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Archive for April, 2011

Rock & Roll Resort ~ Media Overview (04.01-03.11)

Posted in Festival Review, Music Festival, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 21, 2011| 1 Comment »

The Rock & Roll Resort kicked off the NY festival season in Kerhonkson, NY on April 1, 2011.  It was my birthday weekend and I raged my face off.  I covered this fun-filled weekend for Music Marauders.  If you want the in-depth overview you can read about the music filled weekend here!

I found a few other reviews along the way as well:

I also covered the sets for Royal Family Records to include Lettuce, Sam Kininger Band, Break Science, Chapter 2 and The Nigel Hall Band.  For an in-depth overview of each of these acts, please check out my article for The Royal Family Records website.

I actually met the creator of Music Marauders at Rock The Resort around the same time last year.  We clicked immediately and I have supported his site ever since.  If you haven’t checked out Music Marauders, just go ahead right now and do it!  There is so much info about music from our scene being pumped continuously through the site.

What separates Music Marauders from other music news websites is that they don’t place restrictions on their writers.  We are allowed to write in our own voice, evoke emotions and be as opinionated as we like.   The backbone of Music Marauders lies on true music fans who run it out of love and passion for the scene.  They want nothing more then to bring our scene to you, in all it’s music-saturated glory.  They expose the good, the bad and the groovy and it’s a pleasure working with them.

Event though I wrote an overview for Music Marauders, there is some more information that I want to blast out to yall that would have just made the MM article too long.  This isn’t so much an article as a collection of media from the weekend for your enjoyment and perusal.

Who: Rock & Roll Resort

What: Billed on their website as “the ultimate, high-end music destination event.”

When:  April 1st – 3rd 2011

Where:  Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, NY.

Ran By:  Team NorthEast and Wicked Cool Productions

Line Up:  Lettuce • Deep Banana Blackout • The New Riders of the Purple Sage (2 Sets) • Max Creek (2 Sets) • G.F.E. (Granola Funk Express) • Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 • Rubblebucket • Spiritual Rez • The Pimps of Joytime • The Nigel Hall Band • The Breakfast • Break Science • Caravan of Thieves • Sam Kininger Band • Kung Fu • Jeff Bujak • Mark Mercier Project • Nephrok! Allstars • The Alchemystics • Nutritious • Sauce • Holy Water Undertoe • Darian Cunning Band • Domino Theory • The Rev Tor Band • The Tony Lee Thomas Band • Fever Train • The Primate Fiasco • Lespecial • The Problemaddicts • Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds • Sophistafunk • Coppertonic • KONG • Nardy Boy • I Anbassa • Sushi Grade Panda • The Kings • Kevin Crane & Co. • DJ Theory • Michael Greenberg •

#15 Heart and Soul at Sauce

This is the piece Josh purchased on site for my birthday present!! Heart, Soul and Sauce: Painted live to Sauce at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/0/211 in Kerhonkson, New York by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

One of the greatest elements of our scene are the tapers.  Name another scene that has free trade in music the way our Jam Band community does!!  A taper by the name Corey (The Groundhog) was good enough to tape a good number of the best sets that took place over the weekend.  Enjoy!!

DOWNLOADABLE SETS

Friday 4/01:

Saturday 4/02:

Sunday 4/03:

#17 Lettuce

Lettuce: Painted live to Lettuce and the Super Jam at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/02/11 in Kerhonkson, New York by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

Throughout this media bundle you are seeing wonderful paintings by Jonathon “CrazyRedBeard” Blake.  During music performances, Jonathon sets up his canvas on sides of stages and proceeds to paint what he feels as the musical reaches through him.  Over the course of the Rock & Roll Resort weekend, Jonathon painted numerous canvases with images derived from the feelings evoked from the music he encountered.  He is available for hire for weddings as well as all events that might spark creativity through music, love or spirituality. I most certainly will have him at my wedding when the day finally comes.

Kinds Suds Soap  is a product that I first learned about while on Jam Cruise. Cruisers received them in our gift bags and I have been a fan ever since. Upon entering R&R, laid out across the check-in table was a colorful pile of soap offered to festival goers as a free gift.  The psychedelic wrapper draws the eye immediately and the smell and quality of the product are just as stimulating! I encourage you all to grab a few bars off their website.

Visual stimulation

Visual stimulation performed by Oh My Goddess Entertainment

Music is not the only form of entertainment found at these wonderful festivals.  Those of us who embrace our musical culture know that visual stimulation is just as important as what stimulates our ears.  The lights, the projection screens and the other elements that go into supplementing these musical sets are just as important as the music itself.

For Rock & Roll Resort, Oh My Goddess Entertainment was hired to provide outstanding visual performances through dance to enhance the environment and the stages.  I was able to sit and speak with Michelle Sarah, owner and head choreographer of Oh My Goddess Entertainment, during a brief meal over the weekend.  This kind spirit is also the lead singer of CopperTonic which I will speak of later in this article.

Visual Stimulation!

Visual Stimulation!

Over the weekend, Oh My Goddess Entertainers performed fire dancing outside in the court yard, two aerial silks artists, Kate Brown and Sarah Kaye, performed with Break Science (as seen in the picture above) and…

“…in case that wasn’t enough sexy for the stage, the guys had me bring on my burlesque performer, Donell Wicklund, to do that cabaret style Ohh La La-ness you hopefully didn’t miss 😉  ~ Michelle Sarah “

#14 All The King's Horses

All The King's Horses: Painted live to the New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/02/11 for the NRPS Brunch by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

Strangers Helping Strangers

Strangers Helping Strangers

Strangers Helping Strangersis a non-profit organization based in Massachusetts and operating throughout the country conducting food drives at concerts and music festivals, and delivering the items collected to a local food bank near the point of collection.  It’s another amazing way of giving back to the communities where these concerts and music festivals take place.

