REJOICING OVER PETTY:
Good news for concert fans: The best double bill in ages -- Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and Steve Winwood – is coming to the TD Banknorth Garden on June 13. Petty will be riding high from his Super Bowl halftime-show appearance, but it’s just good to see him back out there. There were reports that he might hang up his performing shoes after his vintage 2006 tour.
Petty’s long history in Boston dates from opening for Al Kooper at the now-defunct Jazz Workshop on Boylston St. back in the ‘70s. He has since made Boston one of his biggest markets, so don’t be surprised if he adds a second Garden show. The only bummer is that June 13 is the same day that R.E.M. plays the Tweeter Center in Mansfield. That will force some tough decisions.
MOVIE ROUNDUP: Gag on a spoon – I just went to see “27 Dresses’’ and there’s not enough syrup in the world to compete with this film. OK, I was the only guy in the theater, since this is quintessentially a “chick flick.’’ But I was persuaded to go because it was done by the same scriptwriter who did the excellent “Devil Wears Prada’’ with Meryl Streep. But “27 Dresses’’ is a long way from that. It’s named for the 27 bridesmaid dresses that a wedding planner has in her closet – the inevitable plot twist, of course, is that she’ll finally get married; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that – but along the way there are so many contrived high jinks that I was checking my watch about one hour in. When the highlight is the lead characters singing a besotted version of Elton John’s “Bennie & the Jets’’ in a bar, then that says something. Actually, that was a fun moment. Just wish there were more.
And, hey, what happened to the movie “The Honeydripper’’? I see that it’s already left the theaters after a too-brief run. I enjoyed it. Danny Glover plays the owner of a late ‘40s juke joint in Alabama and struggles to stay solvent. Stacy Keach plays a sheriff who frowningly watches his every move, and the direction is done by John Sayles of “Return of the Secacus Seven’’ fame. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a highly watchable film that is both entertaining and instructive. And North Shore resident Mason Daring helps write a bunch of the music, including the song “The Music Keeps Rolling,’’ featuring Boston’s own Barrence Whitfield. Other local musicians who are on the soundtrack include Jerry Portnoy and Duke Levine. Check it out when it comes to DVD.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Lenny Kravitz – at the Orpheum on Thursday, Jan. 31. Lenny brings his latest love revolution with him. Hippie idealism still lives. And Lenny rocks, regardless.
No Static – at Ryles on Thursday, Jan. 31. This Steely Dan tribute act is locally based and ready to please the connoisseurs.
Mika – at the Orpheum Theatre on Friday, Feb. 1. The new British sensation, who was supported early on by WBOS, makes a long-awaited appearance in town.
Richard Thompson – at the Berklee Performance Center on Friday, Feb. 1. The longtime British folk-rock great never fails to startle with his virtuosity.
TAB – at T.T. the Bear’s on Friday, Feb. 1. This free-wheeling hard-rock band features two sons of Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. Joe was there the last time to see them perform, so he might show up again, but he didn’t play last time. He just watched and enjoyed.
Ryan Montbleau – at the Paradise on Friday, Feb. 1. The acclaimed new pop-rocker, who bears some stylistic similarity to Dave Matthews, steps into a Paradise showcase.
Les Sampou – at the Cushing Center in Norwell on Saturday, Feb. 2. Underrated folk-rocker Sampou performs at the Cushing Center in Norwell to benefit teenage students at her Norwell Voice Studio.
Rhett Miller – at the Paradise on Saturday, Feb. 2. The cult-legend singer is known best for his work with seminal alt-country band the Old 97’s. He has released a couple of solo albums that are mighty fine, too.
Charmaine Neville – at Johnny D’s on Saturday, Feb. 2. Charmaine should be a star. She’s the daughter of Neville Brothers sax man Charles Neville and has mostly performed in her home base of New Orleans. It’s party time when she unleashes her jazz-mambo flavors.
