Blog Archives

This Riff Raff Is Everything But!

Everything but riffraff, that is… Hurray for the Riff Raff has been one of my favorite bands since the first time I saw them at the Newport Folk Festival two years ago. The band returned to Boston to perform at the Paradise Rock Club in what might have been their first headlining show at a major venue in the area.

Hurray for the Riff Raff

Hurray for the Riff Raff (4/5)

Hurray for the Riff Raff (2/5)

Hurray for the Riff Raff (3/5)

This show might possibly be the best show of theirs I have seen to date; the energy in the room was tremendous and the band fed off that (although it was truly symbiotic – they fed off us and we fed off their energy and joy).

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In Spite Of The Devil, Spuyten Duyvil Is Heavenly

For my review of this marvelous Spuyten Duyvil show at Club Passim, with Laney Jones and the Spirits opening, click here.

James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

John Neidhart, James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs of Spuyten Duyvil

Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

John Neidhart of Spuyten Duyvil

John Neidhart of Spuyten Duyvil

 of Spuyten DuyvilJagoda

of Spuyten DuyvilJagoda

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman, Mark Miller and Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman, Mark Miller and Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Laney Jones and the Spirits

Laney Jones and the Spirits

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

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Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Mark Miller and Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

Mark Miller and Ric Mercaldi of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

James Meigs, Beth Jamie Kaufman and Mark Miller of Spuyten Duyvil

Laney Jones

Laney Jones

Matt Tonner of Laney Jones and the Spirits

Matt Tonner of Laney Jones and the Spirits

Curtis Seligson of Laney Jones and the Spirits

Curtis Seligson of Laney Jones and the Spirits

Alex Shames of Laney Jones and the Spirits

Alex Shames of Laney Jones and the Spirits

Laney Jones

Laney Jones

Laney Jones and the Spirits

Laney Jones and the Spirits

Laney Jones

Laney Jones

Laney Jones

Laney Jones

More Wonderful Acts Added To The Newport Folk Festival Line-Up

The Newport Folk Festival continues its lineup announcements and added even more interesting acts.

Newport Folk Festival Logo

Newport Folk Festival Trademarked Logo

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Rhiannon Giddens’ Powerful Voice Must Be Experienced

Rhiannon Giddens embarked on her first solo tour several months ago. She achieved much success as a co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, but her reputation exploded through a couple of projects in which she participated over the last two years:  the Another Day, Another Time concert, a celebration of the music that inspired the film Inside Llewyn Davis, and The New Basement Tapes, a collaboration that set newly found Bob Dylan lyrics to music.

Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon mentioned that this show at the Somerville Theatre was originally billed as a Carolina Chocolate Drops show; I would have seen the show either way, but I am glad it was her show.

Jamie Dick, Malcolm Partson, Jason Sypher, Rhiannon Giddens, Hubby Jenkins, Rowan Corbett

Jamie Dick, Malcolm Partson, Jason Sypher, Rhiannon Giddens, Hubby Jenkins, Rowan Corbett

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Entertaining Singer-Songwriter Evening

A New York friend strongly suggested I see Willy Porter perform, going so far as checking on his local dates for me. Accommodating person that I am, since I had a hole in my schedule I decided to see him at Tupelo Music Hall, one of my favorite venues because the audiences are usually extremely respectful of the music.

Willy Porter

Willy Porter

I am glad I did. Willy is an entertaining performer, an excellent guitarist, and someone who obviously loves what he does.

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Fabulous Jazz Jam At Regattabar

I love jazz generally and knew that Vijay Iyer has a devoted following, so I did not hesitate to see one of his four Regattabar shows last weekend even though I was only slightly familiar with his music.  Saying that I was in awe of the performance is an understatement – he and the rest of his trio are incredible!

Vijay Iyer

Vijay Iyer

The show I attended was the last of the four; if they were tired, it did not seep into their performance which appeared flawless!

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The Extended Play Sessions Host An Up-and-Coming Roots Act

The Extended Play Sessions American Roots Music Television announced that old-timey bluegrassy roots act Laney Jones and the Spirits will be in the studio for a Session on Friday, April 24th at 7 pm. I may be a bit biased since I know this act well, but this Session is one not to be missed!

Laney Jones and the Spirits (Official Poster)

Laney Jones and the Spirits (Official Poster)

Come share some fabulous music and friendship at this Session! Read the rest of this entry

The Newport Folk Festival Line-Up Added Some Great Acts

This week started with a fabulous announcement!  The Newport Folk Festival continues its lineup announcements and added even more interesting acts.

Newport Folk Festival Logo

Newport Folk Festival Trademarked Logo

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Acoustic Grunge? Yes, Please!

One of the regulars at The Extended Play Sessions suggested that the Baltimore-based band ilyAIMY (pronounced ee-lee-amy, it is an acronym for “I love you and I miss you”) would be a good addition to the roster of acts who have played at a Session, and he was right!

ilyAIMY

ilyAIMY

One of the most unusual acts to grace the stage, they are an enchanting trio (at full-band shows they add two more musicians) who engaged us quickly and easily.

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Singer-Songwriter Event At The Extended Play Sessions

The Extended Play Sessions American Roots Music Television announced that Boston-area singer songwriters Ian Fitzgerald and Brian Carroll will be in the studio for a Session on Thursday, April 16th at 7 pm. As always, this Session sounds like it will be another one not to miss!

Ian Fitzgerald and Brian Carroll (Official Poster)

Ian Fitzgerald and Brian Carroll (Official Poster)

Let’s continue our march into Spring 2015 with some wonderful music! Read the rest of this entry