NYC native and “troubadour piano man” Craig Greenberg has released his new soulful track “Song of December,” encompassing the feelings that come with the creative process and pushing forward.
Over the past 15+ years, Craig Greenberg has been a staple on the New York City music scene, capturing and building on the spirited ivory traditions of greats like Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and Randy Newman with sparkling, soulful new musical twists, a larger than life personality and his insightful, dramatic sense of storytelling. He has independently released five albums (his most recent EP, Between the Sea and the Sky, released in Dec 2022), and has performed upwards of 1000 shows from New York to Israel, since his start playing in bars while living in Chile, and later Spain, in the early 2000s.
He has received praise in American Songwriter, the Huffington Post, and Relix Magazine, and has been played on radio stations all around the country and internationally. In 2021, his song “Oh Caroline” was placed in the semifinals of the International Song Competition and his music video for “Between the Sea and the Sky” received a Europe Music Video Award in March 2023, and placed finalist in the Around International Film Festival (Paris) in June 2023. He has performed with esteemed musicians such as Jackson Browne, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), Jane Wiedlin (the Go Go’s), Louise Goffin, and Jerry Joseph.
“Song of December” is a layered track that brings the listener on a journey, with his iconic piano and booming percussions. “It’s a song about the struggle of the creative process, and about finding inspiration to push through that struggle. It’s about looking back at the challenges of the year and looking toward a brighter tomorrow, so it is indeed a hopeful song,” he said. He started writing the song back in 2017 and finally finished it just in time for December.
Greenberg lays all his emotion out in this track, bringing in a multitude of instruments that play together in perfect harmony. With intricate lyrics and soulful vocals, he paints the picture of his struggles with being creative but knows, in the end, everything is going to be okay.
As the crescent moon descended over the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, Bob Weir & Wolf Bros delivered a compelling evening of music, marking the third show of their extended December 2023 residency.
Emerging from the rear of center stage, Bob Weir opened the evening solo with his rendition of “Peggy O.” A solitary figure with his guitar, Weir exuded a contemplative aura. Every note plucked and every word sung captivated theaudience, drawing them into the profound depths of his soul.
The five-night series harmoniously coincided with the festive season, capturing the joyous spirit of the holidays. With a twinkle in Weir’s eye and his beard all aglow, this musical Kris Kringle bestowed a plethora of gifts upon all the good boys and girls attending the sold-out show.
Enhancing the magical ambiance was a cadre of Santa’s musical helpers, featuring Don Was, Jay Lane, and Jeff Chimenti, as well as The Wolfpack (Alex Kelly, Brian Switzer, Adam Theis, Mads Tolling, Sheldon Brown, Barry Sless), who graced the stage alongside Weir at different junctures throughout the evening, intensifying the magic.
The musical choices for the evening spanned a diverse range of origins, featuring both Weir’s original compositions and beloved Grateful Dead classics. Each song’s energy seamlessly flowed into the next, creating a dynamic musical journey.
Both sets featured compelling covers, including Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” broadening the musical scope of the evening. The band’s portrayal of Eddie Cooley’s “The Fever” transcended into a profound and soulful masterpiece. Bringing the night to a memorable conclusion, the band encored with the timeless classic, “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad.”
As the band bid farewell, the capacity crowd journeyed out into the darkness of the night. If anyone among them cast their gaze skyward, they might have captured the sound of a celestial symphony. Voices from above exalting ‘On Dead, on Ratdog, on Kingfish, on Company; Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Rock’n Night!’
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros., – Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – December 15, 2023
Set 1: Peggy-O, The Winners, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo, Tennessee Jed, Odessa, Ramble On Rose, I Need a Miracle, Fever, U.S. Blues
Set 2: Me and Bobby McGee, Man Smart; Woman Smarter, Bertha, Cassidy, The Wheel, Eyes of the World, What’s Going On, Stella Blue, Not Fade Away
Legendary guitarist Bobby Weir of the Grateful Dead has wrapped up holdng a 5-night run at The Capitol Theatre with the Wolf Bros, featuring The Wolfpack.
