Dropkick Murphys storm The Observatory

My review was originally posted on the Soundcheck blog on The Orange County Register site on November 13, 2012. A special "thank you" to photographer Kelly A. Swift for the use of her wonderful photo taken at the show.

Dropkick Murphys in action at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA on Nov. 12, 2012.

Boston's Celtic punk favorites delivered a roaring good time at sold-out Santa Ana show

By ROBERT KINSLER / FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Few bands roar with the ferociousness of Dropkick Murphys. For just under 90 minutes Monday night (Nov. 12, 2012), the Boston band rocked the Observatory with an intense power that fueled action in the pit and produced plenty of obvious delight from those packed into every corner of the Santa Ana venue, cheering and pumping their fists and moving with the music.

It almost goes without saying that Dropkick would play many of its signature Celtic punk tunes with abandon – and throwing in a reworked, amped-up cover of the Irish classic “The Irish Rover” was loads of fun as well.

But with a new album, "Signed and Sealed in Blood," due in January, the group also rolled out a number of new songs, showcasing the genre-busting outfit’s still-burgeoning ambition.

They opened with the aptly titled “The Boys Are Back,” an undeniably catchy song that immediately had the crowd surging along to the mighty rhythm. Even more impressive was a performance later in the set of “Don’t Tear Us Apart,” a winner that, with a haunting melody replaced by rousing gang vocals on the chorus, put the spotlight on the band’s often-overlooked songwriting gifts.

Who knew this raging outfit would ever see fit to cut a Christmas tune? “The Season’s Upon Us” is set for release as a single later this month, and while the song’s focus is on a dysfunctional family, it once more taps into the real-life, working-class themes that have been a Dropkick Murphys staple from the start.

Lead singer Al Barr, whose raspy bite falls somewhere between that of AC/DC vocalists Brian Johnson and Bon Scott, prowled the stage while the unerring outfit around him blended punk and Celtic pub rock with everything from accordion and whistle to banjo and mandolin, all layered atop a solid foundation of bass, guitar and drums. The straightforward “Going Out in Style,” for instance, might have been a simple punkish tune from another group, but with Scruffy Wallace’s energetic bagpipes in the mix, the tune was anything but routine.

Dropkick slowed its attack only briefly, with the first section of “Rose Tattoo” effectively sung by bassist Ken Casey before the piece picked up speed. The night just kept building from there, with “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” “Kiss Me I’m #!@’faced” (during which several dozen ladies were invited to join them on stage) and a mostly faithful cover of the Thunder from Down Under’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” bringing things to a glorious close.

Of the night’s two openers, Montreal’s own Celtic punks the Mahones were the clear favorite. The quintet’s fast-moving half-hour set featured several memorable songs, including “Paint the Town Red” and “Drunken Lazy Bastard.” Teenage Bottlerocket, a quartet that played punk fast and loud, may have pleased some in the mosh pit, but there was a sameness to the songs once they blasted past the opening salvo “Freak Out!”

Inbox Update: Sigur Rós, 'Austin City Limits,' Joe Walsh comes to 'Daryl's House'

Whew! My inbox is stuffed! I can't make much of a dent in sharing all the goods, but here are three heavy hitters I had to post...

Sigur Rós has announced that the band will embark on their biggest north american tour to date, with a new show and the promise of brand new material. 

The band will perform across the U.S. in March and April 2013; every ticket purchased will include a digital copy of a three-track ep, containing new and unreleased music, made available to ticket holders on march 22, 2013.

Visit the band's official Web site tour page here for more details...


Austin City Limits announces Season 38 full line-up

Jack White returns to 'Austin City Limits'

Iconic PBS television series Austin City Limits (ACL) unveils the second half of Season 38 with a line-up that continues to exemplify the show's tradition of “Great Music, No Limits.” Eight brand-new shows begin airing in January 2013 as part of the music series' thirteen-episode season. Book-ended by returning favorites Jack White and Esperanza Spalding, ACL showcases an impressive roster of exciting performers, from talented newcomers to acclaimed legends.

Rock provocateur Jack White kicks things off on January 5, 2013 with a knock-out, full-hour performance. The extended line-up features a number of artists making first-time appearances, among them Austin's own rising star, blues-soul phenomenon Gary Clark Jr., Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, spellbinding jazz-pop vocalist Kat Edmonson, punk rock icon Bob Mould, country superstar Tim McGraw, hard-hitting Southern soulsters Alabama Shakes, indie-folk band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, roots-rockers Delta Spirit and indie sensation tUnE-yArDs. Completing the season are dazzling performances by Norah Jones and a full hour of Esperanza Spalding in the season finale.

“ACL takes pride in our eclectic mix of musical styles,” says Executive Producer Terry Lickona, “and we truly have something for everyone's taste in the second half of our new season – from rock and punk to country, pop, jazz, blues and Latin! Each artist has a unique and original style or sound, which is always our goal.”

It's been a banner year for ACL, which premiered in October with an unforgettable performance by Radiohead in their ACL debut and included new episodes with Bon Iver, Bonnie Raitt, Mavis Staples, Dr. Dog, The Shins, The Civil Wars and Punch Brothers. ACL gives viewers unparalleled access to featured artists in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable performances. The program is taped live before a concert audience from its new home at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. The critically-acclaimed series will continue to broadcast fan-favorite encore episodes through the end of 2012, beginning with Mumford & Sons on November 17. Viewers can tune-in to their local PBS station for episodes; check local listings for times. For the complete episode schedule, visit acltv.com.

