Steve-o Productions

2009-11-30T18:24:00.001-08:00

Tom Waits - Glitter and Doom Live from Anti Records on Vimeo.

2009-11-30T17:52:00.001-08:00

Phish - Festival 8 from Michael Marantz on Vimeo.

2009-09-14T09:27:00.000-07:00

2009-06-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

A wise man once told me never to write a bad review. On the way to Jones Beach yesterday afternoon, my friend Taylor was giving me a hard time for not writing a review immediately after the show in Fenway Park this past Sunday. I felt necessary to hold my tongue until after the first night of Jones Beach. While seeing Phish at Fenway was a unique experience with several highlights and overall a fun evening, any review would seem far too critical to be an enjoyable read.
This being said, after Phish’s performance last night at Jones Beach, I feel I made the right decision in waiting to give my inaugural review for Phish Summer Tour 2009. The band I saw last night was exciting, dynamic, and experimental in a way not seen in the band I saw on Sunday.
As I walked into the Jones Beach Amphitheatre through the tunnel separating the courtyard from the seats the lights went down in the moment of awe and I quickly rushed to my seat. The show began with “Runaway Jim,” which had more movement and feeling than this simple song often has. This seemed to be a theme for the evening that was most apparent in songs such as the “Simple” itself, often essentially a throw away jam between bassist Mike Gordon’s epic “Mike’s Song” and his show off progressive funk “Weekapaug Groove.” But before Mike sent the crowd to “Weekapaug,” there was an ardent shift into the ballad to the “Wolfman’s Brother” that was highly unexpected.
That is what Phish has always done best: to be unexpected. It is good to see them doing this again, busting out rarities like the rocking “Timber Ho” to be followed by an incredibly funky “Cities” ala the Talking Heads which was nearly reminiscent of porno music. Keyboardist Page McConnell was the driving force in this funk, reminding those of us who were at the Hampton Coliseum earlier this year how truly professional a musician he is. This is not to say that the band played a perfect performance, still being somewhat lost during certain jams. It is positive to see the band in front of you trying new things while continuing to develop their craft. No true fan is satisfied with a greatest hits show, and many were left wanting after Fenway Park.
Back to last night, Guitarist Trey Anastasio show dynamic progress in nailing the complex segments of “Reba” down to the ground. He rocked hard on new material such as “Stealing Time From The Faulty Plan,” driving fans to whisper to another. It is rare to see a band that has been performing for over twenty years come out on essentially their reunion tour with material that impresses and intrigues fans. This was the second most promising part of the evening.
The single most extraordinary highlight from this first show of three at Jones Beach was the classic old school fan favorite “Harry Hood,” which let itself to the spaciest and strangest point of the evening as well. I am impressed because my ear is so accustomed to progressive movement, I often get lost in such space. I was fully compelled during this whole “Hood,” animatedly layered and tremendously trippy. This space jam led into the Rolling Stones’ “Loving Cup” to end the set before Phish came back to drive the crowd’s energy back to it’s peak for the encore of “Suzy Greenberg.”
Drummer Jon Fishman wins the most improved member for this show relative to the first four performed in 2009. Granted his ability to hear fellow band members properly at Fenway was often impaired. Fish is necessary to drive the power of Phish, and last night he was in full form.

2009-03-29T19:31:00.001-07:00

9:00 Bodega
10:00 DJ Tucci
11:00 Tactylics
12:00 DJ Tucci
1:00 Green Tag Sale
2:00 DJ Tucci

tickets only $6!

come for the pre-party, get a stamp, come back for the afterparty!

www.publicassemblynyc.com

2009-02-27T15:31:00.000-08:00

FREE SHOW TOMORROW NIGHT IN BROOKLYN!!!
with
CRESCENT MOON feat. Dave Dreiwitz (Ween /Bustle In Your Hedgerow) & Eric Slick (Adrian Belew Trio / Project Object)
at
THE OPERA HOUSE
27 Arion Place (take the J/M/Z to MYRTLE/BROADWAY and walk to Arion Pl.)

2009-02-02T21:27:00.001-08:00

2008-10-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

2008-10-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is the greatest blog post I've ever had the honor to make.

Welcome back PHISH!

To quote George,
"If you hear any noise...
it's just me & the boys."

