Trey Anastasio - TAB at the Beacon

Images and article by Bill Kelly

Trey Anastisio - TAB at the Beacon Theater, NYC October 26th

Phish frontsman Trey Anastasio played to an enthusiastic, sold out crowd at New York’s historic Beacon Theater on October 26th.  Touring his recently released album “Travler” Anastasio was backed by an eight piece band including Natalie Cressman on Trombone, Ray Paczkowski on Keyboards and Tony Markellis on drums as well as Cyro Baptista on percussions, joining the lineup for the first time since 2006.

Counting Crows at Williamsburg Waterfront - Brooklyn NY

Images and article by Bill Kelly

Joined by openers Kasey Anderson and the Honkies, Field Report and We Are Augustines, the Counting Crows brought the second leg of their Outlaw Roadshow to Brooklyn’s Williamsburg Waterfront.  Another of those formerly forlorn, desolate and forgotten neighborhoods, Williamsburg is now a vibrant area featuring several great music venues (Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg Music Hall to name a few), restaurants and art galleries. 

Alejandro Escovedo at City Winery, Ft. Lenny Kaye

Images and Article by Bill Kelly

Music savvy New Yorkers were treated to to a rare treat at Michael Dorf’s City Winery on a cold January evening, hearing Alejandro Escovedo weave a narrative around the songs from his 2001 release, Man Under The Influence.  Interviewed on stage by Sirius radio DJ Dave Marsh, Escovedo spun tales of South Texas life along with memories of touring with Joe Ely and Townes Van Zandt.

 

Johnny Winter at BB Kings - White Heat On Broadway - Images and article by Bill Kelly

Saying Johnny Winter hit the stage at BB Kings may be a bit of an overstatement - Frail, recovering from hip surgery and years of substance abuse, Winter's physical presence belies the power still emanating from his guitar.  The old Texas stomp blues is still there, hands flying along frets almost as they did in the late 60's when Winter emerged as the new blues powerhouse, bringing the music of Muddy and John Lee roaring back to life.

My Morning Jacket - Madison Square Garden

My Morning Jacket Shakes the Garden

Images and Article by Bill Kelly

Referring to Madison Square Garden as “holy ground” MMJ frontsman Jim James led his band through a rollicking 3 hour set at the venerable arena.  Home to the NY Knicks, NY Rangers and 52 Grateful Dead shows, the Garden’s suspended floor shook from opening song “Victory Dance” through the last encore, an ensemble cover of the old holiday chestnut “I’lll Be Home For Christmas” that brought opening act Band of Horses back onstage.     The last show of the “Ciruital” tour, the band pulled songs from all corners of their catelog, including the rarely played “Mahgeetah”.  Several tunes during the evening were accompanied by the Elvis Perkins in Dearland horns, bringing punch and brightness to the bands sound.  Throughout the show, James, guitarist Carl Bremel and bass player Tom Blankenship would charge back to drummer Pat Hallahan’s riser, jumping and spinning like dervishes.  The Garden literally pulsed with the energy emanating from the stage, the crowd jumping and singing in unison with the band.Hailing from Kentucky, with the roots of a Southern rock jam band, MMJ somehow transcends that labell by bending it beyond the usual clear noodling common to the genre.  Loud, beat driven with electronica undercurrents, the band demonstrated how a jam band can sound in 2012.

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John Hiatt at City Winery, SoHo New York - Images and article by Bill Kelly

John Hiatt completed a multi-night “Residency” at Michael Dorf’s City Winery Sunday evening, playing songs from his new release “Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymn” along with old stalwarts including “Memphis In The Springtime”, “Thing Called Love” and “Slow Turning”.  Along with writing major hits for other artists, Hiatt is a consummate, durable performer.  Hiatt’s song portfolio is an example of classic Americana, gritty Southern rock sounding at home in an old industrial section of Manhattan.  Hiatt sings of love and redemption, resentment and joy.  Humor flickers through like “kids in the back banging like Charlie Watts”.

Daughter Lily opened the show, proving that musical talent is certainly inherited. Hiatt took the stage with his Combo and thanked the crowd for coming out on a Sunday night, quickly rewarding them with songs ranging from grungy rock to soulful blues.  Watching Hiatt is like watching a life, full of expectation, sorrow, longing and hope.