Shaun & Suzy’s Mardi Gras Ball – at T.T. the Bear’s on Saturday, Feb. 2. The 15th annual bash by these local stalwarts should once again be a winner.
Showing posts with label Boston rock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston rock. Show all posts
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Psyched about Shawn, and tips
PSYCHED ABOUT SHAWN
Am excited today because I've been asked to help anchor a Q&A with one of my favorite story song artists, Shawn Mullins, at the Hayden Planetarium next Wednesday (Jan. 23). It's part of the Boston Globe's Arts & Entertainment week and they asked WBOS's Dana Marshall and me to pop the questions to this highly literate songwriter, who also played a show for the station's Copley Square series last summer.
Some people only know Shawn through his original hit, "Lullaby,'' which was huge and had the soothing line of "Everything is gonna be all right.'' But if you've listened deeply to Shawn, you know that his songs tackle situations that aren't always going to be all right. He's a deep thinker and I remember early on he did a groundbreaking tune called "Clarice,'' about falling in love with a woman in the Ku Klux Klan and trying to get her to leave it. He did the song when opening for Chris Isaak at the Orpheum Theatre ten years ago.
I'm also excited to hear Shawn's forthcoming album, "Honeydew,'' which comes out on Vanguard Records on March 11. According to a spokesman, its topics include "railroad workers, traveling salesmen, homeless troubadours, and several generations of family members, living and dead.'' That about sums up Shawn. He's all over the map.
The CD also includes guest appearances from the great Australian singer Kasey Chambers, plus guitarist Peter Stroud of Sheryl Crow's band and Francene Reed of Lyle Lovett's group. I can't wait, but at least I'll get a chance to ask him about it at the Planetarium, where he'll also play some music. Check out WBOS.com for details on how you might attend.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Dennis Brennan & the Iodine Brothers – at Atwood’s Tavern on Thursday, Jan. 17. Another of Dennis Brennan’s side projects, this one usually features guitarists Duke Levine and Kevin Barry on backup (no drummer). It ventures into more cover tunes, but it’s still great.
Johnny Winter and James Montgomery – at Kowloon’s in Saugus on Thursday, Jan. 17. This is a blues brothers night with the legendary Johnny Winter sharing a bill with New England legend James Montgomery.
Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles – at the Lizard Lounge on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19. Continuing to make her stamp as a country-rocker who is earning national attention, Borges delves back into the clubs for two nights of bliss. Diane Miraglia opens up Friday, and the Teenage Prayers do the same on Saturday.
Girls, Guns & Glory – at the Paradise Rock Club on Friday, Jan. 18. One of the best new bands in Boston, this group is moving up quickly. They’re on an exciting bill with Three Day Threshold and Cassavettes.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – at Sanders Theatre on Friday, Jan. 18. Paul Simon used them on “Graceland,’’ and Ladysmith has been on a roll ever since. Beautiful Afro-pop melodies.
The Editors, Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV – at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 19. Three international breakout rock acts together on the same night. Talk about bang for your buck.
Von Bondies – at Great Scott on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The garage-rocking Von Bondies were helped early by Jack White of the White Stripes, but then the Bondies’ Jason Stollsteimer and White got in a brawl in a Detroit club four years ago. It hasn’t stopped the Von Bondies from still rocking hard.
(Steve Morse can be reached at spmorse@gmail.com)
Am excited today because I've been asked to help anchor a Q&A with one of my favorite story song artists, Shawn Mullins, at the Hayden Planetarium next Wednesday (Jan. 23). It's part of the Boston Globe's Arts & Entertainment week and they asked WBOS's Dana Marshall and me to pop the questions to this highly literate songwriter, who also played a show for the station's Copley Square series last summer.
Some people only know Shawn through his original hit, "Lullaby,'' which was huge and had the soothing line of "Everything is gonna be all right.'' But if you've listened deeply to Shawn, you know that his songs tackle situations that aren't always going to be all right. He's a deep thinker and I remember early on he did a groundbreaking tune called "Clarice,'' about falling in love with a woman in the Ku Klux Klan and trying to get her to leave it. He did the song when opening for Chris Isaak at the Orpheum Theatre ten years ago.
