February 2009 Archives

As we await one more blast of winter weather this weekend, any signs of spring are welcome. With 60 degree temps yesterday and the clocks turning ahead next Saturday, you can almost smell the sausages, onions and peppers at Fenway. Summer music venues are also beginning to announce their concert schedules and, despite the economy, things are looking good. Turning 110 this year, the Hampton Beach Casino kicks off the season with G Love and Special Sauce on Thursday, April 2nd and Tower of Power on Friday, April 3rd. TOP celebrated their 40th anniversary a few years back. The 10 peice band with the killer horn section turned out early 70's soul staples like What Is Hip? and You're Still a Young Man, and from all accounts, their live show still packs a punch.

Winding down the spring, Greatful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra plays the Casino for two nights on June 12th and 13th. Regardless of your musical tastes, the Casino should have something for you and if you're like me, nothing quite feels like summmer till you've seen one of your favorite acts lit up on the Casino marquee.

Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Eilen Jewell honed her performance skills busking at farmer's markets in New Mexico and later in LA becoming a staple on the street circuit. In 2003, she moved to Boston after a short stint in the Berkshires and began attending old-time music jams. There she met drummer (and Dracut native) Jason Beek who at the time was hosting WMBR's American Primitive, a radio show featuring roots and blues greats like Charlie Patton, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf and Leadbelly. With the addition of Jerry Miller on electric and steel guitar and Johnny Sciascia on acoustic bass, Jewell found the perfect combination of musicians to compliment her swinging, lonesome songs. Her 2007 release, Letters from Sinners and Strangers, brought her national recognition and last year she opened for Loretta Lynn at the Calvin Theater in North Hampton. With her third album Sea of Tears due out in April, Eilen continues to tour incessantly. Too often compared to Norah Jones and Gillian Welch, Eilen's smoky, drawling voice and her swanky melodies, though laced with jazz and folk stylings, are more saloon swagger than anything else, her style all her own. This is pure Americana at it's very, very best!

Eilen and her band are at Passim Friday night before playing Austin and New Orleans. She's back to play the Bull Run on April 10th. Don't miss a chance to see her...she's the REAL deal!

Anyone lucky enough to get tix for the J. Geils reunion last night to open the new House of Blues on Lansdowne St.? Brought back a late 70's memory of bagging groceries at a local supermarket and, after my shift, brown-bagging a change of underwear and a toothbrush and thumbing down to So Yarmouth to catch Peter Wolf and company at the hotter-than-hell Cape Cod Coliseum...ah, the good old days. Caught Peter Wolf a few years back playing at the Middle East and half way through the set he jumped up onto the bar showing those same signature dance moves I remembered from high school. With a new CD out next month, Wolf shows no signs of slowing down, most recently touring with Kid Rock. Sleepless, his last solo project, may have been a sleeper in sales but was listed in Rolling Stone's top 500 albums of all time. If you haven't heard it, pick it up...you won't be disappointed. With guest appearances by Mick and Keith, and masterful guitar work by local wunderkind Duke Levine, Sleepless is a country/blues gem of a record. The new release has Wolf sharing the mic with Shelby (my favorite concert of last year) Lynne and Merle Haggard...can't wait!

UMASS Lowell has turned out some excellent musicians over the years and the Mill City Trio is no exception. Formed in 2005, this jazz trio has released two critically acclaimed CDs: 2006's Solstice and last year's Down Deep. The strength of the music lies in the interplay between the two guitars handled expertly by Jamie Dunphy and Greg Passler. The effect is a hypnotic, dreamy sound canvas that threatens to explode at any given moment but which remains inward and controlled. Completing the trio is percussionist Anthony D'Anna whose inventive playing compliments the two guitars perfectly.

Tomorrow night the MCT take the stage at the Acton Jazz Cafe. Listed among Downbeat Magazine's "100 Great Inernational Jazz Clubs" the cafe remains a hidden jewel, it's cozy, low-key atmosphere creating the perfect backdrop for an intimate night of music. (And they've got a great wine and beer list!) Show starts at 7:00PM.

Caught Melvern Taylor and Jen Kearney at Toad last Thursday...fun, fun, fun! Seemed like half the audience knew every word to every Melvern song and the intensity level cranked up a few notches once Jen Kearney and the boys dove into Pick Yourself Up. Several recognizable faces from Lowell were dispersed throughout the crowd of locals: Mike Dion (Hot Day), Corey B (Speakermute), and the Reverend JJ (Reverend JJ and the Casual Sinners). The Reverend, one of the original founding members of the much loved hillbilly jug band Thunderpants Johnson, has just released his first full length CD with his band the Casual Sinners. Saturday night, February 21st, the sometimes irreverent Reverend will be hosting a CD release party at Mickey's to celebrate. Highlights from the selftitled CD include the opening track Hard to See You Go and the lilting Walk Slowly. Backed by a stellar band, the Reverend's hard driving harmonica playing and fevered vocals keep things rocking from start to finish. Local favorites Uncle Jam and the War Babies open. Music starts at 9. Should be a fun show!

