Opener Hnry Flwr was a quartet from NYC with some obtuse ties to the New Haven area. Drums, bass, lead guitar, and charismatic front man on rhythm guitar and vocals. Before the band started, the singer drew asterisks with black "war paint" over each eye to give a trippy effect. 70s rock song structure was helmed by strong vocals that were sometimes processed to make him sound like a melodica. Set highlight was a phenomenal take on Lou Reed's Perfect Day.
Bent Knee has been reviewed in this blog before. A sextet from Boston (Berklee grads or alums I assume) give off some prog vibes with quirky female vocals. Drums, violin, Korg (organ) playing female vocalist, female bassist, spazzy-haired lead guitar, and some dude on laptop (though it seemed like he might have just been checking his email on stage). Bent Knee have a new recording on the fabulous Cuneiform record label and are poised for bigger stages. Singer said they just returned from a European tour.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Monday, August 15, 2016
Noah Preminger w/ Dave Douglas 8/8/16 Bushnell Park
Intriguing installment of the Hartford Monday Jazz in the park series. Sweltering evening and decent crowd out to see local Jazz hero and Hall High School grad Preminger's quartet. Preminger on sax and a special treat Dave Douglas on trumpet with bass and drums. The evening's focus was straight ahead blowing on traditional blues numbers. Songs by Mississippi John Hurt and Skip James were put through the modern jazz blender to full effect. Preminger and Douglas are music students playing any and all genres (check Douglas' Buster Keaton tribute). The crowd was receptive and I must say Douglas is a big name for this series.
Monday, August 8, 2016
Boris w/ Earth 8/7/16 Spaceland Ballroom
This show was originally scheduled for The College Street Music Hall, but moved to Spaceland probably due to low advance ticket sales, which made for a crowded, hot affair at the Ballroom. The crowd was hungry for this sludge metal double bill.
First up was Earth. The brainchild of guitarist Dylan Carlson, Earth was a trio of two guitars and a female drummer. Slow churning vocal-less fuzz metal sounded as if the Spaceland was poised to be run over by a train. Carlson had long hair and beard which he swung in an almost metronomic fashion. With a cross tattooed to his upper cheek, he looked like the house band for Game of Thrones. Earth started in the early 90s but was interrupted by Carlson's stint with heroin. It must be interesting to play this kind of music before and after sobriety.
Headliner Boris is a shape shifting metal trio from Japan. Female guitarist Wata had serious command of fuzz feedback and drone. Takeishi played a double neck guitar and sang. Gender fluid Atsuo on drums and gong, looked like a boy, dressed like a girl, thinking he was a boy. They recreated their mid 2000 record Pink. In metal style, they were able to envelope the crowd with fog machine and drone with a hazy multi-directional noise that was comforting to the throng of head-bobbers. The show closed with a maniacal gong solo and Atsuo waving a pedal in arena lighter style. He hit the button which cut the sound mid-screech, what power! With my requisite foam earplugs, this show made me feel as if I was in a coozy of swirling metallic noise.
First up was Earth. The brainchild of guitarist Dylan Carlson, Earth was a trio of two guitars and a female drummer. Slow churning vocal-less fuzz metal sounded as if the Spaceland was poised to be run over by a train. Carlson had long hair and beard which he swung in an almost metronomic fashion. With a cross tattooed to his upper cheek, he looked like the house band for Game of Thrones. Earth started in the early 90s but was interrupted by Carlson's stint with heroin. It must be interesting to play this kind of music before and after sobriety.
