Sometimes you just need a six-piece band jamming out “Brick House” by the Commodores and a little James Brown. Sometimes you need that when the boss is playing “Ride of the Valkyries” through his overtime demands and you’ve just sank into the comfiest seat at the club. Derek “Doc” Horton and the Jay Street Band are here to give you what you need.
And you need to listen to the Doc and get a shot of Motown and an IV of pop/funk and just let the groove anesthetize and hypnotize.
Derek “Doc” Horton and the Jay Street Band are here to give you what you need. And you need to listen to the Doc and get a shot of Motown and an IV of pop/funk and just let the groove anesthetize and hypnotize.
I sit with Doc Horton and we talk about feeling good.
RRX: You aren’t calling yourself “Doc” Horton like bluegrass performer “Doc” Watson calls himself Doc. You actually have your doctorate, and you teach at SUNY. It’s gotta be a little bit of fun when you’re teaching younger people who have music posters in their rooms and may have no idea you play. Can you connect with your students this way?
DH: Actually, I try to keep my worlds separate. Universities in general tend to be overly static and conservative. I have found it best to confine my music to the community. The community is more appreciative of creatives.
RRX: You got your start with this band at Ambition Café on Jay Street in Schenectady, which you’ve said was kind of an iconic place, and I believe it. There are a lot of places in the area that are almost incubators for bands, and I would mention a few, but for space and not to exclude anybody. So tell us what it is about Ambition that did it for you?
DH: Ambition Cafe has an owner, environment, and clientele that are open to creatives. They are willing to showcase new talent. I absolutely love that place!!
RRX: You have gone through a lot of members in the past number of years. I watched one interview where you said thirty or forty over the years. It’s got to be a strong groove that can keep the band alive when you go through so many musicians. Do you feel that you’ve learned from the past musicians? Do you think their “ghosts” are still with you?
DH: LOL!! Yes, there have been scores of musicians who have come through my band. However, I’d like to think that “Doc Horton and the Jay Street Band” has boosted many of their careers. I foster a professional, respectful, and nurturing environment. For many young musicians I have provided their first professional experience in music.
RRX: Some bands that play covers, you can take a listen and maybe figure why they don’t do originals. But I don’t see that with your band. You’ve probably had the talk at some point about doing originals, and there are pros and cons. It can be rewarding to do originals, but much, much harder to make money. Are there other considerations?
DH: I am a singer/songwriter/producer/entertainer and I have written songs since childhood. In 2023, I will be dropping some original music. Stay tuned!!
RRX: You were nominated for a 2022 Listen Up award, the first of its name, put out by Radioradiox.com. This was very fan-generated, so someone loves ya’. What can you say about your fans, and what have they meant to you over the years? And would you wish to nominate a band for the next award that comes around?
DH: I can’t express enough love for my fans. It is for the fans that I perform. And, I believe that when fans come to one of my performances that they deserve a show!! That’s why whether it’s 1 or 1000 I give it everything I got! My fans deserve it!!
And, I’d like to nominate the Donna Tritico Band. Donna and Mark Tritico are friends of mine and they have a fantastic band!! I’d love for our two bands to tour together in the future.
Asbury Park, New Jersey natives Dogs In A Pile stopped in Buffalo for their latest tour on Sunday March 12. Although these guys are considered young in the jam band scene, their chemistry and talent on stage pays no mind to that.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Opener Hayley Jane blew away the crowd with her infectious energy and emotive vocals. She brings various styles to the stage including 60s/70s rock, musical funk, blues, soul and more. She played a few songs with Dogs In A Pile which was captivatig to see the collaboration.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The eclectic quintet is made up of Jimmy Law (lead guitarist/vocalist), Joe Babick (drums), Jeremy Kaplan (keyboard), Sam Lucid (bass), and Brian Murray (guitar). Babick and Law started jamming together as young kids. Later on they met the other three and formed the band in 2018. They have built their sound through instrumentation of aural mosaics as well as use of psychedelia.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Dogs In A Pile played a wide range of material on their setlist full of funk tunes and covers. They also performed songs off of their newly released album Bloom. Some of which were “Today,” “Bent Strange,” and “Fenway.”
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
The group played late into the night filling Buffalo Ironworks with their blend of genres and introspective soundscapes. Dogs In A Pile uses their storytelling techniques to make connective music and fun live shows. Additionally, their energy is undeniable to the crowd which left many new fans of the boys’ ever-growing Dog Pound.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Dogs In A Pile are making several more stops in NY. These include Ithaca on March 16 and Saratoga Springs on March 17. Get your tickets here. Also Buffalo Ironworks has upcoming shows including Workingman’s Dead on March 17 and Desmond Jones on March 20.
