“Just because you don’t believe it/ Doesn’t mean I didn’t mean it,” Neko Case sings on “The Next Time You Say Forever,” one of the many superb tracks on her sixth solo album, Middle Cyclone. Believe this: Case has turned in an album that easily ranks among her best—quite possibly the best of her career.
The Flaming Lips‘ song ‘Do You Realize?’ has been named the official song of the state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma state legislature made the announcement today (March 2) following a
Iggy Pop has revealed that he has recorded a jazz album based on the French author Michel Houellebecq’s novel ‘La Possibilité D’une Ile’ (‘The Possibility Of An Island’). In a
Neil Young will release his new album, ‘Fork in The Road’, on April 6. A single, ‘Johnny Magic’, will be released on March 23. The track is currently streaming on
Atlanta-based progressive metal band MASTODON will embark on a spring U.S. headlining tour in support of its second album for Reprise Records, "Crack The Skye". MASTODON will perform "Crack The
There is a scene in The Shawshank Redemption where Red, played by Morgan Freeman, and his fellow prisoners are treated to a piece of music, courtesy of fellow inmate Andy Dufresne. Red, who is the narrator in the film, confesses that he had no idea what the two Italian ladies were singing about that afternoon, and he didn’t want to know. “Some things are better left unsaid,” Red tells us. There are times when I feel the same way about Justin Vernon of Bon Iver.
The Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland is a wonderful place to spend an evening getting lost in good music. All the history the building holds aside (Little Richard firing Jimi Hendrix on stage in the ’60s for example) this is simply a great hall in which to see a show. There’s the balcony way upstairs. With comfortable seating and its own bar, high above the often moshing crowd, it allows for a more civilized concert experience.
Downstairs has the infamous “Floating Dance Floor”. Through some antique architectural procedure that is nothing short of amazing, dare I say challenging at times, the entire floor rocks under the gyrating weight of the hundreds of concert goers. But, for me, the place to be on the floating floor is the front row. Just high enough so that you don’t have to crane your neck to see the band and just low enough that the main speakers for you are the stage monitors. If you play your cards right, there’ll be a spot to stash your coat, bottle of water or whatever. Another added benefit to the front row, you meet the nicest people there.
Tonight’s front row soiree was a two barreled jam band attack of rock, soul, jazz and blues from the Bill Kreutzmann Trio and the Greyboy Allstars. Yes, tonight’s show was part of the two week long Portland Jazz Festival, and no, Joe Lovano didn’t come out and jam with either of the bands.
READ ON for AJ’s thoughts on GBA and the Kreutzmann band in Portland…
For those of you who are heading into the Hampton area later on Friday afternoon, be sure to leave plenty of time to fight traffic. PT user and Norfolk resident
If you live in New York City, seeing David Byrne is sort of a common occurrence. The former Talking Heads front man can often be spotted bicycling around town or
Bassist Les Claypool hits the road on Wednesday in support of his latest album, Of Fungi and Foe, for a month-long tour that takes him across the country. Billed as
