In the singer-songwriter tradition, the Earth’s elevation often stands as a measure of life’s ups and downs. Merle Haggard was always on a mountain (when he fell). While Burl Ives left a legacy down in the valley, Johnny Cash looked for the man on the hill and Dolly Parton found comfort in her Tennessee mountain […]
For much of the pandemic, on Thursday evenings you could encounter a whimsical gathering called the Providence Drum Troupe improvising a rhythm section upon the new pedestrian bridge in Providence. A socially distanced entertainment option during the pandemic, the group grew organically, attracting performers like Jessie Jewel, whose elaborate costumes sometimes include a 12’ wingspan, […]
Okee dokee folks… Do you remember the part in Fast Times at Ridgemont High when the character Mike Damone was trying to sell Cheap Trick tickets to a girl in the bleachers? He says to her,“Can you honestly tell me you forgot? Forgot the magnetism of Robin Zander, or the charisma of Rick Nielsen?” He […]
Finally… there’s a month with a full calendar of upcoming dates listed in advance to preview. Anyways just a quick heads up to those sending me your shows and releases, because of recent deadlines changes, I need to know AT LEAST a month and a half in advance when it comes to plugging stuff. Thanks […]
Okee dokee folks…There “Comes A Time” when I feel I HAVE to write about a concert that I am playing. This is not only for my benefit but for the benefit of the nine other folks who are playing as well as the hosting venue. I’m talking about the fifteenth anniversary celebration of my band, […]
The pandemic era nightmare has had a few upsides, including a flurry of activity from those who make music at home. With his basement recording project, Pavid Vermin, Glenn Robinson makes homegrown punk rock for the masses. The fast-paced, three-chord tunes max out around two minutes and have a hard-edged yet throwback feel — think […]
Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsky — when thinking of great composers, there is no shortage of household names. It is unlikely, however, that many, if any that come to mind are female. Dr. Judith Lynn Stillman is remedying that imbalance. Stillman is a professor of music and RIC’s artist-in-residence and has been producing prolifically through the […]
Okee dokee folks… The King, Elvis Presley, died in 1977. Soon thereafter a new Elvis emerged, Elvis Costello. The previous Elvis’ live reign lasted less than 25 years but has endured even in death. Elvis Costello has outlasted the King’s earthly tenure by decades. Even though there is little common ground between the two there […]
Nefarious Industries serves up a new pairing with Burr and Don’t Grow Old Long used for pulverizing minerals, the burr mill transformed food production by improving the consistency of ground grains, corn, and coffee. At Bolt Coffee’s Providence flagship (61 Washington St.), barista Casey Belisle, assistant roaster Mike Dantowitz, and coffee director Justin Enis wield […]
Okee dokee folks…The man with a cape and keyboards is headed to Fall River on October 19. Legendary Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman hits the Narrows Center for the Arts with his Even Grumpier Old Rock Star show. I spoke with Rick last week via a Zoom call. Rick Wakeman: Hi, John! Hi, my friend!John […]