On Saturday, Sound Mind Live hosted their fourth annual music Sound Mind Live Music Festival, an event which aims to raise awareness and support for mental health programs.
Held in Central Park, performers included Outkast’s Big Boi, rock bands Cold War Kids and American Authors, KAMAUU, Wrabel, and Allison Russell.
Cold War Kids frontman Nathan Willett promoted the event in a CNN interview on Saturday.
Speakers at the festival included Talinda Bennington, widow of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington who passed away from suicide in 2017, New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann M. Sullivan, Matt Kudish, the Executive Director of NAMI-NYC (National Alliance on Mental Illness NYC), and Chris Bullard, the Executive Director of Sound Mind Live.
Sound Mind Live Executive Director Chris Bullard speaking during the event.
“Sound Mind is based on the premise that collectively our voices are stronger, and that by amplifying artists who are speaking openly about their mental health, we can elevate the conversation and build a community and culture that breaks the stigma that exists today,” reads the “Our Vision” page on Sound Mind Live’s website.
Non-profit partners of the organization include The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention, the Trevor Project, and several others.
Big Boi of Outkast fame.Cold War Kids performing Saturday.American Authors lead man Zac Barnett.American Authors performing Saturday.Kamau Mbonisi Kwame Agyeman, better known by his stage name, KAMAUU.KAMAUU performing Saturday.Stephen Wrabel, professionally known by just his last name.Wrabel performing Saturday.Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell.Russell performing Saturday.Talinda Bennington, widow of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.Bennington speaking during the festival.New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Ann M. Sullivan.Matt Kudish, the Executive Director of NAMI-NYC speaking during the festival.Chris Bullard speaking during the festival.
The longevity of the hip hop era has yet to cease. Its influence within the music industry, as well as the significant role it plays in cultural shifts worldwide is ever-growing. With the help of stellar records, powerful performances, captivating music videos and the puissant storytelling, hip hop has become engrained in everyday life, down to basic communication. Over decades it has been fragmented into sub-genres with its origins deriving globally, with one of the most bodacious being drill music. It may have first originated from Southside Chicago, but nonetheless has extensively embedded itself within the rap game forever.
Kid Flvsh
This sub-genre of music began in the early 2010s and was pioneered by the notable, King Louie and Chief Keef. Nonetheless, drill has yet to falter, as it has grown from underground to mainstream music, preeminently within New York and the United Kingdom. Every drill song has a storyline, centered around gun violence, disses, and gang culture which touch upon the realities of surviving the streets. Its raw nature is what also connected people, as well as led rappers from a life of poverty, a higher degree of institutionalized racism, and crime within the hood, to a better life with riches and fame. After consummating such accomplishments, many take on the role of the hero within their hometowns and devote their time, as well as their money to giving back.
Fivio Foreign, Alicia Keys, and Ye, also known as Kanye West, are the three prominent artists who collaborated to create the timeless song, “City of Gods”. Considering the trio’s hometowns are New York City and Chicago, the cultures from both were intertwined to perfection.
In an interview with DJ Clue on 105.1, Foreign compared his song with another credible record by Keys and Jay Z, “Empire State of Mind”, which is a New York classic. The idea for “City of Gods” was first established by none other than musical genius Ye. When Foreign first received the beat, it was a sample from The Chainsmokers’ 2015 song, “New York City“. Soon after creating his verse, he shared everything with Ye, who then envisioned a new path for it. Ye not only mixed up the beat, but also encouraged the drill rapper to alter some of his lyrics to further reinforce his message. After adding in his own verse, the only thing missing was the chorus and Ye knew undoubtedly, the one person who could tie this masterpiece together was Keys.
At first I had said ‘ain’t no King of New York, nobody really in charge’ and Ye like ‘yo you gotta say you the King of New York, you the one that’s in charge.’
Fivio Foreign
Not only did Foreign tribute “City of Gods” to New York City, especially his hometown of Brooklyn, but he dedicated it to his friend and fellow drill rapper, TDott Woo, who was fatally shot soon before the record was released. This tragedy is a prime example of the message behind the passionate lyrics, “New York City please go easy on me tonight. New York City please go easy on this heart of mine.” These are more than just lyrics for another hit song but are words that electrify the hearts of so many who experience the same livelihood of violence and crime within their neighborhood.
Kid Flvsh’s vision, for the cover art of “City of Gods”, was to make a statement with the vibe of New York City, as well as all of the emotions from the song. The drawing is in honor of TDott Woo who mirrored what drill is all about.
“City of Gods” is a biblical term that refers to Heaven, which is why Foreign chose it to represent the city that means the absolute world to him. Additionally, the drill rapper shares this nostalgia with New York City natives, Nas, and Jay Z, who are viewed as “gods” within the world of hip hop. All-embracing, Foreign knows the massive impact his city holds, regarding the rap legends it birthed.
