Category Archives: concert reviews

Trombone Shorty, Long on Talent

Admittedly, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue is one of my favorite musicians, live or recorded. I have been following him for at least four years and this was his first headlining show in Boston! You know I bought tickets the day they went on sale…

Trombone Shorty

Trombone Shorty

His brand of New Orleans funk is wonderfully engaging both to listen to and to watch.

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Finally, A Cracker That’s Interesting!

Usually crackers are merely the vehicle to get the flavor into your mouth. The band Cracker is the flavor itself!

David Lowery of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven

David Lowery of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven

I had no idea what to expect from this show, and I’m really glad I went! Read the rest of this entry

I Love Zydeco but…

After seeing Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys last week at Johnny D’s, I realize I don’t love ALL zydeco.

Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys

Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys

I’m trying to give the band the benefit of a doubt. They might have been having an off night. They might have been tired or sick. Read the rest of this entry

A Bugg You Won’t Want to Squoosh!

We bought tickets to Jake Bugg‘s show at the House of Blues as soon as they went on sale; last time he was in Boston, he played at a much smaller venue and sold that out fairly quickly. We didn’t want to be left out of this show.

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And what a show it was! Jake is a young (19 years old) talent who has tremendous stage presence for his years. Read the rest of this entry

Hot Stove, Cool Music

The 14th annual Hot Stove, Cool Music fundraising event for The Foundation to Be Named Later was held Saturday night at The Paradise Rock Club. The Foundation was started by Theo and Paul Epstein as a way to help disadvantaged children.

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I’d say the music was quite hot, not cool, judging by the last half of the event!

Peter Gammons

Peter Gammons

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Simon Phillips, A Jazz Fusion Powerhouse

I love it when I go to a show not really knowing the artist (therefor having no expectations), and having my mind blown. That happened last night with Simon Phillips on his Protocol II tour stop at Scullers Jazz Club.

Ernest Tibbs, Steve Weingart, Andy Timmons, Simon Phillips (left to right)

Ernest Tibbs, Steve Weingart, Andy Timmons, Simon Phillips (left to right)

My friend asked if I wanted to see this show; since I wasn’t familiar with Simon’s name (although I of course know Toto, the band he’s probably best known for), I listened to a clip of his music. It took me less than 30 seconds of listening to know that I needed to see this show.

Simon

Simon

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Barnstar! Rocks Club Passim

Yes, the exclamation point is part of the band’s name – I like the POW! statement it makes (at least to me) about this terrific band.

Barnstar!

Barnstar!

Barnstar! is a group of extremely talented local musicians playing bluegrass music.  Read the rest of this entry

Club d’Elf Soars

Club d’Elf is an amazing ensemble that never seems to consist of the same members twice! I’ve seen them three times so far, and the only musician who has performed in all three shows is Mike Rivard, the bass and sintir player.

Mike Rivard

Mike Rivard

It is difficult, if not impossible, to describe Club d’Elf’s music in one word – other than fabulous! Read the rest of this entry

Willie Nile, A Great Storyteller

Willie Nile is one of the best singer-songwriters you don’t know, yet he’s been around long enough that he opened for The Who and recorded in the same studio at the same time as Yoko Ono and John Lennon.

Willie Nile, Johnny 'Pie' Pisano, and Peter Hoffman

Willie Nile, Johnny ‘Pie’ Pisano, and Peter Hoffman

Music maven that I am, I wasn’t familiar with Willie until a couple of years ago when I saw a picture of an elementary school friend playing with him. That was reason enough to check him out in a live performance. Now, I will see him every time he plays in the Boston area, especially if he’s at Club Passim.

Willie Nile

Willie Nile

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Ringing in 2014 With The Felice Brothers

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In 2010, I started going to concerts on New Year’s Eve and it’s become a tradition that I intend to keep (as long as there are shows I’d like to see).

This year, the show was The Felice Brothers, who I’d seen open for Mumford & Sons, and The Low Anthem, who I’d never seen, at Brighton Music Hall.

Both Bands Together on Stage at Midnight

Both Bands Together on Stage at Midnight

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