While out on vacation in San Francisco last week, I had the opportunity to take in a blistering show at The Independent from the Providence-based country-folk-rock act Deer Tick. The
Over the past few years, HT favorites Umphrey’s McGee have padded their summer schedule with co-bills featuring the likes of the Disco Biscuits and STS9. This year, the prog-jammers are
Camera Obscura’s show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. on June 21 should have been phenomenal: a series of tight, precise readings drawing largely from the band’s last two – and strongest – albums.
But sometimes, great songs just aren’t enough. There’s something to be said about what stage presence can mean to a show. Someone needs to tell Camera Obscura. The sextet’s lack of energy during the 65-minute set kept their performance from reaching anything more than a pleasant collection of tunes.
Simply put, it felt like you were at home listening to a record, until you remembered you were in a rock club. Some people certainly enjoyed it, and the band didn’t disappoint, playing the crucial tracks from its four-album output. But there was just something missing — an unmistakable quality that separates a great performance from an adequate one.
READ ON for more of Rudi’s take on Camera Obscura’s recent concert…
Chromeo – Bonafide Lovin’ (Live at Rothbury)
It’s a good week for great music on the late night talk shows when you have David Letterman welcoming Connor Oberst’s newest project (Monday) and Levon Helm (Thursday). Death Cab
In an era where technologically savvy producers can make even the likes of Katy Perry sound decent on CD, it’s always refreshing when an artist’s performance outshines their album. Such was the case with Jenny Lewis.
On Son Volt's new album, American Central Dust, Jay Farrar only plays an acoustic guitar, not its electric counterpart. The bandleader's choice of instruments is as much a direct reflection of the overall approach he applies to the album as the choice of label for which Son Volt debuts. Rounder Records has become one of America's primary independent music distributors, largely by focusing on the folk, blues and country music that form the foundation of Farrar’s new songs.
[Originally Published 7/4/07] We’ve got an abridged version of GTA for this week’s edition — well, less words, more links. There’s something for everyone on the list of streamable shows
I totally forgot to mention in today’s Televised Tune – the column featuring television listings we started two years ago – that Sundance will be showing the Wilco film Ashes
I was recently at the Two Boots Pizzeria on Bleecker Street between Broadway and Lafayette when I saw a painted ice cream sign on their window. Seems that Two Boots has partnered with Max & Mina’s Ice Cream of Queens to make Cajun inspired flavors for their pizza locations.
As there are many people who read this blog that are annual JazzFest visitors, I have to say that I had the Banana’s Foster flavor and it was great. As you can see on the attached pic, Two Boots has even taken the extra step to suggest their custom slice->Max & Mina ice cream pairings. This is some good stuff, I may have to head out to Queens to check out the original Max & Mina’s in Kew Gardens which is at 7126 Main St, Flushing. I am always out there looking for new foodie discoveries…
Other goings on in the foodie-verse this week
With all of the new food trucks popping up, you knew something was brewing behind the scenes: The NY Times broke the story Tuesday afternoon: Six Arrested in Probe of City’s Food Vendors.
READ ON for more goings on from Jon…
