After seeing the great Rhiannon Giddens again last night with my bride first row dead center at the Tilles Center at LIU Post University for the second.to last show of her incredible 2015 tour, I ventured out solo tonight to catch Hot Tuna at the Beacon Theatre for the first of the band’s two night run. Due to a complete miscalculation regarding time and traffic, I only got to my 3rd row seat on Jack Cassady’s side of the stage at 9:15 but just in time for a blistering version of  “Bowlegged Woman, Knock Kneed Man”; all was right with the world again and I’m glad I did not decide to bail on the latest rock and roll adventure.

One more electric tune and intermission,  after which special guests are expected to join the band proper for the second half of the show.

Hot F’ing Sh*t!

Rock on

GQ

The AndersonPonty Band featuring Jon Anderson and Jean Luc Ponty take their “Better Late Than Never” tour to The Paramount in Huntington tonight.

After the untimely death of bassist Chris Squier, the future of Yes, with or without vocalist Jon Anderson, is very much uncertain making this tour a must see event for the band’s fans. Jon Anderson did a tour with Rick Wakeman a few years back that was a revelation as the two chatted between songs creating a terrific dynamic.

Jean Luc Ponty and Jon Anderson- two legendary artists perform on the same stage tonight in Huntington.

Love and Light

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GQ

On a night where the Starship do a Jefferson Airplane tribute at Westbury and Judas Priest are hot rockin’ at the Paramount in Huntington, my wife and I find ourselves sitting in front of the VIP “friends and family” table at City Winery for the fourth of five nights with Gregg Allman.

Brothers and Sisters

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GQ

Chicago is a band of road warriors. They play Connecticut tonight before taking on Buffalo then a well deserved break after touring all summer with the great Earth, Wind and Fire.

Look Away

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GQ

The Power of Love

Back to the Future too?

Sorry Cubbies

Let’s Go Mets!

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GQ

Bob Dylan is not the only musician on a never ending tour. Joe Walsh takes the circular stage at Westbury tonight in what was supposed to be the “half round” but, due to popular demand, seats behind the stage were just released. Walsh has sold out the entire Westbury venue in the past, and just recently sold out two nights at the Paramount in Huntington, so I thought it odd that they only put half the building on sale to begin with. Perhaps Joe no longer likes to revolve in front of his audience but, in any event, now that the Eagles latest last tour is off the road, Joe Walsh returns as a solo artist to perform some of his many hits and play his always great guitar .Every Joe Walsh appearance is an event worth seeking out.

Not In the City

All Night Long

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GQ

The first album I ever owned was
Meet the Beatles which my Aunt Pat gave to me when it was first released.I did not know it then but that gift ignited a passion for rock and roll music that I have to this day.

My aunt Patricia Davi, who survived the first WTC attack when she worked for the Port Authority, died suddenly on this past 9-11 in Arizona after a short illness at 75.

Today our family will get together in Edison, NJ for a memorial luncheon.

Please play a tune in her memory.

Rock on,

GQ

Elvis Costello’s Brutal Youth album is an eclectic fifteen song sonic exploration that displays Costello’s diverse influences and unique style. While not his best work, Elvis is never boring and he always manages to place a few gems among the dizzying barrage of tunes on this album. Brutal Youth is probably best listened to on a long drive as there is much to digest in one sitting. 

Nick Lowe and not quite the Attractions.

All the Rage

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GQ

Technical difficulties are finally corrected and the blog is on!

The legendary Joan Armatrading plays a solo acoustic set at City Winery tonight.

The road goes on forever.

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GQ

In the same week that had me enjoying a stellar Neil fest at the Bowery Ballroom, my daughter and I attended Phil Lesh and Friends at the Central Park Summerstage. We had such a good time last year when “friend” Warren Haynes of Allman Brothers Band fame joined Grateful Dead founding member and bassist Phil Lesh on stage, that we were looking forward to Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, and the Grateful Dead influenced Chris Robinson Brotherhood, playing with the band on a beautiful late summer evening.
Due to worse than usual mid town traffic,we arrived at the park just minutes before the band hit the stage for a sold out general admission show. As the front of the stage was jam packed, my daughter and I decided to watch from the much less crowded side of the stage where mostly middle aged fans danced throughout a set of familiar Grateful Dead tunes led by Chris Robinson, whose vocal style and laid back pot smoking vibe fit in well during the night’s festivities.
About a third of the way into the band’s set we were invited to a catered party taking place on a deck in front of us on the side of the stage where friends of the band enjoyed gin cocktails and some food while grooving to the band’s take on Dead classics like “Sugaree”.
Phil Lesh, who played with the Dead for their fiftieth anniversary shows in Chicago this summer, will not participate in the Dead & Company fall tour. Phil was in good spirits throughout and played great right up until the 10:00 PM curfew brought the show to an end.
The smiling crowd walked off into the Manhattan night satisfied that they had seen a legend continuing an unstoppable rock and roll communal rite.
U.S. Blues
Rock on
GQ