Reviews

Nine years ago, I lived every pop-punker’s dream. I was on my way into my first New Found Glory concert and one of their crew members stopped my cousin, asking her if we wanted to go onstage with the band. We did, of course, and watched NFG perform from bleachers on the stage, in front of the thousands of people at Giant Center.

The only time I ever saw Bill Staines live was several years ago in East Grand Forks, MN. I was eager for him to sing his (for me) signature song, “Roseville Fair.” It was a song my husband at the time had made into his own, creating a tender arrangement of this most romantic song of lasting love. I had never heard the original recording.

On Saturday November 24th in Williamsburg, New York a good time was to be had by all. Virtually free to the public, Tauk, a NY-based jam band put together a relief benefit for the communities affected by Super Storm Sandy which took place at the, true to its location, hipster haven bar,  Spike Hill. To enter donations were gladly accepted but not required, all of which went to those dealing with the aftermath of the hurricane.

It’s plainly obvious to see how hardworking Colorado acoustic quartet Head for the Hills has been this past year. They played their first main stage appearance at the 39th Telluride Bluegrass Festival, released their first official live album “Head for the Hills Live” and are hard at work assembling their third studio album.

Barefoot and comfortable as in his own kitchen, a slightly bearded (possibly participating in No-shave November…), Keller Williams took the stage at George’s Majestic Lounge. And on such an unusually warm night in late November, the performance was perfect. The show started almost as promptly as I have seen a show in a bar venue start – which was nice.

Landing a coveted slot between Phil Lesh and Friends and Bob Weir at one of the top musical festivals in the east does not guarantee a band success when it comes to their commercial ventures, but Ohio jamtronica supergroup The Werks have parlayed their April 20th release of their first major self-titled release and their much talked about June performance at

While the crowd at Quixote’s True Blue wasn’t doing the tango on Friday night, they were certainly stomping their boots and spinning in circles, and no doubt throwing back whiskey. Mystical, dreadlock-clad fairies roamed between the two rooms sporting local jam bands, and when standing against the walls stocked with Grateful Dead memorabilia, could be confused with a page out of a “Where’s Waldo” book.

At age 67, Neil Young is looking classically weathered for a rocker his age, but no more so than any other celebrity who came of age in the 1960's, and definitely not withered in form . The "Godfather Of Grunge" saddles up again with bandmates Billy Talbot (Bass), Ralph Molina (Drums) & Frank "Poncho" Sampedro (Guitar) of Crazy Horse for "The Alchemy Tour", showcasing the band's first original material in nine years from their October 2012 release "Psychedelic Pill".

1 part Vince Herman and his commanding stage presence
1 part Drew Emmitt which includes his mandolin, electric guitar, fiddle, and smooth voice
2 parts Young Whipper-Snappers…Andy Hall on dobro + Andy Thorn on banjo
2 parts unified and silky rhythm section…Wally Ingram on drums + Greg Garrison on bass
1 part Special guests: Billy Fucking Nershi + Silas Herman
1 part small kid in front of crowd jumping on stage to play Vince’s washboard
 

2012 has been a transformational year for mankind. As I'm lying in bed drifting into sleep to the soundtrack of Jimi Hendrix's, 'Are You Experienced,' it dawns on me how similar the movements of 2012 have been to the concepts behind much of the music that transpired during the Summer of Love.

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