Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Coming soon
OK, here's what you can expect in the coming weeks...columns on Johnny Mathis, Old Crow Medicine Show, George Thorogood, the Pretenders, and Ratt. Oh, and I'll be at these shows: Mudvayne, AC/DC, Kid Rock/Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Pretenders, Ratt/Extreme, Thorogood. There will be others, I'm sure, so stay tuned!
Summer of shows
OK, so people ask me all the time what I thought of certain shows. Here's a quick synopsis of the shows I've seen this summer. We'll work backward:
* Billy Joel/Elton John: Two great musicians, one great show. Unlike their last trip through New England a few years ago, this time, it was Billy Joel who was relaxed and playing to the crowd. (His recent separation from his wife has not diminished Joel's upbeat nature, a departure from the bout with alcoholism he endured last time around.) John seemed subdued on this night, although that may have been because he was the opener this time around. Their duets were spot-on and the evening almost went chronologically, with Elton sticking mostly to his 70s stuff and Joel leaning on the later 70s and 80s hits in his catalog.
* Sonny Landreth: Amazing. The man can play guitar. His voice isn't great, but his guitar-work is impeccable. He is as underrated as Eric Clapton said he was. The Bull Run was at times rocking and at other times in jaw-dropping awe of his talent. If he ever comes this way around, definitely check him out. You will not be disappointed.
* Susan Tedeschi. She was surprisingly good. I shouldn't say that, because I had heard great things about her, but having never seen her, I wasn't sure. I was wrong. I caught the show at the Newport Sunset Music Festival and was very impressed. She plays around here quite often so if you haven't seen her (and I may be in the minority based on the vociferous reception she received last month), she's worth the price of admission.
Ed
* Billy Joel/Elton John: Two great musicians, one great show. Unlike their last trip through New England a few years ago, this time, it was Billy Joel who was relaxed and playing to the crowd. (His recent separation from his wife has not diminished Joel's upbeat nature, a departure from the bout with alcoholism he endured last time around.) John seemed subdued on this night, although that may have been because he was the opener this time around. Their duets were spot-on and the evening almost went chronologically, with Elton sticking mostly to his 70s stuff and Joel leaning on the later 70s and 80s hits in his catalog.
* Sonny Landreth: Amazing. The man can play guitar. His voice isn't great, but his guitar-work is impeccable. He is as underrated as Eric Clapton said he was. The Bull Run was at times rocking and at other times in jaw-dropping awe of his talent. If he ever comes this way around, definitely check him out. You will not be disappointed.
* Susan Tedeschi. She was surprisingly good. I shouldn't say that, because I had heard great things about her, but having never seen her, I wasn't sure. I was wrong. I caught the show at the Newport Sunset Music Festival and was very impressed. She plays around here quite often so if you haven't seen her (and I may be in the minority based on the vociferous reception she received last month), she's worth the price of admission.
Ed
Recent columns
Sorry for the lack of updates, but the "day job" and other goings-on have kept me busy lately. Anyway, here's what I've been up to.
In late June, I chatted with Lowell's Evan Goodrow a couple of weeks prior to his opening for Los Lonely Boys at Boarding House Park...
Multi-genre man, don't paint him blue
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
Evan Goodrow has been around music half his life.
"I was in a band when I was 15, playing blues guitar and being snuck into clubs in the Boston area," says the Lowell musician.
The guitarist/songwriter opened for B.B. King at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium and Buddy Guy at the Lowell Summer Music Series, but the 32 year-old refuses to be typecast.
"Blues and jazz have always been a focus for me, but over the years, I have moved away from any genre. There were times I could have gone ahead and played straight jazz or tried to be the Boston answer to the guitar slinger. There were a lot of genres I played with. When I was 21, I toured across the country by myself doing acoustic music in coffeehouses."
Goodrow returns to the local stage July 10 when he opens for Los Lonely Boys at Boarding House Park.
Born in Ohio and growing up in Salem. Goodrow adopted Lowell as his home a year ago.
"A lot of people haven't caught on to that. I've been so busy trekking here and there that where I live is sort of inconsequential. I love Lowell, though. It's a great city. When I'm not touring or have nights off, I try to spend them downtown and check out the local scene. It's definitely growing on me."
Goodrow's catalog is also growing. He is recording his 10th album with Phil Antoniades on drums and John Cooke on keyboards.