Anyone remember the scene with Susan Sarandon and her cello in Witches of Eastwick? Sunday, Feb 15th, violinist Nicola Benedetti, one of classical music's freshest faces and passionate inerpreters, will be performing as part of the afternoon chamber music series at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Nicola has been winning over audiences with her exquisite recording of Vaughn Williams' The Lark Ascending on the Deutsche Grammaphone label. Voted the BBCs Young Musician of the Year at 16, Nicola, all of 21 now, has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields among many others. Accompanying Nicola is Russian pianist Katya Apekisheva. Concert time is 1:30PM. Should be a great escape from those winter blues.

What happens when you take 10 of the most well known improvisational artists from outside the area and randomly pair them with 40 local artists/musicians? You can find out Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th, when Lowell's most innovative arts venue, 119 Gallery, extends the boundaries of contemporary art, music and media in what is being billed as the "alternative festival." Claiming the Lowell Folk Festival has become overly commercialized in recent years, Walter Wright, the Gallery's director, wanted to celebrate todays true, cutting edge artists. Each night will feature 10 half-hour sets with each act performing together for the first time: movement, visual arts and music breaking from tradition with the focus being on communication and possibility.

Walter has assembled a who's who of of avant garde artists including cellist/vocalist Audrey Chen, experimental dance artist Nicole Binder, and former funk band"Chuck" guitarist Dave Ross. Musicians from bands Ralph Eats Dynamite, Lowercase P, and Paraffin Section highlight the list of participating local artists. For a full schedule visit 119 Gallery.org.

Fair warning...not for the faint of heart!

This year's Winterfest was capped by a sold out performance by U2 clones the Joshua Tree and an awesome fireworks display that ignited the downtown night life. During the day, however, it was the soup competition that brought the crowds. And as an added bonus, it was great to see and hear local folk/rocker Brian Bergeron keeping them entertained as they sampled the offerings. Looking very relaxed, the amicable Bergeron played a mix of covers and originals to an appreciative audience. No surprise...he has honed his craft as a street performer in Fanueil Hall for the past two summers and is rapidly becoming a favorite in the all important college market. Last year he shared the stage with Matt Nathanson and Collective Soul to name a few.

Friday, March 13th, Brian celebrates the release of his first full length studio album at the Lilypad in Inman Square, Cambridge. Brian will be joined by his band of talented musicians, The Late Greats as well as special guests, Cahill. Should be a great show. The Lilypad is a small 100 seat performance space so get your tickets early.

OK...it's been two days now and I've had some time to think about exactly what I witnessed on Sunday night and to determine whether in fact my halftime cringe was merited. I believe it was. I keep having the same dream...Patty Scialfa tossing and turning all night until finally she says, "Honey, what were you thinking?...Put down the chicken wings? It's Boss time? I'm going to Disneyland? And baby, what were you trying to prove sliding across the stage on your knees like you're 25 again...or windmilling like a cheap Townshend copy and slinging your guitar like you just learned how to hoola-hoop...I know you've still got it! Your fans know you've still got it! You don't have to prove it all night or any night. You're Bruce Born to Run Springsteen and you've proved it all already. Darlin, I know you're anxious about turning 60 but you and Stevie looked like cartoon characters of yourselves tonight. Next time I hope you let your fans know who the REAL Boss is. (she rolls over) Goodnight, baby."

The first time I heard Allysen Callery, I immediately conjured up visions of her singing along side Nick Drake in some English countryside pub. Her slightly pschedelic folk songs are laced with whimsical imagery and her voice lilts over the lyrics in much the same way as Drake, a hint of melancholy even in the happier, carefree songs. Left with her father's nylon string guitar, Allysen plays with a breezy, muted fingerstyle which provides the perfect backdrop for her dreamy vocals.

Tomorrow night you can catch this rising star at Mickey's Pub and Grille where she will be the featured performer during the Tuesday singer/songwriter series hosted by the Reverend JJ. Show starts at 8. You can also catch Allysen on Valentine's Day opening for the incredible Antje Duvekot at the Stone Soup Coffeehouse in Pawtucket, RI and on the following Saturday opening for ethereal princess Marissa Nadler at Passim. Wow!