Throughout the record, Foreign continued to shed light on how much he appreciates love from his city and is always considering ways to improve its livelihood, especially for people of color. Nonetheless, he spoke of its terrors and how to survive them, which correlates to his album title B.I.B.L.E., Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
On Ye’s verse he mentions “It’s a Sunday Service in Brooklyn”, which refers to the time when him along with his gospel group, performed at DMX’s Memorial in Brooklyn. Sunday Service was recognized globally after their appearance at Coachella on Easter of 2019.
Ye proceeds with a juxtaposition, “It’s the city that come with the lights. I’m with the drillers that come with the night.” The first line describes the city that never sleeps, specifically Brooklyn and how it is a city of light. However, the next line emphasizes how dark and gloomy it is at nighttime, considering all the violence that occurs. This topic is nothing new to Ye, as he once bared witness to the crimes of Chicago growing up.
New Yorkers continuously support and respect Ye’s music, cultural influence, and commitment to his artistry. Resultantly, every chance Ye receives he praises New York, hence his reference to Frank Sinatra, “I feel like Sinatra in these streets.” Sinatra is accoladed with being one of the greatest musicians of the 1900s, which Ye compares to how the world views himself in this generation. Additionally, the 20th century singer once created a record in honor of the city, called “New York, New York“.
I’m from the Chi but I’m always New York. In the city, they treat me like Jesus is walkin.
Ye
Although, many claim drill music to be detrimental to the culture and that it supports ongoing violence, Foreign is an advocate of the contrary. In fact, he firmly believes this style of music provides people with the freedom to express themselves and discuss what their ferocious world entails daily. Furthermore, rising to stardom, provides an opportunity for monetary gain, which leads to a better life and keeps more Black men off the streets. Notwithstanding this perspective, he discusses that many artists do not write their own lyrics, and according to Foreign, would make it unjust for laws to be used against them based on the messages relayed.
As a respected voice of this generation, Foreign is currently planning to unify distinguished artists in support of one another to cultivate change. Those he mentioned who were already in agreement are Ye, Jay-Z, Dave East, 2 Chainz, Fabulous, Jim Jones and more. Moving forward, Foreign would love for younger artists to connect and take part in this brotherhood.
Essentially, no matter how much recognition and fame Foreign receives worldwide, he knows that his home will always be right here in the “City of Gods”.
“City of Gods” Lyrics
New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine
Nigga, this my shit Welcome to the city of Gods Pop was the king of New York Now I’m the nigga in charge Only the drillers, the city is ours We found out the opps and we pick ’em apart I give ’em my time so I give ’em my heart If the city love me, then I’m really a star New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine ‘Cause I’m losing my lover to the arms of another New York City, please go easy on me
Yeah, look, this is the city of money and violence Everything we do is gon’ come with a challenge Every bitch you fuck is gon’ come with a balance Every shooter with me is coming in silence And you niggas better pick a side You niggas side hoppin’ If I want ’em to not let you come into the city, it’s my option This is the home of the fly shoppin’ This where the bitches gon’ watch pockets When I’m on TV, I gotta look good ‘Cause I know the whole block watchin’ If you chill with the opps, we is not vibin’ If I see ’em in person, we Fox 5 ’em Yeah, the police is on us, we not stoppin’ (Yeah, the police is on us, we not stoppin’, nah)
This is the town of the big drip (big drip), smooth talk (smooth talk, ha) Milly Rock (Milly Rock), Shmoney Dance (Shmoney Dance), Woo Walk (Woo) You will not survive being too soft Been a long time, we took a new loss Shooters shootin’ ’til we got a new corpse If we stop then we lettin’ it cool off
New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine ‘Cause I’m losing my lover to the arms of another New York City, please go easy on me
We went off the grid We ain’t watch the throne, we took it We went viral on ’em, they lookin’ It’s a Sunday Service in Brooklyn It’s the city that come with the lights I’m with the drillers that come with the night They ain’t do four years in college But they’ll do 25 to life
We make money every night Never too big of a price After I buy the Chicago Bulls Imma go link with Mike And if I let ’em have my wife, niggas should thank me With this Balenciaga and Balenci’ boots and a new blue Yankee
This is Ye, I’m so focused, throw on a mask, no COVID Imma turn your life to a meme, let Justin LaBoy post it You got an album? Postpone it I drop two and they both going I got a feeling they in they feelings They filmin’ a show, but won’t show it
You gotta watch me in slow motion, I’m in that wide-body Benz I go back to college, do an album, and then drop out again Took me a minute to get here, my vision is crystal clear Ayy, Fivi’, excuse me, but this the feature of the year
I feel like Sinatra in these streets Me and Drizzy, we at peace This the backpack with the Polo and the first Jesus piece I’m from the Chi’ but I’m always New York In the city, they treat me like Jesus is walkin’ I been through the pain and all of the torment I’m sayin’ His name, I make that important
Now it’s time to give ’em hell Ask my staff, I pay ’em well This afternoon, a hundred goons pullin’ up to SNL When I pull up, it’s dead on arrival They act like they love you, they don’t even like you They throw a party, won’t even invite you I seen the same thing happen to Michael
You black and you rich, they sayin’ you psycho It’s like a cycle If you text me anything hype You better text back and say it’s a typo The city of Gods, no city is like you This the new New York, Ye is the GOAT Fivi’ is viral and this is the B.I.B.L.E.
