Monthly Archives: November 2010

Shows

Shows This Week: Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2010

November 29, 2010 – 1:33 am

Shows This Week: Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2010

Nov 29 2010: Carsie Blanton – WXPN Writer’s House (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 29 2010: Chris Kasper – Rockwood Music Hall (New York, NY)

Nov 30 2010: Philly Sings Philly (5) FINAL NIGHT! – The Fire (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 30 2010: Alright, Junior. – Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 30 2010: Drink Up Buttercup – The Town Ballroom (Buffalo, NY)

Dec 01 2010: Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers – U. Arts (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 01 2010: The Great Unknown – The Living Room (New York, NY)
Dec 01 2010: The Spinning Leaves – Spike Hill (Brooklyn, NY)
Dec 01 2010: Drink Up Buttercup – Valentine’s (Albany, NY)

Dec 03 2010: John Francis: CD Release Show! – Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 03 2010: Box Five – Tritone (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 03 2010: Mason Porter – Brickette Lounge (West Chester, PA)
Dec 03 2010: JD Malone – Puck (Doylestown, PA)
Dec 03 2010: Carsie Blanton – Sellersville Theater (Sellersville, PA)
Dec 03 2010: IKE – Kelly’s Logan House (Wilmington, DE)

Dec 04 2010: Mason Porter – Purple Fiddle (Thomas, WV)
Dec 04 2010: Carsie Blanton – Caffe Lena (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Dec 04 2010: Box Five – Caffe Vivaldi (New York, NY)
Dec 04 2010: JD Malone – Delaware County Institute of Science (Media, PA)
Dec 04 2010: Laura Shay – Burlap and Bean (Newtown Square, PA)
Dec 04 2010: Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers – Creekside (Lenhartsville, PA)
Dec 04 2010: Peasant – The Pub On Main w/ Beach Fossils (Macungie, PA)

Dec 05 2010: Mason Porter – Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks (Millheim, PA)

See you at a show!

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Shows

Shows This Week: Nov 22 – Nov 28, 2010

November 23, 2010 – 9:54 am

Shows This Week: Nov 22 – Nov 28, 2010

Nov 22 2010: Cliff Hillis – Kennett Square Inn (Kennett Square, PA)

Nov 23 2010: Cowmuddy, Philip D’Agostino + more – The Fire | Philly Sings Philly (Philadelphia, PA)

Nov 24 2010: Philip D’Agostino – The Mermaid Inn (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 24 2010: Andrew Lipke – Steel City Coffeehouse (Phoenixville, PA)
Nov 24 2010: Drink Up Buttercup, Illinois – Big Head’s Town and Country (Hatboro, PA)
Nov 24 2010: Overlook – Mojo 13 (Wilmington, DE)

Nov 25 2010: HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Nov 27 2010: Overlook – North Star Bar (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 27 2010: Ben Arnold – The PSALM Salon (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 27 2010: Pawnshop Roses – Perky Cafe (Perkiomen, PA)
Nov 27 2010: Carsie Blanton – Rockwood Music Hall (New York, NY)

Nov 28 2010: Hair Rocket – John And Peters (New Hope, PA)

See you at a show!

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Videos

Video: Johnny Miles and The Waywards: CD Release Show @ Johnny Brenda’s (Nov 20, 2010)

November 21, 2010 – 10:50 pm

Johnny Miles & the Waywards
When The Saints Sleep — Album Release Party!
Johnny Brenda’s
November 20, 2010

[VIDEO] Johnny Miles & The Waywards – “Hangin On To The Hoping” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

[VIDEO] Joshua Park – “Making Castles” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)
[VIDEO] Joshua Park – “Self-Propelled Organisms Of Fate” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

[VIDEO] Liz Fullerton – “I Don’t Live Here Anymore” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

[VIDEO] Psalmships – “Slow Heart Snowfall” LIVE (Nov 20, 2010)

Wow, that was such a great show!

