Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn

OTBKB Music: It's Black Friday: Profit First, Prophet Later

It's Black Friday and I have another freebie for you: Amazon is giving out $3 worth of mp3 downloads for free.  Just go here and follow the directions.

After you've profited from that deal, get ready to check out Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express tonight at 92Y Tribeca.  The last time I saw Chuck and company, I was packed into the basement of a tiny club located off a back alley in Austin, Texas.  Tonight's environs are much more comfortable than that.  Chuck plays soul tinged rock with blistering guitar solos.  Since he's based in San Francisco, he gets to our area only every couple of years, so don't miss this opportunity to see one of the best live acts in the business.  Still not sure?  Check out the video I posted previously.  Eilen Jewell opens.

Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express, 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street (A, C or E Train to Canal Street, exit via the northern end of the station and walk west on Canal Street to Hudson Street), 7pm doors, 8pm show, $20

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Download David Roche's Latest Album Free

Windsor Terrace's David Roche has a few gigs coming up next month including one right here in The Slope on Friday December 18th, 8pm at The Good Coffee House, Prospect Park West and 2nd Street.  In order to get you in the mood, Dave is making his last album, Harp Trouble in Heaven available FREE.

As Dave said, "I needed to make this record because I want to celebrate the huge amount of good fortune I have been the recipient of while running in this human race."  It is indeed an optimistic record.  Dave's family helped out on harmonies as well, including his daughter Oona and sisters Maggie, Terre and Suzy.  It's also probably the only record to have a song about the dedication of a ship named after President George H. W. Bush. 

Download Harp Trouble in Heaven for free here.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Two for Tuesday

There are two fine shows right here in the neighborhood tomorrow night.  They are pretty much mutually exclusive, but each promises to be good in its own right.

Robbie Fulks and Jennie Scheinman:  After spending six months living in Windsor Terrace and then returning to his home base of Chicago, Robbie comes back to his Brooklyn base of Barbes for another set with Jennie Scheinman.  If you missed their run at Barbes this past spring, you owe it to yourself to hear Robbie and Jennie play guitar and fiddle, respectively, on a variety of country, blues and the like.  Since Robbie has just finished a nine year in the making Michael Jackson tribute album, you might even hear something from that too.  And as Robbie notes on his website, you'll get half off of drinks if you find Jennie a babysitter.

Robbie Fulks and Jennie Scheinman, Barbes, 376 9th St. (corner of 6th Ave.), 7pm, $10 donation strongly suggested

Leslie Mendelson and Jim Boggia:  Part of the monthly Acoustically Related series at Southpaw.  If you haven't already memorized what I've written about her previously, I'll mention again that Leslie plays piano, writes great melodic songs in the adult pop vein, knows how to pull out an inspired cover at the right time and will leave you smiling.

Jim Boggia is a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter.  You can call his songs rock or pop or both.  Jim seems to know every song written over the past 50 years and at times seems poised to play some or even all of them in his set.  And his shows are not only great musically, they are funny as well.

Acoustically Related, Southpaw, 125 Fifth Avenue (between St. Johns and Sterling Places), 8pm doors, 8:30pm Leslie Mendelson; 9pm Jim Boggia; $10

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Amy Speace Returns

It's been about two months since Amy Speace packed up and moved out of the area and down to Nashville, but she is back in town and playing at The Living Room tonight.  Amy will be playing her mix of Americana, rock and alt country with her band, The Tearjerks.  Amy's album released earlier this year, The Killer in Me (which will undoubtedly be appearing on year-end best of lists), was born out of the end of Amy's marriage.  Sure, it has some introspective stuff on it, notably the stand out I Haven't Learned A Thing, but also upbeat numbers as well, including Would I Lie.  Amy also promises to premier a whole bunch of new songs as well.  Since it's likely that Amy will play fewer dates in the area now, you should take tonight's opportunity to see her.

Amy Speace and The Tearjerks, The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 10pm, No Cover

  --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music Video: Norah Jones - Young Blood

If you were at the  The Rockwood Music Hall last night, you got to see Norah Jones join Sasha Dobson on stage for two songs and play guitar on one of them.  If you weren't, here's a video of Young Blood, a song from Norah's new album, The Fall, which features Sasha on guitar.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Monday and Tuesday Nights

Stay in the nabe tonight and see a three-fer for free.  The Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange is holding its last show for 2009 at Union Hall.  Here's what they say about it:

The show features great local songwriter and alt-country champion Matt Keating with his band, as well as Misra recording artist and ambient/mazzy-star oriented songwriter Emily Rodgers from Pittsburgh with her band and host Rebecca Pronsky will open the evening with her trio, debuting some new tunes and playing a few old favorites.  All our shows are FREE to attend.

The Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Union Hall, 702 Union Street at 5th Avenue, 7:30 doors, 8pm show, Free

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On Tuesday, OTBKB Music favorite Sasha Dobson will be playing at The Rockwood Music Hall.  Although Sasha is now part of the Norah Jones Touring Band, she's taking the night off to play her own new material, which will be on Sasha's new EP, due imminently, perhaps at this show.  Although Sasha is going on late, it is well worth your while to catch this talented artist.

Sasha Dobson, The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street (F Train to Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit), 11pm, No Cover

 -- Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Laura Cantrell on Saturday in Tribeca

Laura Cantrell was born and raised in Nashville, but came to New York City for college and never left.  She's not only a singer and songwriter but a musicologist as well, serving as the proprietress as The Radio Thrift Shop on WFMU.  Rolling Stone has called Laura "A modern woman with an old-timey heart, with a voice pitched somewhere between the bluesy realism of Lucinda Williams and the vintage femininity of Kitty Wells."

Laura plays traditional country, alt-country and folk-rock as well.  The title song from her debut album, Not The Trembling Kind, was written by Jersey rocker George Usher.  She's also covered Gordon Lightfoot's Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.  Laura has opened for Elvis Costello and also for country music legend Charlie Louvin.