I'm also excited to hear Shawn's forthcoming album, "Honeydew,'' which comes out on Vanguard Records on March 11. According to a spokesman, its topics include "railroad workers, traveling salesmen, homeless troubadours, and several generations of family members, living and dead.'' That about sums up Shawn. He's all over the map.
The CD also includes guest appearances from the great Australian singer Kasey Chambers, plus guitarist Peter Stroud of Sheryl Crow's band and Francene Reed of Lyle Lovett's group. I can't wait, but at least I'll get a chance to ask him about it at the Planetarium, where he'll also play some music. Check out WBOS.com for details on how you might attend.
CRITIC’S TIPS
Dennis Brennan & the Iodine Brothers – at Atwood’s Tavern on Thursday, Jan. 17. Another of Dennis Brennan’s side projects, this one usually features guitarists Duke Levine and Kevin Barry on backup (no drummer). It ventures into more cover tunes, but it’s still great.
Johnny Winter and James Montgomery – at Kowloon’s in Saugus on Thursday, Jan. 17. This is a blues brothers night with the legendary Johnny Winter sharing a bill with New England legend James Montgomery.
Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles – at the Lizard Lounge on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19. Continuing to make her stamp as a country-rocker who is earning national attention, Borges delves back into the clubs for two nights of bliss. Diane Miraglia opens up Friday, and the Teenage Prayers do the same on Saturday.
Girls, Guns & Glory – at the Paradise Rock Club on Friday, Jan. 18. One of the best new bands in Boston, this group is moving up quickly. They’re on an exciting bill with Three Day Threshold and Cassavettes.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – at Sanders Theatre on Friday, Jan. 18. Paul Simon used them on “Graceland,’’ and Ladysmith has been on a roll ever since. Beautiful Afro-pop melodies.
The Editors, Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV – at the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 19. Three international breakout rock acts together on the same night. Talk about bang for your buck.
Von Bondies – at Great Scott on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The garage-rocking Von Bondies were helped early by Jack White of the White Stripes, but then the Bondies’ Jason Stollsteimer and White got in a brawl in a Detroit club four years ago. It hasn’t stopped the Von Bondies from still rocking hard.
(Steve Morse can be reached at spmorse@gmail.com)
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Top Ten shows, New Year's Eve options, crit tips
TOP TEN CONCERTS
Time for another list, this time the Top Ten shows of the year. The one I’m kicking myself for missing was Stevie Wonder at the Bank of America Pavilion, but I tried to catch most of the biggies this year. So here goes: (Oh, and WBOS jock John Laurenti and I both discuss our Top Tens for records and concerts in podcasts that you can call up through WBOS.com. Happy holidays!)
1. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & the E Street Band at TD Banknorth Garden. His second night there was celestial, filled with early classics like “Kitty’s Back’’ and “Candy’s Room.’’
2. NEIL YOUNG at the Orpheum. Caught the second night and was completely blown away by his acoustic set, especially, with “Cowgirl in the Sand’’ and “Journey Through the Past’’ (on solo piano). His electric set also mesmerized, but not to the extent of the acoustic one, where Neil’s soul really shone through.
3. VAN HALEN at the TD Banknorth Garden. Who knew that David Lee Roth would come back so strongly? He nearly made you forget all about the Sammy Hagar years.
4. PAULO NUTINI at the Paradise. The newcomer showed that he’s not just a teen idol with a pretty face. He is making music to justify a long career.
5. BRAD DELP TRIBUTE at the Bank of America Pavilion. Brad’s suicide was one of the year’s saddest stories, but at least his friends in the band Boston reunited on his behalf. Also nice sets by Godsmack, Extreme, and Farrenheit.