#16 The Theory of Relativity

The Theory of Relativity: Painted live to Kung Fu, Deep Banana Blackout and Break Science at the Rock N Roll Resort on 04/02/11 in Kerhonkson, New York by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

Last Fair Deal glassblowers was on sight as well.  The Last Fair Deal is an artisan vending co-operative. Some of the finest glass artists in New England team up to demonstrate their skills with live glassblowing performances at events over the summer! Setting up shop in the outside courtyard, glass blowing artisans could be seen through the windows as we made our way between the stages.  There was something very cool about this set-up and you were able to purchase things blow only a few hours later once it was dry.  I ended up purchasing numerous pairs of earrings from their booth later in the weekend, greeted warmly and had a fantastic time checking out their intricate pipes and jewelry.

#13 Moving the Elephant

Moving the Elephant: Painted live to Max Creek at the Rock and Roll Resort by Jonathon "CrazyRedBeard" Blake

And finally, I leave you with an excerpt from the Music Marauders Overview. One of the beautiful things about these smaller, regional musical events, is the ability for up and coming musical acts to be recognized, realized and, by music lovers like myself, dissected.  There are a few new acts that need some special recognition.

Caravan of Thieves

Caravan of Thieves

Caravan of Thieves: Fuzz Fuzzman (Deep Banana Blackout), his wife Carrie Sangiovanni and their band mates kicked off the festival Friday afternoon bringing the unique sound of Django Reinhardt to the ears of our community. No one in our scene has even attempted to modernize acoustic gypsy swing, let alone sound so great doing it.  This group is an absolute gem and is delivering this antique sound to our scene with a twist as they cover modern songs amongst their new compositions.

Coppertonic

Coppertonic

Copper Tonic: Looks like we have another female voice to start paying attention to ladies and gentlemen.  For a jamming scene cluttered with male musicians and rough voices, this group of musicians fires on all cylinders and is led by vocalist Michelle Sarah, the owner/head choreographers of Oh My Goddess Entertainment.  Her soulful range drew to mind SusanTedeschi and Grace Potter but her dance moves and connection with the audience made her more accessible.  The guitarist, Andy Mowatt, was on fire and was easily my favorite new guitarist who hooked many over the weekend with his talent.

Jeff Bujak!

Jeff Bujak!

Jeff Bujak: Having first experienced Jeff Bujak at last year’s resort, I have watched him closely over the year and grown more fond of him with every performance.  This classically trained keyboardist/producer/composer has no boundaries for his act and is invested in every aspect of it.  From creating and maintaining his own beats, manipulating multiple contraptions with his hands on top of playing, working the lights and smoke effects with his feet and using every inch of his body to create a one-man full on solid electronic performance, Bujak is someone who is going to go far in our scene and is creating something our scene hasn’t seen before.  He is the kind of artist that people find themselves stopping in their dancing tracks to watch perform.  As my fellow Jam Cruise buddy said “I’ve never been interested in watching someone perform electronica, with this guy, I am entranced”

Nephrox! Allstars: With a wild lead singer named Nephtaliem McCrary at the helm, this vocal heavy Funk band is a real treat.  Comprised of some of Boston’s most well-known musicians, such as Aaron Bellamy on bass and renown legend Jeff Lockhart on guitar, they touch on multiple genres always falling back on James Brown for guidance.  And with Amy Bowells (The Sam Kinninger Band) on keyboards, all is right with the world.

Dixie FUNK!

Dixie FUNK!

Primate Fiasco: I was checking out a handmade beaded purse in the lobby when my ear was caught by what sounded like a New Orleans second line with it’s instruments dipped in Texas.  Psychedelic Dixieland or Dixie Funk.  Which ever way you slice it, this was my favorite new act of the weekend.  The could be seen jumping on and off stages throughout the weekend in second line form with a tuba, clarinet, trumpet, and drums all being led by a banjo! Excellent collection of instruments being played by a very happy group of musicians.

Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds

Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: The only thing about Arleigh Kincheloe that is small is her figure. Her powerful, seductive vocals, backed by an even better band has placed this group in the forefront of soul/funk bands to be recognized.  Housing a powerhouse horn section, rocking harmonica and shredding guitar, The Dirty Birds are a tight Brooklyn-based group that is plowing it’s way through our scene.

Thank you Hudson Valley Resort and Spa as well as A Wicked Cool Productions for taking a broken musical streak and fixing it.  Thank you for listening to your guests and taking the time to support their concerns and helping grow this musical event for us to enjoy.  You will most certainly be seeing this eager music fan again next year!

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The Tedeschi/Trucks Band @ Highline Ballroom (04.13.11)

Posted in Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 18, 2011| 2 Comments »

Tedeschi/Trucks Band (Photo by Suzy Perler)

Tedeschi/Trucks Band (Photo by Suzy Perler)

One of the most beautiful things about music is its ability to connect to us on so many levels.  There is the connection between the audience and the musicians; we love them, we hate them, we worship them, we envy them, we listen to them and we critique them.  There is the connection between the musicians on stage as they smile at each other, follow and lead the jam getting lost in the music as we do.  There is a connection to the music through emotions, as the songs make us weep, laugh, get angry, get hyper or sullen. Physically, we dance to the grooves and our connection to the venue and our fellow audience members becomes established as we release our energy onto them.  Finally, the better the group is, the harder, deeper and more intense the connections prove to be.