The Wolfpack is made up of the Wolf Bros Don Was and Jay Lane, and Jeff Chimenti, who joined Wolf Bros in 2020 around the time of the forming of The Wolfpack, who are a string and brass quintet consisting of Adam Theis, Alex Kelly, Sheldon Brown, Brian Switzer, and Mads Tolling as well as Barry Sless on pedal steel.
The second night of the run, Wednesday, December 13, saw the night start off with just Bobby on stage playing an acoustic “Easy to Slip,” and was then joined by Jay & Don, still on acoustic, for a cowboy favorite, “El Paso.” Bobby switched to electric to play “Queen Jane Approximately” before Chimenti came out for a full electric “Hell in a Bucket,” a crowd favorite. The room was getting hot and The Wolfpack came out to play “The Music Never Stopped”, but for Bob Weir, the music has truly never stopped. The rest of set was joined by Ron Carter on stand up bass and featured a dark and psychedelic “Dark Star” and a roaring “Scarlet Begonias.”
Not bad at all for a Wednesday night! Spirits were high and the second set certainly delivered, starting off strong with “Throwing Stones.” Bobby’s vocals really shined on “Viola Lee Blues” and “Corrina.” This was followed by “Come Together,” an unexpected Beatles cover. Following were delightful symphonic renditions of “China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider,” featuring top notch horn solos accompanied with Bob’s iconic rhythm guitar playing.
Following was a dark and somber “Wharf Rat” with the absolutely iconic Bobby song, “Sugar Magnolia” following. Weir absolutely wails at one point in that song, delivered beautifully but being careful not to blow his voice out before the next three nights at the legendary Capitol Theatre.
The encore was a rather rare “Liberty,” masterfully delivered. The band took a bow and received a small banner stating “Warning: Genius at Work.” A true spectacle of a night, seeing the legendary Grateful Dead guitarist produce a unique soundscape with familiar material, brining the music to new places and keeping it fresh.
Bob Weir and Wolf Bros., – Capitol Theatre, Port Chester – December 13, 2023
Set 1: Easy to Slip, El Paso, Queen Jane Approximately, Hell in a Bucket, The Music Never Stopped, Easy Answers, Dark Star, Scarlet Begonias
Set 2: Throwing Stones, Viola Lee Blues, Corrina, Come Together, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Wharf Rat > Sugar Magnolia
During a famous MTV Unplugged performance, Kurt Cobain once sarcastically asked, “What are they tuning, a harp?” His tone somewhat mocking of the instrument, as if it had no place in his rock n’ roll world. For a long while, I may have thought the same thing too, but then a funny thing happened to me on Thursday, December 7.
That was the night I saw Mikaela Davis and Southern Star perform at Lark Hall in Albany for the first time. Armed with a six-foot-tall harp, a bold voice, and a certain element of mystique, the classically trained harp player-turned-folk rocker completely redefined everything I thought I knew about the instrument, simultaneously shattering whatever limitations my mind may have placed on it.
Mikaela Davis and Souther Star made their Lark Hall debut on December 7th, 2023.
Captivating the audience with a dreamy blend of psychedelic pop, driving folk rock, and a healthy dose of sonic improvisation, Mikaela Davis and Southern Star simply dazzled in Albany. A long-time believer in the group, Greg Bell of Guthrie Bell Productions has often said this is one of his favorite acts and has been bringing them to the Capital Region for years now. Regularly making stops at venues like The Hollow and Putnum Place, this night would mark their graduation to the historic room of Lark Hall. Delivering a dynamic, genre-bending performance full of emotion, beauty, and star-making energy, it was easy to see what all the hype over the talented harp-playing singer and her incredible band was all about.
Originally formed in Rochester, Mikaela Davis and Southern Star have been playing together for over a decade. Notably sharing the stage with the likes of Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, Bon Iver, and Circles Around the Sun, the group released their first full-length album as a band, And Southern Star, in August of this year and it’s already showing up on many of the “year’s best” lists. Focusing much of the show on its material, the multi-layered improvisation that also came from it was nothing short of a breath of fresh air and a major reason why they’ve been so warmly embraced by the extended jam band community.
