to close out the set. After taking a bow and walking off stage, there seemed to be some confusion if they’d be back for an encore. After a few minutes of wonder, a buzz started growing when people collectively realized the stagehands were actually adding instruments to the stage, not breaking it down. When Wild Adriatic finally emerged from the shadows, they weren’t alone.
Now joined by their friends from Super 400, the stage was set for a super-jam scenario. Much to the delight of those who stuck around, fans were treated to a memorable three-song encore of classic covers; “Cissy Strut” by The Meters, “Loving Cup” from the Rolling Stones and finally, the show concluded with reggaed-out version of “I Shot the Sheriff.”
Wild Adriatic – Capital Concert Series, Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany – Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Setlist: Letter, Mess Around, Hard Living, Same As It Ever Was > Mistreated > Same As It Ever Was, Ain’t The First Time, New Orleans, Tight Grip > Duende > Tight Grip, 40 Days 40 Nights > Appleton > Carini > Appleton
Superjam: Cissy Strut, Lovin’ Cup, I Shot The Sheriff
Denise Parent, the beloved Hudson Valley guitarist known for her work with Grateful Dead cover band The Deadbeats and Brown Eyed Women, has released her first album of original music, The Songs In My Heart.
Though Parent has been a songwriter and guitar player for the majority of her life, picking up a guitar for the first time at six years old, this is her first solo release. Parent wrote all songs herself.
All of the tracks capture the warm, full quality of a live album. Parent’s historic career of jamming with The Deadbeats and Brown Eyed Woman is apparent in her light style. Every instrument is apparent in its own uniqueness; the boxiness of the drums, the strummed acoustic guitar in comparison to soaring electric riffs. All of these songs beg to be heard in a smokey venue, where one can experience what decades of practice and natural talent look like.
Deadbeats band members Mike Johnson and Dan Gerken contributed to the album as well; Gerken engineered the project. Gerken also contributed guitars, bass guitar and keyboards, while Johnson played guitar on “Morning Sun” and “Get Over It”, songs the band have been playing together live for years.
Much of Parent’s music reflects on her own emotions, and the ways in which music has helped her speak to them. These really do feel like songs that live in her heart, little reminders of how to stay hopeful and loving through life’s many seasons. On the poignant and bluesy “Morning Sun,” Parent sings: “It’s so hard to feel it all the time/To wait it out just for a little shine.” The jaunty tempo sets the perfect tone for the mournful lyrics. Ultimately, as hard as it gets, the tune encourages one to just keep trucking along.
The album sends the message that for Parent, that shine has been music, and shine is something she’s keen on sharing. On “Hey Darlin,” a chugging minor-key groove, Parent seeks to bring love and happiness to the titular character. As a song that seeks to make someone move, the insane electric guitar breakdowns throughout surely help.
On album opener “Shangri-La,” Denise Parent tells the story of a family growing together over time, finding their own version of happiness and paradise together. The song echoes a statement by Parent from her press release: “I thank my musical mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters for inspiring me to create and to sing and to play my heart out. I thank every artist and thinker who ever made me think twice about something, and who opened my mind and my heart.” These musical family members allowed her to make that journey, complicated and never quite complete, to her own musical Shangri-La.
A musician who has made her career performing covers, Parent’s solo music reflects the way the simple art of music has allowed her expression for a wide range of deep emotions. From the joyful freedom and peace of “Shangri-La” to the jauntily mournful “Morning Sun,” to the it-gets-better anthem “Get Over It,” all the songs have a message of making it through. Things will get better, happiness will come again, and if you listen in, Parent’s music just may help guide you there.
As late September and the New York Film Festival nears, the trailer for the upcoming Velvet Underground documentary that is set to premiere has arrived. It is directed by Directed by Todd Haynes (Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, I’m Not There) it traces the roots and formation of a band synonymous with New York City, whose legacy only seems to grow over time.
Through archival footage and contemporary interviews, the film charts the intersection of the Andy Warhol Factory scene with the formation of the group, and explores how the band became a cultural touchstone “representing a range of contradictions: the band is both of their time, yet timeless; literary yet realistic; rooted in high art and street culture.”
The documentary is clearly full of video and music from the band’s formative years and includes interviews with founding members Maureen Tucker and John Cale. The New York Film Festival is set to run September 24 through October 10 with this Velvet Underground documentary and other features to be screened.