Tags Johnny Brenda's, Johnny Miles, Johnny Miles and The Waywards, Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, Psalmships, Videos, When The Saints Sleep | Permalink | Comment (1)

Shows

Saturday, Nov 20: Johnny Miles and The Waywards – CD Release Party

November 20, 2010 – 9:15 am

Johnny Miles and the Waywards
When The Saints Sleep — Album Release Party!
[read our album review: HERE]
w/ Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, and Psalmships
Johnny Brenda’s
Sat, November 20, 2010
Doors: 8:00 PM / Show: 9:00 PM
$10.00 | 21+

Tags Johnny Brenda's, Johnny Miles, Johnny Miles and The Waywards, Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, Psalmships, When The Saints Sleep | Permalink | Comment (0)

Reviews

Album Review: Johnny Miles & The Waywards – When The Saints Sleep

November 20, 2010 – 2:26 am

Johnny Miles & The Waywards
When The Saints Sleep
(TREE Records, 2010)

Track list:
01. When The Saints Sleep
02. Hangin On To The Hoping
03. The Story Of My Love
04. Slow Like My Memories
05. Down On The Ground
06. In Rise And Fall
07. Born To These Bones
08. Sweet Sigh Of Relief
09. Who Could Believe
10. Already Gone Away
11. At Least I Can Dream

Johnny Miles‘ new album When The Saints Sleep is his 3^rd full-length album. This is Miles’ 1^st album with The Waywards a band featuring: Carl Cheeseman (guitars), Nate Gonzalez (keyboards), Al Gibson (drums), and Jeff Hiatt (bass, producer, and engineer). Yes, those are some of Philly’s best musicians. Johnny Miles & The Waywards do a fantastic job on this album.

“When The Saints Sleep” is an attention grabbing title track but “Hangin’ On To The Hoping” provides an almost tangible energetic flow. With lyrics “dreams change, commitments are made, and promises get broken – the most important things are left unspoken.” Miles sounds the happiest on “Sweet Sigh Of Relief”. The recording at the end of “Born To These Bones” delivers part of the album’s message “there’s only one life and this is it.” The other part of the message lies in the beautifully harmonized (thanks in part to Dawn Iulg and Christine Miles) refrain “or at least I can dream so” from the final track with a similar title.

Miles’ songwriting is about everyday people making his music easily accessible, true-to-life rock and roll, with a healthy dose of Americana and folk. This album has moments of solo, seemingly personal refection to moments of finely crafted rock and roll by The Waywards. In the control of those extremes Miles tell his stories so well. I can understand the Johnny Miles to Bruce Springsteen but I have to agree with the Ryan Adams comparisons too.

Congratulations to Johnny Miles & The Waywards on the release of When The Saints Sleep and thank you for filling my and fellow music lovers ears with great music.

[LISTEN] “When The Saints Sleep” by Johnny Miles and The Waywards

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Johnny Miles & The Waywards: cd-release show for When the Saints Sleep is at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 20th, 2010 at Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA) | 21+ show | tickets: $10. With: Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, and Psalmships.

Johnny Miles: website | Facebook | Myspace

Tags Al Gibson, album review, Carl Cheeseman, Jeff Hiatt, Johnny Brenda's, Johnny Miles, Johnny Miles and The Waywards, Nate Gonzalez, When The Saints Sleep | Permalink | Comments (2)

Shows

Shows this Week: Nov 15 – Nov 21, 2010

November 15, 2010 – 12:46 am

Shows this Week: Nov 15 – Nov 21, 2010

Nov 16 2010: Philly Sings Philly w/ Chris Kasper, Johnny Miles + more – The Fire (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 16 2010: Carsie Blanton – Cat’s Cradle w/ The Weepies (Carrboro, NC)

Nov 18 2010: Birdie Busch – Careme’s Cafe (Mays Landing, NJ)

Nov 19 2010: Birdie Busch – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 19 2010: The Great Unknown – The Bullfrog Brewery (Williamsport, PA)