New York City, please go easy on me tonight New York City, please go easy on this heart of mine ‘Cause I’m losing my lover to the arms of another New York City, please go easy on me
Don’t leave me, go easy, go easy, go easy Don’t leave me, go easy, go easy, go easy Don’t leave me, go easy, go easy, go easy
On Saturday, May 21, the Dirt Farmer Festival returned to the Arrowood Farms. The day was beautifully clear, hot and picture perfect. This is the second Dirt Farmer Festival to be held at Arrowood Farms. This festival has deep roots in the Hudson Valley. The first festival was originally held at the Arrowood Farms on August 19, 2018 and for several years prior, the Levon Helm Band played a series of free fall concerts at Gill’s Farm, just a few miles up the road, in Stone Ridge, NY.
This concert festival was greatly anticipated and the show was everything anyone could possibly hope it would be, and then some. This day, this festival belonged to Amy Helm and it also belongs to Levon Helm and his legacy of supporting the local farming community. Amy made the day special. It’s not easy to look glamorous when the sun is strong enough that you can overheat just standing in place. How does Amy Helm do it? She does it with poise, a warm smile, a love of the music and the musicians, her friends and family and everyone in attendance. From the main stage, introducing Oliver Wood, Amy suggested that everyone should drink lots of water available at the bar area water station and stay hydrated.
Arrowood Farms is a huge field with several buildings, hops growing on the west side, a brewery with an excellent locally brewed beer selection, an open air bar area and a relaxed easy going atmosphere. For this event, there were two concert stages, one is a permanent main stage and the second stage, a mobile stage wagon brought in for the event. There were nine scheduled performances alternating between the two adjacent stages.
The performances ranged from full-on electric high energy dancing and boogie music to acoustic relaxed, let’s sit down, kick-back, enjoy the beautiful day and the live music. The show highlights, and there were a ton of great musical moments, but if one stood out, it was #1 Mavis Staples and #2 Mavis Staples and also, make no mistake, it was Mavis Staples. She is loved and adored. Her voice is strong and she played to her audience knowing she had full command of the stage. For the final song of her set, the crew and all the musicians in attendance piled into the front of the stage area to share the moment. You could feel the love, you could see the love. Seeing Mavis perform, everyone knew this was a special moment.
The load-out and load-in between the Connor Kennedy Band and the final performance of the festival, the Midnight Ramble Band, was like watching organized chaos come together in a massive effort to get it right and do it on the fly. The musicians and stagehands, the sound crew, were all participating, unwinding cables, plugging-in and checking the sound. When you see Teresa Williams moving her own monitor, you know the division of labor went right out the window and it’s an all hands on deck effort. This was very clearly a local one-off concert and nothing like watching a national tour stage set-up. This one was for friends and family and it all came together for the Midnight Ramble Band’s set.
The day absolutely belonged to Amy, but of course she could have not have done this all by herself. To all of the Levon Helm Studios staff and to everyone that worked diligently to make the Dirt Farmer Festival a successful event, thank you. The effort is greatly appreciated. Arrowood Farms, let’s do it again next year.
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow has released the schedule for three free music series in The Port City of Central New York this summer. Free Public Music series will be held on Wednesdays at Brietbeck Park, Thursdays at Veteran’s Stage on the Oswego River, and Fridays at Water Street Square.
The Oswego Summer Concert Series has grown each and every year, drawing larger and larger crowds and new musical acts. We have an exciting lineup of bands this year, with local fan favorites and several new groups to the Oswego area. We have exciting things happening in downtown Oswego and I hope the Summer Concert Series will draw both residents and visitors alike, to enjoy quality live music, experience downtown, our Farmer’s Market and see our beautiful waterfront.
Mayor Billy Barlow
Wednesdays
The Sunset Concert Series at Brietbeck Park will feature Concert Bands and Jazz Bands. Music begins at 7 or 7:30pm, and is sponsored by the City of Oswego and the Oswego County Musicians Collaborative.
Thursdays
Free concerts are held on Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Veteran’s Park on the Oswego River. Concertgoers are allowed to bring chairs and coolers to Veteran’s Park. The open container ordinance is lifted for the event.
2022 Oswego Summer Concert Series Schedule
June 30th – Off the Reservation
July 7th – The Swooners
July 14th – The Sky Coasters
July 21st – Tink Bennet & Tailor Made
July 28th – No Concert – Harborfest
August 4th – The DeSantis Band
August 11th – Long Time Coming
August 18th – Billy Joel Guys – Tribute to Billy Joel
August 25th – Menage A Soul
Fridays
Mayor Barlow also has announced the “Concerts @ the Square” schedule and lineup for Summer 2022. The concert series will be held at the Water Street Square downtown pocket park located between Water Street and West First Street in Oswego.
