Bowlive IV Night 5 Recap w/ Marco Benevento, David Hidalgo & The Shady Horns : John Medeski, Bill Evans & The Shady Horns
Soulive’s Brooklyn Bowl residency, Bowlive IV, reached it’s fifth night last night. In past years, this would signify the middle of the run and the end of the residency’s first week. However, Soulive has chosen to pack more talent into eight days this year and continue to impress upon us just how talented they truly are. As if we didn’t know already.
The equally impressive power trio and Bowlive alumi, The London Souls, opened with a fury that paralleled Bowlive IV’s previous night openers. Eric Krasno made a point to remind the audience that this is one of his “favorite bands!” That was a powerful statement from a powerful guitarist who sees and appreciates the talent in his peers and a clear invitation to Soulive fans to pay attention. The London Souls are a classic rock band consisting of shredding guitarist Tash O’Neal, drummer Chris St. Hilaire and bassist Stu Mahan. Tash’s sound is reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix; the comparisons are just inevitable. However, as a group, they seamlessly flow from multiple styles while improvising styles all with undertones of pure Rock ‘n Roll! Their wickedly expansive sound, something every power trio hopes to accomplish, shone through vibrantly in their performance of originals “Old Country Road,” “Easier Said Than Done,” and the old-timey tune “Bobby James.” The audience rocked out to AC/DC’s “Long Way To The Top” and The Souls closed their set with a rousing cover of Frank Zappa’s “Apostrophe.” So much to say, so little time.
The London Souls Set List:
Lucille Cover
Under Control
All Tied Down
Old Country Road
Honey → Long Way To The Top (AC/DC)
Bobby James
Some Day
Easier Said Than Done
I Think I Like It
Apostrophe (Frank Zappa)
Many times, the relationship between Soulive and their guests is one that has been cultivated in New York City, in front of Soulive fans who get to witness local musical guest sit-ins during local shows. Last night’s first guest, avant-garde pianist and organist Marco Benevento, a long-time NYC resident now living in Woodstock, is a Bowlive alum that fit this category. Benevento adds an element of improvisational psychedelia and locks right into the groove of every tune he touches with a specific experimental jazzy sound that defines his music. Soulive, with the help of the Shady Horns, churned out “El Ron” and teased Bob Marley’s “WAR” before a crushing “Reverb.” Saxophonist James Casey, Baritone saxophonist Ryan Zoidis and trumpeter Eric Bloom went into a hot, circular jam session, just the three of them, before Benevento joined the stage for another Soulive original “Upright.” Benevento made his presence known with an extended face-melting solo of his own. He remained on stage for the rest of the set, seamlessly layering his sound amongst the trio’s for “Swamp E” and The Beatles cover, “Revolution.” As much as Benevento is known for his own amazing techniques and stand alone performances, he is also part of a wonderful Led Zeppelin tribute band, Bustle In Your Hedgerow, which New York jam band music fans fawn over. So, when Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” began, Benevento fans and beyond went ballistic and everyone’s musical taste buds were satisfied.
Set I:
El Ron
Reverb
Upright (w/ Marco)
Swamp E (w/ Marco)
Revolution (Beatles cover w/ Marco)
The Ocean (Led Zeppelin cover w/ Marco)
The second set came quick as the excitement of the next guest was something that could hardly be contained by the members of Soulive. Los Lobos guitarist David Hildalgo came out on stage and became the newest musician to join the Bowlive roster. Granted, he snuck into a few tunes the previous night but now was his time to shine. For those of you who don’t know, Hildalgo is a world renowned guitarist who has played on albums of Buckwheat Zydeco, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, Gov’t Mule, and even G. Love and Special Sauce. The list of collaborations goes on as does Hildalgo’s ability to play multiple instruments and styles. However, tonight, his vocals and guitar skills would be the highlight of the second set. Soulive performed “Shaheed” alone before Hildalgo picked up his guitar and walked out to a screaming audience. He veered completely off the setlist and performed a fantastic version of Traffic’s “Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring.” The energy on stage was magnetic and the foursome pushed the boundaries of memorable Bowlive collaborations to the limit with Hendrix’s “3rd Stone From the Sun,” and Los Lobo’s tunes, “Dream in Blue” and “Chains of Love.” The Shady Horns threw out killer solos amongst the jams and a highlight of the evening was watching Hildalgo and Krasno trade licks off each other for Jerry Garcia’s “West LA Fade Away.” The tie between Garcia comes from Hildalgo writing “Evangeline,” which the Jerry Garcia Band covered regularly. Hildalgo and Jerry played together on numerous occasions and had a huge respect for one another’s playing. The musicianship on stage was outstanding and the set was pure fire. It’s impossible to replay into words sometimes and for those who were present, they know what I am talking about!