Hampton Coliseum
March 6, 7, 8th, 2009

2008-09-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

2008-09-02T08:37:00.001-07:00

CRESCENT MOON featuring Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) and Eric Slick (Adrian Belew Trio/Project Object)
will be performing at the illustrious Hank's Saloon in Brooklyn on Fri, Sept. 19th.

Also performing with be Low Mass Tone, Ellis Ashbrook, and ZEBU!.

Tickets are $10.

Be sure to specify the band you are primarily coming to see.

The set times are:
9:00 Low Mass Tone
10:00 Crescent Moon
11:00 Ellis Ashbrook
12:00 ZEBU!

2008-05-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

Two big shows at Kenny's Castaways in the next two weeks!

Sat, May 24th
Steve-o Productions Presents a night of Roots/Rockabilly/Reggae:
8:00 The Groovement
9:00 Danny Doran
10:00 Crucial
11:30 The Frotters
---------------------------------------
1:30 PSYLAB
(hosting the New Deal after-party)

Fri, May 30th
Steve-o Productions Presents and evening of Rock 'n' Jazz:
7:30 to be a High Powered Executive
8:30 TBD
10:00 Urban Fetch
11:00 Rubblebucket Orchestra
1:00 Justin Rothberg Trio

2008-05-12T00:13:00.000-07:00

2008-05-08T10:44:00.001-07:00

The Jammy's has put the fans through some random and half-baked jams, but never before has this been offensive and damaging to the legacy of the music it aspires to represent.

Last night I had to watch all four members of Phish walk onto a stage together and walk off for the first time in almost four years, and they did not play a single note. This was to be expected albeit upsetting, but following this insult a compilation of the most mediocre musicians from throughout the "scene" came out to destroy some of Phish's most beloved songs.

Did no one think this would be harrowing and hurtful? I know there are plenty of fans of the Disco Biscuits and the String Cheese Incident. I am not one, because I like music. These bands admittedly built their careers mooching off of Phish. In the music world one should either be original like Phish, great at writing songs like Tom Petty, or technically proficient in playing like Steve Vai. Frank Zappa and the Mothers were all of these. Bisco and SCI are none. They add nothing and have no awareness of the roots of the music they play. Their jams go nowhere. They are derivative. [I suspect drug use is required to get through their seemingly never-ending sets.]

Maybe Trey was right, and Phish was a time and a place and you just had to be there. Plenty of people were grooving to last night's "2001" (or what sounded to me like a lowly Bisco jam), and maybe none of them had the privilege to be in that time and place.

It made me realize how complex Phish's music was. How unique. How emotional. Last night's superjam was anything but.

Until that point I would have said this was the finest Jammy's to date. I was giddy as a schoolgirl when Trey came out with the Fab Faux. Leslie West with Rose Hill Drive was cool, as were the geriatric stylings of Chevy Chase. But the culmination of the evening essentially ruined one of my favorite bands for me.

It was ironic how throughout the evening people kept referring to the loyalty of Phish's fans and assuring us that the band feels the same. Many people say that their final concert at Coventry, which was easily the most difficult experience I've ever had, was also their worst concert. Last night's insult far exceeds even that.

Why do the things we love always have to hurt us?

2008-04-19T08:46:00.001-07:00

He's back!

2008-04-08T17:51:00.001-07:00

Another Fine Summer in (and around NYC)

[click dates for ticket information]
So this year the summer starts a little early with the 7th Annual Jammy's in May, honoring Phish with a lifetime achievement award (5/07). May also features my good friends The Dig residing every Wednesday at Piano's throughout the month (5/07,14,21,28). We will see the long awaited return of the Stone Temple Pilots (5/18 in Camden & 5/31 in Holmdel) and the Eagles (5/24,25 in Newark & 5/28,30 at MSG), as well as the rescheduled performance of the incomparable Van Halen reunited with the one-and-only-David-Lee-Roth (5/13 at the Meadowlands & 5/23 at MSG). Also don't miss The Breakfast on Rocks Off's Half Moon cruise ship along the East River (5/16).

At the end of May I have two concerts scheduled at the historic Kenny's Castaways in NYC's Greenwich Village.
On 5/24 I have a showcase featuring such outstanding musicians as Sam Ascher-Weiss, Alex Wiseman, and the reggae phenomenon from Philadelphia, Crucial. More info to be announced.
On 5/30 I have the great honor of presenting Boston's spectacular Rubblebucket Orchestra. More info to be announced.