Before the pandemic interrupted the “Concerts @ the Square” concert series, the new pocket park was serving as a great venue for live music and other outdoor programming opportunities since we built and opened in 2019. Now, we hope to restart and grow the series, bringing more people downtown to experience our improvements and support small businesses. The concerts at Water Street Square provide a great opportunity to hear some live music from local musicians and enjoy all downtown Oswego has to offer.
Mayor Billy Barlow
Beginning in July, live music will be held in the park on Friday evenings from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. All concerts are free and open to the public. The concert area falls within the newly created “social district” in the city so alcohol purchased from nearby establishments will be permitted.
Water Street Square “Concerts @ the Square” 2022 Schedule
Friday, July 1st – Mike Shiel
Friday, July 8th – 1 Night Stand
Friday, July 15th – Double V’s
Friday, July 22nd – Domicolo-Barlow Band
Friday, August 12th – 3 of a Kind
Friday, August 19th – Justin Blackwell Band
Friday, August 26th – Rob Auler
Limited seating is available and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs. No coolers are permitted. The Water Street Square pocket park was built in 2019 as part of the city’s downtown revitalization plan and has been host to several concerts, wedding ceremonies and other events since opening.
For additional information, please contact the City of Oswego Economic Development Office at (315) 343-3795.
Ithaca Night Bazaar kicked off their summer festival series on Thursday evening, May 19, with hometown favorite, Jimkata. The captivating trio returned to the stage in Ithaca for the first time in six years. Jimkata fans were engaged and elevated as the 90 minute set of mesmerizing synths included fifteen years of hits plus “Wanna Go” and “Wait for You” from Bonfires, the bands most recent album.
Jimkata performs at the Ithaca Night Bazaar. Photo by Allison Marie.
Harmonizing their talents since grade school, Evan Friedell, Aaron Gorsch and Packy Lunn have developed a paradise for their fans to get lost in with a visual and lyrical approach like no other band out there. Their distinctive sound and catchy hooks will be sure to take you on a moving wild ride.
Setlist: Die Digital, Wild Ride, Wait For You, Wanna Go, Writing On The Wall, Feel In Light, Jumping Out of Airplanes, Blessings in Disguise, Bonfires, Innocence, Ride the Wave, Weight of Paradise, Release. Encore: Won’t Let You Down, Nightshade.
Packy Lunn of Jimkata. Photo by Allison Marie.
Jimkata Tour Dates
May 27 – Pueblo, CO – ARISE Festival 2022 May 29 – Chillicothe, IL – Summer Camp Music Festival June 16 – Asbury Park, NJ – Wonder Bar June 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory June 18 – Beach Haven, NJ – HopSauce Fest 2022 Aug 19 – Sherman, NY – Beyond The Blue 2022
There’s a very good argument to be made that Felix Cavaliere may be one of the most underrated songwriters, singers and instrumentalists to emerge during the Sixties. The latest evidence for this comes in his long overdue autobiography, Felix Cavaliere: Memoir of A Rascal.
As founder, principal songwriter and lead singer of The Rascals, Felix was the force behind nine of the greatest Top 20 hits of the mid-1960s. The roster includes the #1s “Good Lovin’,”“Groovin’” and “People Gotta Be Free” and the still-ubiquitous “A Beautiful Morning,” a #3 hit in 1968 that remains one of the most licensed tracks in movies, television and breakfast cereal adverts! As the first white act signed to the R&B-centric Atlantic Records, Felix was in the thick of the drive for civil rights. His band refused to play concerts that didn’t feature a black act on the bill and crafted the aforementioned “People Gotta Be Free” and “Ray of Hope,” two anthems of the civil rights and anti-war movements. Like his friend Beatle George, Felix’s work and life were forever changed by his encounter and lifelong commitment to a guru, Swami Satchidananda. And while Cavaliere’s forceful, Ray Charles-influenced vocals are often namechecked in “Best Of” lists, his massive chops as an instrumentalist on the Hammond Organ and as an arranger/producer are largely overlooked.
Cavaliere’s story begins in Pelham, New York. He was the son of two Italian-American professionals, a dentist dad and pharmacist mom, who wanted him to become a doctor. While his family was solidly middle class, there was still prejudice towards them in their suburban hometown, something that would forever inform his advocacy for equal rights. His love of music began early, with eight years of thrice-weekly lessons absorbing Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. With the death of his mother when he was 13, Cavaliere changed course and channeled his grief and full energies into music. He combined his love of the classics with his new-found passion for Boogie Woogie, Fats Domino and, especially, Ray Charles, who would prove his most profound vocal and instrumental influence.
In high school, Felix would join his first band, an integrated vocal group called The Swingin’ Six. He would also commence his habit of scrounging in record shops to find obscure tunes for his band to cover. This is something that would lead to his first smash hit with The Young Rascals, The Olympics’ tune “Good Lovin’.” His musical aspirations really solidified while at Syracuse University when he founded the band Felix and The Escorts. His combo would compete for gigs at frat parties with another led by a “beatnik” classmate, Lou Reed. While playing a summer gig at a resort in the Catskills, Cavaliere would meet Joey Dee, leader of the Starliters of “Peppermint Twist” fame. Dee would soon ask him to join his band on a tour of Germany where the opening act was the pre-fame Fab Four.