Season 38 | 2013 Broadcast Schedule
January 5, 2013     | Jack White
January 12, 2013   | Rodrigo y Gabriela
January 19, 2013   | Norah Jones / Kat Edmonson
January 26, 2013   | Bob Mould / Delta Spirit
February 2, 2013   | Tim McGraw
February 9, 2013   | Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros / tUnE-yArDs
February 16, 2013 | Gary Clark Jr. / Alabama Shakes
February 23, 2013 | Esperanza Spalding


New episode of Live From Daryl's House episode features Joe Walsh

Life begins at 60 for Live from Daryl’s House as the critically acclaimed, award-winning web-to-cable series celebrates its latest milestone with a visit from legendary Eagles and James Gang guitarist Joe Walsh, who combines with Daryl Hall for a mighty rave-up that also includes learning how to combine 42 ingredients into a tasty chicken mole. For the 60th and latest edition of the show, now available on over-the-air syndication, Daryl and Joe trade guitar licks and verses on the latest episode, which premieres Nov. 15 simultaneously at www.lfdh.com and Viacom’s high-definition music channel Palladia.

Daryl and Walsh hit it off right away, with roaring versions of the latter’s “Rocky Mountain Way,” cranking out his famed talk box, and “Life’s Been Good” that featured the two feverishly trading verses and guitar licks.  The two perform a pair of Hall solo numbers in “Somebody Like You,” the VH1 Behind the Music update of “Someone Like You,” from his 1986 solo album, Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine” and a take on “Wrong Side of History,” from his recent Verve Music Group solo album, Laughing Down Crying. Walsh also played “Wrecking Ball,” a track from the recently released Analog Man, his first solo album in two decades, and “Funk 49/50,” a gem from his early days in the James Gang.  In between, everyone dined on a delicious chicken mole, cooked up by Julieta Ballesteros, the chef at New York Mexican restaurant Crema.

“I was a kid in the Temptones back in Philly when I first heard ‘Funk 49,’” recalls Daryl. “Joe was one of the first to take that blues-rock groove and really funk it out. He’s one of the great guitar legends, an amazing musician. I couldn’t wait to play with him.”

Joe, who clearly enjoyed the experience, was equally enthused to play with Daryl. “He’s been a favorite of mine for a long time,” he said. “And I finally wound up on the East Coast with enough time to get up to Daryl's and represent. It was great to finally play some music with him. The band's great, the production crew's great, and I totally support the home-grown concept. Hope everybody enjoys the show as much as I did.”

Walsh took time during the show to tell of getting his first guitar, a $40 Sears & Roebuck Silvertone model after originally playing trombone and clarinet growing up. “I stumbled across the guitar, because I needed something I could play that wasn’t in my mouth, and that I could write music on,” he laughs. “I was never going to get any girls playing clarinet. Not that I got any playing guitar, but it was a lot more fun.”

Taking a cue from the title of his latest album, Analog Man, Walsh criticizes the “digital recipe” of most pop music today, explaining, “It’s all about the magic of a human performance.”

And there’s no better example of that than the interaction between Walsh and his host on the latest edition of Live from Daryl’s House, which turns Hall’s living room into a garage, with a slam-bang version of “Wrecking Ball” ending in what Daryl dubs, “a Neil Young moment.” There were more than several of those over the course of the episode.

The past five years have marked a steady stream of superlatives and recognition for Live from Daryl’s House, with Hall receiving a Webby Award for Best Variety series from more than 10,000 entries at the 14th annual ceremony at N.Y.’s Cipriani Wall Street before garnering an O Music Award from MTV last year. 

Along with airing every Thursday night at 11 p.m. (ET/PT) on Viacom’s high-definition music channel Palladia, Live from Daryl’s House is syndicated nationally by Good Cop Bad Cop Productions. Executive producers for the show include Hall along with his manager Jonathan Wolfson.

The 59 previous episodes of Live From Daryl’s House have featured a mix of well-known performers like Jason Mraz, The Voice’s Cee Lo Green, Booker T and the MGs, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rob Thomas, Train, Smokey Robinson, The Doors’ Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek, Toots Hibbert, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Todd Rundgren, Keb Mo, Dave Stewart, Goo Goo Dolls’ John Rzeznik and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump along with newcomers such as Nick Waterhouse, Rumer, Chiddy Bang, Allen Stone, Nikki Jean, The Dirty Heads, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Mayer Hawthorne, Eric Hutchinson, Chromeo, Matt Nathanson, Parachute, Plain White T’s, soul diva Sharon Jones, Diane Birch, L.A. neo-R&B party band Fitz & the Tantrums, hot new alternative band Neon Trees and veteran alternative mainstays Guster. 

Magical Mystery Tour Revisited coming to THIRTEEN's 'Great Performances'

There is no doubt that the world has long loved the songs associated with The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour film. But isn't it time everyone took another look at the movie itself? Read on for a timely media release issued by WNET...

Magical Mystery Tour Revisited on THIRTEEN's Great Performances

Special to air on Friday, December 14 at 9 p.m. on PBS

The story behind the controversial and surreal Beatles film features new interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr

Songs you'll never forget, the film you've never seen and a story that's never been told. In August 1967, in the wake of the extraordinary impact of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles made a film. It was seen in the U.K. by a huge audience, at 8.35 p.m. on BBC One on Britain's Boxing Day...and all hell broke loose.

                The story behind that film - Magical Mystery Tour - is revealed on Magical Mystery Tour Revisited on THIRTEEN'S Great Performances, Friday, December 14 at 9 p.m. on PBS. (Check local listings.) The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour itself will follow at 10 p.m. (Check local listings.)

Magical Mystery Tour was chock-full of thinly veiled references to psychedelia, anarchy and fantasy, all in the setting of a traditional British sightseeing bus outing to the seaside. This was a far cry from the innocent loveable mop-top japery of Help! and A Hard Day's Night.

Middle Britain had tuned in but was a long way from turning on and dropping out - the nation was baffled and outraged by the film's unexpected and uncompromising surreal, non-linear narrative. Paul McCartney appeared on The Frost Programme on rival ITV the day after transmission. He was called upon to account for himself and the rest of the group.

Could it be that a pearl was cast before swine and then thrown away? To its small band of admirers, it was a masterpiece of surreal British wit and imagination in the tradition of The Goons and Alice in Wonderland.