Finally, last evening’s encore could easily rank high in Bowlive History as one of the best. It wasn’t just an encore…It was a “Neil-Core”: Soulive ended the night with a Neil Young medley for the ages, touching on three distinctly different parts of Neil Young’s career. There could not have had a better supporting cast of guitarists to bring the screeching Neil Young chords to life with David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) and Tash Neil (The London Souls) on stage alongside Eric Kranso. The first song in the Neil medley was “Ohio,” a political song written by Neil Young about the 1970 Kent State shootings and the protest movement that it helped shape. “Ohio” was followed up by a spirited version of “Down by the River,” a tune Neil Young and Crazy Horse played on the album Everybody Knows This is Nowhere. Alan Evans, who was lending his drum kit to The London Souls’ Chris St. Hilaire, shared the vocals on that tune with Tash O’Neal. Seeing Alan in the middle of the stage with a microphone in his hand was new and fun. He seemed to be having a blast. Soulive went even deeper into the Neil Young catalog by playing “For What It’s Worth,” another powerful protest song written by Neil’s band mate in the Buffalo Springfield, Stephen Stills. These three songs forced those remaining at the Brooklyn Bowl into a dancing frenzy of happiness.
Set II:
Shaheed
Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring (Traffic cover)
Dream of Love (Los Lobos Cover) >
3rd Stone From the Sun (Jimi Hendrix cover)
Chains of Love (Los Lobos cover)
Revolution (The Beatles cover)
West LA Fade Away (Grateful Dead cover)
Stone Free (Jimi Hendrix cover)
-Encore-
Ohio (CSNY)
Down By the River (Neil Young and Crazy Horse)
For What it’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield)
Sure, it was Wednesday night and the audience was weary from dancing their legs off the previous nights, but true music fans love hearing famous covers performed by their favorite bands. Soulive has been consistently banging out tight versions of their own originals but it’s the rousing covers of popular classic rock songs that brought the jam band crowd of the Brooklyn Bowl to their Nirvana last night. These collaborations also feed the members of Soulive. Marco Benevento and David Hildalgo expanded the consciousness of Soulive last night and the audience was just in awe.
Tonight’s guests will include organ wizard (and possibly a regular wizard as well) John Medeski and saxophonist Bill Evans along w/The Shady Horns. Because Brooklyn Bowl is hosting a fundraiser for The Brooklyn Nets this afternoon, so there isn’t an opener tonight. Doors will open at 8p with Soulive on close to 9p. On to the next one……
($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
($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
What if someone called you and told you that you could see Elton John for $9? Would your jaw drop? Would you ask “Where’s the catch?” Or would you just say “GET ME A TICKET!” and ask questions later? I did all of the above. That is what happens when you are told that tickets were on sale to see Elton John and Leon Russell at the Beacon Theater and they were on Stubhub.com for $9. UNREAL!!
John & Russell's The Union
Elton John and Leon Russell, both monster names in the music industry, have come together on a collaborative CD called The Union which just came out on October 19, 2010. So, as if it couldn’t get more unreal, I spend most of the day of the performance sitting at my work desk thinking I was going to see ONLY these two perform songs from their new album and perhaps catch some oldies from each. Time for the second shock!! This time a note telling me that the duet performance of these two had been held the day before. My heart sinks for a minute as I thought we had purchased bunk tickets. But no…it’s better then we could have dreamed.
The Revue title had me a little confused for a moment but it was all made clear over the course of the performance. Davis Guggenheim’s documentary Waiting for “Superman” is a film that follows several students though the American public educational system and analyzes the failures within the system. T-Bone Burnett was so moved by his viewing of the movie and its message touched him so deeply that he put together this REVUE in order to raise awareness to the issues and to the film. The proceeds of the night went to The Participant Foundation in support of including music and arts education in public school systems.
Jay Bellerose – Drums
Jackson Smith – Guitar
Dennis Crouch – Bass
Russ Paul – Pedal Steel Guitar
Marc Ribot – Guitar, Electric Mandolin
Mike Compton – Mandolin
John Mellencamp
We walked into The Beacon, walked up to the top level and sat down. We were many rows away but could see the stage clearly and for $9 there was no complaining. As we walked in, I immediately recognized the voice of John Mellencamp. Coming in at the end of the first song, I believe called “The West End,” he continued on to tell us a story about his dying grandmother.
John Mellencamp
She called him Buddy and one night, she asked him to pray with her. As they prayed she cried: “Lord, Buddy and I are ready to go.”John said, but Grandma, I’m not ready to die. Her response: “Life is short, even in its longest days.” And with that, Mellencamp goes into his popular tune “Longest Days”. The song’s lyrics, that at this moment speaks to me so deeply. Beautiful lyrics and Mellencamp, alone with his guitar and his voice sang it beautifully into our ears.
Seems like once upon a time ago / I was where I was supposed to be / My vision was true and my heart was too / There was no end to what I could dream ~ John Mellencamp
Elvis Costello - MC for the night
He walked off the stage and it took me only a second to realize that Elvis Costello, in that signature hat, had walked out to replace him and greet the audience. Elvis Costello would be our MC for the night. He immediately welcomed to the stage The Secret Sisters.
The Secret Sisters
These two raven haired ladies with their bright red lips bust out into the purest version of Johnny Cash’s “Big River” that I had ever heard. Their voices were golden. Angelic. I was awe struck within the first few notes and as I hear my girlfriend to my right take in a gasping breath, I knew the notes were hitting her ears the same way as they were hitting mine. Simply magnificent voices.
There is something that must be said about a singing duo of blood relatives. Similar to the Avett Brothers, they have hauntingly beautiful and pure tones, their voices melting together unlike any other group I can recall. Jackson Smith, the son of rockers Patti Smith and Fred (Sonic) Smith, wailed around on his guitar.