Photo Credit: Maddie McCafferty
Dogs in a Pile – Buffalo Iron Works – Sunday, March 12
Set 1: Dogs to the Rescue Kids Set: Spongebob Theme, Bugle on the Shelf, Inchworm, Fruit Salad[1,2], Applesauce, Swim to the Middle[2], Jenny Jenkins[3], Ape Man [4], You’ve Got a Friend in Me [5]
Set 2: HJ & The K9s: Brand New Key [6], Hey Pocky A-Way [7], Brand New Key, Jungle Foot, Cosmic Katrina, Paper Fly, Little Bird, This Woman
Set 3Dogs in a Pile: Westward, Stevie Lew, Today, Let U Go, Look Johnny II, Boogie on Reggae Woman [8], Fenway, Craig and Pat, Go Set, Tillie, Trickery [9], Jack & Coke, The Other One [10], Look Johnny, Feel Like A Stranger, [10] Bent Strange
Encore: That’s Life[2]
[1] The Wiggles[2] w/ Hayley Jane[3] Jerry Garcia version[4] The Kinks[5] Randy Newman[6] Melanie[7] The Meters[8 Stevie Wonder[9] Dopapod [10] Grateful Dead
Rochester’s 7-piece Reggae-Rock Band Personal Blend released their newest EP “Inhale & Release” on February 17th. With their pop driven melodies and ear catching hooks, the band is excited for this release along with some anticipated upcoming shows.
Having just recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary, Personal Blend has just dropped its 4th release titled “Inhale & Release.” With new blood added to the band, Personal Blend is breaking boundaries and bringing the party to the masses.
Personal Blend is a Rochester-based 7-piece reggae-rock band. PB’s first full-length album, Skin Deep, was released in 2016, following that, the EP Ride, and in 2019 released Heavy Currents. Each song is a unique blend of melodies that each member contributes to. Songs like “Hello Hello” and “Watch Your Step” highlight the characteristics the band has to offer through this album.
The Rochester Lilac Festival is the largest free festival of its kind in North America welcoming spring in Upstate NY. Likewise, the Estival Festival is a family-friendly music and arts festival held twice a year at Sugar Mountain. Thus, being a magical place full of great people, great music, and great times. Personal Blend will be headlining and performing at both festivals this year, you wont want to miss it.
The band has been making waves throughout Upstate NY playing both festivals and venues alike and continuing to push forward. They bring a feel-good, party-vibe that’s including of all people and age groups and the band always leaves you wanting more.
Critically acclaimed saxophonist James Casey has released the first single “New Bloom” of his forthcoming solo debut, The Kaua’i Project. With excited anticipation,accompanying the release is a music video dropping March 21stduring Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
“New Bloom” and its video share a meaningful message of manifesting positivity to overcome obstacles. It’s a remarkable example of how music can be medicine, encapsulating how he refused to let a stark colon cancer diagnosis prevents him from making his mark on the world. Wrapped in inspiration from a year of self-discovery on a remote Hawaiian island, the song brings to light a mantra of soulful jazz, smooth beats and earnest emotion.
The music video for “New Bloom” tells a visual story of hope alongside fellow New York City creatives who are all living through, and beyond, cancer as a community. Each person featured in the video is persevering against cancer in their own intimate and personal ways.
James Casey is an outspoken advocate for colon cancer awareness, especially among his more vulnerable Black community. Casey first melded music and advocacy in 2022 when he released a holiday EP, A Little Something For Everyone, which garnered praise among NPR staff picks for the Best Songs of 2022.
Today, while undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments, Casey is preparing for the April-May 2023 roll out of his debut LP, The Kaua’i Project. This album was developed over the past two years following a somewhat serendipitous sequence of events. Releasing his own music was never a priority for Casey, but that perception changed abruptly when he was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer at just 38 years of age.
This shocking news in August 2021 served as an awakening in so many ways. Casey decided to make the most of his time, for both for himself and his loved ones. He let go of all limits to his musical career and, for the first time, began writing and recording music under his own name.
To listen to “New Bloom” by James Casey, click the link here. For more information about James Casey, visit the link here.
John McEuen, founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will make his way across New York this week, stopping at Sportsmen’s Tavern in Buffalo on Thursday, March 16th and The Linda in Albany on Friday, March 17th.