Now with the film fully restored to the highest technical standard with a remixed soundtrack, it's time to tell the extraordinary story of Magical Mystery Tour: why it was made, how it was made and the circumstances in which it was made. In the summer of 1967, The Beatles had the world at their feet. It's impossible to overestimate the effect of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band; that was revolutionary too but everyone loved it. In August, Brian Epstein tragically died, leaving the Beatles not only without a manager, but without their ambassador. They decided to go ahead with the film they'd been planning.

Paul McCartney - Photo Credit: ©Apple Films Ltd.

To tell the story, this film calls on those who were there, most notably Paul McCartney, who had the original idea, and Ringo Starr, who is credited as the director of photography. John Lennon and George Harrison are represented through interviews over the years and through their appearances in the film itself and in the copious and fascinating outtakes.

Line producer Gavrik Losey and cameraman Michael Seresin evoke the heady atmosphere of the shoot, along with Jeni Crowley and Sylvia Nightingale who, as teenagers, reported from the coach for The Beatles' Fan Club magazine. Paul Fox, then controller of BBC One, recalls making the deal with The Beatles for the film. Also sharing their reminiscences are Peter Fonda, Paul Gambaccini, Terry Gilliam, Neil Innes, Paul Merton, Barry Miles, Annie Nightingale and Martin Scorsese.

Ringo Starr - Photo Credit: ©Apple Films Ltd.

Finally, this is a chance for the film's admirers to have their say; its detractors have been given plenty of opportunities to have theirs. It provides a chance to evoke 1967 as it was - post-war Britain as much as the summer of love, when a new set of artists with The Beatles at the helm came up with an alchemy that turned the ordinary and the commonplace into the magical and mysterious.

Magical Mystery Tour Revisited was filmed and directed by Francis Hanly; Jonathan Clyde is producer; Anthony Wall is executive producer for BBC; and Jeff Jones is executive producer for Apple. For Great Performances, Bill O'Donnell is series producer, and David Horn is executive producer.

Major funding for the Great Performances telecast is provided by the Irene Diamond Fund, The Starr Foundation, Vivian Milstein, The Agnes Varis Trust, the Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, and public television viewers. Visit Great Performances Online at www.pbs.org/gperf for additional information about this and other programs.

ASIA delivers inspired set at The Coach House

My review originally ran on The Orange County Register site on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012. A special "thank you" to photographer Bob Steshetz for the use of his fantastic images captured at the ASIA concert.

Guitarist Steve Howe, singer-bassist John Wetton and drummer Carl Palmer.

When the four original members of Asia reformed in 2006, even the most devoted fans of the ’80s-spawned supergroup likely had little idea how strong the quartet’s return would be. Over the past six years, singer-bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Carl Palmer and keyboardist Geoff Downes — all veterans of prog-rock spanning King Crimson to Yes — have released a trio of winning albums including 2012′s aptly-titled XXX marking the 30th anniversary of the British band’s eponymous debut.

Geoff Downes on keyboards and backing vocals.

Sunday night (Nov. 11, 2012) before a packed Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, Asia delivered an inspired set of old and new material, much of it seasoned with that mix of virtuoso chops, singalong choruses and inventive arrangements that have been a hallmark of the group’s approach since the beginning.

Many veteran performers who resume careers after extended hiatuses find audiences only want to hear classic hits. The audience that filled the Coach House, however, cheered throughout the 110-minute concert, quick to welcome recent material like the stirring “An Extraordinary Life” (off 2008′s Phoenix) and the fiery “Holy War” (from 2010′s Omega).

Early set highlights included “Wildest Dreams,” featuring Palmer’s astounding drumming, and “Tomorrow the World,” an XXX standout that boasts a straightforward rock feel in the verses but unfurls into an instrumental bridge that had Howe and Downes blending their instruments in a sonic dance as the song soared.

Almost every piece showcased skills from a member or two, but there wasn’t the kind of excessive soloing that can bore. “Cutting It Fine,” boasting a neoclassical symphonic section and an extended Howe spotlight, fused together perfectly. A rousing version of “Sole Survivor” outdistanced the original studio recording, with Wetton nailing his distinctive high notes in the choruses and the audience’s well-timed clapping in the bridge bringing an arena-like energy to the intimate club setting.

A lengthier version of “Heat of the Moment” closed the show, with the audience singing along and the band commanding their instruments with superhero-like craft.

Steve Howe played several instrumental works.

Asia’s six-years-and-counting second act has lasted much longer than the meteoric rise and flame-out that occurred when this quartet first worked together in the early ’80s. And by all indications this reunion doesn’t appear to be ending in the near-future.

“You’ve been a fantastic audience,” a visibly thrilled Wetton said during a brief breakdown in the midst of the final number. “We love playing here and we’ll see you soon.”


Set list: Asia at the Coach House, San Juan Capistrano, Nov. 12, 2012

Main set: Only Time Will Tell / Wildest Dreams / Face on the Bridge / Time Again / Tomorrow the World / Ride Easy / Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Steve Howe solo) / In the Course of the Day (Howe solo) / I Know How You Feel / Don’t Cry / The Smile Has Left Your Eyes / Cutting It Fine / Holy War / (Carl Palmer drum solo) / An Extraordinary Life / Here Comes the Feeling / Open Your Eyes

Encore: Sole Survivor / Heat of the Moment

The Monkees return to the Greek Theatre

My review of the Monkees' Nov. 10 concert was originally posted on The Orange County Register site on Sunday morning, Nov. 11. A special thank you to Kelly A. Swift for the use of her fantastic photographs taken at the Nov. 10 concert.

Michael Nesmith (left) performs in front of a projection screen showing classic footage of the Monkees.