He defines his latest sound as "soul/R&B that came right out of Motown. It's very danceable, but it's done with instruments, not electronic. It's very authentic. There's a level of musicianship up there with jazz and blues musicians. We are musicians who choose to play songs. We are not a jam band who play a groove for five hours. That's not our bag."
Goodrow says his band actually has an easier time landing gigs by not locking into specific genres. "We play a lot of covers. We love playing James Brown grooves, Al Green, Philly funk, etc. We'll fill slots meant for cover bands, play a few covers, and the rest of it is ours. Or we'll go into a cover place and play our own stuff and it sounds like it might be a cover."
The Evan Goodrow Band plays the Lowell Summer Music Series July 10, Boarding House Park, 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $26 in advance, $30 day of. www.lowellsummermusic.org.
Then, there was the enjoyable experience of catching the Tupelo Music Hall's Open Mic Night. I actually did this in early June, but held off on the article until closer to the Music Hall's next Open Mic Night on July 2. If you're a musician, it's definitely worth checking out. Here's the article...
The best musicians hit Tupelo Hall at a monthly musical grab bag
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
LONDONDERRY, N.H. -- They came in packs -- musicians carrying guitar cases alongside significant others there for support. This was the Tupelo Music Hall's monthly open mic night.
If you're interested in performing, you only need to bring your instrument(s) since the folks at Tupelo take care of everything else from microphones to amplifiers.
The crowd of aspiring headliners is diverse: old, young, men, women, groups of high school boys and teenage girls.
Once the acts fill out the sign-up sheet, the butterflies seem to kick in. Some artists sit with their eyes closed, fingers folded -- meditating. A trip to the restroom also brought with it the sights of performers picking at their acoustic guitar.
Each act gets two songs. With 23 performers on this night, it's important to keep things moving. Based on the popularity of open mic night, organizers are considering going to twice a month in the fall. For now, it remains on the first Thursday of each month.
Most acts are soloists who will sing and play the guitar, but a few performers are duos or full-fledged bands (on the night we were there, there was also an instrumental guitarist, a drummer, and a performance artist who closed out the evening).
Pretty much everyone played originals, although a few went with covers.
Some came off as polished and well-rehearsed, others admitted to nerves and stuck to playing chords on the piano while working out the logistics of a Katy Perry song. And these weren't just local yokels, either. Performers came from Hopkinton and Worcester, along with all over New Hampshire.
It would be easy to poke fun at open mic night, but it takes guts to perform in front of an audience, whether it is music, theater, public speaking, or anything else.
Tupelo Music Hall's open mic begins at 6 p.m. tonight. The sign-up sheet is available for one hour. The first act takes the stage at 7 p.m. Ellis Ralph from Lawrence takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. The other acts perform at 9 p.m. $5. (603) 437-5100 for information.
Three weeks ago, I interviewed slide guitar extraordinaire Sonny Landreth from Portland, Oregon, where he was playing at a festival. I then caught the show at The Bull Run in Shirley (see the preview article below) and was blown away by his talent.
Guitar on the slide
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
"He is probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced."
Eric Clapton said that about Louisiana-based slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, who performs Saturday at The Bull Run in Shirley. Landreth is touring behind From the Reach, his ninth studio album, which features Clapton, Eric Johnson, Vince Gill, Dr. John and Jimmy Buffett.
Landreth's guitar style combines the bottleneck slide, palm and thumb-picking techniques to produce a sound that is said to resemble many instruments at once. Indeed, his music encompasses Mississippi Delta blues, zydeco, and southern rock.
"Blues is at the core of it, but there's a lot more going on," said Landreth, who played slide and electric guitar forever, but now sticks to slide guitar. "That's my thing. I realized a long time ago it's the best thing I have to offer."
Landreth says fans should expect a bit of an overview of songs from most of his albums. "We've got one instrumental previously unreleased that we play live," he said. "Some of the songs (from his albums) take on a life of their own live."
And that life is one Landreth wants to share after the show. "I always hope people take it home with them. It makes them feel good, takes them to a place where people need to go right now," he said.
Landreth recalls playing in New York City with John Hiatt on Sept. 11, 2001. "It took us 48 hours to get out of the city. We went back a week later to make up the shows. I think it gave people a break from the harsh reality of the time."
Landreth is playing a bunch of weekends this year rather than doing a full-fledged tour. "It lets us go home and sleep in our own bed every week. That's a nice feeling."
You don't need to be familiar with his work to enjoy the show. "The great thing about Cajun zydeco music is there is a spirit to it that is infectious," Landreth said. "We play a lot of festivals where it is more of a community with all the bands and tradition of our area. When you hear it in other parts of the country, you take it with you."