The man behind the legendary album Will the Circle be Unbroken – called one of the most important records to come out of Nashville by Chet Flippo (Rolling Stone), the album features McEuen’s musical mentors Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson, his brother Bill, Mother Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin, Roy Acuff, ‘Bashful’ Brother Oswald, Vassar Clements, Merle Travis and more. The now multi-platinum album has been honored both by the Library of Congress and the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Multi-instrumentalist McEuen (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, piano, dulcimer) was a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for 50 years before departing the group at the end of the 50th year anniversary tour in 2017, the same year he was inducted into the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame.With McEuen slated to cross the Empire State this week, NYS Music spoke with the legendary singer on his music, advice and an early gig working at Disneyland.
Samantha Rychlicki: Seeing how you’ve been performing for years, is there a song that makes you feel like you’re 18 again and why?
John McEuen: Much of the music I play makes me feel young, as music is like that sometimes – ageless. But “Shelly’s Blues,” “Bojangles,” and “House at Pooh Corner” are top contenders for ‘songs’. Among instrumentals of which I do a lot, there is “Dismal Swamp” and then “John Hardy” but most of the bluegrass gives you that youngster feeling, too! “Will the Circle be Unbroken” well that feels like an old one to me, singing to my long gone mom.
SR: What do you hope people get out of your tour?
JM: Bringing people into that magic space where, for a couple of hours, they forget where they are. They are laughing or singing or listening to something that ‘transport’ them to a ‘better space.’
SR: Is there anything that you are really hoping people think about after your show or is it more of a “Let’s all just get together, play some music and let people enjoy themselves”?
JM: Music, the stories behind how it happened, and the songs will hopefully transport people to a space they will think about days later.
SR: Your career has taken you to so many places and to meet so many people that someone in your shoes may say “Why keep going? What else is there?”, what is the number one thing that keeps you going?
JM: I get to tell people about some o those places, laugh about them, and sing about them. And I feel like they need or want to hear it.
SR: What is the one piece of advice that you would give to an aspiring folk musician?
JM: Do it as good as you can and don’t do drugs. Even David Crosby said they ‘did no good.’
SR: A little off beat but I read in an article that you loved magic and that’s why you went to work at Merlin’s Magic Shop. My question is… do you remember any of the tricks you learned while you were at Disney? Do you still perform them?
JM: I ‘perform’ them because they are fun, not to impress people but to shock and surprise them!
Transporting Albany to interstellar dimension, it was another hip shaking, foot stomping, groovy good time at Lark Hall on Thursday, March 9th as Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country made their other-worldly debut at the recently revitalized venue.
Unleashing an absolute powerhouse performance, the rapidly rising band from Nashville has been on a freight train to stardom since breaking out at the annual Peach Festival last summer. After the performance on Thursday, March 9, it’s easy to see why and fair to say the Albany faithful are ‘all aboard.’
Taking the stage to a packed house with swagger, wearing vintage seventies garb, cowboy hats and each member having hair down past their shoulders, right away you could tell two things about this band: These guys weren’t from around here and that they came to Albany with intent to impress. Along with Daniel Donato on guitar and vocals, Cosmic Country also features Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz on keyboards, rhythm guitar and vocals, Will “Mustang” McGee on electric/upright bass, and Noah Winner on drums and percussion. The band was last in town on October 29th, 2022 opening for the Kitchen Dwellers in Saratoga Springs, but for this three hour, two set performance at Lark Hall, there was no opening act.
Coming out of the gates with a “Fourteen Carat Mind” > “Lose Your Mind,” > “Faded Lovin’” trifecta, it didn’t take the Cosmic Country band long to showcase their incredible songwriting and technically proficient chops. Easing the audience in with beautiful harmonies and tasteful melodies, the band effortlessly blended together genres like outlaw country and modern bluegrass with elements of funk, experimental jazz and rockabilly.
By the time the young guitarist virtuoso Donato and his teal-colored telecaster landed on “Sugar Shack,” the whole room was in the palm of his hands and grooving together as one. Seizing the moment and an opportunity to try something new, the band would then stretch their legs a bit on the unreleased song “Gotta Get Southbound.” A tune about departure, exploration and freedom, Donato described it as “encompassing many emotions, but mainly, is for the soul that needs to adventure to awaken and discover a better world and reality.”