What a difference 16 months can make. In July 2011, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Davy Jones performed a fast-paced summer concert as part of the Monkees’ 45th anniversary tour in front of a capacity crowd at the Greek Theatre. In my review I even noted: “I can’t remember a concert that was as much fun as the Monkees’ nostalgic trip down memory lane.”

With the death of Jones on Feb. 29 it seemed that tour might serve as the final chapter in a series of infrequent reunions that have been staged since the group disbanded in 1971.

But fast-forward to a chilly November night in 2012 and once again the Monkees were performing before a packed house of fans at the same venue. This time Dolenz and Tork were joined by Michael Nesmith, the fourth member of the band. It’s a rarity: Before embarking on this tour last week, Nesmith hadn’t toured with the group since 1997, and that was only on a U.K. trek. His last proper U.S. outing with them was in 1969.

There were plenty of smiles and good vibes this time around as well, capturing the youthful cheerfulness of their groundbreaking ’60s TV show and timeless hits. Yet it was ultimately a more somber and determined Monkees who performed for just under two hours Saturday night.

Almost all of the songs were delivered while cascading footage from the group’s TV show and 1968 filmHead was projected on big screens. But rather than distract from what was happening on stage, the retro images helped connect the audience with the era that gave rise to the trendsetting group and its songs.

When Jones was with the band he brought a lighthearted quality to their live show. Nesmith, always recognized as the most serious member of the troupe, brought sharp wit instead, adding another dimension to the set. (“Hi. Hey. Cold,” he said in greeting the audience after they opened with “Last Train to Clarksville.”)

Nesmith, who turns 70 next month, also brought his well-regarded baritone vocals and country-tinged tunes to the evening in a successful expansion of selections beyond the group’s better-known power-pop hits.

“Sweet Young Thing” and later in the night “You Told Me” featured Nesmith singing while strumming 12-string guitar; on both of those songs Tork impressed with his banjo skills. Indeed, one of the strongest moments came at the end of the main set when Nesmith sang “What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?” with Dolenz’s sterling harmonies and Tork’s fluid banjo providing an especially lush rendering of that Byrdsian tune.

From left, Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork.

Tork, who turned 70 in February, added well-timed humor with his vocals and exaggerated expressions on “Your Auntie Grizelda.” On “Can You Dig It?” he sang and played fiery lead guitar licks to boot. Dolenz, still the band’s best singer at 67, handled a myriad of material, including “I’m a Believer,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” and “Randy Scouse Git.” Perhaps his greatest turn came in a powerful take on the psychedelic “Porpoise Song” (the theme from Head), for which he also played drums artfully as the song drew to a dazzling close.

The memory of Jones was never far from the minds of the group or its audience, it seemed. Early on there was a video montage of Jones as one of his most-loved ballads, “I Wanna Be Free,” was played.

A more impressive tribute came when the Monkees’ outstanding seven-member band (including Dolenz’s sister Coco assisting with backing vocals and Nesmith’s son Christian adding electric guitar) provided musical backdrop for the late Jones, whose voice and visage came alive on the big screen during “Daddy’s Song.”

However, handling his signature hit, John Stewart’s “Daydream Believer,” was an emotional task. Dolenz explained a suggestion from Nesmith, that since all three surviving members of the Monkees had previously sung the song, “We can never sing (it) again, but you (the audience) can.” Dolenz than brought a woman up from the audience to share his mic while leading the crowd in a gigantic singalong of the irresistible favorite.

In the end, the night was a fitting tribute not only to Jones and his band mates but to the unique and enduring phenomenon that is the Monkees.

Set list: The Monkees at the Greek Theatre, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012
Main set: Last Train to Clarksville / Papa Gene’s Blues / Your Auntie Grizelda / She / Sweet Young Thing / I’m a Believer / (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone / I Wanna Be Free (video featuring Davy Jones) / You Told Me / Sunny Girlfriend / You Just May Be the One / Mary, Mary / The Girl I Knew Somewhere / For Pete’s Sake / Early Morning Blues and Greens / Randy Scouse Git / Daily Nightly / Tapioca Tundra / Goin’ Down / Porpoise Song (Theme from Head) / Daddy’s Song / Can You Dig It? / Circle Sky / Do I Have to Do This All Over Again? / Daydream Believer / What Am I Doing Hangin’ ‘Round?
Encore: Listen to the Band / Pleasant Valley Sunday

ASIA coming to The Coach House on Sunday, Nov. 11

ASIA features, from left, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes, singer-bassist John Wetton and drummer Carl Palmer. The band performs in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, Nov. 11.

One of rock’s most successful artists to emerge in the 1980s will headline at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, Nov. 11. It has been 30 years since ASIA released its self-titled album, which became a staple on MTV and rock radio thanks to hits such as “Heat Of The Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell” and “Sole Survivor.” Now the band is back with the aptly-titled XXX, which celebrates ASIA’s 30th anniversary with an outstanding batch of songs that is the equal of the gems featured on the British quartet’s strong 1982 debut.

Simply put, progressive rock has never sounded as inviting or thrilling as the brew concocted by the all-original lineup featuring singer-bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Carl Palmer and keyboardist Geoff Downes. From the breathtaking “Tomorrow the World” and fiery “Ghost of a Chance” to the confessional “Face on the Bridge,” ASIA still has plenty to say and the musical firepower to get it done.

In 2010 ASIA toured in support of the band's fantastic Omega album, and I got to interview Downes in connection with the band's Southern California concert dates. You can read that article that ran in The Orange County Register here. Indeed, a trio of potent recent releases - Phonenix (2008), Omega (2010) and XXX (2012) - means that ASIA will have plenty of great material to showcase at The Coach House.

For more information on ASIA, visit the band's official Web site here.

Fountain Valley-based Union of Saints will open the show.


  Who: ASIA, Union of Saints
Where: The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
When: 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012
Tickets: $55
Call: 949-496-8930
Online: www.TheCoachHouse.com

Other Lives stunning at El Rey Theatre

My concert review was originally published on The Orange County Register Web site on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. A special "thank you" to my wife Kim for taking the photos too!