Landreth plays Saturday at 8 p.m. Drivin' Blind opens. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of the show. The Bull Run, 215 Great Road, Shirley. www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
Greater Lowell music lovers have tons of choices this weekend to hear live music by national acts. On Friday night, Los Lonely Boys play Boarding House Park as part of the Lowell Summer Music Series, The Offspring headline Tsongas Arena, Buddy Guy performs at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, and Staind take over Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, N.H. On Saturday night, Ani DiFranco headlines the Lowell Summer Music Series and Wilco steps up to LeLacheur Park.
Two weeks ago, I was fortunate to spend some time with bluegrass legend Del McCoury, who played at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom last week. The hour flew by, with us telling stories about the iconic Bill Monroe, the enduring nature of bluegrass music, and his own stature.
A bluegrass great dips into Hampton Beach
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
If you are talking to a bluegrass musician who once sang lead vocals with Bill Monroe, chances are it's Del McCoury.
If there was a Mount Rushmore of bluegrass, McCoury would be one of the four faces on the mountainside, along with Monroe, Lester Flatt, and Earl Scruggs. Monroe died in 1996, Flatt in 1979, and the 85-year-old Scruggs remains active, playing shows through the Midwest and Rockies, but you only need to jump in your car and drive about an hour to see McCoury.
The Grammy-winning McCoury performs tonight with Ricky Skaggs at the first annual Hampton Beach Bluegrass Festival at the Casino Ballroom. This is a rare opportunity to check out two legends of bluegrass and country music.
Speaking by phone from his home in Nashville, McCoury recalled playing New England many times, including colleges in Connecticut, festivals in Maine, and the Lowell Folk Festival a decade ago.
His career took hold when he played in Monroe's band, Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, in 1963. "I played with him exactly one year and then moved to California. I figured California was the place to be. I got married and moved out there." McCoury, a native of York County, Pa., then moved back to the Keystone State.
McCoury met Skaggs when he and the late country music singer Keith Whitley were playing with Ralph Stanley, whose music was featured in O Brother, Where Art Thou? McCoury says Skaggs was probably 15 at the time. He's known him ever since, even recording for Skaggs' label before starting his own label. "He's a great friend of mine."
Yet, McCoury isn't sure if he and Skaggs will perform together in Hampton Beach. "We haven't talked about that. We play shows together, but we never do anything together. He does his thing and I do mine. I like singing with Ricky."
The Hampton Beach Bluegrass Festival, tonight, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $40, $33, and $28. visit www.casinoballroom.com.
In late June, I chatted with Lowell's Evan Goodrow a couple of weeks prior to his opening for Los Lonely Boys at Boarding House Park...
Multi-genre man, don't paint him blue
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
Evan Goodrow has been around music half his life.
"I was in a band when I was 15, playing blues guitar and being snuck into clubs in the Boston area," says the Lowell musician.
The guitarist/songwriter opened for B.B. King at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium and Buddy Guy at the Lowell Summer Music Series, but the 32 year-old refuses to be typecast.
"Blues and jazz have always been a focus for me, but over the years, I have moved away from any genre. There were times I could have gone ahead and played straight jazz or tried to be the Boston answer to the guitar slinger. There were a lot of genres I played with. When I was 21, I toured across the country by myself doing acoustic music in coffeehouses."
Goodrow returns to the local stage July 10 when he opens for Los Lonely Boys at Boarding House Park.
Born in Ohio and growing up in Salem. Goodrow adopted Lowell as his home a year ago.
"A lot of people haven't caught on to that. I've been so busy trekking here and there that where I live is sort of inconsequential. I love Lowell, though. It's a great city. When I'm not touring or have nights off, I try to spend them downtown and check out the local scene. It's definitely growing on me."
Goodrow's catalog is also growing. He is recording his 10th album with Phil Antoniades on drums and John Cooke on keyboards.
He defines his latest sound as "soul/R&B that came right out of Motown. It's very danceable, but it's done with instruments, not electronic. It's very authentic. There's a level of musicianship up there with jazz and blues musicians. We are musicians who choose to play songs. We are not a jam band who play a groove for five hours. That's not our bag."
Goodrow says his band actually has an easier time landing gigs by not locking into specific genres. "We play a lot of covers. We love playing James Brown grooves, Al Green, Philly funk, etc. We'll fill slots meant for cover bands, play a few covers, and the rest of it is ours. Or we'll go into a cover place and play our own stuff and it sounds like it might be a cover."