6. RYAN SHAW at the Copley Square series this summer. Ryan is bringing soul music back with a bang. And openers Eli “Paperboy’’ Reed & the True Loves were perfect for the occasion.
7. THE POLICE at Fenway Park. The Brit trio had been absent for more than 20 years, but they picked up right where they left off. Chemistry is everything.
8. WOLFMOTHER at Avalon. The Aussie hard-rockers seem the logical successors to AC/DC. Turn it up loud.
9. RATDOG at Bank of American Pavilion. Former Grateful Dead singer Bob Weir had one of his best Ratdog lineups yet, with Steve Kimock filling in the guitar chair. A psychedelic night on the harbor.
10. AUGUSTANA at TD Banknorth Garden. They played after a Celtics game this year and were anything but an anticlimax. Their song “Boston’’ is an instant classic, but they’ve got more going on than just that.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: Here are some possibilities – Soulive at the Paradise, Bang Camaro at the Hard Rock Café, Roomful of Blues and David Maxwell at the Regattabar, Superhoney at T.T. the Bear’s, and Ellis Paul at Club Passim.
CRITIC’S TIPS
A Christmas Celtic Sojourn – at the Cutler Majestic Theatre Thursday, Dec. 20-Saturday, Dec. 22. I caught the show last week and loved it. The group Solas anchors this Celtic-themed musical revue, with special guests Dougie MacLean and Aoife O’Donovan (from the band Crooked Still).
Benefit for Jeanne – at T.T. the Bear’s on Friday, Dec. 21. Bartender Jeanne Sheehy (who is fighting cancer) gets more support from the local community as the Shods, the Pills, and Jules Verdone raise money for her medical bills.
Lemonheads – at the Middle East Downstairs on Saturday, Dec. 22. Enfant terrible Evan Dando returns with his latest incarnation of the alt-rocking Lemonheads.
Wheelers and Dealers – at the Plough & Stars on Saturday, Dec. 22. Fun country/rock-roots music with a comic edge.
Sub Rosa – at the Lizard Lounge on Saturday, Dec. 22. Rose Polenzani teams up with an exciting cast including Dennis Brennan, Sam Bigelow, and Dave Godowsky.
Aine Minogue – at Club Passim on Sunday, Dec. 23. The local harpist is a folk music wonder. Her concerts are often spellbinding events.
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – at Club Passim on Thursday, Dec. 27. I’ve often thought of Kellogg as a latter-day Tom Petty. Great songs, great band, great time.
Mary Lou Lord – at the Plough & Stars on Thursday, Dec. 27. The ever-intriguing Ms. Lord returns to the Plough, where she recently did an acclaimed residency.
(Steve Morse can be reached at spmorse@gmail.com.)
Time for another list, this time the Top Ten shows of the year. The one I’m kicking myself for missing was Stevie Wonder at the Bank of America Pavilion, but I tried to catch most of the biggies this year. So here goes: (Oh, and WBOS jock John Laurenti and I both discuss our Top Tens for records and concerts in podcasts that you can call up through WBOS.com. Happy holidays!)
1. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & the E Street Band at TD Banknorth Garden. His second night there was celestial, filled with early classics like “Kitty’s Back’’ and “Candy’s Room.’’
2. NEIL YOUNG at the Orpheum. Caught the second night and was completely blown away by his acoustic set, especially, with “Cowgirl in the Sand’’ and “Journey Through the Past’’ (on solo piano). His electric set also mesmerized, but not to the extent of the acoustic one, where Neil’s soul really shone through.
3. VAN HALEN at the TD Banknorth Garden. Who knew that David Lee Roth would come back so strongly? He nearly made you forget all about the Sammy Hagar years.
4. PAULO NUTINI at the Paradise. The newcomer showed that he’s not just a teen idol with a pretty face. He is making music to justify a long career.