This time out Laura's band includes Dave Schramm (guitarist for Yo La Tengo and later The Schramms), Jeremy Chatzky (bass player for Bruce Springsteen's The Seeger Sessions), and Steve Goulding (drummer for Graham Parker and The Rumour and The Mekons).   As she doesn't perform all that frequently at this point, it will be well worth your while to see Laura tomorrow when she plays 92Y Tribeca.  Opening for Laura will be Amy Allison.

Laura Cantrell, 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street (A or C Train to Canal Street, exit the front of the train, and walk west to Hudson Street), 7pm (doors), 7:30 (show), $15.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: The Zevonathon at Banjo Jim's on Thursday

The songs of Warren Zevon were populated by what had to be the strangest assortment of characters in rock: werewolves, lawyers, headless Thompson gunners, junkies, diplomats and mutineers.  Although Warren left us in 2003, his songs and characters live on.  Tomorrow at Banjo Jim's, an all star cast will celebrate the dirty life and times of Mr. Zevon.  I'm sure that you'll not only hear the well known tunes, but some obscure ones as well.  Banjo Jim's  is one of the most laid back places to hear music around and this is a free show.

The Warren Zevonathon, A Tribute to Warren Zevon, Banjo Jim's, 9th Street and Avenue C (F Train to 14th Street, transfer to the 14D bus going east, exit at 11th Street and Avenue C), 8:30pm, Free.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Norah Jones in Transition

The past couple of years have been ones of change for Norah Jones.  She dissolved her band, worked on her guitar playing, cut her hair, split up with her boyfriend and moved back from Manhattan to Brooklyn.  So with all that going on in her life, its no wonder that her new album, The Fall, finds Norah's music in transition as well.

With The Handsome Band no longer backing up Norah, this record features an entirely different musical team.  Jacquire King, the producer this time out, has produced Tom Waits, The Kings of Leon and Modest Mouse.  The musicians include including drummers Joey Waronker and James Gadson, keyboardist James Poyser, and guitarists and Brooklynites Marc Ribot and Smokey Hormel.

What Jones, King and company have done is to edge away from the sound of Norah's previous albums toward one which is more guitar based,  has electronic elements and is mixed to be edgier.  But when all is said and done, the record is still recognizable as a Norah Jones record.

The first track to be released from The Fall is Chasing Pirates, a very infectiously poppy sounding song with an electric piano hook.  It will probably equally at home on WLTW, WPLJ and WFUV, even though it clearly different from Norah's previous work.  Fans of that previous work will like I Wouldn't Need You, December and Back to Manhattan.  Other standout tracks include Young Blood, Stuck, Tell Yer Mama and Man of the Hour.  The subject of that last song appears on the cover of The Fall along with Norah.

But the song to which I keep returning is Back to Manhattan.  It chronicles what seems to be an affair. It is melancholy and honest, and for that it ends up being the emotional heart of  The Fall.

Not everyone who has followed Norah to this point will be willing to see Norah move out of her comfort zone.  But those who do will be rewarded with hearing some good music and seeing an artist grow before their eyes.

The Fall will be released on November 17th.  NPR is currently streaming the whole album here. 

  --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday

The Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday, a free party which starts at 5pm, is centered around its wonderful Who Shot Rock and Roll exhibit tomorrow.  There are several events, including a show featuring three Brooklyn indie bands: Grass Widow, The Beets and Crystal Silts.  They go on at 5pm and the concert will end at 8:15pm.

Don't like 21st century rock?  Then go back to the '80s with Purple Rain, the film featuring Prince.  You'll need a ticket to get in, but they are free and available at the museum's Vistor Center starting at 6pm.  The movie starts at 7pm.

Finally, from 9-11pm, there's a dance party which, as the Brooklyn Museum describes as "highlighting
artists featured in Who Shot Rock & Roll, including Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Chuck Berry, and Jay-Z."

First Saturday, The Brooklyn Museum, Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue, 5-11pm, Free.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music Video: Chuck Prophet - You Did

Posting about Chuck Prophet's upcoming show last time led me to search for a representative video for you.  Here's Chuck playing what I think is his best song to his hometown (San Francisco) crowd.  There's a bunch of talk until 1:30 in, but then it's just pure high voltage rock. Looks great in full screen mode too.

 -- Eliot Wagner

Tonight at Barbes: Los Cenzontles

My friend Jill Eisenstadt recommends Los Cenzontles playing at Barbes tonight at 7 PM:

LOS CENZONTLES. The Bay area Mexican Roots music effortlessly mix electric bass and drums with traditional Mexican instruments – jarana, vihuela, requinto, pandero and quijada (jawbone) – creating a powerful contemporary sound infused with the gutsy soul of Mexico’s rural roots music. The group, directed by Grammy-nominated producer Eugene Rodriguez has performed and recorded alongside Los Lobos, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Grupo Mono Blanco, Los Tigres del Norte, Lalo Guerrero, Flaco Jiménez, and Santiago Jiménez Jr. Their new CD "American Horizon" with Taj Mahal and David Hidalgo will be released on 11/03.

OTBKB Music: Get Out Your Calendars

There are a number of shows coming up this month that are worth marking on your calendar.  Here's a preview of four of them:

November 7 - First Saturday at Brooklyn Museum:  Taking the lead from the just opened Who Shot Rock and Roll exhibit, Grass Widow, The Beets and Crystal Silts will play from 5-8:15pm.  If that doesn't suit you, catch Prince in Purple Rain at 7pm.

November 12 - Zevon-A-Thon at Banjo Jims: Warren Zevon may have only lived to 56, but he left behind music that was savage, tender, funny, noir and romantic. A collection of singers, songwriters and musicians will perform both Warren's well known and more rarely heard material from 8pm until late.

November 24 - Acoustically Related at Southpaw: Catch three artists performing acoustically in Southpaw's monthly series. This time out, you'll get to see Jim Boggia who is not only a great songwriter but who also knows almost every song written in the last 50 years and is really funny on stage, OTBKB Music fave Leslie Mendelson, another great live performer with her piano based adult pop and rock and Benyaro who are new to me.  The show starts at 8:30pm.

