Archive | Revisited RSS feed for this section

My thoughts on the GRAMMYs

13 Feb

Ah the GRAMMYs, for one night to have all that talent in one room.  I have to say, I did like LL Cool J hosting the awards show, he brought a nice touch to them and did a nice job paying respect to Whitney Houston (as did everyone else).  But as much as I love seeing the performances, I have to ask, what happened to all the awards?  I feel like there were maybe 10 awards presented on TV and every time someone was introduced it was like “with two new GRAMMYs tonight….,” okay but what did they win for? Want the full list, click here.

Also I have to say I was not a fan of so many musicians getting multiple performances at the awards.  I get it, they crossover to different genres but there are plenty of musicians who made an impact in the last year of music who could have also had the grand stage to perform.

Enough rant, on to the performances.

  • Bruce Springsteen – “We Take Care of Our Own” – loved the string section, and The Boss looked super calmed, relaxed and what a great way to start off the GRAMMYs.  I really do love this song, it sounds like the gold old. Springsteen.   Loved seeing Paul McCartney and Chris Martin singing along too.
  • Touching tribute to start the GRAMMYs by LL Cool J
  • Bruno Mars – Huge fan of his music and his appearance on the big stage confirmed it once again, he’s an electric personality and helping to bring back a style of music that has been missing from the mainstream attention.  You couldn’t not be tapping your foot or clapping your hands during this performance.
  •  Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt – “Sunday Kind of Love” I could have listened to that for days, amazing voices.
  •  Chris Brown – The stage setup reminded me of Qbert, he keeps pushing to overtake Usher.
  •  Man, Kanye wins a GRAMMY and not present, go figure! Well we got once less random rant
  •  Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson – If country is your thing…..
  •  Foo Fighters – As expected, a rocking performance.
  •  Coldplay and Rihanna – I thought Rihanna did a great job and I loved the way the Staples Center looked during “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.”  I use to only like the remixed versions of that song and now I just love the original.
  •  Maroon5, Foster The People, Beach Boys – Who doesn’t love the Beach Boys?  But I don’t know if it was just me but I was underwhelmed with this performance.  I guess I was just expecting more and to be blown away. Plus all I kept thinking when I look at Mark Foster was commercial jingles.
  • Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, Joe Walsh – One word, Beautiful.
  • The Civil Wars – So proud they got to perform at the GRAMMYs just wish they gave them more air time. At least two GRAMMY wins substantiates why they deserve this.
  • Taylor Swift – Great job.  My favorite thing about Taylor Swift is she gets so amazed at the crowd reception of her performances. Crazy to think we have basically watched her grow up through these award shows.  I can’t wait for ten years from now and what she’s singing about.
  • Katy Perry – um no
  • Adele – She makes it look so easy and effortless.  I love the confidence she showed on that stage and if you weren’t a believer before, you sure must be now. And wow what a reception from the crowd.
  • Derek Trucks sighting!
  • Glen Campbell, The Band Perry and Blake Shelton – who doesn’t like Rhinestone Cowboy! As a non knowing Country music person, I wonder if The Band Perry are going to be the next big thing.
  • Nicki Minaj – next please
  • David Guetta, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne + Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 – I was really disappointed in how this appeared on TV, personally I think it was not as big, flashy and what it could have been on the biggest stage to date for EDM.
  • Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood – just another day at the office for the legend.
  • Jennifer Hudson – For real?  That was incredible.
  • Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Walsh, Dave Grohl– how can you not love seeing these legends just jamming to close out the awards.

My Review of Allen Stone in Vegas SEVEN (1 5 12 Issue)

6 Jan

On December 23 I had the pleasure of catching Allen Stone in concert out in Las Vegas and here is my review of the show as it appears in the January 5, 2012 issue of Vegas SEVEN.  Hope this makes you want to see him live, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

 

 

2011 in Photos via ErikKabikPhoto.com

28 Dec

Thanks to friend, photographer and music lover, Erik Kabik, I have been able to feature some stellar photographs from concerts throughout the year and as we close 2011, here are some images Erik tabbed as some of his highlights from the past 12 months. Hope you enjoy!!

2011 in Music: Some of My Favorites

21 Dec

Another year has come and (just about) gone and as we approach day 365 of 2011, there is a lot of great music and music moments to reflect on.  In keeping with something I started last year, here is a list of items that made MY year in music.  While I know I’ve forgotten some moments, at least it’s a snapshot of what my ears and eyes were gravitating towards.  Enjoy and here’s to an incredible year of music in 2012.