The Secret Sisters + Punch Brothers + some
Secret Sisters & Punch Brothers
It was at this point that I attempted to make out who the 15+ piece band was backing the singers this night. After a little research the band was comprised of house & studio musicians that had worked with T-Bone on various musical productions. During “Big River“, The Punch Brothers provided the beautiful string background, melting seamlessly with the Sisters voices. With the grungy, deep drums in the background, it was an innocent part of the performance that has stuck with me such every day since I heard them sing. I can’t praise them enough. As the song ends, one of the sisters proclaims: “I hope Johnny Cash isn’t rolling over in his grave.”
The Secret Sisters + Punch Brothers + some
And then we were delivered a soaring rendition of Bill Monroe’s “The One I Love Is Gone.’’ Their voices digging deeper into my soul, sounding much like the sirens from O Brother, Where Art Thou. Reminiscent of purity that only Alison Kruass has ever been able to reach. This video isnt from the show but I wanna pug them again cause they are beautiful.
And with that, out walks Jeff Bridges with his guitar. If I had to pick a weak link in the performance, this would be it. I can barely make out what Jeff Bridges says when he is speaking. Now try to make out what the guy is saying when he is singing. It was pretty hard to do. By the second verse of Fallin’ & Flyin’, a song from the Crazy Heart Soundtrack, Elvis Costello and T-Bone Burnett had joined the song. At least I could understand the words now hahaha.
“It’s funny how falling feels like flying….only for a little while.” ~
Before his next song, Jeff speaks about the Crazy Heart Soundtrack and working on fixing the schools. Jeff Bridges exits and Elvis Costello states that “we have a long way to go, a long way to go folks. We don’t know what is going to happen or who is going to turn up.”
Jim James
So, speaking like that, he made it sound as if there might be any number of surprise artist floating around backstage. This wasn’t the case and that kinda urked my nerves. However, I suppose that was Elvis‘s way of introducing Jim James of My Morning Jacket because the young guitarist walked out to the dimly lit stage and joined Elvis in Wonderful (The Way I Feel). Jim James was then left alone with his guitar for a solo rendition of Look At You. This set was one of my favorite of the night. It was juts simple, poetic, clean and you could hear a pin drop among the audience.
Gregg Allman
Elvis Costello back on stage again thanking Jim James and calling him “a shy guy from My Morning Jacket. Then he begins introducing some one “who has performed here more times in this theater then all the other artist combined. Please welcome Gregg Allman!” The place ERUPTED. Honestly, the majority of the people in the venue were Mule Heads. That was made clear as day after he began walking on stage. The yelling, screaming, howling Gregg Allman‘s name…super fans were in the house.
Gregg Allman
With a 12 musicians backing him, Gregg Allman sang a lovely version of Eric Clapton‘s Floating Bridge. There was a lovely fiddle solo and the washboard stood out. The following song was Savoy Brown‘s Train to Nowhere where the horns I had been seeing in the background finally came alive. Tight but not overpowering. Nothing like a funk horn section but still noticeable and adding a musical level to the country vibe that I enjoyed.
Gregg, one of the few artists allowed more then two songs per set, continued on into Blind Boy Fuller‘s Pistol Slapper Blues before he stopped to change his guitar. He says, “I’m gonna do an old song for you” as he went into a beautiful solo guitar rendition of Midnight Rider.
He OWNED that song, Man-o-man!! Another highlight of my night. He sang that song exactly as one might want to hear it sung. Not because of the music, but because of his voice. Gregg ended to a loud applause and states: “We will be back in March” as he exits the stage.
INTERMISSION
Marc Ribot
After intermission, T-Bone Burnett himself comes out to the stage to fill the role of MC as he announces Marc Ribot out to perform Don’t Blame Me. A simply beautiful, wordless tune played through a guitar that sang so lovely. Unsure of who wrote it! Anyone?
As quickly as he exited, T-Bone Burnett was back on stage to announce Elvis Costello‘s set. Elvis proclaims, “This is what we imagine Rock ‘n’ Roll would sound like in the 1920’s” as he goes into A Slow Drag with Josephine with the help of The Secret Sisters and Karen Elson. Lovely! Elvis Costello‘s upcoming album, “National Ransom,” was the source of many of the songs he chose to sing during his set, I just didn’t recognize them as the music hasn’t been released yet haha.
Elvis Costello
As The Secret Sisters exit, Costello continues on thanking us for supporting the cause as musical education is so important. Unsure of the next song’s title, it was from a yet to be released album filled with trumpets and strings. Elvis was on his mandolin and the song had a acoustic jazzy country swagger to it reminding me slightly of Caravan of Thieves. And finally, Karen Elson, wife of Jack White of the White Stripes, was invited back out to vocally support Elvis during Walking Man Blues.