June as always promises to be summer music mayhem. Dave Matthews Band in Camden (6/03,04), Clapton (Holmdel on 5/22 & Jones Beach on 6/05), Robert Plant at the Theater @ MSG (6/10,11), Tom Petty (6/17 at MSG & 6/17 in Newark), R.E.M. (Jones Beach 6/14, Philly 6/18 & MSG 6/19), My Morning Jacket @ Radio City (6/20), and save the best for last, Pearl Jam (Camden 6/19,20 & MSG 6/24,25).
For those festival people Pearl Jam will be at Bonnaroo (6/12-15), but being that there is little else of interest and in light of other festive revelations revolving around Radiohead, Bonnaroo is looking less and less dominant in its field.

Speaking of which, July pops off with the debut of the Rothbury Festival (07/03-06) in Michigan for the United States' two hundred and thirty-second birthday celebration spectacular. It's a change in scenery from middle Tennessee, featuring the prolific Primus in one of two currently scheduled '08 performances.
In July we in the metropolitan region will see the return of Rush (7/12 in Holmdel & 7/14 at Jones Beach), Phil Lesh (7/13 at Jones Beach), the American League All Star Game @ Yankee Stadium in its final year (7/15), Billy Joel @ Shea in its final year (7/16,18), Ani DiFranco at the marvelous United Palace Theatre (7/16), Mark Knopfler (7/23) and Crosby, Stills & Nash (7/29) @ Central Park Summerstage, and yet again saving the best for last, Ween performing inside a two block wide [empty] swimming pool in Williamsburg (7/25).

But August really takes the cake this year, and not just because of my birthday.
We begin the month yet again with a festival, as always Lollapalooza (8/01-03). As anyone reading this blog should already know, yesterday the Lolla Lineup for '08 was announced with Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, and Nine Inch Nails on board to headline. Anyone in Chicago for Lollapalooza be advised that King Crimson will make three appearances at Park West during their brief reunion tour (8/06,07,08).
Bringing us back to the NYC area is once again Radiohead, headlining two nights at the All Points West Festival In Liberty State Park, NJ (8/08-10). The location is parallel to the financial district in downtown Manhattan, with available ferry shuttle service from South Ferry.
For the Philly folk Radiohead will stop off in Camden on my birthday (8/12), as King Crimson comes to the Keswick for both my father's and my birthdays (8/11,12).
The climax of the long, long, long awaited King Crimson tour will inevitably be in New York's Times Square (8/14,15,16), with just enough time to spare to make it across the country for:
The Outside Lands Festival (8/22-24) in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, yet again featuring Radiohead. Other highlights include Beck, Tom Petty, Wilco, and the other '08 performance of Primus.

And that's what we've got in store musically in the Summer of 2008. Or at least what we know of now.

2008-03-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

March's Music Madness

Well it would seem that Summer is starting early this year, and I don't just mean the weather. 2008 is poised to be the year of most new festivals, most notably including All Points West and Rothbury. Critics of Bonnaroo argue that Tennessee's King-of-All-Festivals has lost much of its luster by having a less exciting lineup each year and by growing more commercially oriented. I think by know ya'll are fully aware how I feel about Pearl Jam, but I do see the point. If I decide to go this year it will only to see my favorite band and a handful of other curiosities. And as Bonnaroo loses some of its popularity, more festivals are popping out of the woodwork.

And with more medium to large festivals spread further throughout the country and calendar, with the first scents of Spring we see the birth of the '08 festival season, almost inevitably at Big Cypress, FL.

But before we talk about that, last week it was an honor to be able to witness two of the legendary performances of Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood's '08 tour. For those who weren't there, it's hard to describe the combination of these two singular talents and the strong selection of hits from their work together with Blind Faith, separately from each of their solo career's, and even three fine covers of their late legendary contemporary, Jimi Hendrix. (A little know fact is Steve Winwood is the one artist above any whom Jimi aspired to collaborate with.)