November 27 - Chuck Prophet at 92Y Tribeca:  Based in San Francisco, Chuck and The Mission Express don't get to these parts all that often, so take this opportunity to see this tight soul tinged rock band who know how to get you moving.  This is the the Friday of the Thanksgiving Day weekend, so you may not be in town, but if you are this is the place to be.  8pm.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Twofer (or Threefer) Tonight

There's a great twofer, or maybe it's a threefer, tonight over at The Rockwood Music Hall.  Up at 10pm for a two hour set will be James Maddock.  James is playing with a full band in support of his new album, Sunrise on Avenue C,   which has been getting some airplay over at WFUV, WXPN and Sirius XM.  And Leslie Mendelson (who released her own album, Swan Feathers, earlier this year) will be singing along with James.  If the past is any indication, Leslie will likely sing a song or two on her own.  It's a great evening of upbeat, sometimes even anthemic, rock and adult pop.

James Maddock, The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street (F Train to Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit), 10pm-Midnight

Stick around after James and catch Emily Zuzik with her band.  Emily sees this as the first show of Halloween and is promising "costumes, candy and chaos."  You'll get to hear a great mix of Emily's original blues, pop, and rock with some of the most insightful lyrics around.  Ms. Z has been on a bit of a musical sabbatical lately, so come welcome her back.

Emily Zuzik, The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street (F Train to Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit), Midnight

 --Eliot Wagner

Tonight: Hawaiian Melodies & Roots Music at Barbes

The Moonlighters. Gorgeous vocal harmonies interwoven with guitar and ukulele, the Moonlighters are as comfortable with classic Hawaiian melodies as they are innovative with their original songwriting. With Bliss Blood - vocals and ukulele ; Cindy Ball - vocals and guitar, Peter Maness - bass; and Mark Deffenbaugh - steel guitar at 10 PM.

Earlier in the evening at Barbe: Bethany & Rufus Roots Quartet. Drawing from the roots music traditions of America, Niger, and Haiti; Bethany & Rufus with Yacouba Moumouni and Bonga Jean-Baptiste come together to create an unexpected tapestry, weaving the desert winds of Africa with Vodou traditions of the new world and the folk music of America. With Bethany Yarrow - vocals; Rufus Cappadocia - cello; "Bonga" Jean-Baptiste - percussion and Yacouba "Denke Denke" - flute and vocals.

Barbes. 376 Ninth Street near 6th Avenue in Park Slope.

OTBKB Music: Mary Lamont at Hill Country Tonight

The first American country band to tour China was not one of the usual suspects; it was the Mary Lamont Band.  You might not have heard of them, but this Suffolk County-based band has been playing around Long Island for years and lately they have begun to play in New York City as well.  Tonight they hit Hill Country in Chelsea for three sets of country, Americana and rock.

Although a New Yorker for years, Mary herself originally hails from rural Ontario, once again supporting the idea that Canadians do the best American music (see also Neil Young and Kathleen Edwards).  Mary has also quite a diverse background as her day jobs have included modeling and working for the Alice Cooper management team.

Jim Marchese, the lead guitarist, has strong country and rock chops.  He's also an accomplished photographer, and was tour photographer for Bruce Springsteen's The River tour in Europe.

Mary Lamont, Hill Country, 30 W 26th St (F Train to 23rd Street, walk three blocks to 26th Street, turn right and go 1/2 block), 9pm-midnight

 --Eliot Wagner

Nov 7: Sufjan Stevens' BQE at The Bell House

The BQE has been immortalized by the likes of Sufjan Stevens in his musical film about our favorite local highway.

Saturday, November 7 / 7:30 PM (early show)  $12 at the Bell House.

OSSO QUARTET
PLUS SUFJAN STEVENS' THE BQE

Osso and Sufjan Stevens' The BQE.  String quartet with a modernist pulse, members of the New York- and Berlin-based Osso have collaborated and performed with an array of artists and genres, including My Brightest Diamond, DM Stith, Jay-Z, Alice and Ravi Coltrane, The New Pornographers, The Polyphonic Spree, The National, Devotchka, Jens Lekman and Kanye West. Osso will be performing interpretations of Sufjan Stevens' electronica album Enjoy Your Rabbit--each song named for a year of the Chinese zodiac--recomposing computer keystrokes into rhythmic classical arrangements.

The performance is paired with a showing of Sufjan Stevens' new film, The BQE, a 40-minute symphonic and cinematic exploration of the infamous Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music as part of their Next Wave Festival in November 2007, the film tells a quintessentially American tale through an original film by Stevens and a live soundtrack.
http://www.asthmatickitty.com/sufjan-stevens

OTBKB Music Video: Or, The Whale - Never Coming Out

I meant to post a review of the new album from the San Francisco based alt-country/Americana/folk-rock band Or, The Whale today, but for various reasons (including last night's playoff game) I never got to finish it.  So here's a look at one of the quieter numbers from that album.  Lindsay Garfield, one of Or, The Whale's four vocalists takes the lead here.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music Video: Dumbed Down - James Maddock

I saw James Maddock twice this week.  The first time was Wednesday night playing a great set with a full band; the second time was in the audience last night at The Living Room watching John David Souther.  So I'll take all that as a sign and post this video of James' funny and truthful song about the state of television in the 21st century.

 -- Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Music in The Streets on Thursday

If you're hanging around the nabe tomorrow, here's something that looks interesting: Music in The Streets on Fifth Avenue.  Here are the details courtesy of the blog All About Fifth:

Just a reminder that this Thursday, October 22 from 6:30-8:00 PM, professional musicians from the Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music will be playing jazz, blues, folk and classical music on just about every corner of Brooklyn’s fashionable Fifth Avenue from Dean to 18th Street.

The Park Slope 5th Avenue Business Improvement District, in partnership with the Conservatory, are pleased to present “Music in the Streets.” Visitors will experience many different kinds of music as they dine, drink and shop their way along the avenue.

Music in the Streets , Fifth Avenue between Dean and 18th Streets, 6:30-8pm

 --Eliot Wagner

Fri & Sat: MUGABEE at Irondale Center

On October 23 and 24th at 8 p.m. at Irondale Center 85 South Oxford Street in Fort Greene, Mississippi based artists M.U.G.A.B.E.E  will bring their unique blend of hip hop, jazz, spoken word to the Irondale center for an exclusive, two-night engagement .featuring exceptional jazz pianist Courtney Bryan and a host of guest musicians in a return engagement to Brooklyn’s Irondale Center.  M.U.G.A.B.E.E is the combined talents of the brothers Carlton and Maurice Turner- singers, songwriters, playwrights, producers and teachers, whose explosive style of performance is sure to move your soul.