Home in the Country: Mikaela Davis and Souther Star made themselves at home in Albany on 12/7/23.
Casually kicking things off with the melodic one-two punch of “Cinderella” and “In My Groove,” Mikaela Davis and Southern Star had Lark Hall’s undivided attention from the very start. Along with Davis, Southern Star also consists of the McCarthy brothers, Cian on guitar and sax and Shane on bass, Alex Cote on drums, and the talented Kurt Johnson on pedal and lap steel.
Keeping things going, the infectious single called “Home in the Country” was an early set highlight, as was watching Johnson’s incredible dexterity as he employed a litany of effects and knob turning to his pedal steel rig to create all kinds of subtle textures to accent Davis’s delectate harp in the most sophisticated way.
Kurt Johnson of Southern Star had his hands full on pedal and lap steel on 12/7/23.
After a bit of funky plucking on 2018’s “Get Gone”, “Far From You” would cross over into a more euphoric fairytale-type feel before landing on what would ultimately be the centerpiece of the show, an enchanting and transformative take on the Grateful Dead’s “Here Comes Sunshine.” Showcasing their propensity to improvise just as Garcia and company famously did, the stunning arrangement felt right at home at Lark Hall, a venue that recently expanded to include a Dead-inspired wine and coffee bar downstairs dubbed The Eleven. The lengthy rendition commanded your attention and was enough to win over any of the Heads in the audience who still weren’t sure of the greatness happening before our ears and eyes.
Here Comes Sunshine: Mikaela Davis and Southern Star wowed the Lark Hall crowd with their Grateful Dead cover on 12/7/23.
What started as a chilled-out version of “Leave it Alone” soon boiled over into blues-rock territory before seamlessly finding the opening chords of “Promise,” the second single from And Southern Star. With the crowd fully engaged and swaying to the up-tempo vibe and colorful riffs, the band’s synergy and skill were on full display. As the momentum continued to build, perhaps the most “rockin’” song of the night came next with a jammed-out version of “Don’t Stop Now,” featuring one of multi-instrumentalist Cian McCarthy’s best solos of the night.
Pausing to thank the audience for coming out and commenting on how nice it was to be playing Lark Hall for the first time, Mikaela then broke the news that she’s already looking forward to coming back in a few months with her pals (and fellow 2023 Lark Hall alumni), Circles Around the Sun.
Talking from the heart about how special it is to play music live, she also mentioned the best way to directly support touring artists is by picking up some of their merch at the gigs. Davis and Southern Star would then bring the main portion of the show to a close with a beautiful rendition of “Pure Divine Love,” before returning for a luscious encore of “Other Lover” from Mikaela’s debut 2018 album, Delivery.
After wrapping up their final show of the year with a hometown throwdown in Rochester, Mikaela Davis and Southern Star already have their sights firmly set on 2024. The band has just announced a full slate of new tour dates alongside psychedelic, Dead-inspired prog jammers Circles Around Sun. The collaborative tour is set to feature several New York dates with stops at Brooklyn Bowl, Ithaca’s Deep Dive, and Buffalo Iron Works.
Mikaela Davis | December 7, 2023 | Lark Hall | Albany, NY
Setlist: Cinderella > In My Groove, Home in the Country, Get Gone, Far From You, Here Comes Sunshine, Leave it Alone > Promise, Don’t Stop Now, Pure Divine Love
The sixth class of inductees for the Capital Region Thomas Edison (Eddies) Music Hall of Fame has been announced. Inductees include artists from a variety of genres like classical, folk, jazz, and electronic music, a pioneering hip-hop songwriter, and two individuals who chronicled the local music scene as journalists.
The late Jackie Alper, the late Nick Brignola, George Guarino, David Alan Miller, the late Pauline Oliveros, Margie Rosenkranz, Billy Waring, and Don Wilcock will be inducted into the Eddies Music Hall of Fame on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Universal Preservation Hall.
