Blog Archives

1970s (And Beyond) Rock Is Alive And Kicking

Playing to a nearly sold-out crowd at the Lowell Summer Music Series, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo delivered a fabulous, high-energy show that certainly wowed me!

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Pat Benatar and Neil ‘Spyder’ Giraldo

I am not sure what I expected from this 35th anniversary plus one tour, but the show exceeded any expectations I may have had!

Stage Backdrop

Stage Backdrop

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Think Outside The Box!

Two years ago, Ted Cutler presented the first Outside The Box free performing arts festival in downtown Boston. I went to many of the performances, in part because I work downtown so I could sneak over for a long lunch but mostly because this was too good an opportunity to miss.

OTB_LOGOFINAL

That year, the performances spread across nine days and two areas (Boston Common and City Hall Plaza). This year, the event will begin on Tuesday evening, July 14 and run through July 19.  All events will take place on the Boston Common.

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An Evening Of Love Songs With A Righteous Babe!

This was not Ani DiFranco‘s first appearance at the Lowell Summer Music Series, but I missed her appearance six years ago and nothing was going to make me miss this show.

AniDiFranco

AniDiFranco

As she took the stage, DiFranco related that when she was assembling the set list, it suddenly hit her that she would perform love songs for this show since it had been a troublesome few weeks (in the news, not for her personally). What a brilliant decision!

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Jenee Halstead: Powerful Voice And Songs

Click here to read my review of Jenee Halstead‘s show on No Depression.

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead and band

Jenee Halstead and band

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Eva Walsh

Eva Walsh

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead, Seanny Mac, Hugh McGowan

IMG_3928

Karen Sarkisian

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead, Seanny Mac, Hugh McGowan

Jenee Halstead and band

Jenee Halstead and band

IMG_3962

Hugh McGowan

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

IMG_4033

Karen Sarkisian

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead, Seanny Mac, Hugh McGowan

Jenee Halstead

Jenee Halstead

Eva Walsh

Eva Walsh

IMG_3968

Tara

Tara Skurtu

Suzie Brown

Suzie Brown

Suzie Brown and Scot Sax

Suzie Brown and Scot Sax

Suzie Brown

Suzie Brown

Scot Sax

Scot Sax

Suzie Brown

Suzie Brown

Despite The Drizzle, Rockabilly Star Dwight Yoakam Brought It!

I knew more about Dwight Yoakam‘s reputation as both a musician and an actor than I did about his music itself, but I was as excited to see him perform for the first time (on the heels of an excellent new album, Second Hand Heart) as I was to see my first show at Indian Ranch!

Indian Ranch

Indian Ranch

Dwight Yoakam

Dwight Yoakam

I was impressed with both! Indian Ranch is an unusual venue. Set on Webster Lake in central Massachusetts, it is a combination campground and music venue. This show was accompanied by a light drizzle through much of the show, but that did not dampen anyone’s spirits even though some were in uncovered areas. I look forward to returning on a day with better weather!

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Double Trouble!

Two blues guitar stars – Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang in their first-ever duo tour – rocked Boarding House Park at the season opener of the Lowell Summer Music Series.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Jonny Lang

Jonny Lang

I believe this was considered a true co-bill, since each performed a full 90-minute set; regardless, it was a terrific show that truly showcased their talent.

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Fantastic Blues-Rock By The Bobby Thompson Project

What an unexpected treat it was to hear and see The Bobby Thompson Project at The Extended Play Sessions for the last show in the now-former space!

The Bobby Thompson Project

The Bobby Thompson Project

Based in the Washington, DC area, the band brings a unique perspective to the blues, combining rock and funk, and even some soul, with traditional blues riffs.

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Impressive Show By Modern Vintage Song Writer KaiL Baxley

Click here to read my review of this superb show by KaiL Baxley on No Depression.

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

Aodhan O'Reilly

Aodhan O’Reilly

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

Aodhan O'Reilly

Aodhan O’Reilly

KaiL Baxley and Aodhan O'Reilly

KaiL Baxley and Aodhan O’Reilly

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

Aodhan O'Reill

Aodhan O’Reill

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

Aodhan O'Reilly

Aodhan O’Reilly

KaiL Baxley and Aodhan O'Reilly

KaiL Baxley and Aodhan O’Reilly

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley and Aodhan O'Reilly

KaiL Baxley and Aodhan O’Reilly

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

KaiL Baxley

Mally Smith

Mally Smith

Mally Smith

Mally Smith

Mally Smith

Mally Smith

A Special Evening With A Couple Of Singer-Songwriters

There was a lot of emotion at The Extended Play Sessions last week when Ian Fitzgerald and Brian Carroll, Boston-based singer-songwriters, performed although I doubt any of us in attendance had a clue about it.

Ian Fitzgerald

Ian Fitzgerald

Brian Carroll

Brian Carroll

Ian and Brian have separate careers but they came together this night to perform both alone and together.

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The Lonesome Trio Regaled Us With Story And Song

The Lonesome Trio

The Lonesome Trio

Ed Helms

Ed Helms

Jacob Tilove

Jacob Tilove

Ian Riggs

Ian Riggs

The Lonesome Trio

The Lonesome Trio

Ed Helms

Ed Helms

Jacob Tilove

Jacob Tilove

Ian Riggs and Ed Helms

Ian Riggs and Ed Helms

The Lonesome Trio

The Lonesome Trio

Jacob Tilove and Ian Riggs

Jacob Tilove and Ian Riggs

Ed Helms

Ed Helms

The Lonesome Trio

The Lonesome Trio

Ed Helms and Ian Riggs

Ed Helms and Ian Riggs

Ian Riggs and Ed Helms

Ian Riggs and Ed Helms

The Lonesome Trio (wishing No Depression a happy 20th birthday)

The Lonesome Trio (wishing No Depression a happy 20th birthday)

My review of this terrific show by The Lonesome Trio at Club Passim appears on No Depression.