- Details
- 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.
- Details
- 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
- Details
- Written by: Matthew Joel Phillips
SLASH feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
w/ Monster Truck
MONDAY, JULY 30th, 2012
CASINONB
MONCTON, NB
by: Matthew Phillips
Fredericton, NB CANADA
Monday night was alright for headbangin' in Atlantic Canada's mecca for metal
(Moncton, NB) with the return of Slash to the hub city roughly 25 years after
his former band Guns 'N' Roses opened there for The Cult in 1987.
- Details
- Written by: Bluebird
Photography and Review by Bluebird.
I had some directions from the Managing Editor of the Boston Blues Society, as I headed out to the Newport Folk Festival for my first time this year. "Bird, if you hear any blues out there, you have a standing order to send me a review!" I had first heard of the Alabama Shakes from one of the readers here on Bluebirdreviews. So I knew well enough to make sure I stayed in my spot, to catch this fast rapidly rising band, while the multiple stages were running their sets. You want to catch the Alabama Shakes here in the Northeast? Act fast, they've sold out the House of Blues in Boston and Terminal 5 in NYC. When I got back from Folk Fest, I sent Mr. Managing Editor of the Boston Blues Society some music from the Shakes. He said, "Why don't you tear into this one (first)."
I was at their set during sound check and the band took this very seriously. Playing everything from blues riffs to Zeppelin phrases, their warm up could have been a performance in and of itself. A fan yelled out, "We LOVE YOU BRITTANY!" She smiled and quietly went on with her work. They take their music to the ultimate note. Then a big chicken came out! This is the type of fun mayhem you should expect from the Newport Folk Festival. Silly antics, friendly people and dancing chickens, but the bottom lines always come down to quality music. 
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- Written by: Bluebird
"GOOD MORNING NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL!"
Rhode Island's own, Brown Bird, opened the Fort Stage, with a mix of folk to blues and a deep sense of soul vocals. MorganEve Swaine played the upright bass and cello, and introduced Dave who plays, "everything else!" There was a new mix of songs with fan familiar material, the cello pieces were beautiful and Dave offered up foot-pedal drums to accompany his electric guitar instrumentals.
- Details
- Written by: Matthew Joel Phillips
THE BEACH BOYS 50th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
FRIDAY, JUNE 22nd BANGOR WATERFRONT PAVILION BANGOR, ME
Review by: Matthew Joel Phillips
Fredericton, NB CANADA
With thunderstorms in the forecast, we were ready for a downpour during The Beach Boys concert at Bangor's outdoor Waterfront Pavilion on Friday, June 22nd. But instead of rain, the entire evening was an outpouring of emotion, especially towards Brian Wilson who rejoined the band for their 50th anniversary concerts this summer. Starting just after 8:00pm, the 47-song show was divided into two sets (with a short break in-between) and lasted for well over 2 hours, with not a drop of rain the entire evening.
- Details
- Written by: Bluebird
July 15, 2012.
Photos and Review by Bluebird. 
Snowzee's Music Shack, Sunderland, MA.
Their name is WHAT? Say WHAT?
From our local area of Amherst, MA, introducing, "Dude F*ckin Yeah!"
I had to change my policy around cursing to bring their article live, even though they will politely be billed as DFY.
I don't change policies too quickly around here, but this band is perfect for this website.
Why?
Multiple Genre Blends in a Serious Shot of Groovy Progressive Rock:
Multiple genres, indie power, real instruments and raw talent. It is this kind of music that inspires us, and what is needed in new sound concepts today. With a new generation of open minded rockers, the philosophy of the album experience has hope for the future, because this band bleeds the progressive rock vibe, within miles of its presence.