5. BRAD DELP TRIBUTE at the Bank of America Pavilion. Brad’s suicide was one of the year’s saddest stories, but at least his friends in the band Boston reunited on his behalf. Also nice sets by Godsmack, Extreme, and Farrenheit.
6. RYAN SHAW at the Copley Square series this summer. Ryan is bringing soul music back with a bang. And openers Eli “Paperboy’’ Reed & the True Loves were perfect for the occasion.
7. THE POLICE at Fenway Park. The Brit trio had been absent for more than 20 years, but they picked up right where they left off. Chemistry is everything.
8. WOLFMOTHER at Avalon. The Aussie hard-rockers seem the logical successors to AC/DC. Turn it up loud.
9. RATDOG at Bank of American Pavilion. Former Grateful Dead singer Bob Weir had one of his best Ratdog lineups yet, with Steve Kimock filling in the guitar chair. A psychedelic night on the harbor.
10. AUGUSTANA at TD Banknorth Garden. They played after a Celtics game this year and were anything but an anticlimax. Their song “Boston’’ is an instant classic, but they’ve got more going on than just that.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: Here are some possibilities – Soulive at the Paradise, Bang Camaro at the Hard Rock Café, Roomful of Blues and David Maxwell at the Regattabar, Superhoney at T.T. the Bear’s, and Ellis Paul at Club Passim.
CRITIC’S TIPS
A Christmas Celtic Sojourn – at the Cutler Majestic Theatre Thursday, Dec. 20-Saturday, Dec. 22. I caught the show last week and loved it. The group Solas anchors this Celtic-themed musical revue, with special guests Dougie MacLean and Aoife O’Donovan (from the band Crooked Still).
Benefit for Jeanne – at T.T. the Bear’s on Friday, Dec. 21. Bartender Jeanne Sheehy (who is fighting cancer) gets more support from the local community as the Shods, the Pills, and Jules Verdone raise money for her medical bills.
Lemonheads – at the Middle East Downstairs on Saturday, Dec. 22. Enfant terrible Evan Dando returns with his latest incarnation of the alt-rocking Lemonheads.
Wheelers and Dealers – at the Plough & Stars on Saturday, Dec. 22. Fun country/rock-roots music with a comic edge.
Sub Rosa – at the Lizard Lounge on Saturday, Dec. 22. Rose Polenzani teams up with an exciting cast including Dennis Brennan, Sam Bigelow, and Dave Godowsky.
Aine Minogue – at Club Passim on Sunday, Dec. 23. The local harpist is a folk music wonder. Her concerts are often spellbinding events.
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – at Club Passim on Thursday, Dec. 27. I’ve often thought of Kellogg as a latter-day Tom Petty. Great songs, great band, great time.
Mary Lou Lord – at the Plough & Stars on Thursday, Dec. 27. The ever-intriguing Ms. Lord returns to the Plough, where she recently did an acclaimed residency.
(Steve Morse can be reached at spmorse@gmail.com.)
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Neil Young still rules, and tips
Neil Young’s catalog has a breadth that few others can touch. His absurdly rich reservoir of acoustic and electric material was on display at three Orpheum Theatre shows this week, each with some varying song choices that had diehards wondering which was the best night. For me, I only went to the second show, but it’s enough to keep me content for a while.
Neil broke the show into acoustic and electric sets. The acoustic one was the most powerful for yours truly. He has acquired an emotional depth – and an appreciation of life from a scary brain aneurysm a couple of years ago – that made the acoustic set the most personal, and the most fertile. Sitting in a chair flanked by six guitars, a banjo, and two pianos to the side, Neil opened with the panoramic scope of “From Hank to Hendrix,’’ then settled into one gem after another.
The novelty song “A Man Needs a Maid’’ had new depth, while “Love is a Rose’’ took things even deeper. Neil thanked Linda Ronstadt for recording it (one young fan shouted, “Who is Linda Ronstadt?’’), but his version of “Journey Through the Past’’ on piano was the highlight for me. It was on the “Live at Massey Hall’’ album that Neil released earlier this year, right around the time my mother died. I played that song incessantly and it gave me a much-catharsis. Thank you again, Neil, for doing it at the Orpheum. It sounds like a hymn and has a spiritual that turns back the years.