Cost: 20 bucks gets you in and one free drink.

The mission of M.U.G.A.B.E.E. is to encourage and actively promote, through thought provoking human interaction visualization and in turn an actualization of a just Earth filled with equitable rights for all of its inhabitants. Through music, workshops, lectures, open dialogues, spoken word and poetry M.U.G.A.B.E.E has worked in numerous communities across the South with youth groups, adult learners, community centers, churches and schools. Their work has taken them to the metro areas of New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and to the small towns of Putney, VT; Natchez, MS; Pine Lake, GA; and Bethlehem, PA. 

OTBKB Music Video: Freedy Johnston - Bad Reputation

Freedy Johnston is originally from Kansas but he lived in this until recently, including Hoboken and Greenpoint.  Although he's now living in Nashville, he's back for a while and will be playing in the East Village Tuesday.  This video of  Freedy (and guitarist Dave Schramm) performing Bad Reputation was taken a few months back when Freedy played Maxwell's in Hoboken.  Don't miss this opportunity to see one of the best and most underrated songwriters out there.

Freedy Johnston, 11th Street Bar, 510 E. 11th Street (F Train to 14th Street, transfer to 14A bus to Avenue A and 11th Street), 10-Midnight

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Music for a Transit Snafu Weekend

It's the second transit snafu weekend in a row with most of the subway lines not doing things that they usually do or doing things that they usually don't do.  Here in the Slope, the F and G trains are being replaced by shuttle buses from Jay Street (F) or Bergan Street (G) to Church Avenue.  The festivities start at midnight tonight and last though Monday morning at 5am, so be sure to check with the MTA before you leave home.   With that out of the way, here are some suggestions for the weekend.

Friday - Sydney Wayser: Sydney's main instrument is piano and her band consists of electric guitar, upright bass and drums.  Her songs combine elements of classical, show music, rock and chanson française (Sydney's father is French and she spent some time in Paris growing up).  But the most impressive instrument in Sydney's band is her voice.  Extremely expressive and perhaps a touch breathy, it is the hook that ultimately pulls you into her music.

Sydney Wayser - Mercury Lounge,  217 E Houston Street (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), Friday 8pm, $10

Saturday - "Hans and Sven:"  The website for The Rockwood Music Hall lists Hans and Sven playing, but if you Google that name you will quickly find out, courtesy of  The Living Room's website that Hans and Sven are really Pete and J.  If a picture is worth a thousand words I guess a video is worth, what, maybe 10,000?  So here is one I posted previously.  Expect high energy pop rock, and since it's The Rockwood on the weekend, a crowd.

"Hans and Sven" - The Rockwood Music Hall, 184 Allen Street, (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), Saturday 11pm

Sunday - L'il Mo and The Monicats: Monica Passin leads this excellent band.  Expect to hear country, rockabilly, blues, retro pop and perhaps something else as well by the time the set is over.  And I'll repeat what I've said before, this year's L'il Mo and the Monicats album, On the Moon, is one of the year's best.

L'il Mo and the Monicats - Spike Hill 184/186 Bedford Avenue (L Train to Bedford Avenue) Sunday 9pm

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: The Connecticut Muffin Gig

There aren't all that many warm days left.  But it was sunny and in the low to mid 60s on Tuesday afternoon.  That's when I can upon Park Slope resident Dan Pearce with his new Dobro (a wooden guitar with a metal resonator in the front over which the strings pass).  Dan jokingly called this stint on First Street his "Connecticut Muffin gig."

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Going to The Poetry Punch on Thursday?  There's still some great music to be had afterward as The Winterpills will be back in New York at The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 11pm.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music Video: Roseanne Cash - I'm Movin' On

Back in 1973, Johnny Cash gave his daughter Rosanne a list of 100 great American songs, songs that he thought she should know.  Rosanne picked 12 songs from that list to record on her new album of covers, named, naturally enough, The List.  I think that this is a great version of the Hank Snow song.

 --Eliot Wagner

The Ache of Possibility: New CD From Capathia Jenkins and Louis Rosen

It's been almost a year since Louis Rosen and Capathia Jenkins performed in  New York City but they  haven't been idle. They recorded a new album called ACHE of POSSIBILITY (Di-Tone), and they have number of performances lined up here in town for this November.

 

First, the new album:

Here's what Louis Rosen had to say in an email:

ACHE of POSSIBILITY features twelve new songs—eight that I wrote music and lyrics for, and four with words by our favorite collaborator, the renowned poet Nikki Giovanni. These are songs of love and politics and choices. All were written between June 2008 and January 2009, and Capathia and I hope the album captures something of the mood and spirit of this moment—the ACHE of POSSIBILITY.

 

Available for Pre-Release purchase and downloads at http://cdbaby.com/cd/jenkinsrosen2,

www.amazon.com, or www.capathiajenkins.com/CJLRosen.html.

 

Digital Distribution at itunes.com, rhapsody.com, amazonmp3.com and all other major online sites begins November 1st.

 

All other major music outlets including barnesandnoble.com and borders.com, November  10th, the official release date.)

 

Now, the concerts:

We're launching the ACHE of POSSIBILITY by bringing our largest band yet—an octet featuring some of the best musicians in New York—into JOE'S  PUB at THE PUBLIC THEATER for four concerts:

 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 7 pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 7 pm

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 7 pm

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 7 pm

OTBKB Music: Tonight's The Night

As I said previously, tonight there are three very good shows all in different parts of town and all at about the same time, which means you only get to choose one.  But when you have three good choices, whatever choice you make will be a good one.

Or, The Whale:  I first saw this seven member San Francisco based group in Austin about six months ago.  They have a wonderful new album out with the easy to remember title of Or, The Whale.  Call their sound high energy alt country and rock with great harmonies.