Tedeschi/Trucks Band (Photo by Suzy Perler)

Tedeschi/Trucks Band (Photo by Suzy Perler)

Derek Trucks (Photo By Dino Perrucci)

Derek Trucks (Photo By Dino Perrucci)

The creation of the Tedeschi/Trucks Band connects very deeply with me on all those levels.  Derek Trucks is my favorite guitarist alive.  When he takes a solo, I many times lose my shit.  He is still the only guitarist who can make me cry in the middle of a rock song, any song for that matter.   Yes, we all know I cry freely when music touches me but no one can get me going as quickly as Derek can.

Susan Tedeschi (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Susan Tedeschi (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Susan Tedeschi is hands down my favorite singer in our scene.  When I broke off my engagement a few years ago, her music/voice played an intense part in my healing process.  Specifically, go check out her cover of Bob Dylan’s “Baby, Don’t Think Twice.”  Tell me you don’t LOVE that song!

I was privileged enough to meet them both on their tour bus at Mountain Jam last year and was able to yet again, build another connection as I thanked them for their music, spoke with them about NY living and just hung with them as “regular” people, not the famous musicians I had come to love and worship after finding their talent in 2000.

Susan and Derek (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Susan and Derek (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

At the end of the day, the beauty of this group lies in its greatest connection: LOVE.  Love is the deepest connection two people can have.  Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks are married.  A connection so great and built on love’s foundation.  As well, Derek and Susan chose their line-up wisely, picking from musicians they themselves love and whose talent they feel is outstanding.  When you mix love and music you get The Tedeschi/Trucks Band!

RAGE!!!!!!!! (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

HE PUT ON HIS RAGE FACE!!!!!!!! (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

The Tedeschi/Trucks Band
Derek Trucks – Guitar
Susan Tedeschi – Guitar & Vocals
Oteil Burbridge – Bass
Kofi Burbridge – Keys & Flute
Tyler Greenwell – Drums
JJ Johnson – Drums
Mike Mattison – Backing Vocals
Mark Rivers – Backing Vocals
Maurice Brown – Trumpet
Kebbi (?)- Saxophone
Unknown – Trombone

The Highline Ballroom was packed! Not surprisingly, the performance had sold out within days of tickets going on sale. The venue withheld the tickets for pick up at the club box office to deter ticket reselling, something I hadn’t dealt with before. There was no opening band and the band took to the stage a little after 8pm to a crazy excited audience.

Oteil Burbirdge (Photo by Suzy Perler)

Oteil Burbirdge (Photo by Suzy Perler)

I’d say that 75% of the audience were 40+ yr old men who needed a fix of their bro-crush from The Allman Brothers Band.  Personally, I wondered how many of these men truly cared about anyone else on stage.  Certainly, The Allman Brother’s fans noticed the amazing Oteil Burbridge  on stage.  I know I did. What a line up.  Oteil’s brother, Kofi, took his rightful place behind the keyboard.

Kofi Burbridge (Photo by Suzy Perler)

Kofi Burbridge (Photo by Suzy Perler)

As all Derek and Susan projects, Mike Mattison was on backup vocals.  Then, there was Mark Rivers, someone who I had never heard of before and I can’t seem to find any information on. Send me a link if you find something! Their voices blended seamlessly with Susan’s but I didn’t really get a full effect from them closer to the end of the performance.

Susan & Derek (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Susan & Derek (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Tyler Greenwell, an alumni of the school of Colonel Bruce Hampton, made himself known on stage throughout the whole night with his thick drumming. Great musicality.  JJ Johnson, the second drummer on stage, was a new name to my ears.  His latest venture has been touring as John Mayer’s drummer.  I’ve always loved John Mayer’s songwriting and lyrics but it stops with his music.  Let’s hope JJ Johnson isn’t as much as a douche as Mr. Mayer like to portray himself.  I am sure he isn’t because only great karma gets you a post within the band of one of these magnificent musicians!

Maurice Brown (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Maurice Brown (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Susan Tedeschi (Photo By Dino Perrucci)

Susan Tedeschi (Photo By Dino Perrucci)

The horn section was good. I want to say out of this world but I couldn’t really feel anything from two out of the three horn players.  Sadly, I can’t find any mention of the names of the horn section either and the only person I recognized on stage was Maurice Brown on trumpet. Maurice was the horn player who throw it down until the encore.  He was the stand out of the horn section as he ripped open his solo on Uptight (video below), as he twirled his trumpet to the beat like a cowboy does a gun and how he got down dancing completely into the groove when the music moved him. He is a pleasure to watch just like Oteil.  Great stage presence.  Each of the musicians on stage were connected to Derek and Susan in some way but I believe Maurice Brown is the only member not to have played with them before.

