Celebrating 20 years of her debut album, Soul Sessions, Joss Stone has embarked on a city North American tour, including a stop at the OLG Stage in Niagara Falls, Ontario on Aug. 26. Tagging along for the ride was singer/songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr.
Released in the Fall of 2013, Soul Sessions was the first studio album for Stone who was discovered at the age of 13 during a voice competition. With comparisons early on to Janis Joplin with Motown vibes, Stone had her work cut out for her and made the most of every opportunity. Soulful, bluesy, sultry, sensual, and spiritual are all perfect adjectives for any part of her music.
Prior to her soulful show, music fans were treated to some rustic sounds from Stephen Wilson Jr. Primarily a writer, Wilson has discovered that he can draw fans with his voice as well. Playing an approximately 45-minute set, he serenaded the crowd with some witty humor, 70s Bruce Springsteen-like vocals, and a guitar.
After going to school for microbiology, Wilson made the hard life choice to pursue music rather than the science field, with some inspiration from songs like “Don’t Take the Girl.” He calls himself a recovering microbiologist, and personally, I feel he made the right choice, science is overrated, anyway.
Raised by his father, they stayed close until his passing a few years ago. One of his last words to the younger Wilson was “write a good song for me.” For his father, the song “Father’s Son” was written. It is a very profound melancholy-filled song, sure to resonate with many who give it a listen.
I wear his blue jean jacket and his name like a badge of honor I used to hate being called Junior Now I don’t mind any longer
Stepen Wilson Jr. – “Father’s Son”
Many songs from his forthcoming album carry loosely based storylines from his life, including “Holler From the Holler” and “For What It’s Worth.” Keep an ear open for the new music in the next month.
With Stephen Wilson cleared from the stage, the anticipation of a night of soulful blues music was growing. With nine albums to her credit and a number of notable renditions she has performed over the years, the set list for Joss is hard to imagine. For this night, fans were treated to a medley of two songs, followed by two songs from her debut, “Super Duper Love” and “Fell in Love With a Boy.”
As she continued on, Joss shared a little bit of information from each album. Mind, Body, and Soul was all about her and her life choices. Introducing Joss Stone, which she sometimes refers to as her debut, is where she got to work with Raphael Saadiq and Laurn Hill, a dream come true for her. Color Me Free is titled based on where she was in her life, wanting her freedom space.
A storyteller as much as a vocalist, Stone seemed to float across the stage barefoot as always, as she performed and replayed her memories for her fans. Memories of previous tours, memories from trips to Botswana, and memories of working with notable talents as she blossomed into the star she is today. One story of note is from Botswana, where she was asked to write a song to bring the rain. While on a trip there, she was told that there had not been rain for nearly nine months, a true drought for sure. As requested, she wrote the song, aptly titled “Rain Song” and when she went back to Botswana to play it the rain poured down. A very spiritual person, Joss was left amazed at this marvel.
While she is known for her bluesy, jazzy styles, Joss is very capable of any genre, as she displayed during a three-song reggae set, including parts of a song that her father used to sing to her. While she is no Marley or Jimmy Cliff, her ability to put her own style on something like Island music is something that sets her apart. With an innocent giggle at the end of the set, as the stage goes dark, it’s clear that Joss was having quite a good time.
With the show winding down, fans were hit with a confetti canon as she sang about the power of music and spoke about how music brings people together, creates love, and inversely can divide people. Soulful, spiritual, and cheerful, Stone graciously thanked everyone for coming out tonight.
When artists hit the stage to perform, they often have a set routine and follow it pretty closely. I am sure that Joss Stone is no different, but the way she delivers it all is second to none. Joking with the crowd, giggling all night, dancing around the stage in any of the 3 outfits she donned, and presenting fresh sunflowers to random fans all speaks volumes to the level of fun she has. A real class act that Fallsview Casino Resort should be bragging about.
Joss Stones Setlist: Intro Medley, Super Duper Kind of Love, Fell in Love With a Boy, Jet Lag, Proper Nice, Tell Me ‘Bout It, 4&20, The Love We Had, Even the Sky, Reggae mix, When You’re In Love, Rain Song (for Botswana), Music, Put Your Hand On Me/Son of A Preacher Man, Right to Be Wrong, Spell on You, Some Kind of Wonderful
The sounds of rock echoed between the Buffalo Harbor and the Buffalo Skyway on Friday, as Jimmy Eat World and Manchester Orchestra teamed up to bring the Amplified Echoes Tour to the Outer Harbor. The two bands are wrapping up a summer co-headlining tour which saw them swap headlining duties each night. Indie rockers the Middle Kids opened the concert.
Grey skies and soggy grounds couldn’t dampen the concert spirit, as the early arriving crowd quickly filled the concert field. The evening’s festivities kicked off with a set by the Middle Kids. Making their way from Sydney, Australia, the indie rock group wasted no time getting the crowd engaged. Opening with “Never Start” off their 2018 release Lost Friends, the upbeat track quickly had fans on their feet and moving. It quickly became apparent to those in attendance the band were rising stars on the music scene. This was never more evident than when the band would play their two newest tracks.
Early in their 30 minute set, the band performed their latest single, “Highlands,” a catchy and upbeat track that had heads bopping and is sure to have fans singing along in the near future. As the set neared a close, the band performed their other release from 2023, “Bootleg Firecracker.” The slower paced track was perhaps the highlight of this set, as singer Hannah Joy’s vocals danced and swirled in front of a layer of hypnotic sounds.
The Middle Kids perform at Outer Harbor in Buffalo
With their familiar logo draped behind and a setting sun to stage left, Manchester Orchestra took the stage next. The band wasted no time getting started, opening with the fan favorite “Pride.” The slow building rocker saw singer Andy Hull’s familiar vocals build from a near whisper, to a growl as the song’s intensity built. Fans jumped and threw fists in the air as the song exploded with a high energy finish. The band kept the momentum going with the fast paced rockers “Keel Timing” and “Bed Head” next, both tracks of their 2021 release The Million Masks of God.