Or, The Whale, Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street (F Train to Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit, walk three blocks to Ludlow and Stanton), 10 pm, $10

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: A large band (nine pieces) with a horn section and they've been packing them into The Rockwood Music Hall all summer.  SS&TDB play blues, soul and whatever else comes their way with energy.

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, The Canal Room, 285 West Broadway at Canal Street (A or C Train to Canal Street), 9pm, $10

Winterpills: This Northampton-based band plays ambient rock often called chamber pop, probably the reason their last album was called Central Chambers.  But the Winterpills rock out as well, especially on their song Broken Arm.  But since this show is being held at The Calhoun School, expect to hear the PG rated version of that song.

Winterpills, Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center, 433 West End Avenue at 81st Street (1 Train to 79th Street), 8pm, $10

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Friday's Dilemma

It's time to start thinking about Friday.  There are three very good shows all in different parts of town and all at about the same time, which means you only get to choose one.  But when you have three good choices, whatever choice you make will be a good one.

Or, The Whale:  I first saw this seven member San Francisco based group in Austin about six months ago.  They have a wonderful new album out with the easy to remember title of Or, The Whale.  Call their sound high energy alt country and rock with great harmonies.

Or, The Whale, Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street (F Train to Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit, walk three blocks to Ludlow and Stanton), 10 pm, $10

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: A large band (nine pieces) with a horn section and they've been packing them into The Rockwood Music Hall all summer.  SS&TDB play blues, soul and whatever else comes their way with energy.

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, The Canal Room, 285 West Broadway at Canal Street (A or C Train to Canal Street), 9pm, $10

Winterpills: This Northampton-based band plays ambient rock often called chamber pop, probably the reason their last album was called Central Chambers.  But the Winterpills rock out as well, especially on their song Broken Arm.  But since this show is being held at The Calhoun School, expect to hear the PG rated version of that song.

Winterpills, Mary Lea Johnson Performing Arts Center, 433 West End Avenue at 81st Street (1 Train to 79th Street), 8pm, $10

 --Eliot Wagner

ACME To Play Music from 2009, 1972, 1969 & 1740 at Galapagos

ACME presents music by Andrew Hamilton, Frederic Rzewski, Louis Andriessen ... and J.S. Bach*
(yeah, that's right, Bach)

Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 8pm
Galapagos Art Space | 16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY

The music selected for this concert is unusual because the performers get to choose the number and type of instruments, instead of the composer. ACME's selection features a terrific group of players -- violinist Ben Russell, violist Nadia Sirota, cellists Brian Snow and Clarice Jensen, percussionists Chris Thompson and John Ostrowski, and pianist Eric Huebner.

The concert includes Andrew Hamilton's Product No. 1 (premiered in New York as part of the 2009 MATA Festival, it calls for players to sing a Rastafari hymn while playing - selections online here: www.myspace.com/andyfrankhamilton), Frederic Rzewski's Les Moutons de Panurge of 1969 (written for any number of musicians playing melody instruments, and any number of non-musicians playing anything) and Louis Andriessen's Workers Union from 1972 (written for an unspecified number and type of instruments, with the instruction from the composer, "only in the case that every player plays with such an intention that his part is an essential one, the work will succeed").

ACME will intersperse selections from J.S. Bach's timeless The Art of the Fugue throughout the concert . . . an innovation from way back in the 1740s that still astounds.

Tickets are $15 at 718-222-8500 or www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html#100809. 

OTBKB Music: The Author, The Musician and The Park Slope Stoop Library

George Pelecanos is a writer, who among other things (including writing the HBO series The Wire), has written a series of mystery novels set in the Washington DC area.  In those books, people are frequently discussing music.  One of those music discussions revolved around the 1984 album Medicine Show by The Dream Syndicate.

Steve Wynn is a musician who from 1982-1989 was the leader of The Dream Syndicate (since 2000, he has led Steve Wynn and The Miracle 3 and is also a member of The Baseball Project).  Steve started hearing from his friends that Medicine Show played a role in one of George's books.  So Steve got in touch with George, and they hit it off.

They first collaborated on a song, Cindy, It Was Always You, which appeared on the album ...tick...tick...tick in early 2006.  Later that year, when George's book, The Night Gardner, was published, George, Steve and The Miracle 3 all came out to Magnetic Field, a bar/club no longer in existence on Atlantic Avenue near Long Island College Hospital.  This video is from that reading/performance.

Although I am not usually a reader of novels, what I heard of "The Night Gardner" piqued my interest.  But I did not get around to getting hold of it and as time passed I forgot about it. 

Until last week, that is.  As I was walking down my block I passed one of the many branches of the Park Slope Stoop Library, which had on display "The Night Gardner."  I took the book home and finished it in a few days.  It was quite good, as I thought it would be from the reading/performance.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Sunday's Atlantic Antic Music Schedule

The 35th annual Atlantic Antic is coming this Sunday.  As usual, in addition to the crafts, foods and local wares there will be music.  I've put together the locations, times and bands for you.  Although most of this information is from the offical Atlantic Antic website, where I've been able to learn a more exact time for a band, I've noted that as well.

Chip Shop, 128 Atlantic Avenue (between Henry Street and Clinton Street)
On and off all day starting at 12:00pm  The Windsor Terrors

Last Exit, 136 Atlantic Avenue (between Henry Street and Clinton Street)
12:00pm - 1:00pm  DJ Momotaro
1:00pm - 2:00pm    Bill Carney's Jug Addicts
2:00pm - 3:30pm    DJ Morotaro and his dancing girls
3:30pm - 6:00pm    Les Sans Culottes (probably will play sets at 3:30 and 5pm)
6:00pm - ?             DJ Mr. Lee

Waterfront Ale House, 155 Atlantic Avenue (between Henry Street and Clinton Street)
From 1:00pm - 6:00pm
Popa Chubby (probably will appear at 2pm)
Big Ed Sullivan
Dimitri
Black Coffee Blues Band

Brazen Head,  228 Atlantic Avenue (between Court Street and Boerum Place)
1:30pm - 4:30pm    The Dysfunctional Family Jazz Band

