Occasionally, we attend a Broadway show with friends; they choose the show; (on the date of) an earlier group event we ventured instead to the South Orange Performing Arts Center in New Jersey to see Richie Furay. There was no conflict this time and all in our group agreed that everything clicked in Some Like It Hot at the Shubert Theatre. The song …
Finally. I took in my first live show of 2023. This month. Last weekend. Certainly worth the wait. Some of my faves no longer grace the earth and some lack the ability to perform, let alone tour. So I was excited as the prospect of seeing and hearing one of my favorites singer-songwriters, founding member of two iconic bands and member of the …
Last night we drove out of state to see Richie Furay play in an intimate setting where he live streamed a show. It was originally billed as an acoustic show but as the stage setup below shows, it featured an eight-piece band. In part it was a pre-release party for a new recording, “In the Country,” officially release on vinyl June 18 and on CD …
Not talking baseball even though the title channels the first Mets manager and perhaps the greatest Yankee one. The last time we discussed such a number it was 34. For several years before COVID disrupted plans pretty much for all of us, we’d celebrate our anniversary around a show on Broadway or a concert; the last two years the pandemic affected …
[Updated, April 21, 2021, & with good reason] Thursday evening just after 9:00 p.m. Jason Greenberg texts me “RIP Rusty, Tough loss” I read and think what Rusty. Even though Jason and I share an affinity for live music concerts, we connect on so many other levels, that music was not the first thing that came to mind upon reading his message. A …
On or after or sometimes before this day – always a Saturday eve, my (fraternal) lodge would hold a “sweethearts dance” and for the last couple of years it did not happen and a several couple got together on our own; this year the pandemic offered an easy excuse. Hopefully, next year will see its return. In the meantime on the first time Valentine’ …
This time of the new year or at the end of the prior year I traditionally post my commentary on the top ten concerts of the year just ended. The recent post to my website covered a handful of shows. COVID19 raising its ugly head (ALWAYS) played the culprit. I really enjoyed what I got to attend. The last show before COVID was truly amazing. I …
Usually this space would share an experience that included attending a Broadway show; not this year. Absent Broadway, about which my friend Vincent Russo’s son, Robert, writes a nice newsletter, yesterday’s celebration found a different way to inject culture and visual experience; and instead of the theatre musical, dinner included a live musical p …
This time of year, I usually look to gather lists of summer concerts, many free, to recommend. Not this year. Often, the discussions about music involve what great show got canceled, postponed or rescheduled. Not sure how many texts and emails I’ve exchanged with my friend Jason about changes involving shows planned at Jones Beach this year. We’ve …
During this time where we read of folks infected and worse by the Coronavirus COVID-19 and wish and seek healing, I offer a collection of tunes to promote a healthy feeling. I titled it, "Doin' Fine," after my fave Savoy Brown tune, also included in this set. I enjoyed creating a few playlists this year shared in some prior blogs; indeed I enjoy …
No secret to frequent followers of this blog, and to many (most? All?) who know me how much I enjoy music, especially of a certain genre. Yesterday, I saw a tweet between two City Council Members I know that I think was trying to equate the quality and state of music today to politics today and a comparison to an earlier era. I replied my view that …
At the end of every year, I compose a review of the top ten shows that I attended. This year. I posted my commentary to my website on New Year’s Day. While I prefer to post on the eve, this year and last I posted on the first day of the year. As with 2018, many of the shows received coverage in this Gotham space (View the links to review those past …
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 ca …
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 ce …
Best wishes in this first weekend of the new year. Many recent Gotham blogs looked ahead and share resolutions and predictions for this year. Instead, I continue practice to share a list compiled and commentary posted to my website on the top ten shows I attended in the year just ended. Hope you find the list -- 1) John Fogerty and ZZ Top 2) Th …