Tonight I set out on a small voyage to the smelly state of New Jersey to watch the Black Crowes perform their new album that is to be released this Tuesday. This sold out show is part of a limited run of small, personal performances to promote the release of Warpaint (2008). Tuesday evening, after listening to the album, I plan to attend the Crowes' Irving Plaza performance in downtown NYC as well.

Almost immediately after Tuesday night's show I will be setting out with friends to Big Cypress, FL for the aforementioned first major '08 festival: Langerado. The four day eclectic extravaganza highlights some of the most exciting acts spanning the past three decades of popular music. From Indigenous and Blind Melon to the Beastie Boys and R.E.M., Langerado promises to be a blast. Naturally I am thrilled to see the New Deal perform "live progressive breakbeat house" together as the original trio for the first time in a few years. And I am particularly looking forward to finally seeing Dan Deacon, a new breed of electronic artist. Friends at Purchase College warned me to ready myself for his explosion on the scene.

For all those not lucky enough to be going to Langerado who will be in the NYC area, I strongly encourage you to check out The Tim Nayfield Mix Tape & Ellis Ashbrook at the Knitting Factory on March 8th. Not that I had anything to do with arranging the show... (See previous blog.) But seriously, the Mix Tape is a strong improvisational fusion featuring members of the illustrious Buck County, PA bands Sage and OdIS. Ellis Ashbrook is the crantastic Boston favorites who are always accountable to rock one's socks completely off.

After I get back from Langerado I will barely have time to sufficiently sleep before the Adrian Belew Trio tour comes to the Northeast. As many of you already know, Adrian Belew is the incomparable guitarist who brought on the second coming of King Crimson after featured on the works of Frank Zappa and David Bowie and later the Talking Heads and Paul Simon. (Anyone looking for some fantastic anecdotes from the life of a true rock icon, check out Adrian's Elephant Blog.) As many of you don't already know, the Adrian Belew Trio includes the outstanding Julie Slick on bass and her brother Eric Slick on drums, both of whom are graduates of the Paul Green School of Rock. (Eric also plays with Project Object, among many, many others.) It will be an honor to see ABT at the renowned World Cafe in Philadelphia, PA.

The following morning I fly out to New Orleans, LA to celebrate my brother's 40th birthday. Old, huh?

And finally, to wind down the first half of March's Music Madness, I look forward to St. Patrick's Day most of all. Van Halen, reunited with the notorious David Lee Roth, returns to Madison Square Garden for the second time in a year. I couldn't be happier about being there, again.

2008-02-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

The Tim Nayfield Mixtape

A conceptual cohesive collaboration of various styles of music that blend together like a great mix tape. After a year of playing together and wood shedding, the Tim Nayfield Mix Tape is completed and ready for your ears.
Push Play.

From www.inthejam.com:
"The Tim Nayfield Mix Tape had an impressive breadth of diversity, like their name implies. Songs ranged from Reggae (particularly Icarus), Punk, to Jazz. Some of their jams had very chill electronica vibes, and they even had some tribal elements in one of their songs. Far too often, when you’ve heard a band’s first song, you’ve essentially heard them all. I was very impressed by just how much diversity The Tim Nayfield Mix Tape had in each song and between songs. They always kept me excited and interested through out the night...In a scene where bands are often clamoring to showoff, The Tim Nayfield Mix Tape had a rare virtue, balance. There songs remained catchy, engaging, fun, and fully accessible... For once I find myself happy about receiving a mix tape, as long as it’s The Tim Nayfield Mix Tape"

Ellis Ashbrook

Ellis Ashbrook generates ferocious sounds and swarming vibrations. Swim in a psychedelic pool of aquatic delays. Be moved by a band that has rocked audiences all over the Northeast. Their songwriting reverberates beauty and heaviness with respect for the Funk and love of unique grooves. These players and singers have the prowess, technique, and tenacity to play original music that transcends trend.

2007-06-09T11:13:00.001-07:00

WEEN last night in Hartford!

2007-05-18T16:18:00.001-07:00

It has nothing to do with music, but it still deserves mention. Happy 400 to The Simpsons. Thank you for a lifetime of brilliant laughter.

The Simsons Couch Gags ( Funny ) Plaese Rate 5 - The best video clips are right here

2007-04-25T10:02:00.002-07:00

Congratulations to Jake and Bill and all of Rocks Off for putting the School of Rock Festival and and for booking WEEN to headline!
Check it out:

SCHOOL OF ROCK FEST

BIG news!

