Archive | 2011

REVISITED: The Black Keys – 2 20 11 – Las Vegas

21 Feb

Last week was a musical bonanza for me beginning and ending with the Black Keys.  Having not seen the guys live before, getting a chance to see them twice in seven days was quite a treat.  The first show was a corporate event so while it was a phenomenal show it was tame and all business.  I much preferred last night’s performance, full of energy and getting the chance to see a real rock show (something seems to be lost nowadays).  I was also mad excited as Big Boi was the opener last night and he definitely didn’t disappoint.  The 45 minute set featuring numerous Outkast classics and some off his highly acclaimed Sir Lucious Left Foot… The Son of Chico Dusty, Big Boi had the packed house bouncing their heads and breaking into several sing-a-longs during “B.O.B.,” “Ms. Jackson” and “I Like The Way You Move.”  Primed and ready for the Keys, it was fast paced and electric once Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney hit the stage.  Running through a gamut of tracks including “Chop and Change” and “Tighten Up,” I personally have to say my favorite of the night was hearing “Howlin’ For You” live.

At first I was skeptical of seeing them perform in a modified ballroom but it actually sounded good.  And check out the gallery of photos from last night’s show courtesy of Erik Kabik of Retna/ErikKabik.com.

New Music: G. Love – Fixin’ To Die – CD

18 Feb

G. Love & Special Sauce has had their share of success over the years while G. Love aka Garrett Dutton’s solo projects go mostly unheralded, until now.  With assistance from The Avett Brothers who produced and sit in as the band on Fixin’ To Die to give it that back down south soul, the Philadelphian shines with his blues music and heartfelt lyrics.  The album’s title track, a Bukka White original, sets the stage as a serious boot stompin’ jam while “Milk & Sugar” raises the energy level as a happy go lucky sing-along.  “Just Fine” a love song, is true G. Love with his one-of-a-kind rhyming and the guitar riff is reminiscent of Blues Traveler’s “Hook.” But what may stand out most is Dutton’s cover of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover;” which starts out as a tranquil rendition that evolves into a dominant harmonica and banjo jam session.  If you’re looking to rid yourself of winter, scoop up this disc and watch as the sky opens up and lets the sun shine down.

CD drops on February 22 but head on over to Conan O’Brien’s website HERE to stream the album.

Say Hello to BONNAROO 2011

15 Feb

The Coachella lineup is pretty damn sick but after seeing the initial announcement of artists slated to perform at Bonnaroo, I am now torn and thinking I should look into heading to Tennessee this summer.  I mean at Bonnaroo you have the return of Buffalo Springfield and Widespread Panic celebrating 25 years, String Cheese Incident, Warren Haynes and Gregg Allman which I can all but see some fun little guest appearances in the works, Mumford & Sons are thrust to the big time stage, Ray Lamontagne and Iron & Wine finally out of the tiny print on the line-up, just knowing Primus is going to be there leaves me wondering what Les Claypool has up his sleeve, Sleigh Bells, Portugal the Man, The Drums, Wavves, Ryan Bingham!  Plus Smith Westerns, Beats Antique and STS9, Hayes Carll, Amos Lee, Deer Tick, Matt & Kim, Grace Potter and so many more great acts and that’s not even including the headliners, Eminem and Arcade Fire.

Here’s the line-up as of today:

The Black Keys • Marquee Nightclub Las Vegas • 2 14 11 • Set List

14 Feb

Great show! Looking forward to their shows this weekend. If it was anything like tonight, Vegas is in for a treat!

