August 2009 Archives

Steely Dan's Aja. Van Morrison's Astral Weeks. Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. Todd Rundgren's A Wizard a True Star. As the summer concert season winds down, it seems that 2009 was, for many, a celebration and reclamation of the album, for fan and artist alike. Anyone lucky enough to catch Steely Dan's Boston show not only got to hear the jazz/pop sounds of Aja from the opening groove of "Black Cow" to the final notes of the radio hit "Josie", but they were also treated to a surprise performance of the Dan's guitar masterpiece, The Royal Scam. And so it was with Van Morrison, Aerosmith, Todd Rundgren, and several others who chose to resurrect their most ambitious studio projects and present them from start to finish in a concert hall setting. Anyone familiar with Rundgren's psychedelic cacophony of sound on 1973's A Wizard a True Star will realize that this is no small undertaking. Same holds true for Van Morrison's brilliant 1968 recording, Astral Weeks, which relied more on improvisation than studio wizardry as he took the listener to the back streets and sounds of Belfast. And of all the Aerosmith albums, none has quite the flow and continuity of the riff rocking, greased up pubescent sleaze of Toys in the Attic. Question is, if you could pick one album to hear from start to finish, live on stage, no matter where or when or how it was recorded, what would it be? Last album you listened to start to finish? Is this the last hurrah before the album meets the same demise as the dodo?

Dublin's Hothouse Flowers return to the Tupelo Music Hall this weekend for two shows on Saturday and Sunday. Since their excellent debut People, which contained the breakthrough hit "I'm Sorry", the Flowers have released six more albums, all of which display the band's unquestionable musicianship as well as a talent for crafty songwriting. Former school mates pianist Liam O' Maonlai and guitarist Fiachna O'Broainain formed the band in the late 80's and continue to be the driving force behind the group's latest resurrection both on stage and in the studio. With a bombastic sound that melds traditional Irish roots music with an American gospel twist, the Flowers have always been known for their passionate live shows. Their follow-up CD Home, which landed the band two hits with "Give it Up" and "Movies", remains one of the most underrated albums of the early 90's, the band never able to build the enthusiasm in the States like they were receiving throughout Europe. Seems the Hothouse Flowers have found a loyal fan base in Londonderry; they've been playing to sold out crowds at Tupelo twice a year now for the past several years. Saturday night's show sold out weeks ago. Tickets remain for Sunday's performance. Should be a rollicking night of music. Incidentally, Liam O'Maonlai is releasing a solo CD, To Be Touched, in the coming months featuring guest performances by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova from the movie Once.

I had every intention of giving Carl Johnson's guitar every minute of my attention tonight, and thought it safe to entrust the early evening's entertainment to Livinston Taylor down at the Lowell Summer Music Series safe in the knowledge that I could effortlessly duck out at the intermission and be down at the Sky Box in Tewksbury in plenty of time. But you know what they say about the best laid plans.

Livingston Taylor, who I've had the pleasure to have seen several times before, never fails to bring a smile. His deft way with a tune, and immaculate fingerings running such eloquent chord changes through the heart of so many a standard, are something to be heard more than once. And he's always entertaining. Tonight was no exception, though still not, to that point, getting in the way of plans for an early exit... and then...

Liz Longley.

Like a bell her voice is--so true. Livinston has done this before, I'm told, and brought one of his Berklee students onto the stage to share it, but I can't imagine any like Liz. When the two of them brought the audience to its feet and the house down during their final duet on "Over the Rainbow", I had tears in my eyes, and a feeling of music in my heart like you can touch. With the top down and the stereo on 11 on the way down to Tewksbury, I knew I had chosen well.

submitted by kad barma

There's something about country music that makes me feel uncomfortable. That could explain why after years of building a thousand plus CD collection that includes anything ever recorded by Sly and the Family Stone, Dusty Springfield and Todd Rundgren, the only country CD I own is Behind Closed Doors by the silver fox, Charlie Rich. Maybe it's the slick production or the push button sentimentality of the lyrics. Still, country is huge right now and waves of 20 and 30 somethings are leaving their rebellious rock and roll pasts behind in favor of the bittersweet, reverent sounds of today's pop-country.

Next weekend, one of country's hottest performers, singing siren Sara Evans, brings her mid western charm and good looks to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Last year, after a nasty divorce which found her accusing her ex of using abusive language, watching pornography in front of the children and advertising on Craig's List for a little something extra, Sara Evans married former Alabama quarterback and former NE Patriot Jay Barker in a storybook, Brady Bunch-like wedding. And with a book and a new album out this fall, Sara's Midas touch has everyone seeing green. No doubt. She was voted one of People's 50 Most Beautiful in 2005 and with a string of consistently good records and a set of pipes to deliver the goods, Evans is right there with Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood, representing the cream of the crop of female country singers.

