Monthly Archives: December 2010

Shows

Upcoming Shows: Dec. 20 – Jan. 2, 2011

December 21, 2010 – 9:17 am

Upcoming Shows: Dec. 20 – Jan. 2, 2011

Dec 20 2010: Drink Up Buttercup – Stage on Herr (Harrisburg, PA)

Dec 21 2010: Cowmuddy – The Grape Room (Philadelphia, PA)

Dec 22 2010: Up The Chain, Joe D’Amico Band, Matt Helm Scream – JD McGillicuddy’s (Adrmore, PA)

Dec 24 2010: The Great Unknown – The Purple Fiddle (Thomas, WV)

Dec 25 2010: The Great Unknown – The Purple Fiddle (Thomas, WV)

Dec 26 2010: IKE – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA)

Dec 29 2010: Laura Shay – Tin Angel (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 29 2010: Andrew Lipke, Hezekiah Jones, Chris Kasper – Sellersville Theater (Sellersville, PA)

Dec 30 2010: Drink Up Buttercup – John and Peters (New Hope, PA)

Dec 31 2010: Ben Arnold – Steel City Coffeehouse (Phoenixville, PA)
Dec 31 2010: Mason Porter – The Note (West Chester, PA)

See you at a show!

Reviews

Album Review: Mason Porter – Story Of The Rifle

December 17, 2010 – 5:04 am

Mason Porter
Story Of The Rifle
(Mason Porter, 2010)

Track List:
01. My Creole Belle
02. Wayfaring Stranger
03. Hotel Yorba
04. Frankie and Johnny
05. Girl From The North Country
06. Dark Hollow
07. Corrina, Corrina
08. Long Black Veil
09. Spike Driver Blues /
— If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day
10. Dark As A Dungeon

After a sold out limited run of Story Of The Rifle, during the past Philadelphia Folk Festival, Mason Porter presents to us a new full-length version of Story Of The Rifle with traditional folk songs, cover songs, and 4 new tracks. Although these songs originally belong to other artist Mason Porter infuse their own charm resulting in a very pleasing album. No worries, you’ll still be treated to that Mason Porter goodness that’s found on previous releases like Thunder In The Valley, and Mason Porter (EP). I mean the shared strong lead vocals, pristine harmonies, skillful musicianship, and a felt immense love for creating genuine music.

The song selection on this album is great. There are timeless traditional folk songs but you’re also getting a slightly more contemporary selection from some of the cover songs. Mason Porter adds such a refreshing energy to these songs. “My Creole Bell” is a beautiful start to the album. Mason Porter’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “Girl From The North Country” is incredible. Sure, that’s one of my favorite Dylan songs but Mason Porter honestly does that song justice. “Dark Hollow” has a toe tapping musical arrangement. “Spike Driver Blues” transitions into “If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day” without missing a beat creating an enjoyable song combination. The Last track, “Dark As A Dungeon” is quite touching and perfect. Truthfully, all these songs are done so well and Mason Porter gives them such a proper treatment.

Mason Porter’s Story Of The Rifle is a wonderful listening experience from start to finish and it’s highly recommend that you get your hands on a copy – it’s definitely worth listening to.

[LISTEN] Mason Porter cover “Girl From The North Country” (Bob Dylan) off of Story Of The Rifle

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Also available as a free download on www.masonporter.com

Mason Porter: Website | Facebook | MySpace | Twitter

Mason Porter: album release show for Story Of The Rifle is at 9:00pm on Friday, December 17th, 2010 at World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) | Tickets: $10/$12 | With: Johnny Miles.

Tags album review, Bob Dylan, Girl From The North Country, Johnny Miles, Mason Porter, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Story of the Rifle, World Cafe Live | Permalink | Comment (1)

Shows

Shows This Week: Dec 13 – Dec 19, 2010

December 14, 2010 – 8:37 pm

Shows This Week: Dec 13 – Dec 19, 2010

Dec 15 2010: The Great Unknown – The Living Room (New York, NY)

Dec 16 2010: WHYY Presents: The Philly Folk Parade (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 16 2010: JD Malone – The Cedar Hollow Inn (Malvern, PA)
Dec 16 2010: Alright, Junior. – Mojo 13 (Wilmington, DE)
Dec 16 2010: Mammal of Paradise – Bruar Falls (Brooklyn, NY)