The band would dig deeper into their catalog as their 75 minute set moved along. 2006’s “I Can Barely Breathe” was a prime example of the band’s ability to build intensity through out a song, while tracks like “Simple Math” and “The Gold” showcased the familiar harmonies that have become associated with the band. The band pulled off these harmonies in the concert setting with precision.
Manchester Orchestra perform at Outer Harbor in Buffalo
During the set singer Andy Hull would pause to honor a young fan in attendance who was attending her first concert. “She asked me to play ‘I Can Feel A Hot One’ so I’m going to play a little bit of that… Dad we should probably talk about why is this her favorite song,” Hull said, which was met with much laugher from the crowd. With their slot nearing a close, the band would end with “The Silence.” The track would start at a slow pace but build towards another climactic finish which saw fans passionately singing the song’s closing lyrics. As the song came to a close, Hull took the mic to the front of the stage, repeating the songs lyrics several times in front of layers of feed back as his band members laid their instruments down and left the stage.
Manchester Orchestra performs at Outer Harbor in Buffalo
Taking the headlining duties on this evening were indie-rockers Jimmy Eat World. The band took the stage in near darkness, and began the slow burning and intense “Congratulations” off their latest album, Surviving (2019). As the song’s intensity built, lights would flash to briefly illuminate the various members of the band, with front man Jim Adkins moving about the stage. By the end of the seven minute track, the song had built into a high intensity rocker. This served way for the bands’ second song, the high speed and ever popular “Bleed American.” Fans bopped and sang along to the anthemic track. The band kept the energy going as they segued into their 2001 smash hit “Sweetness” which had the audience calling back lyrics. The remainder of the bands 75 minute set served something like a running sprint, with the band firing off upbeat rocker after upbeat rocker, fitting in a total of 17 tracks during their set.
Jimmy Eat World perform at Outer Harbor in Buffalo
With their set nearing its close, the band would mellow the tempo a bit to perform the fan favorite “Hear You Me,” an emotional track about the loss of a loved one. They would waste no time ramping up the energy again, closing out the set with perhaps their biggest hit track, “The Middle.” It was a fitting way to close their set, allowing fans one last opportunity to sing and jump along to one of the band’s many hit tracks.
Phish welcomed legendary guitarist Derek Trucks during the second set of their show on Saturday, August 26 at SPAC. For roughly an hour, Trucks traded guitar licks with Trey Anastasio and jammed on classic Phish songs as well as TV On the Radio’s “Golden Age.”
Photo by Derek Java
The late August shows served as a benefit for the Vermont and Upstate New York flood recovery effort. While rumors of Trucks abounded during the day, only when his amp was brought out on stage following a speedy “2001” did the audience let out an electric cheer for the guitarist of Allman Brothers Band, Derek Trucks Band, and currently, Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Photo by Derek Java
Trucks had joined Phish once prior, in Charlotte, NC on July 7, 1999, for “Funky Bitch” and “Possum,” the latter of which would serve as the encore this evening as well. Additionally, Trucks and Susan Tedeschi were joined by Anastasio at Lockn 2019 for a recreation of Derek and the Dominoes Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.
Watch Derek Trucks join Phish for “Golden Age,” “Everything’s Right,” “First Tube” and “Possum.”
Phish – Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) Saratoga Springs – August 26, 2023
Phish returned to Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Friday, August 25th, for a pair of shows that served as a benefit for victims of flooding in Vermont and Upstate New York this summer. Their first time playing at the historic Upstate amphitheatre since 2019, Phish will record their 24th career show at SPAC, following the show on Saturday night.
Earlier in the day, Phish connected with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, announcing that the band had donated $3.5 million dollars raised from the pair of concerts, to support flood relief for Upstate New Yorkers, as well as Vermonters affected by flooding earlier this summer.
That number is sure to rise, with donations being raised during the shows through the Waterwheel Foundation’s 2023 Flood Recovery Fund, supporting victims and their families, area businesses, and non-profits. The Recovery Fund will support both shorter-term needs and long-term recovery and resiliency projects.
We are so grateful to everyone who donated their time and resources to make these benefits possible, and those that attended the shows or watched online. The joy in the room at these concerts was undeniable. But for the people affected by the flooding, it is an ongoing struggle. That’s why we are continuing to accept donations, raise awareness and distribute the funds.
Page McConnell
With rain in the forecast and a blanket of clouds enveloping the Saratoga Spa State Park grounds, fans arrived early and in great numbers, setting up a Shakedown off Route 50 while sprinkles fell intermittently throughout the evening. Filing into SPAC, fans dispersed to find spots on the lawn or head down to the pavilion, with the first notes of the evening at 8:05pm.
What might look like a pedestrian set on paper was energetic and rocking from the start, with “Kill Devil Falls” and “The Moma Dance” opening the night, the latter finding its familiar home in the two-slot, clocking in at nearly 14 minutes. The trio of “Ocelot,” “The Wedge” and “Mull” packed a punch, especially “Mull” which deftly found a segue into “Punch You In the Eye,” with fans erupting upon the first notes, carrying the energy into “Sand.”
It was within “Sand” that a classic film was paid homage to, as teases and jams based on “We Welcome You to Munchkinland” spiced the jam vehicle nicely, a tribute to The Wizard of Oz on the 84th anniversary of the film’s initial release. This tidbit had fan’s ears perking up, searching their internal database to find where this ditty derived itself from, occuring later in a second set “Chalkdust Torture” and the original recording played outright as the postshow music.
For a band that has played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a Brain” over the years, including with the legendary Ken Kesey, the band didn’t miss the chance to celebrate an inspiring American film. Drummer Jon Fishman even went so far as to put his hair in a pigtail to mimic a munchkin hairdo in the second set. The incredible “Sand” is a must hear, and led into a set closing “Rock and Roll” courtesy of Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground.
What would amount to a five song second set began with an Anastasio-penned quarantine tune “Evolve,” serving as an appetizer for the feast that was about to be plated. “A Wave of Hope” and “Simple” would pair up for back-to-back 22-minute jams, following in the vein of the excellent recent shows at Madison Square Garden. To follow were a pair of 11-minute jams in “Fuego” and “Chalkdust Torture,” wrapping up a powerful set, a true treat for the many first-timers in the crowd this evening.