  • My favorite album of 2011 is GROUPLOVE’s Never Trust A Happy Song
  • After finally attending Bonnaroo, I totally see why my friend said “when you go, you’ll understand why it’s the best music festival”
  • Lollapalooza was an amazing experience with incredible bands, amazing friends and killer access
  • Being asked to write concert reviews for Vegas SEVEN which parlayed into band interviews as well – something that to this day I never thought would happen from a little blog I started about my love of music
  • Continuing the writing by being asked by Vegas Rated, a national publication to write a few music columns each month
  • Seeing Mumford & Sons at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan, easily one of my favorite live shows ever
  • I’m a lucky one living in Las Vegas since The Cosmopolitan and C3 Presents booked too many bands that I love for four night stints playing Book & Stage for FREE – to give you an idea, we’re talking Young The Giant, Foster The People, Aloe Blacc, Ryan Shaw, Fitz & The Tantrums, Allen Stone, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Walk The Moon, Robert Randolph, Mayer Hawthorne, Tennis, and the list goes on and on
  • Frank Turner, where you been all my life – England Keep My Bones is a album everyone needs to have
  • Finally seeing The Strokes live(twice this year) and realizing just how badass they really are
  • My blog post from March when Foster The People were coming to town
  • The discovery of bands like The Apache Relay, The Belle Brigade, Ruby Coast, GIVERS and Smith Westerns
  • Thank you Walk The Moon for providing some of the most fun of the summer with your spirited sets
  • RedBull Soundclash with Cee-Lo and The Ting Tings, look it up if you don’t know what I’m talking about
  • Marquee Nightclub Boom Box Room with Eric D Lux
  • The return of Dispatch
  • Middle Brother
  • One more Furthur show in the books
  • Saying goodnight to the bad guys with a final concert, oh man how I’ll miss The Black Crowes
  • Stumbling upon Childish Gambino’s set at Bonnaroo and being blown away
  • Gary Clark Jr.
  • Late Night with Jimmy Fallon taking over as the king of late night performances thanks to The Roots as the house band and a great booking team
  • Brands like Chevy and Nissan using indie bands for commercial music
  • CC from Little Hurricane
  • The Dirty Guv’nahs
  • EDM grabbing America by storm
  • Thankful for Avicii creating hit after hit after hit
  • Spotify
  • Seeing a late night Cults show in Chicago that completely blew me away
  • Going to see a favorite of mine, Brett Dennen and having DAWES who opened just own the evening
  • Seeing G. Love yet again and having him break into Freddy King Jr.’s “Look Over Yonder”
  • Allen Stone, what a young talent
  • Alabama Shakes, if you didn’t see my post on them, search, listen and become infatuated with Brittany Howard’s voice
  • Finally seeing Lupe Fiasco in concert again, had to wait too long since the last time
  • Robert Plant still rocking it like he was in his 20s
  • Seeing The Black Keys in a nightclub, a ballroom and with 60,000 ppl and still getting the same feeling of rock and roll no matter the size or venue
  • The Head and The Heart
  • Catching Lil Wayne in concert, something I never thought I’d do, same with Eminem
  • Buffalo Springfield, yes I can say I never thought I’d see them live but did
  • My Morning Jacket won me back over after giving up on them
  • Seeing Widespread Panic for what could be the last time
  • Anyone else catch The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons and Bob Dylan at the GRAMMYs?  Sick performance and totally put M&S on a whole new level
  • The music from across the pond is quite amazing, lots of new bands and artists to be on the lookout for
  • Big Troubles
  • How incredibly awesome Daytrotter.com is
  • In my opinion, one of the best singer-songwriters of today, James Morrison quietly released his third album, The Awakening
  • Aloe Blacc, yes “I Need A Dollar” thrust him into the spotlight last year but damn, what an artist – incredible stage presence and one of the most talented musicians today
  • O.A.R. dropping a new record that everyone needs to own
  • IAMDYNAMITE  – before it’s too late, go get SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC, these fellas are going to blow up, just wait and see in 2012
  • The music video for Maps & Atlases’ “Israeli Caves”
  • Welcome back Ryan Adams
  • The sophomore release by Girls probably hasn’t gotten too much attention but WOW
  • Youth Lagoon
  • Thank you Damian Marley for getting everyone together to form SuperHeavy
  • NewVillager, the videos may be a bit to artsy for me but the music, genius
  • WU LYF chances are about 99% you have never heard of them but you need to know them pronto
  • Uncle Mountain
  • Nashville is for righteous music to me what Brooklyn was for a throng of indie bands
  • If you get a chance to see the Black Lips, don’t pass it up
  • Gimme Some by Peter, Bjorn & John
  • “Up Up Up” was like a soundtrack for my year, big things coming for GIVERS
  • ·         Fight For Your Right Revisited
  • ·         I was thrilled to see Fitz & The Tantrums hit it big in 2011
  • ·         Food is the New Rock blog
  • G. Love’s latest, Fixin To Die which was recorded in North Carolina and produced by The Avett Brothers
  • Seeing a mob of people at 1 p.m. on Friday of Lollapalooza for Young The Giant
  • Catching Lynyrd Skynyrd perform for 200 people at the opening of their BBQ & Beer joint in Vegas
  • Tedeschi Trucks Band – Revelator
  • Another knock-out by Trombone Shorty
  • The Cinema
  • Paul Simon’s So Beautiful or So What
  • Benjamin Francis Leftwich
  • Wolf Gang
  • Our little Book & Stage fan club, thanks for making the past year pretty damn incredible
  • Skylar Grey I was truly impressed with her live show
  • Raphael Saadiq did it again
  • Tinie Tempah finally made it Stateside
  • Ryan Bingham, thank you – great interview and your show definitely backed up your words, a true pleasure to catch a couple live shows this year
  • Seeing the legend, Dr. John
  • Scottish rockers Kassidy, definitely a band everyone should be listening to
  • Audio, Video, Disco – love love love the approach by Justice on the new album
  • Remixes of “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall”
  • And waking up every day to listen and discover new music

