“Slutty” Pete’s 10th Annual Birthday Party Blues bash was one hell of a day
“Slutty” Pete Zona has been hosting the Wantu Blues Jams at The Village Trestle in Goffstown, New Hampshire for over a decade now. Zona, who has the whole hosting, sound engineering thing down pat, is a much liked, well-respected presence in that venue and on the area blues scene. Each year, the Village Trestle shows its love for Zona by having him host his own annual birthday blues jam bash. This draws in talent from miles away, and it always results in at least five hours of fun and high quality music for the audience.
Greedy Geezer’s Garage Nite at Granite Rail Tavern in Quincy is a variety laded fun-filled musical extravaganza
What a night. Greedy Geezer has been hosting his Garage Nite one Saturday evening a month for some time now. Hosted at Granite Rail Tavern in Quincy, last weekend, Geezer held it on an unusual Friday night. Yet, the scheduling didn’t matter. He had many of his usual lineup performing this past weekend, and the variety was impressive as the quality. Where else could a music fan find Real Real Bayou Boy Band, Preacher Jack, Uncle Joey Fingers, Tokyo Tramps, Cal Cali Band, and Stow Away String Band all under one roof on the same night?
Backs Against The Wall Blues Jam celebrated 1st Anniversary with exciting performances
Lee Hawkins started his Backs Against The Wall Blues Jam a year ago, and in that time it has grown exponentially in popularity and in quality. Held every Thursday evening at Capone’s in Peabody, Massachusetts, the jam never ceases to amaze attendees with the high caliber guests who appear to strut their stuff at the microphone and on their instruments. It was no surprise that last night’s first anniversary jam was a lively event with numerous, exciting musicians showing up to perform.
Paul Costely & Nate Comp acoustic jam & open mic turn Tuesday nights at Manchester’s Wild Rover into fun musical experience
Read this Live Review if you’d like to find out about one of the liveliest music events on Tuesday nights in New Hampshire. Paul Costley and Nate Comp have been hosting their Tuesday night open mic and acoustic jam at The Wild Rover in Manchester, New Hampshire for several months. Each week, percussionist-harmonica player Costley and bassist-guitarist Nate Comp feature a particularly good local artist on lead vocals. Last night, the Upper Valley’s Brooks Hubbard joined and lead the trio on several choice cover songs and on some of Hubbard’s originals.
ShareFest was a fun filled day of barbeque & blues
Last Monday’s Sharefest & Bar-B-q was a hip, interpersonal event that took place at the headquarters of a Construction company in Newton, New Hampshire. There was no better place to celebrate Labor Day than one that represents people who work hard. Organized and hosted by Sweet Willie D, ShareFest saw several talented local bands take the stage while attendees were treated to the Sho Nuf BBQ offerings. Sho Nuf belongs to Sweet Willie D, making him a BBQ vendor as well as a blues man.
North River Blues Festival at Marshfield Fair was a blast
Last Sunday was a great day for local blues fans. Under the managerial baton of founder John Hall, the 19th annual North River Blues Festival at the Marshfield Fair went on without a hitch last Sunday afternoon. Basic Black with guest singer/harmonica player Brian Templeton was a very capable side stage band, putting on fine sets of their own in between the other five bands. On air blues personality Peter Black, from WATD 95.9 FM emceed the event, asking each band to come back for an encore song. Junkyard Dogs, ThrowDown Band, Ladies Of The Blues, 2 Rays And The Bluestones, and national act Trampled Under Foot each put on memorable sets.
Adam Ezra Group pulled off another exciting Ramble; raised funds for homeless veterans
The fifth annual Ramble hosted by Adam Ezra Group went off without a hitch. Every artist who played at this Salisbury Beach event turned in a good set, and the finale found AEG playing some of their most popular songs while fireworks were going off in the night sky only several hundred yards behind them. It was a glorious finish to a music event created to further a great cause, raising money to get homeless veterans into comfortable, safe housing. Organized by Rally Sound, Media Boss, and New England Music Awards and emceed by on air personalities Mike Flynn and Jack Baldwin
BeatleJuice impressed St. Rocco Festival audience in Malden, MA
BeatleJuice rocked the St. Rocco Festival in Malden, Massachusetts yesterday evening with their fine-tuned presentation of material by The Beatles. Selecting songs from throughout The Beatles ten year career, BeatleJuice unveiled one gem after another during their gig in the cordoned off blocks in the neighborhood hosting the festival.
Charlie Farren rocks St. Rocco Festival in Malden, Massachusetts
A cordoned off city block in Malden, Massachusetts became another place that Charlie Farren turned into a concert hall. Maybe it was his knowledge of technology. Maybe it was his mellifluous voice and melodic electric guitar. Maybe it was his strong, vibrant personality at the microphone. Maybe he just had to work hard, following a couple of wild comedians that were on stage before him. Farren put heart and soul into his performance at the Saint Rocco Festival last night.
Love In Stockholm & Sarah Blacker Trio rocked Lizard Lounge in Cambridge
Classic rock never really goes away. It just goes into niche marketing corners until the more courageous young bands take it out and unwrap it. Love In Stockholm played a solid set of originals and classic rock covers to a very receptive crowd at The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge last night. After a lovely opening set by the exceptionally strong voiced singer-songwriter Sarah Blacker, Love In Stockholm hit the ground running, beginning with a respectable version of The Beatles’ masterpiece “A Day In The Life.” Most bands wouldn’t have the courage to rearrange The Beatles, yet this band fearlessly began their set with their own rendition. Their solid musicianship and tight chemistry announced itself with every note and chord.
