OK, this was more like it. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band were pretty good show at their tour opener in Hartford this fall, but they were fantastic at their second Boston show last week when they hit the archives for some gems that had the diehards in a swoon.
Bruce again kept with a fairly predictable set list overall, but the show hit transcendence with the rarely played likes of “Candy’s Room’’ (with drummer Max Weinberg in overdrive on the skins), “Kitty’s Back’’ (a true Bruce classic), and the very emotional “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy),’’ another oldie that turned back the years and made you feel you had seen an extraordinarily special show.
An encore of “Tenth Avenue Freezeout’’ also featured J. Geils singer Peter Wolf, who has bopped out to perform “Dirty Water’’ with Bruce in the past (including a Fenway Park show), but who featured some blues exclamations instead on this track, though his vocal mic cut out at the end. Still, it was a fitting highlight to a mesmerizing night with the E Streeters.
Speaking of which, saxophonist Clarence Clemons (having recovered from two hip replacements) was much more active than at the Hartford show – and that was refreshing to see. So was the twin-accordion dynamism of keyboardists Danny Federici and Roy Bittan on the closing “American Land,’’ though this was Federici’s last gig before departing the tour with melanoma. Bruce gave him special props during the night and you somehow sensed that something might be wrong with Danny, before his cancer was confirmed in the next couple of days.
Whether or not this was Federici’s last show (he hopes to be back), it was a Bruce concert for the ages. The new material has been whipped into sharper focus (especially “Last to Die,’’ about the Iraq fiasco) and oldies like “Darkness on the Edge of Town,’’ “Badlands,’’ and “Working on the Highway’’ had a full-fledged roar to them. And with the seldom played gems of “Kitty’s Back’’ and others, this was a show to keep Bruce fans talking until the band returns to New England to play the Hartford Civic Center on Feb. 28.
RALLYING FOR JEANNE: If you’re a local club fan, you no doubt go to T.T. the Bear’s occasionally and are served by bartender extraordinaire Jeanne Sheehy. She’s been there for a quarter-century, but has been hit with colon cancer and is going through chemotherapy. Some benefit shows will soon take place in her honor at T.T.’s: Dec. 6, the Delusions, the Country Doctors, and more; Dec. 21, the Shods, the Pills, Ad Frank, and others; and Dec. 28, the Gravel Pit, Francine, and Baker. She’s a great lady, so get out and help her out.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Will Dailey – at the Paradise on Thursday, Nov. 29. Dailey has parlayed his engaging singer-songwriter pop into a national career. He’s been one of the recent success stories out of Boston.
A.KA.C.O.D. – at the Plough & Stars on Friday, Nov. 30. This group has been tearing up the clubs with its angular, offbeat rock. It’s a trio with Monique Ortiz, Dana Colley (formerly of Morphine), and Larry Dersch.
deSol – at the Paradise on Friday, Nov. 30. The Latin rock group put on a great show at WBOS’s Copley Square series this past summer. They stoke the party spirit. And Adam Ezra opens up.
Boston Music Awards – at the Orpheum on Saturday, Dec. 1. Incredibly, the 20th anniversary of these awards is upon us. The performers alone are enough to lure you in: Augustana, Bobby Brown, Lori McKenna, Martin Sexton, Peter Gammons, and many others. Plus, Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer as emcee.
Sister Hazel – at the Somerville Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 1. Say what you will about Sister Hazel, they have some of the best vocal harmonies in the land. The Hazelnuts will be out in force to support this WBOS-sponsored show.
Chris Trapper – at the Brattle Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 1. Trapper cut his teeth in the pop-rock Push Stars. He has gone in a more pensive direction, but his talent remains underestimated.
David Gray – at the Orpheum Theatre on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Gray is among the most emotionally gripping singer-songwriters of the past decade, yet he makes it look so easy.
Raul Malo – at the Paradise on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Many people liked Malo better when he fronted the country-rocking Mavericks, but there are many sides to his talent and he’s showing them now.