Shortly after his return and a continued stint with the Starliters, 20-year-old Cavaliere ventured to create his own band. His began by enlisting “rockabilly crazy” Canadian guitarist Gene Cornish, whom he had played with in the Starliters. He then found his “cocky” co-songwriter and co-lead vocalist Eddie Brigati at the Choo Club in Garfield. The band was completed with the stick-twirling Dino Danelli, who Cavaliere found playing at the Metropole Jazz Club in Times Square.
The band’s big break came when they were discovered while playing a summer residency at The Barge in the Hamptons by Sid Bernstein, the man who brought The Beatles to Shea Stadium. Unlike many managers of the era, Bernstein and his partner Walter Hyman proved to be both fair and savvy. They set the young musicians up with their own publishing company, pension plans and also a contract with Atlantic Records, one that gave them free unlimited studio time and full creative control, right down to album cover art. It also gave them access to superlative session musicians like bassists Chuck Rainey and Ron Carter and saxman King Curtis, engineering by the renowned Tom Dowd on the world’s first 8-track recorder and the arranging talents of the peerless Arif Mardin, the man behind a boatload of classics from Aretha Franklin and Roberta Flack to The Bee Gees and Nora Jones.
As for their band name, Felix believes it was suggested by TV kiddie show host Soupy Sales when they went to see him to pitch themselves as his backing band. Drummer Danelli asserts he came up with it after watching The Little Rascals on TV. Either way, they at first got tagged The Young Rascals by Atlantic to avoid confusion with another very different act, The Harmonica Rascals.
Felix and his band’s ascent was supersonic –“six months from rehearsing in my parent’s basement to the top of the charts with ‘Good Lovin’” according to Cavaliere. Luckily for us, he devotes a good deal of the book to the writing and recording of his classic hits, many composed with Brigati.
Felix would generally come up with the titles, choruses and music and leave the verses to Brigati. Atlantic only began to have confidence in their writing with the Cavaliere-penned “(I’ve Been) Lonely Too Long,” a Top 20 from their second album, 1967’s Collections. With his recollection of “A Beautiful Morning,” Felix discusses how it was inspired by and written in Hawaii, a locale that had a special reverence for his band. According to Felix, the #1s “Groovin’” and “People Gotta Be Free” almost weren’t released. The first because of its overtly laid back Latin feel and lack of drums. This track, which spent five weeks at the top of the Top 40, was only released after the powerful DJ, Murray the K, made an appeal to label A&R chieftain Jerry Wexler. At first “People Gotta Be Free” was thought to be too controversial for release during the turbulent summer of 1968, but it was eventually issued and raced to the top of the charts.
Cavaliere notes The Beatles and Sgt. Pepper as influence on albums like their psychedelic Once Upon A Dream and the double-disc Freedom Suite. But at the height of their popularity, there was a mutiny in the ranks when an exhausted Cavaliere headed to Mexico for a couple of months of R&R. In his words, he went there to chill and protest the war and paying taxes to fund it. The rest of the band went into the studio to record an album without him; something that proved a dismal failure.
In his memoir, Cavaliere shares many interesting anecdotes about life on the road and The Rascals’ many TV performances, especially the grueling six-day rehearsals for each of their performances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Due to Brigati and Cornish’s fear of flying, the band largely drove from gig to gig, with Felix behind the wheel. He talks about weird gigs playing a bullfighting ring in Puerto Rico, co-headlining the Fillmore West with a “very unpleasant” Van Morrison, taking the stage at Shea Stadium in 1971 and his many tours to Hawaii, where he would bring along his whole family and guru. He talks of his admiration for other Italian-American stars before him, Dion and Frankie Valli, and his contemporary NYC-born hitmaker, John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful. He also recalls Jimi Hendrix, whom he knew from his own time with Joey Dee and the Starliters and his efforts to try and get the guitarist away from drugs.
A pivotal point in his life and art came with his meeting Swami Satchidananda through Steve Paul, owner of the famous Scene Club. Before becoming a guru, Satchidananda was a businessman who ran a company that made cars that ran on wood! After the death of his wife, Swami took to the path, something which Cavaliere did eagerly himself by becoming a vegetarian and practicing Hatha Yoga and meditation daily. His guru would give Felix the name “Paalitha,” for protector, and tell him that “Music and bringing joy from it was his karma.” Felix’s Swami would go on to open the Woodstock Festival, found a large teaching ashram called Yogaville and number among his devotees Carole King, Jeff Goldblum, model Lauren Hutton and other boldfaced names.
Cavaliere spends a good deal of time speaking about discrimination and his lifelong efforts to counter it. He recalls how his parents were not allowed to join the country club in Pelham due to their Italian heritage and how one of his high school classmates, Michael Schwerner, was among the three volunteers killed while registering black voters in Mississippi in 1964. He estimates he and his bandmates lost millions by having in their concert contracts the necessity of having black acts on the bill.
