Monthly Archives: May 2009

05.31.2009 · 2:25 pm

Song Of The Day

Willie

Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel have teamed up for a fantastic new record, Willie and the Wheel. This is an album of classic western swing tunes handpicked by the late Jerry Wexler, who had the idea years before it came to fruition. “Jerry wanted us to do this album and I’m glad we got to do it for him,” says Willie Nelson. “And that he heard it before he passed on.”

I fully enjoyed listening to this record today while driving down the highway with the sun shining. My favorite track is “Hesitation Blues”. Listen here.

Willie Nelson
Asleep at the Wheel

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05.29.2009 · 7:22 pm

NEW Music: Sam Chase

sam

Sam Chase is a recent graduate of Berklee School Of Music in Boston. His first passion was drums, but since attending Berklee he’s developed a love for songwriting. I recently got an advance copy of his debut record. The production is outstanding, and the tunes are miles ahead of the standard for a singer/songwriter who’s just getting his feet wet. You can hear the strongest tracks on the record over on his MySpace page. I especially like “Sharpless Jones” and “Nebraska”.

Sam will release his debut album, Songs For Someone, at Church in Boston, MA on June 30th. Check him out!

Sam Chase
Sam on MySpace

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05.28.2009 · 8:47 pm

Song Of The Day

feist

Feist- “Mushaboom”

I really love this older song by Feist. It’s SO incredibly catchy and fun. A few weeks ago I heard someone humming it in the store and I instantly recognized it. 

Feist became HUGE after 2007′s The Reminder, but her earlier work is really great too. This song is off her 2004 album, Let It Die.

“Mushaboom” has two really kooky videos…
One has flying toast…Check it out.
The other has a weird mirror image effect going on…Check it out.

Feist
Feist on MySpace

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05.27.2009 · 3:50 pm

Song Of The Day

bruce

Today is Bruce Cockburn’s birthday! He’s one of my all-time favorite singer/songwriters…and he’s got a great live/solo 2 disc album out that I’ve been listening to A LOT lately called Slice O’ Life (Read my blog about this new release HERE).

Today’s song of the day matches the gloom and rain outside…it’s an awesome live version of “Pacing The Cage”. Listen on MySpace!

“Sometimes the best map cannot guide you…
you can’t see what’s round the bend.
Sometimes the road leads to dark places…
sometimes the darkness is your friend.”

Bruce Cockburn

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05.26.2009 · 5:06 pm

Festival Weekend Wrap-Up

Ahhh, it’s nice to be blogging on a computer again instead of a phone!

It was a great weekend at Sterling Stage and StrangeCreek! I wasn’t at either festival for very long, but a few bands really struck me…check them out!

Buzz

Buzz Universe
These guys blend rock, jazz, and latin…with a horn section that really adds to the overall sound. They played a late night set at Sterling Stage on Saturday and really got me groovin’.
Buzz Universe on MySpace

The Brew

The Brew
As I mentioned in the previous post, this band from Amesbury, MA totally won me over. They were just getting started when I arrived at StrangeCreek on Sunday, and I was drawn to the stage to check them out. I’d describe them as a rock band with a twist…the gorgeous vocals (with sometimes four part harmonies) are a pleasant surprise.
The Brew on MySpace

Zach

Zach Deputy
I absolutely love Zach Deputy. I’ve described him in a previous post that you can check out HERE. Zach played a late night cabin set at StrangeCreek, joined by members of the Ryan Montbleau Band on keys, bass, and drums.
Zach Deputy on MySpace

Indobox

The Indobox
After Zach’s set, I didn’t expect to be captivated by any of the other late night acts…but The Indobox got me dancing up a storm! They use a drum machine, synthesizer, and about 30 effect pedals to create their mix of electronic and rock.
The Indobox on MySpace

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05.25.2009 · 10:17 pm

StrangeCreek

StrangeCreek was a blast. We arrived in time to catch The Brew, a local band who I had heard a lot about but had never experienced.

The Brew’s lead singer truly impressed me. Not only did he sing right on key, but I could also hear his words…which you rarely get with a rock band. He delivered as a singer while totally funking it out on the keys…and the subtle harmonies and driving guitar from his bandmates made The Brew a solid live act.

Late night cabins kept the festival going strong until sunrise. I was psyched to stay up and see one of my favorite musicians, Zach Deputy, and I was surprised to thoroughly enjoy an experimental band called Indobox. More on them when I get to a computer…

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05.24.2009 · 1:43 pm

Sterling

Sterling Stage was a lot of fun! There seemed to be a great turnout…lots of good people dancing all night long. Aside from two high energy sets from the Ryan Montbleau Band, I also enjoyed some late night grooves from Buzz Universe, a band from New Jersey.

Making the 5 hour drive to StrangeCreek now, psyched for more great vibes!

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05.22.2009 · 9:12 pm

LIVE Music: Sterling Stage & StrangeCreek

Sterling-Folk-Fest-09     

I’m going camping this weekend at two great festivals to support the Ryan Montbleau Band!

On Saturday, I’ll be in and out of the Sterling Stage Folkfest in Sterling, New York. I’m not sure how many other acts I’ll catch besides RMB, but this festival was fun last year and I’m psyched to drop by again. For the rest of the weekend, I’ll be attending the StrangeCreek Campout in Greenfield, MA.  I’m hoping to catch Spiritual Rez, The Brew, Strangefolk, and a late night set from the incredible Zach Deputy!

As I experience great music and vibes this weekend, I will attempt to write feeble blogs from an iPhone or Blackberry if I can connect to the net! If not, I’ll be back with full reports next week!

Have a great weekend!

Sterling Stage Folkfest
StrangeCreek Campout      

                    Strange-Creek

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· 12:09 am

NEW Music: WILCO

wilco_album

WILCO’s highly anticipated self-titled album is coming out very soon…June 30th at the latest. Here’s the track listing:

Wilco (the song)
Deeper Down
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
You And I
You Never Know
Country Disappeared
Solitaire
I’ll Fight
Sonny Feeling
Everlasting Everything

“You Never Know” is the first single off the new album…here’s a clip:

                              Click here for a taste of Wilco’s new song

**WILCO is playing with Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band in Lowell, MA on July 11th**

WILCO

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05.21.2009 · 7:59 pm

NEW Music: Jen Kearney and The Lost Onion

Jen

Jen Kearney and The Lost Onion – The Year of the Ox

CD Release party tonight!!!
Harpers Ferry
159 Brighton Ave.
Allston, MA
18+ $7

WOW. This new album from Jen Kearney and The Lost Onion is SO GOOD. With Jen’s powerhouse voice and her dynamic backing band, The Year of the Ox is packed with groovin’ tracks that will keep you entertained from start to finish. The group’s sound has been described as “funky soul rock poured over rice and beans” and “Stevie Wonder goes to Cuba”. This album really is a mix of all sorts of genres. From the trippy, funky sound of “To The Moon” (my favorite track), to the Latino-flavored “Trudge”, The Year of the Ox has it all.

Jen Kearney and The Lost Onion

**If you can’t make the CD release tonight, JKLO will also be playing at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA on June 11th.

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