(Steve Morse can be reached at spmorse@gmail.com.)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Control, Into the Wild, Malayaka House, tips
Two movies to put on your must-see list before they leave the theaters:
“Control’’ (about the ill-fated ‘80s band Joy Division) and “Into the Wild,’’ based on a true story about a fellow who gets a little too far out in the Alaskan wilderness and can’t make it back.
I’m still recovering from “Control,’’ one of the most emotionally overwhelming films that I’ve ever seen. It’s a biopic centered on singer Ian Curtis of Joy Division, a band that came out of the tough city of Manchester, England. Curtis was an epileptic who had a brilliant way of updating Jim Morrison of the Doors’ poetic, heart-piercing style, but who made poor decisions in life (marrying and having a child, but at the same time getting swept away by an affair with another woman).
It all came crashing down on him, as the epilepsy intensified. We know he committed suicide, but the genius of this movie is that we get so immersed in the immediacy of the story that we don’t think about the end. Curtis, as played by wunderkind actor Sam Riley, is an extremely likable guy underneath his confusion, and film director Anton Corbijn (perhaps best known as a rock photographer who has specialized in shooting U2) moves the story along until our tear ducts can’t stand it anymore. Like most people in the theater, I was crying at the end.
“Into the Wild,’’ on the other hand, is a classic hippie-escape film, but we don’t share the same sympathy for the lead character. He willfully turns his back on just about everything – leaving his family with no word – and his story is a more foregone conclusion. I’d recommend renting the video rather than paying top dollar to see it in a theater, though the cinematography is impressive. But more impressive is the soundtrack written by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. He’s virtually a one-man band as he switches off on instruments and captures the character’s wanderlust in song. I highly recommend it. It’s destined to be on my Top Ten list this year, for sure.
MALAYAKA HOUSE: There was a great benefit at Toast in Somerville this past Sunday to raise more than $7,000 to help an African orphanage (Malayaka House) in Uganda that is run by a former tennis coach from Vermont. Many local acts performed during a seven-hour show, including Adam Ezra (playing in bare feet a la Jimmy Buffett), Christian McNeill, Flynn, Paddy Saul, Dennis Brennan and others. Toast, which is located right next to the Independent in Union Square, is becoming a great scene and this event helped show why. Organizer Julee Vitello put on one heck of an event. She did all the legwork and people responded.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Sam Bisbee – at Toad on Thursday, Nov. 15. The Cambridge native now lives in New York, but his rockin’ returns to Toad are always a treat. Get there late and he’ll sprinkle in some great covers of Stones and Tom Petty tunes.
Natalie Merchant – at the Strand Theatre (in Dorchester) on Friday, Nov. 16. Natalie has been absent for a while, but she returns for a benefit concert for the Give Us Your Poor campaign to help the homeless. And hopefully she’ll debut some new material.
Dark Star Orchestra – at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 16. Confession: I’ve never seen this Grateful Dead tribute group, but I’m going this time. They recreate Dead shows and the buzz on them has been continually mounting.
State Radio – at the Orpheum on Friday, Nov. 16. Chad Urmston of Dispatch is at the helm here and he’s a fascinating character who often flies under the radar while making great music.
Reverend Horton Heat – at the Roxy on Saturday, Nov. 17. It’s party time with the Reverend and his rockabilly mania. Also, Hank Williams III and Nashville Pussy (hey, I didn’t make up the name) open up.
Great Bandini – at T.T. the Bear’s on Saturday, Nov. 17. Scott Janovitz, whose brother Bill fronts Buffalo Tom, ehlms this emerging outfit. They’re on at 11, sharing a heady bill with Sand Machine and Me and Joan Collins.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – at TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday-Monday, Nov. 18-19. Some fans are disappointed that Bruce isn’t doing five Garden shows like he did last time. But I bet he’ll be back to play Gillette Stadium next summer.
