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Showing posts from 2011

Joe Bonamassa - Boston Loves You!

Picture as seen at  http://www.citicenter.org/show/855/    Over 3,000 Bonaholics packed the prestigious Wang Theater on Thursday, 11/3/11, to experience guitar titan Joe Bonamassa live and in the flesh.  Loyal fans proceeded to their seats in ceremonious fashion as if to receive a sacred gift.  This is by no means an exaggeration when I tell you that the feeling in that room was serious reverence for an unimaginable talent.   Bonamassa and his first class touring band played a stunning 2 1/2 hour set bringing the full house to their feet for several standing ovations (I lost count after 4).  There were many excited fans shouting their approval throughout the evening, testimony that it was an emotional experience for all.  I had to remind myself to take a breath occasionally as my throat choked with amazement.    Highlights from the show: Bonamassa played an array of different guitars throughout the evening, and showcased his musical rhetoric with compelling solos.  Slow Train

Best Live Entertainment on the Seven Seas! Norwegian Dawn Cruise from Boston to Bermuda 10/21/11-10/28/11

Some of the best live music entertainment out there is not on land, rather, on board the mega vessels cruising the seven seas!  We had an amazing time cruising from Boston to Bermuda on the Norwegian Dawn - this being our maiden voyage.  The rum was flowing, the music was blasting, and our vacation could not have been more decadent!   Here is my top five list: Disclaimer: many rum swizzles were consumed during the watching of these shows (~.~) 5. Band on the Run - The Norwegian Dawn Production Cast and the Norwegian Dawn Band brought us back to the 60's and 70's with great music and dancing ! 4.  Big Band Swing and some serious crooning by the Norwegian Dawn Band!   3. Rocking out to the ships rowdy rock band Kenosis! 2.  Bollywood - cirque style show with live music and acrobatics! 1. New Season - nothing beats a great reggae band poolside when you are in paradise!!!!! Be sure to check out my slide-show!      

James "Superharp" Cotton Plays at the Flying Monkey in Plymouth NH 9/24/11

Nestled in the lakes and mountain region lies the quaint college town of Plymouth, New Hampshire.  The picturesque downtown offers the right amount of entertainment, culture, and collegiate air for the discerning window shopper.  Downtown Plymouth  is also the home of The Flying Monkey , a re-purposed old time theater turned concert venue (among other things), that is pulling in top-notch national acts.  Tipped off by a business acquaintance that this was the ideal venue to see a show, I immediately started my online investigation to see who was playing, and, to my pleasant surprise blues legend royalty James "Superharp" Cotton was on the marquee.   Mr. Superharp may not have blue blood, but he certainly has the blues running through his veins.  He started playing the blues harmonica (or what I like to refer to as the Mississippi saxophone) at the tender age of nine.  He was taught how to play by the great Sonny Boy Williamson and played with the late Muddy Waters for ov

2011 CAMP CREEK MUSIC & CAMPING FESTIVAL WAS A VISUAL FEAST!

Hippies near and far gathered for the 2011 Camp Creek music and camping festival in Oxford, Maine, on August 5th-7th.  Over 30 bands performed throughout the weekend and Max Creek headlined Friday and Saturday night.  Words do little service when describing this unique festival and all the shenanigans that played out on and off the stage.  Aside from the jammin' great music, festival goers were treated to lots of impromptu traveling entertainment by larger than life satirical crowd puppets, jugglers, fire dancers (poi), painted naked people (yes, exactly that lol), hula hoop girls, drum circles, the random naked dude streaking across the lawn, and serenading walking musicians.  This festival brought the festival experience back to where it should be: rootsy, creative, and campfabtabulous!  Below are some pictures that captured the general vibe.  I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked, as I was having way too much fun! 