The Eddies ceremony is open to the public and includes musical performances, a social hour, videos on the musical career of each inductee, and acceptance speeches. This class brings the total number of inductees to 40 since 2019. An aluminum engraved plaque honoring each recipient is permanently hung at UPH. The 2024 slate was chosen by an advisory council made up of professionals in the local music field.
The induction ceremony precedes the annual Eddies Music Awards, which will be held on Sunday, April 21 at Proctors in Schenectady.
About the Eddies Inductees
Jackie Alper sang with the Almanac Singers, which included Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Burl Ives. After, she helped found the Weavers, introducing a 16-year-old Ronnie Gilbert to Pete, Lee, and Freddie Hellerman, taking part in the “Great Folk Music Scare of the 1950s and 60s.” Alper hosted WRPI’s “Mostly Folk for Mostly Folks” radio show for at least 25 years starting in 1971. She also turned her husband Joe Alper’s 30,000 music photographs into one of the folk revival’s most meticulously documented archives. Together, they played a key role in supporting Caffè Lena in its early years, often housing musicians including Bob Dylan at their Schenectady home. She passed away in 2007.
Troy native Nick Brignola was a well-respected baritone sax player in jazz, as well as a band leader. During his career, he shared the stage with jazz greats including Phil Woods, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, and Pepper Adams, and recorded 20 albums of his own. His 1981 album L.A. Bound was nominated for a GRAMMY, and has topped many annual DownBeat and JazzTimes critic and reader polls as “Best Baritone Saxophonist.” He taught jazz theory and history at several local colleges and helped start a jazz education program at the College of Saint Rose. He passed away in 2002.
George Guarino created Albany’s music television show Real George’s Backroom (1981-91) and Buzz magazine (1985-95). He was passionate about spotlighting original music bands of that era while introducing the dance floor to 80’s new wave, punk, industrial, and indie music as a featured DJ at Albany’s infamous 288 Lark (1981-87) and QE2 (1987-90) clubs. He was also a DJ at WRPI. Guarino has developed a reputation since 2005 as one of the area’s prominent clinical hypnosis practitioners.
Seven-time GRAMMY nominee David Alan Miller has been music director and conductor of the Albany Symphony Orchestra since 1992. During his tenure, the ASO has released more than 30 albums, with two winning GRAMMYs. In 1994, he founded Dogs of Desire, an 18-member ensemble that has commissioned over 150 new works from emerging American composers. He has guest conducted with most major U.S orchestras, as well as many in Europe, Australia, and the Far East, and serves as artistic advisor to the Little Orchestra Society (NYC) and the Sarasota Orchestra (Fl.).
Pauline Oliveros was an American composer, accordionist and central figure in the development of post-World War II experimental and electronic music. A Houston native, she relocated to Upstate NY in 1981 after many years teaching and performing in California. She developed a ground-breaking music theory called “Sonic Meditations” and founded the term Deep Listening, a practice of profound sonic awareness that came from her childhood fascination with sounds. Known for her works in composition, improvisation, and electro-acoustics, she was a Distinguished Professor of Music at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she founded the Center for Deep Listening. She passed away in 2016.
Margie Rosenkranz has been the executive artistic director of the Eighth Step Coffee Housesince 1987. Founded in 1967 in the basement of the historic First Presbyterian Church in Albany, the organization is renowned nationally for its presentation of top contemporary singer-songwriters, as well as social justice work, now seen at Proctors. The Schenectady native, born into a musical family, is an accomplished vocalist and has also served as artistic director of the Great Hudson River Revival, a long-standing music and environmental summer festival.
An unsung hero of hip-hop,Harlem native William “Billy Bill” Waring began his musical career as a b-boy with longtime friends Kurtis Walker and producer Danny Harris. He got his first taste of hip-hop music at DJ Kool Herc parties and from 1980-84 he penned the classic songs “Hard Times,” “Basketball,” “You Gotta Believe” and “Games People Play,” and co-wrote much of the Fat Boys’ first album. His music has been used in films and television shows such as Krush Groove, Empire, Black Monday, Hip Hop Uncovered, and more.