Elvis Costello, Karen Elson and someone else
John Mellencamp was back on stage with Karen Elson to sing Mellencamp‘s “Troubled Land.” But it was the next song that became my favorite Mellencamp moment that night. “Save Some Time to Dream” was a positive, wonderful solo guitar performance with beautiful lyrics. And as a single spot light lit him up, he sang:
Save some time to dream Save some time for yourself Don’t let your time slip away Or be stolen by somebody else Save some time for those you love For they’ll remember what you gave Save some time for the songs you sing And the music that you’ve made
With monstrous applause, Mellencamp ended his set as the lights darkened around him. Elvis Costello was revealed as the lights went up to announce an epically famous name within the country music community. “I made sure to teach m children to love and respect this man,” proclaimed Costello.
Dr. Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanely, the last of his kind and wearing a raging sparkly jacket, walked to the center of the stage and approached the microphone. Backed simply by James Shelton on guitar and an unknown on stand up bass (possibly a Punch Brothers??), claps and yells abounded as Mr. Stanely went into a folk song for which I sadly missed the name. For his second song, the strings stopped playing and Ralph Stanely projected the gospel song “Lift Him Up” so beautifully. Stars lit up behind him as the stage changed it’s set up for his set.
Ralph Stanley
I am not a country fan but it is impossible to deny any major musical influence on the music we listen to. Jerry Garcia, himself, was such a bluegrass head, a jug band kind of mind. Being that there are so many veins of country music, I can’t help but embrace it all, even while I cringe through a few songs. The twang of Stanely‘s voice didn’t hurt my ears tonight. It was lovely.
Stanely starts discussing how he has been singing the next song for 64 years. He still isn’t sure who ever really got credited with writing it. And so went into “Man of Constant Sorrow” while James Shelton raged a lovely guitar solo. Wow, that voice, so country, so grounding.
T-Bone Burnett discusses Waiting for "Superman"
The Punch Brothers
T-Bone Burnett comes out on the stage again and describes Waiting for “Superman.” Go back to the top to learn about it all if you have skipped to the good music stuff 😉 However, I am sure you are more interested into The Punch Brothers. I know I was! The Punch Brothers were brought out and just slammed into your face with their raging bluegrass strings acoustic goodness…UGH!!! It was so fast, like country rapping with yodeling mixed into the music. At one point, As all this is going down, stage hands began to set in place two pianos, one slightly bigger then the other. My heart was pounding so fast. Just seeing a piano enter a stage, I sometimes get shivers, my breath gets faster…like a complete upper has entered my body. I am COMPLETELY addicted to pianos. It’s a deep rooted addiction stemming from my father playing piano every night after dinner in my house. So special. We were in for a treat.
T-Bone Burnett discusses Waiting for "Superman"
Leon Russel
The time had finally come. The two men I had been waiting for all night. The two men who’s show I thought I would be seeing earlier that night in first place. Out walks Leon Russell, his silver mane glowing in the lights. What a master. What a treat I was being delivered AND FOR $9 BUCKS!!! Elton John followed close behind, both sitting at their respective pianos.
Tonight, Elton John and Leon Russell would be performing songs off their new cd, The Union. Their first pick was the first song off the cd, “If It Wasn’t For Bad,” written by Leon Russell ad sang by both tonight. The pianos came alive so deeply, they were immediately above par for many piano players I had ever seen live.
Elton John and Leon Russell
Behind the duel pianos was a full house band, a horn section and four soulful backup singers who were so full of life. I was drawn to one singer in particular who’s name I THINK is Lisa Stone. Sadly, I couldn’t catch their names when, at the end of the night, Elvis Costello threw everyone’s names out at warp speed. The drums were deep and powerful and the horn section ripped it. This was the set we had all waited for and they were delivering right out he hatch.
Elton John and Leon Russell
Elton John
The second song, I believe, was called “Gone to Shiloh.” Russ Paul’s pedal steel guitar solo was superb and there were no horns for this song. The twelfth song off their studio album, “Hearts Have Turned to Stone,” was next. It was a beautiful dueling piano tune and the backup singers were classic. “Monkey Suit,” was next with Elton John on vocals, Leon Russell on lead piano. “Hey Ahab” was the last song picked from album and delivered to the audience. Awesome!
Elton John and Leon Russell
Leon Russell
The energy in this show was nothing compared to many shows that I attend, but the magic of it all wasn’t lost on me. This was too cool. I may never get to see Elton John again being that he could sell out MSG in a matter of minutes for $100 tickets. Here we were, seeing him in a barely filled theater with numerous other artists for such a minimal price. it was blowing my mind.
Elvis Costello came out and began his goodbyes. he blasted out the name of the horn sections, backup vocalists and the full house band so quickly! I was a bit frustrated about but alas. (If there is anyone I have forgotten to mention that oyu notice please let me know!)
Elvis Costello Giving it up to the piano men!
There was no encore really. Instead, as all the musicians on stage that night gathered one by one, they sang “There’s No Tomorrow.” T-Bone Burnett, lacking in view most of the night but his presence being ever present in each song’s note, joined the stage to a furry of handshakes and a standing ovation.