2011 Newport Folk Festival A-Z Extravaganza!

We had a lot of fun at the 2011 Newport Folk Festival!  Here is a quick A-Z list of some of the highlights!   Everyone should experience this festival at least once in their lifetime! A: is for Amos Lee's amazing performance and Alex & Ani's keepsake charm. B: is for bottled water! C: is for the crazy crowd wogging with their picnics, blankets, and beach chairs to their spots like it was 5:00 am at Macy's on Black Friday. D: is for David Wax Museum! E: is for an AWESOME Elvis Costello performance - the crowd loved him! F: is for the tasty falafel wraps! G: is for great music! H: is for Emmylou Harris's crystal clear voice. I: is for incomparable acts. J: is for Wanda Jackson! K: is for Kelly lol (~.~) L: is for the lines for water, porta pottys, and beer! M: is for Mavis Staples! N: is for Newport. O: is for overpriced hotel rooms - do what we did and camp! P: is for Porta Potty! Q: is for the quintessential folk festival! R: is for Rhode Island.

Pat Benatar And Neil Giraldo Play To A Sold Out Room At The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 7/8/11

I found this picture at http://www.last.fm/music/Pat+Benatar/+images/39250149 Imagine you are at a show where everyone is happy and on their feet dancing, and everyone knows every lyric to every song - because every song is a mega powerhouse hit.  Sounds like heaven, right?  That is a Pat Benatar concert.   Pat has been rockin'  it since the late 70's.  Her amazing voice only seems to get better with time.  Have you ever been to a concert where the band didn't sound anything like their studio album?  Or they just didn't sound that good live?  Not Pat.  She is actually better live!  Before turning into a rock goddess she was a trained opera singer.  Her voice will surely go down in history as one of the best female vocals of all time.  And yes, she's got the Grammys to prove it. There were some parts of the concert where the singing fans were louder than the band.  Nobody was holding back until Pat dedicated Hell is For Children to Caylee Anthony.  She was s

Blues Summit Featuring Headliners Robert Cray and Special Guest Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters Postponed Due to Mother Nature 6/22/11

Photo as seen at http://www.robertcray.com Blues fans packed the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH on Wednesday night to help raise money for Child and Family Services.   W.C. Handy Award Winner Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters almost finished an amazing set when the power went out leaving fans in the dark.  Some joked it was Ronnie's powerful guitar playing that caused the outage. After an impromptu intermission, the management announced that the venue had to be evacuated because the outage affecting the area was not expected to be resolved until after 11:00 pm. Unfortunately fans did not get to hear the crowned Blues Hall of Fame winner Robert Cray.       On a positive note, the night was not a total loss because blues fans raised money for a great cause!  The proceeds from this benefit concert went to NH Child and Family Services to help provide funding for vital programs and services for children and families in need. Photo of Ronnie Earl by Mark

Tedeschi Trucks Band Gets Called Back for Two Encores by Fans at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 6/16/11

Photo by James Minchin  as seen at http://www.tedeschitrucksband.com/photos/all There are bands, and then there are bands.  The Tedeschi Trucks Band is one of those real bands made up of real musicians.  The kind of musicians that musicians would like.  They are the going for the jugular, no holding back for the sake of the song musicians. There are no skinny-jean wearing hipsters in this band. They are the real deal. Second to none this all-star cast of musicians hit the ball out of the park at the the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Thursday night.  Bringing talented craftsmanship, quality sound, and musical integrity back to the forefront, their uncompromising dedication to music will surely turn heads.   What is so great about the Tedeschi Trucks Band ?  Pretty much everything!  It was clear that this group really enjoys playing together.  There were no battle of egos, on the contrary, rather a streamlined purpose to make the most of each song.   They performed

Man Man Plays at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston Ma 5/28/11 - Great Live Show!

Photo by Mike Persico as seen at http://www.anti.com/artists/view/52 Philadelphia's infamous oddballs Man Man delivered a wildly entertaining concert at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston Saturday night.  Their live performance was exactly the way a show should be: bananas! Wearing their traditional garb of white shorts, war paint, (and lets not forget Honus Honus's super sexy 70's style porn-star mustache),  the band pounded out songs with manic passion.  Honus Honus's ability to take the band from quirky-gypsy-jazzy-rocky-diddys, to screeching chaotic madness was BRILLIANT!  For two hours I felt as though I had fulfilled my lifelong dream of running away and joining the circus (a girl can dream can't she?). While I really enjoy Man Man's music, I think I like them even better live! Band Members: Honus Honus  Pow Pow Chang Wang Turkey Moth Jefferson  Check out the band's official website here   