Downtown Atlantic, 364 Atlantic Avenue (between Bond Street and Hoyt Street)
2:00pm - 4:00pm    Joe Vicino & The Smoke Daddys
4:30pm - 6:00pm    Carl Thompson & Friends

Hank's, 46 3rd Avenue (between Nevins Street and 3rd Avenue)
On and off all day starting at 1:00pm
The Demolition String Band (will play a set at 2pm)
Tash Brothers Band

I can hardily heartily recommend The Demolition String Band (and actually have done so before here).  Although the name sounds old timey, the DSB can not only play country, they can rock out as well.  If you are in the vicinity of Hank's, you'll do yourself a favor if you catch them.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: First Acoustics in The Heights

There's an interesting series of shows show this fall and winter over in Brooklyn Heights. The First Unitarian Church, located at the corner of Pierrepont Street and Monroe Place (across from the courthouse and up the block from St. Anne's school) is hosting a series of shows titled First Acoustics.  The series includes both folk, folk-rock and jazz performers.  The next show features Kate Taylor and  is this coming Friday October 3rd.  Other performers of note appearing in the future include Patty Larkin, Christine Lavin, The Kennedys, Tom Rush and Livingston Taylor.  Check the schedule for the full line up.

First Acoustics, The First Unitarian Church, Pierrepont Street and Monroe Place (2, 3 or 4 Trains to Borough Hall; R Train to Court Street), $30 ($5 surcharge for tickets bought at the door).

 --Eliot Wagner

Angels & Accordians at Green-wood Cemetery: Mark Your Calendars

On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 at 12 Noon & 3:30 p.m:

Angels & Accordions, a site-specific, live music and dance performance will, held in conjunction with openhousenewyork, guides audience members through historic Green-Wood Cemetery’s rolling hills, highlighting its unparalleled collection of sculpture and monuments.

This unique event, choreographed by Martha Bowers of Dance Theatre Etcetera, features a cast of 30 dancers, original music by Guy Klucevsek and Bob Goldberg (played live by a band of accordionists), singing, and a visual installation inside the Catacombs designed by photographer Alexander Heilner. Several tombs will be open to the public.

More info here.

OTBKB Music: Saturday at The Bell House: Eight Bands, Free Food, Five Bucks

Bloodshot Records in Chicago is an indie label with an always interesting roster.  Saturday Bloodshot celebrates its 15th Anniversary at The Bell House with the following line up: Bobby Bare Jr, Exene Cervenka, Dex Romweber Duo, Cordero, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, The Silos, Ben Weaver and Rosie Flores.  The admission is just $5.  There's free food provided by Redhook's The Good Fork to the first 150 people admitted.  The party gets started at 4pm and the music begins at 5.

Bloodshot Records Quinceanera, The Bell House, 7th Street near 2nd Avenue. 4pm (doors/food), 5pm (music)

 --Eliot Wagner

Harry and the Potters on the Steps of the Brooklyn Public Library

On Saturday there will be an outdoor concert on the steps of the Brooklyn Public Library featuring Harry and the Potters. Here's the blurb from the BPL:

Imagine if Harry Potter quit the quidditch team and started a punk rock
band. Take that one step further and imagine that he stole a time-turner and
decided to start that band with himself from a different point in time.
Imagine that he needs you to rock out with him in order to save Ginny
Weasley. In case of rain, this event will take place on September 27. This
concert will last approximately 90 minutes.

Saturday, September 26, 3:30PM
Central Library<http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/branch_library_detail.jsp?branchpageid=265>

OTBKB Music: National Parks vs. Baseball

Tonight presents you with a tough choice to make: the National Parks vs. Baseball.

The National Parks: See highlights from Ken Burns's upcoming PBS series The National Parks: America's Best Idea and performances by Counting Crows, Augustana, Eric Benet, Gavin DeGraw, Jose Feliciano, Carole King, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Peter Yarrow. This event is being held in Central Park's East Meadow and is free.

Baseball:  The Baseball Project, The Minus 5 and The Steve Wynn IV play tonight at The Bowery Ballroom.  Although this looks like three different bands, all three bands have the same members on this tour: Steve Wynn, Linda Pitmon, Scott McCaughey and Peter Buck.  In fact there will not be three separate acts, but one show in which this band plays songs from each of the bands plus a lot of covers thrown in.

As for the baseball songs, expect ones about Harvey Haddix (who 50 years ago pitched 12 perfect innings only to give up a hit and lose the game in the 13th), Curt Flood, Jack McDowell, Big Ed Delahanty and Pete Rose.

National Parks: Central Park's East Meadow, 97th to 100th Sts. near Fifth Avenue (6 Train to 96th Street, walk 3 blocks west to park) 7pm, free

The Baseball Project/The Minus 5/The Steve Wynn IV, Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey Street (F Train to Delancey Street, walk west about 6 1/2 blocks just past Chrystie Street) 8pm doors, $17.

  --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music Video: Loneliest Generation - Pete and J

I finally got to see Pete and J last night after meaning to get around to them for a while.  They have a great pop-rock sound as you can see in this clip.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Music for a Good Cause on Sunday

I got an email from Park Slope's own Milton, the leader of the great Americana/roots band that bears his name, about a very worthwhile benefit that's happening this Sunday:

"Sunday's show at the Living Room is very close to my heart.  Our friend Adam Levy has invited us to play a 40 minute set at 8:30pm.  He'll be getting up to do a number with us too in addition to his own set.  Adam's wife Mia died of Ocular Melanoma just a few months ago.  The show will be a fundraiser for the Ocular Melanoma Foundation and a tribute to Mia.  Mia was a good friend of many of the other performers in the show.  As a close personal friend of Mia myself and the son of an ocular cancer survivor, this cause is very important to me.  Come on down to the Living Room if you're free.  The whole band will be there."

Even if you're not familiar with Adam, chances are that you've heard him.  He was the guitar player in Norah Jones' Handsome Band, Norah's band until it was dissolved this year.  Also on the bill in addition to Milton and Adam are Pete and J, Bill Sim, Jr. and Nels Andrews.  The donation for this fine show is $10.

