Author: Pete Mason

Winter Carnival at The Waterhole Announces Music Lineup

The Waterhole Music Lounge has announced the live music lineup for their most renowned concert series, Winter Carnival at the Waterhole.

Over the course of 10 days, The Waterhole will bring 13 live musical acts to the Upstairs Music Lounge to keep Carnival goers moving & grooving as our community celebrates the 127^thannual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

The 2024 lineup features 13 different bands including a plethora of fan favorites, and pairs them up with unbelievably talented opening acts that are sure to entertain and excite.

Things kick off on Friday, February 2 with Annie in the Water, well known for excitable, high energy jams, funky tones, and chill vibes. Special guests Organ FairChild from Buffalo, NY will open up the evening. This old-school organ trio has dance-heavy grooves and adventurous jamming.

Joslyn & The Sweet Compression make their first Winter Carnival appearance on Saturday, February 3. This groove-hardy trip of soul music filtered through a vivacious, and sometimes lush, modern lens, a psychedelic soundscape that exemplifies truth in music’s ability to shake up the establishment. This band will make the journey to the North from their hometown in Lexington, Kentucky, a follow up appearance at The Waterhole after the crowd fell in love with their sound at a Party on the Patio performance in 2023.

Los Blancos are the perfect compliment to the Saturday night bill. This band has been playing the Waterhole since the creation of the Upstairs Music Lounge in 1991. They rip through blues, soul, zydeco, and with their bottomless bag of tricks they always get the party started.

Wednesday, February 7 Hayley Jane returns to the Waterhole with her new band. Known for her emotive and memorizing performances, her vocals have a delicacy that touches the heart and also a raw power that can drive one into a frenzy. Open and honest, she chooses words that are both brazen and playful as she spills secrets onto the stage, spinning them into a web of burred lines.

Giovanina Bucci, who was born and raised in Plattsburgh and a dear friend of Hayley Jane will open up the night. Her musical style is nothing short of eclectic. Rooted in blues, soul, and folk, she writes about the intimate experiences that have shaped her as a human and as a songstress showcasing her unique guitar style and sultry delivery.

Thursday, February 8 features The Strictly Hip: Masters of The Tragically Hip. The band takes an almost academic approach to performing the music of Canada’s most popular band, performing with reverence, respect and accuracy.

Friday, February 9 Bellas Bartok & Folkfaces partner up for an energetic and bedazzling co-bill that is sure to keep concert goers dancing the night away. Bella’s Bartok live shows are a theatrical mix of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and the ‘Rocky Horror Picture’ show with a mesmerizing mix of Eastern European, Americana, punk and pop music. Folkfaces are a rowdy, roots quartet that takes its influence from weird old American music, offering an energetic variety show and traveling music review. The band explores a wide range of genres including country, blues, traditional jazz, rock & roll, honkey tonk, western swing, bluegrass, old-time, jug band and more.

Saturday, February 10 features two different shows – the first being the Post Parade Party. This day time show takes place immediately after the parade ends, and is well known as the biggest dance party of the entire year, plus its a free show headlined by another fan favorite, The Big Takeover.

Led by the powerhouse, Jamaican-born singer and songwriter NeeNee Rushie, The Big Takeover’s horn-powered global blend reveals deep fluency in reggae and world music, hints of soul and Motown, and their own infectious brand of pop classicism. Saranac Lakers will recognize The Big Takeover from their late night performance at the 2022 Northern Current Community Music Festival.

Later that evening, another show awaits Carnival goers. Fan favorite, West End Blend returns with funk and SOUL. Fronted by vocalist Erica Tracy Sullivan, WEB plays homage to classic throwback sounds while adding their own distinct vibe and flair. Behind her, the blend packs a four-piece horn section, two guitars bass, keyboards, and drums onto stages every night. From humble beginnings in an epic sweaty funky basement dance party, the Blend’s goal has always been to bring that same atmosphere to every show ever since.

Opening up for WEB will be All Night Boogie Band – hailing form the Green Mountains of Vermont, this band closed out the 2023 Party on the Patio 2023 season with a bang, and were thus invited to play during Winter Carnival. Think massive soulful vocals, big horns; and a powerfully tight rhythm section that creates a powerful and emotional blues that will make you shake your hips.

And last but certainly not least, Jatoba returns to the Carnival Lineup on Bloody Mary Sunday, February 11. This free day time show happens in the downstairs bar and will mark the band’s first Waterhole show since 2014. Jatoba sounds like groove-grass with quick bluegrass tempos driven by thumping and rockabilly-like bass lines, accentuated with soaring three part vocal harmonies. On top of this, they add effect-driven guitar solos, heavy rhythmic improvisation, beat boxing and even the occasional sitar interlude.

If you don’t want to miss a single beat of Winter Carnival at The Waterhole, consider purchasing a Week Pass for $76. This pass guarantees access to every ticketed event and saves you $24. Tickets are available for purchase on the Waterhole website saranaclakewaterhole.com and in person by stopping into the bar. As always, the Waterhole is a 21+ venue.

December 7, 2023
Keller Williams plays to a sold out Lark Hall

Guitarist extraordinaire Keller Williams drew a sold out crowd at Lark Hall on Saturday, December 2.

The master of looping has been at it for nearly 30 years, and his following has never waned a bit. From sell out shows at The Egg in 2006 to festival performances all throughout the state with unique projects, Keller always draws well in Albany.