Headliner Boris is a shape shifting metal trio from Japan. Female guitarist Wata had serious command of fuzz feedback and drone. Takeishi played a double neck guitar and sang. Gender fluid Atsuo on drums and gong, looked like a boy, dressed like a girl, thinking he was a boy. They recreated their mid 2000 record Pink. In metal style, they were able to envelope the crowd with fog machine and drone with a hazy multi-directional noise that was comforting to the throng of head-bobbers. The show closed with a maniacal gong solo and Atsuo waving a pedal in arena lighter style. He hit the button which cut the sound mid-screech, what power! With my requisite foam earplugs, this show made me feel as if I was in a coozy of swirling metallic noise.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Newport Jazz Festival 7/29/16 Fort Adams Newport RI
Rainy start to the Friday at Newport, but the weather cleared and kept the crowds down. An overcast day was welcome instead of the baking sun. I must admit that the last time I was at Newport Jazz, I was there to see Nina Simone in her twilight years. She cancelled, and the festival scurried to fill the void with the Brecker Bros. Years of poor lineups, overcrowded concert field, and an exponential increase in "rules", has kept me away from the Jazz and hipster-laden folk festival. I'm not sure if the winds of Jazz are changing, or we just got lucky, but I had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Etienne Charles is a dapper trumpeter from the Caribbean who also spent time on congas. Full band and Latin rhythms were deftly displayed. Charles had a checkered suit red tie and matching mint shirt and mint-rimmed glasses.
The Heath Brothers have been around a while. Jimmy and Percy (drums and sax)led a band of relatively young lions. Mid set, Jimmy points out that he is going to turn 90 in October.
Kneebody is a groove Jazz jam band. Guitar, bass, drums and keys stretched out on some prog type numbers. They mentioned that this was the second year in a row at the fest and were genuinely happy to be here.
Steve Coleman and the Five Elements played on the Quad stage which was located inside the fort. A barrage of avant sqiuggles was passed around Coleman's group. With his hat on backwards, Coleman appeared to be the same age as his group, but actually was twice or three times their age.
Tyshawn Sorey and Alloy played the Harbor Stage. I have seen this drummer back up many players at the Firehouse, and his restrained but forward leaning brushwork was well-received
Festival highlight was Kamasi Washington. LA based sax player's debut album The Epic was on everyone's best of list. A sprawling three disc opus careens from Miles to Mingus. Kamasi is an imposing stage presence, he looks like Rosie Greer with wardrobe by Sun Ra. Two full drummers, standup bass player who rapped, amazing teenaged pianist, female vocalist, and trombonist had a high energy Afro-futurist vibe. At one point, Kamasi said he would welcome the man "who taught him everything he knew" to the stage. While I was busy looking for John Coltrane, Kamasi's father Ricky came out to lend a hand on soprano sax and flute. Kamasi has ripped it up at Bonaroo and other festivals, and is a torch bearer of the next thing in Jazz.
Tierney Sutton and The Joni Mitchell Project played from the extensive Joni songbook. Caught an excellent version of "The Dry Cleaner from Desmoines", and some classics from the Court and Spark album.
Donny McCaslin has been reviewed in this blog before. He mentioned that he played on the final David Bowie record Blackstar, and said it was a moving experience. He had a keyboard player that coaxed some odd noises from his setup.
Galactic was the final act of the day. These Nawlins festival stalwarts are more at home in the hippie jam world, but their roots in the bayou make them a great go-to for a get up and dance end to the day. With Corey Henry on trombone and a charismatic young female vocalist added to the regular crew of Ben Ellman on sax, birthday boy Rich Vogel on keys, and the timekeeper Stanton Moore on drums, Galactic was the perfect end to a renewed Newport Jazz Festival.
Etienne Charles is a dapper trumpeter from the Caribbean who also spent time on congas. Full band and Latin rhythms were deftly displayed. Charles had a checkered suit red tie and matching mint shirt and mint-rimmed glasses.
The Heath Brothers have been around a while. Jimmy and Percy (drums and sax)led a band of relatively young lions. Mid set, Jimmy points out that he is going to turn 90 in October.
Kneebody is a groove Jazz jam band. Guitar, bass, drums and keys stretched out on some prog type numbers. They mentioned that this was the second year in a row at the fest and were genuinely happy to be here.
Steve Coleman and the Five Elements played on the Quad stage which was located inside the fort. A barrage of avant sqiuggles was passed around Coleman's group. With his hat on backwards, Coleman appeared to be the same age as his group, but actually was twice or three times their age.