The Mia Abides: Fundraiser for Ocular Melanoma, The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue Exit and walk one block south and two blocks east), 7pm, $10.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Heard Here and There

Heard here and there: both Amy Speace (who lives in Jersey City) and Kelly Jones (currently an East Village resident) are leaving the area and moving to Nashville.  I hope this is not the start of a musicians fleeing the area trend.

On the other hand, Norah Jones, who recently returned to Brooklyn, is now having work done to make her new home greener. Norah also has a new publicity shot, which I'm betting was shot in Brooklyn.  That's it on the left; what do you think?

Or, The Whale was a band I really enjoyed when I saw them at South By Southwest earlier this year.  They're a large (seven piece) band based in San Francisco and I didn't expect them to travel to these parts.  But they will be playing here in a a few weeks supporting their new album which is eponymously titled Or, The Whale.  First at Pianos on the Lower East Side on October 9th and then on October 10th at Shea Stadium over in Bushwick.

Finally, there are some albums which have the chance of being at least interesting or perhaps very good coming out over the next two months or so.  They include the previously mentioned Or, The Whale; Burn by Sasha Dobson (an EP);  iLet Freedom Ring (that's not a typo) by Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express; and The Fall, the guitar based collection from Norah Jones.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music Video: People Who Died - Jim Carroll Band

The New York Times reported on Sunday that Jim Carroll, a  writer, poet and singer died.  He was 60 according to The Times and 59 according to Wikipedia.  On the writing end of things, Jim is probably best remembered for the memoir of his teenage years, The Basketball Diaries, which was turned into a movie of the same name in the mid-90s.  One interesting fact about Jim: for a while in the early 70s, he was a roommate of Patti Smith and Robert Maplethorp.

On the music side, Jim will be remembered for the song People Who Died.  Here is a live performance by the Jim Carroll Band of that gritty, harrowing song.

--Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: A Weekend in the Country

If you like country/bluegrass/rockabilly this is a weekend for you to stick close to home.  Tonight James Reams & The Barnstormers, a Brooklyn-based bluegrass band, kicks off the 12th Annual Park Slope Bluegrass & Old-Time Jamboree over at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture.  The Jamboree continues tomorrow with workshops, jamming, clogging and concerts, with food available during the afternoon from Dizzy's.

Then on Sunday, OTBKB Music fave Li'l Mo and The Monicats will be opening up a triple bill of country at Williamsburg's Union Pool.  Also on the show will be Brooklyn's The Dixons and Ruby Dee and The Snakehandlers from Austin.

12th Annual Park Slope Bluegrass & Old-Time Jamboree, September 11-12, The Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, 53 Prospect Park West at 2nd Street; Friday 8pm, adults $10, kids $6; Saturday 12:30 - 10:30 pm, $4

Li'l Mo and The Monicats, The Dixons and Ruby Dee and The Snakehandlers, Union Pool, 484 Union Avenue (G Train to Metropolitan Avenue; exit at Union Avenue and walk on Union Avenue toward the BQE), 9pm, $10

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Leaps of Faith

Tonight I'll be checking out two artists I've never seen but who come to me recommended by friends whose opinions are always worth considering.  Since both artists are playing one after the other at The Rockwood Music Hall tonight, it's an easy path to discovery.

Art from Connecticut emailed me the other day saying that he was going to be in NYC today to catch David Mead at The Rockwood.  Art described David as being a kind of pop balladeer with overtones of Harry Nielson.  He added that Bill DeMain was going to be playing with David.

If Art's recommendation wasn't enough, the Bill DeMain connection certainly put this show on my radar.  Bill is one half of the duo Swan Dive.  Even more, he co-wrote Keep It to Yourself, with Amy Rigby, a song that manages to combine wheedling, attempted murder, a plausible alibi and the bossa nova into one hilarious package.  So between Art and Bill, I have two reasons to catch David's 8pm show tonight.

Last July Pierre of  The Gigometer mentioned Charlie Faye to me.  Charlie is an Austin-based musician who appears in NYC from time to time usually backed up by the same musicians who used to back up Amy Speace.  I tried to see Charlie when she was last here in July, but the outdoor show she was to appear at was canceled because of the summer's ever present rain.

A listen to some of the tracks on Charlie's Myspace confirms her reputation for playing rock, blues and Americana.  I'm looking forward to finally seeing Charlie in the 9pm slot tonight.

David Mead (8pm), Charlie Faye (9pm), The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street,
(F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit, cross Allen Street and walk a half block south), no cover.

 --Eliot Wagner

Saturday Night: Loom at Sycamore

The band with the great pedal steel guitar player will be playing at Sycamore in Ditmas Park on Saturday night. I just got this email from John, who is one of the band members.

Just wanted to let you know that we're very excited to be playing at Sycamore (http://sycamorebrooklyn.com/2009/04/12/the-loom-w-sydney-price-saturday-september-12th-doors-830pm/ ) this Saturday night (9/12).

 

Also playing will be our very own Sydney Price (http://www.myspace.com/sydneyprice) as well as Norwegian singer Hanne Hukkelberg (http://www.myspace.com/hannehukkelberg) so it promises to be a very special night.

 

Doors are at 8, Sydney plays at 830, we'll play at 10 and if you are able to post anything about the show or would be interested in coming that would be awesome!

OTBKB Music Video: La Di Da - Sydney Wayser

OK, this video is at best underexposed.  But still, it will give you a chance to hear the expressive voice of Sydney Wayser.  If you like it, you can always go down to The Rockwood Music Hall at 7 pm tonight and see Sydney and her band.  Not a bad way to end the long Labor Day Weekend.

Sydney Wayser, Rockwood Music Hall,196 Allen Street (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit, cross Allen Street and walk a half block south), 7pm.

 --Eliot Wagner

Summertime and the Music is Easy: What I've Been Listening To

I listened to my iTunes a lot this summer and I wanted to share my favorite music this summer...

1. My number one favorite new musical discovery and listen this summer was: The Adrian Hibbs Project

Gosh I love this guy's music. I "discovered" him on Block Island where this summer he played at the Spring House bar on Friday nights. . But he used to live in Brooklyn and was a regular at the now defunct Black Betty in Williamsburg. In the winter he lives in New Orleans where he performs regularly. The Adrian Hibbs project only has a four song EP (available at CD Baby) But I love it. Especially the song: "Compromise."