Other Lives at the El Rey Theatre on Nov. 3, 2012.

No band bridges the vast gap between Radiohead’s experimental brilliance and Sigur Rós’ symphonic splendor with the creative finesse of the Oklahoma-bred band Other Lives.


It has taken nonstop touring — including opening for Radiohead on that band’s North American tour for much of early 2012 and two standout performances in Coachella this past April — plus support from influential radio stations such as KCRW, but the genre-bending outfit seems to have finally and fully emerged from the underground. Celebrating the quintet’s 10th anniversary, Other Lives headlined a packed El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday night (Nov. 3, 2012) with the artistry of groundbreakers.

The ensemble has long had an impressively mystic sound, but its burgeoning confidence — especially from lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Tabish — was the additional ingredient that made this performance even stronger than two gigs I caught earlier this year. For 70 magical minutes, Other Lives blended orchestral and world music with rock and folk in ways that continue to push modern music’s reach like few others.

There were countless highlights, from the melancholy post-psychedelic textures of “Weather” and the Middle Eastern-tinged “Desert” (treated to dynamic drumming from Colby Owens) to one of the greatest songs ever penned about their native state, the potent “Dust Bowl III,” which in its first half recalls Harvest-era Neil Young before the song explodes with the use of keyboards, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, drums, trumpet and something from this writer’s vantage point that looked like authentic antler horns with bells attached.

While the band’s forte remains those lavish arrangements where keyboards, dynamic rhythms, horns, strings and harmonies collide, don’t underestimate Tabish’s ability to scale it all back to basics. The encore began with him seated at his keyboard, where he played a sparse, bewitching version of “Black Tables.” Earlier in the night, that same nuanced approach came via an elegant full-band take on “For 12,” with Tabish adding acoustic guitar, his voice often reaching up to a falsetto and further enhanced by cellist Jenny Hsu’s supportive singing, all amid an eerie Spaghetti western soundscape.

Kristianne Bautista of Oren Lyons.

Of the two openers on the bill, the clear audience favorite was L.A.’s own Oren Lyons, formed earlier this year and also championed by KCRW. Lead singer Kristianne Bautista’s richly distinctive soprano added heft to the material delivered by six musicians around her. Mixing ’60s jazz, neo-classical and rock, the ensemble’s brief 30-minute turn was impressive. Sandwiched between that and Other Lives, Copenhagen’s Indians proved an ill-fitting one-man-show, in which the singer-guitarist-keyboardist was in command of a high-reaching tenor that nonetheless lacked feeling or originality.

Big Bang draws throngs to impressive North American debut in Anaheim

My review was originally published on the Soundcheck blog on the Orange County Register site on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012. A special "thank you" to photographer Kelly A. Swift for the use of her photo.

Big Bang draws throngs to impressive North American debut at Honda Center

K-pop superstars Big Bang perform at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Friday night, Nov. 2, 2012.

Imagine a young group whose first-ever performance in North America plays out before a near-capacity crowd at Honda Center. That’s exactly the dream-gig scenario for Big Bang, a South Korean male quintet that thrilled an audience of mostly teen girls and twentysomething fans Friday night, Nov. 2 in Anaheim.

Formed in 2006, the well-marketed troupe has been expanding its brand since returning from a two-year hiatus in 2011 intent on reaching audiences beyond its native land and Japan, where the singing and dancing K-Pop sensation has racked up plenty of hits both together and via solo projects. Now the group, the sole Asian ensemble to win the World Act prize at the MTV Europe Music Awards, is on its first world tour, visiting 25 cities in 16 countries, including China, Thailand and Indonesia, plus a stop at the U.K.’s Wembley Arena.

For just under 2½ hours Friday night (Nov. 2, 2012), the guys in Big Bang – G-Dragon, T.O.P., Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri – plus a dozen supporting dancers and a seven-member backing band (sadly positioned high above the stage and difficult to see) delivered an energetic, bombastic performance that had fans on their feet all night, screaming and cheering for more. And when they exhausted their material, they simply performed several of the most popular songs (including “Bad Boy”) again.

Like a long line of boy bands before it – from the Osmonds in the early ’70s to Duran Duran in the ’80s and Big Time Rush and One Direction this decade – Big Bang provides its youthful audience with a lively concert experience, evidenced by obviously thrilled fans from all over Southern California and elsewhere. Faced with only these dates or another pair in New Jersey next week, some admirers traveled from Las Vegas, Denver and further away to snap photos, hold up handmade signs proclaiming their affection for a favorite member and generally clamor for their heroes at one of these two Anaheim shows.

Among the most appealing songs of the night were the spirited dance track “Fantastic Baby” (with its “dan dan dan dan dance” chorus), the R&B-flavored “Lies” and the infectious pop of “Monster,” which segued perfectly into the modern urban groove of “Feeling.” In addition to the members’ vocal talents, the production for this Alive Galaxy Tour 2012 – designed by Laurieann Gibson, who helped concoct Lady Gaga’s Monster’s Ball dazzler – showcased sharp choreography and special effects like pyrotechnics, large video screens embedded in the stage, and platforms that lifted or lowered the gang on cue, all of which added to the larger-than-life impact.

Granted, there was little in the way of originality in Big Bang’s performance. But the West Coast debut proved to be a fun, well-executed show sure to please patient American fans who had waited years to see them in the flesh. And seeing as both of these Honda Center shows attracted such massive audiences, the aptly named group could soon expand its reach to more stateside points.

The bigger question – whether the group will create a more sophisticated and significant role in the musical universe, as Duran Duran ultimately did – will have to wait.

