Live Review: Dr John 6-9-16 Alive at Five, Albany, NY

Dr. John

Live: 6/9/16 Albany, NY, Tricentennial Park 

Alive at Five Concert Series

Albany, New York has always been a perfect crossroads for live music. Between New York City and Vermont, Boston, Buffalo, the Capital District of New York State is a definitive stopping off point for artists traveling the northeast. 

One of the benefits of that route has been a free concert series that is now into its 27 year running, continuing to bring in varied, top flight acts for the residents to enjoy. This years season of Alive at Five kicked off with none other then bayou legend Dr. John and the Nite Trippers and actually returned to the festivals original location Tricentennial Park.

Another sweet touch to the series is when possible a local band will play a short set opening for the national acts and this week the pairing of Jacamo was perfect. The funky five piece has been playing parties and festivals in the area since 1993 and was an excellent way to start off the series. They covered Procal Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" went down to NOLA for some Cajun delights and inserted a P-Funk Medley to wrap up their quick turn on the stage.

The weather is not fully spring yet in the north country, with the wind not only being a problem for those watching and dancing, but also the sound engineers all evening. The south warmed us up proper though when the good doctor joined the stage. Playing as a four piece the band dropped right into some old classics from early albums as the highlight was a smooth as silk and funky as donkey pairing of "I Walk On Glided Splinters" directly into "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya-Ya" containing a break seeing Dr John get up and play the bones.

Sound issues, especially pertaining to the vocals were prevalent all night, but fans got an injection of pure joy when mid-set Dr. John turned away from his baby grand onto the electro-keys and pumped out his classic "Right Place, Wrong Time", a clear highlight.

Tracks like classics "Iko-Iko" paired nicely with deeper cuts like "How Come My Dog Don't Bark (When You Come 'round)" even without horns the band stayed funky, syncopated drumming, bass walks and timely injected guitar runs were electric. The doctor may have needed some lyrical help, but the vibe he was giving and receiving from the crowd made smiles stretch from ear to ear.

The set ended with a powerful run through of "Such A Night" that contained numerous solos, multiple endings and thousands of cheers from the appreciative crowd. The mysterious voodoo legend and songster who has been the embodiment of New Orleans brought the bayou magic to Albany for a rollicking set that friends, family, and strangers could all enjoy.
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This was special for use as we got to experience it with close friends and our family. We won't forget this show and while we have def seen and heard the doctor in better form, this will stick with us for a while. Peep some video below:

Live Review: George Clinton and Parliment Funkadelic 7/3/15 NYC

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic

7/3/15 Governors Island Beach Club, NYC

Sometimes you catch magic out an aging legend. I can still recall the time in 2005 Bob Dylan played an simply jaw dropping version of "Visions of Johanna" at the Beacon Theater. With my friend Tom in attendance we were both astounded at an otherwise ordinary show Bob had dug deep and played a song for the ages, specifically singing like he hadn't sang in years. It was proof that legends are legends for reasons and have magic in their songs.

William Elliott Whitmore 9-13-12 Live Review

Photo by Adam Fried

Hey all,

Got a new review up on Glide.

Read it Right C'here!!!

It is of William Elliott Whitmore's live show from September 13th 2012 at City Winery.

This was our first time seeing William Elliott Whitmore and also our first time hitting City Winery.  Both are worth revisiting multiple times as the show and venue were both fantastic.

We unfortunately missed Samantha Crain who opened, but WEW's set was more then enough to make those in attendance happy.  A full gorgeous room (in both sound and sight) made the night even more enhanced.  WEW's sound isn't really bluegrass, folk, or blues, but a deep combo of all of them.  Maybe the sound of which all of those sprung?  Who knows, I just know it was good, thanks to Anti Records and the artist.

Click on the review link for a full run through.  Click here for more info on WEW and make sure you catch him live when you can...a few videos below to sample his sound.

"Diggin' My Grave"

"Hell or High Water" Live 

"Bury Your Burdens in the Ground"

Wilco/Lee Ranaldo Live Review 7-28-12

Hey all,

Got a Live Review up over on Glide.

You can check it out right c'here!!!

It is of Wilco and Lee Ranlado's set's from 7-28-12 up in Cooperstown New York at the Ommegang Brewery.

It was a great weekend north with friends as we checked out the Baseball Hall of Fame (more on that in a future RtBE post), hung out with the locals, and drank some fine brew under a rainy summer sky.

It was a really great summer weekend getaway all around and the show was just icing on the cake. This was my first time seeing Lee Ranaldo solo (well without Sonic Youth) and his band was tight yet still adventurous, bringing his excellent album to life.

