This is only my second years at WBOS, after working at the Boston Globe for -- gasp -- 30 years. But one of the true pleasures has been to broadcast my Thursday show (with John Laurenti) from the site of the WBOS concert series in Copley Square. I've had a bird's-eye view on some great talent there this summer, including Brandi Carlile, Fountains of Wayne, and the incredibly energetic Cat Empire from Australia, which had people dancing around the square as though it were midnight on Lansdowne Street.
I have to say that the crowds have been bigger this year -- a factor of the generally good weather, but also of the hip bookings that have often featured a Boston band opening up. And we're talking good Boston bands -- Eli "Paperboy'' Reed & the True Loves, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles (hey, maybe they wouldn't be broken if they got together with the True Loves), and the powerful Dennis Brennan Band.
Brennan kicked things off on July 12, setting the tone for this year's more rocking series. He and his bandmates -- led by guitar gods Duke Levine and Kevin Barry -- played a ringing streak of rootsy tunes that probably echoed all the way to offices in Kenmore Square (hey, get out of those offices and come on down!). He was followed by Carlile, who drew the biggest crowd of the summer, as people packed the grass and the sidewalks around it. She was a treat with her soothingly personal, folk-country songs, though the best moment came on a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son.'' It was the most rocking tune of her set -- and she should add more uptempo fare to better balance her presentation. She has the pipes for it.
The second week was rained out just as the event was about to begin. It was a bummer, but give headliner Martin Sexton credit for leaving the wet stage and going out into the soggy crowd to sing some up-close-and-personal acoustic songs to make sure that fans got something special. Opening act Chad Perrone did the same thing. The artists got soaked, but it was a beautiful thing to see. They care about their audiences.
The Cat Empire held down the third week of this six-week series and they were everything as advertised -- a percussive juggernaut that combined rock, funk, swing, and salsa, with a touch of the Australian mania for which they're known. They came all the way from Melbourne and weren't going to allow a little 90-degree heat to slow them down. No doubt they're used to it. And opener Eli "Paperboy'' Reed and his troupe sweated up a similar storm with their galvanizing, horn-stoked R&B. Catch them around town when you can. They're for real.
Another great bill followed with Latin rockers DeSol (riding a new album) bringing a unique blend of Santana psychedelia mixed with Springsteenian rock a la Asbury Park, where DeSol is from. I liked it thoroughly. I had never seen them live, but they had a clear spark that was infectious. And opener Ryan Shaw -- it almost feels weird to call him an opener because he's so good -- brought his retro-soul to Copley and won a slew of new fans in the process. He's like a young Al Green crossed with Otis Redding and Bobby Womack. Ryan peaked with Womack's "Looking for a Love,'' which was popularized around Boston by the J. Geils Band.
Next up was Fountains of Wayne, which drew the second-largest audience of the series. They were a crowd-pleasing bunch of Mensa-society, Brit pop-influenced rockers whose slyly twisted lyrics connected time and again with their brainy fandom. I didn't think they were as good on stage as they are in the studio, but hey, that's just a minor quibble. And openers Sarah Borges and her band were a complete delight, belting out Lucinda Williams-influenced country-rock 'n' rockabilly with a masterful touch. They're starting to break out nationally and it's easy to see why.
If you've missed out on the fun, there's one more concert to go: Matt Nathanson and Jonatha Brooke at Copley on Thursday, Aug. 16. Hope to see you there.
And more crit tips for the week ahead:
Sleepy LaBeef -- at Johnny D's on Thursday, Aug. 16. The Arkansas rockabilly giant is still busting his gut in the roadhouses. He's a walking encyclopedia of early rock 'n' roll.
WBOS boat cruise -- leaving from Long Wharf on Friday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. A tasty night in the harbor with Chad Perrone, Tim Blane, and OSB.
Al & the Transamericans -- another cruise on Friday, Aug. 17, this one leaving from Rowes Wharf at 8 p.m. Al Schnier of jam-band moe. plays with friends such as Gordon Stone and Eric Glocker of Strangefolk.
The Saw Doctors -- at the South Shore Music Circus on Friday, Aug. 17. Fresh off a great performance at the ICONS Festival in Canton, the Doctors are ready to prescribe the next dose.
