Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes - Keep on Moving - Paramount Theater, Huntington NY

Images and Article by Bill Kelly

Still rolling along close to 40 years after emerging from the Jersey Shore, Southside Johnny (nee Lyon) brought his Stax driven bar band sound to the newly renovated Paramount Theater in Huntington New York.  The band played a mixed set comprised of several tunes from the 2010 release Pills And Ammo along with old favorites like Fever and I Don’t Want To Go Home.  Decades on the road have not weakened Johnny’s voice, but rather added a full, throaty roar that would be envied by musicians half his age. 

Girls Rule at the Exit Inn for the Nashville Roller Girl’s benefit

By Butch Worrell

The Lady based Granny Whites, Pony Chase, and Take The Power Back (a RATM tribute band) threw a party at the legendary Exit Inn January 21’st to benefit the Nashville Roller Girls (www.nashvillerollergirls.com). And how these girls rocked the house in good cause. The Roller Girls bust and kick ass for little or no money, basically for the love of the sport and the turnout showed both a love for the music these bands made and for the Roller Girls cause. Hats off to the Exit Inn for hosting the event. And thanks Ladies for the kick-ass music that night.

Wilco at Copley Hall in San Diego

Images and article by Doug Siegel

Wilco played for a sold out crowd on January 22, 2012 in San Diego at Copley Symphony Hall. The band opened with a ten minute version of "One Sunday Morning" and encored with "Whole Love" off their recently released album, The Whole Love. Following "Whole Love" in the encore came old favorites such as "Heavy Metal Drummer" and "Outta Mind." The show had songs from all of Wilco's albums but played a lot of tracks off The Whole Love and Hotel Yankee Foxtrot, which got a great response from the crowd. The crowd was quite diverse with several people saying "this is my favorite band." Wilco is currently on tour selling out most venues that they bless with their presence.

Diego Garcia at the Highline Ballroom

Images and article by Bill Kelly

Following the release of his first solo album Laura,  Diego Garcia brought his warm,  Latin tinged sound to the Meatpacking district in lower Manhattan.  Far from his earlier incarnation as the lead singer from Elefant, Garcia has left his Bowie-esque phrasing behind for romantic crooning that combines elements of Julio Iglesias and Brian Ferry.  

Bruce Springsteen Tickets - Ticketmaster Letdown

As fans sat prepared and anxious as tickets went on sale today for Bruce Springsteen's We Take Care of Our Own tour, many were sent error messages or delayed as tickets were selling by the thousands. Many were left out in the cold only to learn they were the victims of professional ticket scalpers that orchestrated at least one crippling attack on Ticketmaster's online sales system. Bruce Springsteen posted a note to fans on his site also directing his message to Ticketmaster.

 Bruce Springsteen

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.