2007-04-21T23:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry there hasn't been a post in a while, but what can I say. Been pretty busy. Too many shows to speak of. But let's speak of a few of them, for a second...

First off, I'd like to give a long overdue thanks to the Indian Givers for giving me my first sell out.

I'd like to congratulate Aurora for her continued success and promising future.

And I'd like to give it up for The Dig for their sickest show ever last night a the Knit for 4/20. Catch them on 6/28 for their fancy pants debut at the Canal Room.

I am as always grateful to Rocks Off for keeping me connected, and as the summer Concert Cruise series has begun, and all hell has broken loose.

Well, here's where you'll find Steve-o in the next month:

4/22 Laurie Berkner/Brady Rymer Green Apple Earth Day Celebration (Central Park) Free!
4/24 The Brakes (Knitting Factory)

4/26
yes

WEEN is playing Thursday at the Historic Sterling Hotel in Monumental Allentown, PA.

The show is sold out, which means I am going, and you are not.

Ha ha.

4/27 Medeski, Martin & Wood (McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ)
5/03 Fishbone (Temptress Cruise Ship)
5/22 Velvet Revolver (Nokia)

And what's in store for the summer?

Well:

6/14-17
BONNAROO (including WEEN!)
6/23-24
School of Rock Festival (including WEEN, Benevento/Russo Duo, and Adrien Belew!)
6/28 The Dig (Canal Room)
6/29 Brothers Past (Temptress Cruise Ship)
7/28 Rock The Bells: Rage Against The Machine, Wu Tang, Cypress Hill, Mos Def, The Roots, etc...
8/03-5
LOLLAPALOOZA (including PEARL JAM!!!!!)

take a little sniff of the things below...

2006-12-09T19:12:00.000-08:00

The Dig is up and back in NYC!

BOSTON FAVORITES THE DIG RETURN TO NYC’S KNITTING FACTORY FOR A HOLIDAY BREAKOUT BASH DEC 20

The Dig are coming back to town to perform live in concert at The Knitting Factory, located on Leonard Street between Broadway and Church, Wednesday evening, December 20th at 11:00pm. The set will feature the band’s own groundbreaking indie rock ‘n’ roll tunes along with some classic rock covers. Tickets are $8. Advanced tickets can be purchased at The Knitting Factory box office or online. For information call (212) 219-3132.

The Dig’s recent debut LP, Quiet Parade, has met with critical acclaim. Already an established live act performing throughout the Northeast, the foursome who started playing together in high school are always certain to surprise and thrill their crowds. Also on the bill for the evening are Urban Fetch, local power-pop/jamband heroes, as well as the long anticipated convergence of the Indian Givers.

QUIET PARADE is available at CDbaby

For downloadable press materials including hi-res jpegs, press releases, etc, visit: The Dig Online.

Steve-o Productions
Email

# # #

2006-11-01T21:46:00.000-08:00

Double-D aka Danny Doran

Double-D went into the studio today to work on a riveting new track he just popped up with. "May U Need Some Them" is a work in progress, but it represents the most progress an artist can weild in a single day. The song shows Danny's musical depth and originality, as well as the brilliant layering and studio talent brought to the table by producer Chris Liberti. I had the honor of witnessing today's session, and as an avid music fan I see great potential in Double-D's career.

Danny starting producing some of his own unique, hot, stylish, smooth, and at times sublime recordings toward the end of September. The first track, Track One, he began working on at those sessions, which is yet to be named or fully finished, have evolved quite a bit in just a couple of months. After pain-staking perfectionist work on that first song, Double-D started branching out into new experimental songs, each with a unique approach and feeling. While a fairly new artist, D2 spends most of his time either in the studio or writing music, working to perfect his form and adding new levels, loops and hooks to his tracks.

Check out all of Double-D's tracks so far:

May U Need Some Them

Track One

Pete

2006-10-30T23:45:00.000-08:00

Knit November Newcomers and October Memoirs

For Nov. 19th I arranged another incredible night at the Knit, featuring the breakout stage debut of the most promising young female singer in New York, Aurora Rose. Also on the bill is the unparalleled acoustic virtuoso Kelli Rudick, the freewheelin' introspective indie folkster Carolyn Alroy, and the down and dirty alenative rock powerhouse that is Genetic Control. Tickets are available through TicketWeb. Take my advise, and don't miss this one!

