Monthly Archives: January 2010

Shows

Shows This Week (Jan. 25 – Jan. 31, 2010)

January 24, 2010 – 11:38 pm

Shows This Week (Jan. 25 – Jan. 31, 2010)

Jan 25 2010 Pawnshop Roses – The River St. Ale House (Pittston, PA)

Jan 27 2010 IKE – Hot Topic in Neshaminy Mall (Bensalem, PA)
Jan 27 2010 Drink Up Buttercup – GPSCY (New Haven, CT)

Jan 28 2010 Box Five – Milkboy Coffee (Ardmore, PA)

Jan 29 2010 Ben Arnold – Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 29 2010 The Swimmers – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 29 2010 Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers – The Kimmel Center (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 29 2010 Peasant – Lehigh Valley Grand Prix (Allentown, PA)
Jan 29 2010 IKE – Kelly’s Logan House (Wilmington, DE)
Jan 29 2010 Pawnshop Roses – Taylors Bar & Grill (Cherry Hill, NJ)
Jan 29 2010 Andrew Lipke – Union Hall (Brooklyn, NY)
Jan 29 2010 Drink Up Buttercup – Funk N Waffles (Syracuse, NY)

Jan 30 2010 The Matt Helm Scream, Joshua Park, Johnny Miles – The Fire (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 30 2010 Jealousy Curve – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 30 2010 John Faye of IKE – Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 30 2010 Pawnshop Roses – Gypsy Saloon (Conshohocken, PA)
Jan 30 2010 Carsie Blanton – Steel City Coffee House (Phoenixville, PA)
Jan 30 2010 Mason Porter – The Sherman Theater (Stroudsburg, PA)

Jan 31 2010 Hezekiah Jones, The Spinning Leaves – Pete’s Candy Store (Brooklyn, NY)

See you at a show!

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Reviews

Album Review: Overlook ‘Smoke and Mirrors’

January 19, 2010 – 2:35 am

Tracklist
1. Stars
2. Achey Arms
3. The Life You Know
4. Hearthealty
5. The Venom
6. Dollar Signs
7. Less Is More
8. Goodside
9. Smoke and Mirrors

Smoke and Mirrors is the newest full-length album release from Overlook. I’ve known of Overlook for several years now having seen them play live plenty of times. So, with most new album from bands I enjoy hearing live – I often wonder… how will the band’s live sound translate over into a recorded album? Well, when it comes to Overlook’s Smoke and Mirrors I have to say – job well done.

Smoke and Mirrors is an alternative rock album filled with themes of sad subject matter always coupled with hope and optimism. It’s in that delicate balance that lies some of the album’s true beauty. “Stars” is a very high-energy, guitar driven, “in your face” opening track. “The Life You Know” combines subtleness, glimmers of glockenspiel, intense drumming, and great songwriting… “It’s time to learn from theses bridges we keep burning. Fear controls us all while our heads keep on spinning.” I love how “The Venom” has such an angry, demanding tone to it and questions “when you had enough will you self destruct?” The album wraps up with the title track, “Smoke and Mirrors”, which is an unbelievably beautiful beacon of hope… “some say that help is on the way.” In many ways after listening to Smoke and Mirrors I feel as though it’s a soundtrack to some great sci-fi/action film. The album just has that great feel from start to finish and is definitely worth a listen.

Here’s a sample track: Overlook – “The Life You Know” from Smoke and Mirrors

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Overlook: website | Myspace | Facebook

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Shows

Shows This Week: (Jan. 18 – Jan. 24, 2010)

January 18, 2010 – 1:12 am

Shows This Week: (Jan. 18 – Jan. 24, 2010)

Jan 18 2010 Alright, Junior. – The Great American Pub (Bensalem, PA)

Jan 20 2010 Hair Rocket – Khyber (Philadelphia, PA)

Jan 21 2010 Alright, Junior. – Tom N Jerry’s (Milmont Park, PA)
Jan 21 2010 Jealousy Curve – Taylor’s (Cherry Hill, NJ)

Jan 22 2010 Birdie Busch – Kennett Flash (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 22 2010 The Great Unknown – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 22 2010 Pawnshop Roses – Milkboy Coffee (Ardmore, PA)
Jan 22 2010 Chris Kasper, Joshua Park – Burlap and Bean (Newtown Square, PA)
Jan 22 2010 JD Malone – Solaris Grille (Center Square, PA)

Jan 23 2010 Roomtone – Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 23 2010 The Spinning Leaves, Hezekiah Jones, The Great Unknown – MarBar (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 23 2010 Cheers Elephant – The Note (West Chester, PA)
Jan 23 2010 Hair Rocket – John and Peters (New Hope, PA)
Jan 23 2010 Mason Porter – The Black Door (Montpelier, VT)

Jan 24 2010 Mason Porter – The Firebox (Hartford, CT)

See you at a show!