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – at the Orpheum on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Touring under the name of the Swell Season (not the greatest name in the world), this duo was the heart and soul of the recent movie, “Once.’’ Hansard is also in the Frames.
(Steve can be reached at spmorse@gmail)
“Control’’ (about the ill-fated ‘80s band Joy Division) and “Into the Wild,’’ based on a true story about a fellow who gets a little too far out in the Alaskan wilderness and can’t make it back.
I’m still recovering from “Control,’’ one of the most emotionally overwhelming films that I’ve ever seen. It’s a biopic centered on singer Ian Curtis of Joy Division, a band that came out of the tough city of Manchester, England. Curtis was an epileptic who had a brilliant way of updating Jim Morrison of the Doors’ poetic, heart-piercing style, but who made poor decisions in life (marrying and having a child, but at the same time getting swept away by an affair with another woman).
It all came crashing down on him, as the epilepsy intensified. We know he committed suicide, but the genius of this movie is that we get so immersed in the immediacy of the story that we don’t think about the end. Curtis, as played by wunderkind actor Sam Riley, is an extremely likable guy underneath his confusion, and film director Anton Corbijn (perhaps best known as a rock photographer who has specialized in shooting U2) moves the story along until our tear ducts can’t stand it anymore. Like most people in the theater, I was crying at the end.
“Into the Wild,’’ on the other hand, is a classic hippie-escape film, but we don’t share the same sympathy for the lead character. He willfully turns his back on just about everything – leaving his family with no word – and his story is a more foregone conclusion. I’d recommend renting the video rather than paying top dollar to see it in a theater, though the cinematography is impressive. But more impressive is the soundtrack written by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. He’s virtually a one-man band as he switches off on instruments and captures the character’s wanderlust in song. I highly recommend it. It’s destined to be on my Top Ten list this year, for sure.
MALAYAKA HOUSE: There was a great benefit at Toast in Somerville this past Sunday to raise more than $7,000 to help an African orphanage (Malayaka House) in Uganda that is run by a former tennis coach from Vermont. Many local acts performed during a seven-hour show, including Adam Ezra (playing in bare feet a la Jimmy Buffett), Christian McNeill, Flynn, Paddy Saul, Dennis Brennan and others. Toast, which is located right next to the Independent in Union Square, is becoming a great scene and this event helped show why. Organizer Julee Vitello put on one heck of an event. She did all the legwork and people responded.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Sam Bisbee – at Toad on Thursday, Nov. 15. The Cambridge native now lives in New York, but his rockin’ returns to Toad are always a treat. Get there late and he’ll sprinkle in some great covers of Stones and Tom Petty tunes.
Natalie Merchant – at the Strand Theatre (in Dorchester) on Friday, Nov. 16. Natalie has been absent for a while, but she returns for a benefit concert for the Give Us Your Poor campaign to help the homeless. And hopefully she’ll debut some new material.
Dark Star Orchestra – at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 16. Confession: I’ve never seen this Grateful Dead tribute group, but I’m going this time. They recreate Dead shows and the buzz on them has been continually mounting.
State Radio – at the Orpheum on Friday, Nov. 16. Chad Urmston of Dispatch is at the helm here and he’s a fascinating character who often flies under the radar while making great music.
Reverend Horton Heat – at the Roxy on Saturday, Nov. 17. It’s party time with the Reverend and his rockabilly mania. Also, Hank Williams III and Nashville Pussy (hey, I didn’t make up the name) open up.
Great Bandini – at T.T. the Bear’s on Saturday, Nov. 17. Scott Janovitz, whose brother Bill fronts Buffalo Tom, ehlms this emerging outfit. They’re on at 11, sharing a heady bill with Sand Machine and Me and Joan Collins.
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – at TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday-Monday, Nov. 18-19. Some fans are disappointed that Bruce isn’t doing five Garden shows like he did last time. But I bet he’ll be back to play Gillette Stadium next summer.