(Photo by Suzy Perler)

(Photo by Suzy Perler)

Derek Trucks (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Derek Trucks (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Kicking the set off with the instrumental Five Minute Rule, the entire 11-piece ensemble warmed up their instruments and busted out a bit of their chops.  They were just itching to release their music upon us.  They covered epically jamming covers like The Meter’s funky Just Kissed My Baby and Jimi Hendrix’s Manic Depression with Oteil on vocals. At a point in the song, the members on stage back off as Kofi and Oteil were being spotlighted.  My eyes followed Derek and Susan as they sat down on some speakers.  I watched Susan sit down, put her hand on her husband’s leg and smiled deeply into his eyes and mouthed “Hi!”  It was so touching. During the drummer focus at the end of  Stevie Wonder’s Uptight (Outta Sight), both drummers gave us a taste of their talent.  Combined, we were delivered a sense of their sound and sensitivity.


The  group sang a number of songs from their new album, Revolver.  The soulful Love Has Something Else To Say was beautiful. As well, The Derek Trucks Band cover, Midnight in Harlem resonated through the venue as Susan’s emotive vocals carried it away.

Kofi & Susan (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Kofi & Susan (Photo by Suzy Perler)

Sly Stone’s Simple Song brought the absolute heat.  Susan Tedeschi and Mike Mattison’s vocals was sultry and possessive of the energy in the room.  Mattison’s standing out more for this one, however.  Kofi Burbridge brought it up with the keys. Kofi just sounds better every time I hear him.  Sadly, I don’t think I ever heard the flute.  Maurice Brown took the best solo of the night from the horn players yet again, destroying the funky rock song with a huge jazz0filled solo.  And behind it all, Oteil’s bass line could be heard solid and full of get down funky.  They killed this song!!!

Maurice Brown (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

Maurice Brown (Photo by Dino Perrucci)

The set ended with Herbie Hancock’s Space Captain. Might have been the greatest, most upbeat song of the night!! The spotlight was on Kofi Burbridge as he busted out the intro on keys and was showcased throughout the song in his solos.  Susan’s vocals filled in the rest and the drummers made themselves known. But it wasn’t until Derek Trucks ripped us his solo that I really lost it, weeping openly a few measures in.  Derek Trucks shred our faces off!! Oteil followed me and went, well, nuts.  bouncing all over the stage and dancing with his bass!!  The man is brilliant.   I lost my shit in the second row as I saw the musicians on stage putting on their rager faces and feeling Derek as well. Derek’s ever composed, precise, intense playing makes him one of the world’s greatest guitarist and a master at the slide.  Susan threw her hands up in praise toward him and at that moment Highline Ballroom was Church and Derek Trucks was God!!

Susan & Oteil (Phot By Dino Perrucci)

Susan & Oteil (Phot By Dino Perrucci)

With the ending of such a killer performance they could have gone out on that note and still gotten rave reviews.  KILLER ending to a set but the audience wanted more!!  Before the rest of the band came back to the stage, Kebbi on saxophone player began to rage.  Kebbi ripped right into a hyper jazz solo which eventually was supplemented by JJ Johnson on drums. And yes, he was great! I also gotta say the saxophonist killed that part of the show so I take back what I said about Maurice owning the horn section all night.  Eventually, everyone rejoined and the danceable funky blues song, Bound For Glory, the only song from their new album that is available for download, was the last song played.

The Tedeschi/Trucks band is absolutely brilliant.  Having the past connections of playing with each other behind them, they are way past the rehearsal stage in their third show.  With musicians with never ending talent  and an amazing set list, the night’s performance was a solid treat for the middle of the week.  Listening to this entire set and watching Derek Trucks, I realized that I hadn’t seen him so spirited in a long, LONG time.  His smile was evident throughout the night as was his Rager face!  Susan Tedeschi got me so into the mood that it brought tears to my eyes.  I hadn’t felt this touched by music in a long, long time.

I thought the show/band was great — but with that much talent up there, how could they not be? If I had a criticism, it’s that the show was too short… we want more! ~ Jonathon A.

Derek Trucks (Photo by Suzy Perler)

Derek Trucks (Photo by Suzy Perler)

SetList:
Five Minute Rule>
Love Has Something Else To Say
Midnight In Harlem
Just Kissed My Baby
Comin’ Home
Till You Remember
Sing A Simple Song
Nobody’s Free
That Did It
Uptight>Bass>Drums>
Manic Depression (Oteil vocal)
Space Captain

Encore:
Kebbi & JJ jam>
Bound For Glory

Download Tedeschi/Trucks Highline Ball Room Show Here!!

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Steve Kimock Residency: Night III @ Sullivan Hall (04.06.11)

Posted in Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 10, 2011| 7 Comments »

STEVE FEELIN IT!!

STEVE FEELIN IT!!

Steve Kimock Residency: Night III @ Sullivan Hall

Steve Kimock – Guitar
Andy Hess – Bass
Pete Sears – Keys
John Molo – Drums

For the last three weeks, Steve Kimock held residency at New York City’s Sullivan Hall on the Lower East Side. The beauty of a residency is the opportunity to experience your favorite musician/group in various musical positions. Each week, Kimock was supported by a different line-up of musicians bringing us a dense Dead/New Orleans vibe his first week,  creating vibrant jams with a younger generation of musicians the second week and finally destroying the audience with a fusion laden performance the third week.  The guests were as follows:

Night I:

Henry Butler (Acclaimed NOLA Keyboardist)
Andy Hess (Govt Mule, Black Crowes, John Scofield)
John Morgan Kimock (Crazy Engine)

Night II:

Marco Benevento
Marc Friedman (The Slip)
Adam Deitch (Lettuce, Breakscience)

Night III:

John Molo (Bruce Hornsby, Phil & Friends)
Pete Sears (Hot Tuna)
Andy Hess (Govt Mule, Black Crowes, John Scofield)
w/ opening act Moonalice

Wednesday night’s performance capped off what was truly a magnificent run of music.  The heavy fusion style was deeply evident throughout the night’s performance as Steve Kimock delivered the audience what I am boldly going to have to put into my “Top 10 Favorite Steve Kimock Shows” list.  I can hear the gasps now but to be fair, I have only seen him maybe 35 times!! BUT STILL…how many can say that they have seen Steve Kimock sing, let alone sing a Beatles song?