Cavaliere goes on to discuss the breakup of the band and their move from Atlantic to Columbia Records, where they made two ambitious albums in an increasing jazzy/gospel vein, Peaceful World and The Island of Real, collections whose stature has only grown with the passage of time. According to Cavaliere, Atlantic wanted to resign but only Felix as a solo artist. But he wanted to keep the band together, hence the move to Columbia. He also bemoans the premature decision by the band to sell its publishing.
Felix describes his post-Rascal years with pride, from his first stint as producer for Laura Nyro to his underrated solo albums and his duo disc with Stax guitar/songwriting legend Steve Cropper. He also waxes poetic about his love of Nashville, his home for several decades and its vibrant music scene, and also the fun of touring with Ringo Starr’s All-Star band. And, like any good Italian boy, he talks with deep love about the sacrifices and support of his parents and his love for partners and daughters.
If it wasn’t for The Rascals, Steve Van Zandt may never have gotten his role as Silvio Dante in The Sopranos. His humorous induction speech for the band at the 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony is what caught the imagination of series creator David Chase. Cavaliere laments that The Rascals: Once Upon A Dream, the multimedia show/concert event Van Zandt created for the band, had such a limited Broadway run and in a subsequent tour. He also expresses regret that the band itself cannot quite get it together for a proper reunion/farewell tour.
Cavaliere is presently on a nationwide tour with Legends Live alongside Micky Dolenz of The Monkees. Visit his website to order the book and tickets for the tour. www.felixcavalieremusic.com
Pre-Goose Peter Anspach project, Great Blue, wrapped up a memorable five-show run of dates through the East Coast over May 14-19. Featuring their first festival appearance of the season, the short-lived mini-tour managed to create a significant buzz amongst the jam scene faithful and included stops in Philadelphia, Rhode Island, DomeFest in Ohio, and a pair of New York shows in Rochester and Saratoga Springs, respectively.
Peter Anspach of Goose performing with Great Blue in Saratoga Springs 5/19/22
While the fun-loving Anspach is mainly known for his work with breakthrough psychedelic improv rockers Goose, these shows shinned the spotlight on a different side of “Handini.” Fully embracing the excessive “rock star” persona that’s partially been suppressed with his main band, it was in these more relaxed club-like environments where Anspach was truly able to get his “ya-ya’s” out. The result was nothing short of live music magic.
Couldn’t make it to any of the shows? No worries! NYS Music caught up with the band for their instant classic performance at Putnum Place on Thursday, May 19, and has all the sights (and some of the sounds) of the what many in attendance could be heard calling “one of the best show they’ve ever seen.”
Kicking off the show with an outstanding opening set from genre bending electronic rockers Escaper, the NYC based band were also joined by special guest Luke Bemand of Lespsecialon bass for the evening. With positive lyrics, danceable grooves and impressive compositions, even their seemingly simple jams morphed into straight-up heaters, particularly when the hard slapping hand of Bemand took the reins. After closing their set with a new, 9 minute sprawling epic called “Spaceship,” Escaper front man Will Hanza humbly took the opportunity to express his sincere gratitude to those in attendance, saying “Thank you guys so much. You know, after all we’ve been through, all of us, it means a lot that we can all gather for these things, so thank you and please keep doing it.”
Will Hanza of Escaper and Lespecial’s Luke Bemand performing at the Putnum Place in Saratoga Springs 5/19/22
After a brief intermission, the Thursday night funk party resumed in full force as our evening’s headliners Great Blue set their controls for the sun and lifted off like a rocket ship from hell, opening up with the songs “Lily’s Tiger” quickly followed by “Willy” from their 2013 album Rewind. While many Goose fans are only just discovering Great Blue, make no mistake, this is anything but a new band. Comprised of four longtime friends, their origins go all the way back to their high school days in the basement. Along with Peter Anspach, Great Blue is also comprised of Ethan Michael on guitars and sometimes keyboards, Seth Suzker on bass, and presumably paying homage to the late Taylor Hawkins by wearing a Foo Fighters shirt, was Nick Hanna on drums.
Together, Great Blue has been performing for more than a decade now and have four studio albums to their credit. With no shortage of songs in their back catalog to choose from, the band would amp things up even more with a high octane rendition of “Together Not The Same” that featured an insane guitar solo from Anspach whole completely lost himself in the music, smiling ear to ear while thrashing about the stage in a pure punk rock fury. After working their way through “Banana Jam” and a cover of Vampire Weekend’s “Sunflower,” Goose fans in attendance became audibly excited as the bass-heavy reggae groove of “Doc Brown” swept over the room. While the “Back to the Future” inspired jam was originally written by Great Blue, in recent years the song has been adopted by Goose and has become a regular staple of their live show, but the surprises wouldn’t end there as the quartet seamlessly sandwiched into another familiar Goose song in the form of “Whales” before eventually returning back to the reggae roots of “Doc Brown.”