Keller Williams at Lark Hall – photo by Dave DeCrescente

A chatty crowd took in the show on this pre-winter evening, a mirror ball providing subtle lighting that paired well with Williams’ sound and style. Even without his right hand man, Louis Gosain, the evening was full of fun, laughs and surprised, as well as a great deal of experimentation, particularly throughout set one, which would end with a fantastic “Naive Melody.”

“Freeker by the Speaker” would open Set 2 to great cheers, a segment of “Pets” by Porno for Pyros found worked into the original tune deftly.

Keller Williams at Lark Hall – photo by Dave DeCrescente

A subtle nod to Phish on their 40th anniversary was found in the form of “The Wedge” > “Stash” which segued cleanly into “Scarlet Begonias” and “Gatecrashers Suck,” one of Williams’ best known tunes for the autobiographical nature of the Grateful Dead’s ill-fated Deer Creek, IN run in 1995.

Whether you prefer Keller playing solo acoustic/looping as he did tonight, or with a unique project like Keller and the Keels, KellerGrass or More Than a Little, his shows are never one to miss when he rolls through. Catch him at Buffalo Iron Works on Saturday, December 9, part of NYS Music’s Jam for Tots series.

December 5, 2023
Plattsburgh Promoter Receives Blues Foundation “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award

Laura Carbone, a music photographer and promoter in Plattsburgh, who founded the popular Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz (PB&J) series, was announced recently as one of the recipients of The Blues Foundation “Keeping the Blues Alive” Award.

Founded in Memphis, Tennessee more than 40 years ago, The Blues Foundation has grown from a small base of Memphis supporters that presented the first National Blues Awards at the Orpheum Theatre on November 16, 1980, to an international membership of over 4,000 individuals and organizations. The Blues Music Awards are managed by The Blues Foundation staff, with close to 100 blues experts from across the blues industry acting as nominators to choose the final five nominees in each of 25 categories. Winners are determined by a vote of The Blues Foundation membership.

In 1984, The Blues Foundation began producing the National Blues Amateur Talent Contest, which has grown into what is now the largest blues competition in the world, renamed the International Blues Challenge in 1995. Hundreds of blues societies from around the world have affiliated with the Foundation, and many annually sponsor bands, solo/duo artists, and youth showcase participants as IBC competitors after hosting their own local live challenges. What began as a few local bands vying for recognition now attracts over 225 blues groups each year who are honored to perform on Beale Street and who look to win cash prizes, bookings, gear, recording deals, and that all-important recognition as a rising blues band or artist.

During IBC Week, The Blues Foundation also recognizes those members of the blues community who have spent a lifetime celebrating and promoting blues music with what are now known as the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards. The Blues Foundation began honoring these behind-the-scenes blues flame keepers in 1981, just one year after the organization was founded.

The awards are held to honor those who have made a significant “behind the scenes” contribution to blues music. Recipients are selected by a select panel of Blues professionals.

Laura Carbone is an accomplished Plattsburgh-based photographer known for her contributions to leading blues publications around the world. Her work spans regional publications in Upstate New York, national platforms covering blues music, and international magazines across Europe. Through her lens, Carbone magnificently captures the essence of the blues, in the process, supporting, promoting, and expanding awareness of the genre.

Beyond her photography skills, Carbone supports the blues community by wearing numerous other hats. As an event promoter, she brings regional, national, and international artists to upstate New York. Along with providing unique work opportunities for these artists, her events introduce blues to a region where its presence was previously non-existent.

Carbone goes the extra mile by organizing Blues in the School events, creating additional work for touring musicians, and actively supporting Kids Rock The Nation, a program that provides instruments and instruction to aspiring young music students. Moreover, Carbone has demonstrated her commitment to the genre through generous acts of philanthropy. She contributes her photos to fundraisers, financially supports worthwhile causes, and frequently opens her home as a rehearsal space. Similarly, the popular house concerts she hosts provide an intimate setting for music enthusiasts. Carbone engages in these charitable activities without seeking recognition or expecting any tangible rewards, showcasing a genuine dedication to the blues community. For all these reasons and more, The Blues Foundation has honored Carbone with a 2024 Keeping the Blues Alive Award.

I was blown away, quite an honor. This award has been given to giants in the industry. It is not only for my photography but also for all the work I do bringing in music to the North Country.
Laura Carbone

Also honored with the Keeping the Blues Alive Award for 2024 are Anne Marie & Jacques Garcia, who have contributed to blues events and preservation efforts in France; Fame Records and Ecko Records guitarist Larry Chambers; Boston Blues Society direction and WATD Music Director John Hall; Mark Stenzler of Radio Free Ithaca and host of Blues Zeppelin; renowned harmonica virtuoso and founder of Lee Oskar Harmonicas, Lee Oskar; the Columbus (Ohio) Blues Alliance, and Blues Association Turkey.

NYS Music congratulates Laura Carbone and all the recipients of the Keeping the Blues Award.

December 5, 2023
In Focus: Karina Rykman Makes Saratoga Springs Debut at Putnam Place

Karina Rykman made her debut appearance in Saratoga Springs with a show at Putnam Place on Thursday, November 30. With a strong crowd in attendance – and some fans making the trek up to Burlington on December 1 and 2 – Rykman’s first show in the Spa City will certainly not be her last.

Opening the night was Coyote Island, a reggae/pop group from Maine, on tour with Rykman this fall.

Throughout her single set, Karina would play a variety of songs from her debut album, Joyride, released this past August. Beginning the show with some of the most familiar tracks on the album, from “Beacon” through “Plants,” each was played with slow building energy and focus from the band, loosening up as the set progressed.