For an encore, the first breather of the night arrived as “Wading in the Velvet Sea,” giving way to Kasvot Växt’s “Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.” which has found a home in the set closing/encore slot to send fans on their journey to Oz.
Phish – Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs – Friday, August 25
Soundcheck: My Soul, Fast Enough for You, Wombat Set 1: Kill Devil Falls, The Moma Dance, Ocelot, The Wedge, Mull > Punch You in the Eye, Sand, Rock and Roll Set 2: Evolve, A Wave of Hope -> Simple > Fuego -> Chalkdust Torture Encore: Wading in the Velvet Sea, Say it to me S.A.N.T.O.S.
This performance was a benefit for Vermont and Upstate New York flood recovery efforts and was a free webcast with all proceeds via donation going to those efforts. Coinciding with the 84th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz being released in the United States on the date of this show, Trey teased We Welcome You to Munchkinland (or It Really Was No Miracle) several times in Sand as well as at the end of Chalk Dust Torture, Fish wore his hair with a single pigtail sticking out of the front of his head like a munchkin for the second set, and We Welcome You to Munchkinland was the postshow music. Trey also teased Dave’s Energy Guide on Sand.
On the heels of 2022’s Brightside album, the The Lumineers have hit the road again. August 22, with James Bay joining the fray, they made their way to Darien Lake Amphitheatre for an evening of Americana music.
After playing small gigs, open mic nights, and struggling to make ends meet under various monikers, The Lumineers were “formed” when an emcee misspoke during an introduction. Although Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites had been playing together since 2002, a working name never really happened until this mishap.
12 years after their first single, “Ho Hey” was released, The Lumineers now have 4 studio albums, 4 headliner tours, and millions of fans worldwide, in addition to a couple Grammy nominations. Of those millions of fans, a plethora of them showed up for the show at Darien Lake and sang their hearts out.
Before they were able to sing along with Jeremiah and Wesley, fans were treated to 40-minute set from English songwriter, James Bay. Very subdued in his own right, Bay had the attention of the fans who were filing into their seats in anticipation of the nights headliner.
With 3 albums and a couple EPs to his name, Bay has been nominated for a montage of music awards and has won a 7 British music awards since 2015, including Best New Act, Breakthrough Solo Artist, and Best British Solo Artist. Around 7:30pm, he let the crowd know why he has won those awards.
Classic Americana style, Bay rocked his guitar as he opened his set with “Best Fake Smile”. A song seemingly about standing up for yourself and having a voice, topics very prevalent in society.
No, you don’t have to wear your best fake smile Don’t have to stand there and burn inside Oh, oh, oh If you don’t like it
Although an opening act, the fans reactions and ability to follow along make it clear that he is a respected musician and very much a headlining act on his own.
After a 45-minute break to reset the stage and get things in order, the stage goes dark. Intermittently, we get some loud drums from the loudspeakers, timed up with stage lights to welcome The Lumineers. This goes on for about a minute or so as anticipation builds for the band make an entrance. Cell phones up high hoping to catch a glimpse or record a video clip, fans were eager.
Finally, a few minutes later, you can see an entourage of silhouettes making their way into position. The time has come to go nuts. Lights go on across the stage set and Wesley Schultz and crew announce their arrival with 2016s “Cleopatra,” “Flowers in Your Hair,” and the big “Ho Hey.”
With a stage full of musicians, there was never a shortage of entertainment to keep an eye on, or at least try to. Jeremiah Fraites ( drums/percussion, piano, mandolin, vocals), Stelth Ulvang (piano, keys, accordion, mandolin, guitar, percussion, vocals), Byron Isaacs (bass, guitar, vocals), Brandon Miller (guitar, mandolin, percussion), and Lauren Jacobsen (strings, piano, vocals). This line up screams excitement, and The Lumineers brought it all night long, with each musician displaying their talents. There wasn’t a single person here that didn’t bring the energy, and they all had a blast on stage.
Covering a good set of shows at Darien Lake this summer, I have heard some loud fans singing along with the acts. But, let me tell you this. The fans for this show blew everyone else away. There was no competition. During at least three songs, the crowd was so loud, it nearly drowned out the act on stage. Songs like “Gloria” and “Ophelia” were echoed right back to Wesley and Jeremiah as they belted out the lyrics.
Combining pop with classic Americana and a little bluegrass may not seem the norm. However, this group of amazing artists have been making it work for several years now, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Wesley as gathered a strong support group around him and Jeremiah and the cohesive chemistry you see on the stage is flawless. While I have heard the music before, I would have never called myself a fan. After seeing the performance with nearly 20 thousand other fans, I am hooked. Stage presence, subtle sounds, and high energy are keys to a good show, and The Lumineers put all of that and then some on display.
Set list: Cleopatra, Flowers in Your Hair, Ho Hey, Angela, WHERE ARE WE, Dead Sea, A.M. Radio, My Cell, Slow it Down, Charlie Boy, BRIGHTSIDE, Gloria, Sleep on The Floor, Ophelia, Leader of the Landslide/You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Salt and Sea, Birthday, Big Parade, Donna, Submarines, Remington, Reprise, Stubborn Love
Grateful Dead drummer Billy Kreutzman, along with a cast of “kids” played a quick two show tour including one night at the scenic Pier 17 rooftop.
Along for the ride were “new kids” like Daniel Donato and Sierra Hull but also some “kids” who’ve been around the block with Billy like Tom Hamilton and Aron Magner.
The first set opened up with “China Cat Sunflower” and included crowd favorites like “Truckin” & “Cumberland Blues” closing with “Built to Last.”
In Grateful Dead fashion the second set was opened up with “Drums”. The band joined the two drummers to play an unexpected Bob Marley cover of “Could You be Loved”. The second set included a Talking Heads cover “Take Me to the River” as well as deadhead favorites like “Bird Song”, “Wharf Rat”, & “Unlce John’s Band,” closing the second set with “Franklins Tower”.
