GUILLERMO SEXO Middle East Upstairs Cambridge, MA 1/16/15 18-plus night at the Middle East Upstairs, and the place is banged out. Barely room to stand anywhere without almost getting the chicken kabob knocked out of me. It’s a full four-band bill but I’m here to catch the infectiously haunting Guillermo Sexo. I’ve been listening to Guillermo Sexo’s latest CD Dark Spring for several days prior to the show and loving it. Let’s … Read More >>
Category Archives: Live Reviews
THE JON BUTCHER AXIS (CD release)/ EVAN GOODROW Larcom Theatre, Beverly, MA 11/8/14 I arrive at the Larcom minutes before the show and see that the wall of Marshall amps on the stage is ready to go. Larcom owner David Bull and presenter/promoter Peter Van Ness welcome the excited audience to an evening dedicated to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Before we enter the time capsule to the late ’60s, Evan Goodrow and stand-up bassist Mark Zaleski warm up the … Read More >>
JIM TRICK/LINDA SHARAR me&thee coffeehouse, Marblehead, MA 9/26/14 Me&thee is hoppin’ with energy for their hometown optometrist/guru of sorts—Jim Trick. Host Phillip Murphy reminds us that me&thee is “the oldest church-based coffeehouse in Marblehead on Mugford Street,” then he brings up his evil twin brother who wears the most ridiculous hat (a Yankees cap) and raps about the fire exit instructions. First up tonight is Linda Sharar who is quick to pleasantly correct that she’s from Andover, not North Andover. She … Read More >>
SESSION AMERICANA me&thee coffeehouse, Marblehead MA 9/12/14 My first time back for me&thee’s new season and it’s good to see booker Kathy Sands-Boehmer, host Tony Toledo, and musical guest, old friends Session Americana. What started out as Session Americana’s basic project with a bunch of cool guys sitting around one mic sharing tunes has developed into a more sophisticated stage setup—but that’s just to help the audience appreciate the sound of each of the musicians equally. Setting the stage, at … Read More >>
BOSTON Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT 6/28/14 This is the closest the band Boston will get to the city of Boston, so I have a two hour trip to see Tom Scholz and his group on their 2014 “Heaven On Earth” tour. There are now seven people on stage, six people singing, and four guitars too; which makes the set more of a production then just four guys plugging in and playing. The stinging double leads and great harmonies are … Read More >>
TRINARY SYSTEM Store 54, Allston, MA 5/30/14 The skies are spittin’ tonight outside the coolest second-hand store in Allston, run by Wayne Podworny… I mean Wayne Viens, no, make that Wayne Valdez. Anyway, Wayne steps up to the mic and gives a little history of Store 54 that includes naming the first musician to play there about 25 years ago—Roger Miller. Roger is the leader of Trinary System—a band that unfolded out of the piano/drum duo—Binary System. Adding one digit to … Read More >>
HAYLEY SABELLA CD Release Party The Spire, Plymouth, MA 4/18/14 Hayley Sabella celebrates the release of her first full-length album, King Solomon, on Friday night, April 18, but to call it a celebration is an understatement. The night starts off with a full 30-minute Hollywood-worthy video of The Making of King Solomon, which segues seamlessly to a performance that the crowd of nearly two hundred will not soon forget. The “cast” includes some of the most prolific singer/songwriters around ,including Jake … Read More >>
JIM TRICK (opening for SUSAN WERNER) me&thee coffeehouse, Marblehead MA 3/28/14 I met this character named Jim Trick when I played a Beatles Benefit where each performer did one or two songs, and I made a mental note to check him out when I could see his whole set. So, what happens on the day off Jim’s show—I end up running late, and miss his first two songs. To make up for the songs I missed, I’ll tell you what happened at … Read More >>