What did Bob Moog do for the history, development, course and future of Music? His inventions have done no less for music than the inventor of the wheel has done for transportation!
Fairfield Theater Company has developed a great reputation for bringing amazing acts to the heart of Southern Connecticut, and Ryan Montbleau Band’s appearance at StageOne on Sunday December 5th in Downtown Fairfield was no exception.
On her most recent album Ithaca, Paula Cole often sings about the process of homecoming, using the Greek myth of Odysseus and his ten-year sojourn away from home as a parallel for her album. The title, as well as the music on the album itself, is deeply personal, denoting upheaval, discord and eventual calm. While this comparison between her journey and Odysseus’ is especially apt, it can be extrapolated further to describe pretty much the way Paula Cole writes music.
Earle’s material toes the line between earnest and confessional singer-songwriter in the vein of his father and a traditionalist in the mold of Hank Williams. On Monday night, both sides were on display with songs like “One More Night in Brooklyn”, “Christchurch Woman”, and “Midnight at the Movies” reflecting the former, while “They Killed John Henry”, “Move Over Mama”, and “South Georgia Sugar Babe” echoed the latter. This duality plays well on his albums as the listener is constantly surprised by the wide ranging sounds of his catalog, captivated by both the lyrical insights and the toe-tapping country arrangements.
Legendary Texas blues guitarist Johnny Winter took the stage recently to a loud revelry of respect, then quietly and calmly drove home some amazing licks that only proved how he has become an idol to just about every musician who has ever plucked some strings on an old guitar since 1969 when he released his first album.
Sam Bush is best-known for his prodigious skills on the mandolin and the fiddle, but it would be a mistake to label him simply a bluegrass musician. Throughout his years with the New Grass Revival, the Nash Ramblers and Strength in Numbers, he’s explored a wide swath of traditional American music, and his cross-genre blending has continued with the many iterations of his solo band over the years.
Oftentimes bands lose steam after a year of promoting an album, tapering off at the end from the weariness of touring and media appearances, but this was not the case as Stars winded up their last tour to support Ghosts in November. Instead, they burst with energy and ended the era on a serious high note.
“Now that’s rock & roll right there,” I overheard a young man tell his friend as they exited the concert. No, this is not 1977, but the band that once held the world in the palm of it’s hand throughout most of the seventies and early eighties has just played to another sold out venue.
At its worst, Tim and Eric Awesome Show tilts more towards boring than funny, even when that’s what they’re going for. But at its best, Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim defend themselves through dead-on satire of what they’re not: corporate comedy.
The Allman Brothers concluded their short autumn tour of theatres with three sold out shows at The Orpheum in Boston that simultaneously re-affirmed their own passion for their music and justified the loyalty of their fan base.
