Cher descended upon the sold out TD Garden on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, with such force, that shock-waves could be felt as far down as the South Shore.  Fact:  when it comes to Cher, there is no such thing as too much, too big, or over-the-top.  She gave a high power, high fashion performance complete with solid pop hits, at least 10 elaborate costume changes, state of the art staging/props/visuals, and a cast that would make Cirque du Soleil look like amateurs. I could marvel ad nauseum over every perfect song choice and zany costume, but I would be here forever.  Instead, I would rather share a couple of my favorite moments.   Highlights: Cher opened with "Woman's World,"  appearing on a massive pedestal towering over the stage. At first I was not sure what I was looking at, as my eyes had to adjust to the enormity of her entrance.  She was decked out in Egyptian fashion with a gigantic pluming headpiece.   From there she moved effortlessly through decades

Willie Nelson 6/14/13 Nobody has clocked more stage time than Willie Nelson .  He’s a prolific artist who has been on the road since the early 50s; written over 2500 songs; and has contributed more original music to the great American Songbook than any other artist to work the circuit.  His weathered countenance and battered old guitar named Trigger, epitomize American music.  He is a legend. His performance at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook on June 14, 2013, was a huge success.  It seems fitting that he would be performing during Laconia’s Bike Week, a time when bikers from around the country swarm en masse to the otherwise sedate area.  Willie has always been popular with the bikers, but looking at the diversity of the crowd, his appeal extends to nearly all walks of life.  Willie’s fans are a unique mixture of tattoos and leather, hippies and dreadlocks, farmers, country music fans, social activists, young people, old people, you name it.  Based on the

Two legends on one stage!!!   I met Willie twice in one day back in the early 90s.  My mother took me to see him, and for her birthday this year, I am taking her.  One of the t-shirts that I had him sign is preserved in a memory box with with our tickets and photos from that show.  It hangs in a place of honor on our music wall of fame :)  I hope we get to meet him again this time around!  Happy 80th Birthday Willie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!!!!!!! You can buy tickets to the show here

Photo as seen at  http://www.thedirtytricks.com/photos Mr. Nick & The Dirty Tricks with special guest Nick Moss & The Flip Tops put on a rousing blues performance on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the American Legion Hall in Deerfield.  The event was a great success, hosted by the Deerfield Parks & Recreation Department.  The show drew in an eclectic crowd of mostly Deerfield residents, who all had two things in common: 1.The blues;     2. Getting down and boogying. Mr. Nick & The Dirty Tricks performed first.  They delivered a powerful set of enthusiastic songs – many from the band's latest album “Oh Wow.”  Their blues has a pulse, making them fun to listen to.  Lead singer Nick David delivered several powerful blues harp solos that were bright, textured, and dynamic.  The band’s ability to mix that throwback old blues sound with a gut-stomping new twist is remarkable. The only ear-piercing complaint of the night occurred between set changes.  F

Fleetwood Mac Tour Promo Photo 2013 Just days after the tragic Boston Marathon Bombing, over 17,000 fans filled TD Garden to see the legendary British/American folk rock band Fleetwood Mac on Thursday, April 18, 2013.  Fans were warned in advance through emails to prepare for heightened security.  Concert goers waited in long lines and underwent thorough searches before entering the venue.  Given recent events, fans were cooperative, understanding, and ready to party.  By my own observation and comparison; this show will probably go down as one of the most secure concerts in history. Stevie Nicks stated “When I was young, and I was sad or blue because of hard times, my mama told me to sing, that it would make me feel better.  That’s what we are going to do for 2 ½ hours – we are going to sing the blues right out of Boston!” The band embarked on an impressive setlist, drawing from decades of hits.  Buckingham and Nicks played up their past romance – tugging at our hear

Picture as seen at http://www.leonardcohen.com/us/media/photos/521 Decked out in his tailored dark suit and signature fedora hat, Leonard Cohen dazzled his audience at the Wang Theatre in Boston on 12/15/12.  A seasoned man of intrigue and intellect, Leonard delivered a landmark performance that can’t be touched.  He was surrounded by a score of talented musicians who he openly admired several times throughout the night, showing humble appreciation with gentle words, nods, bows, and gestures during their performances.  He also acknowledged every person involved in the production, from the roadie to lighting person, by name.   For a rebel, he is a gentleman.  The  set-list  dug deep into his expansive body of work, including songs off his new album Old Ideas.  His songs, rich in verse, often explore a range of philosophies that illustrate powerful, raw, provocative, and sometimes taboo imagery.    He is no stranger to darkness, and he makes no bones about it.  He was a