“City Kids” would mark a frenzied shift of the set’s vivacity, with Rykman running around in circles, pumping the already engaged crowd up even more. Guitarist Adam November dropped rapid fire guitar, the kind you’d hear in “The Great Curve,” with just the proper amount of distortion incorporated – never too heavy and present in the right spots. Rykman dropped a few bars of “The National Anthem” by Radiohead, per usual turning ears to the stage when this ear worm of a bass line makes its appearance.

“Run of the Mill” brought with it venue-shaking bass bombs, and slowly seeped into Butthole Surfers’ “Pepper,” which had more energy than the 1996 song. Rykman and drummer Chris Corsico put a grungy feel to the debut of “Canary in a Colemine,” a tinge of Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” slipping in amid the final songs of the set.

For an encore, Rykman chose to debut “Song 2” from Blur, a great addition to their setlist arsenal, and a performance that assures her return to the Capital Region in the future.

Karina Rykman – Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs – Thursday, November 30, 2023

Setlist: Beacon, Skylark/Slowlark, Joyride > All That You Wanted > Plants > Arbitrary > Dirty South, City Kids, Run of the Mill > Pepper, Reboot, No Occasion > Canary in a Colemine > The Hardest Button to Button, Atom Dance, Elevator
Encore: Song 2

Up next for Rykman is a performance at Warren Haynes’ XMas Jam in Asheville, NC on Saturday, December 9, then at Mohegan Sun on December 30. Check out her full tour dates here.

December 3, 2023
Twiddle Celebrate Frendsgiving, Say Farewell to Fans, For Now

A music and emotion-filled weekend at The Capitol Theatre wrapped up on Sunday, November 26, as Twiddle, a band whose near two-decade tenure as a dominant Northeast jam band, came to a close. Using the annual ‘Frendsgiving‘ celebration to begin their indefinite hiatus, the group’s dedicated final performances (for now) matched the love and affection Twiddle fans poured out over three days and nights in Port Chester.

Frendsgiving has been a Twiddle tradition since at least 2017, a celebration around Thanksgiving that brings the Twiddle faithful together for a two or three night run at The Capitol Theatre. The fans who have made Twiddle a brand that goes well beyond the band are the core of this community, taking the music and lyrics, embracing them and incorporating them into their lives, as well as their artwork and inspired creations.

Celebrated Frend Art events have brought fans together in great numbers, showing the inspiration the band imparts on their fans. On Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26, Coda Davidson once again brought Frend Art together for two shows, full of live music, workshops, live painting, and a chance to meet the artists and creators of these galvanized creators, for the first, or potentially, last time. Events like these are the reason Twiddle was head and shoulders above many of their brethren in the jam scene, creating a scene that was truly organic, mirroring the jams the band bring to the stage each night.

That was something that always stuck out about Twiddle – the band offered a fresh perspective of an organic fanbase and movement, one that was seen over the decades, bringing along comparisons to Phish, given their Vermont roots and tendency to jam off of oddly named songs. But Twiddle was not Phish, nor the ‘next Phish’; if anything, Twiddle was indicative of a generational swing for (primarily) millennials who sought to carve their own niche in the jam scene, being far more than a photostat of the ‘other’ four guys from Vermont. The comparisons between the two bands began and ended with ‘’well, they’re from Vermont and there are four guys in the band” simply because there was no reason for a ‘next Phish,’ which holds true even today with other bands from the Northeast.

One aspect of Twiddle’s legacy that may be overlooked is how effectively the band made sure to uplift bands in the jam scene that were just starting out, giving these artists with small followings a big stage by opening up for Twiddle at various points in the first half of the 2010s. Former Twiddle manager Kevin Rondeau was instrumental in this, seeing the promise of bands like Mister F, Wild Adriatic, and Strange Machines, offering them opening slots or late night at festivals across the Northeast. There were countless bands you could see at Frendly Gathering or Tumbledown who you might be able to see at some point at a club, but this elevation to festival billing or direct support at a show was a game changer for those bands lucky enough to have the opportunity, particularly for those who knew how to use this boost to their long term advantage.

So as Twiddle entered this final stretch of shows, I found myself nostalgic, wondering how many Twiddle shows I had seen since The Big Up 2010 – I ballparked the number to be around 30 but it could be higher still – and what the legacy of the band will be following this final run at The Cap. I recalled attending the band’s first Capitol Theatre show, seeing the joy from Rondeau and keyboardist Ryan Dempsey when they learned the show was officially sold out, a mere three hours before doors. The fans were alive with energy the entire night, knowing they were witness to the start of the band’s next step.

That energy was still seen outside the Capitol Theatre for Frendsgiving, with Twiddle fans lined up for early entry, aiming to ride the rail one final time, or displaying pin boards and their wares for advance arrivals who sought out the abundance of Hispanic food found throughout Port Chester (don’t sleep on El Rinconcito Salvadoreno, right behind the Capitol Theatre). Fans likewise lined up all through the venue to pick up the final run of merchandise, including three incredible prints from Vinny Naro, and even had a wide selection of prints and merch from the Twiddle archives for sale in Garcia’s.

And then there was the music.

The Kitchen Dwellers provided a great opening set, and sit-ins, on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25, a connection going back over a decade that has seen Kitchen Dwellers making it to the east coast usually twice a year and finding a healthy audience wherever they play.

Friday night of Twiddle began with instrumental “Stroganoff” and “Syncopated Healing,” the latter echoing the phrase/advice “Heal your life,” something not lost on the faithful in attendance and streaming at home on Fans.Live, following with a big jam out of “Daydream Farmer” and inviting up Torrin from Kitchen Dwellers for “Cabbage Face.”

