Blog Archives
Terrific Intimate Blues Performance
What a treat it was to see Janiva Magness and Xenia Dunford in such an intimate setting as Extended Play at Alternate Root TV!
I will fully describe the venue and the Sessions in another post, but suffice it to say that this venue imitates your living room, both for the artist and the audience.
Dancing The Night Away With The Mavericks
Yes, I saw The Mavericks two nights in a row – they are that good!
Sunday night’s show was at The Wilbur which afforded me a different experience than the previous evening did. The floor was general admission standing, so I decided to stand at the stage rather than sit in the front row of the mezzanine. I am so glad I did.
Hear American Roots Music In A Unique Setting
I have not yet attended one of the Extended Play Sessions shows at the Alternate Root Studio.
I am looking forward to my first session on Wednesday, May 14, with Janiva Magness and Xenia Dunford. Read the rest of this entry
‘Sugar Man’, Alive And Well At Boston’s Orpheum Theatre
Finally, I scored a ticket to see Sixto Rodriguez, the enigmatic subject of the film ‘Searching for Sugar Man‘! I became aware of Rodriguez two years ago and have been trying since then.
He has been playing to ever-increasing audience sizes, so instead of seeing him at an intimate venue such as Johnny D’s where he played 18 months ago, I saw him at the Orpheum Theatre which is not huge but is not intimate either.
The Ever-Expanding Newport Folk Festival Lineup
Week 12 started off with something different!
The Festival announced today that, while there are additions to be made to the lineup, those additions will be made when they are able. That means my regular Thursday post about the lineup is ending and I will post as the acts are announced.
This week’s additions to the Festival lineup are:
The Bluegrass Situation – they will be presenting a workshop stage with lots of special guests
Deering Banjos Presents Communion – Willy Mason, Hamilton Leithauser, Bear’s Den, and Leif Vollebekk have been added to this Museum Stage presentation
All Newport’s Eve – this is not a part of the Folk Festival but many of the artists who have been announced so far are already part of the Folk Family, including Joe Fletcher who is curating the event
The Haden Triplets – having an album produced by Ry Cooder (not to mention being the daughters of jazz great Charlie Haden) is all I needed to read to make me excited about seeing them at the Festival
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, Ryan Adams, Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer, Sun Kil Moon, Mandolin Orange, Deering Banjos Presents Communion
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, Kurt Vile and the Violators, John Reilly and Friends, Pokey LaFarge, The Haden Triplets
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, Valerie June, The Deslondes, Ages and Ages, The Berklee Gospel and Roots Choir, Pegi Young and The Survivors, The Bluegrass Situation
Lowell Summer Music Series Season Pass On Sale!
The full lineup for the Lowell Summer Music Series has been announced, which means that the season pass is on sale! If the lineup interests you, the season pass is a fine way to see lots of great shows for less than $25 per show (presuming you see all shows).
The Lowell Summer Music Series Adds An Interesting Show
The most recent announcement from the Lowell Summer Music Series is for a triptych of musicians (and not a trio, since they are all doing their own sets). I’m pleased to announce that Ben Taylor, Heather Maloney, and Adam Ezra will perform at the Series on Friday, August 15.
Suzanne Vega, Eclectic Singer-Songwriter, Performs
While I cannot say I closely followed her career, I have enjoyed Suzanne Vega for many years.
I decided to see Suzanne who is touring in support of her recent release, ‘Tales from the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles’, for my first foray to The Center for the Arts in Natick, a small venue in a former firehouse. Read the rest of this entry
Lovely Mellow (In A Good Way) Show At The Paradise
The Milk Carton Kids (MCK) are riding high, in part due to their talent and in part from their appearance in ‘Another Day, Another Time‘ (the documentary about the New York City concert that presented the music of ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’).
Last night, they performed to a sold-out crowd at The Paradise Rock Club, a venue not known for presenting folk acts. Hopefully they will consider adding similar acts (and MCK again, although I predict they will be booking larger venues) after MCK’s stellar performance. Read the rest of this entry