Halsey dropped her powerful new album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power which was produced by Nine Inch Nails member Trent Reznor on August 27, 2021. With Reznor and Atticus Ross producing the album it transcends through multiple genres bringing industrial, rock, grunge, and pop all together and takes risks all along the way. The album’s release coincides with an hour-long IMAX film under the same name that features Halsey in the lead role and features music from the album.
If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power album cover.
Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, or more commonly known for their stage name Halsey, was born and raised in Edison, New Jersey. They spent much of their young adulthood visiting NYC and ended up living in Manhattan briefly before getting their big break with their song “Ghost” which was released on her soundcloud and ended up gaining lots of popularity. They ended up signing with Astralwerks because of their offer of retaining creative control. She debuted her first EP titled Room 93 on October 28, 2014. Since then they have released four albums titled Badlands on August 28, 2014, Hopeless Fountain in Kingdom on June 2, 2017, Manic on January 17, 2020 and finally her newest album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power on August 27, 2021.
Halsey’s original album, Badlands, fell into the indie-pop realms but her next two albums seemed to be more or less strictly pop. Halsey has never been one to cater to the audience and refuses to be anything but themselves. This album though takes more risks than the previous albums both is subject matter and musically. If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power steps away from the pop sound Halsey has become known for to make way for something different and I would argue better. The album is stronger and has more depth to it than her previous albums and really feels like Halsey has come into their true sound.
Although the album as a whole was very good there were a couple songs that stole the show and were definitely the stars of the album. “Easier than Lying” was one of those songs that really pushed the album to being a bop. You can definitely hear the influence of Reznor in this song. It is probably the hardest song Halsey has released. The continuous leading drum line combined with the distorted heavy bass line in combination with Halsey’s harder and grungier voice is a new sound for the artist and it suits them perfectly. Listening to it you never would have thought this was a new sound for them if you didn’t already know this was a step away from their pervious sound. It feels natural and like the sound she was meant to make.
Another song that really made the album was “Girl is a Gun.” It uses a continuous leading drum line and a bouncy bass line combined with synth to make a song where, without even trying to, the listener finds them self bobbing along to it. It has a 90s drum and bass feel that’s addicting. It’s not as hard as “Easier than Lying” but definitely pushes Halsey out of the strictly dickly pop realms they have been more known for before this album. It’s catchy chorus and driving beat make it the kind of song where if it came up on your recommended playlist you would be checking to see who it was by and saving the song before it’s even over.
The last song that has to be mentioned is “Darling.” This song isn’t like any other on the album. It features a simple fingerpicking guitar and Halsey doing harmonies with it for the majority of the song. It’s not hard but it’s a risk. It’s not flashy but it’s honest. It makes you feel the bittersweetness of life and the hope and love for new life. The song is definitely a nod to Halsey’s child who was born shortly before the album’s release and to which they were pregnant with during the making of the album. The simplicity of it musically gives the chance for the lyrics to really be the star of the song and make the listener really focus on what Halsey is feeling.
Although you should really listen to the entire album in order, if you are looking to checkout a song or two to see if it’s your cup of tea, any of these would be a great place to start. Anytime an artist changes up their sound it is a risk for them especially when they are moving away from a classically popular sound to something else. Not every attempt is successful. Halsey has taken this leap of faith and has landed with flying colors.
The full album is available on all streaming platforms. The accompanying film is available via Global IMAX. Showings, available dates, and locations can be found here.
Lake Street Dive performed for a sold-out crowd Sunday night at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT. The show marked their third date on a U.S. tour promoting their acclaimed new record Obviously.
Formed in 2004, Lake Street Dive first gained viral recognition after a series of sidewalk singing videos and a jazzy, lilting cover of “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5, highlighting lead singer Rachael Pierce’s powerhouse voice.
The group has always incorporated aspects of jazz, pop, soul and R&B into their offbeat covers and originals, and on Obviously the blend has never sounded more seamless. With production from Grammy-winning hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo, each song delicately showcases each band members mind-blowing musical capability while keeping a brisk, light pace. Though the production quality is notable, the “magic in a bottle” the quartet captures live has energized their fan base for years. Sunday was far from the first time the band has drawn a crowd to Shelburne or Burlington.
Though Hurricane Henri’s clouds were especially menacing on the eve of the show, they didn’t stop attendees, lawn chairs in hand, from flocking to the outdoor venue. Canadian musician Allison Russell, who will open for LSD on a few tour dates, kicked the night off with songs from her latest album, Outside Child. Supported by Larissa Maestro on the cello and Mandy Fer, of the band Sway Wild on electric guitar, Russell’s mesmerizing voice anchored the opening set. A light rainfall at sunset got the crowd excited. Many shouldered on rain jackets and rushed to the stage to celebrate the imminent rainbow as Russell belted her soul out on “Nightflyer.”
