From the Record Shelf: The O’Kanes “Tired of the Runnin’”
And Kieran Kane rolls on, with partner Rayna Gellert Early in the plague time, she-plays-everything singer-songwriter Rayna Gellert emailed about a Caffe Lena live-stream gig with partner Kieran Kane. I didn’t know their duo music, but this caught my attention since Kane is the real goods. His Nashville major label duo with Jamie O’Hara called … Continue reading From the Record Shelf: The O’Kanes “Tired of the Runnin’” →
Not THIS Winter…
In any non-plague winter, my friends Dennis and Dan from Massachusetts would be picking me up here in Schenectady today or maybe next week for our annual Adirondacks music pilgrimage to the deep-in-the-woods home of friend and host Stephen and wife Kevan. Packing skis, snowshoes, warm winter gear, CDs, food (I’d have stocked up at … Continue reading Not THIS Winter… →
Well, Excuse me!
Some recent stories need clarifications and caveats My Gazette story Jan. 31 on the Aerodrome brought lots of interest and input from readers: folks LOVED the place. However, concentrating on the musical legacy of the place, I neglected to mention several key contributors to the venue and its activities on the business and bookings side. … Continue reading Well, Excuse me! →
Two Names, Two Nations – One Big Bag of Music
This story also appears on http://www.nippertown.com So prolific, so hyphenated, he needs two names, jazz-pop saxophonist-composer-keyboardist-singer-bandleader-teacher Matt Steckler AND Matty Stecks sums up his past, jumps genres and looks ahead on four recent record releases. The most recent and ambitious, “Long Time Ago Rumble” sums up everything so far in a varied career. Jumping around … Continue reading Two Names, Two Nations – One Big Bag of Music →
How perfect that Fred Birdsall was with me on that Colorado summit when the mountain goat came by.
We’d climbed Gray’s Peak, then Torrey’s Peak near Georgetown together that morning, a day off for Fred from his wife Ann Hyde’s Institute of Design where he did whatever was needed to keep her fashion school in the Rockies humming. As all-purpose logistical support, he did everything for her, the staff and students. He became … Continue reading How perfect that Fred Birdsall was with me on that Colorado summit when the mountain goat came by. →
Ma Rainey’s Small Axe
The “Lovers Rock” episode of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” showed me again why I love reggae. (The series premiered on November 20, 2020 on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S. It won the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for 2020’s Best Picture.) I admit I was once pretty insufferable about reggae. “How about some Allman … Continue reading Ma Rainey’s Small Axe →
Enough, enough, e-fucking-nough
Identify Criminals Use police, news and civilian video and facial recognition systems to identify criminals Use cell-phone locator functions to identify criminals Clean the Capitol Sweep all spaces for electronic audio and video surveillance devices; also phone and intercom bugs Fumigate and disinfect for COVID Reset all communications networks and computer services Sue all criminals … Continue reading Enough, enough, e-fucking-nough →
“…a ticket into the woods, onto still waters and meandering brooks…”
The West Branch of the Sacandaga River winds in close curves, a tunnel of steep grassy banks. Its roof blooms overhead, a calming blue streaky-tattooed with feathery cirrus clouds. It’s narrow, one twist right after another, so you come upon another boat in a hurry and have to paddle in a laughing rush to miss … Continue reading “…a ticket into the woods, onto still waters and meandering brooks…” →
Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
Christmas eve/day, 1977 The ground was bare as my brother Jim and I walked into the now vanished Towne Tavern in Rotterdam, all those Christmas Eves ago – but it was cold. Inside, everything was warm and ready for this rock ‘n’ roll bash. The stage was full of instruments, amps, lights and PA, a … Continue reading Rocking Around the Christmas Tree →
Wise-ass Wednesday
Well, sort of… Even a wise-ass feels grateful, like now. When… When I lean over my plate to savor the aroma of handmade pasta with vodka sauce and discover, when the condensation fog on my glasses clears, that some kind soul at the table has filled my wineglass. When I walk through an alley in … Continue reading Wise-ass Wednesday →
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