Music Worth Buying episode: Brandi Carlile and 7Horse

On the latest episode of Music Worth Buying, we celebrate two outstanding albums - the latest from Brandi Carlile (Bear Creek) and the debut album from 7Horse (Let the 7Horse Run):

The Doors, The Who and Queen on DVD; Third Day announces 'Miracle Tour'; Nektar to issue covers album

Several of rock music's most influential artists are showcased on recently-issued DVD releases, including The Doors, The Who, Queen and The Beatles. Click here to read my latest column published in Desert Star Weekly to read my roundup of these sterling collections available now.

Earlier today Third Day announced it will embark on a 45-city tour in support of the band's new album Miracle (which will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012). "The Miracle Tour" will kick off Feb. 21, 2013 and also feature American Idol's Colton Dixon and singer-songwriter Josh Wilson.

The tour will launch in Fairfax, Va. on Feb. 21 and will extend through mid-May. Here is more info as detailed in a release that landed in my inbox:

“The Miracle Tour” takes its name from Third Day’s brand new studio project, Miracle, releasing Nov. 6. With veteran producer Brendan O’Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Train, The Killers) at the helm, Miracle is a 12-track simmering brew of potent rock anthems infused with the substantive, life-affirming lyrics that have always been the bedrock of Third Day’s music. At the same time, the band explores new sonic and lyrical territory on Miracle, with layered guitars and harmonies, sing-along gang vocals, and so on – not heard from the band previously. The band’s signature rock foundations remain; they’ve just been infused with a modern-day flair.

“We have toured for so many years and feel like we owe any success we have to the fans that built Third Day,” says drummer David Carr. “These songs are engaging musically and lyrically; we worked hard to stretch ourselves for the people who come to our shows and buy our music. We poured so much into this record because we wanted to bring our fans our very best. We are proud of Miracle and can’t wait for people to hear it.”

A special VIP package will be available for The Miracle Tour ticket buyers, including a premium-seat concert ticket, an exclusive Third Day tour poster, a Miracle CD and entry to a special pre-show event. A group ticket package will be offered, along with Fan Club pre-sale dates.

“The Miracle Tour” is sponsored in part by Christian humanitarian organization World Vision (www.worldvision.org) and Grand Canyon University (www.gcu.edu). World Vision provides assistance to approximately 100 million people in nearly 100 countries by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

In other news, progressive rock icons Nektar are set to release A Spoonful Of Time, an album that will feature the band joined by an all-star guest lineup. Here is the official media release:

Nektar's 'A Spoonful Of Time' features performances by members of YES, King Crimson, Deep Purple, Symphony X, Opeth, Marillion, Asia, The Moody Blues, Dream Theater, Tangerine Dream, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Hawkwind, The Zombies and Cream!

Progressive rock fans worldwide are buzzing with excitement about the forthcoming release of a new covers CD by music legends Nektar called A Spoonful Of Time, featuring an all-star guest line-up! Celebrating their 43rd Anniversary, Nektar's contribution over the past four decades has quite rightly earned them their place in any 'Progressive Rock Hall of Fame'. But the band is much more than a “prog legend;” the Nektar brand of innovative composition, performance and visuals is simply unique. And now on November 27, 2012 Cleopatra Records will be releasing the first ever covers album by the iconic UK ensemble, joined by an incredible gathering of musical heroes from a wide variety of genres!

Says founding Nektar member Roye Albrighton, “The idea originated from Cleopatra themselves...they thought it might be a good idea to do an album of classic songs with a multitude of different players but under the Nektar banner. Klaus, Ron and myself were to be the staple musicians taking part and the files would be given out to various musicians to do their parts. I was asked to do most of the vocals except for the one track which was (“Africa”) and quite a few guitars too. Ron did a lot of the drums and Klaus was prominent on several of the tracks on Hammond and mellotron.”


Track listing:

1. Sirius featuring Michael Pinnella (Symphony X)

2. Spirit Of The Radio featuring Mark Kelly (Marillion)

3. Fly Like An Eagle featuring Geoff Downes (Asia / Yes) • Joel Vandroogenbroeck (Brainticket)

4. Wish You Were Here featuring Edgar Froese (Tangerine Dream)

5. For The Love Of Money featuring Ian Paice (Deep Purple) • Nik Turner (Hawkwind)

6. Can't Find My Way Home featuring Steve Howe (Yes) • Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/Black Country Communion) • Mel Collins (King Crimson)

7. 2000 Light Years From Home featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)

8. Riders On The Storm featuring Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) • Rod Argent (The Zombies / Argent)

9. Blinded By The Light featuring Joakim Svalberg (Opeth) • Ginger Baker (Cream)

10. Out Of The Blue featuring Simon House (Hawkwind)

11. Old Man featuring David Cross (King Crimson)

12. Dream Weaver featuring Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra)

13. I'm Not In Love featuring Rick Wakeman (Yes)

14. Africa featuring Bobby Kimball (Toto) • Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues)


Nektar's “A Spoonful Of Time” was produced by the band and mixed by prog icon Billy Sherwood, who also played bass on some of the tracks.

Says Billy, “I really enjoyed working with Nektar on their new record, it was an honor playing bass on the entire project too!! Roye is very creative and inspiring to be around, Ron and Klaus are great to work with too... I felt like it was working with friends, making music, as it should be. I look forward to playing some gigs with them in the future.” Roye adds, “The songs featured on the album were chosen by Cleopatra, of which a few of them I quite like. It was good working with Billy, on this covers album and our new studio album 'Time Machine', and like me, he wants the absolute best for the music.”