Beale Street Music Festival

I had a blast at the 2011 Beale Street Music Festival!  So many great bands and kind folk made for a dynamic experience.  I recommend this festival to anyone who likes American music.  Memphis, the home of the blues and rock-n-roll, makes a fitting backdrop for this epic event.  Here is my top 10 list for the 2011 Beale Street Music Festival: 10.  Don't expect to get near the stage when Mellencamp is playing! 9.  Increase your food and beverage budget as it goes fast! 8.  Bring a blanket to sit on when you need a rest, or it will look like you had an unfortunate accident! 7.  Watch out for random tall people... Get to the stage early if you are vertically challenged.  6.  Take a break from the festival and check out Beale Street - you will find some of the best musicians there! 5. Embrace the porta-potty - as that is pretty much your only option! 4.  Seek cover at the blues tent, drink a beer, and listen to how the pros jam! 3.  Charge that phone!  You wil

Prelude to 2011 Beale Street Music Festival

The last time I was in Memphis, Tennessee, was for the 20th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.  As morbid as that may seem, you must understand that I was raised on Elvis.  The first music I heard was Elvis.  My first Barbie Doll was Elvis in his gold lamé suit.  We had Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii on VHS that was watched so many times the picture had a permanent wobble from being worn down.  My mother baked Elvis a cake every year for his birthday (this being a sacred family tradition reserved for the King and beloved family pets).  Memphis to me has always been a musical pilgrimage.  Having the opportunity to go back for the Beale Street Music Festival is not only stirring up nostalgic memories, but is making me feel like a big kid in a candy store!  I will be in Memphis for a total of five days, three of which will be consumed by the festival.  Here is a list of things I want to do while in Memphis:   *Attend all three days of the Beale Street Music Festival *Photogr

Mavis Staples Rocks the Music Hall on Friday 3/25/11

Photo as seen on http://www.mavisstaples.com Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples illuminated The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH, with songs of peace, love, hope, and activism.  This powerful songbird held the audience captive as she belted out her message with such conviction, I wouldn’t be surprised if souls were converted right then and there.  Cute as a button, Mavis told the audience how it was stating, “It’s not over yet.” Mavis got her start early in life singing in her family band the Staple Singers, who became famous for their hit songs “I’ll Take You There” and “Let’s Do It Again”.  As her career grew and evolved, she became widely known and respected for her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.  Mavis was a personal friend to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and shortly after joining the movement she became an iconic voice of a generation. Her message present day is still very much relevant.  Her voice explored the full range of human emotion, making for a genuine

The Music Festival Goer's Guide to the Galaxy - Top 10 Must Haves This Season!

With music festival season right around the corner, it is time to take stock and gather those essential items needed to make your experience(s) fabulous.  Festivals vary greatly from camping/rural, to urban, and everything in between.  It's important to map out your destination, have a itinerary, and know what you're getting into.  A little research never hurt anybody, and will save you a lot of time, money, and angst.  If you're not prepared, you will not be able to focus on the most important thing: the music.  If you're not focused on the music, you won't be having a good time!  And what's the point of going to a music festival if you're not having a  good time???? Don't fear the reaper, my list will save you!  Here are some tried and true festival savers that will keep you kind and groovin': 10.  Wear and bring comfy clothes.  It's not about being seen, rather, it's about "just being." 9.  Good camping gear will keep you wa

Robert Randolph & The Family Band @ Port City Music Hall 2/19/11

Photo As Seen On http://www.robertrandolph.net/gallery Music is like food.  You've got your good, wholesome, organic music, and then you've got your bad artificial prepackaged garbage -- loaded with fillers.  Good music is sustaining and nutritious to the body and soul, while bad music leaves you unsatisfied and malnourished.  So what exactly am I getting at?                                           We (we being my sister and I)  took the train up to Portland Maine on Saturday to see Robert Randolph & The Family Band perform at the Port City Music Hall , and was curious as to how their live performance would fare.   But first, before any proper meal is consumed, one must set the table.  Port City Music Hall, stylish and industrially chic,  creates an intimate ambiance and provides a functional slab for performers to roll out their dough.  Shortly after arriving and throwing back a bottle of local ale, we made a b-line to the front of the room and