The Jewish New Year starts this eve. Looking forward to gathering with close family at “Grand Junction” for dinner. It follows another eventful week. Marisa and I saw the deGrominator lock in a second straight Cy Young Award with his performance last Wednesday at Citifield where the polar bar hit #51 (on the way to tying Aaron Judge Friday and surpassing his rookie record HR record last night). We took in The Zombies reprising their classic Odessey and Oracle LP at The Beacon...

With my daughter back in town, she took up offers to join me at Citifield and Madison Square Garden on successive days. The Mets, in an afternoon game without any input from their “Polar Bear” parked a record six shots over the fence; not bad to attend a record breaking game and of course a victory, 11-1 over the D-Backs. The next eve we took in a concert billed as “Peter Frampton Finale - The Farewell Tour” at the Garden. Marisa told me it was the best ever concert. It pleas...

I started my day with Black Coffee. If you read last week’s blog (or viewed my last post to Gotham’s RockRap Music listserve), you already know why.   One word (or title or name).  Squeeze.   We took in one of my fave bands last night at The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. I viewed some set lists for shows the band led by Glenn Tilbrook (lead guitar and vocals) and Chris Difford (guitar and vocals). Each one varied so one could only guess what song(s) might ge...

We saw some really great shows so far this year. And it’s not impossible that by the time this month passes nothing can top 2019’s August. Already this month we saw Poco co-founder Jim Messina (perhaps better known for his work with Kenny Loggins) August 5 at current fave venue, My Father’s Place. This past Thursday at Radio City Music Hall, we enjoyed John Fogerty who led Creedence Clearwater Revival to a string of double-sided hit singles and earns kudos for his solo work. ...

Last week, I lamented the lack of free (and low cost) shows this summer. This, by no means, indicate a lack of quality shows to attend; it just means parting with many, many pennies to access them. My intended lineup of summer shows remains in flux. But, a schedule of sorts appears to show some promise.   Vacation plans may impact the ability to catch some great shows.   In one case, I continue to mull which of three shows I want to attend. Friends made a case for one, and th...

As Summer approaches I traditionally look forward to posting a list of free concerts by originals artists. I viewed the Long Island listings and found a bevy of cover bands, many in rock genres I enjoy. At this time, I remain unready to lock in dates the way I might if I bought tickets for a show. I see no reason to list shows and possibly lock in dates for shows that might be fun but not something “must see” or “must experience.” Each year we lose fave artists as times catch...

Today's special anniversary I recalled not.  Shame on me.  Avid Poco Fan who writes this weekly commentary.  It took a fellow John Fogerty/Creedence Clearwater Revival fan, from Finland at that, who reminded me after sending him birthday wishes last week. So here's to Pickin' Up The Pieces, Poco's iconic debut album released this day in 1969. We celebrated the event last night.  Musically of course. Poco co-founder, Richie Furay performed at SOPAC (South Orange Performing Ar...

Last weekend we celebrated 34. The actual anniversary fell one week ago today; I noted it in last week’s blog (‘Cause it matters). We chose to officially celebrate on the eve before. Interestingly, we chose the “events” based on an unplanned interruption several weeks earlier.   I scored “twofer” tickets for Jersey Boys on February 16 at the New World Stages but a manhole fire in the street outside the entrance canceled that eve’s show. We were walking down the south side of ...

After I put last week’s blog to bed, I noticed responses on twitter to a New York Times column that appeared on line last weekend – ahead of its appearance in print, one week ago today. The op-ed played on the apparent rejection by Queens residents of Amazon. The writer – incredulously to this commentator and many who shared their own valid views on twitter – found my home borough “a good place to leave.” Worse, the Times gave a title, “When Queens was lame” that so mislabele...

It was not planned but friends we enjoyed last night’s concert – really more a show – with suggested a blog on little known rock trivia. The really obscure one involved a guitar player and one-half of a songwriting team in one of the long-lasting bands of all time who sang in a children’s choir at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. The story teller was one-half of a hit duo who went on to manage and produce a number of artists including James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. The sh...