Nov 20 2010: Johnny Miles & the Waywards, Joshua Park, Liz Fullerton, Psalmships – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 20 2010: IKE w/ Fat City Reprise – JD McGillicuddy’s: 7th Street (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 20 2010: JD Malone – The Cedar Hollow Inn (Malvern, PA)
Nov 20 2010: The Great Unknown – Market Cross Pub (Carlisle, PA)
Nov 20 2010: Cheers Elephant – Wildflower Cafe (Bethlehem, PA)

Nov 21 2010: Hezekiah Jones – The Camel (Richmond, VA)

See you at a show!

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Reviews

Album Review: John Francis – The Better Angels

November 12, 2010 – 8:00 am

John Francis
The Better Angels
(Dualtone Music Group, 2010)

Track list:
01. The Way the Empire Fell
02. Johnny Cash on the Radio
03. Who?
04. People On the Edge of the World
05. The Beautiful One
06. Prayer In a Time of Drought
07. Call Me When You’re Ready
08. War Register Blues
09. Love Came To Me Dressed In Red
10. Mississippi
11. Everything Is Falling Away
12. Brother’s Keeper
13. Love Oh Love (‘Til My Train)

This past Tuesday (Nov. 9) was the release of John Francis’ new album, The Better Angels. This album contains some very emotionally intense lyrics coupled with some of the most beautiful melodies, spread across multiple genres/styles — American, country, folk, and rock all heard with great production.

The opening track, “The Way the Empire Fell” is such an in-your-face, high energy rock song, and a real ear-opener. “Johnny Cash on the Radio” is a fun, country sounding Francis and I feel like dancing along to this song. A song composed of a series of thought provoking questions is “Who?” I love how the intro piano melody really pulls you into “People On the Edge of the World”. Aww, “The Beautiful One”. I absolutely love this song for the lyrics, music, and vocals blend so perfectly. John Francis’ voice really shines on this track. Plus, I’m a sucker for a lovely, moving string arrangement. “It was only for a moment then we’re gone like horses over hills and setting suns. My love comes back to me dressed up in songs.” Great lyrics from “Love Came To Me Dressed In Red” and the harmonies on that song are something else. “Brother’s Keeper is a great example of Francis’ songwriting and storytelling.

All in all, I enjoyed every listening of this album and get something new out of the music with each listen. I just love that fact about great music and great albums like The Better Angels by John Francis. Remember, if we blog about an album it’s only because it comes highly recommended by us.

[LISTEN] Here’s “Johnny Cash on the Radio” from the album The Better Angels by John Francis:

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John Francis’ cd-release show for The Better Angels is at 10:30 p.m. on Friday, December 3rd,2010 at Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA) | 21+ show | tickets: $10.

John Francis: website | Facebook | Myspace | Twitter

Tags album review, Dualtone Music Group, John Francis, Johnny Cash on the Radio, The Better Angels | Permalink | Comments (3)

Shows

Shows This Week: Nov 8 – Nov 14, 2010

November 8, 2010 – 7:00 am

Shows This Week: Nov 8 – Nov 14, 2010

Nov 09 2010: Philly Sings Philly – The Fire (Philadelphia, PA)

Nov 10 2010: Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA)

Nov 11 2010: JD Malone – Cedar Hollow Inn (Malvern, PA)

Nov 12 2010: Psalmships, The Spinning Leaves – Danger Danger Gallery (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 12 2010: Cliff Hillis – Steel City Coffeehouse (Phoenixville, PA)
Nov 12 2010: Pawnshop Roses – Tom’s Bar and Grill (Royersford, PA)
Nov 12 2010: JD Malone – Craft Ale House (Limerick, PA)

Nov 13 2010: Sleet Walker – The Institute Bar (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 13 2010: Cheers Elephant – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 13 2010: John Faye (IKE) – The Fire (Philadelphia, PA)
Nov 13 2010: JD Malone – The Epicurean (Phoenixville, PA)
Nov 13 2010: Tim Butler – Coffeeworks (Voorhees, New Jersey)
Nov 13 2010: Carsie Blanton – NERFA (Kerhonksen, NY)
Nov 13 2010: Box Five – Cafe 939 (Boston, MA)

Just a list of some of the shows by some of our favorite bands. Please comment below with more show info.