The acoustic set was soon capped by “Cowgirl in the Sand,’’ a stunning choice by any estimation. Neil shambled off, then returned for an electric set keyed by the efforts of drummer Ralph Molina (a veteran of Young’s Crazy Horse group), though it lost some punch because pedal steel guitarist Ben Keith, who is a brilliant player, was not quite up to the rocking edge that the electric set needed. I missed Frank Sampedro of Crazy Horse on guitar.
The set has some classic Neil tracks – “The Loner,’’ “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere,’’ “Spirit Road,’’ and “Cinnamon Girl,’’ which built the concert into a high-energy stew. But as good as Neil still is on electric guitar, it just didn’t dig into my soul the way the acoustic moments had. It did, however, prove that Neil is a master who is still a must-see act from the ‘60s. Long may he roam.
,
CRITIC’S TIPS
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals – at the Paradise Rock Club on Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 6-8. Grace & Co. have really gone national since playing the WBOS Earth Fest in the spring. Her Bonnie Raitt-influenced sound is infectious and she’s playing three weekend with three different opening acts – Eli “Paperboy’’ Reed tonight, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles tomorrow, and Tim Gearan Saturday.
John Mellencamp – at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H. on Thursday, Oct. 6. Word is leaking that Mellencamp will not just be a nominee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, but a full-fledged inductee. It’s about time.
Benefit for Jeanne – at T.T. the Bear’s on Thursday, Dec. 6. Veteran T.T.’s bartender Jeanne Sheehy has been diagnosed with cancer, so the community is giving back with a series of upcoming benefits. This Thursday kicks it off with the Delusions, Wide Iris, Country Doctors, and Doug MacDonald. Other benefits follow on Dec. 21 and 28.
Cake – at the Orpheum on Friday, Dec. 7. The Sacramento-hatched Cake released one of the decade’s best albums in 2001’s “Comfort Eagle,’’ featuring the bitingly sardonic “Meanwhile, Rick James.’’
Bleu – at the Lizard Lounge on Saturday, Dec. 8. Bleu cut his teeth in the Boston scene and his probing pop-rock looked to be the Next Big Thing at one point. Plans are still on hold for that, but Bleu is extremely talented and he may still get there.
Angeline and others – at The Middle East Upstairs on Saturday, Dec. 8. Angeline, whose new album was produced by Boston rock legend Asa Brebner, has been coming on strong. The Nervous Eaters, Fox Pass, and Totaro open up. A great night of rock.
Youssou N’Dour – at the Somerville Theatre on Monday, Dec. 10. N’Dour will forever be remembered as the world music voice on the Amnesty International tour in the ‘90s that featured Bruce Springsteen, Sting, and Tracy Chapman.
Royal Crown Revue – at Scullers on Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 12-13. The Royal Crown Revue burst out of the neo-swing movement and they’ve received another bonus by having their song “Hey Pachuco’’ featured on the recent finale of TV show “Dancing with the Stars.’’
Neil broke the show into acoustic and electric sets. The acoustic one was the most powerful for yours truly. He has acquired an emotional depth – and an appreciation of life from a scary brain aneurysm a couple of years ago – that made the acoustic set the most personal, and the most fertile. Sitting in a chair flanked by six guitars, a banjo, and two pianos to the side, Neil opened with the panoramic scope of “From Hank to Hendrix,’’ then settled into one gem after another.
The novelty song “A Man Needs a Maid’’ had new depth, while “Love is a Rose’’ took things even deeper. Neil thanked Linda Ronstadt for recording it (one young fan shouted, “Who is Linda Ronstadt?’’), but his version of “Journey Through the Past’’ on piano was the highlight for me. It was on the “Live at Massey Hall’’ album that Neil released earlier this year, right around the time my mother died. I played that song incessantly and it gave me a much-catharsis. Thank you again, Neil, for doing it at the Orpheum. It sounds like a hymn and has a spiritual that turns back the years.