Finally, Don Wilcock has spent a career elevating the New York Capital Region arts scene into international recognition. Founder and president of the Northeast Blues Society, he helped boost the careers of local artists Albert Cummings and Tas Cru to worldwide touring success and produced the Fleet Blues Festival, a three-stage event featuring the world’s hottest blues stars. He founded “Kite,” the area’s first arts weekly, in 1970. His biography of Buddy Guy, Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues, helped propel Guy from a club act to the biggest living star in the genre.
Tickets for the Eddies Music Awards are on sale now through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at (518) 346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., or online.
Vermont native and dynamic musician Sarah King has released several singles, cementing herself in the Americana scene. She has announced the launch of a Kickstarter campaign to help her fully release her debut record.
Credit: Grow Explore Photography.
Sarah King has had a busy year, touring the country in her SUV and recording her debut full-length album. Known for her powerhouse voice and “fiery, vulnerable songs,” Sarah King creates thought-provoking, versatile Americana music, touching on real-life emotions and situations, while drawing on classic folk-blues themes, balancing songs about the devil and booze with hard-won moments of reflection and acceptance.
Her album’s recording and production are complete, thanks in large to the Creation Grant from the Vermont Arts Council, an anonymous donor, and her personal savings. The challenging part that comes next is the funds necessary for a team to promote the album, including a publicist, a radio promoter, a graphic designer, merch printers, vinyl pressers, and more.
This is why she has launched her Kickstarter campaign. She must reach her initial goal of $15,000 by January 10, 2024, or all pledges are canceled and the project will not be funded. However, if the project surpasses the initial goal, she can pursue additional promotional opportunities – including more touring and merch – and more rewards for backers.
Funding is a major hurdle for many independent musicians. King has been vocal about the economic realities of being a full-time touring musician this year, sharing her personal experience as a solo touring artist on social media. She travels so much each year, logging 20,000 miles just this summer, because she only gets paid when she’s on stage and therefore it is important to spend as much time on stage as possible. Her posts transformed into her series Math vs the Indie Musician, where she breaks down how much it takes to make minimum wage as a performer, and alternative options artists have to seek funding offstage, including crowdfunding.
Sarah King recorded this album with GRAMMY-winning producer David Baron in Woodstock, who’s also worked with fellow Vermont musician and superstar Noah Kahan, over the last two years. Featuring a roundup of talented musicians from both Vermont and Nashville, the 12-song album titled When It All Goes Down has “a little bit of something for everyone,” says King.
None of us are one-dimensional. We all have an angel and a devil on our shoulder. We’ve all had our hearts broken, and been the one doing the breaking. We know how it feels to go hard on the weekend and have to put our head down for work again on Monday morning. This dynamic range within all of us is worth celebrating, exploring, and yes – feeling. Life isn’t either/or – it’s all the in-betweens, and this record explores everything from hope and grief to anger and strength. In 12 songs, I’ve got soul-influenced piano pop ballads, southern-rock-tinged bangers, toe-tapping blues, and folk heartbreakers.
Sarah King
King added, “When it all goes down, these songs will be right here for you, whatever you’re going through today, and whatever may come your way. Will you help me share them with the world, so they’ll be there when it all goes down for someone else?” Releasing March 8, 2024, the long-awaited album is King’s followup to her 2021 5-song EP The Hour, which reached #60 on the Americana Radio Charts and landed her the distinction of Songwriter of the Year at the 2021 New England Music Awards.
Sarah King is releasing her newest single, relating to the solstice, titled “The Longest Night” on December 20. For more information about her, and to support her Kickstarter, visit here.
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 127th annual 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.
The Screaming Orphans transformed The Roslyn Cellar into their living room on Sunday, December 3, inviting audience members into their family’s Christmas celebrations during their Mini Christmas Tour.
The Diver sisters, from left to right, Angela, Joan, Gráinne, and Marie Thérèse, performing at The Roslyn Cellar at 3:00 pm on December 3 as part of their Mini Christmas Tour.
The Screaming Orphans consist of the Diver sisters, Angela (bass, violin and vocals), Joan (drums and vocals), Gráinne (guitarist and vocals), and Marie Thérèse (keys, accordion, and vocals). The four sisters from Donegal aim to have their familiar bond transpire within audience members during performances.