The Evan Goodrow Band plays the Lowell Summer Music Series July 10, Boarding House Park, 7:30 p.m. Tickets, $26 in advance, $30 day of. www.lowellsummermusic.org.
Then, there was the enjoyable experience of catching the Tupelo Music Hall's Open Mic Night. I actually did this in early June, but held off on the article until closer to the Music Hall's next Open Mic Night on July 2. If you're a musician, it's definitely worth checking out. Here's the article...
The best musicians hit Tupelo Hall at a monthly musical grab bag
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
LONDONDERRY, N.H. -- They came in packs -- musicians carrying guitar cases alongside significant others there for support. This was the Tupelo Music Hall's monthly open mic night.
If you're interested in performing, you only need to bring your instrument(s) since the folks at Tupelo take care of everything else from microphones to amplifiers.
The crowd of aspiring headliners is diverse: old, young, men, women, groups of high school boys and teenage girls.
Once the acts fill out the sign-up sheet, the butterflies seem to kick in. Some artists sit with their eyes closed, fingers folded -- meditating. A trip to the restroom also brought with it the sights of performers picking at their acoustic guitar.
Each act gets two songs. With 23 performers on this night, it's important to keep things moving. Based on the popularity of open mic night, organizers are considering going to twice a month in the fall. For now, it remains on the first Thursday of each month.
Most acts are soloists who will sing and play the guitar, but a few performers are duos or full-fledged bands (on the night we were there, there was also an instrumental guitarist, a drummer, and a performance artist who closed out the evening).
Pretty much everyone played originals, although a few went with covers.
Some came off as polished and well-rehearsed, others admitted to nerves and stuck to playing chords on the piano while working out the logistics of a Katy Perry song. And these weren't just local yokels, either. Performers came from Hopkinton and Worcester, along with all over New Hampshire.
It would be easy to poke fun at open mic night, but it takes guts to perform in front of an audience, whether it is music, theater, public speaking, or anything else.
Tupelo Music Hall's open mic begins at 6 p.m. tonight. The sign-up sheet is available for one hour. The first act takes the stage at 7 p.m. Ellis Ralph from Lawrence takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. The other acts perform at 9 p.m. $5. (603) 437-5100 for information.
Three weeks ago, I interviewed slide guitar extraordinaire Sonny Landreth from Portland, Oregon, where he was playing at a festival. I then caught the show at The Bull Run in Shirley (see the preview article below) and was blown away by his talent.
Guitar on the slide
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
"He is probably the most underestimated musician on the planet and also probably one of the most advanced."
Eric Clapton said that about Louisiana-based slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, who performs Saturday at The Bull Run in Shirley. Landreth is touring behind From the Reach, his ninth studio album, which features Clapton, Eric Johnson, Vince Gill, Dr. John and Jimmy Buffett.
Landreth's guitar style combines the bottleneck slide, palm and thumb-picking techniques to produce a sound that is said to resemble many instruments at once. Indeed, his music encompasses Mississippi Delta blues, zydeco, and southern rock.
"Blues is at the core of it, but there's a lot more going on," said Landreth, who played slide and electric guitar forever, but now sticks to slide guitar. "That's my thing. I realized a long time ago it's the best thing I have to offer."
Landreth says fans should expect a bit of an overview of songs from most of his albums. "We've got one instrumental previously unreleased that we play live," he said. "Some of the songs (from his albums) take on a life of their own live."
And that life is one Landreth wants to share after the show. "I always hope people take it home with them. It makes them feel good, takes them to a place where people need to go right now," he said.
Landreth recalls playing in New York City with John Hiatt on Sept. 11, 2001. "It took us 48 hours to get out of the city. We went back a week later to make up the shows. I think it gave people a break from the harsh reality of the time."
Landreth is playing a bunch of weekends this year rather than doing a full-fledged tour. "It lets us go home and sleep in our own bed every week. That's a nice feeling."
You don't need to be familiar with his work to enjoy the show. "The great thing about Cajun zydeco music is there is a spirit to it that is infectious," Landreth said. "We play a lot of festivals where it is more of a community with all the bands and tradition of our area. When you hear it in other parts of the country, you take it with you."
