D-Tension keeps it real on Secret Project album; benefits from leaving his comfort zone
Boston‘s 20 year veteran of the hip hop recording studio D-Tension has briefly put aside his penchant for rap. Here, on his Secret Project album, he picks up a keytar, a bass, a guitar, plays some drums, and brings in a bunch of locally and nationally known lead singers to flesh his compositions. On this album, D-Tension dives headlong and headstrong into alternative indie rock synth pop idioms and swims back to the surface with something very successful in his new found genre love.
NH blues guitarist possible victim of alien abduction; Jerry Ray Basnar still recovering
This story revolving around a popular New Hampshire musician has, up until now, only been rumor. Some of the participants have officially gone on the record claiming it is true.
Arthur James needs money; going to Memphis with other blues challenge winners
New Hampshire and New England blues fans can help cheer on and raise travel expense funds for the three acts from New Hampshire that will be competing in this year’s International Blues Competition in Memphis.
Ron Everett Band plays R.O.A.R. fundraiser January 16, 2015 at 8:30 p.m. in Somerville, MA
Ron Everett Band will play at a fundraiser called R.O.A.R, which stands for Rock Out Against Rett on January 16, 2015 at Somerville City Club in Somerville, Massachusetts at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Slutcracker is a must see for openminded people in New England
The Slutcracker has been a holiday staple in greater-Boston for several years now. Last Saturday night’s performance at the historic Somerville Theater in Davis Square shows why. Artistic director Vanessa White’s combination of traditional ballet and frisky burlesque respects both arts forms. Her dancers can actually dance the ballet steps, movements, and choreographed circular formations and line movements. Her dancers also know how to play up the over top show business sensuality of burlesque.
Red Line Roots produced compilation Locals Covering Locals offers much to Boston’s music scene
Locals Covering Locals is a CD released by Red Line Roots, a Boston-based blog that produces live music shows and recordings. Like the title suggests, the album compiles songs written by local artist in the Boston music scene covered by other local artists in the Boston scene. Having a local artist’s song covered by another local artist gives us a chance to hear a lot of local talent in one album. It also allows for a new interpretation of a favorite song, breathing new life into something already revered. In fact, this album is everything that local music is about. The roots community has much to be proud of, and this album boasts the prodigious talents that write and record this material.
Rose Clancy dazzles on her new fiddle album
Cape Cod fiddler Rose Clancy has released an album of vigorous and joyful Celtic music. Inspired by the music of Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, and Cape Code, Clancy leads her combo of Brendan Dolan on piano, flute, and whistle, Jon Evans on double bass, and Bob Jennings on cello with a bracing, exciting batch of bowing techniques.
Holiday gift suggestions for fans of the New England music scene; buy these CDs right away
It’s that time of year where you’re scrambling to find gifts for the ones you love. If your loved ones are fans of the local New England music scene, you may wish to purchase CDs by their or your favorite local artists to stuff inside their Christmas stockings. Being one of New England’s more prolific music journalists, I happen to know of many bands whose CDs might make great gift ideas. Here are a few:
Dave Bailin & The Bailouts shine on debut studio album
Dave Bailin And The Bailouts have documented their musical and vocal prowess on their self-titled debut studio CD. This is tight, disciplined rock and roll and free wheeling soul music all in one album. Bailin and lead guitarist Eric Reardon play bristling electric guitars while Bailin blows feisty harmonica lines. Drummer Steve Peabody keeps a beat like nobody’s business while adding the hippest smacks in the most unlikely of places. Tight ensemble work is the order of the day. This is a unit that shines as much during their ensemble portions as they do during guitar and harmonica phrases and hip grooving.
A Ton Of Blues continue their successful run at Hot Shotz in Leominster MA
A Ton Of Blues continue their successful run as the host of the Sunday afternoon blues jam at Hot Shotz in Leominster, Massachusetts. Yesterday’s jam was a great example why A Ton Of Blues and Hot Shotz is a marriage made in heaven. Not only did A Ton Of Blues showcase their own inimitable style and brandish a few new songs, they showcased the talent from their metro west area in a way that let the individual talents shine. Former Massachusetts musician and southern New Hampshire stalwart Arthur James showed up to also play an exciting set.