Keeping with the positive outlook, bass player ‘Mustang’ McGee would switch out his electric bass for an upright one on “Half Moon Night” which features the lyrics “I’m gonna shine, shine, shine. No matter how dark it may be.” Next, one lucky fan would get their wish as Cosmic Country then played “Fox On The Run” which had verbally been requested several times earlier in the set. Up next was “Darlin’ Cory,” a timeless old murder ballad Danoto first started playing years ago when he was gigging with The Don Kelley Band around Nashville and now appears on his 2021 studio album Cosmic Country & Western Songs Western Songs.
“Arkansas Traveler” and “Rose In a Garden” would follow suit before Donato would lead us into set break with another homage to the Don Kelly Band, this time in the form of “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” Calling it “one of the most heroic songs of the great American Western catalogue of music,” Donato believes “the journey this song takes you on, musically, is a mutually understood and realized feeling that we all possess inside us. The truth of the sincere feelings this song conjures would be the only explanation as to why this vehicle of song has transcended nearly 70 years of cultural and musical change.”
After a brief break in the action, things would get rolling again as “Hi Country” was selected to kick off the second set. Bringing serious early 70’s Dead vibes with it, momentum would continue to build as Cosmic Country then segued their way through a “Luck of the Draw” > “Sugar Leg Rag,” which gave keyboard player and rhythm guitarist Nathan Aronowitz ample time to bask in the spotlight. Slowing the pace up for a bit was another unreleased new one called “Chore” that started off as a bluesy ballad and featured beautiful full-band harmonies before the improvisational section of the song launched the room into the next stratosphere with Donato’s lightning-fast finger work largely to blame.
Feeling the collective storm of energy, it was only fitting that “Weathervane” make in appearance in the set next, though some fans humorously confused it for a cover of “Peaches” by The Presidents of The United States of America at first. They did get a cover next, however, as Wille Nelson’s “Blue Skies” brought many smiles to the older folks in attendance. The outlaw train kept rollin’ next with a smokin’ version of “Mystery Train” followed up by Mustang McGee taking over vocal duties for a rollicking rendition of “Ten Feet of Rope.” Fully vibing off the shared frequencies felt in every corner of the room, “Double Exposure” felt particularly passionate, psychedelic and on point and even featured a dynamic guitar duel exchange between Donato and the multi-talented “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz. “When you find yourself running low on the colors that you need, keep searching through the afterglow for positivity guaranteed!”
Clearly having fun and sharing in the groove, the genre defiance reached a new level as “Dance in the Desert” crossed multiple boundaries and had everyone in the place cutting a rug before reaching its final soaring peak and bringing the second set to a close. Hungry for one more song, the audience was practically begging for an encore. Happy to oblige with a bit of showmanship, Cosmic Country returned to the stage with huge smiles on their faces.
While many songs on the evening felt reminiscent of early 70’s Grateful Dead, there was no mistaking that certain twang on the song chosen for an encore. Uncorking a red-hot version of “Cumberland Blues,” even the hardest Dead Heads in the room were loving it and clearly giving Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country the coveted ‘Albany Seal of Approval.’ After the song, the band’s photographer would take a group wide shot and the guys would hang around meeting their newest fans and signing merchandise.
Reflecting on the show, Donato would later take post to social media “Albany still to this day has essence of a very original spirit, that spirit we all know and love, and search for when the music plays. It’s not my ability to name this sensation, but I do know when the room is feeling this strange, synchronous, and benevolently fleeting frequency. Albany delivered this to us in such a concentrated and positive way, and for that, we love you.”
Up next Cosmic Country will return to Garcia’s in Port Chester and then head to Lewes, De, followed by a pair of dates in Virginia, before they wrap up this winter run in Charleston, SC. Already booked for a number of major music festivals and high profile gigs throughout the summer, it’s easy to predict big things ahead for this band on the rise. Keeping the honky-tonk spirit alive by honoring their heroes like the Don Kelly Band, The Grateful Dead, Rory Gallagher and The Allman Brothers, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country Band is a special combination of something old and something new married together in a most profound way.
Complete, with great songwriting, a beautiful tone, a never-ending flow of fresh licks and an absolutely badass cast of musicians behind him, we suspect the portal to Danial Donato’s Cosmic Country universe has only just opened and their rocket ship to stardom is right on the cusp of hitting lightspeed.