Otis "TCB" Taylor at 2012 Boogie N' Blues Festival The White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Festival is always a good time.  It usually boasts top-notch blues lineups, pulling in fan festival followers from all around the country and Canada.  This year was no exception; however,   there was one act in particular that caught my eye more than the rest. From the moment Otis “TCB” Taylor walked on stage, I sensed a change wash over the audience.  People were paying attention .  This marked his debut appearance in New Hampshire, and my first impression was quite clear:  The blues had arrived. Unlike the other acts, his trance jam approach made him stand out.  He played with his band, layering and cultivating sound, as opposed to the standard 12 bar formula with a few showy solos.   I recalled Hendrix had that same mesmerizing approach.   Taylor’s music is more like an experience, rather than just another song checked off on a setlist.  In my opinion, he was worth

There is something philosophically wrong with folk festivals that charge exorbitant ticket prices.  I had this epiphany at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival , the largest still free folk festival in the country.  I was amazed at how well engineered, and well planned out this festival was.  Traveling down to Lowell was easy.  Parking the car was easy and cheap.  The festival specialized in ethnic foods that were both delicious and inexpensive.    The amazing lineups scheduled at the various stages, was the best part of all.   This is a grassroots festival that truly got it right. My top 5 favorite performances, in pictures, were: 5.   Zhentian Zhang (traditional Chinese hammered dulcimer) Zhentian Zhang at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival  4.  Quarteto Olinda (Brazilian folk fiddle) Quarteto Olinda at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival 3.  Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto (Columbian gaita ensemble) Gaiteros de San Jacinto at the 2012 Lowell Folk Festival 2.  T

It seems that wherever Billy Bragg goes, a crowd gathers.  The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH was packed full of Bragg’s socially-conscious fans on Saturday night (6/30/12), all eager to see the legendary British protest singer-songwriter up close and personal.  The Music Hall’s “Intimately Yours” backdrop seemed to emphasize Bragg’s minimal yet effective stage setup consisting of two amps, a guitar, a chair, a stand, and a microphone.  The essential tools for Bragg’s performance seemed within themselves, revolutionary. Bragg was greeted enthusiastically by his fans, and spent over two hours performing a unique two set show.  His first set celebrated the life and work of the great Woody Guthrie, while the second set was quintessentially Billy Bragg.  What tied the two sets together was Bragg’s left of center sense of humor and, his storytelling dialogue between each song.   Highlights from the Guthrie set: Black Wind Blowing – This eerie song sent chills down my spine pa

Picture as seen at  http://www.stonesthrow.com/mayerhawthorne Close your eyes for a moment and conjure up the 1970’s.  The decade when men wore polyester leisure suits and women wore orange lipstick and blue eye shadow.  Bell bottoms evolved into elephant bells.  Heads were styled in picked-out perms and Farrah Fawcett layers.  Pet rocks were en vogue.  Everybody had a Venus Fly Trap.  New age types gobbled up Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s transcendental meditation.  Wealthy housewives took synchronized swimming classes.  Avocado green appliances and faux wood paneling took homes hostage.  Roller discos were filled every Saturday night.  Cars were tanks.  Eight-track tapes clicked midway through your favorite song.    Wolfman Jack was traveling over the airwaves.  Soul Train was in your living room… It was no surprise to me that Mayer Hawthorne and The County packed the Port City Music Hall in Portland Maine on Friday night.   This marked his first performance in Portland.   The

Photo Courtesy of   http://www.jeffreyfoucault.com/press.html      Outlaw folk musician Jeffrey Foucault had Club Passim bursting at the seams on Saturday night.  Just a few steps down from street level, fans crowded into the landmark venue nabbing any available nook that they could find.  Armed with his guitar, Foucault literally had to squeeze his way through the friendly shuffle to get on stage.  He flashed a smile, joked a bit about his day, and plugged in. What happened next was amazing, and I’m not just saying that as a goofy fan-geek.  He maneuvered through sixteen songs, captivating the audience’s complete concentration.  He did this by simply feeling every note and meaning every word he sang.  He was believable.  He had me at first strum. He connected both musically and lyrically with the crowd.   He called up his friend and opener Hayward Williams to play along with him for several songs.  They were free and unincorporated, treating the audience to a solid s

Picture Courtesy of Yamica Peterson New England based band Mica’s Groove Train packed the Strange Brew Tavern on Saturday night.  The crowd was filled with smiling faces, hoppy effervescence, and good mojo.  The band put on a rousing performance, combining slick pulsed beats with soulful laments.  Lead singer Yamica Peterson sang straight from her heart, revealing her vocal power as an undeniable assimilation of her natural gift.  She underscores talent . Behind the voice was her subtly understated band.  They were all masterful, yet not overpowering the vocals.  It was evident that the band members share a good rapport, as the music was intelligent and intuitive.  I asked a friend who was at the show to describe the band’s sound, and she stated, “It’s as if their music gives you your own personal space to experience the message as the songs envelop you.”  I could not have said it better myself, and pondered if that is the definition of groove.  Sprouting buds of groove,