The crowd roared and cheered for this incredible band. They come back up to play an encore of “Wake up Little Susie” and “We Bid You Goodnight”.
Legendary Grateful Dead singer/guitarist Jerry Garcia touched many lives in his brief 53 years on Earth. Regarded as one of the most influential musical figures of all time, even 28 years after his passing, Garcia’s legacy and words continue to inspire and resonate with a whole new generation. An artist in every sense of the word, his creativity, curiosity, kindness, vulnerability, sense of humor and his unique ability to collaborate with almost anyone make him one of the most revered players of any era. Relatable to millions and a limitless source of inspiration for countless Grateful Dead-inspired tribute acts, while Jerry’s journey may be one of the greatest stories ever told, you could easily argue that even though he’s gone, the music never stopped.
Jerry Garcia’s Birthday Bash: NYS Dead Coalition featuring Organ Fairchild and Vinnie Amico of moe. performing at Lark Hall on 8/1/23.
Born Jerome John Garcia on August 1, 1942, in 1965 he would become one of the founding members of The Grateful Dead and from there, go on to become one of the most recognizable figures of the last century. One of the most recorded musicians in history, he’s also said to have played in over 25 side projects while releasing more than 30 studio albums. Since his passing on August 9, 1995, Deadheads around the world have respectfully anointed the “days between” his birth and death as a time to honor Garcia’s life and legacy. Fortunate to be living in a place both rich in local talent and Grateful Dead history, this year I wanted to try something a little different to convey my appreciation. With multiple venues across the area holding special Jerry-themed celebrations during the first 9 days of August, I charged up my camera, cleared out my memory cards and set off to hit as many of them as I could. If I told you all that went down, it would burn off both of your ears, but as best as I can remember, here’s how the Capital Region celebrated the Days Between in 2023.
Moe. drummer Vinnie Amico sat in with NYS Dead Coalition at Lark Hall on 81/2023.
Kicking off the weeklong celebration was New York’s own Organ Fairchild. Stopping by Albany’s Lark Hall on August 1st as part of “Jerry’s Birthday Bash,” the Buffalo-based band would pull double duty on the night. First playing a set that mixed originals songs in with Grateful Dead covers like “Picasso Moon,” “Cream Puff War,” and “He’s Gone,” Organ Fairchild would return later in the night with a few friends for an extra special NYS Dead Coalition set. Featuring Vinnie Amico of moe. on drums along with Tom Mahoney and Ron Permoda from the Utica-based Dead band Into The Now, the memorable performance featured stellar renditions of uptempo rockers like “Let The Good Times Roll,” “After Midnight,” “Cumberland Blues,” and “New Speedway Boogie,” while the back half the set was far more tender and introspective with our first “Bird Song” of the week, along with “Peggy-O,” “They Love Each Other” and a lengthy dose of “Love Light” that even Jerry Garcia himself would have been moved by.
Rockin’ on the River: It was all ‘Sunshine Daydreamin’ with Neon Avenue on 8/2/2023.
The next stop on our “Days Between the Capital Region” tour took us down by the riverside of Troy, where it was all ‘sunshine daydreaming’ with Neon Avenue. Headlining perhaps their biggest show yet as part of the Collar City’s annual Rockin’ On the River’ concert series, the energetic Clifton Park band more than rose to the occasion, delivering a phenomenal set of improvised jams on some of the Grateful Dead’s most beloved material.
Wharf Rats: Neon Avenue’s thoughtful setlist had fans dancing in the Collar City streets until sundown on 8/2/2023.
The picture-perfect weather brought out a huge crowd and songs like “Shakedown Street,” “Sugaree,” and “Scarlet Begonias” > “Fire on the Mountain” had both fans new and old on their feet and dancing all the way to sundown. Also mixing in hits like “Touch of Grey,” “Truckin,” and “Casey Jones,” for good measure, it was Neon Avenue’s thoughtful placement of songs like “Wharf Rat, “Sugar Magnolia” and “Magnificent Sanctuary Band” that yielded the most sentimental moments. Playing off their surroundings to great effect, perhaps the biggest cheers of the night came during the set closing “U.S. Blues.” Troy is said to be the original home of Uncle Sam after all.
View Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia shows from across the years in New York State with our interactive map below!
Our third stop of “Jerry Week” took us back to Lark Hall for another milestone performance, this time for legendary Hudson Valley rockers The Deadbeats who were celebrating their 30th anniversary. After playing around the area nearly every week for the last three decades, the highly respected group of local musicians have amassed a devoted following and they came out in full force on this Friday night in August. Blasting off with “Bertha,” the energy was there from the start and never let up. Working their way through a nice combination of “Beat it on Down the Line” and “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” other highlights of the first set included our only “Candyman” of the week, as well as “Dire Wolf,” and another smokin’ rendition of “Cumberland Blues” before “Scarlet Begonias” > Fire on the Mountain” took us to halftime.
The Deadbeats celebrated Jerry and a milestone of their own at Lark Hall on 8/4/2023.
Returning for a lengthy second set that included an impressive ride through “Help on the Way” > “Slipknot” > “Franklin’s Tower,” The Deadbeats also managed to throw in a few Jerry Garcia Band surprises too, like “Rubin and Cherise,” “Midnight Moonlight” and “Ride Mighty High.” “Truckin” and “Not Fade Away” had the whole room moving and grooving, but really, anyone who was there will tell you the second set was all about the funked-out version of “Throwing Stones” that essentially stole the show and helped make the band’s 30th anniversary party so memorable. Kudos to all members of The Deadbeats, past and present, for helping keep Jerry’s spirit alive in Albany all these years.
The Deadbeats Mike Johnson has been ‘playing in the band’ for an astonishing 30 years.