It was a simple night filled with a powerful energy all it’s own. I spent a lovely night in my seat watching fabulous music meant to bring awareness to a meaningful documentary. For $9, the night will never be forgotten. What a treat. I can’t wait to frame my poster 🙂
Royal Family After Party with Breakscience @ Cameo
Sunday, October 3rd, 2010
I suggest lots of sleep after The Royal Family Ball 😉
Monday, October 4th, 2010
($8) Jim Campilongo@ The Living Room
($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
(Free) Dred Scott Trio & THE BRIDGE @ Rockwood Music Hall
(Free) Mavis Staples @ Late Show with David Letterman
($32) Faith Evans @B.B. King Blues Club and Grill
($80 – $250) Roger Waters: The Wall Live @ Madison Square Garden
($25) Peter Yorn @ Bowery Ballroom
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
(??) Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds @ Southpaw
(Free) Mavis Staples @ Colbert Report (TV)
($10) D.V.S. @ Club Love
($12.25) The EGG plus Sonic Spank @ Mercury Lounge
($20) Davell Crawford @ The Jazz Standard
($80 – $250) Roger Waters: The Wall Live @ Madison Square Garden
($35 – $50) Mavis Staples – “You are Not Alone” – Album Release presented by WFUV @ City Winery
($10) Mattson, Barraco & Friends @ Sullivan Hall
Jeff Mattson (DSO, Donna Jean Godchaux Band, Zen Tricksters) , Rob Barraco (DSO, Phil & Friends, Zen Tricksters) , Jason Crosby (Robert Randolph, Susan Tedeschi, Zen Tricksters) , Joe Chirco (Donna Jean Godchaux Band, David Nelson Band, Zen Tricksters) with opening act Easy Over
($44 – $128) Joshua Bell Performs Sibelius @ Avery Fisher Hall
Thursday, October 7th, 2010
(Free) Gorillaz @ The Late Show with David Letterman
($5) ?uestlove DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
($10) Underground Horns “Big Beat” CD release Party @ Nublu
($10) Live Band Tribute to A Tribe Called Quest w/ Alphabet Soup @ Sullivan Hall
($10 – $27) Rosanna Cash @ Kaufmann Concert Hall
Upon the publication of Composed, Ms. Cash sits down for a conversation about her life in music.
($28.50 – $33.50) The Hold Steady @ The Beacon Theater
($30) Gil Scott-Heron @ B.B. Kings
($35) Fountains of Wayne @ Bowery Ballroom
($32 – $117) Joshua Bell, Debussy, Sibelius, and Lindberg @ Avery Fisher Hall
Friday, October 8th, 2010
(Free?) Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds @ Rockwood Music Hall 2
($5) Big Sam’s Funky Nation @ Brooklyn Bowl
Opener: Ikebe Shakedown
($10) Solange DJ Set @ Midnight
($20) Jackie Green @ Bowery Ballroom
($25) The Subdudes @ B.B. Kings
($35) Moe @ Beacon Theater
($35-$45) The Jazz Gallery Rent Jam hosted by Roy Hargrove @ City Winery (late Night)
($32 – $117) Joshua Bell, Debussy, Sibelius, and Lindberg @ Avery Fisher Hall
($50-$125) Gorillaz & Mos Def @ Madison Square Garden
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
(Free) Private Party @ Sullivan Hall w/ Lo & Aaron (GSW), Leroy Justice and Jaik Miller
($10-$12) Bustle In Your Hedgerow feat. Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz and Scott Metzger @ Brooklyn Bowl
($25) Mago – John Medeski & Billy Martin @ Rocks Off Cruise
Sunday, October 10th, 2010
($20) Corrosion of Conformity @ Highline Ballroom
Monday, October 11th, 2010
($8) Jim Campilongo@ The Living Room
($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
($65 – $165) Mary J. Blige @ Radio City Music Hall
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
(Free) Dred Scott Trio & THE BRIDGE @ Rockwood Music Hall
(Free) My Morning Jacket @ The Late Show w/ David Letterman
(Free) REEFER MOVIE MADNESS: THE ULTIMATE STONER FILM GUIDE BOOK RELEASE PARTY @ Brooklyn Bowl
($32 – $117) Joshua Bell, Debussy, Sibelius, and Lindberg @ Avery Fisher Hall
($65 – $165) Mary J. Blige @ Radio City Music Hall
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
(Free) My Morning Jacket @ Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon
($7) Afro Funky Party w/ Zongo Junction, Top Shotta & DJ Offbeat @ Cameo Gallery
($10) R+D with Savoy (DJ), D.V.S*, NUTRITIOUS, MUNcee superjam and Mad Hatter @ Club Love
($10) Jessica Lurie Ensemble @ Brooklyn Lyceum
($12) Dawoud – Renegade Sufi Sitar! @ The Theater for the New City
($25) Ingrid Michaelson @ Best Buy Theater (Formally Nokia Theatre)
($32.59 – $39.50) The Avett Brothers @ Radio City Music Hall
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
(Free) Ben Folds @ Late Night w/ Jimmy Falon
($5) ?uestlove DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
($10) Dred Scott Trio @ 55 Bar
($10) Apollo Run @ Union Hall
($25) Tom Tom Club @ Santos House Party
W/ Caravan of Thieves and The Tony Castles
($40 – $138) Pinchas Zukerman, Webern, and Brahms@ Avery Fisher Hall (NYPHIL)
Friday, October 15th, 2010
($5) The Trifect @ Sullivan Hall – FUUUUUSION!!!!