Set two’s “Brick of Barley” welcomed a familiar face in Scott Hannay, AKA ‘stage daddy’. Hannay’s musical journey has included stints with Capital Zen and later with Mister F, as well as his own 8-bit musical creations, and currently serves as keyboardist for Mihali’s band, which has a rosy future paved out for it. “Brick of Barley” also gave drummer Adrian Tramontano a worthy drums segment that made this one of the jams of the weekend. “River Drift” had Mihali coming out to the front of the stage, pouring emotion out of his DGN guitar as he fell to his knees during the peak, fans raising their hands up with requited love. A tease of “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter was found in “Amydst the Myst,” and sunflowers found space on the walls of The Cap during “Hattis Jam” > “When it Rains it Poors,” the latter an anthem for Twiddle if there ever was one.

The encore on Friday would have Twiddle bring up Kitchen Dwellers quickly, none leaving the stage, as they tuned up all nine musicians for “Glycerine Medley,” which had bits of “No Woman No Cry,” “Wagon Wheel” and “Farmhouse,” framing the first night perfectly with post-show music “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”

Saturday night’s sets would feature songs that encapsulated Twiddle’s storytelling chops, including fan favorites in the first set, “Nicodemus Portulay,” “Fantastic Tale of Ricky Snickle,” “Mamunes the Faun,” “Beethoven & Greene.” Set two saw a cover of ALO’s “BBQ” inside of “White Light” (which gave its name to the band’s official charity) and the Beatles “Rocky Raccoon” with Torrin and Swain from Kitchen Dwellers joining in. Torrin would stick around for “Subconscious Prelude” and the entire band joining Twiddle for a raucous cover of “Burning Down the House” in the encore slot. Ryan Dempsey took the opportunity to crowd surf, with success, during the encore as Hannay took over on key, the stage lit up with smiles and excitement from the bands in this, their final live collaboration.

photo by Phil Hernandez

Sunday night featured three sets, each one piling on the classic Twiddle songs fans clamored to hear, as well as some rarities in the mix. The first set featured two of those bust-outs, “Bronze Fingers” and “Five,” with a set ending “Earth Mama.” Over the next two sets, the biggest jam vehicles took the crowd for a spin one last time – “Latin Tang” had a jam on Vulfpeck’s “Dean Town,” with Mihali ascending to the Stage Left box seats for an incredible solo; “Apples” made way for “Doinkenbonk,” one of the silliest song titles in the Twiddle catalog, but with a groove and jam that make up for it, and Primus’ “Too Many Puppies” sung perfectly by Zdenek Gubb, slapping the bass with precision to close the middle set.

Set 3 began with “Orlando’s,” a song that has given birth to a music venue of the same name in Burlington. “Jamflowman,” a song that became one of the most identifiable Twiddle songs, thanks to the line “Jamflowman don’t give a damn” found “Frankenfoote” to follow, Frankies projected all across the walls of the Capitol Theatre. “Gatsby the Great” was yet another song that lent itself to becoming Twiddle parlance and art (“Luva Duck“) and closed with an always mesmerizing “The Box.”

Before returning for an encore, Capitol Theatre owner and promoter Peter Shapiro came out to thank the fans, give Twiddle due credit for their longevity, and surprised the band with medals for each of them. After hugs and smiles, the band returned to a song played on Friday night, “When It Rains It Poors,” Mihali calling an audible and returning to their most streamed song, and with appropriate lyrics as they hit pause after 20 years:

Now listen to the words I’m
Saying in this line that your life will be just fine and
Troubles do not stay they
Get replaced with good times
Now you got a great life
Smile as you walk by
Thinking about the Day

Fare thee well Twiddle, we’ll meet again someday.

Twiddle “Frendsgiving”- Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – Friday, November 24, 2023

Set 1: Stroganoff, Syncopated Healing, Daydream Farmer, Cabbage Face (1), The Mission, Brown Chicken Brown Cow#
Set 2: Collective Pulse, Brick of Barley (2), The Devil, River Drift, Amydst The Myst$, Mushrooms of the Sea> Dr Remidis Melodium, Hattis Jam > When It Rains It Poors
Encore: Glycerine Medley (3)
(1) – w/ Torrin Daniels (Kitchen Dwellers)
(2) – w/ Scott Hannay
(3) – w/ Kitchen Dwellers (no stage break before encore)
$ – contained Hedwigs Theme

Twiddle “Frendsgiving”- Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – Saturday, November 25, 2023

Set 1: Nicodemus Portulay> Indigo Trigger, Fantastic Tale of Ricky Snickle, Every Soul> Mamunes the Faun> Every Soul, Beethoven & Greene
Set 2: White Light> BBQ [1] > White Light, Rocky Raccoon [2], Subconscious Prelude [3], Polluted Beauty [4], Lost in the Cold [4], Slippin in the Kitchen
Encore: Burning Down The House [5]
[1] – ALO
[2] – The Beatles w/Torrin & Swain
[3] – w/Torrin Daniels
[4] – Mike on Saxophone
[5] – Talking Heads superjam w/Torrin, Swain, Joe Funk, Scott Hannay & Mike on Sax

Twiddle “Frendsgiving”- Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – Sunday, November 26, 2023

Set 1: Be There, Moments, Bronze Fingers, Fighting For, Hattibagen McRat, Five, Earth Mama
Set 2: Frends Theme, Latin Tang#, Apples > Doinkenbonk > Too Many Puppies*
Set 3: Orlando’s, Jamflowman> Frankenfoote > Gatsby the Great, The Box
Encore: When It Rains It Pours > Over the Rainbow > When It Rains It Pours > Every Last Leaf II

# with Scott Hannay
* “I Will Always Love You” tease

photo via Arlene Dickinson

Photo gallery by Filip Zalewski

December 1, 2023
20 Years Later: Phish’s 20th Anniversary Run

Phish kicked off their 20th anniversary run on November 28, 2003, with the first of four shows held at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.

