May 2009 Archives

Got to love a band that lists author Graham Greene as a major influence and isn't afraid to sing in octaves incessantly throughout an album. While others have compared Kinnar's distinctive sound to the alt pop of the late 80's, I keep hearing reflections of the late 60's psychedelic pop, like something you'd hear on A Whole New Thing by Sly and the Family Stone. There's a sort of playful, party atmosphere to a Kinnar song that will find you humming along to their infectiously catchy melodies.

Saturday night you can hear it for yourself when Billerica based Kinnar hosts a CD release party at Mickey's. Proponents of the "free music" frame of thought, the band will be giving away copies of their latest CD The Wave-Vibration Structure of External Forms. As and added bonus, Rob Pierce (Audrey Can't Die) opens the show with a rare solo set. Should be a great night of music.

OK, you won't see the likes of Quay Lewd (photo) or Mondo Bondage anywhere when the Tubes take the stage at the Bull Run in Shirley this Friday night, but you will see original front man Fee Waybill (minus the 12" heels) singing everything from WPOD to She's a Beauty and that's good enough for me. Shortly after the Rundgren produced Love Bomb failed to ignite any sparks, Waybill left the band in 1985 releasing a few solo records and writing for film and other artists. In 1993,he rejoined the band he once roadied for. With four original members, the Tubes are guaranteed to rock the house even if they do it without the outrageous, (slightly pornographic) conceptual stage shows of the late 70's. Missing will be guitarist Bill Spooner and keyboardist Vince Welnick who went on to play with the Grateful Dead. Sadly, Welnick took his own life in 2006.

The Al Kooper show at Tupelo has been rescheduled to September. Incidentally, Al produced the Tubes self titled debut which gave the band cult like status with the teen anthems WPOD and What Do You Want from Life?

To celebrate the release of their long awaited third album, Year of the Ox, Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion play Gemstones in Lowell as part of the Friday Night Concert Series. Listening to To the Moon, one of the standout tracks on the album, is like taking a trip back in time to the soulful pleas of the early 70's complete with retro guitar and keyboard sounds that compliment Jen's passionate vocals beautifully. Layers of luscious vocal harmonies, missing on previous albums, create a joyfully, seductive background against the seriousness of the lyrics.

Lowell favorites Speakermute get things started with their own blend of hooky guitar lines and enticing vocal melodies. Show starts at 9:00. If there was ever a time to show your support for the local music scene, and in particular, two of Lowell's finest bands, playing in Lowell's newest music venue, Friday night is it. See you there!

Since it's inception in 2004, Ukulele Noir has been entertaining audiences up and down the East Coast with it's mysteriously dark, cabaret style shows. Hosted by songwriter and uke convert Craig Robertson, each Noir evening spotlights a handful of uke performers each playing a twenty minute set. I first heard Lowell's Melvern Taylor at a Noir show at the Revolving Museum a few years back, his clever nack for storytelling and crafty songwriting winning me over by the second song of his set.

Ukulele Noir is at Johnny D's this Tuesday night. Joining Robertson will be Greg Hawkes, keyboardist from the Cars, and Mark Occhionero performing his signature big band jazz covers on the uke. Special guest Melvern Taylor and His Fabulous Meltones highlight what promises to be a fun, darkly comical and somewhat strange night of music. Show starts at 8:30PM.

And one last thing: George Harrison's love of the uke is well documented and, according to Robertson, he wrote Here Comes the Sun on the uke. In the Clapton hosted Concert for George, Paul McCartney performs the first verse of the Harrison classic Something on the uke before the whole band kicks in and brings it all home.

Groton native Chad Burdick has opened for Lee Ann Womack, Charlie Daniels and Lowell favorite Phil Vassar, and with the powers that be in Nashville beginning to take notice, it won't be long until Chad explodes onto the Country charts. Voted Best New Country Star by his growing legion of fans, Chad continues to woo audiences nationwide with his heartfelt songwriting and powerful vocals. His new EP, Whiskey in the River, delivers a fine collection of originals including the sentimental favorite Those Letters and the two-stepping Tennessee Girl.

You can catch Chad at the Bull Run Ballroom in Shirley this Saturday night when he celebrates the official release of Whiskey in the River. Show starts at 8:00.

He came up with the organ riff in Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone. He produced the Zombies' Baroqe Pop album Odessey and Oracle scoring the band their biggest hit with Time of the Season. He played keyboard on Hendrix's funky, tripped out, psychedelic Electric Ladyland and French Horn on the Stones' You Can't Always Get What You Want. He discovered, signed and produced Lynyrd Skynyrd and wrote most of the songs on Child Is Father to the Man as THE founding member of Blood, Sweat and Tears. Having played on so many seminal recordings, Al Kooper should be a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Instead, he quietly continues to record and produce his own albums at his home studio in Somerville. Last year's White Chocolate is an extension of the southern soul of the Stax and Hi record labels oozing with Kooper's trademark arrangements.

Mixing things up again, the Al Kooper Rockabilly Trio plays Tupelo on Saturday, May 30th. Don't miss this chance to see one of Rock's most underappreciated legends.

When it was first released in 2007, I saw the Irish movie musical Once three times at three different theaters. Sunday night I watched it again on DVD the final minutes reconfirming my faith in humanity more than any other movie in a long time. During another favorite scene a group of local musicians share performances of Irish songs over dinner and a few pints at a friends house and, with a bit of envy, I always ask myself if that could ever happen here. Turns it out it does! Every Wednesday night the Groton Session meet at the Bull Run in Shirley to jam on traditional Irish songs. Fiddlers, tin whistlers, accordionists and guitarists learn a few tunes "reely" slowly and then work to bring them up to speed in a friendly and supportive enviroment.

May 13th, PEI fiddling sensation Cynthia Macleod will participate in a free Celtic music workshop at 7:00 followed by a short half hour concert in the Tap Room at 8:30. Cynthia has been dazzzling audiences throughout Canada and New England with her electrifying performances. Beginner or pro, player or listener, this should be one rollicking night of music.