See you at a show!

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Reviews

Live Review: Amos Lee, Mutlu @ The Grand Opera House (Nov. 6, 2010)

November 7, 2010 – 10:05 pm

Saturday night was all about taking a trip to Wilmington, DE to see Amos Lee live at The Grand Opera House. I had never been to The Grand Opera House before but I soon discovered how beautiful a venue that place is. There’s such a large and majestic ambiance to The Grand Opera House that makes it the perfect place for live music.

Mutlu opened the show with a solo, acoustic set that went over well with the audience. I think Mutlu got the most response from the “Board Games” song because at times during that song there was nothing but a chorus of laughter heard in the venue. So, Mutlu’s opening set was enjoyable and the show was off to a great start.

After a short intermission it was time for AMOS LEE to take the stage. There is always something so magical during that brief moment of silence when the band walks out onto the stage and then the crowd erupts into applauds. Amos Lee was joined by Freddie Berman (drums), Vicente Archer (bass), Jaron Olevsky (keys, piano, vocals), Zach Djanikian (guitar, vocals) and Mutlu (vocals, aka: The Angel…hehe). Lee’s set began with “Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight” with several songs from his 3 released albums (Amos Lee, Supply And Demand, and Last Days At The Lodge) but there were also several songs from his forthcoming album, Mission Bell (release date: January 25, 2011). Of the new material I really liked hearing “El Camino” (free download on www.amoslee.com), “Flower”, “Cup of Sorrow”, “Windows Are Rolled Down” and “Violin”. It’s going to be tough having to wait until January to hear the new album.

Anyway, Amos Lee’s performance was awe-inspiring and more than worth the drive down I-95 from Philly to DE. Also, being in attendance, it was amazing to see that mutual respect and appreciation between the artist and audience from the moments of pin-drop silence to the standing ovations. It was all kind of unreal yet perfect and expected for Lee is an exceptional songwriter with a soulful voice and musical style that is diverse enough to encompass a little bit of everything especially R&B, Soul and Folk. Lee is fortunate enough to be joined by such a talented group of musicians (Berman, Archer, Olevsky, Djanikian, and Mutlu). Thank you all for such a wonderful show!

I know there are a lot of things that I didn’t mention and I really wished that I had some live footage but in all honesty Amos Lee is one of those artists that you really need to experience live for yourself. Well, I’ve seen Amos Lee grace some smaller stages fairly recently but I haven’t seen him on a big stage since October ‘06 when he played the TLA in Philly. Nonetheless, no matter what the size of the stage, or no stage at all, it’s always nice to hear Amos Lee’s music.

Amos Lee: website | Facebook | Twitter | Myspace

Tags Amos Lee, Freddie Berman, Jaron Olevsky, Mission Bell, Mutlu, The Grand Opera House, Vicente Archer, Zach Djanikian | Permalink | Comment (1)

Shows

Philly Sings Philly – Tuesdays in November @ The Fire

November 2, 2010 – 8:00 am

Tonight (November 2, 2010) begins the month long, Tuesday night series: Philly Sings Philly at The Fire. Each Tuesday will feature a different bill of Philly artists covering songs by other Philly artists. The whole idea sounds very interesting and is bound to be a lot of fun. Looks like I’ll be spending my Tuesday nights at The Fire this month and I can’t wait!

The Fire
412 West Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Tue 11/2
Andrew Lipke
Wissahickon Chicken Shack
Dawn Iulg
David James
Jessica McDowell
Scott Silipigni
Susan Rosetti