Poster by AJ Masthay

20^th anniversary run – “Same old in the bitter cold”
as written in PhanArt: The Art of the Fans of Phish, republished with permission

It was inevitable that the band would get something going for their 20^th anniversary run, as you just don’t disregard an occasion like that for any reason – you just play. Fans waited for the announcement by the time IT was over, figuring that the band would go on its first Halloween run since 1998, adding to anticipation that the band would put on another musical costume, with endless limits.

poster by Hollie Dilley

However, as the band inspected exactly what the date of the first show was, so that a 20^th anniversary was correctly timed, it seems that the date of 10/30/83 was incorrect, even though they had a 15^th anniversary out in Vegas of 1998. As it turns out, the first show for the ROTC folks was 12/2/83, and they arranged a four night Northeast run to celebrate, with special guests at the first show, and an elongated show at the final destination, Boston’s Fleet Center, with a myriad of special guests guessed at in anticipation of something spectacular. The Boston show had its highlight in the set break montage video, but no special guests to mention of. Fans were happy though, as it was by far the hardest ticket since NYE 2002 to obtain, and those who were warm inside had no complaints from where they were sitting.

By far the coldest Phish run ever, the shows had snow, ice, wind, and more snow as the band progressed from Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, to the Wachovia Center in Philly, to the Knickerbocker Arena (note: not the Pepsi) in Albany, and the Fleet Center in Boston as part of a four-day run of shows many fans attempted to see all four of. The run could even be characterized as one gigantic show: Nassau was a solid opener, Philly was the bathroom/cigarette/beer break, Albany was the second set heat, and Boston was the after-party.

Outside at all these shows, it was far too cold/rainy/snowy to have a lot scene of any kind, so fans simply piled into bars and parking garages to peddle what they had to keep the tour afloat for themselves, in hopes they might make the next show, and/or home in the coming days.

Artwork by Drew Suto

Some fans felt that this run was spectacular, and perfectly executed, even though others wondered where the spark from summer 2003 went. At least a few older fans looked at the run as sealing the bands fate in their eyes, with the best years clearly behind them, especially after the Vegas 2004 run. Many fans wondered what happened, although Miami might have swayed some opinions in the end.

Nassau featured not only the highly appropriate guest in The Dude of Life on vocals for a rare (and final) ‘Crimes of the Mind’, but also a setbreak wedding of two highly committed fans of the band and each other. Making a Phish show your wedding venue was only done previously at the Clifford Ball, and a tribute to the concentrated community spirit of Phish.

poster by TRIPP

Philly had high-energy crowds a day after Nassau, but execution had some fans wondering what was up. Tom Marshall came up to sing lyrics to ‘Buffalo Bill’, a departure from his regular appearances on ‘Run Like an Antelope’. The Philly show left fan waiting for more indeed.

Albany, the second hometown to Phish, one of the regular tour starts, endings and all-around in-betweens, the Knick was the home to famous Dead shows and disks, as well as memorable Phish shows (see 12/13/97 – Bring on the Dude!). The entire atmosphere of this show was positive, as special guests at the two previous shows made fans wonder who was next to sit in. Following “YEM” in the second set, Trey brought up a very special guest, the band’s first guitarist (aside from Trey), who left the band under mysterious circumstances – Jeff Holdsworth. The original songs that he had written – “Camel Walk” and “Possum” – were played with a degree of both difficulty and success by Holdsworth with the band he left behind almost 17 years ago. A cover of “Long Cool Woman”, by the Hollies was played by the part-time quintet, a tribute to the first show that Holdsworth was playing at. By the time the band broke into Antelope, you could no longer hear Jeff, as his guitar was turned down to inaudible levels, as his playing could not keep up with the boys who ventured beyond the three-year mark. Tom Marshall came up to sing the original lyrics that he penned, and the show ended with a monster version of Hendrix’s “Fire”, again with Holdsworth. Fans were pleased to see him on stage again, but a computer operator in Canada definitely overstayed his welcome that evening in Albany.

However, the overall purpose for bringing Jeff out was a symbol that Phish was and is about family.
Boston featured a memorable second set and a video montage during the setbreak that fans clamored to see, particularly since the first notes of Fluffhead were heard in a dormroom video from the early 1980s. This more than made up for a first set that many wondered if anything special would be brought out for the second set, particularly the special guests everyone talked about coming – Santana, the Giant Country Horns, anyone and everyone?! Fishman handed out a cake towards the front row during setbreak for fans to dive into, as many did, regardless of sticky hands that would not be cleaned till after the show. The second set did bring the heat fans were looking for, with monster versions of “Maze,” “Frankenstein,” and “Piper,” that made this show and run well worth it. Regardless, the detractors are present on the vibe/performance of this run, as it was an asterisk to many between a hot summer and even hotter time in Miami for New Years Eve.

poster by Ryan Kerrigan

Stream these shows on Phishtracks.com

Setlists via Phish.net

Phish – Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY – Friday, November 28, 2003

Set 1: Bouncing Around the Room, Runaway Jim, Ghost > What’s the Use? > AC/DC Bag > First Tube, Frankie Says > Bathtub Gin -> Free

Set 2: Waves > Sample in a Jar > Down with Disease[1], Walls of the Cave, Two Versions of Me, Crowd Control[2], Mike’s Song > I Am Hydrogen > Weekapaug Groove

Encore: Crimes of the Mind[3]

[1] Unfinished.
[2] Debut.
[3] The Dude of Life on vocals.