($5) M80 Dubstation Feat. Jon Gutwillig from The Disco Biscuits @ Brooklyn Bowl
($5) Brother Josephus & Josh Phillips Folk Festival @ Brooklyn Bowl
($36.20) Citizen Cope @ Terminal 5
($30-$45) Dar Williams & Toshi Reagon – Many Great Companions Tour @ City Winery
($32.50 – $35) John Hammond @ Rubin Museum of Art
($40 – $138) Pinchas Zukerman, Webern, and Brahms@ Avery Fisher Hall (NYPHIL)
Saturday, October 16th, 2010
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nicks, Harlem
($10) Tom Tom Club @ Brooklyn Bowl
($35 – $40) Air Supply @ B.B. Kings
($30-$45) Dar Williams & Toshi Reagon – Many Great Companions Tour @ City Winery
($36.20) Citizen Cope @ Terminal 5
($40 – $138) Pinchas Zukerman, Webern, and Brahms@ Avery Fisher Hall (NYPHIL)
($12) Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves @ Le Poisson Rouge
($25) UP ON THE RIDGE – Dierks Bentley @ Southpaw
@ Southpaw
($47.50) My Morning Jacket @ Terminal 5
($50-$90) Thievery Corporation @ Beacon Theater
(Starting @ $50) “A Celebration of Paul Newman’s Hole In The Wall Camps” @ Avery Fisher Hall @ Lincoln Center
Performances Will Feature a Line-Up of GRAMMY® Winning Musicians Including Hilary Hahn, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, John Mellencamp, Keb’ Mo’ and Stevie Wonder With Appearances by Bill Cosby and Renee Zellweger
Friday, October 22nd, 2010
(Free) The London Souls @ The Brooklyn Academy of Music
($20 – $25) THE MONSTER MASH –> Fort Knox Five @ The Electric Warehouse w/ Woody McBride and Larry Tea
($25) Yonder Mountain String Band @ Best Buy Theatre (Formally Nokia Theater)
($47.50) My Morning Jacket @ Terminal 5
($50-$90) Thievery Corporation @ Beacon Theater
($60 – SOLD OUT) Phish @ Providence, RI @ Dunkin Donuts Center
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
(Free) West African Band @ St. Nick’s Pub
(Free) Apollo Run @ Rockwood Music Hall 1
(Free) Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds @ Rockwood Music Hall 2
(Free) Kings of Leon @ Saturday Night Live (TV)
($10) The Breakfast @ Crash Mansion
($35-$60) Jakob Dylan @ City Winery
($40 – $100) Cheech and Chong @ The Beacon Theater
($42 – $48) Indigo Girls @ Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall
($47.50) My Morning Jacket @ Terminal 5
($60 – SOLD OUT) Phish @ Amhurst, MA @ Mullins Center
Sunday, October 24th, 2010
($8) Apollo Run @ Pianos
($35-$60) Jakob Dylan @ City Winery
($50 – $113) Steve Miller Band @ Beacon Theater
($60 – SOLD OUT) Phish @ Amhurst, MA @ Mullins Center
Monday, October 25th, 2010
(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ The Delancey
(Free) Kings of Leon @ Late Show with David Letterman (TV)
($8) Jim Campilongo@ The Living Room
($25) Mingus Orchestra @ The Jazz Standard
($35-$60) Jakob Dylan @ City Winery
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
(Free) The Bridge @ Rockwood Music Hall
(Free) Dred Scott Trio @ Rockwood Music Hall
($10) Talib Kewli @ Brooklyn Bowl
($40) Bad Religion @ Irving Plaza
Wednesday, October 27th, 2010
($??) Chico Mann @ Santos House Party
($25 – $35) Ollabelle @ City Winery
($25 – $153) Yo Yo Ma & Kathryn Scott @ Carnegie Hall
($40) Bad Religion @ Irving Plaza
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
($5) ?uestlove DJ Set @ Brooklyn Bowl
($10) The Mother Hips @ The Brooklyn Bowl
w/ Sean Walsh & The National Reserve
($20) Trouble & Bass @ Santos House Party
Ninja Tune XX (anniversary party): Amon Tobin, Kid Koala, DJ Food & DK, Poirier Toddla T & Serocee, DJ Kentaro, Eskmo
($42) Michael Franti & Spearhead @ Terminal 5
($50 – $90) Styx @ The Beacon Theatre
($70-$80) Deadmau5 @ Roseland Ballroom
Friday, October 29th, 2010
(FREE??) Dred Scott @ Smalls Jazz Club
($10) The Macpodz @ Sullivan Hall
($15) The Toasters & the Pietasters @ B.B. Kings Blues Club
($30) Ok Go @ Terminal 5
($37) Railroad Earth with Donna the Buffalo @ Irving Plaza
($40) Guster @ The Beacon Theater
($60 – SOLD OUT) Phish @ Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
($70-$80) Deadmau5 @ Roseland Ballroom
Saturday, October 30th, 2010
($10) Jimkata, Papadosio and D.V.S. @ Sullivan Hall
($36) Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams @ The Gramercy Theater
($36-$40) Cypress Hill @ Besy Buy Theater (Formally Nokia Theatre)
($60 – SOLD OUT) Phish @ Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
($70-$80) Deadmau5 @ Roseland Ballroom
Sunday, October 31st, 2010
($24) The Felice Brothers @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
($50) The Black Crowes @ Best Buy Theater (Formally Nokia Theatre)
($60 – SOLD OUT) Phish @ Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall
What a week! My third trip to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) was nothing short of incredible. The surprises were many, the disappointments were few, the food was awesome, and when you get to hear some of the best music in the world in one the most important musical towns in the world, you’re in for a good time.