The Nektar story is a remarkable one. A British rock band that found stardom and major success in Germany and the USA, yet failed to make a significant breakthrough in their own country. With three gold albums under their belt ("Remember The Future", "Down To Earth" and "Recycled"), Nektar produced some of the most original work of the seventies and eighties. In virtuoso guitarist Roye Albrighton Nektar had a charismatic front man who had shared a stage with Jimi Hendrix, in Allan "Taff" Freeman a unique keyboard player, in Derek "Mo" Moore a bass playing powerhouse and in Ron Howden a fluidity rarely found in a drummer. Fifth member Mick Brockett was not a musician, but was responsible for one of the most stunning light and visual shows ever to grace a rock stage. Nektar's history appeared to have been written when they finally split in the eighties. Despite attempts to re-kindle the flame, the Nektar light, it seemed was out...until the year 2000. The new millenium saw the long awaited reunion tour of the classic line-up, to rave reviews and fantastic receptions. The light we thought was out, had in fact been kept aglow - by loyal fans across the globe! "It's pretty timeless music," says Albrighton, "and what I'm hearing from most of the new, younger fans that are now coming to our shows, is that it's like going back in time. They are starting to really discover music again, which, of course, is a great thrill to us and some of the older bands from our time."

An American tour in September 2004 saw Taff Freeman depart the band for personal reasons and his successor, Hammond virtuoso Tom Hughes, instantly earning a place in the hearts of the Nektar faithful. With continued concert dates, along with the remastering of the remainder of the Nektar back catalogue on CD, this legendary band has become once more a proud force to be reckoned with in the world of progressive music. In 2007 Nektar truly took over their own management, procured their official website as their own, became an entity entirely under their own control and went on a 22-date tour of Germany. The band released the critically acclaimed CDs 'Book of Days' in 2008 and the live DBL CD 'Fortyfied' in 2009. Signing with US label Cleopatra in 2011, the band competed it's first U.S. Tour in seven years by virtue of a successful month-long jaunt of the States, to the delight of their U.S. Fans both old and new. Nektar is set to make its mark once again with the release of their critically acclaimed studio album “Time Machine.” Now with the release of A Spoonful Of Time, Nektar is back with a psychedelic head trip through classic rock radio with artful twists on classics by The Doors, Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Blind Faith, Steve Miller, 10cc and others!

As far as future plans for Nektar: "To make more music, and to experiment more in different ways,” says Albrighton. Nektar will be a part of the Cruise to the Edge crusie in March with the Yes, Tangerine Dream, Saga, Steve Hackett, Carl Palmer Band, UK and others. In closing Roye has this to impart to the band's long-standing fans, “A huge thanks to all those fans who have stuck by the band through thick and thin over the years... We are only doing it for you.”



Nektar “A Spoonful Of Time” is available for pre-order now at iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/spoonful-time-feat.-steve/id570409022

or via Amazon via the link here

For more information visit Nektar's official website: www.nektarsmusic.com


Cleopatra Records: www.CleopatraRecords.com

Sights and Sounds: Led Zeppelin, Third Day, Punch Brothers, The Civil Wars, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Lots of news breaking today...I'll get right to it everybody!


Led Zeppelin have released a video of their performance of the epic track "Kashmir" from their forthcoming concert film, Celebration Day.

Filmed during the band's 2007 reunion show at London's O2 Arena, Celebration Day was released in theaters earlier this month and will see a retail release on CD, DVD, digital, vinyl, and Blu-Ray on November 19. Click here to watch the full performance of "Kashmir."

Third Day to kick off street week with performance on 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno' on Friday night, Nov. 2

Third Day's new album Miracle won't arrive until next Tuesday (Nov. 6, 2012), but fans will get an early feel for the new disc when the Atlanta rockers perform the lead-off track "Hit Me Like a Bomb" on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Friday, Nov. 2. Following the performance of the song, there will be a limited-time free download of the potent rocker on the band's official Web site, www.ThirdDay.com.

The 12-track Miracle was produced by Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Train, The Killers) and recorded in the band's Atlanta studio called The Quarry.

The Punch Brothers will perform on 'Austin City Limits' on Nov. 3, 2012.

Two of Americana's best artists are being featured on Austin City Limits on Saturday, Nov. 3.

The Civil Wars and Punch Brothers will each perform sets on the next episode of the popular show, which will air on PBS stations on Saturday. Here is the release that arrived in my inbox earlier today:

Austin, TX—November 1, 2012—It's a night of great chemistry as Austin City Limits (ACL) presents new American acoustic music in a double-bill with The Civil Wars and Punch Brothers. The brand new episode airs Saturday, November 3rd on PBS (check local listings for times).

The Civil Wars bring their dynamic charisma to the Austin City Limits stage to perform tracks from the Grammy-winning debut Barton Hollow. A folk-pop duo comprised of vocalist Joy Williams and guitarist John Paul White, The Civil Wars made an appearance last year in the ACL Presents special, Americana Music Festival 2011, and ACL has been excited to have them back for a full set ever since. The magnetic pair create Appalachian-tinged folk melodies with a minimalist approach that has caught the folk-pop world by storm. The obvious chemistry between the singer-songwriters is as infectious as their grassroots success – over 250,000 copies of their critically-acclaimed debut album Barton Hollow sold without major industry support. “We are so amped to be here,” says The Civil Wars' Joy Williams from the ACL stage. “I’m still pinching myself that we get to play here tonight.” In addition to their originals, the duo wows the audience with inspired renditions of Michael Jackson's “Billie Jean” and Smashing Pumpkins' “Disarm” in their ACL debut.

Says ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona, “I was there when Joy and John Paul performed for one minute on this year’s Grammy Awards Show, and that one minute had more impact than almost anything else on the show. That’s just the way they are – their music will grab your ear and your heart in one fell swoop!”

"When you start a band, this is all you really want to be able to do—play Austin City Limits," says Punch Brothers' leader Chris Thile from the ACL stage. Thile should know, the appearance marks his fourth turn on ACL, including two with his long-time band, the progressive bluegrass trio Nickel Creek. In 2006, mandolin virtuoso Thile assembled the all-star quintet Punch Brothers (the name comes from the Mark Twain short story Punch, Brothers, Punch!). The quintet’s boundary-less mix of indie-rock, bluegrass, classical music, jazz, folk, and pop has attracted critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. The Grammy-nominated band performs tracks off their three albums, including 2012's Who’s Feeling Young Now? Paste Magazine calls the album “a masterpiece” and declared “every track is a small wonder of some sort,” while Rolling Stone claims it “strikes a nice balance between old-school and modern.” In October, 31-year Thile was awarded a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” for his creative vision.

