Monday, January 17, 2011
Fundraiser For The Baymen at Four Doors Down
January 15th was a chilly, blustery night - but it didn't stop some folks from enjoying what turned out to be an evening of top notch music from 3 different groups at Four Doors Down. The fundraising efforts were a mild success, a good night overall given the weather, but what really surprised everyone on hand was the intensity of the music all night long. Larrin and the Locomotives started the night off with an outstanding debut performance featuring a mix of originals and covers. A 3-piece unit with Larrin Gerard on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, Derek Spencer Cocks on bass, and Chris Best performing on both drums and acoustic guitar, the band wound it's way through a 45 minute set of relaxing yet invigorating material. Neil Young's 'Harvest Moon' was a stand out as was the original song 'Oh Blue'. The just mentioned song, 'Oh Blue', can be heard on L & L's reverbnation page. Next up was TAOST, which ripped through an extended set of their unique brand of punkadelic rock. Full disclosure - I'm in the band. With that in mind, I'll just say that band was 'on', and Fred was just plain on fire. The set swung the pendulum from jam rock to all out punk to blues all at once and the energy in the room was palpable throughout the set from the first notes of a hot-rodded 'Deep Elem Blues' (the only other cover in the set being the Rolling Stones 'Some Girls') to the final crash of the punk assault TAOST tune 'Take Me Home'. TAOST is the first band on the north fork to offer their shows on the archive, their is already one source available, and rumor has it a better recording of the show could appear soon. Last, but certainly not least was one-man acoustic wrecking ball Joe Allegue. BUT, Joe surprised us all and brought equally seasoned veteran performer Chris Hurley with him. The 2 performed an absolutely great set of classics to top the night off. They were joined by both Larrin Gerard and Corey Allegue at different times as well as doing a few numbers solo through the set. Memorable tunes included 'America', 'Who Are You', 'Free Fallin', and so many more. Overall, the night was just chock full of great music from a wide variety of acts that may have had different styles, but shared an intensity and energy felt by all through the night.
Monday, December 20, 2010
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: RON ROTHMAN
I hereby declare Ron Rothman to be Southold village's official Renaissance Man. Really. I grew up riding my bike and stopping at Rothman's Dept store in the 1970s to visit the Coke machine and buy kites and rocket engines. In the '80s, I saw Ron around town playing gigs at thriving venues that no longer exist. In the 1990s, Ron made it possible to stop driving all the way to Riverhead to get guitar strings. And, in the new millenium, Ron added a great vintage guitar section, and has become a dealer of new guitars for both CF Martin & Taylor Guitars. On top of it, he travels the guitar show circuit hunting those gems out there to bring back to the north fork's most complete vintage guitar store. BUT, this is a blog about original music, and we should get to it.....
At reverbnation, Ron lists his genres as Blues/Jazz/Folk. I would have to agree that is a fair representation of the genres touched upon, but it doesn't paint the whole picture. Though deeply rooted in the blues, the music has a quality to it that is oh so cooool.....with a jazzy beatnik feel to it. It swings the pendulum from the Robert Johnson inspired song, 'Walkin Blues' to the quirky jazz groove of 'Well You Needn't'. Ron plays out regularly these days and has an afternoon show scheduled for Jan 2nd at Peconic Bay Winery in Cutchogue.
Beyond performing music, Ron is a true historian. He is considered to be the world's leading authority on Harmony guitars and their history, and has published a book detailing the USA manufacturer entitled 'Harmony: The Peoples Guitar'.
It can be purchased at his website, http://www.rothguitar.com/ , which also lists his eclectic inventory of used vintage guitars. Visit his website and read the interesting history of Rothman's Department Store, a fixture in Southold since 1918. Be sure to see the section on Albert Einstein!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
CD Review: BIG SUGA - Get In Line
'Get In Line' is the debut release from Greenport's BIG SUGA, a high energy rock and roll band that blends old school honky-tonk with modern jam band styling and hooks, and does it well. The disc is a 5 song introduction to the band. Josh Y Horton leads the band with his gritty vocals and enjoyable story-telling lyrical style. The band is driven by seasoned drummer Jamie Schott, bassist Phil Mastrangelo, and features great lead playing by both Tom 'Shecky' Davis on guitar and Louis DiVirgilio on harmonica. Rounding out the sound of the band are the strong complimentary voices of Russell Lee Smith Jr. and Tonia Franklin.
