Blues stars shine at 22nd North River Blues Festival inside Marshfield Fair
A good vibe was in the air yesterday in Marshfield, Massachusetts. The second day of the 22nd North River Blues Festival at Marshfield Fair offered a lot of variety as well as quality music. From the opening act to the headliner, yesterday’s North River Blues Festival, hosted by local blues radio personality Holly Harris, moved along with energy and nary a hitch and that keeping the vibe flowing from noon until past the 8:00 p.m. finale.
Tokyo Tramps grace Greedy Geezer’s annual Garage Night Cookout
Tokyo Tramps have come a long way in their 20 year journey into American blues music. They’ve incorporated many Americana roots elements into their sound, and they’re looking to take things to a higher level. They have an artist representative who attends their shows, and a label in their home country of Japan is considering […]
Ilana Katz Katz rocked the Red Line’s Park Street Station
Ilana Katz Katz is a professional Boston-based musician who has never lost touch with her roots. Unlike many singer-songwriters and solo musicians who begin their careers playing the subways, fiddler-singer Katz never lost her affinity for playing the Red Line’s Park Street Station. So, it made perfect sense to capture her live in one of her favorite performance areas. Katz’s Friday morning subway gig was a lively affair to remember as she sang and played her fiddle through her small CRATE amplifier.
Chris Fitz, Steve Peabody, Ricky King Russell, and Bob Worthington kept the party going at Brodie’s
Blues guitarist Chris Fitz and blues drummer Steve Peabody have been hosting their Sunday Funday blues jam at Brodies’s Seaport Café in Salem, Massachusetts for several years now. Last night’s jam showed what great things could happen when they invite superstar locals musicians. Guitar ace Ricky King Russell and journeyman bassist Bob Worthington joined Fitz […]
Sweet Melissa with Chris Stovall Brown kept the Sunday Live Blues rolling at Terry O’Reilly’s Irish Pub in Newton MA
Like chocolate and peanut butter, some great things go great together. Sweet Melissa, who usually plays out with blues guitarist Chris Stovall Brown, was the featured singer at last weekend’s Sunday Live Blues show at Terry O’Reilly’s Irish Pub in Newton, Massachusetts. Coincidentally, Chris Stovall Brown is usually part of the Sunday Live Blues house band at the Newton pub, so it was a sort of Sweet Melissa with Chris Stovall Brown reunion show.
Laura Vecchione took her talent out for a spin at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge
Laura Vecchione has an animated presence on stage. Always in motion, Vecchione rocks to her rocking music and she never runs out of energy. That’s a necessity, as she’s an artist whose songs move with the manic motions of something that could last forever. Everyone in attendance at last Saturday night’s show at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts seem glues to her every move.
The Cannibal Ramblers prove interesting and entertaining at Salem’s Mercy Tavern
The Cannibal Ramblers are not your typical blues band. With only a guitarist and a drummer, Boston and Providence-based Cannibal Ramblers whipped up some tasty, old fashioned dye in the wool blues with their own special compositions at Mercy Tavern in Salem, Massachusetts last night. There’s never a dull moment when these two guys are in a room, and last night’s grand opening of the Mercy Tavern on Derby Street was no exception.
Damn Tall Buildings rocked Chevalier’s final OnStage! Concert
Damn Tall Buildings made a fine headlining act at this season’s final OnStage! Show at Medford’s Chevalier Theatre last Saturday night. With their speedy, breakneck pacing, Damn Tall Buildings kicked all of their songs into high gear while displaying their highly skilled individual strengths and their highly disciplined ensemble work.
Dave B & The Hot Shots kept it lively at John Harvard’s Brewery
Dave B & The Hot Shots played a coupe of lively sets at John Harvard’s Brewery in Cambridge, Massachusetts last Saturday night. Lead by saxophonist-lead vocalist Dave Birkin, the four piece made their merry way through familiar blues and R&B standards, their sound traveling well through the spacious venue.
Ed Gerhard intrigued OnStage! audience in Medford, Massachusetts last Saturday night
Ed Gerhard’s appearance last Saturday night at the OnStage! Concert Series at Medford’s Chevalier Theatre found the New Hampshire instrumental guitarist offering a lot of his finger style techniques and interesting arrangements. Never using a set list, Gerhard simply played whatever came to mind, often telling the audience the background stories surrounding his song selections.