The next show we had the privilege of attending was a special stripped down acoustic performance by 3 members of The Wheel. Taking place on the 28th anniversary of the day Jerry Garcia passed, the intimate cocktail hour gathering, also at Lark Hall, was easily the most unique and sentimental performance of the week-long celebration. Consisting of Bryan Gautie on guitar and banjo, Andy Morse on guitar and mandolin and Woodstock’s Misty Mountain Ramblers’ keyboardist Kenny Schneidman, all three members jelled together nicely and would take turns singing and cracking jokes between songs. Opening up with “Dark Hollow” and our only “Deep Elum Blues” of the Days Between, other highlights of the set included gorgeous renditions of “Friend of the Devil, “Black Peter,” “Catfish John,” and “Must Have Been the Roses.”
Ripple Effect: The Wheel Trio unplugged for a sentimental cocktail hour set at Lark Hall on 8/9/23.
With no rhythm devils or soaring electric guitar solos during the set, the real beauty was being able to fully concentrate on the actual songwriting and Robert Hunter’s timeless lyrics. Perhaps the trio’s biggest strength, however, was the combination of their voices together. Using three-part harmony to great effect, there were moments during the set that simply gave you the chills, particularly on “Bird Song” and the set closing “Ripple,” which you can watch below.
Watch fan shot footage of The Wheel Trio performing “Ripple” at Lark Hall on 8/9/23.
Afterwards the buzz was all about “the other” Grateful Dead-inspired show that was also happening in the area that night. Full of heart and still daylight outside, those who couldn’t get enough Jerry packed up the party and trucked on over to the Cohoes Music Hall where two sets of Bearly Dead was just getting underway.
Bearly Dead’s Dynamic Debut: The Boston-based band buzzed with high energy during their Cohoes Music Hall performance on 8/9/23.
Walking into to the historic (and allegedly haunted) Cohoes Music Hall is always a vibe, but I admit I wasn’t very familiar with Bearly Dead beforehand. Kicking off their show with our first “Here Comes Sunshine” of the week, right away you could tell these guys “really cook” and I could feel a sense of ease come over me as I knew after all this poking around, I ended up in exactly the right place. Working their way through fiery renditions of “Passenger,” “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo,” and the crowd favorite “Ramble on Rose,” it was clear that Bearly Dead were diligent students at Grateful University and they had done their homework. Bringing a fresh and energetic approach to these ageless tunes, the band first came of age in Somerville, MA in 2015 and would go on to do a 5-year Wednesday Night Residency at Thunder Road before the venue closed in the midst of the pandemic. Now taking their show on the road and touring nationally, Bearly Dead brought their A-game to Cohoes on August 9th. Immediately making a good first impression with first set staples like “Black-Throated Wind,” and “Tennessee Jed,” by the time the band linked together a monstrous “Terrapin Station” > “China Cat Sunflower” -> “I Know You Rider” jam sandwich to close the opening frame, no one needed further convincing that these guys are the good shit.
Sharing the Weight: Bearly Dead paid tribute to both Jerry Garcia and Robbie Robertson on 8/9/23
On the same day the world learned that legendary singer/songwriter Robbie Robertson of The Band had passed away, the second set began with a touching moment of acknowledgement to one of their other musical heroes. Introducing the first song by saying, “I think Jerry wanted a buddy to jam with today,” Bearly Dead then broke into a heartfelt rendition of “The Weight.” Stragglers still smoking outside must have been kicking themselves as they quickly rushed in to fill the noticeably empty floor, so in an effort to help them out a little, I quickly pulled out my phone and hit the record button. That footage can be seen in the clip below.
Watch fan shot footage of Bearly Dead covering “The Weight” during their Cohoes Music Hall debut on 8/9/23.
One of the most striking things that helps separate this band from others like it is that every member can really sing and with convincing passion. Perhaps Jerry’s most well-known solo song came next with “Cats Under the Stars,” before “Rhapsody in Blue,” and “Easy Wind” flowed beautifully into the iconic Grateful Dead anthem “Dark Star.” Seamlessly working in “Miss You” teases by The Rolling Stones, “Dark Star” would continue to burn straight into a poignant take on “He’s Gone,” and even further into “Uncle John’s Band,” before reeling in the 40 plus minute frame of uninterrupted music with the gorgeous bluesy b-side “Death Don’t Have No Mercy.” Picking up the pace once again, the dance party resumed one final time with a proper and appropriate “The Music Never Stopped” before segueing into one of the most powerful versions of “Morning Dew” I’ve heard in a long time. Simply cathartic.
Watch fan shot footage of Bearly Dead performing “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” at the Cohoes Music Hall 8/9/23.
As the Days Between celebrations came to a bittersweet close, a flood of emotions ran through my mind. Pardon the obligatory pun, but I couldn’t help but feel grateful and for so many different reasons. Reinvigorated and inspired. Even 28 years after Jerry Garcia’s passing, it’s clear the music he made is as relatable and as relevant today as it ever was and that Jerry’s contributions will never be forgotten. Over the course of the 5 shows, you were bound to hear some repeats, but considering how few there actually were is quite a testament to just how deep GD’s songbook is. I’m grateful for the musical community I live in that continues to play these songs, the talent that it takes to get up there and actually do it and to the amazing local venues that provide a platform for them to do it on. There will never be another Jerry Garcia, but if this 9 day period taught me anything, it’s that this music is absolutely timeless, “Weir everywhere” and that the Capital Region still has plenty of heart, I can hear it beat out loud.
Check out full setlists and photos of each show courtesy of NYS Music correspondent Zak Radick.
Organ Fairchild ft. NYS Dead Coalition | August 1, 2023 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Set 1: Morning Coffee, Over the Handlebars, Yum, Picasso Moon > Cream Puff War > He’s Gone, Chamelonious Monk with Layla tease
Set 2: Let the Good Times Roll, After Midnight, Cumberland Blues, New Speedway Boogie, Bird Song, Peggy-O, They Love Each Other, Love Light.
*Set 2 featured members of Into The Now and Vinnie Amico of moe.
Neon Avenue | August 2, 2023 | Riverfront Park | Troy, NY
Setlist: Shakedown Street, Touch of Grey, Sugaree, Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Truckin > Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia > Casey Jones, Magnificent Sanctuary Band, U.S. Blues
Encore: Brokedown Palace.
