Music explored. All photos and text by Boston-based longtime music journalist Nate Dow (unless otherwise noted).
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
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’
LOCAL SHOW PICKS • Sunday, Down Home Up Here Bluegrass Festival, Club Passim, Cambridge, 4-11 p.m. — This mini-festival delivers a different band on the hour including the Revenants, Gin Daisy, the Spring Hill Rounders, Ellen Jordan and Korey Brodsky, the Riverside, and Gabe Hirshfeld and Massachusetts. • Monday, the Duppy Conquerors, Sally O’Briens, Somerville, 10 … Continue reading Picks for week of April 14
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
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
LIVE LOCAL SHOWS PICKS: • Sunday, Girls Rock Campaign Boston showcase, ONCE, Somerville, 8:30 p.m. — The volunteer organization that offers programs for girls ages 8-17 to boost self-esteem and collaboration through music celebrates its ninth anniversary showcase with 10 new bands taking the stage in this all ages show.• Monday, The Monday Discovery Series, Club Passim, … Continue reading Picks for week of April 7
LIVE LOCAL SHOW PICKS: • Sunday, Joshua Redman Quartet, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge, 7:30 p.m. — It is a sublime experience to hear jazz in the Sanders, and Redman and his fine quartet — Aaron Goldberg, Reuben Rogers and Gregory Hutchinson — are touring behind the gorgeous album “Come What May,” released just today. It should … Continue reading Picks for Week of March 31
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
LOCAL LIVE SHOW PICKS: • Sunday, Amy LaVere and Will Sexton, Atwood’s Tavern, Cambridge, 9:15 p.m. — This variation on the Nashville supergroup Motel Mirrors with its husband-and-wife core will surely cover some of the retro-country sounds of the Mirrors’ latest EP, “Gotta Lotta Rhythm,” as well are their duo album and solo work. Caroline … Continue reading Picks for Week of March 24
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