Landreth plays Saturday at 8 p.m. Drivin' Blind opens. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 day of the show. The Bull Run, 215 Great Road, Shirley. www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
Greater Lowell music lovers have tons of choices this weekend to hear live music by national acts. On Friday night, Los Lonely Boys play Boarding House Park as part of the Lowell Summer Music Series, The Offspring headline Tsongas Arena, Buddy Guy performs at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, and Staind take over Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, N.H. On Saturday night, Ani DiFranco headlines the Lowell Summer Music Series and Wilco steps up to LeLacheur Park.
Two weeks ago, I was fortunate to spend some time with bluegrass legend Del McCoury, who played at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom last week. The hour flew by, with us telling stories about the iconic Bill Monroe, the enduring nature of bluegrass music, and his own stature.
A bluegrass great dips into Hampton Beach
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
If you are talking to a bluegrass musician who once sang lead vocals with Bill Monroe, chances are it's Del McCoury.
If there was a Mount Rushmore of bluegrass, McCoury would be one of the four faces on the mountainside, along with Monroe, Lester Flatt, and Earl Scruggs. Monroe died in 1996, Flatt in 1979, and the 85-year-old Scruggs remains active, playing shows through the Midwest and Rockies, but you only need to jump in your car and drive about an hour to see McCoury.
The Grammy-winning McCoury performs tonight with Ricky Skaggs at the first annual Hampton Beach Bluegrass Festival at the Casino Ballroom. This is a rare opportunity to check out two legends of bluegrass and country music.
Speaking by phone from his home in Nashville, McCoury recalled playing New England many times, including colleges in Connecticut, festivals in Maine, and the Lowell Folk Festival a decade ago.
His career took hold when he played in Monroe's band, Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, in 1963. "I played with him exactly one year and then moved to California. I figured California was the place to be. I got married and moved out there." McCoury, a native of York County, Pa., then moved back to the Keystone State.
McCoury met Skaggs when he and the late country music singer Keith Whitley were playing with Ralph Stanley, whose music was featured in O Brother, Where Art Thou? McCoury says Skaggs was probably 15 at the time. He's known him ever since, even recording for Skaggs' label before starting his own label. "He's a great friend of mine."
Yet, McCoury isn't sure if he and Skaggs will perform together in Hampton Beach. "We haven't talked about that. We play shows together, but we never do anything together. He does his thing and I do mine. I like singing with Ricky."
The Hampton Beach Bluegrass Festival, tonight, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $40, $33, and $28. visit www.casinoballroom.com.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
For Lewis, the news is still good
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
They've been around for 30 years and, even though their biggest hits are 25 years old, Huey Lewis and The News are still going strong.
While their calling card in the '80s was, as one critic said, "the ultimate garage band," Huey Lewis and The News really made their mark with a series of Top 10 hits: "Heart and Soul," "I Want a New Drug," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," "If This Is It," "Stuck With You," "Hip to Be Square," "Jacob's Ladder," and "Doing It All For My Baby" and their number-one hit from Back to the Future, "The Power of Love."
Yet, once they had those hits, which came from the albums Sports and Fore!, in their back pocket, their 1988 album Small World began their progression from a rock 'n' roll band to a jazz, rhythm-and-blues group. In fact, the title track from that album featured jazz saxophonist Stan Getz. They also worked with the Tower of Power horns section through the 1980s (you can hear them on "Hip to Be Square") into the early '90s.
They have sold more than 30 million records worldwide, the 1983 album Sports sold 10 million copies in the United States, they have won two Grammy Awards, and all five albums released between 1982 and 1991 have been certified either gold, platinum, or multi-platinum.
The band continues to record, with their 2001 album Plan B their most recent work, although they did record the theme song to last year's movie Pineapple Express. They play 60 to 70 shows a year, including an annual swing through New England, including this Sunday night's show at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom.
They still feature a horn section and are as likely to play oldies (they recorded the Curtis Mayfield classic "It's Alright", the J.J. Jackson classic "But It's Alright" and The Drifters' "Some Kind of Wonderful" in the '90s) as they are their biggest hits.
Having seen them maybe a half-dozen times, including most recently in 2006 at Bank of America Pavilion in Boston on a co-headlining tour with Chicago, what you get from Huey Lewis and The News is an evening of great music, some of their biggest hits, and a voice that, while a bit weathered, still can evoke memories of warm summer nights as a teenager combing the beach.
Much like most of their fan base, they have moved from the MTV generation to "80s Flashback" shows on the radio. Yet, their mix of upbeat songs remains timeless.
Huey Lewis and The News perform Sunday at the Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, N.H. Paul Thorn opens. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $41-$76. For information, visit www.casinoballroom.com.
