Downtown Dave And The Deep Pockets blues up Boondocks
They come into a town to show people what real blues is all about. Downtown Dave And The Deep Pockets came to Boondocks Tavern & Country Grill last Saturday night. What a show it was at the Weare, New Hampshire venue. Fronted by singer-harmonica player Dave Glannon, the Deep Pockets featured their former guitarist Jimmy Kokolis filling in for Mike Revela and bassist Mickey Maguire filling in for Joe Zangri. Even with substitute players, there was no holding back the blues power that this quartet could muster. They whipped up the kind of blues that people will travel miles to hear.
Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band offer a mixed bag on Proof Of Love CD
Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band recorded a fine party album for their debut Proof Of Love. This CD has plenty of energy, swinging horns, danceable beats, swirling organ chords, music that just makes one think of a good time. It is certainly cool that Curran has a vocal timbre that is reminiscent of the great early 20th century blues and jazz vocalists. She might remind one of anyone from Billie Holiday to Etta James. The only problem is that Curran, either by nature or lack of practice, doesn’t have the rangy power of any of those old times great. She doesn’t even come close.
Professor Harp keeps Fightin’ The Battle, playing Barnful August 2nd
Professor Harp has been on the greater-Boston/New England scene for about four decades. Facing down the trials and tribulations of the music business has earned him the moniker Undaunted Professor Harp. Sticking with it for as long as he has has earned him a lot of respect from his fellow blues and R&B music scene-sters. He still plays all over New England.
Ali Manion documents her fine jazzy sound on Reflections CD
Ali Manion’s debut album Reflections offers six standards and six originals. Reflections is an apt title as she reflects back on her own songs and others that have become part of band’s set list when she plays out in greater-Boston/New England.
Dan Lawson Band kick out serious tunes on new Soldier Of Fortune CD
The latest album from Dan Lawson Band, Soldiers Of Fortune, is, as can be expected, another collection of hard rocking songs built by muscular talent. Lawson’s guitar work spearheads the way through these sonic joy rides. His phrasing ranges from smooth, high pitched melodies to more rhythmic-melodic lines. Lawson’s voice still has the hefty expression of a man who is going to get things off his chest whether you like it or not. The album cover, though, takes more of a turn toward the artsy. It was conceived and drawn by Michael Ornstein, an artist-actor many know as Chucky on Sons Of Anarchy.
Steely Dan guitarist Denny Dias plays Berklee concert July 18th, will feature Lisa Jason and Bellevue Cadillac’s Andy Bergsten
Bass player Andy Bergsten, from Bellevue Cadillac, has announced he will be playing with Steely Dan co-founder Denny Dias and vocalist Lisa Jason at the David Friend Hall at Berklee College Of Music on July 18th. Booked as “Denny Dias Of Steely Dan, Introducing Lisa Jason,” the show will no doubt offer many Steely Dan favorites.
Danielle Miraglia arrives at lyrical truths on tuneful CD Box Of Troubles
Box Of Troubles was the last album Danielle Miraglia released. Those who missed it at the time of its release missed out on ten especially good tracks drenched in tasty roots idioms. Aside from Miraglia’s winsome, down to earth, natural voice, and flinty guitar picking, she brings on board fiddlers, pedal steel players, accordionists, and other roots musicians to flesh out her vision of American life and Americana music.
Gang Of Thieves offer feisty, funky fun on Thunderfunk CD
Gang Of Thieves offer a lot of fun funk-rock on their latest album Thunderfunk. You can’t help but to dance to their irresistible grooves while digging what the guitars are doing. This band offers two formidable guitars, an aggressive lead vocalist, and a rhythm section that easily straddles the adventurous drive of rock and the open spaces of rambunctious funk.
Chick Singer Night concert showcased power of women vocalists
It’s easy to get excited about some certain events. Chick Singer Night at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts last Saturday evening was a successful concert, wowing the audience with some of Boston’s most winsome singers. Not only did each lady vocalist have the kind of impressive pipes that make you sit up and take notice, each did so in her own unique style, offering the crowd as much variety as quality.
Mark Huzar cranks up challenging music with Tore Down House band
Mark Huzar has got his Tore Down House band humming like an eight cylinder engine. TDH is booked solidly through September. Working with the Not So Costley booking agency, the guitarist-singer-songwriter picked up a lot of rooms to showcase his band’s skillful handling of music by Gov’t Mule, The Allman Brothers, and Led Zeppelin. As his TDH trio became more well known throughout southern New Hampshire, Huzar worked video footage and social networking into his marketing plan.