Dec 17 2010: Mason Porter: Album Release Show – World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) w/Johnny Miles
Dec 17 2010: The Great Unknown – Theatre of the Living Arts (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 17 2010: JD Malone – Guppy’s (Conshohocken, PA)
Dec 17 2010: Jim Boggia – Night Cat (Easton, MD)

Dec 18 2010: Ross Bellenoit: Vinyl Release Party – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia, PA) w/Birdie Busch, Zach Djanikian
Dec 18 2010: JD Malone – Burlap and Bean (Newtown Square, PA)
Dec 18 2010: Pawnshop Roses – Tom’s Bar & Grill (Royersford, PA)
Dec 18 2010: Mammal of Paradise – Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)

See you at a show!

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Reviews

Album Review: Eastern Conference Champions – Akustiks EP

December 7, 2010 – 3:47 am

Eastern Conference Champions
Akustiks EP
(RockHampton Records, 2010)

Tracklist:
1. Middle Of The Night
2. Bristol Road
3. Summertime
4. Timeline
5. Silo (acoustic)
6. Single Sedative (acoustic)

Today we celebrate the release of Eastern Conference Champions’ (ECC) brand new EP, Akustiks. It’s a 6 song EP featuring acoustic versions of some previously released tracks as well as new material. Well, with music this good we’ll always keep an ear out for ECC even if they are an LA band now.

Akustiks is a well crafted EP that sparks just enough excitement and interest to hold you over until Eastern Conference Champions next full-length release “SPEAK-AHH” sometime Spring 2011. “Middle Of the Night” is the opening track and it is ECC rock at its finest. “Bristol Road” will leave you speechless for it is the perfect song — don’t let the chipmunkesque voices in the beginning fool you. Not only can you hear those precious lyrics, breathtaking harmonies, lonely lead guitar, and flawless fadeout you can’t help but feel them too. The acoustic version of “Silo” on this EP is far better than the version on Santa Fe but the acoustic version of “Single Sedative” falls short of the rock version found on Ameritown. All in all, Eastern Conference Champions – Akustiks EP is terrific and well deserving of your attention – your ears will appreciate it.

Thank you Joshua Ostrander, Greg Lyons and Melissa Dougherty — your music means a lot to us. And congrats on the new release!

[LISTEN] Eastern Conference Champions – “Middle Of the Night” from Akustiks EP

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Eastern Conference Champions: website | Facebook | Myspace | Twitter

Eastern Conference Champions ‘Akustiks’ EP Release show is Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles, CA). Show starts at 9:30pm. Admission: $8/$10. Age restrictions: No Minors.

Tags Akustiks, album review, Eastern Conference Champions, Greg Lyons, Joshua Ostrander, Melissa Dougherty, RockHampton Records | Permalink | Comments (2)

Shows

Shows This Week: Dec 6 – Dec 12, 2010

December 6, 2010 – 12:48 am

Shows This Week: Dec 6 – Dec 12, 2010

Dec 06 2010: Carsie Blanton – Ephrata Main Theatre (Ephrata, PA)

Dec 07 2010: Eastern Conference Champions – Akustiks — EP release! (eccmusic.com)
Dec 07 2010: Eastern Conference Champions – Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles, CA)

Dec 08 2010: Cliff Hillis, John & Brittany – Steel City Coffe House (Phoenixville, PA)

Dec 09 2010: Cheers Elephant – M-Room (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 09 2010: The Hezekiah Leaves|Spinning Joneses, Papertrees – Ox Warehouse (Phila., PA)

Dec 10 2010: Pawnshop Roses – The Grape Room (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 10 2010: JD Malone – M Bar on Moorehead (Conshohocken, PA)
Dec 10 2010: The Great Unknown – Temple Sound (Boston, MA)

Dec 11 2010: John Faye (of IKE) – PYT (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 11 2010: Illinois – Blockely Pourhouse (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 11 2010: Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers – St. Peter’s (Philadelphia, PA)
Dec 11 2010: JD Malone – Cedar Hollow Inn (Malvern, PA)
Dec 11 2010: Cheers Elephant – Bloomfield Bridge Tavern (Pittsburgh, PA)
Dec 11 2010: Carsie Blanton – Barrington Coffee House (Barrington, NJ)
Dec 11 2010: The Great Unknown – The Dirty Douglas (Lowell, MA)