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Shows

Shows This Week (Jan. 11 – Jan. 17, 2010)

January 11, 2010 – 12:16 am

Shows This Week (Jan. 11 – Jan. 17, 2010)

Jan 12 2010 The Spinning Leaves – Rockwood Music Hall (New York, NY)

Jan 13 2010 Johnny Miles – JD Mcgillicuddy’s (Ardmore, PA)
Jan 13 2010 Philip D’Agostino, Sisters 3 – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) w/ Bob Beach, and Cornfield McCarthy

Jan 14 2010 Ross Bellenoit – The M-Room (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 14 2010 Ben Arnold – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) NY Songwriters Circle
Jan 14 2010 Cheers Elephant – North Star Bar (Philadelphia, PA) w/ Movits
Jan 14 2010 Wilco Tribute – The Fire (Philadelphia, PA) w/ Chris Kasper, Matt Helm, Psalmships, and many more!
Jan 14 2010 JD Malone – WCHE 1520 AM *Live On-Air* (West Chester, PA)

Jan 15 2010 Birdie Busch, Joshua Park – Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia, PA) w/ Thom Mccarthy
Jan 15 2010 Aderbat – Johnny Brendas (Philadelphia, PA) w/ Orbit to Leslie, Grimace Federation & Power Animal
Jan 15 2010 JD Malone – Guppy’s (Conshohocken, PA)
Jan 15 2010 Cliff Hillis – Lancaster Dispensing Co. (Lancaster, PA)
Jan 15 2010 Carsie Blanton – Barrington Coffee House (Barrington, NJ) w/ Milton
Jan 15 2010 Drink Up Buttercup – Bell House (Brooklyn, NY)

Jan 16 2010 Alright, Junior. – The Khyber (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 16 2010 Cowmuddy – The Greenline Cafe (Philadelphia, PA)
Jan 16 2010 JD Malone – The Epicurean (Phoenixville, PA)
Jan 16 2010 Overlook – The Note*Album Release Show* (West Chester, PA) w/ East Hundred and Val de Val
Jan 16 2010 Mason Porter – Grace Episcopal Church (Wilmington, DE)
Jan 16 2010 Adrien Reju – Club Passim (Cambridge, MA) w/ Vance Gilbert

Jan 17 2010 The Spinning Leaves – WXPN Gene Shay’s Folk Show (Philadelphia, PA)

See you at a show!

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Reviews

Adrien Reju: Barnaby Bright: at Tin Angel (1/2/10)

January 3, 2010 – 11:10 pm

It was just last Saturday that I was at the Tin Angel for the Chris Kasper and The Great Unknown show. They are some of my favorite musicians and they put on an excellent show. So, seeing Adrien Reju and Barnaby Bright at the same venue on the same day of the week but a week later had a slight déjà vu feel. Anyway, on with the current show at hand. The three member NY based band Barnaby Bright opened the show with a good performance. I really liked their music and give them some originality points for instrument selection. Was that some kind of organ Rebecca was playing? Also, what was that music box sounding instrument Nathan was playing? Whether I get an answer or not will not change that fact that Barnaby Bright creates good music and is worth a good listen.

Adrien Reju had the headlining slot and deservedly so because she is extremely talented, her music is incredible, and her voice is amazing. This time Adrien Reju had a full band with her: Freddie Berman (drums), Jaron Olevsky (keys), Nate Skiles (bass), and a guitarist. Reju began her set with “Heartless” – that’s my jam! Truthfully, I like all the songs on her current album, A Million Hearts (here’s the proof ), so what a treat it was to hear those songs live again. The set ended with an encore – a cover of “Fever”. Wow, that was great!

Upcoming Shows:
Adrien Reju
Jan 09 2010 Pete’s Candy Store (Brooklyn, NY) w/ Shannon Pelcher
Jan 16 2010 Club Passim (Cambridge, MA) w/ Vance Gilbert

Barnaby Bright
Jan 14 2010 House Concert (Babylon, NY)
Jan 29 2010 The Living Room (New York, NY) w/ Andy Mac, Katy Pfaffl and Alex Gross
Apr 10 2010 House Concert (Freeland, MD)
Apr 24 2010 House Concert (North East, MD)
May 01 2010 House Concert (Lancaster, PA)

Tags Adrien Reju, Barnaby Bright, Freddie Berman, Jaron Olevsky, live reviews, Nate Skiles, Tin Angel | Permalink | Comment (0)

Reviews

Album Review: Mason Porter ‘Thunder In The Valley’

January 1, 2010 – 2:32 am

Tracklist:
1. Hard Luck And Trouble
2. Up In The Hills
3. I Belong
4. Radio
5. Waiting For The World
6. Old Freight Train
7. Out On The Night’s Wing
8. Hangman
9. Joaquin Murietta
10. Thunder In The Valley
11. Nowhere
12. Snow Angel
13. Delta Queen

Thunder In The Valley is the full-length debut album by Mason Porter (Joe D’Amico, Paul Wilkinson, and Tim Celfo) and such a fine listening experience. Mason Porter draws from several genres and styles: folk, bluegrass, Americana, and roots rock to create their signature sound that flows from each and every note on this album. The opening track, “Hard Luck And Trouble” is jaw-dropping good and made an excellent first impression on my ears. I simply love those larger-than-life harmonies that are found on that track and so many others on this album. The songwriting talent between D’Amico, Wilkinson and Celfo is truly amazing. There are several up-tempo, fun tunes like “Up In The Hills”, “Waiting For The World”, and “Old Freight Train” that will make you want to move. You will be blown away by the beauty “I Belong”, “Nowhere”, and “Out On The Night’s Wing” possess. The title track, “Thunder In The Valley”, is a grand production with great delivery. “Delta Queen” is a great way to end such an incredible album. It’s nice to see some fellow Philly musicians (Krista Nielson, Brad Hinton, Kiley Ryan, Bob Beach, Nate Gonzalez, and more) lend their skills to this album. I’ve listened to Thunder In The Valley numerous times since I received a copy and absolutely love this album – buy it…you’ll like it!

Here’s a sample track from Thunder In The Valley by Mason Porter – “I Belong”

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Mason Porter: website | MySpace | Facebook
Thunder In The Valley (2009; Uncle Nicky Records)

FYI: Mason Porter’s CD Release show is scheduled for February 6, 2010 at World Cafe Live. I’ll see you there!