Cosmic Country | March 9, 2023 | Albany, NY | Lark Hall
Set 1: Fourteen Carat Mind, Lose Your Mind, Faded Lovin’, Sugar Shack, Gotta Get Southbound, Half Moon Night, Fox on the Run, Darlin’ Cory (Don Kelley Band cover), Arkansas Traveler, Rose In a Garden, Ghost Riders in the Sky,
Set 2: Hi-Country, Luck of the Draw > Sugar Leg Rag, Chore, Weathervane > Blue Skies (Willie Nelson cover), Mystery Train, Teen Feet of Rope, Double Exposure, Dance in the Desert
Brooklyn-based melodic punks Warn The Duke are back with a new album titled All That’s Solid, out on Friday, March 17th. The band will celebrate that night with a show at Brooklyn’s Our Wicked Lady.
The new LP All That’s Solid is a window into the ebbs and flows of recovery. Songwriter and lead singer Dan McCool (former River City Rebels) leads us through cycles of despair, renewal, and self-forgiveness that emerge after trauma and loss.
This is Warn The Duke’s first album in eight years, being written on the heels of lockdowns, divorce, and addiction. By layering harmonies and the combo of male/female vocals, the band emphasizes the record’s bittersweet atmosphere.
There are some far-ranging influences bringing the listeners through All That’s Solid. For instance, the warmth of Mike Ness’s vocals, the wry defiance of Against Me!, the dense, dark guitar tone of Nothing. Also, the earworms and hooks of The Replacements, early 2000s math rock-inspired lead guitar lines, and the hard-hitting punk grit of Hot Water Music.
“These guys play that brand of punk rock and post-hardcore that bands like Hot Water Music perfected.”
-Nerdist
Joining McCool on the album are drummer Derek Davis (former Big D and The Kids Table/The Toasters), bassist/vocalist Chris Marciniak, lead guitarist Chris Ferreria, and guitarist/vocalist Dori Cameron.
The album features the songs “Sometimes,” “The Middle” and the single “Anniversaries” (the latter of which is now streaming). Watch the music video for “Anniversaries” below and pre-save the album on Spotify. “All That’s Solid” arrives on 12” LP vinyl and digital on Friday, March 17th. The band will celebrate that night with a show at Brooklyn’s Our Wicked Lady.
All songs on All That’s Solid were written, performed, and produced by Dan McCool and Warn The Duke. Furthermore, some were recorded and mixed by Jeff Berner at Studio G (Brooklyn). Additional record recording and co-production was done by Chris Duggan at Blue Banshee Studio (Brewster, MA), and mastered by Jon Markson.
As part of Vevo’s footnotes series, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, Queens group Salt-N-Pepa have revisited their iconic “Shoop” video, The rap icons shared insights into their creative process, the inspiration behind the song and their fight to make “Shoop” the lead single on the group’s fourth album, 1993’s Very Necessary.
During the episode, Pepa delves into the story behind the song and her verse, as well as the challenges the group faced in convincing their label to release “Shoop” as the lead single from their album ‘Very Necessary.’ She also recounts the excitement they felt when the song became a massive hit and solidified the group’s position in hip-hop.
Meanwhile, Salt discusses how the song helped her to step away from her boyfriend and manager, Hurby [Luv Bug] and how “Shoop” empowered not only her but other women. She also shares her favorite moment from the music video shoot and reveals that she recorded her verse while holding her daughter Corin.