2. My number two favorite listen this summer was:

Schumann: The Songs of Robert Schumann, Vol. 07 – Dorothea Röschmann & Ian Bostridge





The Myrthen songs by Robert Schumann are so beautiful they make your heart ache. This was a CD I got from my dad.

3. My number three favorite listen this summer was:

Tracy Chapman: Where You Live

Beautiful singing and pared down arrangements on a group of poetic and powerful songs.

4. My number four favorite listen this summer was:

Gustavo Santaolalla's Ronroco

This 53-year-old Argentinean composer has written soundtracks for "Brokeback Mountain," "Che," and "The Motorcycle Diaries." His music is a fusion of traditional Latin and ambient music.

5. My number five favorite listen this summer was:

The Rolling Stones Let It Bleed

What can I say. It's a chillingly awesome record. 

Special Mention: One of my favorite songs was "Don't Forget Me" sung by Neko Case on her new album Middle Cyclone (another favorite album of the summer. The song is by Harry Nillsson.

OTBKB Music Video: Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds

Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds is the name of the band and I'll be talking about them in more detail in the next week or two.  In the meantime, this video showcases their song Freight Train.  But because it's a making of the song type of video, Freight Train doesn't actually come in until 1:07 into it.  Stick with it though, it's worth it.

--Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Free John Fogerty at The Seaport, 7pm Tonight

John Fogerty, who usually plays arenas for big bucks will be playing Pier 17 at The South Street Seaport for free tonight at 7pm.

As you probably know, John was the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival back then, and has also written one of the best ever songs about baseball, Centerfield.  He has a new country tinged album released yesterday, with the grammatically incorrect title of The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again.  I've had a chance to listen to that album and it's flat out a lot of fun.

That album consists mostly of covers, with only one Forgerty song.  Among the songs are Rick Nelson's Garden Party (with Don Hendley and Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles) and When Will I Be Loved with Bruce Springsteen singing backup.

While I doubt Bruce will show (although you never know with him), plenty of other of your fellow New Yorkers will probably crowd onto Pier 17, so if you are planning to go see John, get there early.

John Fogerty, Pier 17 at The South Street Seaport, A or C Trains to Broadway-Nassau or 2 or 3 Trains to Fulton Street (exit at Fulton Street and walk east to Pier 17), 7pm, free.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: John Forgerty at The Seaport for Free

I'm giving you a few days notice on this.  John Fogerty, who usually plays arenas for big bucks will be playing Pier 17 at The South Street Seaport for free this coming Wednesday, September 2, at 7pm.

As you probably know, John was the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival back then, and has also written one of the best ever songs about baseball, Centerfield.  He has a new country tinged album due out tomorrow, with the grammatically incorrect title of The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again.  I've had a chance to listen to that album and it's flat out a lot of fun.

That album consists mostly of covers, with only one Forgerty song.  Among the songs are Rick Nelson's Garden Party (with Don Hendley and Timothy B. Schmidt of the Eagles) and When Will I Be Loved with Bruce Springsteen singing backup.

While I doubt Bruce will show (although you never know with him), plenty of other of your fellow New Yorkers will probably crowd onto Pier 17, so if you are planning to go see John, get there early.

John Fogerty, Pier 17 at The South Street Seaport, A or C Trains to Broadway-Nassau or 2 or 3 Trains to Fulton Street (exit at Fulton Street and walk east to Pier 17), 7pm, free.

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Saturday Night at The Rockwood Music Hall

A good place to hide out from the rain on Saturday would be The Rockwood Music Hall over on the Lower East Side.  It has a pretty good line up from 9 pm to 2 am.

9pm: Sasha Dobson: An OTBKB Music favorite, Sasha will be playing will a full band.  No doubt she will be playing songs from her upcoming EP, now scheduled for release in October. Mostly mid tempo rock with inventive, jazz-inspired vocals and some tasty guitar work.

10 pm: Fionn O Lochlainn: Fionn is a mostly acoustic singer songwriter with wonderful vocals.

11pm: Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: A blues based rock band.  Pierre over at The Gigometer recommends their live show highly (I've heard them but not yet seen them).

Midnight to 2am: Brooklyn Bugaloo Blowout: A band with a floating memebership.  Tonight's edition includes Leah Siegel, Chris Cheek, Bill Sims Jr., Andrew Sherman, Tony Mason and Tim Luntzel.  Their songs include I Got Loaded and The Fkin'g Knicks.  As their Myspace says, "it should be a party."

The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen St. (F Train to Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit, cross Allen St. and walk 1/2 block south).

 --Eliot Wagner

OTBKB Music: Norah Jones Moves Over to Guitar

As Yogi Berra once said, "you can observe a lot just by watching."  Over the past year, I saw a couple of Norah Jones (a Brooklyn resident once again) gigs with a mostly country covers band with Norah playing lead guitar.  What I've noticed over that time is how much Norah has progressed in her guitar playing.  And what kept running through my mind was "I'll bet that Norah's next album has her playing guitar and not piano."  Idle speculation, sure, but that's what I kept thinking.

Well, it's no longer idle speculation.  A recent press release confirms it: "Another noticeable change on Jones’ upcoming album is that she plays mostly guitar. 'I actually write more on guitar than I do on piano,' she says. 'It just felt more natural for me to play it on these songs.'   And, of course, Norah's new publicity photo (seen here on the left) has her holding a guitar, though not her usual candy apple red Fender Mustang.

Also interesting are Nora colaborators on this project: writers Jesse Harris (who wrote five of the songs on Come Away With Me), Ryan Adams and Okkervil River's Will Sheff, as well as producer Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits and Modest Mouse), and musicians Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.), James Gadson (Bill Withers), James Poyser (Erykah Badu, Al Green), Brooklyn's own Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello) and Smokey Hormel (Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer).

The album is scheduled to drop in about two months.  We'll see what Norah has up her sleeve then.

 --Eliot Wagner