Tyshawn Sorey and Alloy played the Harbor Stage. I have seen this drummer back up many players at the Firehouse, and his restrained but forward leaning brushwork was well-received
Festival highlight was Kamasi Washington. LA based sax player's debut album The Epic was on everyone's best of list. A sprawling three disc opus careens from Miles to Mingus. Kamasi is an imposing stage presence, he looks like Rosie Greer with wardrobe by Sun Ra. Two full drummers, standup bass player who rapped, amazing teenaged pianist, female vocalist, and trombonist had a high energy Afro-futurist vibe. At one point, Kamasi said he would welcome the man "who taught him everything he knew" to the stage. While I was busy looking for John Coltrane, Kamasi's father Ricky came out to lend a hand on soprano sax and flute. Kamasi has ripped it up at Bonaroo and other festivals, and is a torch bearer of the next thing in Jazz.
Tierney Sutton and The Joni Mitchell Project played from the extensive Joni songbook. Caught an excellent version of "The Dry Cleaner from Desmoines", and some classics from the Court and Spark album.
Donny McCaslin has been reviewed in this blog before. He mentioned that he played on the final David Bowie record Blackstar, and said it was a moving experience. He had a keyboard player that coaxed some odd noises from his setup.
Galactic was the final act of the day. These Nawlins festival stalwarts are more at home in the hippie jam world, but their roots in the bayou make them a great go-to for a get up and dance end to the day. With Corey Henry on trombone and a charismatic young female vocalist added to the regular crew of Ben Ellman on sax, birthday boy Rich Vogel on keys, and the timekeeper Stanton Moore on drums, Galactic was the perfect end to a renewed Newport Jazz Festival.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Spirit Animal w/ Wayward City 7/27/16 Bar
Heard the last couple songs from Wayward City. True power trio with guitar/scream vocals, drums, and an amazingly energetic 6-string electric bass. The song structure was loud rock and roll with active bass leadership.
New York's Spirit Animal threw some spoken word type hiphop vocals at their style of rock. Hipster guitar, bass, and drums were fronted by a powerful vocalist. The singer showed signs of Red Hot Chili Peppers front man Anthony Keidis, with an equal dose of Eddie Vedder and some Jagger-swagger. He danced around in front of an Atari vintage keyboard (the keyboard seemed more like a dance partner than an instrument). They played songs from their recently released EP, with a show highlight Black Jack White.
New York's Spirit Animal threw some spoken word type hiphop vocals at their style of rock. Hipster guitar, bass, and drums were fronted by a powerful vocalist. The singer showed signs of Red Hot Chili Peppers front man Anthony Keidis, with an equal dose of Eddie Vedder and some Jagger-swagger. He danced around in front of an Atari vintage keyboard (the keyboard seemed more like a dance partner than an instrument). They played songs from their recently released EP, with a show highlight Black Jack White.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Arc Iris 7/21/16 Cafe 9
Providence based theatrical troupe Arc Iris landed at Cafe 9 as an intergalactic funk soul trio. Capable drummer, male keys/vocal, and female keys/guitar/trumpet/vocals had a glammy vibe. A friend saw them at Mountain Jam and spoke of a theatrical, costume-based experience. The drummer and male keys were clothed normally, the young lady on the other hand, had an unusual latex onesy, Clydesdale leg warmers, and some Sun Ra type accoutrements with facial glitter that made her look Bjorky. Space funk with soul touches were welcomed by the medium crowd. Awesome choppy version of Joni Mitchell's Blue. At one point, the girl donned a weird cocoon cape from which she emerged chrysalis-like mid song.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Jounce w/ The Zambonis 7/20/16 Bar
Veteran local opener The Zambonis brought their brand of garage pop to Bar's back room. Decked out in hockey jerseys and helmets, guitar, bass, rhythm guitar, keys , and drums let off a big sound. I have seen this band several times over the years, and feel foolish for not recognizing the hockey-centric themes to their tunes.
Jounce played several Gathering of the Vibes, but usually was saddled with a poor time slot. Power trio of guitar, bass/vocals, and drums, Jounce landed on the Rock side of the jam spectrum. Compact and noisy set included a guest guitar appearance by local hero Ray Neal.
Jounce played several Gathering of the Vibes, but usually was saddled with a poor time slot. Power trio of guitar, bass/vocals, and drums, Jounce landed on the Rock side of the jam spectrum. Compact and noisy set included a guest guitar appearance by local hero Ray Neal.
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