Deadbeats | August 4, 2023 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Set 1: Bertha, Beat It On Down the Line > Greatest Story Ever Told, Hard To Handle, Candy Man, Cumberland Blues, The Buzz, Dire Wolf, Scarlet Begonias > Fire On the Mountain
Set 2: Help on the Way > Slipknot > Franklin’s Tower, Crosstown Traffic, Truckin, Rubin and Cherise, Throwing Stones, Not Fade Away, Midnight Moonlight, Ride Mighty High
Encore: Ripple, US Blues
The Wheel Trio | August 9, 2023 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Dark Hollow, Deep Elum Blues, Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie, Jack A Roe, Dire Wolf, Rosalie McFall, Friend of the Devil, Deal, Black Peter, Bird Song, Catfish John, Must Have Been the Roses, On the Road Again, Uncle John’s Band, Midnight Moonlight, Cumberland Blues, Ripple
Bearly Dead | 8-9-2023 | Cohoes Music Hall | Cohoes, NY
Set 1: Here Comes Sunshine, Passenger, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Ramble On Rose, Black-Throated Wind, Tennessee Jed, Terrapin Station > China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider
Set 2: The Weight[1], Cats Under the Stars, Rhapsody in Blue, Easy Wind > Dark Star[2] > He’s Gone -> Uncle John’s Band > Death Don’t Have No Mercy, The Music Never Stopped > Morning Dew
[1] Dedicated to Robbie Robertson [2] Contained Rolling Stones “Miss You” teases
It was a big night for rock fans in Syracuse on Wednesday, August 16th, as The Goo Goo Dolls brought their Big Night Out Tour to Lakeview Amphitheater. O.A.R. opened the show.
It’s been a long road for The Goo Goo Dolls. The Buffalo natives formed in 1986 and have maintained their core two members, John Rzeznik (vocals, guitar) and Robby Takac (vocals, bass guitar) since day one. They are now joined by Craig Macintyre, who took over drumming duty in 2014. Along the way, the band have released 14 studio albums and have an impressive 19 top-ten singles. The band saw their popularity explode in 1997 with the release of “Iris,” which was included on the City of Angels soundtrack. The song spent an impressive 18 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 airplay charts.
The evening kicked off with a set by Maryland rockers, O.A.R. The amphitheater was already well on its way towards full when O.A.R. took the stage at 7:15pm. The band launched in to “Love and Memories,” off their 2005 release Stories of a Stranger, which brought those in attendance quickly to their feet. It was clear early on that many in attendance were passionate followers of the band, as many made their way to the front of the amphitheater to sing and dance along. The band wasted no time playing their familiar hit “Shattered” early on in the set. The band would close out their set with the ever popular “Crazy Game of Poker” which saw the front pit section jump up and down and throw playing cards in the air.
After a lengthy stage change over, the Goo Goo Dolls took to the stage at 9:10. The band took no time breaking out the hits, opening with the high energy “Broadway” off 1998’s Dizzy Up the Girl. It was the perfect upbeat opener, and quickly it was clear the band was excited to be there. Rzeznik and Takac bounced from one end of the stage to the other, with smiles fixated across their faces.
Early in the set, Rzeznik paused to thank the fans of his band who have been there since day one, as well as to pay homage to legendary Syracuse rock club, The Lost Horizon. “I remember coming here in 1986 and playing at the Lost Horizon, and just being amazed that anyone actually came to see us.”
The remainder of the 25 song set saw the Goo Goo Dolls perform their various classics and fan favorites, like “Slide,” “Here is Gone,” “Black Balloon” (which saw fans toss black balloons in the air) along side newer hits like 2023’s “Run All Night” and “Yeah, I Like You.” Along the way Rzeznik took multiple opportunities to thank the crowd and convey his appreciation, proclaiming “I can’t believe I still get to do this, and I want to thank you guys…” before performing one of the band’s earliest hits, “Name.” As the evening neared a close Rzeznik introduced the second to last track as “One you all will know” before playing a cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” a track the Goo Goo Dolls and O.A.R. recently teamed up to record in the studio. The band would then close the evening with their 1997 smash hit, “Iris”, much to the crowd’s appreciation. It truly was a big night out for rock fans.
On Friday, August 18, Swedish stratocaster maestro Yngwie Malmsteen and legendary ex-Deep Purple ‘voice of rock’ Glenn Hughes rolled into the Strand Theater in Hudson Falls, New York.
Yngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek Java
A note on the Strand Theater – this was my first time at this venue, a great, small theater with a large balcony and smaller floor, all seated, where a few hundred people can fit. It was fairly full on this Friday night; if not sold out, it was close. The near capacity crowd was all-in for a night of vintage heavy with a great co-headline double-bill. This was the first night of the Malmsteen-Hughes pairing, which is touring across America through the end of September.
The Strand Theater – Photo by Derek Java
The doors opened a bit later than advertised, as first-night soundchecking took some time. Luckily there’s an Irish pub next door. The gig started fairly quickly after they let the crowd in – there was a band on before the co-headliners – Southbound Beretta, from Indianapolis, IN. Young guys, not a southern rock or country band as the name suggests, but full-on, blasting, loud, raw heavy rock. Motorhead springs to mind. Two guitars, bass, solid drummer. One of the guitar player sings, and his voice invokes maybe a cross between Lemmy and Blackfoot’s Rickey Medlocke. An odd band to see in a seated venue, these guys should be playing loud in a sweaty bar with cheap beer and whiskey. They had only time for four or five songs, I only caught one song title, “Two For One” (“about a threesome”, said the singer), but it was headshaking stuff. Tons of energy, lots of headbanging and onstage activity that reminded me of early Metallica or Raven.