Below is a complete outline of “Shoop”” I Vevo Footnotes:
00:15 – The concept for “Shoop” started with me chillin’ in Queens, riding around in the car and I’m telling the story of how “I saw a brother, I had to kick it to, I’m not shy so I asked for the digits and that does not make me a hoe.” This story became the song and the inspiration for the first verse. – Pepa
00:35 – My favorite moment in the video is when Salt, Spin and I step out of the car and my niece is with me. Also, the guys on the corner shooting dice are playing Silo 456…it’s a New York thing. – Pepa
01:02 – When shooting “Shoop” I was a bit self conscious. It was hard being in a bathing suit and my booty kept falling out of my shorts when we were dancing on stage. – Salt
01:28 – The objective was to turn the tables on men – make them the objects. When writing my verses, I was thinking of tongue in cheek ways to objectify men. When you really like a song, it’s easy to record. Fun fact: I had my daughter Corin in my arms while recording “Shoop.” – Salt
02:04 – I was going through producer Mark Spark’s crates of records and there was the sound I was looking for “I’m Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)” by the Ikettes. Once I wrote the second verse I knew I wanted to add Captain Sky’s “Super Sperm.” Which was one of the best breakbeat songs out! I added it right after the line “not falling in love but I’m falling for your…” – Pepa
02:33 – My favorite detail was being in Coney Island, such an important part of my childhood. I used to go there with my family then my friends as a teen, so shooting my own video in Coney Island was a full circle moment for me. – Salt
02:55 – I had to jump through hoops for “Shoop” to be the first single off the ‘Very Necessary’ album. The label gave me a lot of push back since Hurby [Luv Bug] didn’t produce or write the song. Ultimately, it was an undeniable hit that took Salt-N-Pepa to the next level, and solidified our worth to hip-hop. Such a dope feeling. – Pepa
03:23 – I was ready to be emancipated from Hurby not only as my boyfriend and manager, but also as a creative. We wanted to be free to express ourselves on our own. “Shoop” was empowering for women. Fans always tell us it’s their go-to karaoke song. – Salt
03:40 – When we were planning the video, I wasn’t in the best shape. Luckily, we ended up being scheduled to shoot after our trip to Russia. I was a little culture shocked and couldn’t get used to the white nights and food, by the time we got back I had lost a lot of weight and I was ready to Shoop! – Pepa
Manhattan’s Nai’a has just released a very vulnerable and passionate single titled “Newman Beauty,” on February 16th. This heartfelt single is part of Nai’a’s craft; with head turning, shocking visuals, and raw, emotional compositions, Nai’a isn’t just making music, but art.
Being a pensive and exploring artist in the space of adventures circling through his life, Nai’a’s creative mind comes to life as he creates music. By intertwining the melodies and wordplays appealingly, he knits his song flawlessly.
There’s a dichotomy of thoughts and escapades he powders his songs with. Nai’a meanders by his beliefs finding the meaning of life through the songs that he writes. “Newman Beauty”, Nai’a’s latest record, is an intimate closure of thoughts with simply him and a guitar. The yearning guitar riffs & his voice overflowing with a thousand stories culminate into an emotionally strong tune.
“I was in love, now you’re just a memory”
– Nai’a
The song acts as a journal of his emotional journey when dreaming to be in love. His encumbered voice carries the weight of ardor. The single is a straightforward, easy, unadorned yet brilliantly crafted song that Nai’a has released.
While talking about the song Nai’a stated, “Writing Newman Beauty has been the biggest risk I’ve taken as a songwriter. I had to tell my story in the most honest way, with no sugar coating,” and he’s given it justice by keeping both his lyricism and the music minimal and honest.
The song feels like he’s floating on a sea of vulnerability, as he sings the words. He paints the picture of him longing for something that isn’t his.
The ambiguity of his mind preoccupies the thoughts that flow, as he communicates through the music. It’s like Nai’a is fixated on a person he can’t let go of, from a place of love and affection. You can hear the tenderness and pain along his dreamy melodies. “Newman Beauty” is a way of healing himself.
On March 3, The Borgata in Atlantic City lit up with excitement and anticipation as the legendary Smokey Robinson took the stage for what turned out to be a night to remember. The audience knew they were in for a treat when the lights went down, and Robinson’s signature falsetto voice filled the room with his classic hit “Being With You.”
Smokey Robinson 3.3.23
Robinson, 83, took the audience on a musical journey that spanned five decades as he belted out hit after hit. From the ballads “Cruisin” and “Quiet Storm” to the upbeat “Tears of a Clown” and “I Second That Emotion,” Robinson kept the audience dancing and singing along throughout the night.
Smokey Robinson 3.3.23
Robinson’s backup singers and band were top-notch, and their chemistry with him was evident in the way they moved seamlessly through each song, taking the audience from slow romantic moments to uptempo dance numbers. Known for his smooth and soulful voice, Robinson’s performance showed that he hadn’t lost any of his vocal prowess. He effortlessly hit every note and captivated the audience with his dynamic stage presence.
Smokey Robinson 3.3.23
As the night drew to a close, Robinson finished with his timeless hit “Tracks of My Tears,” leaving the audience spellbound and begging for more. It was a concert that will undoubtedly go down in the history books as one of the best ever performed at The Borgata. Smokey Robinson proved that age is just a number as he delivered an unforgettable performance that left a lasting impression on his fans.
Setlist: Intro, Being With You, I Second That Emotion, You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me, Quiet Storm, Ooo Baby Baby, Get Ready, My Girl, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Tears of a Clown, Fly Me To The Moon, Just To See Her, I Love Your Face, La Mirada, The Tracks of My Tears, Cruisin’
