Category Archives: music
A Real King Graced The Stage
BB King is one of the first blues musicians with whom I fell in love when I was around 13 years old. I had not seen the 88-year-old BB perform in at least fifteen years, so I was overdue for one of his shows.
Quinn Sullivan and BB King
BB is a living legend; he has been performing for 66 years, which is more than many artists can say. Last night, Lynn Auditorium was the scene of his most recent performance.
BB
Bluesy Soul Was In The House
I was not familiar with John Németh & The Bo-Keys before this show; to be honest, I went because I wanted a table for the late show that followed.
John Németh
Whatever the reason, I’m glad I went to Johnny D’s early because I was introduced to a terrific blues/soul harmonica player and singer, as well as to The Bo-Keys.
The Bo-Keys
Stellar Guitarists At Club Passim
I saw Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge perform together at the Deadly Gentlemen’s Ball in January, so I knew what to expect or so I thought.
Julian Lage and Chris Eldridge
I would venture to guess that the more they play together, the better they get; that was certainly the case last week at Club Passim. Read the rest of this entry
Amazing Evening of Acoustic Soul and Blues
I had little idea of what to expect from Southern Soul Assembly, who performed at the House of Blues this week.
Southern Soul Assembly (Luther Dickinseon, Marc Broussard, JJ Grey, and Anders Osborne, l to r)
I knew this show was billed as ‘southern songwriters in the round’ and that’s an accurate description of it. It does not being to convey, however, the quality of what I heard this night. Read the rest of this entry
New Wave Music Is Still Relevant
Believe it or not, between 1981 and 2005, I did not go to many concerts so I never saw Neil Finn perform. Not with Split Enz in the 1980s. Not with Crowded House in the 1980s or 1990s. Not with his brother Tim in the 2000s.
Neil Finn and Band
Neil is currently touring in support of his recent release, ‘Dizzy Heights’; he appeared Monday night at the Shubert Theatre, a venue that hosts a variety of theatrical and musical productions. Read the rest of this entry
Amazing Newport Folk Festival Lineup Announcements!
- Newport Folk Festival Logo
The 9th week started off with an amazing announcement, as has every week before this week!
This additions to the Festival lineup are:
Jeff Tweedy – what can I say other than this is my favorite announcement to date (I’ll bet I’ve said that before and I’ll probably say it again)! I’ve only seen him with Wilco so seeing him solo – and hopefully with Mavis Staples in a reprise of ‘The Weight’…
Tall Tall Trees – described as a ‘psychedelic banjo-playing gentleman’ (sounds intriguing)
Noah Gundersen – a young singer-songwriter from Seattle who I’ve missed in his last few area shows
Valerie June – she describes her music as ‘organic moonshine roots music’ (also sounds intriguing)
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
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
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
A Couple Of Fine Additions To The Lowell Summer Music Series Lineup
The Lowell Summer Music Series lineup keeps getting better. I’m pleased to announce that Lucinda Williams will perform on Friday, June 27, and Peter Wolf & The Midnight Travelers will perform on Friday, August 22.
Lowell Summer Music Series
These are two good additions to the already wonderful lineup.
Read the rest of this entry
Al Kooper, A Blast From My Past
When I was in a band in high school in 1970 – Iron Majesty was its name (and no, you’ve never heard of it) – our biggest influence was Blood Sweat and Tears and their first album, Child is Father to the Man. That was the only one of BS&T’s early albums on which Al Kooper performed.
Al Kooper
Al is touring this year to mark his 70th birthday, and he made a stop at Regattabar this weekend. I did not want to miss one of these shows. Read the rest of this entry
This Week’s Newport Folk Festival Lineup Announcements!
- Newport Folk Festival Logo
Week 8 started off with an amazing announcement, as has every week before this week!
This week’s additions to the lineup are:
Lake Street Dive – YES!!! I have been dying to see this band (I’ve waited too long to buy tickets for each local show for the past two years), especially since seeing the documentary about the New York concert of the music of “Inside Llewyn Davis”.
Leif Vollebekk – a Canadian singer-songwriter with whom I am not familiar but look forward to hearing him
Deer Tick – this is another Americana band that I’ve been very interested to see and now I’ll get my chance
The Lonesome Trio – a bluegrass group of which the banjo-playing actor Ed Helms is a member (I’ve seen Ed play and think he’s fabulous)
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
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
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
More Hits From The Lowell Summer Music Series
This morning, I’m bringing you two excellent additions to the Lowell Summer Music Series lineup. I’m pleased to announce that the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies will perform on Saturday, July 19, and JJ Grey and Mofro will perform on Thursday, August 14.
Barenaked Ladies (Official Photo)
I have never seen BNL perform but I have it on good authority (some friends who’ve seen them many times) that the band puts on a wonderful show. Read the rest of this entry
suze reviews the blues 