Watch fan shot footage of Great Blue performing “Doc Brown” live from the Putnum Place in Saratoga Springs 5/19/22
Following that up with 2014’s “Crossfaded Mammoth,” Great Blue then unveiled their latest neo-psychedelic jam “Blue Marbles.” After “Pancakes,” someone in the audience yelled out “You guys are so fucking good!” to which Anspach enthusiastically replied from the stage, “It’s this band!” pointing over to his mates. “These guys are awesome, I love them.” Shifting gears, Peter would take a moment to reflect on former beloved band mascot Leo, a golden retriever who was with them back in their earliest days in the basement, always sitting in no matter how loud the PA was turned up.
“Lion in the Grass” was then played in memory of Leo and also featured one of the most memorable moments of the evening when Anspach and guitarist Ethan Michael ended up playing a portion of the song while both laying down on the stage. “Jeff Engborg,” both a real person and a real song came next while the main portion of the show wrapped up with an emphatic rendition of “Seeker.” As the clock approached 1am on this Thursday night, Great Blue still had one more surprise up their sleeve. Like a spaceship returning from the great beyond, our fantastic voyage then touched down with a cover of the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s smash hit, “Around the Word.” Suddenly, in what appeared to be a spontaneous last second call, the band then busted into Goose fan favorite, “Yeti,” perhaps the most well-known song originally penned by Great Blue and later adopted by their high flying friends.
Guitarist Ethan Michael performing with Great Blue in Saratoga Springs 5/19/22
As the house lights came on and fans scurried to buy up any and all Great Blue merch, more than one person could be heard calling this “the best show they’ve seen in years” and “the best $15 they’ve ever spent.” Indeed, it was a good one. Full of unbridled energy, youthful exuberance, danceable funk-filled grooves, soaring sonic peaks and over-the-top charisma, Great Blue unleashed an instant classic performance on this night in the Spa City. With their mini-run now in the rearview, all eyes are looking ahead to the Westville Music Bowl this weekend when Peter Anspach rejoins his “other” band, Goose, for their highly anticipated summer tour kick off.
Watch fan shot footage of Great Blue covering RHCP and ‘Yeti” from Saratoga Springs 5/19/22
Great Blue | Putnum Place | Saratoga Springs, NY | 5/19/22
Setlist: Lily’s Tiger, Willy, Together Not The Same, Banana Jam > Sunflower (Vampire Weekend) > Rogue II, Butterflies, Doc Brown >The Whales<Doc Brown, Mammoths, Blue Marbles, Pancakes, Lion in the Grass, Jeff Engborg, Seeker
Encore: Around The World (Red Hot Chili Peppers) > Yeti
Escaper | Putnum Place | Saratoga Springs, NY | 5/19/22
Setlist: Res Magna > No Stings > Breakaway, Cicada, Rare Form, Enjoy the Silence, Spaceship
*This set featured Luke Bemand of Lespecial sitting in on Bass
For more audience recorded video and images from the show, check out the full gallery by NYS Photojournalist Zak Radick below:
Buffalo musician Ellen Pieroni has a new original project that will makes its debut at Jack Rabbit on Friday, May 27th.
Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul – or EoS – presents a refreshing brand of smooth-infused soul jazz. While the group is inspired by artists such as Grover Washington, Stuff, Freddie Hubbard, and the Crusaders, EoS places an emphasis on new, original music.
EoS was founded by Pieroni (saxophone, compositions), James Benders (bass), and Adam Bronstein (guitar) earlier this year over a mutual love of the band Stuff.
I was a bandleader in my first band, Ellen Pieroni Quartet. For almost a decade, I bounced around town as a side woman in a multitude of projects. In many ways, EoS is a culmination of all of these experiences I’ve had playing various genres locally – trad jazz, bluegrass, afrobeat, jam, r&b. It took me that long to realize I wanted to be a bandleader again. I think the Encyclopedia of Soul is the band I’ve wanted to have all along.
Ellen Pieroni
In April, EoS played a session at The Beat Barn – a studio and creative space in Orchard Park owned by Buffalo-based drummer Joe Goretti. The founding trio was joined by Steve Davis (keys) and local legend Darryl Washington (drums). The band recorded a few tracks and a video that will be dropping soon.
EoS has since been playing with a new configuration, which include Tyler James (keys) and Isaiah Gethers (drums), with a live rehearsal at The Gypsy Parlor on Grant Street in May and another on May 24.
The Encyclopedia of Soul is a massive passion project for Ellen Pieroni, formerly of Folkfaces, Intrepid Travelers, Buffalo Afrobeat Orchestra, Blue Stone Groove, and more.
Catch Ellen Pieroni & the Encyclopedia of Soul’s debut show at Jack Rabbit on Friday, May 27th at 10pm. Tickets are $5 at the door.
In an area of New York where the Mohawk Valley meets Central New York, you’ll find Bouckville, best known for Ray Brothers Barbeque and The Yard Amphitheater. The pairing of some of the best BBQ in New York State with a stellar summer lineup of shows makes the small town of Bouckville a must stop for locals and travelers across the Empire State this summer.