___________________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to thank everyone who made it out to see The Dig on Oct. 11th at the Knitting Factory. The gig was so incredible it was almost eerie how perfectly it went.

Jill Stevenson went on first, with a hauntingly beautiful acoustic set. (Check out her website for an awesome video of her song "Times Like These.") Then Bravestate went on, who are good friends of The Dig. They gave us a unique set of tight indie rock, with the enchanting Yvette on lead vocals and keys. They were followed by Lulu's Ascent, friends of Jill's from Woodstock, NY. They were the perfect mesh of rock and jam to grace the stage before The Dig set it on fire. The pics have made it to my computer, but I'm still working on how to upload them all to the blog in thumbnails. I'll get them up soon...

Thanks everyone!

___________________________________________________________________________________

And make sure you're there Nov. 19th at the Knit!
Tickets are available here.

2006-10-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

Coming up is my friend Elisabeth's benefit show for children's cancer at Sin-e. Don't miss it people! 11/10 on the LES.

2006-10-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

Summer of Insanity

Sorry everyone for the lack of posts of late, as I've been a little sick for a bit.

So it's officially fall for a while now, and Halloween is right around the corner. It's time to face that the amazingly beautiful Summer '06 is gone, but let's take a moment to reflect for a moment on the live music of the last summer season.

This past summer I realized that music promotions and publicity was the route for me, and I started up with Rocks Off and Ariel Publicity. It was a pretty inspiring period for my life. I traveled around the globe a bit in a fairly frugal style, and I saw many fine concerts and festivals. Here's a recap for my friends who asked (all the concerts were in New York, NY unless otherwise noted):

Wed May 17 - Guns N' Roses (the current incarnation) at the Hammerstein Ballroom.
It was an interesting display, proving that Axl Rose truly is still a brilliant frontman and a powerful and visceral singer. Axl put together a good hard rock band, including the one-time Primus drummer Brain, but it required two halfway decent lead guitarists to even try to cover all of the Slash elements. Izzy Stratlin played on three songs, including "Patience," representing the only other original GN'R member to accompany Axl since the downfall of Guns. Also Sebastian Bach came out briefly, who Axl credited with giving him the cure to his recent loss of voice. All in all, it was a really good show, a solid hard rock band able to achieve powerful moments, with one of the greats on the mic.

Thu May 18 - New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Canal Room
Honestly, I came and went a few times during this show, all in all catching only a few songs. In between sets we enjoyed a fine meal at the Italian place next door. The New Riders are one of the original jambands, and I suppose they can be a lot of fun when one is in the mood for that type of thing. Playing wise they don't hold a ton of talent, and for an improv driven genre that is not a plus. However the show had it's moments, and the crowd was loving every one of them.

Fri May 19 - The Roots at Radio City
Well, a million and one people have blogged about this show. What more can one mention? I'm sure ya'll heard about Dave Chappelle's intermission standup, and how everyone at that show cannot reveal Dave's secrets. And I'm sure somebody must have told ya'll about the brief appearance of Jay-Z during the encore. But those were just the surprise cameos, not to mention the singular Mos Def and the fantastic Erykah Badu who were on the bill for that evening. For live hip hop, you can't beat an evening with The Roots crew.

Mon May 22 - Gov't Mule at the Bowery Ballroom

Wed May 24 - the New Deal on the Temptress Cruise Ship

Thu May 25 - Panic Channel at the Avalon

Fri May 26 - Soul Position (RJD2 + Blueprint) at the Bowery Ballroom

Sat May 27 & Sun May 28 - My Morning Jacket/Pearl Jam at the Tweeter on the Waterfront in Camden, NJ

Wed May 31 - Grace Potter/Mike Gordon and Ramble Dove at Irving Plaza

Thu June 01 & Sat June 03 - My Morning Jacket/Pearl Jam at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ

Fri June 02 - Radiohead at the Tower Theatre in Philadelphia, PA

Then I went to Israel from Tue June 06 - Fri June 16 where I toured the country and got a chance to see my sister and her five little boys.

