Live Concerts

GET THE LED OUT at Mountain Park, 2012

Details

Published on Monday, August 27 2012 20:37

Written by Front Row Dave

July 21, 2012

Holyoke, MA

This Mountain Park concert was to benefit cancer research, with proportional proceeds going to the Jimmy Fund , Dana Farber Institute , Allie's Five O'Clock Fund .

Review by Front Row Dave

Photos by Bluebird

If you have ever seen Led Zeppelin you know the power, the presence, and the varying concepts of light and shade in which they sway from one to the other throughout their performance. They were considered the quintessential live act in their heyday. Now, we only have left the many YouTube videos to show just how incredible and masterful they truly were.

Out of the shadows of Led Zeppelin have come countless cover bands and tribute bands. There must be well over a hundred in existence at the time of this writing, with almost every major city throughout the US having at least one, as well as many from around the world. I know this because I have studied the band, their music, their history, the legacy that continues - and I always will.

Led Zeppelin is so unique and so very special, it deserves more than just a "cover" or a "tribute" by another band, another group of individuals. The ultimate rock and roll band warrants a decisive and inclusive testimonial, an unparalleled recreation of their music, which is done with respect, loyalty and strict adherence to the essence of the original creators. I myself, and tens of thousands of other fans agree.

The time has come - they are here - GET THE LED OUT!

Read more: GET THE LED OUT at Mountain Park, 2012

Patty Griffin at the Newport Folk Festival 2012

Details

Published on Friday, August 24 2012 22:43

Written by Bluebird

Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island

July 28, 2012

Review and Photos by Bluebird

Patty Griffin can do anything.

I first saw her at the House of Blues in Boston (2011) with the Band of Joy. Harmonizing with Robert Plant, playing with Darrell Scott and ruckusing with Buddy Miller, her voice was faithfully doing what was best for the bluegrass, slow core, and Zeppelin remake songs that they engaged her to take on. She handled this record and the live set beautifully, with vocal control and wisdom.

When I left that show, after almost passing out, because I was reeling from the image of Robert Plant, hovering over us in the front row, singing "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down" and "Ramble On,"  I had two thoughts. First, my husband who witnessed this, will never be the same again. And second, I knew I had to pursue Patty Griffin's music outside of this context, because I could imagine her solo work would be a journey to enjoy.

Read more: Patty Griffin at the Newport Folk Festival 2012

Changes in Latitude at Mountain Park, 2012

Details

Published on Sunday, August 26 2012 18:05

Written by Bluebird

July 21, 2012

Many thanks to GET THE LED OUT and Front Row Dave for making this review possible!

Mountain Park, Holyoke, MA.  

FINS UP!

Mountain Park hosted a fundraiser called, SUMMER STATE OF MIND, on July 21, 2012, which will forever remain in my mind. It featured four tribute bands, The Rum Runners, Changes in Latitude, The Machine and Get The Led Out. These talented artists came together to offer the spotlight not on themselves, but on all people and their families getting treatment for cancer. The benefit supported the Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Institute, and Allie's Five O'Clock Fund. It is these programs and the people they serve who were the rock stars that night. I knew the music would be great and the crowd would be generous.

Read more: Changes in Latitude at Mountain Park, 2012

Jackson Browne at the Newport Folk Festival, 2012

Details

Published on Sunday, August 19 2012 15:40

Written by Bluebird

~For My Sister Grace, " ... say a prayer for The Pretender ..".

Review and Photos by Bluebird.

The Newport Folk Festival has been running for decades, drawing fans and musicians from New England, but expands its reach around the world. It is an outdoor event, held at the Fort Adams State Park, which is accessible by road and water taxi off the Newport harbor. Fort Adams hosts four stages with vendors and facilities accommodating tens of thousands of people. The festival runs for two full days, starting at 11 am, with the last act hitting the stage around 6 pm. The line-up of this year's festival was an eclectic mix of historic folk that spanned the Guthrie's, a tribute to Levon Helm, and a shot of straight out funk, soul performance by Charles Bradley, making way for a kickin house jam, with the up and coming rock band, Dawes.

The headliners for the festival this year were, My Morning Jacket and Jackson Browne. And right on cue for both nights of performance, just in time for these long awaited acts - RAIN! Now, I don't mean drizzle or a summer mist to cool off the heated, tie dyed, crowd. I mean a heavy, coastal, ruin-your-cellphone-in-your-pocket, kind of rain.

So what do faithful folk fans do when Jackson Browne comes on and the skies open up?

We 'Stay'.

And so does Jackson Browne.

Read more: Jackson Browne at the Newport Folk Festival, 2012