When establishing Ray Brothers Barbeque with his brother Tucker in 2014, Colin Ray embarked on another dream of his: to build an outdoor music venue. The Yard Amphitheater started with a simple stage of plywood screwed to pallets set in the backyard, and over the years has transformed into the robust community gathering space it is today.
The Yard Amphitheater holds up to 1,500 attendees and has featured acts including Keller Williams, Zach Deputy, Turkuaz, Ryan Montbleau, Montgomery Gentry, JJ Grey & Mofro, Hayley Jane and the Primates, The North Mississippi Allstars, Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People, Martin Sexton, Cassidy Lynn, and many more.
Attending a show at The Yard is like being in your own backyard for a concert, only this backyard has a fully stocked outdoor bar, delicious BBQ, and nationally touring acts.
When you’re headed to Bouckville this summer, be sure to grab a chair or blanket, a bite to eat at the restaurant, a cold beer, and get ready to dance. This year’s lineup will have you on your feet in no time.
Yard Amphitheater 2022 Lineup
May 30th: Annual Backyard BBQ featuring Annie in the Water, The Reflexions, and Feed the Fire
June 4th: Keller & The Keels with The Old Main
June 25th: Dogs In A Pile with Adam Brooks
July 2nd: Cassidy Lynn with Jason Wicks
July 16th: Root Shock with Chris Eves and the New Normal
July 23rd: Blue Star Radiation
August 6th: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry with Blaine Holcomb
August 12th: Mihali of Twiddle with Mike Powell
August 13th: Ryan Montbleau with Giovanina Bucci
August 20th: SunSquabi with Vaporeyes
September 4th: Annual Hop Harvest Smoke Out featuring Mo Lowda & The Humble with additional acts TBA.
Albany’s Alive at Five Summer Concert Series has announced the 2022 summer lineup, with a wide variety of musicians playing at Jennings Landing.
Alive at Five is Albany’s signature free concert series, with eight weeks showcasing various artists, from big names to up-and-coming acts, and artists from the area. The summer concert series started in 1990 with a performance by legendary folk artist Richie Havens and has since grown into a staple of the Capital Region. The shows will be every Thursday from 4:30-8 P.M.
State Champs is an American Rock band from Albany, New York. Young Culture is also from Albany and is a three-piece alternative rock band. State Champs have been a band since 2010, and have released three EPs and four full-length albums. They have been nominated for many awards at the Alternative Press Music Awards. Young Culture is friends with State Champs and has toured together and worked on music together as well.
Spafford is a four-piece act from Phoenix, Arizona, and their sound can be described as electrofunk therapy, which combines deep sonic exploration and jam-heavy improvisation. Their songs range from 10-30 minutes, taking an interesting view of funk-dance music. Annie in the Water’s music is a groovy combination of Reggae, Funk, Rock, Blues, and Jamstyle. The band is a six-piece and was created out of chance as founding members Michael Lashomb and Bradley Hester met at Hobart College in Geneva in 2007.
Known as heavy metal’s original blonde rocker, Lita Ford is a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. She was the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band the Runaways in the late 1970s and had a successful glam metal solo career in the 80s. Her 1989 single “Close My Eyes Forever” with Ozzy Osbourne is her most successful song, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard 100 charts. Candy Ambulance is an Albany-based grunge-punk trio who are known for its poppy melodies and dynamic vocal changes.
Talib Kweli stands as one of the worldâs most talented and most accomplished hip-hop artists after nearly 20 years of recordings and performances. He has worked with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and more. He will be joined by DJ TGIF, DJ SIROC, and JB!! aka Dirty Moses.
Cassadee Pope is a Grammy award-nominated pop-punk singer and a country artist, songwriter, & musician. She was the lead singer of the rock band Hey Monday before becoming the winner of the third season of The Voice and the first female winner. Sydney Worthley is an alternative artist from Albany, New York who became an independent artist at 17 and has released a few albums with regular air time on the radio.
Ballyhoo! is an American reggae rock and punk band. The group has sold over 30,000 copies of its five albums and more than 200,000 digital tracks. Souly Had is an artist from Duanesburg, New York, who creates hip-hop and R&B music, with over one million streams on Spotify. The E-Block are an indie band from Albany, New York, named after the street they all grew up on.
Donavon Frankenreiter is a musican and surfer, who for nearly four decades has been traveling the world as a surfer and musican. His sound is a unique blend of laid-back grooves, philosophical lyrics and soulful delivery. Sean Rowe is an alternative folk singer-songwriter and musician. He has a recognizable deep and husky voice that brings the sound of country and Americana together.
Doug E. Fresh is a Barbados-born American rapper, record producer, and beatboxer, also known as the “Human Beat Box”. Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects and is a pioneer of 20th-century American beatboxing. He will be joined by Ohzhe & DJ TGIF and DJ Hollyw8d.
Doug E. Fresh.
All Alive at Five performances are free and begin at 4:30pm each Thursday this summer, beginning June 9