James Taylor -- at the Verizon Wireless Arena on Saturday, Aug. 18. Taylor isn't playing the Tweeter Center this summer, so you'll have to head an hour north of Boston to see him.
Download Festival -- at the Tweeter Center on Saturday, Aug. 18. WBOS faves Guster and Modest Mouse are among the acts.
Kashmir -- at the Rocketbar on Saturday, Aug. 18. A great Led Zeppelin tribute band roars into this new Lansdowne Street club.
Come Together -- a Boston tribute concert at the Bank of America Pavilion on Sunday, Aug. 19. The lineup has been in flux, but the mission is the same -- to raise money for the Brad Delp Foundation in the departed singer's honor. The performers include a reunited Boston (with guest vocalist Matthew Sweet), Godsmack (yes, you read this correctly), Extreme, RTZ, Farrenheit, and Ernie & the Automatics. I'll be there and I can't wait.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Police, Moodies, tips
The Police got some strange reviews when they played Fenway Park. I'm here to say that some critics may have missed the point. The Police aren't going to play with the punky ferocity of yesteryear. They hadn't toured in 23 years, so what did these people expect? On the other hand, if you believe that musicians can improve in those 23 years, then you would have appreciated the Fenway experience. Sting remains in incredible shape -- he had women near me still swooning at his looks -- and his musicianship has only grown through a solo career that has spanned jazz, world music, country, classical, you name it. Guitarist Andy Summers was likewise better -- and some of his solos were celestial. And drummer Stewart Copeland still is a polyrhythmic blur.
I really enjoyed Saturday's show. The sound quality was extraordinary from where I sat on the field and I loved the LED-enhanced light show and the live video feeds. But most of all, it was great hearing those songs again, starting with "Message in a Bottle'' and a special highlight of "Walking on the Moon'' and a beautifully stretched-out "Can't Stand Losing You,'' which became the rock 'n' roll moment of the night as Summers ascended to near-Jimmy Page status. Some songs were slowed down (and "Every Breath You Take'' felt like a throwaway), but others were sped up and showed that the Police's energy is still there. I wasn't disappointed at all. For those who were disappointed, I'm sorry for you. But what were your expectations? No, this was not the Rat in 1978 or the Paradise in 1979. This was the Police, circa 2007, and we're darned lucky to have them back. Let's just hope that ticket prices are cheaper next time around, if there is a next time.
Another impressive show this week was the Moody Blues at the Bank of America Pavilion. Talk about British rock royalty. These guys are still doing it after 40-plus years -- and their well-paced set list and richly textured vocals were remarkable. Justin Hayward is still the angelic choirboy, while John Lodge sings in a more worldly manner. And adding extra body were two young female singers (who also played flute and keyboards, respectively) and they brought a May/December dynamic that felt exciting and regenerative. I took my 19-year-old son (who had never heard the Moodies in concert) and he was transfixed by the timeless hits "Tuesday Afternoon'' and "Nights in White Satin'' (accompanied by a nicely psychedelic light show), along with retrieved classics like "Isn't Life Strange?'' and "Ride My Seesaw,'' not to mention the rockish hits that kept the Moodies on the radio through the '80s. And drummer Graeme Edge was still his playful self, though he also had an extra drummer who handed the power riffs. And is there anything quite like a Moodies crowd? They know the music by heart and every get-together is like a pow-wow with old friends. Just a fun, cultish experience, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Oh yes, this week's crit tips:
John Powhida's Int'l Airport -- at Toad every Thursday in August. A great new residency (and side project) from the colorful frontman of the Rudds. (I also spotted him the other day in a coat and tie at his other job, giving out information at the Museum of Fine Arts.)
Bryan Adams and George Thorogood & the Destroyers -- at the Bank of America Pavilion on Friday, Aug. 3. Hey, why not?
Rocco Deluca & the Burden -- at the Paradise Rock Club on Friday, Aug. 3. These WBOS favorites have been coming on strong.
The Newport Folk Festival -- at Newport all weekend, from Aug. 3-5. Linda Ronstadt plays Friday night, then Saturday rocks with the Allman Brothers Band (attention Allmans fans -- have you heard that Newport also added a beer and wine license this year?), along with WBOS faves the John Butler Trio and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. And Sunday has a lovely, feminine touch with Alison Krauss & Union Station and Emmylou Harris leading the way.