I flew back into Newark Int'l on June 16, ran across the airport and caught my flight just in time down to Nashville, TN for:

Fri June 16 - Sun June 19 Bonnaroo Music Festival, Manchester, TN

After which I spent some quality time with my other sister in her log cabin in the middle of nowhere in TN.

Tue June 27 - Derek Trucks Band/The Allman Brothers Band at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY

Sat July 01 - Phil Lesh/G.R.A.B. at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ

Wed July 05 - Ellis Ashbrook/Zebu/Gary Wilson at the North Six in Brooklyn, NY

The weekend of July 8-9 I went up to the Berkshires in MA for a family reunion. It's truly beautiful out there in the summer.

Fri July 14 - Sun July 16 - AllGood Music Festival, Masontown, WV

Wed July 19 - Robert Randolph/The Black Crowes at Jones Beach in Wantagh, NY

Thu July 20 - Galactic/Umphrey's McGee at Summerstage in Central Park

Sat July 22 - Robert Randolph/The Black Crowes at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ

Wed July 26 - The Breakfast on the Half Moon Cruise Ship

Thu July 27 - The Samples at the Canal Room

Saturday, July 29th I got to see the Yankees lose horribly at the Stadium to Tampa Bay on one of the most disgustingly hot and humid days in the history of the Bronx. But I did get to go with my brother who lives in FL and the wonderful woman he eloped with just days before. Then when they went home, I went off to Chicago, IL for a week...

Fri Aug 04 - Sun Aug 06 Lollapalooza in Grant Park in Chicago, IL

Fri Aug 11 - Steve-o's Birthday Bash at the Knitting Factory (Old Office)
My birthday celebration that I was able to arrange through the great Dave at Rocks Off, which featured a bunch of my good friends performing.

Sat Aug 12 - The Lifters at CB's Lounge

The following weekend I had the pleasure to go out to Santa Fe, NM.

Wed Aug 23 - The Shins at the McCarren Pool in Brooklyn, NY

Thu Aug 24 - Neko Case at the McCarren Pool in Brooklyn, NY

Fri Aug 25 - Big In Japan/Kid Beyond/Amon Tobin on the Temptress Cruise Ship

Sat Aug 26 - Rancid at BB King's

and later that night...
P.B.S. on the Temptress Cruise Ship
(George Porter, Russell Batiste, Brian Stoltz)

Mon Aug 28 - Flaco Dominguez aka Jake Szufnarowski's 33rd Birthday with Bustle In Your Hedgerow on the Temptress Cruise Ship
(Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Dave Dreiwitz, and Scott Metzger)

Wed Sep 06 - Damien Marley/Ben Harper at Summerstage in Central Park

Fri Sep 08 - Avengers at CBGB

Sat Sep 09 - Gov't Mule at the McCarren Pool in Brooklyn, NY

and later that night...
The Breakfast at Coda

Tue Sep 12 - Citizen Cope at Tower Records on E4th St.

Wed Sep 13 - John Mayer at Webster Hall

Fri Sep 15 - Widespread Panic at Radio City

and later that night...
Outformation on the Temptress Cruise Ship

Sat Sep 16 - Bela Fleck and the Flecktones at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, NJ

Sun Sep 17 - Lyle Lovett at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, NJ

Mon Sep 18 - Flipper at CBGB

Wed Sep 20 - Bobby Previte and Brian Haas at the Knitting Factory (Tap Bar)

Mon Sep 25 - Lee Scratch Perry at CBGB

Wed Sep 27 - Chris Harford and the Band of Changes outside of Grand Central Station
(Chris Harford, Dave Dreiwitz, Scott Metzger, Eric Slick)

Thu Sep 28 - Eric Clapton with Derek Trucks at Madison Square Garden

Fri Sep 29 - I wished I was as Clapton again...

Sat Sep 30 - Eric Clapton with Derek Trucks at Madison Square Garden

and later that night...
Jounce at Lucille's @ BB King's

Well friends, I would go onto discuss the great music I've had the privilege to experience so far this month. But I think it's fair to end the summer music discussion with the end of September, with no better finale than an evening of Clapton and a free show after at BB's.

(I couldn't finish writing each and every concert blurb tonight, so I did the first few and will continue to update this blog as insomnia allows.)

2006-10-05T23:58:00.001-07:00

Hey guys!