Southbound Baretta – Photo by Derek Java
Glenn Hughes played next. Ageless is a common cliche floated for any 70s-80s rockers who are still treading stages, often well past their expiration dates, but Hughes, 74 this year, truly is. Still rock-star skinny, full head of hair, and most importantly that legendary voice – unlike many of his peers of the 70s heavy rock vintage, Glenn’s voice is still there, amazing as ever. This is fairly astounding in light of his storied history of excess. He, of course, began with the Birmingham, UK trio Trapeze in the early 70s before joining Deep Purple in 1973 as bassist/vocalist with future Whitesnake man David Coverdale as replacements for the departed Ian Gillan and Roger Glover. As impossible as replacing Gillan would seem, Hughes/Coverdale did it, and in spades, producing 3 classic records (Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste the Band), before dissolving in 1976.
By this time, Hughes (by his own admission) was deeply awash in cocaine and other habits, and for the rest of the 70s and all of the 80s, while he produced some sporadic, quality work (some reunion tours with Trapeze, the cult classic Hughes/Thrall record in 1982, some vocals on Gary Moore’s Run for Cover record in 1985, and Black Sabbath’s solid but ill-fated Seventh Star in 1986), these projects were torpedoed by his addictions. Amazingly, he’s been clean since ‘91, and in recent decades his solo records and other projects (with Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Black Country Communion, the Dead Daisies and more) have been some of his best ever.
Glenn Hughes – Photo by Derek Java
This tour is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Deep Purple’s Burn album (which actually came out in early ‘74), but instead of a front-to-back set of that album alone, Hughes played a mix of classics mostly from his era of Deep Purple, kicking off with a pummeling “Stormbringer” into Burn’s “Might Just Take Your Life”. It was great hearing him sing both the Coverdale and his own parts from these DP classics. His band is astoundingly good: Søren Andersen (guitar), Ash Sheehan (drums) and Bob Fridzema (keyboards). Anderson handled the Ritchie Blackmore and Tommy Bolin guitar parts admirably, and while Fridzema’s keyboards maybe could have been mixed louder, Sheehan’s drums were brilliantly hammering, and brought an added vigor to these great tunes.
And what a set of songs: you can’t go wrong with the funky, stomping “Sail Away”, or the extended “Mistreated”, on which Anderson earned his wage admirably, with Glenn ad-libbing and adding to Coverdale’s straight-blues take on the original. What a set of pipes on this guy. And kudos to Hughes for finishing the regular set with a couple of tunes from the underrated, Tommy Bolin-era Come Taste the Band, an enlarged, astoundingly roaring “Gettin’ Tighter” followed by “You Keep on Moving”, truly great renditions. The lights came on and it appeared to be over, but happily the band strolled back out and encored with the Ian Gillan-era classic “Highway Star” (Hughes handing his bass to a crew member for that one, and hitting every Gillan note as a microphone-toting frontman), before Glenn grabbed his bass again and the band wrapped it up with, of course, “Burn”, a blazing, triumphant version. Yngwie’s work was cut out for him.
Glenn Hughes and guitarist Soren Andersen – Photo by Derek Java
This writer has not seen Yngwie play live in a long, long time. His first NYS Capital Region show was in June 1984, he was probably 20, as part of the band Alactrazz, fronted by ex-Rainbow singer Graham Bonnet, at the Palace Theater in Albany opening for Ted Nugent. Malmsteen dazzled that night, and I snapped up the ‘84 debut Yngwie record ‘Rising Force’ immediately upon release, and that killer mostly-instrumental debut LP was a favorite at the time. To be honest, after a few years I stopped keeping up with his records – his solo band played some good shows opening for AC/DC and Iron Maiden locally, but by the time he reached headliner status for several area shows, I’d checked out.
This tour is promoted as featuring Yngwie’s ‘greatest hits’, but frankly as he had few actually ‘hits’ (other than “If You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget”, a minor mid-80s radio song, played this night as the set-closer), it was more accurately a career-spanning best-of. While some may mock the “unleash the fury”, irony-free presentation, you can’t deny how outstanding the Swede is at what he does. The speed, dexterity and burning intensity of his playing has not abated. The guy is truly an amazing player.
Yngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek Java
If you wanted Yngwie fucking Malmsteen, full-on and roaring, this night did not disappoint. In recent years he was doing solo shows, him alone, singing and playing live to backing tracks, but (happily) not this tour. He had a keyboards/bass/drum backing band, all in the corner of stage left. There was a towering “wall of amps” at the back of the stage, maybe 35-40% of which were actually on. Yngwie’s band in the old days always featured a singer out front, but now he does the singing, with the keyboardist and bassist backing him up, and he sounded just fine. The sound itself was crushingly loud, which sometimes made Yngwie’s solos swamped and distorted, and it was clear there were some sound and pedalboard issues throughout the night.
But he played amazingly, looked great for a guy who must be approaching or past 60, clad as you’d expect in black leather pants, black cowboy boots, a black shirt open to the waist and long, jet-black hair and big sideburns. I mean, you wouldn’t want Yngwie wearing an age-appropriate sweater and corduroys with a neat haircut, would you? Hell, no. Note should be made of the hardest-working man on the night, Yngwie’s roadie, who would dutifully switch guitars for the man, often while scooping up the previous guitar, dropped by the boss and feedbacking on the ground, while taping row after row of guitar picks to Yngwie’s mic stand between seemingly every song – every punter in the front rows must have gotten a half-dozen guitar picks, which Malmsteen hurled, flicked and kicked into the crowd all night.
Yngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek Java
The setlist covered the whole span of his discography, the only notable omission being the ‘85 Marching Out record, which wasn’t featured at all in the set. Yngwie spoke to the crowd a few times, but the echo on his microphone made it hard to make out what he was saying. But chat wasn’t the point – the long set moved fast, from song to song, with as many arpeggios and fugues and neo-classical superheroisms as the day is long. As a first-album enthusiast, it was great to hear “Now Your Ships are Burned” (Malmsteen handling the vocal admirably), “Far Beyond the Sun” and an absolutely ripping “Evil Eye” in there. There were also a few covers, the most odd being “Smoke on the Water” – Yngwie has always been a Blackmore devotee, and it was a great version, but a strange choice when you’re co-headlining with an actual member of Deep Purple. Or maybe it was a perfect choice. The show was long, loud and unrelenting. As you’d want, really.