“For a lot of our shows, we want people to feel like they’re in our sitting room. Or we’re in the house or kitchen and just having a sing-song,” guitarist Gráinne stated.
Within minutes of their performance, The Roslyn Cellar was quickly transformed into the Diver sisters’ living room. After their first song, a cover of “Merry Christmas Everyone,” the sisters informed the audience that they bought their sparkly holiday / concert attire for a steal at just $14.99 from Marshalls! The Screaming Orphans transformed into your best friend letting you in on the latest holiday deals.
For a lot of our shows, we want people to feel like they’re in our sitting room.
Or we’re in the house or kitchen and just having a sing-song
Gráinne Diver, guitarist and vocalist of Screaming Orphans
In the true fashion of Christmas, the Screaming Orphans continued to tell stories and reminisce throughout the afternoon performance. Guitarist Gráinne recollected on when her family would drive down to Germany for Christmas. On one particular Christmas, they drove from Germany to Austria, to the place where Silent Night was written. While Gráinne joked about how silly the journey was, given they drove in the snow without snow tires and that all the sisters wore ankle socks instead of boots in the freezing cold, she also noted the divine beauty of it all.
The revered beauty of the site transpired in the sister’s cover of “Silent Night.” Their haunting harmonies melted together into a wintery vortex’s siren call. The harmonies amplified when they switched from English to German midway through the song, harking back to the birthplace of the lyrics.
The sisters’ signature harmonies were truly highlighted in the slower, stripped back covers of the night. Songs like “O Holy Night” and “That Night in Bethlehem,” which was sung in Irish Gaelic, showcased the sister’s range of harmonies.
Angela (left) and Joan (right) Diver singing their rendition of The Turtles “Happy Together,” which is featured on the Screaming Orphans’s 2019 album Life in a Carnival.
But like all great Christmas parties, there also had to be some good craic. Songs like “Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake,” a song describing a horrific fruit cake that is sure to work up a fine stomach ache, resulted in cackling from the crowd. Lyrics weren’t the only culprit of good craic on December 3 though. So were the Screaming Orphans’s unique take on classic Christmas carols. Synthesizer, for instance, was added to the start of “We Three Kings.” The result was a time-traveling song that sounded futuristic yet nostalgic all at once.
The Screaming Orphans’s signature sound, melodic old-school pop with heavy folk influences, radiates throughout their cover of “We Three Kings.” Their signature sound allows the Screaming Orphans to reinvent these Christmas classics as well as to create new ones. The sisters played original songs “Song We Used to Sing” and “Bells,” the later of which is featured on their 2021 Happy Christmas Vol. 1 album.
The Screaming Orphans hinted at new original songs as well as a cover of “Christmas Wrapping” to appear on their Happy Christmas Vol. 2 album. The second volume is rumored to be released next December. Gráinne stated she hopes there will be not only a volume two but a volume three, four, and five! “We fully intend to do more,” she stated.
To close out their set, The Screaming Orphans kicked it into high-gear with a Christmas Eve reel. The energy continued and skyrocketed during their encore, which included their renditions of “Happy Together” and “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” Notably the chorus of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles” was changed from “Da d-da da” to “Shot of Vodka.” Here, the gears shifted to a full-blown folk rock concert Drummer Joan was throwing her long blonde hair from side to side as she belted out the lyrics with unparalleled passion. One might have easily forgotten they were at a Christmas concert and jumped straight to St. Patrick’s Day. The result, a standing ovation.
Gráinne (left) and Marie Thérèse Diver (right) perform their encore set, which consists of their covers of “Happy Together” and “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).”
The stormy Irish weather may have followed the Screaming Orphans from Donegal to The Roslyn Center in New York, but the rain certainly did not damper their spirits. Respite from the storm was found in their Christmas carols as the sisters invited audience members into their home.