Show starts at 8:00, Saturday, August 29th. Should be a heel kicking good time.

Need a little relief from the sweltering temps? Friday night you can join Lowell's favorite bluegrass band Hot Day at the Zoo when they crank up the heat even further as part of the Blues Cruise Concert Series on Boston Harbor. Don't feel like fighting the Boston traffic on a Friday night? Then head over to Gemstones on Market Street and catch one of Lowell's finest folk rock acts, the Bella Birds. The Birds have been flying high on the heels of their latest record and continue to win over new fans with their eclectic songs and killer harmonies.

Tomorrow night Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion bring their soulful sounds to Tyler Park in Lowell. If you haven't heard Jen's latest release Year of the Ox, get yourself down to the park and hear for yourself what all the buzz is about.

Finally, Saturday night local rockers Speakermute (picture) bring their progressive pop/rock sounds to Johnny D's in Somerville. Trombonist turned guitar player, Corey Blanchette, plays with such ferocious intensity you'd swear he was in a hypnotic state. Speakermute will be sharing the stage with DC singer/songwriter Tom McBride who's Wilco flavored alt/country pop songs have been winning over audiences around the country.

Hard to believe the Wallflowers breakthrough sophomore effort, Bringing Down the Horse, hit record stores thirteen years ago. While "6th Avenue Heartache" captured the hearts of alt radio listeners, it was the second single, "One Headlight", that catapulted the band out of obscurity winning them two Grammys for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Group. The Wallflowers have released three more solid albums since. Their latest, 2005's Rebel Sweetheart, follows in the footprints of Petty, Mellencamp and Springsteen combining well crafted roots oriented rock and roll with great storytelling.

The Wallflowers are at Boardinghouse Park tonight. Opening is New Hampshire quartet Wild Light who have exploded onto the scene with the release of their first full length album, Adult Nights. With the cleverness of Weezer and the alt pop sensibility of Death Cab for Cutie, Wild Light continues to win over new fans with their high energy live shows and whimsical songwriting, band mates Tim Kyle and Jordan Alexander penning songs together since the fourth grade. Should be a great show.

OK. I admit it. I did get a little giddy when I heard that Foreigner would be playing the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in October. Who wouldn't get excited about listening to Lou
Gramm belting out Foreigner classics like "Feels Like the First Time", "Cold As Ice", "Hot Blooded" and "Double Vision"? But If you've kept up with Audio Floss since the beginning of my tenure, you know I occasionally get on the LMA for booking an inordinate amount of tribute bands. Sadly, the Foreigner that hits the Auditorium might as well be a tribute band. Sure, chief architect of the Foreigner sound, guitarist Mick Jones, will be strutting his stuff as the band grinds through all the classics, and with a new album coming out soon, the band should be more than ready to take the stage. But except for Mick, noone else from the original line up will be showing up for this gig. And that includes the most vital part of the Foreigner sound: vocalist Lou Gramm.

On a side note, Gramm continues to get his strength back after surgery to remove a benign brain tumor set him back for a few years and credits the Drs at Brigham and Women's in Boston for his speedy recovery. He's currently touring the US as the Lou Gramm Band which features brothers Richard on bass and Ben on drums. And like Foreigner, the LGB is playing all the hits too. Seems like Mick and Lou have everyone seeing double.

Caught Sir Paul last night and man, did he put on a show! From the moment he stepped on the stage in center field, the boyish McCartney shook the Fenway rafters for two and a half hours, barely coming up for air. The nearly sold out crowd was on their feet for the entire show dancing, smiling and singing along as McCartney played a Beatles heavy set that took fans as far back as the rollicking "I'm Down" all the way to the final notes of "The End" from Abbey Road. Which Beatles tune garnered the biggest applause? The civil rights inspired "Blackbird!" Imagine 35,000 or so singing every word with just McCartney and his six string. Chilling. Other highlights included a moving arrangement of George Harrison's "Something" with McCartney beginning the tune on a ukulele given to him by George and a dreamy "A Day in the Life" which ended with a sing-a long chorus of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance." During a high octane "Live and Let Die", fireworks streamed from the back of the stage igniting the crowd even further. And with a shot of last night's full moon superimposed on the towering video screens on either side of the stage as McCartney sang an inspired "Let It Be", everyone was reminded what a magical night they were witnessing.