Crowded House and Pete Yorn -- at the Bank of America Pavilion on Sunday, Aug. 5. A smart double bill, combining two generations of melodic rockers.
Allman Brothers Band -- at the Bank of America Pavilion on Tuesday, Aug. 7. If you miss them at Newport, you have another chance in Boston.
Twinemen -- at Atwood's Tavern on Tuesday, Aug. 7. The Twinemen start a Tuesday residency at Atwood's to preview their new disc, "Twinetime,'' which comes out Aug. 21.
Hippiefest -- at the South Shore Music Circus on Wednesday, Aug. 8. It features the Zombies, Badfinger, Mountain, and Mitch Ryder. Nostalgia rules again, but these guys can still play.
STEVE MORSE
I really enjoyed Saturday's show. The sound quality was extraordinary from where I sat on the field and I loved the LED-enhanced light show and the live video feeds. But most of all, it was great hearing those songs again, starting with "Message in a Bottle'' and a special highlight of "Walking on the Moon'' and a beautifully stretched-out "Can't Stand Losing You,'' which became the rock 'n' roll moment of the night as Summers ascended to near-Jimmy Page status. Some songs were slowed down (and "Every Breath You Take'' felt like a throwaway), but others were sped up and showed that the Police's energy is still there. I wasn't disappointed at all. For those who were disappointed, I'm sorry for you. But what were your expectations? No, this was not the Rat in 1978 or the Paradise in 1979. This was the Police, circa 2007, and we're darned lucky to have them back. Let's just hope that ticket prices are cheaper next time around, if there is a next time.
Another impressive show this week was the Moody Blues at the Bank of America Pavilion. Talk about British rock royalty. These guys are still doing it after 40-plus years -- and their well-paced set list and richly textured vocals were remarkable. Justin Hayward is still the angelic choirboy, while John Lodge sings in a more worldly manner. And adding extra body were two young female singers (who also played flute and keyboards, respectively) and they brought a May/December dynamic that felt exciting and regenerative. I took my 19-year-old son (who had never heard the Moodies in concert) and he was transfixed by the timeless hits "Tuesday Afternoon'' and "Nights in White Satin'' (accompanied by a nicely psychedelic light show), along with retrieved classics like "Isn't Life Strange?'' and "Ride My Seesaw,'' not to mention the rockish hits that kept the Moodies on the radio through the '80s. And drummer Graeme Edge was still his playful self, though he also had an extra drummer who handed the power riffs. And is there anything quite like a Moodies crowd? They know the music by heart and every get-together is like a pow-wow with old friends. Just a fun, cultish experience, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Oh yes, this week's crit tips:
John Powhida's Int'l Airport -- at Toad every Thursday in August. A great new residency (and side project) from the colorful frontman of the Rudds. (I also spotted him the other day in a coat and tie at his other job, giving out information at the Museum of Fine Arts.)
Bryan Adams and George Thorogood & the Destroyers -- at the Bank of America Pavilion on Friday, Aug. 3. Hey, why not?
Rocco Deluca & the Burden -- at the Paradise Rock Club on Friday, Aug. 3. These WBOS favorites have been coming on strong.
The Newport Folk Festival -- at Newport all weekend, from Aug. 3-5. Linda Ronstadt plays Friday night, then Saturday rocks with the Allman Brothers Band (attention Allmans fans -- have you heard that Newport also added a beer and wine license this year?), along with WBOS faves the John Butler Trio and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. And Sunday has a lovely, feminine touch with Alison Krauss & Union Station and Emmylou Harris leading the way.
Crowded House and Pete Yorn -- at the Bank of America Pavilion on Sunday, Aug. 5. A smart double bill, combining two generations of melodic rockers.
Allman Brothers Band -- at the Bank of America Pavilion on Tuesday, Aug. 7. If you miss them at Newport, you have another chance in Boston.
Twinemen -- at Atwood's Tavern on Tuesday, Aug. 7. The Twinemen start a Tuesday residency at Atwood's to preview their new disc, "Twinetime,'' which comes out Aug. 21.
Hippiefest -- at the South Shore Music Circus on Wednesday, Aug. 8. It features the Zombies, Badfinger, Mountain, and Mitch Ryder. Nostalgia rules again, but these guys can still play.
STEVE MORSE
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