Sunday, July 29, 2007

Guster Concert


As Ben Kweller takes the stage, I take a few minutes to look around at the fans now standing at Festival Pier in Philadelphia. The venue is basically a parking lot next to the Delaware River, and the sound seems less than ideal. The crowd responds to Kweller, an artist now touring as a solo act, but who has toured in the past with Ben Folds and Ben Lee. He is known to this group, as he has recorded a single with the night’s headline act, Guster.
I wish I can pay more attention to Kweller, who is shifting between his guitar and his piano, and sings in a solid yet subtle voice. But there are dark clouds on the horizon. Literally. And as the breeze kicks up, and the lightning appears in the distance, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Philadelphia meteorologists really do know what they are talking about. Kweller’s set ends, and although the performance area is covered, the stage crew comes out to cover the equipment in tarps. And then there is an announcement to seek shelter, but not without a promise......”We’re going to wait this one out.”
The worst of the lightning comes and goes, but a steady rain has begun to fall. Apparently, though, only lightning strikes will stop this show. Because, as promised, the tarps have been removed and Guster comes out onto the stage.
Guster begins with the song they have opened sets with in the past, the awesome “What You Wish For.” The song displays all of the bands best elements. The contrasting vocals of Ryan Miller and Adam Gardner, the bare-handed, bongo percussion of Brian Rosenworcel, the awesome bridge, and the big payoff that follows. But it is hard at first to fully appreciate the band, having recently seen them at the Beacon in New York City, because the sound system here is inferior. And the rain delay seems to have affected the band’s coordination.
Everybody watching the show is soaked, and just when the crowd should start getting cold, things are heating up. We are now oblivious to the elements as the band, known for its great live performances, is somehow beginning to deliver a classic show. The band engages its audience, displays a self effacing humor, and rips through classics and new tracks from their most recent LP, Ganging Up On the Sun. “Satellite” and “The Beginning of the End” blend with “Amsterdam” and “Fa-Fa.” The crowd can’t help but move to these songs, each finding a way to grab the listener and manipulate their emotions, building an irresistible energy. And Ryan plays to he crowd, changing the lyrics of Diane in an acknowledgment of the “Philadelphia rain” drenching the throng in front of him.
The peak to any Guster live performance is their “Airport Song,” and this is especially true tonight. The opening chord sends a charge through the already excited audience, and they scream with anticipation, quickly singing the opening lines as loudly as Adam. Brian, known to his fans as the Thundergod, pounds his drums, this night with flashes of lightning and sheets of rain helping him to set the mood. There is a simian quality to his frenzied attack, and the guitars feed off of his vigorous play. Brian’s voice flows through a pitch shifter, but it is the audience’s fever pitch that is most remarkable. “Who’s your daddy,” sings Adam, “I’m your daddy now.”
Despite the weather and the slow start, and despite the venue, Guster has once again demonstrated why they continue to be described as one of this generations great live bands. They send the fans out with two encores, including the sentimental favorite “Either Way.” And as they release the crowd, and people start towards the exit, more than a few have the same look on their face. A look that seems to say “When did it start raining like this?”
by Mike

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Pink Floyd - Meddle


So the latest from Spoon gives you 12 tunes that expires in at just over 37 minutes. I love the cd but sometimes I like to stretch out. Explore the space between the notes. That brings me to of course Pink Floyd. When I say Floyd most people react with a thought toward “Dark Side of the Moon” or “The Wall” or if they think they may sneak one past me they will say “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” - which I might add is getting the royal treatment in a 3 CD boxset in August and if you don’t own it yet count yourself lucky and just wait for the boxset. Anyway you aren’t wrong by thinking about any of those but I would like to throw a monkey in the Floyd mix. “Meddle”. I really think you should go back and give this one a listen.

It begins with one of the best openings of a Pink Floyd CD “One of These Days”. It’s quiet. The wind blows. Throw on the headphones ladies and gentlemen. Enter the echo and bass. There is only one line of lyric “one of these days I’m going to cut you into little pieces”. It is the band’s basic feeling about music critics. Classic. Bite that hand that feeds you. Yet one more reason I love Floyd.

"A Pillow of Winds" follows and it’s one of the few quiet, acoustic songs in the Pink Floyd catalogue

"Fearless" ends with field recordings of the Liverpool F.C. fans singing "You'll Never Walk Alone", their anthem. Now I am an Arsenal fan and this track almost makes me want to change teams. Plus the fact that Henry and now my favorite Swede are leaving the team but I still wear the Gunnar Gold with pride.

"San Tropez" is a jazz-inflected pop song.

“Echoes” is a triumph. An epic tune that is almost as long as some albums these days. “Echoes” clocks in at almost 27.5 minutes. It is a glorious way to end a Pink Floyd album.