I have seen Wilco a few times now and while I am not a huge fan of there's this was probably the most satisfying set of music I have heard from them.  I like their softer, singer/songwriter side more and this set seemed to feature that vibe.  Below are a few crowd shot video's from the show, and of course I need to wish Megan Jean a Happy Birthday!  Love you Sis.:

"Handshake Drugs"


"I Got You (End Of The Century)">"Outtasite" Finale


"Either Way/Hummingbird"

Live Review: Ryan Scully & The Rough Seven 5/3/12 Michalopulous Studio

Ryan Scully & The Rough Seven

5/3/12 

Michalopulous Studio

New Orleans, LA

While each year RtBE has megafun on our annual Jazz Fest Trip, it seems things continually get better and better the more we explore the town.  Whether we meet new friends or get caught up in amazing nights, things have a way of growing each year, and 2012 was no exception.  The party held at Michalopulous Studio this year was our trip highlight as a Crawfish Boil under the night air with one of our all-time favorite bands providing the music pushed things over the top. 

Originally going to the wrong address (Thanks Google Maps!) we went to the artists gallery in the French Quarter and got to admire some of his work:

After reconnecting with the band (Thanks Rob!) I managed to find my way to the Studio as the sun settled in for it's slumber.  With darkness came the magnificent light work from the artist as the band was awash in an eerie glow.  The Studio was full with people who were sampling the fantastic food, and spicy Ginger Drinks that had an extra kick to them.   

You could peruse the Artists work and actually had to enter the Studio itself to use the restroom, giving you a glimpse behind the curtain, but the view from the outside was just as grand in the warm spring air:

The band on this night were just part of the overall mood and not a focal point which gave them an extra freedom to relax and spread out.  The majority of people in attendance were just along to mingle, catch up with old friends and partake in the amazing Crawfish Boil:

Playing as a 5-piece this night minus the two female back-up singers allowed Ryan Scully & The Rough Seven to be more free-form...perfect for an art show party. 

The group toyed with an extra long buildup to their powerful "Meltdown" accentuating the piano parts of Ratty Scurvics before ripping out the dueling guitar climax.  Slowing things down even more they waltzed along to the fantastic "St. Anthony" before Michael Anderpoint on drums and CJ Floyd on bass got funky with "Heli-cop-chop".

The Rough Seven played their fantastic blend of styles in a relaxed manner, but it didn't keep the noise rock away as it showed up on "Had A Home" with Scully and Rob Cambre trading 6-string assaults.  The melodic ringing of "Golden Parachute" rocked hard as well as the group urgently put fourth their demands to "Buy Me A City!".

The highlight of the night though was the psychedelic, elongated, intro into one of the groups best songs, "Not Insane".  The 5 piece wove through cosmic terrain under tripped out lights touching on different musical styles before settling into the songs structure while Scully achingly sang about mental health and those with "fear in their bones", haunting. 

After this highlight however the night was cut short as the New Orleans Police Department made a visit to the Studio putting a stop to the music.  Given the state of things it was a bit disappointing, but the band also went out on a high note and gave those gathered to eat drink and be merry a first exhibition in musicology.        

Show Review: CBGB Fest 7-6-12 Complete with Stabbing

CBGB Fest

7-6-12 Webster Hall NYC

Sick Of It All, Cro-Mag's, V.O.D, Absolution, Si Nam

It started out like most hardcore shows, if a bit earlier to meet Webster Hall’s curfew, and ended in bizarre fashion.  CBGB Festival organizers are trying to bring back the spirit of a bygone era and club that combined all sorts of musical styles; well the hardcore musical style got in the spirit on Friday bringing back it’s dangerous roots.

Si Nam started off the evening with it’s mid tempo hardcore and Absolution was adequate if out of tune for their short outing, but the majority in attendance were there for the last few bands only 1 of which got to play.  Long Island's V.O.D put forth a low end drenched set with stomps and breakdowns behind lead singer Tim Williams caterwuling style, set closer “D.T.O” being the highlight.

Barring some technical difficulties with the guitar amps most in the crowd were pleased, but saving their energy to see two legends of the scene due up next the Cro-Mag’s and Sick Of It All.

Harley Flanagan had other ideas. The ex-bass player and one of the founding members of the Cro-Mags has had a long running feud with lead singer John Joseph and anyone who happens to be playing in the band without him.  In 2010 Flanagan posted on his facebook page:

“Fuck the fake cromags ill choke the hairplugs out of John anyday” and “5 minutes you coward ,just 5 minutes to settle our differences you chump, we used to be friends and you been lying about me for years and you know it”.

