Monthly Archives: April 2014
Another Fascinating Announcement From Lowell Summer Music Series
The most recent announcement from the Lowell Summer Music Series is for a type of band that isn’t usually on my radar, but I trust the judgment of the Series. I’m pleased to announce that Classic Albums Live will perform The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ in its entirety along with other Beatles’ hits at the Series on Friday, September 5.
Lowell Summer Music Series
Berklee Singer-Songwriters Rocked The Coffeehouse
After being enthralled with Susan Cattaneo‘s performance in Amy Black’s Muscle Shoals tribute show, I knew I had to hear her play her own songs. I noticed that she was on the schedule at St. John’s CoffeeHouse Concerts, a coffee house series close to home that I had never attended (and to be honest did not know existed), and jumped on the chance to see her.
Susan Cattaneo
Last weekend, Susan, a songwriting professor at Berklee College of Music, was on the bill with Kelly Riley, a Berklee alumnus.
Kelly Riley
Who Knew Hip-Hop Bluegrass Would Be So Good
The concept of combining hip-hop and bluegrass music fascinated me. I love bluegrass, but knew almost nothing about hip-hop.
Gangstagrass
Last week, the hip-hop bluegrass band Gangstagrass performed at Johnny D’s, one of my favorite venues in the Boston area.
Gangstagrass (Adriel, Rench, and Dan, l to r)
A Fine Guitar Performance
This was another show that I attended based on a friend’s suggestion. I had heard of Pierre Bensusan, the French-Algerian guitarist who is celebrating his 40th anniversary as a musician, but had never seen him perform or even heard more than a few numbers.
Pierre Bensusan
Pierre performed to a sold-old crowd last week at Club Passim, which I knew would be the perfect place to see him.
Pierre
An Italian Star Shines
I had not heard of Zucchero before a friend mentioned this concert to me and how much she wanted to see him. I decided to attend without so much as watching a YouTube video of him.
Zucchero
Zucchero is a huge star in Italy and, judging by the reaction of the audience, he’s big here as well.
Zucchero
Another Week Of Newport Folk Festival Lineup Announcements!
- Newport Folk Festival Logo
The 11th week started off with an interesting announcement, as has every week before this week!
This additions to the Festival lineup are:
Kurt Vile and the Violators – a folk-rock guitar-playing singer-songwriter from Philadelphia about whom I’ve heard good things, so I’ll get an opportunity to see him
Mandolin Orange – a duo from North Carolina who are garnering a lot of excellent press
Ages and Ages – they are not familiar to me, but after listening to a video clip I’m excited to see them!
John Reilly and Friends – I had no idea this fabulous actor is also a musician! I hope I get a chance to tell him that one of my most memorable theatre experiences (and I’ve had a lot of great ones) was seeing him and Philip Seymour Hoffman in Sam Shepard’s play ‘True West’ in which they switched roles every two days.
The lineup, so far, includes:
Friday: The Devil Makes Three, Band of Horses, Death Vessel, Jenny Lewis, Phox, Robert Hunter, Reignwolf, Jimmy Cliff, Lake Street Dive, Tall Tall Trees, Noah Gundersen, Ryan Adams, Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer, Sun Kil Moon, Mandolin Orange
Saturday: Shakey Graves, The Oh Hellos, Benjamin Booker, Nickel Creek, Shovels and Rope, Houndmouth, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, The Milk Carton Kids, Aoife O’Donovan, Willie Watson, Puss n Boots, Lucius, Deer Tick, Kurt Vile and the Violators, John Reilly and Friends
Sunday: Hurray for the Riff Raff, Mavis Staples, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Trampled by Turtles, Gregory Alan Isakov, Lucero, Caitlin Rose, Conor Oberst, Dawes, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Leif Vollebekk, The Lonesome Trio, Jeff Tweedy, Valerie June, The Deslondes, Ages and Ages
Lowell Summer Music Series Keeps Hitting Home Runs
The most recent announcement is, I believe, a first for the Lowell Summer Music Series – a true co-bill. I’m pleased to announce that Howie Day and Carbon Leaf will each perform full sets on Saturday, August 2.
Lowell Summer Music Series
Alejandro Escovedo Speaks To Our Hearts
I am a relatively new fan of Alejandro Escovedo; a couple of years ago, a friend suggested I might enjoy him so I got a ticket to the first show I could. That first show hooked me – I now try to see him every time he swings through the Boston area.
Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro appeared with the Sensitive Boys at Tupelo Music Hall last week to a woefully undersold room; fewer than half the seats of the 250-seat venue were sold (and a fair number of seats that I believe were sold were empty).
Alejandro and The Sensitive Boys
Simon Townshend Stands Well On His Own
Some friends of mine who are huge fans (and whose opinions I trust) turned me on to Simon Townshend a couple of years ago.
Simon Townshend
Simon is Pete’s younger brother and he plays with The Who when he’s not touring on his own. I love The Who but I would rather see Simon on his own; his deeply personal songs shine in the small venues where I have seen him perform.
Simon
I Love Me Some Old-Timey Music
One of my favorite venues, Johnny D’s, started a Free Friday series within the past year, and it took my friend Laney Jones to get me to one of those events.
Laney Jones
This was going to be my first time seeing her with her full band The Lively Spirits (which ended up being not quite true – her fiddle player was not playing with them this night), and I was excited!
Jacy Anderson, Laney and Matt Tonner
suze reviews the blues 