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Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on September 15th, 2010
I don't want to portray the Spampinato Brothers as seedling offspring of NRBQ, but I'd be remiss to not mention their primary root. If you don't know of NRBQ, I don't know what to tell ya. Everybody you like likes it, from Keith Richards to Penn & Teller. Maybe you'll
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on June 22nd, 2010
Who the hell decides to launch a new album by throwing a party at the Barrel of Dolls? And featuring a pig roasting on a spit? Only the twisted Tommy Brunett, paragon of the fountain hairdo. Brunett's new album, "Hell Or High Water," is a namedropper's dream, with musicians from
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on February 10th, 2010
Yeah, it's been damn cold out, and the idea of romping around in the big icebox called the East End and workin' your ladies for beads doesn't sound all that appealing. So it's a good thing that the East End Mardi Gras takes place inside - six insides, to be
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on February 3rd, 2010
When most of us think of the tragedy in Haiti, what we're really thinking about are the images from the island's major city, Port-au-Prince. HOPE is a Rochester-based not-for-profit agency with a focus on assisting poverty-stricken Borgne in northern Haiti. Contributing to a charity that isn't directly connected to ground
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on January 27th, 2010
Formed in 1900, the Band of the Irish Guards - the Queen's own - finally makes it across the pond to play for the colonists, and Rochester is one of its first stops. The large outfit of 49 musicians forms a variety of musical troupes, including marching, concert, salon, and
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on January 6th, 2010
Just when you've decided Sayers is a folky songwriter, some rapid-fire lyrics smack you, the guitar twangs country, then blues, and you decide to give up all preconceived notions. This guy is all over the place. And what a great place, blending blues, rock, and country into a unique gestalt.
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on December 23rd, 2009
Christmas Eves are do-able. The lights are twinkling, eggnog is flowing, Christmas muzak is actually appropriate, and there's still the possibility - however slim - that what you asked for will be under the tree come morning. Then there is Christmas Day. Another year without any toys. At exactly what
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on December 2nd, 2009
Tim Blane took a detour around the Coke vs. Pepsi Pop War, deftly navigating himself into the bubbly spot between both sides. Selected for a Coke promotion through its rewards program, he also writes ringtones for Pepsi. And if that's not enough, he was hand-picked by Steve Jobs to be
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on November 11th, 2009
I wonder if "for a good time call The Hot Seats" is written on every bathroom wall in Richmond, Virginia. It should be, and perhaps we can carry on the tradition up here. A highly entertaining band, with songs about sleepover parties of giggling girls, The Hot Seats is just
Choice Concerts
Dale Evans on November 4th, 2009
At some point, most of us want to run off and join the circus. Not Roy Book Binder. After a few $5 guitar lessons he ran off with his teacher, the Reverend Gary Davis, on a gig to Chicago, and beyond. That's just the kind of story you'll hear when
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Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 20th, 2010
The final night of the Jazz Fest the crowd was somewhat light. I was surprised, it being so nice out and a Saturday night. It did pick up a bit later but not by much.
My first stop was at the Jazz Street Stage to see The Lawnmowers. The band is
Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 19th, 2010
Self-described "obsessive-compulsive" record collector Tom Kohn introduced the duo Susanna & the Magical Orchestra at the Lutheran Church Friday night. I tried to like it. I really did. Susanna Karolina Wallumroed had a Bjork and Tori Amos type of voice. For the first song I couldn't see keyboardist Morten Qvenild,
Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 18th, 2010
It was the smallest crowd I've seen this year at Harro, but it wasn't anywhere close to empty Thursday night at the Pablo Menendez and Mezcla show. There were still prime seats to be had, including in the first and second rows and some throughout. Garth Fagan et al was
Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 17th, 2010
Das Contras is an anomaly. There is not much written up about the band. The photos show four members while there are clearly six. And it's described as a "pop, soul, funk, and Latin band" although the members are from Scotland. I really didn't know what to expect, but I
Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 14th, 2010
It's very strange when an artist is introduced -- whose name is the same as the band -- and she doesn't come out on stage. After a bit of piano into, Viktoria Tolstoy sidled on to the stage at the Lutheran Church Monday night. And yes, there is a connection.
Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 13th, 2010
When I arrived at Harro East to see Catherine Russell at 5:40, just 10 minutes past the start time, the venue was already full and things were in full swing. And I mean swing, with the brave few already up dancing. I did a double-take when I saw the guitar
Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 12th, 2010
I'll start with a scoop: Davey Jones 0- yes, that Davey Jones, of The Monkeys -- may sing on Earl PIckens' new children's CD. But it's not quite official yet. Maybe Monday. But still! Earl Pickens & Family really should add the word "Show" to the group name. This act
Music Blog
Dale Evans on June 11th, 2010
I'll be checking out the new tent at Abilene's Roots & Americana Stage - one of the new Jazz Fest venues. Pity I've lost my normal parking spot, but it's worth it for a chance to see Earl Pickens & Family (7:45 & 9:45 p.m.). Then I'll pop
Music Blog
Dale Evans on April 5th, 2010
As soon as I slid in the new CD, "Honky Tonk Hair," I was hooked on Girl Howdy's song of the same name. The chorus of "Land sake's alive, no, I can't behave when I got my beehive" has been playing in my head ever since, a testament to its
Music Blog
Dale Evans on November 19th, 2009
First, let me come clean. When someone says the words "jam band," I inwardly roll my eyes and insert a finger down throat. Gag me. I have no desire to listen to another half-hour of the same riff over and over again, with a few minor alterations
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Dale Evans on May 29th, 2007
For many Americans, the Memorial Day weekend kicks off the first picnics of the season: picnics that include fresh produce turned into comfort foods like potato and macaroni salads, corn on the cob, and watermelon slices. People fill their carts at grocery stores or stuff bags at the Public Market
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