Disease was unfinished. This show included the debut of Crowd Control. Trey introduced Mike to sing “his song.” Crimes of the Mind (first since July 10, 1994 at SPAC – 504 shows) featured the Dude of Life on vocals. During the song, the Dude congratulated Phish on their 20 years together, and wished them success for 20 more.

Phish – Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA – Saturday, November 29, 2003

Set 1: Wilson > Cars Trucks Buses, Limb By Limb, Dirt > Seven Below, Divided Sky, Fast Enough for You > Julius

Set 2: Twist -> Simple > Taste > Makisupa Policeman^[1], Buffalo Bill^[2] > David Bowie, Strange Design > Character Zero

Encore: Friday

[1] Keyword referenced waking up in “Hempstead.”
[2] Tom Marshall on vocals.

Trey teased San-Ho-Zay in Seven Below, Julius, and Twist. The lyrics to Makisupa referenced waking up “in Hempstead.” Later in Makisupa, Trey commented on the upcoming 20th anniversary of the band, and noted Makisupa as the first original Phish song ever played. Trey also commented on his long-standing friendship with Tom Marshall and said that Tom had written Makisupa when he was a child. Trey brought Tom out on stage and noted that he thought Makisupa was written in 1969, leading Tom to note that we “have a 60’s song.” Prior to Tom singing on Buffalo Bill, Trey noted: “Tom is now going to sing you a song about a boss, a log, and a piece of rope.”

Phish – Pepsi Arena, Albany, NY – Monday, December 1, 2003

Set 1: Chalk Dust Torture, Stash, Guyute, Thunderhead > Sparkle, Wolfman’s Brother > Good Times Bad Times

Set 2: Tweezer -> Also Sprach Zarathustra > You Enjoy Myself, Camel Walk^[1], Possum^[1], Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress^[1] > Run Like an Antelope^[2]

Encore: Fire^[3]

[1] Jeff Holdsworth on guitar and vocals.
[2] Jeff Holdsworth on guitar and Tom Marshall on vocals.
[3] Jeff Holdsworth on guitar.

Tweezer was preceded by a Dixie tease. Camel Walk through Fire featured Jeff Holdsworth on guitar. This was Jeff’s first known performance with his former Phish brethren since May 17, 1986 (1,348 shows). Camel Walk, Possum, and Long Cool Woman (first since October 30, 1998, or 180 shows) also featured Jeff on lead vocals. Antelope featured Tom Marshall on vocals.

Phish – Fleet Center, Boston, MA – Tuesday, December 2, 2003

Set 1: Harry Hood > Cavern, Birds of a Feather, Ya Mar, Horn > Piper > Anything But Me, Water in the Sky, Down with Disease

Set 2: Rock and Roll -> Weekapaug Groove^[1] -> Tweezer Reprise^[2] > Frankenstein -> Kung -> Frankenstein, All of These Dreams, The Wedge, Boogie On Reggae Woman > Cities > Maze, Waste

Encore: Bug

[1] Unfinished.
[2] Mike’s Song lyrics sung by Trey.

This gig commemorated the 20th anniversary of the first Phish show. In the audience, a section of seats were roped off to make way for a music stand. The music stand held a three-ring binder that contained lyrics from the Phish canon, but it did not play an active role in the performance. Ya Mar contained teases of The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana). At the end of Disease, a video screen descended behind the stage. As the house lights remained down, a 25+ minute video was played featuring retrospective highlights from throughout Phish’s career. Before the second set, Mike brought out a tray of desserts and shared them with fans in front of the stage. Highway to Hell was briefly teased by Trey before Rock and Roll. Weekapaug was unfinished. Tweezer Reprise included lyrics (sung by Trey) from Mike’s Song. Appropriately, the post-show house music was the Beatles’ song Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band (which begins with the lyric, “It was twenty years ago today…”).

November 28, 2023
The Bacon Brothers Cook at The Egg

On a Friday evening in Albany, The Egg was cooking with bacon inside. Not your typical menu item, but when Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael came to The Egg, things definitely got cooked up during an all-too-brief concert.

photo by Karen Squires

The duo – one, an actor (Kevin), the other an Associate Professor at CUNY Lehman College (Michael) – share a deep love for American roots music, as well as DNA. For a quarter-century the pair have performed around the country playing what they call “Forosoco,” or a blend of folk, rock, soul, and country influences.

The show was short – 80 minutes including the encore – but worth it. Fans seemed content settling in for the show, which didn’t feel scripted, but definitely felt like the same show you’d catch anywhere else this tour. Kevin couldn’t resist making a comment about “a couple of Bacons in The Egg,” joining years of Egg jokes on stage that have even led to live album releases.

Michael and Kevin Bacon

Kevin took turns playing on a conga drum, tambourine and guitar, while Michael played guitar, cello, and autoharp at different points of the evening.

Highlights from the set include the moving “Tom Petty T-shirt,” the countrified rock of “Erato,” an angsty “Take off this Tattoo,” a cover of The Lovin Spoonful‘s “Do You Believe in Magic?,” “Ukulele Lady” with all on ukulele, making this stripped down song was the most soulful of the evening, and “She-Zee-Zee (Easy On My Eyes)”

For the encore, a cheesy “Hands Up” audience interaction song started things off. (Bands, take note: always get the audience involving songs going earlier in the set so they’re engaged early!) And just when you thought it was over, and maybe thought they weren’t gonna play it, the opening notes to “Footloose” began, and the front rows of the audience were up out of their seats grooving along, feet from the actor who made the song famous (apologies to Kenny Loggins). The fans and the band were dancing around, footloose as could be, transported back to 1984, for a moment, if not the evening.