The disc opens with the title track. It starts off relaxed, ala Lou Reed, but soon picks up pace and rocks out hard ala Blues Traveler. 'Long Gone' is a nashville fueled, well written tune that brings John Hiatt to mind. Next up is 'Destination Unknown'. A total groove and jam delight, Shecky really cuts loose on this one.....It's may personal favorite of the bunch......'LI Sailor' brings the pace down to a slow honky-tonk with an eastern Long Island inspired maritme storyline. The disc closes out with another all out rocker that has great grooves, and a killer hook to go with it. 'Ain't Goin' Down That Way' ends in a flash and leaves you wishing there was another song or 2.
If you like to rock out to good old-fashioned rock and roll, 'Get In Line' will not disappoint you one bit. It sits comfortably in my CD changer next to The Black Crowes, the Rolling Stones, Blues Traveler, and the Reverend Horton Heat.......and fits right in the mix.
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: JOHNNY BLOOD
Johnny Blood kicks ass. I just wanted to get that out of the way before I even started with the basics. As for the basics.......Mr Blood hails from Amagansett, over on the south fork. He is a veteran of the music world on Long Island that has built an impressive resume in many areas of the business. His music can be heard everywhere, whether it be as a session player, on film or television, or as the axe man in the Nancy Atlas Project. Personally, as a guitarist myself, I love Johnny Blood's solo material. His song writing and production style is right up my alley. Driving rhythms with touches of ethnic and symphonic soundscapes provide the backbone for a high energy guitar fury. The lead work is fat....not over played, more tasty with nods to blues, rockabilly, and psychedelia. The lyrical content is sarcastic, wry, and oh so painfully on the spot. It has a punk attitude but doesn't come across as punk music so much. I couldn't come up with a popular reference. In the end, I came up with a cocktail that can describe, as least to these ears, Johnny Blood. Put these 5 guys in a blender, and you'll get something similar: Frank Zappa, Rob Zombie, Gary Moore, Reverend Horton Heat, and Eddie Spaghetti.
I could pick a few songs to mention as stand outs, but it's really not necessary. Just click on the player here and take your pick. It's all good. If that doesn't work for ya, I suggest you start with 'The Sun Don't Shine'. You can catch Johnny live on November 26th at The Stephen Talkhouse with the Nancy Atlas Project.
Friday, October 22, 2010
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: DEEP RISING
DEEP RISING is a Progressive Melodic Rock group that has members from the Jamesport area, and points west. The song writing is solid throughout their releases and the playing is consistently tight and precise, as is the want of prog in general......At the same time, however, there is an immediate accessibility not often found in prog influenced music......just a touch of that 80's hard rock we all remember.....but not too much. The vocals and choices in melody are both top notch. Nick Kerzner shines on the vocals with a strong, emotive voice that suits the music wonderfully. The lyrics are thought provoking and just plain catchy at times.
As of this moment, the band has 3 releases to their credit. I have not managed to get a hold of their 1st release yet, BUT I did manage to get my hands on their 2 most recent efforts; SHARDS (2004), and TRUTH BE TOLD (2007). SHARDS is a 14 track effort with solid songs throughout. It features a wealth a mid-tempo, thought provoking songs with a nice mix of more agressive and exploratory numbers infused in the mix. 'Unfamiliar' is an up tempo rocker with a catchy melody and chorus that hits you with a surprise off-beat break. The programming on the track 'Kitesfly' suits the song with it's cool verse riff that reminds me of the Masters of Reality and Lenny Kravitz at the same time. The airy chorus provides a nice change in texture. 'One For The Road' is a standout among the mid tempo tunes with it's use of keyboards and an exceptionally strong vocal. 'Eyes Closed' is a driving riff with a darker edge to it that gets the blood flowing. Another hard rocker with instantly catchy riffage is 'Phoenix'. A personal favorite is 'Cloud-9'. It's starts off slow and builds to a rockin' lead that comes back down to the harmonies before it kicks the jams in again and let's it fly one last time. 2007's TRUTH BE TOLD represents a 3 year growth in the band and the difference can be seen. The signature sound is still there, but there seems to be a bit more leaning towards the guitars on this CD. I like it, a lot. At times I feel like I'm listening to a Kings-X/Tesla hybrid, yet it is undeniably original. 'X' is a song that captures that feel. It rocks, it jams, it has lyrics and melody that make you want to scream in the car while you're driving. 'Nothing Means Nothing' starts off with a slower verse, but the song breaks into a quirky riff that leads into the most extensive jam on the disc. I'd imagine every girl that hears 'Cheater' instantly sings along. It has that sing-a-long quality and a subject matter that almost everyone can take to heart. A true, dyed in the wool, prog rock journey is the tune, 'Xel-Ha'. The song echoes the sentiments of Pink Floyd and relays a hard rockin' Yes style vibe when it kicks into gear.