2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival takes place over the last weekend of April and first weekend in May at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, but, like most parties in this town, can’t be contained in one venue, so Fest spills out in the clubs, halls, restaurants, bars, record stores, boats, coffee houses, laundromats, Carnival float warehouses, street corners and empty lots of the Crescent City. Two things set Jazz Fest apart from other festivals in my mind – the musical diversity and the food.
Photo by Marisa Harford
While heavy metal, pop, opera, classical aren’t there, and quality hip hop is not so represented (The Roots and Chali 2na were both here in 2008, haven’t seen a hip hop group I like since at the fairgrounds), some of the very best in Jazz, Funk, Blues, Gospel, Zydeco, Cajun, Folk, Rock are all over the place at the fairgrounds and in the venues around town. Ani DiFranco and Gift of Gab played club shows, members of REM sat in with Bonerama, Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello, Simon and Garfunkel, Van Morrison all played at the fairgrounds, so don’t be fooled into thinking this is solely a Jazz festival, because it ain’t. Sure, there are 3 different jazz stages at the fairgrounds (one for general jazz, one for traditional New Orleans Dixieland Jazz, and one split between brass bands and Mardi Gras Indians) but there are also two main stages, a gospel and blues tents, a zydeco/Cajun stage… you get the idea.
Prejean's pheasant, quail and andouille gumbo (Photo by Prejean's Restaurant)
The food at the fairgrounds is tremendous. It is freaking delicious and goes way beyond “best festival food you’ll have” into some of the best you’ll ever have…period. I wait all year for Prejeans Pheasant, Duck, and Andouille Gumbo. Their Fried Chicken and Jambalaya combo is one of the best ways to spend $8. And I’m not even talking about all the things most folks seem to like, like the crawfish monica, the shrimp po boys, the cochon de lait sandwiches, the mango freezes… trust me when I say you should budget yourself 20 bucks per day for food at the fairgrounds. You’ll thank me.
Photo By Lynn Lesh
This being my third Jazz Fest, I tend to have a rhythm I like to follow, things I like to do. Some of my favorite moments of Fest have happened during the in between days or extra days, so I tend to do second weekend with an extra day or two on either end of the weekend. This gives me time to actually see the city, something I don’t really do as much while the music is in full swing. This also gives me a chance to catch additional great music at various places, including the Louisiana Music Factory which hosts many in store sets during the days surrounding Fest. I think this review works best chronologically, so let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
Welcome to NOLA
Wednesday: April 28, 2010: Day One
Arrive at airport, no traffic on Bronx/Queens Expressway and breeze through security line… only to find a gate full of ANGRY people. Why so serious? You see, the airlines don’t apparently know that it is Jazz Fest, even if millions of people do. So they oversell flights, and are shocked when they need 5 volunteers to go later, but folks already have reservations and concert tickets. I considered getting bumped, but wanted to get to town.
House of Blues, New Orleans
I don’t normally do House of Blues shows, would rather support local clubs. But today, they had Kermit Ruffins of the Barbecue Swingers, doing a “Treme House Party” on stage with Walter Wolfman Washington, Dr. Michael White, Henry Butler, and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. This sounded awesome. Plus, Fesshead Krewe (represented by a metal bust of Professor Longhair) was hosting a party in an empty lot, with The Rebirth Brass Band and an all star band of Neville-related project alums (Band called “Never Was Brothers”), which sounded great. So no flight credit for me. Really excited about this House of Blues‘ show. So excited that I call after I land to see if I should get tickets early or just walk up. The box office suggested coming early so I head right from my host’s place towards The French Quarter. On the way, pass by Fesshead Fest, and never have a received a look of utter betrayal like the one I got from the man waiving people in to Fesshead Fest. The guy was shocked that I kept driving, how could I do this to him?! But I stopped long enough to hear The Rebirth Brass Band rock out one tune and was it hot!
Café Du Monde's Beignets (Photo by Marisa Harford)
Park on Decatur, run to the box office, snag a ticket, stop by Café Du Monde for some beignets (French donuts with powdered sugar) and some Café Au Lait (coffee with milk). Great couple musicians jamming on some folk and soul music out front, a sister with dreads on guitar, a youngish guy on guitar, a drummer… another guitarist walks up and joins them, as does a singer, who starts singin’ the hell out of some Bill Withers. I love Bill Withers. Hey, apparently, so does Cyril Neville, who’s suddenly standing five feet from me, also checking them out. I decide not to say anything to him, even though he’s an amazing musician who’s done some amazing stuff, most recently touring with Galactic and burning down The Brooklyn Bowl after The Saints won the Super Bowl. Another woman walks up and starts singing Aretha Franklin‘s “Chain of Fools” and is fantastic. This is gonna be a good week.
Go hang with my host for a few moments before I head over the House of Blues, he’s an old friend through social justice work and is a good dude trying to good work in a city that needs it. Off to HOB!