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – at the Orpheum on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Touring under the name of the Swell Season (not the greatest name in the world), this duo was the heart and soul of the recent movie, “Once.’’ Hansard is also in the Frames.
(Steve can be reached at spmorse@gmail)
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Crit tips -- the Police, Annie Lennox and more
CRITIC’S TIPS
Mary Lou Lord – at the Plough & Stars on Thursday, Nov. 8. Mary Lou is playing half the night with a band, the other half solo. Either way should be engaging.
Marc Cohn – at the Somerville Theatre on Friday, Nov. 9. The man who made the hit of “Walking to Memphis’’ is back with his slow-drawling, but finely articulated, style.
Middle East’s 20th anniversary party – at the Middle East Upstairs on Saturday, Nov. 10. Let the celebration begin with Boston veteran Thalia Zedek (with special guest Chris Brokaw) and new buzz bands Hallelujah the Hills and Drug Rug.
The Police – at the TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday, Nov. 11. They were fun at Fenway, and there’s no reason to expect less this weekend.
John Butler Trio – at the Orpheum on Sunday, Nov. 11 with Ian Ball of Gomez. Butler was sensational at the WBOS Earth Fest last spring. And opening act Ian Ball should be a nice complement.
Annie Lennox – at Symphony Hall on Sunday. The co-founder of Eurythmics pays a rare visit. The last time she was in the area, she opened for Sting at the Tweeter Center. Lennox personifies style.
Benefit for Malalaka House – at Toast on Sunday, Nov. 11. Robert Fleming a former Vermont tennis coach, has opened an orphanage in Uganda. This show will help him out. A great bill with Adam Ezra, Flynn, Paddy Saul, Christian McNeill and others. And Toast is a hot new club, so it’s worth a visit.
Asleep at the Wheel – at the Regent Theatre in Arlington on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The Wheel’s Western Swing speaks for itself. And the excellent, Boston-based Duke Levine Band opens.
Mary Lou Lord – at the Plough & Stars on Thursday, Nov. 8. Mary Lou is playing half the night with a band, the other half solo. Either way should be engaging.
Marc Cohn – at the Somerville Theatre on Friday, Nov. 9. The man who made the hit of “Walking to Memphis’’ is back with his slow-drawling, but finely articulated, style.
Middle East’s 20th anniversary party – at the Middle East Upstairs on Saturday, Nov. 10. Let the celebration begin with Boston veteran Thalia Zedek (with special guest Chris Brokaw) and new buzz bands Hallelujah the Hills and Drug Rug.
The Police – at the TD Banknorth Garden on Sunday, Nov. 11. They were fun at Fenway, and there’s no reason to expect less this weekend.
John Butler Trio – at the Orpheum on Sunday, Nov. 11 with Ian Ball of Gomez. Butler was sensational at the WBOS Earth Fest last spring. And opening act Ian Ball should be a nice complement.
Annie Lennox – at Symphony Hall on Sunday. The co-founder of Eurythmics pays a rare visit. The last time she was in the area, she opened for Sting at the Tweeter Center. Lennox personifies style.
Benefit for Malalaka House – at Toast on Sunday, Nov. 11. Robert Fleming a former Vermont tennis coach, has opened an orphanage in Uganda. This show will help him out. A great bill with Adam Ezra, Flynn, Paddy Saul, Christian McNeill and others. And Toast is a hot new club, so it’s worth a visit.
Asleep at the Wheel – at the Regent Theatre in Arlington on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The Wheel’s Western Swing speaks for itself. And the excellent, Boston-based Duke Levine Band opens.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Van Halen, Ron Pownall exhibit, crit tips
At long last, a Van Halen tour with original singer David Lee Roth. It seemed like a dream, but there was no way I was going to miss their show at the Garden this week. And Van Halen did not disappoint, as Roth and the Van Halen brothers – Eddie on guitar and Alex on drums – made happy as though there had never been a two-decade rift between them.