As mentioned, Vermont is no stranger to a good LSD show. The excitement for their set was palpable as fans of all ages rushed the barrier, eagerly awaiting the group to step on stage. The bounce of Pierce’s red hair as she strutted onstage sent waves of cheers through the crowd, soon replaced by dancing as the band jumped onto the steppy, yacht-rock tempo of opener “Know That I Know.” Pierce’s unique and show stopping voice does front flips over the bands steady, physical grooves.
Leading into an older song, “Mistakes,” Pierce took the mic to speak about the band’s return to touring.
“We’re a little rusty, and we’re gonna have to make some mistakes,” she said. “But we have to play through the mistakes. You play through the mistakes because you don’t want to teach yourself to fear the mistakes.”
The statement felt deeply relatable and also ironic, as the group went on to play a harmonious, heart-pumping 19-song set. Lake Street Dive have been playing together for nearly two decades, and their musical bond and attunedeness to each other were apparent with every beat.
Though founding member Mike “McDuck” Olsen departed the band after 17 years this May, the music feels anything but lacking. Touring keyboardist Akie Bermiss, who officially joined the band in 2017, is the perfect foil to Pierce’s vocals, apparent on the soaring and playful duet “Same Old News.” As both a keyboardist and vocalist, Bermiss is as versatile as he is singular.
Performing “Alone Again,” a Bermiss release with Greg Mayo, his vivid scenes and casually bleak humor are an exciting contrast to an initially mourning piano riff. The line “I’m learning how to microbrew” struck a chord in craft-beer heavy VT. “He knows his audience,” a woman laughed to her friend as they swayed to the beat.
Bassist Bridget Kearney, a commanding force within the band from the start, inarguably showed her prowess, absolutely shredding an upright bass as nimbly as an electric guitar. On standout performance of “Neighbor Song,” a track from Lake Street Dive’s 2010 self-titled project, Kearney’s gentle performance was expressive and haunting, psychically in tune with Pierce’s lilting cabaret-style performance.
After the emotional “Nobody’s Stopping You Now,” the band came together at the center of the stage and performed three quieter numbers, “Stop Crying,” “Feels Like The Last Time,” and “Neighbor Song,” every one of them to lush harmonies. In moments like these, it’s clear how the band can combine and defy genres so smoothly; they have the skill to do so.
After closing their main set with the arena-worthy crowd favorite “Good Kisser,” the band happily came on for a 2-song encore. They performed Obviously’s stunning closer “Sarah,” the complex harmonies of which could comfortably fit over a full symphony. As the band closed with a cover of The Beatles’ classic “Don’t Let Me Down,” a full moon peeked out from behind the clouds.
Lake Street Dive’s Sunday show captured what makes them so great: their playfulness and skill, their eclectic interest in genre-bending rhythms and the pure joy they capture in so many of their songs. One could even say the band captured what’s so great about live music in general – a band and their audience, grooving together in heartbreak, happiness or healing over the same beat.
SummerStage announced two free performances at the end of August of 2021. The performances will take place in Coney Island Amphitheater and will require full vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours for entry.
The first performance will feature Go Brooklyn! Stetsasonic & Friends – 40th Anniversary Show on Saturday, August 28 2021 at 7PM EST. Brooklyn’s Stetsasonic were one of the first-ever hip-hop bands that used beat-boxing, sampling, and live performance to elevate the musicality of the nascent genre in the 1980’s. Originally known as the “Stetson Brothers”, there were three members including Daddy-O, Delite and Wise the Human Mix Machine. Soon, the group evolved to “Stetsasonic”, adding the prolific energy of DBC (Devastating Beat Creator), Bobby Simmons, Prince Paul, and Fruitkwan. Though their last album was released in 1991, Stetsasonic has continued to tour and will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their formation at Summerstage in Coney Island with friends and special guests. The performance will live streamed for one night only on summerstage anywhere’s website.
The second performance will feature INVINCIBLE: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson / DJ KS 360 on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at 7PM EST. Drawing its name from Michael Jackson’s tenth and final studio album, Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson is a performance of the King of Pop’s greatest hits—indelible anthems such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Thriller” and more—as well as dance routines rehearsed for the HBO special One Night Only. With choreography by Jackson’s longtime choreographer and dancer, Lavelle Smith Jr., the show was created, produced and directed by the Bessie award winner Darrin Ross. The night will be led by professional impersonator, Jeffrey Perez. The performance will live streamed for one night only on summerstage anywhere’s website.