I’ve been seeing Kimock in various iterations (Zero/TheOtherOnes/KVHW/SKB) since 1997. I have NEVER witnessed him singing… Mind = blown.. ~ Evan S.

The rock solid rhythm duo in John Molo (Bruce Hornsby, Phil & Friends) and the phenomenal Andy Hess (Govt Mule, Black Crowes, John Scofield) with the gorgeous ivory talent of  Pete Sears (Hot Tuna)  provided a support for Kimock that allowed him to showcase his talents effortlessly, to an extent that a fire RARELY seen in our wonderful Mr. Steve Kimock burst through over the progression of the night.  Steve Kimock truly shined about as bright as I have ever seen him shine!

Kimock Residency!

Kimock Residency!

John Molo!

John Molo!

When I arrived at the intimate Sullivan Hall, Kimock and friends had just began a Kimock original, It’s Up To You. The placed was packed!  I was drawn to the stage immediately as Andy Hess’s bass lines wrapped themselves around my heart, pulling me closer.  Nang Chalk Pipe, an Ernest Ranglin cover followed.  Jamaican guitarist and composer Ernest Ranglin is someone I had never heard of until Kimock began covering this song.  There is a guitar style found in nearly all ska music called “scratching” that some people might suggest was created by Ranglin.

If Eric Clapton is God, then Steve Kimock is the holy ghost ~ Josh  W.

Kimock’s slow, calculated intro into the Jimmy Cliff tune Many Rivers To Cross was an audience favorite. Sadly, there was a large group of people talking in this small space and for the first time at a show in a while, I heard a large portion of the audience “shhhhh” the other portion.  I LOVED that! Personally, I want a shirt that reads “Shut The Fuck Up While The Band Is Playing” on the front and back.  Kimock utilized his Hawaiian lap steel to create the draw that defines the song.  It was sullen and romantic at the same time. Couples swayed and smiles abounded on the audiences faces.

The jam into Baby Baby, a cover of Ronnie Shannon’s Baby, I Love You which was a hit for Aretha Franklin in the late 60s (thank you for this clarification, Mike), was wicked with Steve lifting off his seat and on to his feet with a smile creeping out from the sides of his generally stagnant lips.

Andy Hess’s bass line locked it down. Andy Hess’s bass line ALWAYS locks it down.  For those of you not familiar with Andy Hess, I suggest seeing him immediately.  He is an artist in our community who is criminally slept on, providing a solid foundation in every project he plays participant and is rarely given credit when credit is due.  The ability of an artist to hold back is just as important in certain musical scenarios as raging through with your instruments. Musicians need to remember that and sometimes they do not.  When musicians play with artists like Steve Kimock or John Scofield, they must remember to allow these guitarist to shine and not overpower them for any reason.  It’s a skill you learn over time playing with different artists.  Andy Hess can back any musician, allowing them to shine and still be dripping with sweat holding down his spot on stage with a fury. SOLID!

First Set: You’re the One, Nang Chalk Pipe, Many Rivers To Cross, Baby Baby

Andy Hess & John Molo

Andy Hess & John Molo

John Molo!

John Molo!

The second set was KILLER! A personal favorite, Tangled Hangers, had Steve dropping the fusion-y solos and John Molo’s rocking the audience out.  However, it was when the first note of Tongue In Groove hit that made me so happy as it is my favorite Steve Kimock tune.  As I inhaled the gorgeous beginning of this song, I looked around at the room which was filled almost solely with older men.  The masculine beauty of this song was not lost on a single man 0r women in there.  It’s the ultimate love song.  Half way through, Pete Sears destroyed a solo that elevated the jam immensely.  So tight!  I am going to let the video speak for itself.

Steve Kimock

Steve Kimock

Golden Road‘s upbeat, dancing vibe brought out some hoots from the audience before people fell into their own dancing worlds. Peter Sears, yet again, showing his stellar ability on the keyboard without over shadowing Kimock. Another seasoned musician who knows how to withhold until given the window to let loose. John Molo holding down the rhythm with Andy Hess was such a pairing, the two melded seamlessly together.  At times, I kept thinking they should be recording this for a live cd release.

I believe that many people’s disconnect with Steve Kimock possibly come from his lack of stage presence.  I feel you on that.  Tthere are times where he literally disappears off the stage for me but he never falters in his sound.  The new generation of music lovers enjoy a hype show, that rager performance, the necessity of dancing and lights, the Chris Loftlin banging his head, Skerik raging in our faces. But with Kimock, well, he just sits on his stool with his glasses propped at the end of his nose dressed in all black, making it look effortless (almost boring as I know some feel).  What you fail to see with this opinion is that he is pulling things off that other guitarists only dream of doing. So, when I watched as Steve Kimock walked to the microphone, busted out a killer smile and began singing Slow Down, which I believe is a Beatles tune, my jaw fell to the ground.  YES, Steve Kimock sang. I couldn’t understand a word he said and that didn’t matter.