The sold-out show was ecstasy-producing from the start, when the band slammed into their cover of the Kinks’ classic, “You Really Got Me.’’ Roth wore an Edwardian jacket (his first of several during the night) and Eddie was shirtless, but fashions aside, they were on the same musical page. This Roth-spiced show clearly blew away any past Van Halen gig with Sammy Hagar at the helm. (Sammy is a great, party-hearty character, but these songs were made for Roth.)
Roth is starting to look like a latter-day Liberace – with a canyon-wide smile firmly pasted on his mouth – but he was in excellent form, much better than any time I saw him on his own. He easily negotiated the rock-lite of “Dance the Night Away’’ and “Jump,’’ but also bore down hard on the metallic “Hot for Teacher’’ and the exquisite talk-sing blast of biker tune “Panama.’’ And the set-closing “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love’’ had enough clout for the most diehard VH fan. Roth also donned a red top hat in honor of the Red Sox – a timely move given their recent World Series triumph. He was the prodigal son returning in all of his glory.
While Roth got a Grade A for the night, Eddie and his son, Wolfgang (now on bass in place of Michael Anthony), were in the A-plus range. Eddie was stupefying with his arsenal of licks – and when Roth went into various scats at one point, Eddie was able to duplicate them immediately on guitar. And Wolfie, his kid, was a complete monster on bass, playing power riffs that drove the whole show. He didn’t have the showmanship of Anthony (yes, I missed Anthony’s customized bass with the Jack Daniels logo on it), but musically he was not a step back at all. His vocal harmonies were also first-rate.
Eddie and Alex still took their endless solo turns, but it was the songs that people came for, and it was fabulous to hear them done with so much passion. They also threw in a great laser light show, covering all the bases. The ‘80s were back, better than ever. Let’s hope this lineup stays together for a while.
RON POWNALL EXHIBIT:
A renowned rock photographer, Pownall has been working around Boston for many years. His credits include unsurpassed shots of the likes of the Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Boston, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Bob Seger, and the J. Geils Band. He’s been a fixture in all the clubs and arenas around Boston. He has now mounted an exhibit that runs at the Center for the Arts in Natick until Jan. 2. Check it out. And for more info regarding his career, check an article at http://www.rangefindermag.com/magazine/jan06/pownall.tml.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Waterboys – at the Berklee Performance Center on Thursday, Nov. 1. Mike Scott is back in town with a new group of Waterboys. A comeback now seems like a probability, not just a pipe dream.
Mary Lou Lord – at the Plough & Stars on Thursday, Nov. 1. The often beloved singer-songwriter (and famed subway performer) has a Thursday residency at the Plough this month.
Colbie Caillat – at the Roxy on Thursday, Nov. 1. See what the fuss is all about. Caillat has been riding high with her Myspace-boosted hit, “Bubbly.’’ She has a loping California sound filled with echoes of the past.
Mieka Pauley – at Johnny D’s on Friday, Nov. 2. Anyone who still believes in smart, articulate songwriting must see Ms. Pauley. She’s as smart as they come.
International Pop Overthrow Festival – at Great Scott on Friday-Tuesday, Nov. 2-6. The annual cutting-edge fest has a slew of important local bands playing for five nights. Tomorrow’s lineup includes Rooftop Suicide Club, Saturday has the Prime Movers, Sunday offers Vinyl Skyway and the Kickbacks, Monday boasts the Buckners and Cheater Pink, and Tuesday concludes with Sal Baglio, Bird Mancini and others.
Steppin’ Out – at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel on Saturday, Nov. 3. The annual benefit event has an adult-themed, jazz-tinged lineup with George Benson, Rebecca Parris, Freddie Jackson, Cyrus Chestnut and Motown Express featuring Wannetta Jackson.