They've been around for 30 years and, even though their biggest hits are 25 years old, Huey Lewis and The News are still going strong.
While their calling card in the '80s was, as one critic said, "the ultimate garage band," Huey Lewis and The News really made their mark with a series of Top 10 hits: "Heart and Soul," "I Want a New Drug," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," "If This Is It," "Stuck With You," "Hip to Be Square," "Jacob's Ladder," and "Doing It All For My Baby" and their number-one hit from Back to the Future, "The Power of Love."
Yet, once they had those hits, which came from the albums Sports and Fore!, in their back pocket, their 1988 album Small World began their progression from a rock 'n' roll band to a jazz, rhythm-and-blues group. In fact, the title track from that album featured jazz saxophonist Stan Getz. They also worked with the Tower of Power horns section through the 1980s (you can hear them on "Hip to Be Square") into the early '90s.
They have sold more than 30 million records worldwide, the 1983 album Sports sold 10 million copies in the United States, they have won two Grammy Awards, and all five albums released between 1982 and 1991 have been certified either gold, platinum, or multi-platinum.
The band continues to record, with their 2001 album Plan B their most recent work, although they did record the theme song to last year's movie Pineapple Express. They play 60 to 70 shows a year, including an annual swing through New England, including this Sunday night's show at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom.
They still feature a horn section and are as likely to play oldies (they recorded the Curtis Mayfield classic "It's Alright", the J.J. Jackson classic "But It's Alright" and The Drifters' "Some Kind of Wonderful" in the '90s) as they are their biggest hits.
Having seen them maybe a half-dozen times, including most recently in 2006 at Bank of America Pavilion in Boston on a co-headlining tour with Chicago, what you get from Huey Lewis and The News is an evening of great music, some of their biggest hits, and a voice that, while a bit weathered, still can evoke memories of warm summer nights as a teenager combing the beach.
Much like most of their fan base, they have moved from the MTV generation to "80s Flashback" shows on the radio. Yet, their mix of upbeat songs remains timeless.
Huey Lewis and The News perform Sunday at the Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, N.H. Paul Thorn opens. Doors open at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $41-$76. For information, visit www.casinoballroom.com.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Black Crowes, still hard to handle?
By Ed Hannan, Sun Correspondent
They've had more lineup changes than a slumping baseball team and two brothers who feud more than any band not named Oasis, and yet they keep on touring with a fiercely loyal fan base in tow.
They are The Black Crowes and they are coming up on the 20th anniversary of their 1990 major-label debut, Shake Your Money Maker, an album that has sold more than 6 million copies. They will perform two shows next weekend at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Thursday and Friday, June 18-19.
The Crowes' lineup features mainstays Chris Robinson on vocals and Rich Robinson on guitar, Steve Gorman (drums), and Sven Pipien (bass), along with newcomers Adam MacDougall on keyboards and guitarist Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars. They are touring behind last year's album, Warpaint, their first new material since 2001. They are also working on a new double album, Before the Frost, Until the Freeze, that is slated for release in September. It is said to include bluegrass and country-blues influences and arrangements.
For those who have lost touch with The Black Crowes either since their debut album or their hiatus earlier this decade, here's a quick primer on what you'll see next weekend. They change the set list every night, so doing your homework involves knowing all of their albums, since the Crowes are likely to play songs from their entire catalog. They will play some of their hits, but if you go in expecting to hear the entire Shake Your Money Maker album, you will be disappointed. When they play songs like "Hard to Handle," they get the quickest of run-throughs. However, on other hits like "Thorn in My Pride," they stretch out into lengthy jams.
Indeed, where the Crowes were once mainstays on rock radio, they have now settled comfortably into the world of jam bands like Phish, Umphrey's McGee, and .moe. That includes 20-minute versions of songs and copious amounts of substances that will get you a $100 fine in Massachusetts. But, that said, as someone who has seen them more than a dozen times, I can tell you that every Crowes show is a musical journey. If you like music, it's worth the trip. They will play songs you love and songs you think you've heard, but can't remember. But once you've seen the show, you won't forget it anytime soon.
Ed Hannan can be reached at edhannan@gmail.com and through his blog, http://newenglandmusicblog.blogspot.com.
They've had more lineup changes than a slumping baseball team and two brothers who feud more than any band not named Oasis, and yet they keep on touring with a fiercely loyal fan base in tow.