The acoustic set was soon capped by “Cowgirl in the Sand,’’ a stunning choice by any estimation. Neil shambled off, then returned for an electric set keyed by the efforts of drummer Ralph Molina (a veteran of Young’s Crazy Horse group), though it lost some punch because pedal steel guitarist Ben Keith, who is a brilliant player, was not quite up to the rocking edge that the electric set needed. I missed Frank Sampedro of Crazy Horse on guitar.
The set has some classic Neil tracks – “The Loner,’’ “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere,’’ “Spirit Road,’’ and “Cinnamon Girl,’’ which built the concert into a high-energy stew. But as good as Neil still is on electric guitar, it just didn’t dig into my soul the way the acoustic moments had. It did, however, prove that Neil is a master who is still a must-see act from the ‘60s. Long may he roam.
,
CRITIC’S TIPS
Grace Potter & the Nocturnals – at the Paradise Rock Club on Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 6-8. Grace & Co. have really gone national since playing the WBOS Earth Fest in the spring. Her Bonnie Raitt-influenced sound is infectious and she’s playing three weekend with three different opening acts – Eli “Paperboy’’ Reed tonight, Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles tomorrow, and Tim Gearan Saturday.
John Mellencamp – at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H. on Thursday, Oct. 6. Word is leaking that Mellencamp will not just be a nominee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, but a full-fledged inductee. It’s about time.
Benefit for Jeanne – at T.T. the Bear’s on Thursday, Dec. 6. Veteran T.T.’s bartender Jeanne Sheehy has been diagnosed with cancer, so the community is giving back with a series of upcoming benefits. This Thursday kicks it off with the Delusions, Wide Iris, Country Doctors, and Doug MacDonald. Other benefits follow on Dec. 21 and 28.
Cake – at the Orpheum on Friday, Dec. 7. The Sacramento-hatched Cake released one of the decade’s best albums in 2001’s “Comfort Eagle,’’ featuring the bitingly sardonic “Meanwhile, Rick James.’’
Bleu – at the Lizard Lounge on Saturday, Dec. 8. Bleu cut his teeth in the Boston scene and his probing pop-rock looked to be the Next Big Thing at one point. Plans are still on hold for that, but Bleu is extremely talented and he may still get there.
Angeline and others – at The Middle East Upstairs on Saturday, Dec. 8. Angeline, whose new album was produced by Boston rock legend Asa Brebner, has been coming on strong. The Nervous Eaters, Fox Pass, and Totaro open up. A great night of rock.
Youssou N’Dour – at the Somerville Theatre on Monday, Dec. 10. N’Dour will forever be remembered as the world music voice on the Amnesty International tour in the ‘90s that featured Bruce Springsteen, Sting, and Tracy Chapman.
Royal Crown Revue – at Scullers on Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 12-13. The Royal Crown Revue burst out of the neo-swing movement and they’ve received another bonus by having their song “Hey Pachuco’’ featured on the recent finale of TV show “Dancing with the Stars.’’
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.)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
CRIT TIPS
Detroit Cobras – at T.T. the Bear’s on Thursday, Oct. 25. These Detroit rockers have swung through town a lot lately, but they deliver a sometimes necessary jolt of garage-punk by digging out ‘60s underground classics that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Sarah Borges – at Johnny D’s on Friday, Oct. 26. The Somerville-based singer has worked hard to become a national touring act this year. She’s as likely to be in Vancouver as she is in Boston. Her vital country-rock is the reason why.
Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway Theatre – Tingle’s Davis Square venue has been creative in its bookings. This Friday and Saturday they’ve got Jeremy Lyons, a New Orleans bluesman who came her after Katrina, along with catered food from Redbones.