Please check out the web radio station for the PR firm I work for, Ariel Publicity:

Ariel Radio

2006-10-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

Since the movie Ray came out chronicling the life of the outstanding Ray Charles, there has been newfound interest in a number of his songs. ""Georgia On My Mind"" in particular, written by Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael in 1930 and made famous by Charles in 1960, has received a record number of hits in web search engines. I felt I would take this opportunity to pay tribute to both Ray, as well as the incomparable Richard Manual, in posting a video of Richard singing that very song with The Band.

2006-09-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

THE DIG
Chill-Out Indie Blues Rock
www.MySpace.com/TheDigIsUp

DAVID BALDWIN - lead guitar and vocals
EMILE MOSSERI - bass and vocals
ERIC EISER - keys and backing vocals
ALEX RADERMAN - drums

THE DIG is the current incarnation of guitarist David Baldwin, bassist Emile Mosseri and keyboardist Eric Eiser's band. Having first jammed in their high school years, the trio has spent the bulk of the last decade developing their clean, crisp rock sound. During the late nineties however, Dave, Emile and Eric found that when they performed live around their sububan hometown they were expected to put more emphasis on improvisation rather than on composition and form. They were three artistically driven young musicians, but they found themselves struggling against the grain of a stifling musical culture.

After high school, Dave, Emile and Eric set out for the musical grandeur that is Boston. Studying music at Berklee, and being exposed to the ever-growing indie rock scene of the nation’s largest college town, the trio found themselves with a plethora of new influences. Dave gained focus in examining the late sixties rock revolution, appreciating the genius behind the composition in the music of The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Cream. Teaming up with the rhythmic and euphonious drummer Alex Raderman, The Dig found an even medium between live improvisation and professional composition.

The Dig created a unique approach to song writing that allowed them to achieve that medium. Dave and Emile wrote the bulk of the material on their debut release QUIET PARADE. As Dave puts it, they wrote all the lyrics and music individually in “isolated settings, other than a couple of licks we wrote together and threw in here or there.” This creates a thematic consistency among the songs each of them wrote. While Emile writes subtle and sometimes epic music with understated lyrics, Dave writes more straightforward blues-rock with powerfully piercing lyrics. Common ground is found in the jams.

The Dig “more or less” records all their music together, but in striving for vociferous perfection, the vocals are recorded individually. The lyrics are sometimes complicated and surreal, owing more to their sound value and syllabic suitability than tangible meaning. The music is passionately driven but stylistically controlled, harnessing their energy and their precision.

Dave comes through as an honest and smooth blues-rock guitarist, echoing the legendary licks of Clapton and Vaughan. Emile has an absolutely amiable aura to his playing, drawing you in with his smooth jazzy groove and tight rhythm similar to Pastorius and Waters. Eric represents the more progressive element of The Dig, clean climbing keys giving way to the technical tightness like that of Manzarek and Emerson. Alex is a simple and complex drummer, underlying The Dig's music wih thunderous power and linear consistancy like Copeland and Moon.

QUIET PARADE has an element of timelessness uncommon for a band’s debut release. Dave’s themes of love & loss and the trials of the music business are a constant in rock’s history, and Emile’s metaphoric verse can strike a chord with anyone. The professional proficiency on Dave’s guitar and the distinctive illusions in Emile’s bass are also definitive marks of a timeless album. Still, the freshness of their indie edge allow for The Dig to one of the hottest sounding rock bands today.

QUIET PARADE is available at www.cdbaby.com

For downloadable press materials including hi-res jpegs, press releases, etc, visit:
www.TheDigMusic.com
or email:
DBaldwin1@Berklee.net

Take a sneak peak at this awesome track off The Dig's new release:
The Lonely Bartender.mp3

2006-09-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley

Many of you may know this song from its various famous cover versions, including Robert Palmer and Phish. And many of you many even know that it was written by the legend Allen Toussaint.

But only recently was I able to track down the original recording by the 60's R&B artist Lee Dorsey's original recording, which I owe great gratidude to fellow bloggers Funky16Corners.

And here it is for your enjoyment:
Sneakin' Sally.mp3

And if you have no idea what I am talking about:
For info on Allen Toussaint check out Allen Toussaint
For info on Lee Dorsey check out Lee Dorsey