And while the venue staff was a bit overzealous this evening with limiting any video recording (a first at The Egg), here’s a video from The Bacon Brothers at Daryl’s House a few years back.

November 21, 2023
The Middle Ages Debut Purr-fectly Catchy “Where My Cats At?”

In a world where dreams never fade, Burlington, VT duo The Middle Ages have released their first single, “Where My Cats At?,” on Friday, November 17. Bringing an infectious vibe to their music, The Middle Ages show that it’s never too late to become the rockstars you never knew you wanted to be.

Husband-and-wife duo, MC Booty Call (Dan Weathers) and Hot Tea (Taraleigh Weathers), have discovered their passion and talent for creating inspiring, feel-good music. Their motto, “It’s never too late to be the rockstars you never knew you wanted to be,” embodies their journey and the dreams they’re living. The music of The Middle Ages is a beautiful blend of old-school flow with fresh, modern beats, all served up with a side of humor that’ll have you both dancing and laughing out loud.

Take for example these soon to be released tracks from their upcoming debut LP. “Bronado,” an epic tale about tornado bros that’ll have you riding the storm with them; “GFX-106,” a love song dedicated to the couple’s trusty Prius, proving that cars can have a special place in our hearts too, and “Starting This Off,” a a perfect track to kickstart your day with positivity and energy.

Joining MC Booty Call and Hot Tea on these songs include a stellar lineup of musical talent, including Ryan Montbleau, Hayley Jane, Josh Weinstein, Phin Sonnin, Retired Chief Meteorologist Tom Messner, and Patrick McAndrew. Expertly produced by Scott Hannay (Mihali) and recorded, mixed, and mastered at Tank Studios by the talented Ben Collette, The Middle Ages have already left their mark on some of Burlington’s hottest stages, with memorable performances at Higher Ground (including an opening set for Will Evans), Nectars (backed by 3/5 of Annie in the Water), Orlando’s (with backing by Chuck Jones of Dopapod, Marshall Dominquez, Matt Blair, and sit-ins by Lee Ross), Moogs Joint, Higher Calling Festival (with a guest appearance by Jonny from Lespecial), Inclusion Festival, B’Autumn’s Up Ball, Summer Soirée, and Radio Bean, where their hype man (Ryan Montbleau) joined in on the fun.

The Middle Ages bring a unique twist to the hip-hop and jamband scenes, using the power of lyrics and the magic of music. Dan Weathers rocks the guitar and vocals with the same energy and charisma as hip-hop legend Chali 2na. Meanwhile, Taraleigh is the heart and soul of the band with dance moves channeling the iconic styles of Janet Jackson and Shirley Temple, making every performance a visual spectacle.

Taraleigh brings a wealth of performance experience, having graduated with a degree in dance and gone on to dance professionally. For sports fans, her cheerleading gigs for the NBA saw her lighting up venues like Madison Square Garden and the Meadowlands.

Dan, on the other hand, is a die-hard old-school hip-hop fan who spent his childhood rapping in front of a bedroom mirror. His forestry degree might not have seemed like an obvious choice, but it’s all about finding the wood in everything he does. This dedication paid off in 2020 when he conceptualized The Middle Ages, right before a global pandemic changed the world.

The Middle Ages are the hip-hop band that will make you want to dance, laugh, and believe that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

Listen below and get ready to groove to “Where My Cats At?,” a purr-fectly catchy tune that celebrates feline friends in a way you’ve never heard before.

November 18, 2023
Marco Benevento To Release ‘Barn Burner: Live At Levon’s’

Marco Benevento has announced a new double album, Barn Burner: Live at Levon’s, to be released March 29, 2024 via Royal Potato Family.

Recorded earlier this year live with his band featuring bassist Karina Rykman and drummer Chris Corsico over a two night, sold out run on January 13-14, 2023 at Levon Helm Studios in the keyboardist’s adopted hometown of Woodstock, the exhilarating 13-track set spans Benevento’s career with tracks from across his eight studio albums, as well as a cover of Bob Dylan & The Band’s “This Wheels On Fire” with special guest Scott Metzger on guitar.

Benevento will celebrate its release with a return to Levon’s aka The Barn for a two-night stand on March 29-30, 2024. Tickets go on-sale this Friday, November 17 at 10am ET.

Our shows at Levon’s barn are always among my favorites. I can literally walk to the gig from my house, but even more important, the vibes are amazing. The staff, the sound, the intimacy and energy of the audience, and of course, Levon’s spirit burning bright inside those four walls, is like nowhere else in the world. After several years of playing there, it seemed like the right time to multitrack the shows and pick my favorites for official release. We were on fire both nights. Karina and Chris sound so, so good playing these tunes! I think our fans will love having a document of the band at this point in our history.
Marco Benevento

Benevento has spent less time touring over the past year to instead focus on several studio projects. He’s recorded with Mark Ronson, Black Thought, El Michels Affair, Clairo, Roge, Molly Lewis and even a posthumous collaboration with Bernie Worrell, while he’s also deep into tracking his ninth album inspired by his favorite Italian movie score composers.

photo by Rachel Brennecke

With his own band, he’s pivoted to inviting fans to destination performances in the Hudson Valley, including his festival Follow The Arrow in Accord, NY, as well as, reoccurring two nights stands at Levon Helm Studios. A cornerstone of the reinvigorated and flourishing arts and music scene in and around Woodstock, NY, Benevento most recently headlined a benefit, Stop Woodstock National LLC, raising funds for the Woodstock Land Conservancy in its efforts to halt the construction of a golf course and luxury condominium complex on 625-plus acres of pristine, untouched forest.