 

My Thoughts On Some Of The GRAMMY Performances

14 Feb

The Grammy’s were well the Grammy’s, filled as usual with a ton of fantastic performances but I have to say that Mumford & Sons v. The Avett Brothers v. Bob Dylan was the highlight of the night for me.  Not only did M&S rock out on that tiny little rectangle of a stage that somehow didn’t break to perform “The Cave,” they cemented themselves as the next great band from the UK.  If 2010 was a huge step for the folk rock foursome in terms of crossing the pond and selling out small concert venues, 2011 is going to be one hell of a wild ride.  The Avett Brothers continue to amaze me and I dug their performance which gained steam midway through and probably netted them a ton more fans following.  And no matter how old Bob Dylan gets and how mumbled he may sound, I can never get enough of the musician who made me love music.

Also did Mick Jagger rock the Grammy’s or what?  His cover of Solomon Burke’s “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” with Raphael Saadiq was sensational.  What a tribute it was, filled with energy and spunk that no doubt must have had Burke smiling down from up above.

Eminem, Rihanna, Dre I’d say was as you’d expect, a great, energetic performance but the real winner seems to be Skylar Grey who practically stole the show with her vocals on “I Need A Doctor.”  And you know what, I’m sure the Eminem, Dre and Alex da Kid are grinning from ear-to-ear knowing they just hit the jackpot yet again.

B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae – three of todays most talented definitely didn’t disappoint and 2011 should continue to be huge for all three.

Arcade Fire, wow!  The Suburbs propelled them to another level in 2010 and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the Canadians after their performances brought rock back to the Grammy’s.  My only question is did they know they were going to win that they were set to play a second song?  I hope not but just curious….

Cee Lo dressed as a ginormous parrot was a bit scary.  Was he trying to be Koko B. Ware?  The Gwyneth Paltrow part, did I miss something?  And The Muppets, loved them!

Drake and Rihanna was just ok.  Anyone else think it wasn’t that great?  I just wonder if Chris Brown was watching and what he must have been thinking about RiRi’s outfit.

Some other notes:

Trombone Shorty!  Let’s hope he gets his due eventually

The Aretha Franklin tribute was a nice touch

Props to Esperanza Spalding and her big win!

John Mayer, Norah Jones and Keith Urban paying tribute to Dolly Parton was pretty cool

How many times do we have to see Lady GaGa and Katy Perry perform at awards shows?  Talented they may be but again?

Barbra Streisand, would have been cool if Duck Sauce was a special guest during the performance.  Hey we can all dream, right?

Do J. Lo and Marc Anthony tell award producers we’ll only present if we appear together?

Can Lady Antebellum officially be considered not country since their crossover to mainstream is now cemented?

And one more note because I just can’t leave it out, what the heck was up with Puffy and his gold teef?

Buffalo Springfield To Renuite & Tour This Year!

13 Feb

Anyone who loves rock and roll should be thrilled and jumping for joy with the news that Buffalo Springfield are planning to reunite (well the three living members) and tour this coming fall. I guess the one-off show at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit last year lit a flame that has been burning since. Check out this Q&A from Patrick Doyle of Rolling Stone regarding the news.

I know I for one will be doing everything I can to see at least one of these shows.

New Music: The Strokes – “Under Cover of Darkness”

9 Feb

Here’s the first single off their upcoming LP Angles. What do you think?

Now Playing: Michael Mind Project ft. Mandy Ventrice & Carlprit – “Delirious”

9 Feb

And if you are not familiar with Mandy Ventrice take note now because she’s going to be HUGE, just wait and see.

New Music: The Vaccines

9 Feb

Big shout out to my friend Paddy for the tip to check out The Vaccines.  The London rockers having just formed in 2010 are sitting on the bubble of stardom and their most recent track “Post Break Up Sex” is climbing the charts in the UK and only a matter of time before they stake claim in the US.  The quartet is slated to release their debut album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? on March 21.

Now Playing (Music Video): Martin Solveig & Dragonette – “Hello”

8 Feb

I can’t believe I never saw the music video until last night for Martin Solveig & Dragonette – “Hello.” But then again when do you turn on the television these days and actually see music videos, especially on MTV.  Check out the video which features Martin Solveig taking on Bob Sinclar in tennis!