Amadee Castenell brings musical riches from New Orleans to Massachusetts

Posted on by Nate Dow

Amadee Castenell displays his trademark sense of joy in performance during a GimmeLive show at Gloucester Stage Company last month. There is a telling scene in the landmark television series “Treme” in which Elvis Costello and New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint are in the studio control room listening to a brass section record its part … Continue reading Amadee Castenell brings musical riches from New Orleans to Massachusetts

New album proves Amadee Castenell a ‘Force’ of nature

Posted on by Nate Dow

Amadee Castenell’s new album ‘Amadee and His Driving Force’ is a delightful mix of covers and originals imbued with pop hooks and a sweet jazz sensibility. (Inset, album cover courtesy of Black Rose Records.) ALBUM REVIEW In a recording sessions career that led Amadee Castenell to log so many credits that discography services lost track, … Continue reading New album proves Amadee Castenell a ‘Force’ of nature

Mike Ledbetter tribute, benefit comes to Bull Run

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Mike Ledbetter performs at the White Mountain Boogie and Blues Festival in Thornton, N.H. When flourishing blues star Mike Ledbetter died suddenly and unexpectedly at 33 after a medical emergency at his Elgin, Illinois, home in January, the repercussions were felt deeply throughout the blues world. Ledbetter was an extraordinary singer and a multi-instrumentalist in … Continue reading Mike Ledbetter tribute, benefit comes to Bull Run

Gracie Curran hits 4/20 high note — in fact, she owns it

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Gracie Curran sings on the 9 Wallis Stage Saturday night with the latest in her line of inventive costumes celebrating the national cannabis day. SHOW REVIEW Gracie Curran and 4/20 go together like Zig and Zag. The Boston Music Award winner was one of the local music industry’s first and most ardent supporters of the … Continue reading Gracie Curran hits 4/20 high note — in fact, she owns it

Duke Levine finds the ‘Super Sweet’ spot — it’s the ’70s

Posted on by Nate Dow

Duke Levine takes a ride back in the time machine to play the songs of his youth in his Super Sweet Sounds of the ’70s showcases. When he launched the showcase as a change of pace in the fall of 2017, Duke Levine didn’t realize precisely what he was getting himself him into. Now, the … Continue reading Duke Levine finds the ‘Super Sweet’ spot — it’s the ’70s

McNeill doubles down at the Lizard on his ‘farewell tour’

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Christian McNeill performs during his sold-out show last night at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge. SHOW REVIEW There are two artists within him. There’s Christian McNeill, the achingly poignant balladeer who — with just his lush voice and guitar — can hush a Somerville Theater crowd as he did when opening for British folk star … Continue reading McNeill doubles down at the Lizard on his ‘farewell tour’

Wooden Leg stands up to the test of time brilliantly

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Jimmy Ryan performs during last night's Wooden Leg show at the Fallout Shelter in Norwood. SHOW REVIEW: In an astonishing display of musicianship last night at the Fallout Shelter, Wooden Leg, with nothing more than the sound check as a rehearsal for the five players, somehow contained its whirring jam-band energy with a tightness that … Continue reading Wooden Leg stands up to the test of time brilliantly

Victor Wainwright and The Train veritable blues express

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Barrelhouse blues master Victor Wainwright performs during last night's sold-out show at 9 Wallis in Beverly. SHOW REVIEW: For Victor Wainwright, the flight path has been more akin to a rocket launch. While he comes from a musical family and learned piano at the feet of both his father and grandfather, the Savannah, Ga., native … Continue reading Victor Wainwright and The Train veritable blues express

Jocelyn and Chris Arndt making their mark uniquely

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Jocelyn Arndt is moved by the spirit of the music as she performs last night in Norwood. SHOW REVIEW: Nobody told them explosions aren’t meant to rock the Fallout Shelter. Or at least Massachusetts-based brother-and-sister act Jocelyn and Chris Arndt paid that no heed last night during their Extended Play Sessions broadcast and filming. And … Continue reading Jocelyn and Chris Arndt making their mark uniquely

Jeffrey Foucault show is poetry in emotion

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Jeffrey Foucault performs in the 2nd Shift Music Series last night at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham. SHOW REVIEW: During his performance last night at the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation in Waltham, Jeffrey Foucault joked that he once got a gig on a Scandinavian Christmas show with … Continue reading Jeffrey Foucault show is poetry in emotion