Isaac Gillespie filled in as host for Ben K. last night. After showing some nerves during a bit of a wobbly monologue, Isaac did great, nicely handling the introductions and transitions with the proper amount of humor, banter, and forward motion.
The first act after Isaac was Bird to Prey--a gal who sang some captivating, gentle songs. From a quick Google search it looks as if Bird to Prey is Sarah Turk, originally hailing from Freemantle, Australia. One of her songs was a nice one called Peppertree Road. Check her out on MySpace.
Larkin Grimm is another performer I'd describe as captivating. Isaac noticed she was playing a 12-string electric guitar. Larkin has an unusual style that impresses me every time I see her play.
Next up --Giant Chink --Yes, Master Lee and Touching You are back with another band name. This one was focused as a Heavy Metal group. Master Lee was wearing a dramatic looking red fur and belting out a lot of "songs." He ended his set by saying "we don't rehearse."
Woodford Green - a guy/gal duo from England was next. Some nice tunes with her on accordion and he playing trumpet, guitar and ukulele.
Talia was back. Talia said "I'm Talia, I'm 12 years old, and I'm a musician." Talia's first song was "Never Been Kissed." Then she sng a song that she said she wrote " When I WAS in love." The song was Tornadoes. Gosh--the 12 year olds seem to have a lot of perspective on love these days.....maybe it was always like that and I just don't remember.
Eric -- nice stuff on piano - a good vibe
Yea for The Fools. I love The Fools.
Taylor Wagner had problem tuning her guitar, even with an electric tuner--She talked about how much it sucked being a waitress and then sang a song about it. She kind of belted her songs--at least at moments-- I'm sure we'll hear more from her.
Ben Pagano plays some nice bluesy piano. He did the sort of bluesy standard Hot Tamales and Red Hot.
I walked in to hear the conclusion of a song performed by Faye. Very cool thing where she was playing a kind of repeated chord riff while doing some very cool sort of wild vocals over it. Then she sang an a cappella song. Faye definitely has some interesting ideas going on. Hope to see her again too.
The Essentials -a duo of two guys on acoustic guitars.
As usual I wish I could have stayed around longer. Anyone else want to comment on the rest of the evening?
See you next time.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Problem
Too much good stuff going on, not enough time.
Here's a link to a very brief synopsis from the OJ Board by Steve Espinola of the Webster Hall show last Wednesday with Steve and with Mr. Patrick, Emily Hope Price, Diane Cluck, and Soft Black. Read through the links for comments by Jeff Lewis and others: click here
Sounds like it was a great show.
Lach has lots of cool stuff coming up at Webster Hall. I'm particularly intrigued by the chance to hear Hammell on Trial on May 19, an act I've heard a lot about but have never had the chance to see perform.
Lach Presents
OK-time to readjust the calendar - thanks Lach for making more late nights out inevitable.
Here's a link to a very brief synopsis from the OJ Board by Steve Espinola of the Webster Hall show last Wednesday with Steve and with Mr. Patrick, Emily Hope Price, Diane Cluck, and Soft Black. Read through the links for comments by Jeff Lewis and others: click here
Sounds like it was a great show.
Lach has lots of cool stuff coming up at Webster Hall. I'm particularly intrigued by the chance to hear Hammell on Trial on May 19, an act I've heard a lot about but have never had the chance to see perform.
Lach Presents
OK-time to readjust the calendar - thanks Lach for making more late nights out inevitable.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Bushwick Book Club, April 6, 2010
Susan Hwang has done a great job with the Bushwick Book Club cd. I got it last night and have already listened to a lot of it although with 58 songs, I have a way to go. What stands out is the very high quality of the songwriting. Some of this has to do with Susan's good judgment in the songs she chose to include. But it also is credit to the Book Club itself, which inspires such interesting creations. It's great to have this document of the Book Club's first year and also the snapshot of our broader scene that it represents. Tom Bayne's cover -- a class picture in caricature -- in visual form also captures the many characters who have contributed.
Last night's show marked the cd release and also a regular Book Club night focusing on Dolly Parton's autobiography. Susan kicked things off, Maria and Franz played remotely via Skype, a woman who's name I don't know was dressed as Dolly (sort of, I think) and did a fun yodelling number with audience foot stomping, The Hooters, three chicks (one on banjo, one on guitar and all on vocals), did a fun country-flavored number about how they've slept with everyone but so and so...you kind of had to hear it but it had a spoon playing and whistle blowing break down section. Some of the playing was a little wobbly but to me that was the hit of the night. It was a bit of a novelty number that you could kind of imagine at the Grand Ole Opry.
Angela Carlucci told a story about how Dolly's mother would cheer up her kids by asking them to go outside and find stones and the kid who needed the most cheering up had his or her stone put in the soup...Major Matt played in a blonde Dolly wig, Joe Crow did a number at the piano....
