Hopefully the dreaded H word doesn’t last too long for The Black Crowes as they have never been more “on” over their entire career. With progressive albums and electrifying tours, it is a shame they are putting it to bed, here’s wishing also that Luther Dickinson keeps bringing his magic on that day when the Crowes do come back to roost.
The best moments of Soulive’s last visit to Vermont, in April of ‘08 occurred when the core trio had the stage to themselves and ripped it up without interruption for over thirty minutes, reminding what a powerful band they’d become in their (close to a) decade together. The high points of the Halloween run at Higher Ground exceeded even that altitude.
Azure Ray fans have been eagerly anticipating their return, despite the lengthy wait. Taylor and Fink certainly delivered in many ways on Sunday at the Independent, but at times their musical weaknesses (lack of experimentation, crowd connection and risk-taking) became particularly apparent in the live setting. Even so, it was a thrill to see them back together again. The show was a night of real emotional catharsis, and a great way to bring Taylor and Fink back into the indie music fold.
If I can praise only one guitarist this year, I have to shout out Luther Dickinson. The man knows how to cause shivers to run up your spine with his slinky drop down blues riffs via a slide. The man has GOT IT. And lucky for The Black Crowes they are allowing him to plow the field with his on fire solos in such an unassuming manner you’d swear he wasn’t even there.
A giddy, anticipatory vibe pervaded the Atlantic City boardwalk before the first of the final three shows of Phish’s Fall Tour began. Under heavy skies, bemused, early-arriving heads wandered the wide, wooden pathway looking for tickets and sipping beers. In a surreal twist, emanating from the loud outdoor casino speakers was none other than the Grateful Dead and select Phish tracks — the weekend-long soundtrack to chilly strolls from hotel rooms to Boardwalk Hall.
Raul Malo and his band made a stop at Johnny D’s supporting his new album, Saints and Sinners. The club’s space is well suited to his music, has just enough bar area, just enough dance floor for the 300 plus standing room only crowd, who danced and clapped from the start.
It was chilly air and cloudy skies during the day, but Widespread Panic was sure to warm everybody up and make it a beautiful night. The up-tempo and loose “Wondering” soared like a sports car going 90 miles an hour on an open highway, while the heavy thunder of “Imitation Leather Shoes” hit like a Mack truck crashing 90 miles an hour into a brick wall.
Born and bred in New Orleans in 1999, Voodoo Fest has grown into more than just music and food. It’s a way of life for three days. You live it, you breathe it, you puke it up and start all over again the next morning. Traditionally held around Halloween, this witches brew of eclecticity draws mostly the young to worship, but with performers like Ozzy Osbourne and a good feast of blues, jazz and rock, it is now growing almost as popular with the over-forty crowd as the hallowed Jazz Fest; although Voodoo will always be the undeniable wild little sister.
So, how do you follow a magician? If you’re seminal Southern rockers Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ you immediately turn to your hits. Their set opens with the incomparable Dixie anthem “Honeysuckle Blues” then soon thereafter the near-riot inciting “Build a Fire,” and now the revelers on Tybee Island are completely captivated.
The mad hatters from Los Angeles, California swept into CMJ this year on the back of their upcoming documentary, “Everyday Sunshine” which was screened for a select few before the bands night onstage. The seven member strong Fishbone wove their way through a night of hits and misses in front of a rambunctious crowd at the intimate Le Poisson Rogue down in the village.
