Posts by Albie Cullen

In their first ever Boston appearance, Oklahoma City country rockers Turnpike Troubadours were surprised to find Boston’s Paradise near full to capacity.  But that was nothing compared to their amazement when the audience sang along word for word with the band’s opener “Every Girl.”   Curly haired, charismatic lead singer and guitarist Evan Felker dressed in […]

[rating=7.oo] Despite a lack of what would be perceived as “commercial success” (ten years has passed since the release of the band’s timeless single “Wagon Wheel”) Old Crow Medicine Show continues to create original, unique music.  Their eclectic sound has been described as everything from blues to folk to country to roots rock to hillbilly […]

The aptly named Southern Soul Assembly is South of the Mason Dixon line artists, Luther Dickinson, Marc Broussard, JJ Grey and Anders Osborne. Well known for their respective musical pursuits the four are presently touring in a singer-songwriter, showcase format. From the band’s website which consists of a single page to performing on a bare […]

We all have our own personal greatest hits list.  A dozen or so songs that stand out to us either because of the sound, the lyrics, or maybe the memories it invokes.  If you’re a musician, in addition to listening to the music, you can actually perform your “Favorites” playlist.  If you’re a musician’s musician, […]

Free from the expectations and boundaries of the bands that constitute their “day jobs,” the members of Trigger Hippy seemed quite at ease during their Boston performance.   The music and laid-back vibe more closely resembled a casual encounter at a rehearsal space than a rehearsed concert production. Taking the stage to a recorded children’s chorus […]

In an industry that categorizes, compares and defines everything, James McMurtry and his music defy description. McMurtry based in Austin, Texas began playing brilliant “Americana” music two decades before either the sound or the town became all the rage.  To his credit McMurtry has been immune to criticisms such as being too acoustic but not […]

From the opening notes of “Heartland” from Coyote Kolb’s, 2010 debut, “Massachusett” lead singer Chadley Kolb’s Gretsch Duo Jet made it clear that CK’s Y chromosome is in the blues.  Not twelve bar blues or British invasion blues but slow stewed, Robert Johnson, Mississippi Delta blues.   Harmonica player, Sonny Jim’s riffs over the time changes […]

[rating=8.00] The genius in indie rocker Cass McComb’s latest effort Big Wheel and  Others lies in the intricate musical arrangements.  The opening, driving “Big Wheel” starts the listener on a musical journey filled with catchy guitar fills poured over a variety of bass lines and back beats.  Perhaps the album’s strongest track “There Can Only […]

If you have been lamenting the fact that artists who make full length LP’s who also tour and musically expand on the recorded material are extinct, rest easy there has been a sighting!  Touring in support of the just released, critically lauded, Sunday Morning Record the Band of Heathens (tBoH) hit Cambridge on September 28th. […]

What was billed as “A Night of Musical Fireworks and Improvisations, The Waterboys in their First Continental North American Tour in Six Years” began in Boston’s intimate Wilbur Theatre for the U.S. leg.  Much like two old friends who had not spoken in years, the band and sold out audience were initially reserved with much […]

[rating=9.00] Upon first listen the aptly titled, Band of Heathens release, Sunday Morning Record, seems to stand in contrast to the group’s prior live and recorded material.  The sonically subtler collection of songs takes a few spins to ultimately reveal the rock, folk, country, blues, soul and gospel influences that make the Band of Heathens […]

Donovan Frankenreiter earns his living as a professional surfer but for extra dough he moonlights as a rock star. So it’s not surprising his concert tours often visit beach resort destinations. However, he arrived in Salisbury Beach in the midst of an epic flat spell (surfing lingo for no rideable waves for a long time.) […]

[rating=9.0] Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is the third release by the band of the same name. The group centers around lead singer and songwriter, Alex Ebert and his former paramour and vocalist Jade Castrinos. The moniker is the name of Ebert’s alter ego. The Magnetic Zeros are a cast of a dozen musicians […]

As the sold out crowd milled around the Bank of America Pavilion enjoying the beautiful summer weather and few cold beers an anticipatory buzz hung in the air.   The Black Crowes bluesy but energetic opener “Soul Singing” immediately provided the focus and direction the crowd was seeking.  Lead singer Chris Robinson clad in jeans and […]

A strobe light danced intermittently to a drum track over a bare stage.   Clad in all black, the four members of pop band Lovelife took the Paradise stage.  Keyboardist Ally Young laid down the introductory synthesizer track to “Brave Heart”.  When drummer Frank Colucci kicked in, vocalist Lee Newell and guitarist Sam Jackson sang the double vocal harmonies.  As the opening act the crowd was somewhat sparse but the band grabbed the audience’s attention. 

Between the material and the musicianship there is no doubt that the Lone Bellow will be at the arena level in short order. Their live show removes some of the record's Nashville slick, production varnish which allows the music's roots and influences to shine through- in part its almost like attending a good ol' Southern Revival.

Declaring the hiatus over the band has returned this spring with the “Lay Down With Number 13” tour.  Many of the shows sold out quickly.  Therein lies the rub, as the fans of Moneymaker and the follow-up The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion prefer the known quantity whereas the Fillmore fans look for the unknown, experimental side of the group.   On Thursday the Crowes did their best to appease both camps.

Whether it be the opening of the tour or the change in the line-up, these recent shows have featured the same set list which is an oddity for Dylan, with the emphasis on his last few studio releases,  2012’s “Tempest”, 2009’s “Together Through Life” and 2006, “Modern Times”.  Regardless, Dylan seemed to be enjoying himself, not necessarily smiling but smirking. But that’s what makes Bob Dylan and if you’re a fan its always an honor to be in his presence.

Despite having been named the best band in Austin, Texas along with a Top 10 American Music Association album for 2008, the critical recognition hasn’t always translated nationally for Band of Heathens. Being recognized as best in Austin is like being named best Mormon in Salt Lake City. As Austin is now the epicenter of the American music scene the title is no minor platitude. 

Despite no local radio airplay, (does any real band get played on commercial radio anymore?) or other promotion, the Paradise was filled to capacity.  Further it seemed like the audience had this date circled on the calendar for a while.  When the band lit into “Where the Devil Don’t Stay” opener, the crowd’s anxious buzz of anticipation turned to hootin’, hollerin’ enthusiasm.