Author: derek java

TR3 Featuring Tim Reynolds Had the Crowd’s Feet Skipping and A-Hoppin’ in Hudson Falls

Tim Reynolds brought his rock trio TR3 to the historic Strand Theater in Hudson Falls in December. The merry crowd was treated to a blend of acoustic-rock and jazz-fusion instrumentals, with a couple of classic covers thrown in for good measure. TR3 really loves the Strand Theater and it is obvious both in their banter and in the way they play. You can see the pleasure in their faces as they showcase their talented chops. Peter Harris writes this about their visit in January 2022 at The Strand Theater: “[Tim] has a special knack for tailoring moods, creating ambience, and shredding tastefully.”

Tim Reynolds at The Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

For those that don’t know, the Strand Theater has a historic past. It began as a movie theatre in the early 1920s. The transformations it had include being a warehouse and eventually a county court house. It was a “white, stale municipal building” as Director Jonathan Newell says to the Times Union. This theater is anything but that now. Gorgeous inside and out! A perfect place to jam for TR3 with Tim Reynolds leading the way.

TR3 at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

TR3 featuring Tim Reynolds wraps up their December tour this weekend on Friday and Saturday in Concord, NH and Fall River, MA, respectively. Catch them if you can, and Tim’s trio will have your feet tapping along. Just the way Tim likes it! Be sure to check out the photos below to see this beautiful theater and the trio in action.

Tim Reynolds – Strand Theater, Hudson Falls, NY – December 13, 2022

Setlist: Dirty Feet, All By Design, Everything Could Be OK, So Am I, Watch It!, Radar Contact, On This Mountain, Sweet Spot, Mutant Swarm, Sun is Still There, U Can U Have U Will, Wanna Get With You, Going Places, Bone to Pick, Kabbalah, Riders on the Storm, Bowie
Encore: Chicago

Tim Reynolds at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Dan Martier at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Mick Vaughn at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

TR3 at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Tim Reynolds at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Mick Vaughn at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Dan Martier at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Tim Reynolds’ guitars at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Mick Vaughn’s bass guitar at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Dan Martier’s drums at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Mick Vaughn at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

The Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Mick Vaughn at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

Dan Martier at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

TR3 at the Strand Theater. Photo by Derek Java.

December 17, 2022
Goodnight Moonshine Keeps the Spark Glowing at Caffe Lena

Married couple Molly Venter and Eben Pariser brought their project Goodnight Moonshine to Caffe Lena on a Saturday in early December 2022. The duo plays acoustic guitars and sings into a solitary mic. This highlights the spark of their harmonies, both vocally and from their instruments. The audience enjoyed the couple’s banter and playing throughout the show, joining in impromptu with backup harmonizing and also when asked to join in by the band.

Goodnight Moonshine at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.

Earlier that day, Goodnight Moonshine had performed for a group of young children at Caffe Lena. Transitioning to the adult crowd, the couple was having fun realizing that their child-safe filters were still on. Someone from the crowd asked, “How many wheels on the bus?” Venter was quick to reply, “As many as it takes to get them to stop crying!” This was one of many enjoyable moments throughout the evening.

Molly Venter of Goodnight Moonshine. Photo by Derek Java.

Venter dedicated a song called True North to her father. Lines such as “there went my peace of mind with you on the otherside” and “taught me to speak true” brought to light her love for her father. Venter’s soulful voice is a story-telling gem.

Later in the long set, Pariser asked the audience for participation. He asked those with low voices to sing a low “drown in my own tears” and the higher voices to sing a harmony to the same line. This was fun, and as always the crowd at Caffe Lena did not disappoint the artist.

Goodnight Moonshine basking in the spark of the crowd at Caffe Lena. Photo by Derek Java.

For this listener, two songs highlight what connects this pair to their audience, and the rest of the world for that matter. One is about the couple’s twins called “Already Who You Are” and the other is called “Stars.” Both have lines about everything being “made of stars.” Speaking true indeed. Keep an eye out for Goodnight Moonshine next year and see them if you can. You can stream shows from Caffe Lena, as well. Information can be found here.

Photo by Derek Java.

Photo by Derek Java.

Photo by Derek Java.

Photo by Derek Java.

Photo by Derek Java.

Photo by Derek Java.

Photo by Derek Java.

Photo by Derek Java.

December 5, 2022
Ali McGuirk brings the Work of Love to The Linda Performing Arts Studio in Albany

Ali McGuirk delivered a pared-down but powerful performance at The Linda Performing Arts Studio in Albany on Oct 1. The theater was pleasantly packed and ready for a throaty earful from McGuirk.

Ali McGuirk performed solo with only a couple of guitars as “friends.” Her partner in performance couldn’t make it. Even so, McGuirk is a compelling and entertaining presence on stage with just guitars accompanying her! Her soulful voice and a jazzy and sparse guitar playing style connect well with her audience.

McGuirk’s set was filled with songs off her recently released a full-length album entitled Til It’s Gone. The album was recorded in Los Angeles with a gaggle of studio musicians, including Little Feat guitarist Fred Tackett. Highlights included “Ex-Boyfriends” and the title track “Til It’s Gone.” The audience was rapt and appreciative of the solo performance McGuirk delivered.

Upstate NY’ers can catch Ali McGuirk in neighboring VT at South Burlington’s Higher Ground on October 14. Her new album Til It’s Gone is available on all streaming platforms.

Setlist: All Back, Leave Me, Milk, Evelyn, Empty Vase, Work, Let It Be You, When I see You / Til It’s Gone, Exorcist, Anti Love Song, Ex-Boyfriends

October 4, 2022
Joe Jencks and Kray Van Kirk trade songs at Caffe Lena

Joe Jencks and Kray Van Kirk traded songs at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Sep. 16. The night was divided into three sets: a solo set by Van Kirk followed by a solo set by Jencks, then both singers came on stage to trade songs back and forth for a story-filled hour plus from these two singer songwriters. Joe Jencks was last featured on NYS Music at the folk music Old Song Festival of Traditional Music and Dance.

In the solo sets, Kray Van Kirk started the night off. A highlight from Van Kirk for this listener was when he introduced a song with this: “I am going to spend my time rejecting my heritage.” He then sang a song of solidarity with people of all kinds. Van Kirk said after the show that his “ancestors were slave owners in this country.” He finished his solo set with the title track from his most recent album Midnight Commander.

Joe Jencks took the stage for his solo set and began by saying that he was standing in solidarity with the workers of Amtrak. Jencks mentioned that his friend Van Kirk, who lives in California, was fortunate that he took a plane over to the Northeast, as a trip via train could have been tricky. The highlight for this listener was also a title track. This time it was Jencks singing the title track to his new album The Coming of the Years. Jencks mentioned how this song was an homage to “getting together” and how nice it was to get together with an audience considering the past couple years of the Covid pandemic.

During the combined set, Van Kirk told an incredible story/legend about Irish Selkies. These are the Irish people’s version of Mermaids. Jencks continued the theme of water-related storytelling. He sang a song of acceptance that centered on “The Lady of the Harbor” (Statue of Liberty). Both singers spun tales of politics and bravery. Concluding the night, the two singer songwriters invoked Pete Seeger telling the US Congress that he was not invoking his 5th Amendment rights; he was invoking his 1st Amendment rights. Then the crowd sang along to a swelling rendition of The Youngbloods’ Smile on Your Brother.

Photos by Derek Java Photography

Joe Jencks listening to Kray Van Kirk.

September 19, 2022