Due to increasing spread on COVID-19 due to the delta variant SummerStage has updated it’s vaccination and mask policy They will now require full vaccination or negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours for entry. SummerStage at Coney Island Amphitheater will accept proof of final Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna or WHO-approved vaccination using the CLEAR app, the NYS Excelsior Pass, NYC Covid Safe app, a physical/photo of CDC vaccination card, or EU digital pass, accompanied by a government-issued photo identification. Guests must show that their final dose of vaccine was received at least 14 days prior to the show date or show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours. Please note all SummerStage events in Central Park follow a different entry policy and only accept full vaccination proof. For all SummerStage events, masks are required upon entry to any venue and strongly encouraged for all guests for the duration of the performance, as is physical distance. Learn more about acceptable documentation, mask guidelines, and other safety protocols here.
For more information the two shows happening in August of 2021 and upcoming event visit SummerStage’s website.
Drummer for the Rolling Stones for over 50 years, Charlie Watts, has died. The founding member of the British rock group passed away on Tuesday, August 24. He had recently stepped back from the band’s fall tour, which is slated to kick off on September 26 in Saint Louis, MO.
British Rock musician Charlie Watts, on drums, of the group the Rolling Stones, performs onstage during ‘The Rolling Stones American Tour 1981’ (in support of their album ‘Tattoo You’), at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, November 13, 1981. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital earlier today surrounded by his family. Charlie was a cherished husband, father and grandfather and also a member of the Rolling Stones one of the greatest drummers of his generation. We kindly request that the privacy of his family, band members and close friends is respected at this difficult time.
Earlier this month, Watts withdrew from the Rolling Stones’ upcoming COVID-19 pandemic-postponed U.S. tour, noting he needed to recover from an unspecified but “successful” recent medical procedure. At the time, Watts’ spokesperson said “Charlie has had a procedure which was completely successful, but I gather his doctors this week concluded that he now needs proper rest and recuperation. With rehearsals starting in a couple of weeks it’s very disappointing to say the least, but it’s also fair to say no one saw this coming.”
Despite battling and recovering from throat cancer in 2004, Watts overcame substance abuse in the 1970s and 80s and was seen as a steady hand behind the kit, melding jazz into the rock n roll sound of the Rolling Stones.
Drummer Jon Fishman paid a natural tribute to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts ahead of the bad news this week. On his August 18 “The Errant Path” radio show, Fishman spun “Moonlight Mile” and commented ”For me the sound and feel of Charlie Watts will never get old. I just love that guys drumming. It stands up no matter what’s before it or after.”
Trey Anastasio Band drummer Russ Lawton, upon hearing the news shared, “So sad to hear about Charlie’s passing. Always loved his feel, the tasteful drum parts he came up with and his sound too. The reason I’ve been playing Gretsch drums since I was a kid was because of him. He will be missed.”
Like many renaissance bands of the 60s, The Rolling Stones have lost one of their core members. However, the show must go on. Drummer Steve Jordan was announced as the fill in drummer for Watts when he announced he would sit out the tour, and will continue playing drums on The Rolling Stones 2021 tour. He has previously been the drummer for Keith Richards’ solo band The Expensive Winos since the 1980s.
Don Everly, the remaining half of the iconic Everly Brothers, has passed away at the age of 84. Together with his brother Phil, The Everly Brothers helped revolutionize and form the early sounds of the rock and roll movement that would engulf America. Their distinguished harmonies accompanied with elements of country music would go on to influence an entire generation of fellow musicians, enabling them to be one of the first artists to be inaugurated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, alongside Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis in 1986. Phil Everly later passed on in 2014 at the age of 74.
Issac Donald “Don” Everly was born on February 1, 1937, about two years before his brother Phillip. They spent most of their childhood in Shenandoah, Iowa, raised by musically-inclined parents who performed country music throughout the South and Midwest before moving to Iowa. Their father Ike hosted a show on local Iowa radio, first singing with with his wife Margaret, and later “Little Donnie” and “Baby Boy Phil” joined them as the Everly Family. The family would later relocate to Knoxville, Tennessee. Here, the brothers would find work on Cas Walker’s Farm and Home Hour, a regional radio and TV variety program. They managed to catch the eye of Chet Atkins, who managed RCA Victor Studios in Nashville and was also a family friend. Atkins was somehow able to get the brothers a recording deal with Columbia Records in 1956. However, the lone single “Keep a-Lovin Me,” which Don wrote and composed ,flopped and the Everlys were quickly dropped by the label.