They are The Black Crowes and they are coming up on the 20th anniversary of their 1990 major-label debut, Shake Your Money Maker, an album that has sold more than 6 million copies. They will perform two shows next weekend at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Thursday and Friday, June 18-19.
The Crowes' lineup features mainstays Chris Robinson on vocals and Rich Robinson on guitar, Steve Gorman (drums), and Sven Pipien (bass), along with newcomers Adam MacDougall on keyboards and guitarist Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars. They are touring behind last year's album, Warpaint, their first new material since 2001. They are also working on a new double album, Before the Frost, Until the Freeze, that is slated for release in September. It is said to include bluegrass and country-blues influences and arrangements.
For those who have lost touch with The Black Crowes either since their debut album or their hiatus earlier this decade, here's a quick primer on what you'll see next weekend. They change the set list every night, so doing your homework involves knowing all of their albums, since the Crowes are likely to play songs from their entire catalog. They will play some of their hits, but if you go in expecting to hear the entire Shake Your Money Maker album, you will be disappointed. When they play songs like "Hard to Handle," they get the quickest of run-throughs. However, on other hits like "Thorn in My Pride," they stretch out into lengthy jams.
Indeed, where the Crowes were once mainstays on rock radio, they have now settled comfortably into the world of jam bands like Phish, Umphrey's McGee, and .moe. That includes 20-minute versions of songs and copious amounts of substances that will get you a $100 fine in Massachusetts. But, that said, as someone who has seen them more than a dozen times, I can tell you that every Crowes show is a musical journey. If you like music, it's worth the trip. They will play songs you love and songs you think you've heard, but can't remember. But once you've seen the show, you won't forget it anytime soon.
Ed Hannan can be reached at edhannan@gmail.com and through his blog, http://newenglandmusicblog.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Check, check...it's Open Mic Night!
On a bit of a lark, I decided to jump in my car on Thursday night and head to Londonderry, New Hampshire, to check out the much-lauded Open Mic Night. You'll see details in a forthcoming article in The Lowell Sun, but I can tell you that it is a great opportunity for aspiring musicians to work out the kinks in front of a live audience. The performers ranged in age and ability from high school to folks in their 60s, from beginners to seasoned professionals. And they ranged in appearance from button-down dress shirts and khakis to a guy dressed like a pirate. It was a lot of fun and the folks at Tupelo run a good show. It's definitely worth the trip. They offer Open Mic night the first Thursday of every month but are considering going to twice a month given its popularity (there were more than 20 acts last Thursday and it ran until about 11:30).
Ed
Ed
crowing about The Crowes
Also wanted to mention that tomorrow's column in The Sun will look at The Black Crowes, who are coming to Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom next weekend for two shows on Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19.
Having seen them more than a dozen times, although not with their current lineup that features new keyboard player Adam MacDougall (who replaced the great Eddie Harsch) and guitarist Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars (who ostensibly replaces Marc Ford although that slot has been a revolving door for years), I know what to expect from The Crowes. You get quick run-throughs of their bigger hits along with extended jams of songs like Black Moon Creeping. It's usually a good time, although my taste for lengthy jams has waned a bit over the years and I think their creative juices have evolved them from the rock band they were in the 90s to a next generation version of The Band.
Still, it's usually a good take.
Ed
Having seen them more than a dozen times, although not with their current lineup that features new keyboard player Adam MacDougall (who replaced the great Eddie Harsch) and guitarist Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi All-Stars (who ostensibly replaces Marc Ford although that slot has been a revolving door for years), I know what to expect from The Crowes. You get quick run-throughs of their bigger hits along with extended jams of songs like Black Moon Creeping. It's usually a good time, although my taste for lengthy jams has waned a bit over the years and I think their creative juices have evolved them from the rock band they were in the 90s to a next generation version of The Band.
Still, it's usually a good take.
Ed
Los Lobos, anyone?
The boys who popularized Tejano music in the 80s with their hit "La Bamba," paving the way for groups like Los Lonely Boys, are coming to Lowell in a couple of weeks to kick off the Lowell Summer Music Series. I had the chance to chat briefly with keyboard and horn player Steve Berlin recently and that conversation is the subject of this week's column in The Sun.
I found it interesting that they are going to be doing double-shot concerts this winter where they will play kids songs during the day (from their forthcoming Disney album) and their songs at night in the same city, presumably at the same venue.
It's also interesting that they don't really rehearse anymore. I guess having played together for 30-plus years gives you some leeway.
Ed
I found it interesting that they are going to be doing double-shot concerts this winter where they will play kids songs during the day (from their forthcoming Disney album) and their songs at night in the same city, presumably at the same venue.