Last night’s show was the only time I’ve ever seen him say anything to the audience besides band introductions, and certainly the first time I’ve seen him sing (out of maybe…20 shows?). Even during interviews, he’s incredibly reticent, giving either two word answers, or near-nonsensical ramblings, punctuated by nervous laughter. ~ Josh W.

Second Set: Tangled Hangers, Tongue in Groove, Golden Road, Slow Down

This third and final performance of Steve Kimock’s residency had a distinct flow of comfortableness as a result of the musical experience that radiated off his musical support for the evening. Andy Hess, John Molo and Pete sears showed us how to do things right, putting Kimock on his well-deserved pedestal as they all shined along with him.  And for someone who lacks stage presence during most of his performances, it was a wonderful treat to see Steve Kimock so spirited.

!!!Download Show Here!!!

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Royal Family Records @ Rock N Roll Resort (04.01-03.11)

Posted in Music Festival, Show Review, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 6, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Oh My Goddess aerial performers during Break Science

Oh My Goddess aerial performers during Break Science

The start of festival season is an exciting time in our musical community!  The cold of winter melts off our dancing legs and the anticipation of weekend and week-long non-stop musical events become reality.  For New Yorker’s, the New York festival season kicked off in Kerhonkson, NY on April 1, 2011with the Rock & Roll Resort.

ED "Jesus" Combes (Lettuce)

ED "Jesus" Combes (Lettuce)

There were many acts, but the main acts of the weekend consisted of multiple musical groups from The Royal Family record label.  The members of The Shady Horns, The Sam Kininger Band, The Nigel Hall Band, Break Science, Chapter 2 and Lettuce headlined each night over the three day musical event.

Sam Kininger (The Sam Kininger Band)

Sam Kininger (The Sam Kininger Band)

The different acts brought an amazing array of musical talent and diversity, from the beautiful vocals of The Nigel Hall Band, to the funky grooves of The Sam Kininger Band, Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 as well as Lettuce and the late night beats of Break Science.  The Royal Family left their mark on Rock and Roll Resort 2011 in a deep way.

Eric Krasno (Lettuce & Chapter 2)

Eric Krasno (Lettuce & Chapter 2)

For an in-depth overview of each of these acts, please check out my article for The Royal Family Records website

Use this link – http://www.royalfamilyrecords.com/news/post/royal-family-reigns-rock-n-roll-resort – if link above doesn’t work!

Downloadable Sets:

Eric Krasno & Chapter 2
The Nigel Hall Band
The Sam Kininger Band
Lettuce

————————

And for an in-depth overview of Rock N Roll Resort, please keep your eyes out for the posting on Music Marauders in the next 48 hours! Rage!

Neal Evans (Chapter 2 & Lettuce)

Neal Evans (Chapter 2 & Lettuce)

Chris Loftlin (Chapter 2)

Chris Loftlin (Chapter 2)

Jeffrey Lockhart (The Sam Kininger Band)

Jeffrey Lockhart (The Sam Kininger Band)

Nigel Hall (The Nigel Hall Band)

Nigel Hall (The Nigel Hall Band)

Adam Deitch (Break Science)

Adam Deitch (Break Science)

** Special thanks to Chris Monaghan for photography.  You can check out his phenomenal photography at http://www.monaghanphotography.com **

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April 2011 Music Calendar

Posted in Monthly Show Rundown, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »

April 2011 Music Calendar

Calendar updated daily!

Friday, April 1st, 2011

  • Rock and Roll Resort Music Festival, Kerhonkson, NY
  • (Free with meal) Juan Maclean @ Le Bain
  • ($31-$43) Amos Lee & The Secret Sisters @ Irving Plaza
  • ($43-$123) Anne-Sophie Mutter and Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony @ Avery Fisher Hall (8pm)
  • ($50-$63) Elvis Costello @ Gramercy Theater
  • ($55-$69) The Strokes @ Madison Square Garden

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

  • Rock and Roll Resort Music Festival, Kerhonkson, NY
  • (Free) West African Band @ St. Nick’s Pub (late night)
  • ($8) Assembly of Dust and Moonalice @ Brooklyn Bowl
    • ($5) Van Ghost feat. Jennifer Hartswick @ Brooklyn Bowl (11pm – late night show)
  • ($10) New York Funk Exchange @ The Bitter End (10:30pm Set only)
  • ($10) Turbine @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($10-$12.25) Daedelus @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
  • ($11-$34) Young People’s Concerts: The Ages of Music – Modern @ Avery Fisher Hall (2pm)
    • For Children Ages 6 to 12 Years of Age
  • ($31-$43) Amos Lee & The Secret Sisters @ Irving Plaza
  • ($32-$112) Anne-Sophie Mutter and Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony @ Avery Fisher Hall (8pm)
  • ($50-$62) LCD Soundsystem @ Madison Square Garden
  • ($62-$74) A Prairie Home Companion and Garrison Keillor @ Town Hall

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

  • Rock and Roll Resort Music Festival, Kerhonkson, NY
  • ($10) Avishai Cohen Project w/ Mark Guiliana @ Nublu (10pm set)
  • ($ 30) Chico O’Farrill and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Band @ Birdland NYC
  • ($35-$55) Chamber Music with Anne-Sophie Mutter @ Avery Fisher Hall (3pm)

Monday, April 4th, 2011

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

  • (Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall (late night)
  • ($30) Lee Ritenour @ B.B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($32-$133) The Thomashefskys: Music and Memories of a Life in Yiddish Theater@ Avery Fisher Hall (7:30pm)