Kermit's Poster (Photo by Matt Cornell)
Show review:
This show had all the makings of an epic, but some things worried me – like why call it a “Treme House Party” when people can go see Kermit Ruffins playing in the Treme tomorrow night? It’s Jazz Fest. My guess is that lineup doesn’t need to piggy back off the show, even if it is popular. Great opening act, singer and a guitarist accompanying. Great voice, insane Mariah Carey-like upper range. But the main event was a disappointment, for a few reasons:
1) The curtain opened and we were watching a ‘Treme House Party’. The stage was set with couches, chairs, a bar, and random non musicians hangin’ out, having drinks. Weird. The House of Blues brings you a fake version of something that exists for real a couple miles away tomorrow.
Trombone Shorty @ Kermit's Show (Photo by Matt Cornell)
2) I had hoped there would be some real interaction between the guests, with each other, with Kermit. But the show was a lot more of Kermit plays one song, special guest X leads The Barbeque Swingers for a few numbers, maybe Kermit joins on one, then special guest X leaves. LAME. Don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t actually lame, the musicianship was fantastic, but the vibe was off, and Kermit having a drink on stage, trumpet in hand, while someone else leads his band and doesn’t get in on it? Weird stuff.
3) Because of 1 and 2, things were low energy for the first half, which is a shame b/c Walter Wolfman Washington and Dr. Michael White were great. But Henry Butler really kicked things up a notch with his cover of “Mustang Sally.” Then Trombone Shorty’s mini set was also great and he brought his brother James Andrews out to do “Skokie” and “Oop Oop A Doo.”
Treme on HBO
4) I’m sure Treme is awesome. I can’t wait to see the series, actually. And I very much dig John Boutte, the guy who wrote the song that became the theme. Still, it sounds a lot like the beginning to “Do Whatcha Wanna“, and I got very excited the four times I heard it this weekend, only to be disappointed. My guess is musicians in NOLA will be as tired of that song as they are of “The Saints” very soon.
I know folks say that bad sex and pizza, even when they’re bad, are pretty good. But whoever said those things must clearly not know good pizza and good sex, because pretty good doesn’t freaking cut it when it could be mind blowing. While pretty good, and probably great for folks who didn’t know they could expect more, this show was probably the disappointment of the weekend. It could have been one of those crazy moments of synergy when brilliant musicians make something happen, but instead it was a weird, gimmicky thing that was more like an all-star review than the party I had hoped for.
Irvin Mayfield and the NOJO Jam
Next up, I stopped by the Jam Session at Irvin Mayfield’s new place, called a “head cutting session.” For y’all don’t know, cutting heads is not just jamming, but is actually competitive combat. Kinda how a poetry slam is to spoken word and performance poetry. So, to hear it billed like that, I was hoping for some folks spitting fiyo. What was going down there was a bunch of younger cats playing some charts together.
Megalomaniac's Ball - Garage A Trois (Photo by Jon Weber)
It was great to see them finding their feet, but again, not quite what I expected. Still, the players was solid, lotsa horn players getting their groove on to “Straight“, “No Chaser” and whatnot. Good times. Caught several songs then felt my energy start to flag a lil bit. While I was enjoying the jamming, it wasn’t worth starting the week off sleep deprived. It was too late to hit The Megalomaniac’s Ball, featuring Garage A Trois, Stanton Moore Trio, Dead Kenny G’s, Mike Dillon and Earl Harvin Duo, at The Howlin’ Wolf, so I decided to head back towards the rental car. A good but not great start to the week, was starting to feel a little bummed. Thing is, some of the best shows I’ve seen at Fest have been the night before, so expectations were great and not met.
So…it’s 2am and I’m driving down Elysian Fields and about to turn onto my friend’s street…when I hear a brass band. I immediately park. Last year there were brass band battles on Frenchman, a block away. I head towards Frenchman and sure enough there are two small groups going at it, with a frenzied group of dancers between them. More and more players join up, including Clarence ‘Trixzey’ Slaughter, formerly of Trombone Shorty’s band. It’s getting crazy. The crowd is getting larger. For the second time today, Cyril Neville bumps into me. I decide again not to say anything. A guy shows up with a baritone (smaller version of a tuba) and another guy with weird saxophones. A shorter Latina woman is dancing like crazy. Cyril bumps into me again and I thank him for such a great Super Bowl show at The Brooklyn Bowl with Galactic.
Cyril: Aww, thank you man. You know, that night… we were Doin Work! You know?
Me: Yeah you right. And brother, you sure were.
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews has now shown up and though half the crowd is spraining eyeballs trying to notice it is him without staring, he’s unarmed and just there to watch. The band is taking it up and up. Two drunk dudes are doing their best to ruin it by stumbling into the band but thankfully not succeeding. Clarence ‘Trixzey’ Slaughter is KILLING on his horn. Hell yeah! Finally, the band busts out “Saints” for a while, then second line and it’s a wrap. Instead of bed by 2am, it’s more like 4:30am now. And while still a little disappointed about the first show, I went to sleep real happy. Seen some great musicianship and showmanship, and Jazz Fest hadn’t even restarted. This was gonna be an awesome week.
Musical Musings of a Tiny Rager 