Again with the help of Atkins, they were later hired by Acuff-Rose music publishers in Nashville, but strictly as songwriters. However, this connection helped finally launch their career as they were soon introduced to a Cadence Records label that was looking for recording artists. At Cadence, they were presented with a song that had been rejected by dozens of other artists previously. But the Everly Brothers would record it in February of 1957, and their lives would never be the same again. “Bye, Bye Love” reached No. 2 on the pop charts, fighting with Elvis for radio airplay, and also reached No. 1 on the country and No. 5 on the R&B charts.
Their follow up to “Love” was somehow even more successful, with “Wake Up Little Susie” topping both the pop and country charts just a few months later. Both songs, and many of their other hits like “All I Have To Do Is Dream” and “Bird Dog,” were all written by the husband-and-wife Nashville writing team of Boudeleaux and Felice Bryant that Cadence Records employed. Their early hits helped them land an opening spot for Buddy Holly and the Crickets for tours in the late ’50s. Their innovative “countrified” rock style and distinct harmonies would begin to plant the seeds of influence for some of the greatest bands of the latter half of the 20th century. The Beatles once referred to themselves as the “British Everly Brothers” in their nascent days and Simon and Garfunkel have readily admitted to them being the driving influence behind their collaboration.
Phil and Don were the most beautiful sounding duo I ever heard. Both voices pristine and soulful. The Everlys were there at the crossroads of country and R&B. They witnessed and were part of the birth of rock and roll.
Paul Simon
After three years at Cadence, the Brothers would sign with Warner Bros. Records in 1960. It was here that they recorded their first successful hit that they wrote and composed themselves, “Cathy’s Clown.” It would go on to sell eight million copies and become the duo’s biggest-selling record. It’s also the first song ever that Warner Bros. released in the UK. If there’s any doubt as to the popularity of this song, it somehow even made its way into a Phish show as the opener for their show at SPAC on 7/2/19.
The Everly Brothers would continue to churn out Top 10 hits in both the US and UK throughout the early ’60s like “Walk Right Back,” “Crying In The Rain” and “The Price Of Love.” In fact, they would average one Top 10 hit on the pop charts every four months from 1957 to 1961. However, royalty disputes would later emerge with Acuff-Rose, to the point where The Everly Brothers would only record songs from other composers/publishers so as not to pay them anything. This also meant they were cut off from working with the Bryants who had written so many of their hits.
Both brothers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1961. They did resume their career after being discharged from active duty, but their success in the US would begin to dwindle. The Everly Brothers’ last US top 10 hit was 1962’s “That’s Old Fashioned (That’s The Way Love Should Be)”, a song recorded but unreleased by The Chordettes. Album sales began to dwindle as well. The Everlys’ first two albums for Warner Bros. peaked at No. 9 US, but after that, of a dozen more LPs, only one made the top 200: 1965’s Beat & Soul. By the end of the 1960s, the Everly Brothers still maintained some success in Canada, the UK and Australia, but returned to their country rock roots with 1968’s Roots which was critically acclaimed. But this wasn’t enough to keep their contract with Warner Bros. from lapsing after ten years. In 1970, Don Everly released his first unsuccessful solo album. The following year, the brothers would resume touring once more, with Lindsey Buckingham joining them in 1972. But sadly, the brother’s relationship also frayed over the years. Their last performance together took place on July 14, 1973 at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA with Phil smashing his guitar and walking off stage leaving Don to finish the show by himself while famously remarking, “The Everly Brothers died ten years ago.”
Both brothers would then go on to pursue solo careers, with Don Everly finding some minimal success on the US country charts in the mid- to late-1970s with his band Dead Cowboys, and playing with Albert Lee. He also recorded with Emmylou Harris on her 1979 album Blue Kentucky Girl. But nothing approached the commercial success he had experienced with his brother.
The brothers would later reunite in 1983, with a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London which was recorded for a live LP and video broadcast on cable television. This helped put them back on the map and included a new album EB ’84, produced by Dave Edmunds with its single “On The Wings Of A Nightingale” written by none other than Paul McCartney. It returned The Everly Brothers to both the US and UK pop charts for the first time in more than a decade.