The band will be releasing it's newest disc in December 2010 and plans on gigging extensively to support it. With a little luck, we'll get them out east for a show this winter.......
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Devon Allman's Honeytribe LIVE on the North Fork!! AGAIN!!
When DEVON ALLMAN said goodbye from the stage at the NOFO Festival earlier this year, he said he'd be back. Little did we know it'd be so soon, and for free no less!! The guys had such a good time out here earlier this summer, they decided to come back and play a free show in Cutchogue before heading off on their european tour which is happening as this is typed. The band ripped through a pumping set of jams that included a sneak peek of their newest release, SPACE AGE BLUES. The set included their new single 'Could Get Dangerous' and a crowd pleasing rendition of The Allman Bros 'Midnight Rider'. The crowd enjoyed the cover of his father's tune, but Devon really shone when he was playing his own tunes and letting the jams flow. At the end of the set, Corky Laing of MOUNTAIN hopped on stage for an all-out jam that had the stage and the crowd rockin'! I'd say it's a safe bet the Honeytribe will be back again, perhaps for next years NOFO Fest.......
Friday, October 15, 2010
ROCK THE HARVEST 2010
It was a beautiful autumn day with a slight breeze for 2010's ROCK THE HARVEST FESTIVAL at Pindar Vineyards. Approximately 1,000 people came to fields in Cutchogue for a worthy cause and afternoon of fine music. TAOST got the afternoon started with a fun set of psychedelic rock that flowed from spacey jam rock to all-out classic punk. It was a solid set of catchy tunes and interesting jams that got the juices flowing for the afternoon. Next on stage was the JAY SCOTT BAND. They brought their brand of roots rock to the north fork once again (they also appeared at this year's Barge Bash) and played an enjoyable set of stomp your feet tunes that showcased the talents of a great LI song-writer. The band featured an added percussion section and played a bit more subdued than at the Barge Bash, and it leaves us curious to see which JSB we'll see out here next time. At this point, there was a change in plans. KERRY KEARNEY came on stage, and as soon as the band kicked in, and the slide guitar cried out, the field was hopping. Kerry ripped through a screaming set of jam blues rock that rivaled any of the more exposed national acts. His sound has evolved over the years, and though it is still solidly rooted in the blues, it has an approach that is much less derivative of standard blues. His slide guitar work was truly psychedlic. BIG SUGA had the unenviable task of trying to keep the momentum of the day alive, and they did not disappoint. Their full-on Honky Tonk fueled Rock-n-Roll was just the recipe to keep those feet hopping in the field. Led by singer and guitarist Josh Horton, and featuring a solid duo of complimentary singers, the band chugged through an hour of tunes featuring a number of originals and classic favorites. Finishing up the day was BIG RIVER RANSOM. BRR features Jon DiVello, a veteran NF performer. Their set finished off the day reminding us we were most definitely dancing in the fields. Fiddle was present, as was un unmistakable alt country feel that brought the crowd to a day ending jovial mood (though I think the wine may have helped a bit.......). The set was very enjoyable and the musicianship was excellent, a fitting way to end a worthy cause and fun afternoon at Pindar Vineyards.
Welcome to the new hub for original music from Eastern Long Island!
'The Scene' is ready for takeoff! In the coming days, we will be adding content from many bands and artists in the area. This will take many forms.......
- CD and Song Reviews
- Show Recaps
- Interviews
- Area Show Promotion
- and so much more!
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