My Review of GROUPLOVE (from 11 1 11) in Vegas SEVEN 11 10 11 Issue

10 Nov

I had the opportunity to review the GROUPLOVE show in Las Vegas last week and it appears in the new issue of Vegas SEVEN.  Check it out.  Hope you like it and start listening to their music.

Revisited: GROUPLOVE Set List 11 1 11 Las Vegas (Two Sets)

2 Nov

Last night GROUPLOVE rocked The Cosmopolitan with two sets at 10 p.m. and midnight.  If you make your way down to The Strip tonight, head on over to Book & Stage and catch one or both of the sets.

SET 1

Don’t Say Oh Well

Lovely Cup

Itching On A Photograph

Love Will Save Your Soul

Gold Coast

Naked Kids

Spun

Chloe

Close Your Eyes and Count To 10

Slow

Drum Solo

Tongue Tied

Colours

 

SET 2

Tongue tied

Lovely Cup

Itching On A Photograph

Love Will Save Your Soul

Gold Coast

Naked Kids

Spun

Chloe

Close Your Eyes And Count To Ten

Slow

Drum Solo

Don’t Say Oh Well

Colours

 

Set List: Foster The People – 10 20 11 – Las Vegas

21 Oct

Here’s the set list from last night’s Foster The People show at The Cosmopolitan.  Disregard “Warrant” and “Ruby” because unless I lost my hearing for a little bit, they ended up not playing them.

Revisited: Last Weekend In Words and Photos

10 Oct

It was another music filled weekend in Las Vegas and I had the chance to catch shows at three of my favorite venues in town.  First up was Young The Giant at The Joint where the Cali kids rocked it and sounded fantastic during their 40 minute set.  Opening for Incubus put them in front of a great crowd and I’d say garnered them a heap of new fans.

Next up was ditching Incubus to race up the road to The Cosmopolitan to catch the Smashing Pumpkins, a band I had never seen live until Saturday night.  They sounded good but it was all new material so not hearing the hits I had grown up listening to was a disappointment but good friends and hanging out made the evening complete.

However last night was the highlight of my weekend as I ventured over the Pearl at Palms to catch the main man, Lupe Fiasco.  The Chicago MC tore through his catalog of hits including: “Words Out Of My Head,” “Show Goes On,” “All Black Everything,” “I Gotcha,” “Kick, Push,” “Go Go Gadget Flow,” “Superstar,” “Daydreammin’, “Hip-Hop Saved My Life” and a whole lot more.  The only disappointment on my end was not hearing “Paris, Tokyo,” my favorite Lupe jam.  Also Ashanti Floyd, his violinist was off the hook and really left his mark not just on me but the entire crowd.

First two Young The Giant photos by Scott Harrison of Retna,  Smashing Pumpkins photos by Erik Kabik of Retna (@Erik_Kabik on Twitter).

Revisited: Furthur 10 4 11 Las Vegas Set List & Images

5 Oct

Any chance to see Bob Weir and Phil Lesh is a special treat and with Furthur rolling into Las Vegas, I was excited like a kid in a candy store.  However the evening didn’t start off nearly as planned as it took no joke, 50 minutes to get into The Joint as the ticket/security line was not moving.  After missing the first three songs (which included “China Cat Sunflower“and “Maggie’s Farm”) of set one, I made it inside.  As expected, a festive crowd on hand and it was all song and dance for the next three hours.  Highlights of the first set for me had to have been hearing “Welcome to the Dance” for the first time live and “Like A Rolling Stone” and “Casey Jones” back-to-back.  Second set, easily “Viola Lee Blues”>”Midnight Hour”>”Viola Lee Blues”>”Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?”>”Viola Lee Blues” and a little later in the set “Scarlet Begonias”>”Fire On The Mountain” which was just icing on the cake for a great evening.  I just hope I don’t have to wait another year to see the guys again.

Here is the official set list as well as fantastic images from good friend, Erik Kabik of Erik Kabik Photography.


 

Video: Young The Giant – “My Body” at Austin City Limits

19 Sep

All I could think while watching the online stream of Young The Giant performing at ACL was, damn I wish I was there.  Wow, what a performance and crowd for the now it rockers.  Big congrats to them for making it big and drawing an insanely huge crowd that now knows how much fun their live shows are.  I’ve been lucky to see them in an intimate setting (Book & Stage at Cosmopolitan in Vegas) and a massive setting (main stage at Lollapalooza) and both have been solid, energetic shows.  Now I just  can’t wait until the next time I get to see them live.

If you missed the online stream, check out this video of YTG performing “My Body.”