A great show – in a footrace, Yngwie may have won in terms of volume, bombast and merciless intensity, but Glenn had the songs, the vibe, and overall the better set of the night. All three bands were top-notch though – kudos to the Strand Theater for booking such a great night of heaviness.
Southbound Beretta setlist: Drive, Two for One, Petal to the Metal, Name on a Bullet.
Glenn Hughes setlist: Stormbringer, Might Just Take Your Life, Sail Away, You Fool No One, Mistreated, Gettin’ Tighter, You Keep On Moving, Highway Star, Burn.
Yngwie Malmsteen setlist (approximate): Rising Force, Baroque and Roll, Like an Angel, Relentless Fury, Now Your Ships Are Burned, Wolves at the Door, (Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum, Badinerie, Far Beyond the Sun, The Star-Spangled Banner, Seventh Sign, Tacotta, Evil Eye, Smoke on the Water, Trilogy (Vengeance), Brothers, Fugue, You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget, Black Star.
Yngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek JavaYngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek JavaYngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek JavaYngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek JavaYngwie Malmsteen – Photo by Derek JavaGlenn Hughes – Photo by Derek JavaGlenn Hughes – Photo by Derek JavaGlenn Hughes keyboardist Bob Fridzema – Photo by Derek JavaGlenn Hughes and guitarist Soren Andersen – Photo by Derek JavaGlenn Hughes and Seth Anderson – Photo by Derek JavaGlenn Hughes drummer Ash Sheehan – Photo by Derek JavaCrowd cheering for Glenn Hughes at The Strand Theater – Photo by Derek JavaGlenn Hughes – Photo by Derek JavaSouthbound Baretta – Photo by Derek JavaSouthbound Baretta – Photo by Derek JavaSouthbound Baretta – Photo by Derek JavaThe Strand Theater – Photo by Derek Java
Excitement grew as I was able to snag an interview with Robin Wilson, the frontman for both the Gin Blossoms and now the Smithereens, on The Long Island Sound podcast. To be frank, this is my biggest celebrity interview to date and I was a bit nervous.
Sure, like any seasoned interviewer, I did my homework as the familuar Gin Blossoms’ repertoire came front and center to the cacophoney of songs rambling around this tattered brain of mine. “Allison Road,” “Follow You Down” and “Hey Jealousy” all bounced back into my mind as I researched Robin Wilson.
Still I was a bit concerned about going the interview alone, so I reached out to an old guest of the podcast, Peter Mancini, a fabulous singer/songwriter in his own right. With about thirty years between Peter and myself, I was captivated to see my co-host question one of his musical influences, and provide a true songwritters perspective on the podcast episode. During an earlier interview with Mancini, he mentioned the Gin Blossoms as one of bands he admired. Pete really stepped up with some great insights, and literally saved the session, when a camera glitch could have been an unfortunate hiccup for the flow of the conversation. You can hear the full interview right here on The Long Island Sound Podcast.
Record Store Rendezvous
Prior to streaming service playlists, the teenage Rock-n-Roll faithful would peruse the local record store to quench their thirst for audio excelence. That’s exactly the nexis where the Gin Blossoms began.
…so pretty much all the musicians either hung out at Tower Records or worked there, and so I knew Bill Leen, the Gin Blossoms’ Bass player.
Robin Wilson
Robin brought us back to the path of his incorporation into the group and how generous bandmate would share the limelight and have him take the frontman position.
Being in the company of musicians, and surrounding yourself with great music from all genres cultivates a furtile field for aspiring musicians to find their path. The recipe of placing oneself in the company of music lovers seems to have helped Robin Wilson be in the right place at the right time. That’s one of the reasons why I love hosting The Long Island Sound podcast. Connecting with artists of all stripes has given me the opportunity to make connections, and root out inspiration, not only for music, but for my personal well-being.
From MTV to SNL Making Connections
Curious to understand how this Tempe, Arizona navtive came upon the shore of Long Island. Robin recalled meeting his ex-wife, Gena Rositano on Jon Stewart’s show on MTV in 1993.
And so all these all these years, you know, I’ve had an inside track to you know, the world of MTV and of Saturday Night Live. And that’s just through Gena.
Robin Wilson
The Gin Blossoms appeared on Stewart’s premiere show, along with a guest appearance by Howard Stern. Gena is a native of Valley Stream, and both Robin and Gena settled there. Jon Stewart later officiated Robin and Gena’s wedding and as they say, the rest is history. Gena later moved on to Saturday Night Live, where the Gin Blossoms appeard in March of 1996.
Chance Meetings
Wilson has built an amazing music career through timely connections, talent and perseverance. Whether it was working with Marshall Crenshaw and the Smithereens or working with fantastic producers like Don Dixon or John Hampton the Gin Blossoms were in the company of the very crew who produced, R.E.M., The Replacements, the White Stripes, and Jimmy Vaughn.
Lamenting the pending induction at The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, I pointed out the wellspring of talent Robin will join who all made their home on Long Island. From Billy Joel to Joan Jett and the likes of Harry Chapin, Jimmy Webb and Steve Vai. Robin will be playing at his induction on Friday, August 25th along side his son, Aubrey. He plans on playing some Gin Blossom and Smithereen tunes and will be joined by Graham Maby (Bassist for Joe Jackson) who also resides on Long Island. You can find all the details about Robin’s induction ceremony by going to The Long Island Music and Entertainment website.
I’ve been continually amazed at the ability for artists, particularly singer/songwriters and their ability to create the songs that often become the soundtracks for our lives. Talent and hardwork don’t always pay immediate dividends, but for the lucky few who are skilled at making their own breaks, with purposeful networking; sometimes they get to snatch the brass ring for their chance to sing the words, we cannot find, and draw out sweet emotions from time to time.
For the rest of the story and my interview with Robin Wilson, as well as other amazing artists and new music, search for “The Long Island Sound” wherever you listen to podcasts or find it right here on Spotify.