Their last charting hit would be in 1986 with the title track to Born Yesterday. Afterwards, their career consisted of mainly collaborations with other artists. They would go on to provide backing vocal’s on Paul Simon’s signature solo effort, Graceland. And later, in 2003 and 2004 on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Old Friends” reunion tour, they would share the stage again. As a tribute to the Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel opened their own show and had the Everlys come out in the middle of it. At almost all shows, Simon made a point to express how much of an influence the brothers had on his career.
Dave Matthews Band performed in Syracuse, NY at the St Joseph’s Amphitheater on Wednesday, August 18 on the shores of Onondaga Lake. This marks the band’s third show at the Amp. Dave Matthews Band performed at the old Sky Chief Stadium in 2009 that included special guest Sam Kininger. Dave Matthews performed solo for the Dalai Lama at the Carrier Dome in 2012.
photo by Josh Davis
The rain-soaked masses came out for all occasions to the shores of Onondaga Lake to celebrate live music. It comes as fast as it passes through, so why fear the rain? The band responded with a 23-song set list mixed with old and new material from their catalog.
photo by Josh Davis
“Come and relax now leave your troubles down no need to bear the weight of your worries here let them all fall away.” For the first time in thirteen years, they opened the show with “Pantala Naga Pampa” -> “Rapunzel” that also appropriately starts the Before These Crowded Streets record. Thirteen years from this August 19 also marks the day Leroi Moore gave up his ghost as founding member on saxophone for the band.
The heavy rains commanded the band’s attention on stage. The crowd, as well, who started a “JTR” chant that helped changed the set list to oblige the rain dance request. The lyrics resonated off the stage through the sky, Rain, rain, Rain down on me Again And again, Rain down on me... Some thunder did come off the bandstand from Carter Beauford’s floor Tom drums during the JTR jam.
photo by Josh Davis
Do You Remember all of the Summer Tours this band has consistently put on with last year being its only break? Tim Reynolds was eager to play his electric guitar this tour. He shines during “Crush” and“You Might Die Trying.” His notes are both fueling off the horn section for full crescendo endings.
Dave Matthews debuts a song played for just the second time named “The Only Thing.” The jam includes Buddy and Tim jiving back and forth on funk. The new lyrics hit home in the crowd. I just want some kind of love I know cause I feel it, It’s a lonely world you’re living in. I just want love. more love. Lord knows I need it. It’s the only thing…
photo by Josh Davis
For those in the crowd battling a love they can’t break free from the band drops a raucous “Can’t Stop” The song started on Summer tour of 2006 and has grown to their most recent studio album. Dave’s words on this track clearly show the yearning that hopefully fades So hungry, you make me, I surrender… I’m hurting like a junkie for you. The outro chorus screams Free the Beast inside of me.
“You and Me,” a song written in Lake George, NY was played for the 375th time. The band also busted out “Captain” for the first time since Madison Square Garden In 2018.The “Jimi Thing” mash up jam featured covers by Huey Lewis and the News’ “I Want a New Drug” and Prince’s “Sexy Motherfucker.” Keyboardist Buddy Strong really stepped out vocally with Rashawn Ross on this while howling on that B3 Hammond organ. Its a damn shame to lose your way running wild. The band then went heavy with “Louisiana Bayou” and “Grey Street” to end the performance.
photo by Josh Davis
During the encore, two riders were approaching and the wind began to howl. The band played off the rainy night’s elements again for their finale. Stefan Lessard’s chilling bass intro to DMB’s take on Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” was beyond appropriate to end the night. This version also features a tribute to Led Zeppelin during the finale as Dave belts out the infamous final verse to “Stairway to Heaven” before ending ”Watchtower.” No reason to get excited…
Dave Matthews performed solo at a Stephen Talkhouse in the Hampton’s on Thursday evening. The band visits New York for shows in Saratoga Springs and Jones Beach in September. In November they return to the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
Dave Matthews Band – St Joseph’s Amphitheater, Syracuse NY – August 18, 2021
Setlist: Pantala Naga Pampa->Rapunzel, Funny the Way It Is, JTR, So Much to Say->Too Much, Squirm, Do You Remember, Crush, The Only Thing, You Might Die Trying, You and Me, Can’t Stop, Dancing Nancies, Warehouse, Captain, Jimi Thing I Want a New Drug (Huey Lewis & The News cover) Sexy M.F. (Prince cover) Louisiana Bayou, Grey Street
Encore: All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan cover with Led Zeppelin Verse)
