Blog Archives

We Had The British Invasion; Here’s The Swedish Invasion!

I have been a fan of First Aid Kit, a duo composed of Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, from the time I first heard them over two years ago.

First Aid Kit (Johanna in foreground)

First Aid Kit (Johanna in front, Klara in back)

As soon as their headlining show at The Paradise Rock Club was announced, I knew I would be in the audience.  Read the rest of this entry

Country Twang Rocked The House

Ten years ago if you had asked me what kind of music I disliked, I would have answered, “country.” Now, I can’t seem to get enough high-quality country music (for me, the genre includes alt-country, country rock, country blues).

Moot Davis & The Good Americans

Moot Davis & The Good Americans

Moot Davis & the Good Americans gave us a fabulous set at The Extended Play Sessions at Alternate Root TV last weekend.  Read the rest of this entry

Singer-Songwriter Event This Weekend At Extended Play Sessions

On Saturday, June 14th, you can be part of the audience at Alternate Root TV for an Extended Play Session in Norwood, Massachusetts with Kris Delmhorst and Amelia White with Sergio Webb.

alternateroot

I am a bit familiar with Kris’ music and not familiar with Amelia or Sergio, but I love being introduced to music that’s new to me; I’m excited to hear their music and fall in love with it.

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An Excellent Roots Rock Party Kickstarted The Weekend

The Bottle Rockets, a roots rock band currently based in St. Louis, is yet another band that did not get onto my radar during the past twenty or so years.

Bottle Rockets

Bottle Rockets

They have toured through New England over the past year but I did not have the opportunity to see them until their show this weekend at Johnny D’s. A friend whose opinions I value had an extra ticket so I jumped on it. Read the rest of this entry

CD Release Party This Week At Extended Play Sessions

On Tuesday, June 10th, you can be part of the audience at Alternate Root TV for an Extended Play Session in Norwood, Massachusetts with Mary Gauthier.

alternateroot

I am not terribly familiar with Mary’s music, but I love what I’ve heard so I’m excited to see her for what promises to be an exciting event! Imagine the energy that a combination of a CD release date show, an intimate venue, and a recording for a television show will bring.

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Twang This Weekend At Extended Play Sessions

On Saturday, June 7th, you can be part of the audience at Alternate Root TV for an Extended Play Session in Norwood, Massachusetts with Moot Davis and special guest Besides Daniel.

alternateroot

I have not heard of either band, but the Extended Play Sessions are so incredible that I can’t wait to be introduced to them at Alternate Root TV!

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Sharon Jones Gave The People What We Wanted

Let me start by saying that my words will not do justice to the performance by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings at Boston’s House of Blues.

Sharon Jones

Sharon Jones

This was one of the highest-energy shows I have ever seen, and will certainly make it into my top ten shows of 2014.

Sharon (doing the pony, I believe)

Sharon (doing the watusi, I believe)

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Much Talent On The Stage This Night

I went to this show at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion as much to see Ray LaMontagne as I did to see one of the openers, Jason Isbell.

Ray LaMontagne

Ray LaMontagne

Jason Isbell

Jason Isbell

I will say up front that this is one of my least favorite venues in the Boston area – the sound is inconsistent, the stage is high, and the view (and sound) is best from the center of the center section in rows 6 through about 16. In addition, for this show photographers were relegated to the far right of the venue, 15 rows back (I apologize for the less-than-usual quality of my photos – I now know I need a monopod). Read the rest of this entry

‘Evil Gal’ Michelle Willson Sings Her Heart Out

This show at Glenn’s Restaurant was my first opportunity to see Michelle ‘Evil Gal’ Willson and her band perform since the fabulous Scullers show that was recorded for subsequent release as ‘Fortune Cookie’.

Michelle 'Evil Gal' Willson

Michelle ‘Evil Gal’ Willson

Michelle has a powerhouse of a voice that is extremely well-suited to jazz, soul, and rhythm and blues songs.

Evil Gal

Evil Gal

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Roots Rock Ruled At The Extended Play Sessions!

Where do I start to describe the enchantment of this event… The music, the musicians, the other guests, the food and drink – all contributed to make this one of the most incredible evenings of music I have experienced.

Angela Perley & The Howlin' Moons

Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons

Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons is a roots rock band from Ohio who performed at the Extended Play Sessions of The Alternate Root TV on Saturday night. Read the rest of this entry