The Screaming Orphans will be back at The Roslyn Center, located at 19 Bryant Avenue, Roslyn. They’ll return in March for St. Patrick’s Day. The exact date of their concert at The Roslyn Center is scheduled to be announced soon. To view tickets for their other tour dates, click here. Until then, fans can check out the sisters’ recent album Paper Daises, which was released this past August.
Setlist: Merry Christmas Everybody, Blue Christmas, Wishing You a Merry Christmas, O Holy Night, Christmas Time is Here, Jingle Bells, Miss Fogarty’s Christmas Cake, Ho Ho Ho, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Song We Used to Sing, Bells, That Night in Behtlehem, Happy XMas (War is Over), We Three Kings, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Frosty the Snowman, Silent Night, Sleigh, Fleiz Navidad, Fairytale of New York, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Christmas Eve Reel
New York folk-pop artist Mackenzie Shivers released her newest single “Pedestal” on November 30, the second track from upcoming album Primrose was in Season.
Shivers boldly gives us a glimpse into her healing process after loss during her first pregnancy, capturing a depth of feeling that illuminates both her resilience, strength and vulnerability. A mix of electric guitar, organic drums, dance beats and Shiver’s trademark piano bolster highlighting her most adventurous work to date.
“Pedestal”, at it’s core is a love song, overcoming hardship with the one you love and enduring the face we show to the world and to ourselves. Shiver’s illustrates a powerful portrait of feminine inner fragility and strength, intertwining magic with grief. “Pedestal” follows the release of album opener’s, “A cautionary tale”, that stands as an ethereal pop track capturing internal struggles confessing that Shivers is not always as put together as she seems, while pulling the listener into a stunning musical terrain.
“The creation of ‘a cautionary tale’ and the subsequent nine tracks that would make up my upcoming album was creative and buoyant, bringing joy to a very difficult time in my life. I was struggling to get pregnant and stay pregnant. I felt like the odds were against me, like I couldn’t gain control of my own life. But in the studio, I felt like I had some control over what I was making, and I was also having a blast.”
– Mackenzie Shivers
For more information visit here. Listen to Mackenzie Shivers “Pedestal” below.
On a day where shoppers flocked to stores and malls in search of holiday deals, music fans made their way to the Middle Ages Beer Hall to see Mike Powell and the Echosound. The Echosound, a jam-rock band from Syracuse is the latest musical incarnation of singer-songwriter Mike Powell.
Opener Neil Minet got things rolling on Friday evening, with a blistering sixty minute set. Minet and his band have been turning heads over the last year in Syracuse, has included a notable performance at the 2023 NYS Blues Fest. The Neil Minet Band blends blues, funk and R&B sounds, resulting in a set that had the entire room swaying and dancing.
As Mike Powell and his bandmates took to the stage, Powell stepped towards the mic and offered a smile and the following words; “Let’s have some fun.” With that, the house lights dimmed and the band was underway. Opening with a cryptic musical jam, guitarist John Hanus was given the opportunity to step in to the spotlight early, and he did not disappoint. Hanus would deliver a guitar solo that was both beautiful and powerful, while backed by the strong musicianship of the remaining members of the Echosound. As the solo ended, Mike Powell quickly launched in to the raucous and upbeat “Submarine Gin.” The set was fully underway and the packed beer hall crowd pushed their way closer to the stage.
It was evident early and often that Mike Powell and the Echosound carried with them a loyal and devoted following, as fans danced, swayed, and sang back Powell’s catchy choruses, with the concert hall filled elbow to elbow with fans. While the band performed many of the dynamic tracks off their recent release Plastic Spoon Honeymoon, they dipped their toes into Mike Powell’s diverse solo catalog as well.
Songs like “Josephine” took on dramatic new life when paired with the talents of the Echosound. The song, which would stretch over nine minutes long, would build to yet another epic solo by Hanus, while bandmates Zak Masoud (bass guitar), Adam Manion (percussion) and Jeff Alderman (keyboards) kept pace, each taking their turn to shine. The song would eventually break down into a brief cover of “Come Together”, fusing both songs into one seamless piece. It was perhaps the standout moment on an evening filled with highlights, and one that will be sure to keep music fans coming back to see the band.
