Archive: 2010

The 60's are commonly regarded as a period of unparalleled artistic adventure, but, for both rock and jazz, the foundation for experimentalism was solidly laid in the previous decade. Each of these double-CD 'Legacy Editions' comprehensively documents what a crucial year 1959 was for the world of jazz;  not concieved merely for holiday sales, these deluxe packages capture the historical significance of the work and reaffirm the timeless quality of truly great music of any genre.

 RX Bandits will be performing three successive shows in New York City, from March 25th-27th, at the Gramercy Theatre. However, each of these performances will be its own unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience, as the band will be playing through a live rendition of three of their best-selling records, including The Resignation, And The Battle Begun, and Mandala, over the […]

The National have added new dates to their forthcoming spring headlining tour in support of a new studio album, which is due in stores this May. In addition to slotting an appearance at the June 11-13 Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, TN, the band has added second nights to previously scheduled dates in Los Angeles (5/21-22), […]

Words and Images: S. Balaji Mani

Just across the street from Fenway Park, where Trey and Phish kicked off a long-anticipated summer tour last year, Trey and Classic TAB got down to business at Boston’s House of Blues. Coming on a little after 8:30 PM, Trey and company kicked off with the newly-arranged Shine. The brass intro foreshadowed what would be the defining element of the night, TAB’s featured three-piece horn section. The lighting went perfectly with the lyrics, with blazing yellows and whites flooding the room as Trey and the audience echoed the chorus. A bouncy and funky Cayman Review followed, with Trey bouncing up and jumping around, pointing to various fans in the audience.

A calm, dark What’s Done brought the mood down to let people catch their breath – it was also a first for this tour so far. The Birdwatcher showed up in the set as an Elvis-tinged old school rock-and-roll number, a distinct departure from its barbershop arrangement on Party Time.

Trey didn’t hesitate to introduce the newest member of the TAB family, trombonist Natalie Cressman (the first “second generation member of the band,” as her father used to play in TAB). She was beaming the whole night, and also joined Jennifer Hartswick on background vocals for most of the tunes. She really stepped out to shine on Mozambique, delivering a beautifully accented and original solo. While the first set had its moments, including another tour debut with Plasma (which was also supplemented with beautiful lighting work), the true standouts came thereafter.

Drifting led the second half of the evening, with colorful flute work from original Giant Country Horn member Russell Remington. Russell switched fluidly between percussion instruments, flute and saxophones throughout the night. The requisite TAB staple, Sand, sent everyone into a dancing frenzy.

READ ON for more of Balaji’s photos and thoughts on Classic TAB…

Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB returned to the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT this evening for a show that focused on the newer tunes in their repertoire. Anastasio was talkative throughout sharing a few stories about the songs he was playing and mentioning “I love this room” to thunderous applause. Let’s take a look at […]

Welcome to a special Saturday edition of Stormy Mondays. It’s not everyday that the truly momentous anniversaries role around, and when they do, it’s worth celebrating a little. Today is the fortieth anniversary of one of the single greatest sets ever played by the Grateful Dead. [Photo by Amalie Rothschild] February 13, 1970 found the […]

Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB mixed it up a bit more as they entered the heart of their fanbase for a gig at the House of Blues in Boston this evening. Making their tour debuts were What’s Done, Plasma and Sultans of Swing.

[Photos by Balaji Mani]

Here’s the setlist…

Trey Anastasio and Classic TAB
February 12, 2010
House of Blues
Boston, MA

Set 1: Shine, Cayman Review, Push On Til The Day, What’s Done, The Birdwatcher, Mozambique, Night Speaks to a Woman, Alaska, Let Me Lie, Plasma, Tuesday

Set 2: Drifting, All That Almost Was, Sand, Goodbye Head > Gotta Jibboo, Small Axe, Valentine, Money Love and Change, Show of Life, Dragonfly

Encore: Sultans of Swing, First Tube

[via @YEMblog]

• YEMblog: Trey Anastasio Classic TAB Audio, Videos & Reviews
• Previously on HT: Charlottesville Photos, New Songs, 9:30 Club Setlist, Charlottesville Setlist, Philadelphia Setlist

READ ON for more of Balaji Mani’s photos of TAB in Boston…

The Allman Brothers Band’s annual March Madness run in New York City kicks off on March 11 at the United Palace. As you might recall, the Allmans were essentially kicked out of the Beacon when MSG Entertainment made a deal with Cirque De Soleil to host their Banana Shpeel show. If you can’t make it […]

Deadheads have never had the best reputation, so it’s not surprising to see Furthur fans take shit from all sides when the band comes to town. Yesterday, Gawker posted a letter that Sgt. Philip “Hot Phil” Mospan sent to the Cornell University Greek Community warning them that Grateful Dead fans would be coming into town […]

One week after killing it on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Them Crooked Vultures get more time to melt faces during an appearance on this week’s Austin City Limits. Check your local listings to see what time and which PBS station you can find Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme. Friday, February 12 [all […]