It was a fine and fun night....
The Tuesday Tea Cup followed and Preston played one of my favorite songs of his, Gardenias. The song is about senility, basically, but it had people dancing in the aisles, literally. Mark Palermo also played a Hendrix tune. Good going Mark.
Last night's show marked the cd release and also a regular Book Club night focusing on Dolly Parton's autobiography. Susan kicked things off, Maria and Franz played remotely via Skype, a woman who's name I don't know was dressed as Dolly (sort of, I think) and did a fun yodelling number with audience foot stomping, The Hooters, three chicks (one on banjo, one on guitar and all on vocals), did a fun country-flavored number about how they've slept with everyone but so and so...you kind of had to hear it but it had a spoon playing and whistle blowing break down section. Some of the playing was a little wobbly but to me that was the hit of the night. It was a bit of a novelty number that you could kind of imagine at the Grand Ole Opry.
Angela Carlucci told a story about how Dolly's mother would cheer up her kids by asking them to go outside and find stones and the kid who needed the most cheering up had his or her stone put in the soup...Major Matt played in a blonde Dolly wig, Joe Crow did a number at the piano....
It was a fine and fun night....
The Tuesday Tea Cup followed and Preston played one of my favorite songs of his, Gardenias. The song is about senility, basically, but it had people dancing in the aisles, literally. Mark Palermo also played a Hendrix tune. Good going Mark.
Monday Night Open Mic, April 5, 2010
Hello--I was just around a short while on Monday, but here's what I remember or at least wrote down....
Mr. Patrick told a story while playing a big chinese instrument.
Jon Berger read poems from his iPhone
Brian Vergara did a number a capella with foot stomping - it involved a chorus that went "are you hurt, are you sad....."
Olivia Gerber played two songs. She is definitely worth checking out...
I couldn't catch if it was Red Zepperin or Red Zeppelin, but the band formerly known as Chink Floyd, comprising Master Lee, Touching You, Ariel Bitran and Matt Winkler, played next. Master Lee was hilarious and did this running gag where he kept yelling a sort of Kung Fu yell into the microphone. [I've been corrected-see comment below] He also made jokes about activities he'd like to pursue with 14 year-old girls, only to be followed on stage by:
Talia (?) a 14 year-old girl who was as 14 years old as a 14 year old could be. Except she might have been 13. She sang a couple songs about love...keep doing it Talia. Life is better with songs.
Larkin Grimm played--performing with a small harp. She was joined by Cindy who accompanied with lovely ideas on bass and also sang with Larkin.. They were excellent. Unusual and beautiful stuff. The first song was "Mina Minou...your body is gone, almost gone." Check out another version of it here: Mina Minou
Let's take a second to mention all the bad harp jokes that ensued...
I didn't catch the name of the second song but it was a lovely, gentle tune.
Brook Pridemore broke out a cover of Dancing Queen. Ben K. put on the disco lights and then rushed up on stage to add the piano part. The two Dancing Queens, Jon Berger and Joe Crow Ryan shook their respective bodies in the middle of the room. It was all kind of silly but also was one of those amazing Sidewalk moments where you are swept up into an impossible and joyful few minutes of pure fun.
Mr. Patrick told a story while playing a big chinese instrument.
Jon Berger read poems from his iPhone
Brian Vergara did a number a capella with foot stomping - it involved a chorus that went "are you hurt, are you sad....."
Olivia Gerber played two songs. She is definitely worth checking out...
I couldn't catch if it was Red Zepperin or Red Zeppelin, but the band formerly known as Chink Floyd, comprising Master Lee, Touching You, Ariel Bitran and Matt Winkler, played next. Master Lee was hilarious and did this running gag where he kept yelling a sort of Kung Fu yell into the microphone. [I've been corrected-see comment below] He also made jokes about activities he'd like to pursue with 14 year-old girls, only to be followed on stage by:
Talia (?) a 14 year-old girl who was as 14 years old as a 14 year old could be. Except she might have been 13. She sang a couple songs about love...keep doing it Talia. Life is better with songs.
Larkin Grimm played--performing with a small harp. She was joined by Cindy who accompanied with lovely ideas on bass and also sang with Larkin.. They were excellent. Unusual and beautiful stuff. The first song was "Mina Minou...your body is gone, almost gone." Check out another version of it here: Mina Minou
Let's take a second to mention all the bad harp jokes that ensued...
I didn't catch the name of the second song but it was a lovely, gentle tune.
Brook Pridemore broke out a cover of Dancing Queen. Ben K. put on the disco lights and then rushed up on stage to add the piano part. The two Dancing Queens, Jon Berger and Joe Crow Ryan shook their respective bodies in the middle of the room. It was all kind of silly but also was one of those amazing Sidewalk moments where you are swept up into an impossible and joyful few minutes of pure fun.
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