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

  • (Free) Gent Treadly @ 11 Street Bar
  • ($10) Apollo Run @ Union Hall
  • ($15) Rebirth Brass Band @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($25) Younger Brother @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($30-$42) Toad To Wet Sprocket @ Irving Plaza
  • ($95-$295) Sondheim’s Company @ Avery Fisher Hall (7:30pm)

Friday, April 8th, 2011

  • ($25-$30) The Hold Steady & Murder By Death @ Terminal 5
  • ($42-$48) Edie Brickell Introduces the Gaddabouts @ Zankel Hall (Carnegie Hall 10:00pm)
  • ($55-$60) Loudon Wainwright III: Naked Soul @ Rubin Museum of Art (7:00pm)
  • ($95-$295) Sondheim’s Company @ Avery Fisher Hall (8:00pm)

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

  • (Free) West African Band @ St. Nick’s Pub (late night)
  • ($8) Kung Fu @ Trash Bar
  • ($45-$60) David Grisman Quintet @ City Winery
  • ($63-$74) A Prairie Home Companion & Garrison Keillor @ Town Hall
  • ($95-$295) Sondheim’s Company @ Avery Fisher Hall (2pm & 8pm)

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

  • ($10) Avishai Cohen Project w/ Mark Guiliana @ Nublu (10pm set)
  • ($10) Benefit for Japan: Jamie Mclean Band (8:30pm)
    • SPHINX (7:00pm)
    • Things They Carried With Them (7:45pm)
    • Jamie Mclean Band (8:30pm)
    • The New Gallery Band of New York (9:15pm)
    • Alan Merrill of The Arrows (10:00pm)
  • ($12) Club d’Elf w/ John Medeski @ Le Poisson Rouge
  • ($25) The Taj Mahal Trio w/ Fredericks Brown @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($30) Chico O’Farrill and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Band @ Birdland NY
  • ($50-$200) Rush @ Madison Square Garden

Monday, April 11th, 2011

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($20-$25) Very Young People’s Concerts – Treble and Bass @ Merkin Concert Hall (10:30am)
  • ($27-$32) KT Tunstall @ Webster Hall
  • ($35-$195) Itzhak Perlman and the Philharmonic@ Avery Fisher Hall (7:30pm)

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

  • (Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall (late night)
  • ($20) Ben Allison Band feat Jason Linder Trio @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($30) Dave Mason @ B.B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($ 200-$5,000) James Taylor at Carnegie Hall: A Gala Celebrating 120 Years of Carnegie Hall
    • Special Guest Artists: Barbara Cook, Steve Martin, Bette Midler, Sting, Dianne Reeves, Members of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus
    • Honorary Artist Committee : Emanuel Ax, Calista Flockhart, Harrison Ford, Yo-Yo Ma, Audra McDonald, Kelly Preston, Tavis Smiley, Regina Spektor, John Travolta, Jay Z

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

  • ($7)  Afro Funky Party w/ Zongo Junction, Top Shotta & DJ Offbeat @ Cameo Gallery
  • ($20) Ben Allison Band feat Jason Linder Trio @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($32-$37) John Oates band feat. Sam Bush @ B.B. Kings Blues Club
  • ($32-$117) Masur Conducts Liszt, Gubaidulina, and Brahms @ Avery Fisher Hall (7:30pm)
  • ($50) Tedeschi & Trucks Band @ Highline Ballroom

Thursday, April 14th, 2011

  • Wanee Music Festival, Live Oaks, FL
  • (Free) Gent Treadly @ East Side Billiards
  • (Suggested Donation) Tall Tall Trees @ Pete’s Candy Store (9:00pm)
  • ($5) Papadosio @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($10) Apollo Run @ Union Hall
  • ($32-$117) Masur Conducts Liszt, Gubaidulina, and Brahms @ Avery Fisher Hall (7:30pm)
  • ($42.50) The Disco Biscuts @ Best Buy Theater

Friday, April 15th, 2011

  • Wanee Music Festival, Live Oaks, FL
  • (Free) Tall Tall Trees @ Rockwood Music Hall
  • (Free) NY Funk Exchange @ Southpaw
  • ($5) Ryan Monteblu Band @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($10) Japan Benefit with Eric Krasno DJing @ Thompson Hotel (9pm) – scattered amongst other DJ slots
  • ($10) Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($10-$12) O’Death @ The Knitting Factory
  • ($15-$18) Future Rock @ Bowery Ballroom
  • ($42.50) The Disco Biscuts @ Best Buy Theater

Saturday, April 16th, 2011

  • SUSHIOKE!!!! Two Year Anniversary – Who’s Ragin???
  • Wanee Music Festival, Live Oaks, FL
  • (Free) Ryan Monteblue Band @ Rockwood Music Hall 2
  • ($5) Yo Mamma’s Big Fat Booty Band and Brother Josephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($10-$12) Spiritual Rez @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($28-$32) Punch Brothers @ Bowery Ballroom
  • ($32-$117) Masur Conducts Liszt, Gubaidulina, and Brahms @ Avery Fisher Hall (8:00pm)
  • ($62-$74) A Prairie Home Companion w/ Garrison Keillor @ Town Hall

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

  • Wanee Music Festival, Live Oaks, FL
  • ($10) Avishai Cohen Project w/ Mark Guiliana @ Nublu (10pm set)
  • ($20-$25) Very Young People’s Concerts – Treble and Bass @ Merkin Concert Hall (12:30pm and 3:00pm)
  • ($30) Chico O’Farrill and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra @ Birdland NYC