After the pandemic, we made a decision to slow things down a bit on the touring front. There’s been lots of opportunities to work on recording projects and record artists at my studio, Fred Short Recording, while getting to spend a little more time with my family. It’s so beautiful up in the Catskills, so we’re playing more shows around these parts and inviting our fans come up to hang with us in the country!
Marco Benevento

Marco Benevento Barn Burner: Live At Levon’s is available now for pre-order/save on 2-LP, 180-gram classic black vinyl and digital formats here.

Barn Burner: Live At Levon’s Track Listing

1. Coyote Hearing
2. Let It Slide
3. I Can’t See The Light
4. Follow The Arrow
5. Send It On A Rocket
6. Atari
7. Oh Baby Can’t You See
8. Do You Want Some Magic
9. Bus Ride
10. This Wheels On Fire
11. You Must Be A Lion
12. Heartbeats
13. At The Show

November 14, 2023
Fingers of Gold: Holly Bowling plays Lark Hall, begins Fall Tour

A brisk fall night on Lark Street was warm and inviting at The Eleven, celebrating its grand opening with a fitting artist upstairs at Lark Hall, pianist Holly Bowling.

photo by Zak Radick

Much has changed in the past decade since Bowling began playing solo shows, having transcribed and performed Phish jams (not just songs, the improv sections too) and gave fresh takes on the catalog of the Grateful Dead, even having appearances with Phil Lesh as one of his friends.

Bowling now enters her second decade of live performances with an evolving solo career in the jam scene, having branched out into Ghost Light with Tom Hamilton and company, played regularly with Greensky Bluegrass, taken part in the immersive Musical Sojourns in Portugal this past October, and brought to life the ever unique Wilderness Series – performing at beautiful vistas within and around our National Park System.

The past decade has been a whirlwind of growth and opportunities, including giving birth to her and husband Jeffery’s first child. Holly Bowling has been about as busy as one can, and shares how she has worked towards finding balance with it all:

One thing I took away from the pandemic was a new acceptance of how to be creative in touring and that there’s a lot of different ways to play music for people. You have to do what makes sense for the situation you find yourself in at that particular time, whether it’s finding ways to create and play music when all the venues are shut down or finding ways to tour that make sense as a parent of a young child. I’m not sure I’d say I’ve figured out how to balance it all. I think finding balance of any kind is a challenge for most touring musicians. It’s a constantly evolving process, and I have to keep reminding myself to find ways to make it work for what my life is today and that what works today isn’t necessarily going to be what worked before or what’s going to work five years from now. And that’s fine – maybe even good.
Holly Bowling

On this evening, Bowling took the stage and performed as she always has, with focus and attention to detail, showing no signs of slowing down a well-paced musical career. Bowling last played Lark Hall with Ghost Light in October 2022, and sought out owner Jennifer Miller to plan a show in the future, with November 11th – 11/11 – being the best date for a show, adding in a nod to the Grateful Dead in the process.

With tube lighting on either side of the stage, a mirror ball above and four colored spots shining down and moving slowly along with the tempo, the stage was set, a grand piano and bench awaiting Bowling.

The first set featured the entire “Terrapin Station” suite, broken up into two sections, opening up with the first half of the song, “Lady with a Fan” and “Terrapin Station,” deep and layered, neatly falling into Phish’s “Fast Enough For You,” with the addition of looping to give the Rift track a new twist. 30 minutes later, the audience offered rousing applause.

With the use of effects pedals processing the piano sound, Bowling illuminated the improvisation jam that led from “About to Run”, and found its way into the rest of the “Terrapin Station” suite, “At a Siding” and “Terrapin Flyer,” finally ending the set with an ever-gorgeous “Divided Sky.” The emergence of a greater scope of sounds from the piano – whether it be with mallets, e-bows, fishing line or pedals – adds depth to the music. Said Bowling, “The piano has always been the instrument that can be closest to a full orchestra and I just want to play with as many sounds as possible.”

The second set opened with a heavy “St. Stephen” where Bowling explored the most familiar parts of the song using a tribal synth sound via manipulation of the inner piano strings, creating a hypnotic trance (accentuated briefly by a police siren wailing down the street.) “William Tell Bridge” developed out of this trance, Bowling playing the inner strings again, the pair of songs harkening the call of “The Eleven,” which would show up promptly at 10:11 (that’s 11:11 without DST). A song very rarely played by Bowling, “The Eleven” gave way to Phish’s “If I Could,” an emotional composition in its own right, and with light internal plucking and looping, Bowling summoned the intro of “Theme From the Bottom,” which took deep turns and twists, eventually fading into “Morning Dew” to close the set.

“Waste” would fall into the encore slot, with Bowling greeting and talking to fans after the show, everyone filing downstairs through The Eleven where Quantum Cosmic Trio continued on with the celebration of a grand opening, a grand performance and a grand pianist.

Holly Bowling – Lark Hall, Albany – Saturday, November 11, 2023

Set 1: Terrapin Station Suite -> Fast Enough For You, About to Run -> Terrapin Station Suite -> Divided Sky
Set 2: St. Stephen -> William Tell Bridge -> The Eleven -> If I Could, Theme from the Bottom -> Morning Dew
Encore: Waste

November 14, 2023