Alabama Shakes, Diamond Rugs and Robert Ellis - Super show at SummerStage

Article and images by Bill Kelly

The City Parks Foundation continued wowing New Yorkers with a super Sunday SummerStage show featuring  soul-rockers Alabama Shakes,  Diamond Rugs; a collaboration with  members of Deer Tick, Los Lobos, The Black Lips, Dead Confederate and Six Finger Satellite, along with alt-Country crooner Robert Ellis. 

Captain Midnight Band at the Legendary Exit In

By Butch Worrell
Nashville, TN

I first saw the Captain Midnight Band at Head Jamz 2010 and fell under their New Orleans Vodoo spell.

Their unique sound, a blend of R&B and classic rock seasoned with some Grateful Dead and Frank Zappa, made me a fan that night. Getting to photograph them at the Exit In was a special treat, a venue that hums with the vibes of so many great artists. Should you get a chance to catch them don’t miss it. You will fall under their spell as I did.

Harborfest 2012
South Haven, Michigan


Harborfest 2012 my assistant and I worked as stage hands to help and show our support.  While we were stage hands we also took pictures of the acts that were on the days we worked.  Thursday 06-14-12 was the start of the festival. 
Purple Apple was the first show to go on in the festival.  My son and I don’t usually cover pop, blues, funk or light rock but for the festival we made an exception.

Deer Tick and Jonny Corndawg - Red Hook Park, Brooklyn NY

Images and article by Bill Kelly

Providence based alt-folk-rock band Deer Tick played  a brief but exubernt set in the neo-hipster,  warehouse waterfront neighborhood of Red Hook Brooklyn  last Thursday night.  Red Hook,  former home of dockworkers and milieu for the movie “On The Waterfront” is another one of those New York neighborhoods transitioning from dangerous to home of kimchi tacos.  

SummerStage 2012 Gala - The Music of Jimi Hendrix

Articles and images by Bill Kelly

Kicking off a season of over 100 music and dance programs, the NY Parks Foundation SummerStage series opened with a Gala celebrating the music of Jimi Hendrix.  Featuring a diverse group of artist including Wyclef, The Roots, Bebel Gilberto, G.Love, Soulive, Keller Williams, Amel Larrieux, John Scofield, Karl Densen and Living Colour, the evening celebrated the 70th anniversary of Hendrix’s birth.  

“Just Exactly Perfect” An evening with Weir, Robinson, and Greene at the Ryman

By Butch Worrell
      Nashville, TN

The weather was perfect.  The venue was perfect. The audience was perfect.  So were Bob Weir, Chris Robinson, and Jackie Greene.

                    

How often do you get three great artists like this together in the “Mother Church” of Americana music to perform their (and our)  favorite songs? Unfortunately only once. But if the universe were to give a second chance for those that missed this, it would truly be a miracle.

The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour with Foster the People in Surf City, USA

The Beach Boys returned to San Diego with all of the original members including Brian Wilson on May 25, 2012. Some of the many performers on stage included Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, David Marks and John Stamos. It has been more than two decades since all of the boys got together and performed their classics, from "Little Deuce Coupe" to "Surfin' USA." Foster The People opened up the show with Mark Foster saying, "It has been a pleasure to open for such an upbeat group of fellas that clearly deserve their Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame status." The crowd at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater was of all ages. All of the kids behind us were excited to hear "Pumped Up Kicks," but seemed more excited to hear The Beach Boys sing "Good Vibrations." No matter what age, everyone seemed to be having a great time, despite the unseasonably chilly temperatures in Chula Vista that night.


Photos and Review by Doug Siegel