Monday, April 18th, 2011

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

  • (Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall (late night)
  • ($10 suggested donation) Mark Guiliana @ Kush NYC
  • ($5) Jam Stampede & Friends @ Brooklyn Bowl
    • Featuring members of the Zen Tricksters: Klyph Black, Tom Circosta, Dave Diamond plus Mike Mizwinski and Freeman White, Special Guests: Mark Karan (Jemimah Puddleduck, Ratdog) and Kenny Brooks (Alphabet Soup, Ratdog)
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($40-$45) An Evening with Cake @Music Hall of Williamsburg
  • ($45) Blue Note Jazz Benefit for Japan featuring Ron Carter, John Scofield, Michel Camilo, Kenny Barron

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

  • ($12) Rubblebucket @ Le Poisson Rouge
  • ($20-$25) Easy Star Allstars & John Brown’s Body @ Highline Ballroom
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($24-$150) James Taylor: Roots @ Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

Thursday, April 21th, 2011

  • ($10) Apollo Run @ Union Hall
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($35-$42) An Evening With Cake @ Terminal 5

Friday, April 22nd, 2011

  • ($10) John Popper and the Duskray Troubadours @ The Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

  • (FREE) Caravan of Thieves @ Erie Basin Park (Earth day Event!)
  • ($10) Beats Antique @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($20-$30) New Mastersounds @ Irving Plaza
  • ($35-40) Jorma Kaukonen + Jack Casady @ Hiro Ballroom

Sunday, April 24th, 2011

  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($25) Tiffany @ B.B. Kings
  • ($ 30) Chico O’Farrill and the Afro-Cuban Jazz Band @ Birdland NYC
  • ($35) “Impulse! Nights”: Ray Charles – Genius + Soul = Jazz Curated by Henry Butler
  • ($40) Harlem Gospel Choir @ B.B. Kings (morning show)
  • ($50-$200) Neil Young and Bert Jansch @ Avery Fish Hall

Monday, April 25th, 2011

  • ($8) Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($50-$200) Neil Young and Bert Jansch @ Avery Fish Hall

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

  • (Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall (late night)
  • ($5) Greensky Bluegrass @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($5-$10) New York Funk Exchange @ Club Groove
  • ($10) Jason Linder Trio @ Zinc Bar
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($25) Femi Kuti  & The Positive Force @ Highline Ballroom
    • W/ Nutritious (opener)
  • ($30-$40) Steve Kuhn Trio with Eddie Gomez & Joey Baron @ Birdland NYC
  • ($40) Emmylou Harris @ Bowery Ballroom

Wednesday, April 27th, 2011

  • (FREE) Nutritious @ Bembe
  • ($10) Jason Linder Trio @ Zinc Bar
  • ($10) Apollo Run @ Union Hall
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($25) Femi Kuti  & The Positive Force @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
  • ($30-$40) Steve Kuhn Trio with Eddie Gomez & Joey Baron @ Birdland NYC
  • ($35-$81) Rush Hour: Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 @ Avery Fisher Hall (6:45pm)

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

  • ($10) Apollo Run @ Union Hall
  • ($10) Jason Linder Trio @ Zinc Bar
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($24) Buffalo Tom @ Bowery Ballroom
  • ($25) Charlie Hunter Duo featuring Bobby Previte @ Jazz Standard
  • ($30-$40) Steve Kuhn Trio with Eddie Gomez & Joey Baron @ Birdland NYC
  • ($35-$123) Alan Gilbert, Emanuel Ax, and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony@ Avery Fisher Hall (7:30pm)

Friday, April 29th, 2011

  • (Free) Mark Guiliana @ Rockwood Music Hall (midnight)
  • ($10-$12.50) American Babies with Joe Russo and Hollis Brown @ Mercury Lounge
  • ($15) Greyboy Allstars @ Brooklyn Bowl
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($25) Max Creek 40th Anniversary with Union Street Preservation Society @ Sullivan Hall
  • ($30) Charlie Hunter Duo featuring Adam Cruz @ The Jazz Standard
  • ($30-$40) Dark Star Orchestra @ Irving Plaza
  • ($30-$40) Steve Kuhn Trio with Eddie Gomez & Joey Baron @ Birdland NYC
  • ($35) Pee Wee Ellis, Larry Willis, & Christian McBride @ Iridium Jazz Club
  • ($35-$123) Alan Gilbert, Emanuel Ax, and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony@ Avery Fisher Hall (2:00pm)

Saturday, April 30th, 2011

  • ($10) Fundimensionals w/ Timbre Coup @ Crash Mansion
  • ($15) Greyboy Allstars @ Brooklyn Bowl (3 sets)
  • ($20-$25) Bill Frisell’s Beautiful Dreamers featuring Eyvind Kang & Rudy Royston @ Village Vanguard
  • ($22) Alejandro Escovedo and The Sensitive Boys @ The Bellhouse
  • ($25-$30) Of Montreal @ Webster Hall
  • ($30)Charlie Hunter Duo featuring Eric Kalb @ Jazz Standard
  • ($30-$40) Steve Kuhn Trio @ Birdland
  • ($35) Shpongle @ Best Buy Theater
  • ($35-$123) Alan Gilbert, Emanuel Ax, and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony@ Avery Fisher Hall (8:00pm)

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