Buffalo Tom – at the Somerville Theatre on Friday, Oct. 26. Tom Janovitz and the lads aren’t resting on their ‘90s alt-rock laurels. They just released a new album and have been promoting it vigorously.
Angeline and Robin Lane & the Chartbusters – at the Lizard Lounge on Friday, Oct. 26. The female-fronted Angeline is up and coming, while the Chartbusters had their heyday in the ‘80s. But the constant between these two groups is Boston rocker Asa Brebner, who always lifts whatever act he’s playing with.
Paddy Saul – at the Lizard Lounge on Saturday, Oct. 27. The local Celtic rocker has been on the move. He has emerged from the Tir na Nog circuit to play some larger venues – and this is his first headlining stint at the Lizard. I believe.
Mary Gauthier – at Club Passim on Monday, Oct. 29. The former owner/chef of Boston’s Dixie Kitchen restaurant has become a startlingly emotional folk-country singer. Give her credit for trying a new career and making it.
Pink-Tie Rock ‘n’ Roll Ball -- at the Hard Rock Café on Monday, Oct. 29. The bands Gretel and Static of the Gods are among the acts playing this benefit event, which WBOS is helping sponsor.
Van Halen – at the TD Banknorth Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Van Halen’s onetime clown prince, David Lee Roth, is back in the saddle, so this should stir some memories. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen is still aboard, while his son, Wolfgang, is on bass this time.
Australian Pink Floyd – at Agganis Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 30. My WBOS DJ partner John Laurenti loves these guys. Close your eyes and you’ll think the real Pink Floyd might be in the room. They deliver a spectacular light show as well.
Detroit Cobras – at T.T. the Bear’s on Thursday, Oct. 25. These Detroit rockers have swung through town a lot lately, but they deliver a sometimes necessary jolt of garage-punk by digging out ‘60s underground classics that shouldn’t be forgotten.
Sarah Borges – at Johnny D’s on Friday, Oct. 26. The Somerville-based singer has worked hard to become a national touring act this year. She’s as likely to be in Vancouver as she is in Boston. Her vital country-rock is the reason why.
Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway Theatre – Tingle’s Davis Square venue has been creative in its bookings. This Friday and Saturday they’ve got Jeremy Lyons, a New Orleans bluesman who came her after Katrina, along with catered food from Redbones.
Buffalo Tom – at the Somerville Theatre on Friday, Oct. 26. Tom Janovitz and the lads aren’t resting on their ‘90s alt-rock laurels. They just released a new album and have been promoting it vigorously.
Angeline and Robin Lane & the Chartbusters – at the Lizard Lounge on Friday, Oct. 26. The female-fronted Angeline is up and coming, while the Chartbusters had their heyday in the ‘80s. But the constant between these two groups is Boston rocker Asa Brebner, who always lifts whatever act he’s playing with.
Paddy Saul – at the Lizard Lounge on Saturday, Oct. 27. The local Celtic rocker has been on the move. He has emerged from the Tir na Nog circuit to play some larger venues – and this is his first headlining stint at the Lizard. I believe.
Mary Gauthier – at Club Passim on Monday, Oct. 29. The former owner/chef of Boston’s Dixie Kitchen restaurant has become a startlingly emotional folk-country singer. Give her credit for trying a new career and making it.
Pink-Tie Rock ‘n’ Roll Ball -- at the Hard Rock Café on Monday, Oct. 29. The bands Gretel and Static of the Gods are among the acts playing this benefit event, which WBOS is helping sponsor.
Van Halen – at the TD Banknorth Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Van Halen’s onetime clown prince, David Lee Roth, is back in the saddle, so this should stir some memories. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen is still aboard, while his son, Wolfgang, is on bass this time.
Australian Pink Floyd – at Agganis Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 30. My WBOS DJ partner John Laurenti loves these guys. Close your eyes and you’ll think the real Pink Floyd might be in the room. They deliver a spectacular light show as well.
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