Now My all time favorite PF is “Wish You Were Here” but “Meddle” is a very close second and deserves another listen or maybe even your first listen. You can thank me later while your enjoying the stretching out of the music.

For more fun and adventure check out Next Music Online.
More later
Bro

Sunday, July 22, 2007

John Mayer and Ben Folds in Concert

From NEXT listener Michael. thanks Mike.


Walking up the stairs to the open lawn at the Tweeter Center in Camden, everything just feels good. The weather, the crowd, and on stage is James Morrison, a master craftsman of feel good music. My family was together for this one, and it is the first concert that my children are able to attend. James Morrison is a very approachable first act, and while admittedly not familiar with most of his recordings, he seems like a warm man who truly enjoys performing. He sings well, plays guitar well, and his songs set the mood. He performs for a crowd that is slowly filling the venue to capacity, and definitely draws his biggest response when he plays the single now getting air play in New York, “Under the Influence.” But his music, after some time, is less interesting than the other performers scheduled for the night. Just when things start sounding repetitive, however, Morrison shows promise with a charged performance of his most energetic song, “Call the Police.” The song is a great finale, and a nice lead in to the man about to take the stage.
When Ben Folds walks out, he strides to his piano like a puma with its prey in sight. He is tensed, leans into the keys, and begins his set with the energy that would fill his entire performance. “Gone” gets much of the crowd on its feet, and he quickly flows from one song to the next. All of them are familiar to the crowd, who join him in singing each of his selections. His words can cut, as sarcasm and condemnations are used in a variety of pointed lyrics. But his point of view is clearly appreciated by this group, many of them choosing to sing louder as the songs take their more aggressive turns.
Ben Folds is an exceptional songwriter, and is certainly not one dimensional, so it is no surprise when he chooses to be sentimental. A switch to this side of his music comes with the song “Landed.” Later, there is the subtlety and sadness found in the song “Jesusland.”
Throughout his set, Ben Folds demonstrates that in addition to song writing, he is a very talented performer. He, and the other members of his trio, are technically sound at all points. Even as his keyboard playing becomes frenetic, and his words flow more rapidly, he is on key and delivers the songs flawlessly. To his credit, he focuses on the playing, choosing to avoid the cliched banter too many musicians insert into their sets when on tour. The only disappointment is that he didn’t play personal favorites such as “Still Fighting It” which is obviously a concern I may not have shared with too many of the fans now screaming as his performance concludes.
While some remained seated for the first two acts, it is clear the night is approaching a peak as John Mayer takes the stage. The crowd is loud, and clearly has been waiting for this, and now all rise as this amazing young performer begins his set. The first two song choices are safe, the radio hits all would know. In fact, these two songs probably sold a significant percentage of the tickets to the night’s show. He works through “Bigger Than My Body” and “No Such Thing” and the audience sings in unison. I look at my son, standing on his chair, delighted to be screaming at the top of his lungs, too. My wife is smiling, my daughter’s eyes are wide open. The party has started, but the greatest aspect of the night is first hinted at in Mayer’s third song “Belief.”
John Mayer chooses to introduce this song with a guitar solo that masks the song that he is about to play. But it also reveals, as his virtuosity is finally exposed. This John Mayer can often hide behind the breathy delivery of his lyrics, and the occasional falsetto. Since the beginning of his career John Mayer’s music has been the sort to make women swoon, but there are reasons he has recorded with B.B. King and John Scofield. Just as there are reasons he began this day sharing a stage in New York City with Eric Clapton. John Mayer can flat out play the guitar.
Like Ben Folds, the emphasis is on the music. The guitar licks are flowing now, and his familiarity with traditional guitar rock is increasingly apparent. He is wise to lean back on the familiar, as the crowd happily joins him in singing “Waiting On the World to Change.” But again, this side of Mayer is familiar, and his craftsmanship as a pop song writer could never be questioned. It is, however, only when you see him live that you begin to recognize he is not just another pop star. John Mayer is more likely the heir to the throne in American Jazz/Blues guitar.
The show continues towards a predictable, cathartic end, and as this great party winds down, I realize I have seen much more than I expected. At its best, live music represents an opportunity for comradery with like minded music fans, and a chance to see aspects of a performer that haven’t been captured in a studio. These elements, played out in a great venue, have lead to tremendous entertainment, and I realize my children may not recognize how fortunate they have been tonight. To mark the occasion, we’re sure to save the ticket stubs, as my wife and I both feel Mayer’s best years are ahead of him. And to think, I thought I felt good walking in to this concert.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Helper Monkey's Music Mid Year in Review

For anyone who cares, here is my mid year list of top albums so far....
I don't think anything will come close to touching the Spoon record.



1) Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

2)

3)

4) Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

5) White Stripes - Icky Thump

6)

7)

8) LCS Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver

9) The Ponys - Turn The Lights Out

10) Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times



Potential to move up:

Explosions In The Sky - All Of A Sudden I Miss Everyone

Interpol - Our Love To Admire

Silverchair - Young Modern

Beastie Boys - The Mix Up

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away

Queens of The Stone Age - Era Vulgaris

Monday, July 16, 2007

Pearl Jam Binaural


OK let's get this out of the way. I love PJ.

There is an album that for some reason people have over looked. Why? I have no idea. In 2000 for some reason everyone that loved rock was focused on U2 with their release "All that you can't leave behind" but they missed it. I guess they were still gorging on Boy Bands and were on a sugary high.

Binaural starts off perfectly with A CRASH of sound -- then the wonderful line "There's a girl on a ledge she got nowhere to turn- cause all the love that she had was just wood that she burned". The song explodes. If you love rock music then you are head over heals. In fact, the first three tunes are a heavy trifecta.


It isn't until "Light Years" that the band slows down a bit. A slight, dirty groove of a tune.


Then a lonely, pensive guitar comes through the speakers. Eddie and an acoustic guitar and then the wailing guitar again. Welcome to "Nothing as it Seems". This is PJ all growz up.


They grow up even more with "Thin Air".

Three fast. Three mellow. Back to the Rock with big bouncy drums. You would think time to kick it up a notch but instead the slow, meticulous jam of "of a girl".


Now two songs just made for driving. Driving fast.


Then "Slight of Hand" is a great slow build.

How does one end a Lost Treasure CD? Eddie on a uke. Perfect but that is not the end. One last tune. It's not the 7 minute jam you thing you're getting. You don't worry because you know that when they play this one live they are going to stretch "Parting Ways" out. The song is only 3:37 then about 3 more minutes of silence then a Hidden Track. I'd forgotten about those. Anyway it's just someone banging on a typewriter. I would have given my left nut to have been the one that typed on a typewriter on a PJ Hidden Track but sadly I can't claim that.

I know that it will be tough to ever top Ten but that is because that was a perfect storm. Ten will always have a special place in my heart but really you need to give Binaural one more listen. Plus the booklet in the cd is quite sweet.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

NEXT WEEK 64

Iron and Wine – Carried Home (The Shepherd’s Dog)

Ryan Adams – Two Hearts (Easy Tiger)

Rilo Kiley – the Moneymaker ( )


Frank Black – Threshold Apprehension ( 93-03)


Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson – If I Were a Carpenter (Anchored in Love: A tribute to June Carter Cash)

Buffalo Tom – September Shirt (Three Easy Pieces)

The Mighty Six Ninety – Leave This World (Cheers to the Bitter End)

Beastie Boys – Dramastically Different (The Mix-up)


The Flaming Lips – Do You Realize?? (iTunes originals)


Matt Pond PA – If You Want Blood (If you want Blood EP)

Johnette Napolitano – Amazing (Scarred)


Nick Lowe – I Trained Her to Love Me (At My Age)

thanks for listening
More Later
Bro

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Live Earth

Backstage. Now before you get jealous it was not as cool as you think. You would hope that backstage would just be an orgy of musical acts hanging out and chatting each other up. You know John Mayer talking to Sting about tantra classes. Dave Matthews discussing how to change a tire on an Hybrid car with Kanye West. Roger Waters sharing recipes with Jon Bon Jovi.

but that didn't happen

The acts were in their dressing rooms and the only people we saw backstage were Alec Baldwin (he is a big boy) and the drummer for DMB: Carter Beauford.

ONE COOL THING (kinda)

So I walking back through backstage heading back out to our seats and just happened to walk past the Police's dressing room. The door was open. They must have just arrived. Standing right there in front of the door - STING. I think he was munching on a radish. So I whip out my camera and snap a shot. Then a security guard comes up and nicely (kinda) to delete the photo. They watched me delete it too. OH WELL

The other cool thing was free beer so that I didn't have to shell out $7.50 for a Guiness.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

NEXT WEEK 63

Just back from Cape Cod. Nice time. Lovely beaches. Warm weather. Kids that wouldn't sleep. Good food. Parade. Yay.

I am still trying to figure out what's up with the server that hosts my show. I will try to get that up and running soon. Thanks for understanding.

Color Wall – Someday You’ll Find

Pearl Jam – Big Wave (OST Surf’s Up)


Blanche – What This Town Needs (What This Town Needs EP)


Bryan Ferry – Simple Twist of Fate (Dylanesque)

Minus the Bear – Throwin’ Shapes (Planet of Ice)

Shake – Eight O’Clock (Kick It)

Gogol Bordello – Wonderlust King ( )
You need to see them so I found "never young". Enjoy.


NEXT concert with Meiko


More later
Bro