It's also interesting that they don't really rehearse anymore. I guess having played together for 30-plus years gives you some leeway.
Ed
Friday, May 29, 2009
Other recent columns
Last week's Steppin' Out column looked at the irrepressible Fee Waybill, lead singer of The Tubes. They'll be at the Bull Run in Shirley tonight. I'll be there checking out what promises from all accounts to be a memorable show. (Both Waybill and Bull Run management tell me that the show must be seen to believed.)
From what I understand, as of a couple of weeks ago, the show was nearly sold out. You may want to call the Bull Run before you head out to the show tonight. (They also play tomorrow night at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxborough and tickets are available for that show.)
Hope to see you there!
Two weeks ago, I profiled Jimmy Tingle's show at The Bull Run (yes, we were bullish on the Bull Run for a few weeks but I promise to cover shows at other venues, including the Lowell Summer Music Series, Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, and more, in coming weeks). I also checked out the performance and he's unbelievable. A true professional in every sense of the word. He works a clean show, yet his humor is topical and top-notch. He's definitely worth checking out and he'll be at Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday night, June 20. Definitely worth it.
And, about a month ago, I advanced this past Wednesday night's Cake concert at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. I was lucky enough to speak with Vince DiFiore for the article. Neither of us could believe the band has been around since 1991. And I can't believe "The Distance" came out in 1996. I took in the show on Wednesday night and was absolutely blown away. They are so much more than a one-hit wonder. You can see where bands like My Morning Jacket came from in watching and listening to Cake. I was also surprised to see the Auditorium nearly full, considering the band hasn't charted in more than a decade. Unfortunately, they don't tour very often, but when they hit the area again, you might want to pick up a ticket. Until then, just hit iTunes and download the catalog. You won't be disappointed.
Ed
From what I understand, as of a couple of weeks ago, the show was nearly sold out. You may want to call the Bull Run before you head out to the show tonight. (They also play tomorrow night at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxborough and tickets are available for that show.)
Hope to see you there!
Two weeks ago, I profiled Jimmy Tingle's show at The Bull Run (yes, we were bullish on the Bull Run for a few weeks but I promise to cover shows at other venues, including the Lowell Summer Music Series, Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, and more, in coming weeks). I also checked out the performance and he's unbelievable. A true professional in every sense of the word. He works a clean show, yet his humor is topical and top-notch. He's definitely worth checking out and he'll be at Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday night, June 20. Definitely worth it.
And, about a month ago, I advanced this past Wednesday night's Cake concert at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. I was lucky enough to speak with Vince DiFiore for the article. Neither of us could believe the band has been around since 1991. And I can't believe "The Distance" came out in 1996. I took in the show on Wednesday night and was absolutely blown away. They are so much more than a one-hit wonder. You can see where bands like My Morning Jacket came from in watching and listening to Cake. I was also surprised to see the Auditorium nearly full, considering the band hasn't charted in more than a decade. Unfortunately, they don't tour very often, but when they hit the area again, you might want to pick up a ticket. Until then, just hit iTunes and download the catalog. You won't be disappointed.
Ed
This week's column
I spoke with Berklee College of Music senior-to-be Liz Longley last weekend for this article that ran in yesterday's Lowell Sun. Liz really has her stuff together and with Livingston Taylor as a mentor, her future really looks bright. She'll be at Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry next week. Check her out!
Welcome to New England Music Blog
I've reviewed concerts for nearly a decade for The Lowell Sun, covering artists from David Bowie to Tony Orlando, and from Donny Osmond to Slipknot. I also write a weekly column for the Steppin' Out section of the Lowell Sun, advancing upcoming shows in the Greater Lowell area.
I see this blog as a landing spot for articles that appear in The Sun as well as longer-form pieces that are too long for The Sun. I may also list upcoming concerts I'll be attending here.
What I'd like to know from you is which shows you are attending, what venues are the best places not only in Greater Lowell, but around New England, to see a show, and what artists you think are worth profiling in The Sun and here on this blog.
Keep on rocking!
Ed
I see this blog as a landing spot for articles that appear in The Sun as well as longer-form pieces that are too long for The Sun. I may also list upcoming concerts I'll be attending here.
What I'd like to know from you is which shows you are attending, what venues are the best places not only in Greater Lowell, but around New England, to see a show, and what artists you think are worth profiling in The Sun and here on this blog.
Keep on rocking!
Ed
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