Harley had recently posted more threats on his page with a focus on tonight's show, when he arrived fans outside the venue noticed him acting irrational.  He proceeded to enter the show and busted through the VIP area into backstage.  Fans scattered and security intervened but before things were settled Flanagan’s leg was broken, he had slashed William Berario across his face and stabbed current Cro-Mag’s bass player Michael Couls (known as “The Gook” in the scene) in the chest.  There were other injuries as people were caught up in the melee, and the crowd on the floor level were confused as gear started to be packed up from the stage.

With the house lights on police arrested Flanagan wheeling him out in handcuffs to a smattering of boos, he is charged with two counts of  2nd Degree Assault and a weapons charge.  Joseph took to the stage saying “Blame Harley, we have to cancel the show, real tough guy, but please respect the club as you leave, and the police...they have the guns”.

After promising to redo the show at a later date Joseph left the stage, and what was a potentially dangerous situation (95+ degree heat, drunk fans, cut short show that some had just paid to walk into) was handled professionally by all as hardcore kids mingled with club goers on 11th street.

 

Reactions varied as one attendee stated “This is why we can’t put on hardcore shows in this city anymore” but another took a difference stance stating, “About time Harley backed up his words”.  Catching up with John Joseph as he left he talked about being pissed off the bands couldn’t play and how charges would be pressed on Harley, adding just another chapter to the ongoing feud.

John Joseph

On this night with eyes looking back to past glory days of a defunct club chaos reigned, disappointment loomed large, but luckily no one was killed...Come to think of it, this did feel like old times at the dirty CBGB’s.   

Show Review - Screaming Females - Bowery Ballroom, NYC 10/8/11

New York where were you on Saturday night?  A lineup of of DIY Punk and Indie-Rock capped by one of the fiercest touring bands today was hardly close to selling out despite its cheap ticket price down at Bowery Ballroom.  Maybe it was the NOFX show at Irving Plaza keeping the punks away but those who did come were treated to some riffage for the ages.

The half full Ballroom did nothing to dampen the spirits as a set of duo's opened with Hilly Eye and Shellshag presenting their two person back and fourth wails.  Hilly Eye played up a mid-nineties noise vibe while Shellshag is happy to roll around in fuzzy 80's rock even covering "The Promise" by When In Rome. 

(From a show earlier this year)

The six piece rollicking group The Underground Railroad to Candyland played a party like set of their upbeat punk rock as well, but the main event was the headlining, power packing, trio from New Brunswick New Jersey.    

Coming onto the stage with zero fanfare and little in the way of speakers or background Screaming Females proceeded to do what it simply does finest...rip a whole through its fans (and unsuspecting newcomers) chests with thunderous drums from Jarrett Dougherty, pogoing bass line runs from Mike Abbate, and six string arrows shot from Marissa Paternoster's axe.  The opener "Sheep" from their most recent album Castle Talk started the completely energizing, engrossing set and the group didn't let up until the encore.      

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saucysalad

"Fall Asleep" found the drums tapping and slamming down into a groove while Paternoster sang up and down the scales.  While her guitar playing is an obvious focus the vocals constantly enchant and can off set the continual driving of the tunes, playing with the dynamics of each song the lone female in the group does much more then scream.  The monstrous "Skull" had the walls shaking with it's huge cymbal crashes and epic hair raising riffs, this song alone begs to reverberate around arenas (and with the talent this band possesses it won't be long before that goes down, next year perhaps?).  

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rufusowliebat

It is the fullness of the bass and drums that allow Paternoster to take guitar flight and the synergy of the band was on display all night with "Starve The Beat" being one blinding example. 
"Bell" was chunky and professional a sign of the three Screaming Females being completely lock-step with each other from their constant touring, in fact the group was incredibly tight all night, so much so the show at times lacked that wild-abandon feel. 

Then again there was an utter rawness to "Buried in the Nude" with it's slashing changes and "I Don't Mind It" excited the eardrums and got the crowd to start moshing away.  Some new tunes were on display tonight, one had some sweet low end and a metal hook not unlike early Black Sabbath.  Speaking briefly with Abbate pre-show he mentioned the band was about to enter the studio and start up a new album in November which is very exciting news. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonpersse

The night closing "Lights Out" is a standout tune in their catalog as it breaks from the driving punk formula and allows all members of the band to spread out and explore.  Tonight Paternoster sonically painted the room as the beat was laid perfectly behind, a clear highlight and hopefully an exciting omen of things to come from this band who have mastered the taut simple tracks and could explode to great heights with more unique tunes like this one.  As it stands there are few better groups playing any kind of rock today, don't sleep on them when they come to your town.


Extra links of Interest:
Hilly Eye EP can be found here!
Unique video from The Under Ground Railroad To Candyland here!
Shellshag info here!
And all of the Screaming Females catalog here!