(Steve Morse can be reached at spmorse@gmail.com.)
The sold-out show was ecstasy-producing from the start, when the band slammed into their cover of the Kinks’ classic, “You Really Got Me.’’ Roth wore an Edwardian jacket (his first of several during the night) and Eddie was shirtless, but fashions aside, they were on the same musical page. This Roth-spiced show clearly blew away any past Van Halen gig with Sammy Hagar at the helm. (Sammy is a great, party-hearty character, but these songs were made for Roth.)
Roth is starting to look like a latter-day Liberace – with a canyon-wide smile firmly pasted on his mouth – but he was in excellent form, much better than any time I saw him on his own. He easily negotiated the rock-lite of “Dance the Night Away’’ and “Jump,’’ but also bore down hard on the metallic “Hot for Teacher’’ and the exquisite talk-sing blast of biker tune “Panama.’’ And the set-closing “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love’’ had enough clout for the most diehard VH fan. Roth also donned a red top hat in honor of the Red Sox – a timely move given their recent World Series triumph. He was the prodigal son returning in all of his glory.
While Roth got a Grade A for the night, Eddie and his son, Wolfgang (now on bass in place of Michael Anthony), were in the A-plus range. Eddie was stupefying with his arsenal of licks – and when Roth went into various scats at one point, Eddie was able to duplicate them immediately on guitar. And Wolfie, his kid, was a complete monster on bass, playing power riffs that drove the whole show. He didn’t have the showmanship of Anthony (yes, I missed Anthony’s customized bass with the Jack Daniels logo on it), but musically he was not a step back at all. His vocal harmonies were also first-rate.
Eddie and Alex still took their endless solo turns, but it was the songs that people came for, and it was fabulous to hear them done with so much passion. They also threw in a great laser light show, covering all the bases. The ‘80s were back, better than ever. Let’s hope this lineup stays together for a while.
RON POWNALL EXHIBIT:
A renowned rock photographer, Pownall has been working around Boston for many years. His credits include unsurpassed shots of the likes of the Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Aerosmith, Boston, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Bob Seger, and the J. Geils Band. He’s been a fixture in all the clubs and arenas around Boston. He has now mounted an exhibit that runs at the Center for the Arts in Natick until Jan. 2. Check it out. And for more info regarding his career, check an article at http://www.rangefindermag.com/magazine/jan06/pownall.tml.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Waterboys – at the Berklee Performance Center on Thursday, Nov. 1. Mike Scott is back in town with a new group of Waterboys. A comeback now seems like a probability, not just a pipe dream.
Mary Lou Lord – at the Plough & Stars on Thursday, Nov. 1. The often beloved singer-songwriter (and famed subway performer) has a Thursday residency at the Plough this month.
Colbie Caillat – at the Roxy on Thursday, Nov. 1. See what the fuss is all about. Caillat has been riding high with her Myspace-boosted hit, “Bubbly.’’ She has a loping California sound filled with echoes of the past.
Mieka Pauley – at Johnny D’s on Friday, Nov. 2. Anyone who still believes in smart, articulate songwriting must see Ms. Pauley. She’s as smart as they come.
International Pop Overthrow Festival – at Great Scott on Friday-Tuesday, Nov. 2-6. The annual cutting-edge fest has a slew of important local bands playing for five nights. Tomorrow’s lineup includes Rooftop Suicide Club, Saturday has the Prime Movers, Sunday offers Vinyl Skyway and the Kickbacks, Monday boasts the Buckners and Cheater Pink, and Tuesday concludes with Sal Baglio, Bird Mancini and others.
Steppin’ Out – at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel on Saturday, Nov. 3. The annual benefit event has an adult-themed, jazz-tinged lineup with George Benson, Rebecca Parris, Freddie Jackson, Cyrus Chestnut and Motown Express featuring Wannetta Jackson.
(Steve Morse can be reached at spmorse@gmail.com.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)