“I’ve been a fan of Chris’s music since he was a 13-year-old mandolin child prodigy, and it’s been inspiring to watch him take his music to new places only he can imagine,” says Lickona. “He’s got a band of kindred spirits who create music that really defies labels – unless you use all of them!”

The Civil Wars setlist:

From This Valley

My Father's Father

Billie Jean

Poison & Wine

Disarm

Barton Hollow



Punch Brothers setlist:

Movement and Location


Who's Feeling Young Now?


Next to the Trash


Flippen (The Flip)


Don't Get Married Without Me


Rye Whiskey

Season 38 Current Broadcast Schedule (seven additional episodes/artists to be announced)

October 6, 2012
Radiohead

October 13, 2012
Bon Iver

October 20, 2012
Bonnie Raitt with Mavis Staples

October 27, 2012
The Shins
Dr. Dog

November 3, 2012
The Civil Wars
Punch Brothers

November 10, 2012
ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2012 (Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring performances by Bonnie Raitt with John Hiatt, Alabama Shakes, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Richard Thompson, The Mavericks and more)

The complete line-up for the full 13-week season, including seven episodes to air beginning January 2012, will be announced shortly. Check acltv.com for additional episode updates.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals.

In other news released earlier today (November 1, 2012), a live performance by American rock band Grace Potter & the Nocturnals will be broadcast LIVE from Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Texas on Thursday, November 8, 2012 exclusively on AXS TV. This premier concert event continues the AXS TV commitment to bringing fans the hottest acts, brightest stars and rising artists from all genres LIVE to a national television audience.



This exciting concert broadcast will bring GPN’s electrifying live show to living rooms around the country. Grace Potter and the band, who are currently promoting their critically acclaimed new album The Lion The Beast The Beat on their “Roar Tour,” will perform a thrilling set blending classic hits and new fan favorites.


“There is no better place to bring the AXS TV audience a rockin’ show from Grace Potter & the Nocturnals than Austin, the live music capital of the world,” said Evan Haiman, Vice President of Music Production at AXS TV. “Everyone tuning in from their living room at home will feel like they are in the landmark Stubbs’ audience from opening to encore.”


Tune in and rock out as Grace Potter & the Nocturnals join AXS TV’s continuous lineup of LIVE performances from extraordinary artists including: Alanis Morissette, Sara Evans, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Brandi Carlile, plus all the artists joining us on AXSLive!

Grace Potter will appear on AXSLive as she invites them to join her on the Los Angeles stop of her tour and talks about the upcoming LIVE concert event on AXS TV. AXSLive airs Thursday, November 1 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

The Grace Potter & the Nocturnals special AXS TV live concert event airs on Thursday, November 8, 2012 starting at 10:15 p.m. Eastern  / 7:15 p.m. Pacific.

About AXS TV

Launched in July 2012 under the vision and stewardship of entrepreneur Mark Cuban, AXS TV is the premier destination for live events, breaking news, and as-they-are-happening trends in the worlds of pop culture, music, fashion, and entertainment.
AXS TV Concerts is the premier source on television for 100% live music. From multi-day festivals to stadium tours to club acts, AXS TV delivers an unparalleled shared experience for fans of all genres. Leveraging the network’s vast landscape, artists expand their reach to live behind-the-scenes moments, live fan Q&As, social media engagement and more unique opportunities specifically for the AXS TV audience. With multiple live concerts weekly, AXS TV is the number one destination for artists and their fans to experience and share a pure live event in the world of music and pop culture. Live LIVE!

The largest independently owned and operated network, AXS TV was developed by entrepreneur Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin. The network partners include Mark Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). AXS TV is available in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other TV providers.

AXS TV can be found online at www.axs.tv, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/axstv and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axstv. AXS TV Concerts can be found online at www.axs.tv, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/axstvconcerts and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axstvconcerts.

News & Notes: KISS, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Gary Clark Jr.

My Music Worth Buying co-host TJR has posted a in-depth review of KISS' latest album Monster. You can click here to hear his intelligent review on YouTube. You can view any (or all) episodes of Music Worth Buying at www.YouTube.com/MusicWorthBuying.

Bruce Springsteen in April 2012. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Most of you have likely heard already that Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi (both of New Jersey) and Billy Joel of Long Island, New York are set to join forces on Friday, Nov. 2, 2012 to perform a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

According to a report in the Associated Press (AP), the "telecast will benefit the American Red Cross and will be shown on NBC and its cable stations including Bravo, CNBC, USA, MSNBC and E! Other networks are invited to join in."

Hosted by Matt Lauer, the benefit show will be broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City. The concert will air at 8 p.m. Eastern, and will be taped-delayed to us out on the West Coast. Additional performers include Sting, Jimmy Fallon and Christina Aguilera.

On a selfish and somewhat related note: did anyone bother to contact New Jersey rockers The Smithereens to perform at the show?

Gary Clark Jr.'s Blak And Blu is an excellent album, and I'm glad to see the disc makes it debut on the Billboard Top 200 Album Charts at #6.

The singer-songwriter-guitarist is set to perform on Good Morning America and The Late Show With David Letterman this month.

Every date on his upcoming domestic tour has sold out, including three shows at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City and three shows at the Troubadour in Los Angeles within an hour of tickets going on sale.
Click here to read from review of the amazing Clark's performance at Coachella that ran in The Orange County Register back in April 2012.

Gary Clark Jr.'s upcoming tour dates are as follows:

11/2 Boston, MA The Royale

11/4 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom

11/5 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom

11/7 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
11/9 Washington, DC 9:30 Club

11/10 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of the Living Arts

11/13 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour

11/14 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour

11/15 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour

11/16 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore