Unassuming, modest, radiant, warm; and with a stage presence that hasn’t been seen in awhile are words to describe one of the hottest acts to come into the fold in recent memory. This quartet based in San Francisco calls themselves Tea Leaf Green.
he Benevento/Russo Duo rocked their way through a single set at Higher Ground that was heavy on improvisation, but remained focused on the studio takes of their material. Having toured extensively with Phish alum Mike Gordon, Higher Ground has gradually become a second home away from The Duo’s NYC hot spot – The Knitting Factory.
Back in June, Brothers Past announced that a line-up change was in the works. Long-time drummer Rick Lowenberg had decided to go back to school to study law and environmental issues and a new drummer, Ilya Stemkovsky, was announced as the replacement. Glide Magazine caught up with Stemkovsky to learn more about his new gig.
You can’t fault The Pnuma Trio for its nerve: another keyboard-plus-rhythm-section jamtronica live album? Does the amorphous genre have room for one more, especially one that at first listen bears so much resemblance to the New Deal, Lotus, and the rest?
Evident throughout, The Strength of Weak Ties offers the listening public a more mature, well-rounded Lotus. The Philadelphian quintet ventures deep into a plethora of vibes, ranging from down-tempo driven to full funk forays. With an eclectic mixture of synthesized beats, male vocals (Steve Yutzy-Burkley guests on several tracks), quick, funky guitar and textured harmonies, the album delivers a punch that Nomad may have lacked on the whole.
Having ventured more than 3000 miles for my last New Year’s extravaganza, I decided a more local approach would suit the bill to ring in 2006. By the night’s end I was in no way disappointed, and in fact I was pleasantly surprised. I live in the heart of a wonderful city (Portland Oregon) and spent my New Years Eve traversing three separate gathering/parties and dancing at one joyous local concert that matched up two local musical staples Asbury Park and Big Island Shindig.
The countdown started for me when the “Welcome Back Carter” theme came waltzing out of the PA system. It was noticeably louder than the stream of music lost in the pre-show chatter and buzz inside the auditorium, and I knew the show was about to begin. That, for me, was a more palpable countdown than another tick of the clock turning over another year like an invisible odometer. moe. entered the stage with cartoonish wigs in seventies big fro style and assembled for what I found out upon arriving, was to be an opening acoustic set. Well that solidified it, I thought, I had chosen wisely when I decided to make this show my New Year’s Eve destination.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado is one of the most exclusive outside venues. The beautiful surroundings of the amphitheatre seem to uplift and inspire the the bands that play there. The Dave Matthews Band captured their September 9-12, 2005 Red Rocks stint via a double disc album and concert DVD compilation called, Weekend on the Rocks.
Sharing the stage for the second of two nights at San Francisco
The String Cheese Incident had come to Portland ME and Hampton NH(towns a little more than an hour apart) for a four consecutive night run that proved to be a northeast dream run come true.
