The Summer Set To Release First Full Length Record

Arizona band The Summer Set are scheduled to drop their first full length record, Love Like This (Razor & Tie), on October 13. They're full of sun shiny fun-ness and catchy pop rockiness. If you're unfamiliar with their sound, check out their cover of Usher's "Love In This Club" from their EP Meet Me On The Left Coast HERE.

For those in the New York area, you'll have a chance to catch The Summer Set live. They'll be at The Gramercy Theatre with Cartel and This Providence on October 27.

www.myspace.com/thesummerset
www.facebook.com/thesummerset
www.youtube.com/thesummerset

Port O'Brien Set To Release New Record

California band Port O'Brien are gearing up for the release of their third album, threadbare, which is scheduled to reach the happy little hands of fans on October 6. You can check out "My Will Is Good" from the upcoming record HERE.

For those in the New York area looking to catch Port O'Brien live, they have two dates. They'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge on October 14 and across the bridge in Brooklyn on October 16 at Union Hall. For both of these dates they'll be with Sea Wolf and Sara Lov.

www.myspace.com/portobrien
www.portobrien.com

Talking To Walls Take On NYC

Talking To Walls: August 15 @ Desmond's Tavern, New York, NY

Connecticut rockers Talking To Walls came back to New York this past Saturday and I was finally able to witness them! It wasn't the full band with amps on eleven this go 'round though. It was just a couple of the lads, Brian Kelly (vocals, guitar) and Nat Webb (guitar, vocals) doing a intimate, yet lively and extremely fun acoustic set.

For those who haven't experienced Desmond's, it's a small pub, with a small back area for the stage making everything all up in your face personal. That's just perfect for an acoustic set. Up until Saturday, I had only experienced Talking To Walls on record. As a result of seeing them live, I discovered a some things. Well, actually, I didn't just discover this but seeing it live made it stand out more. The first thing, they're really good live ... full of fun and charm. Okay, yeah, the live part I just discovered but the fun and charm bit I already knew about. I've probably mentioned this before but I like when people smile on stage. Well, not random pointless smiles. I enjoy seeing musicians have a good time on stage and when they have genuine smiles, it's infectious. These guys smiled a lot and it was catching.

The second thing, Kelly has an incredibly strong voice with a great tone. I already knew he had a good voice but hearing it up close and acoustic made it more noticeable. You can't hide anything in such an intimate setting. Being so close to musicians and acoustically to boot, gives one a sense of seeing an artist naked to the world. Kelly showed that he can hold his own quite well stripped down for the world to see.

The third thing I discovered, Webb is a hell of a guitar player. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, QNYC, you're a guitar lovin' chick. How did you not notice this before? I noticed! I knew he was good. But, Webb isn't a flashy, kick you in the teeth, hey look at me, show off type of guitar player. He's a more subtle player. Prior to this show I listened to Talking To Walls as a whole, not breaking it down to individuals. Saturday, I had the opportunity to focus on and experience his pure raw talent and it was a pleasure.

Most of the set consisted of tracks from The Megan EP and the free acoustic EP, A Long Stilt Walk both of which can be found on their website. They kicked off their set with "Walkaway" and ended with a rousing version of "Song For Megan" which you know made me happy as I've raved about this song since I heard it for the first time. Really, if listening to Megan doesn't make you feel good and smile then something's wrong with you. Lucky for all in attendance that I was holding my camera or I may have gotten up and flailed around like a nut, scaring folks and causing overall alarm in the general vicinity of Desmond's. I also have to make mention of the stunning version of "Crossed My Mind" that was done. If I wasn't already a fan of the song, they would have won me over with that performance. This makes my list of songs you must hear live. The other must hear live song that I'm currently diggin' is "New England."

They were joined onstage by their friend Mike Morello (whose set I unfortunately missed) for a brilliantly fun rendition of Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." This song was particularly fun for me as Brian and I discovered some time ago, via our online communications, that we share similar music tastes ... most of it good, some of it questionable, but, all of it fun to talk about. He's probably one of the few people who knows how truly dorky some of my music collection is. At any rate, Poison and their ilk were a topic of conversation for us at some point so it was terrific to hear that cover.

I know bars have this thing about TV's but it was rather annoying that the staff at Desmond's didn't make sure the volume was turned down when the band hit the stage. Perhaps most bands don't do acoustic sets there so it didn't occur to them, who knows. Morello I believe it was, took matters into his own hands and put America's Most Wanted on mute ... thank you. You'll be happy to know that no one at Desmond's matched the fugitive descriptions that were airing though Kelly did seem a bit nervous for a moment or two until he realized he wasn't being featured ... that episode airs next week. What? You know I couldn't resist having some fun with that! At any rate, I would also like to give thanks to the bartender who trooped downstairs to find me a can of Coke after I decided the ginger ale from the tap tasted off.

Talking To Walls put on a great show. I'm glad I finally had a chance to see them live and I look forward to seeing them again, electric or acoustic. Check them out if you and they are in the same general vicinity or even if they're not. Heck, it's summertime ... take a road trip to see them. You'll have fun ... I did!

The videos ...

"Song For Megan"

"Every Rose Has Its Thorn"

Set List

• Walkaway
• Rollercoaster
• Cherry Red Heart
• New England
• Take Me Home
• Fine Man
• Crossed My Mind
• We Were Not So Tall
• Every Rose Has Its Thorn
• Song for Megan

www.talkingtowalls.com
www.facebook.com/talkingtowalls
twitter.com/talkingtowalls

Jazz Festival 55

George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55: August 9 @ Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

This past Sunday, I ventured out to Fort Adams State Park with my camera to take in George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55. This was the last day of the three day event and this is what I saw.

Joe Lovano was the first artist to play the main stage Sunday. He was joined by Esperanza Spalding who performed her own set the day before.

Then I popped over to check out The Rodriguez Brothers who were enjoyable.

I caught some of Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band's set. We all know I'm not a drum fan but I rather liked Blade's work. And found the band enjoyable.

I went back over to the main stage to see Michel Camilo.

Rudresh Mahanthappa and festival founder George Wein chatting in the media tent before they were each whisked off to their interviews. Mahanthappa played the opening set over on the Harbor stage earlier.

I then went around to catch a couple of songs of the solo piano set by Alfredo Rodriguez.

I moved on to check out some of Steve Bernstein's Millennial Territory Orchestra. I wasn't expecting to even remotely like them but what I saw wasn't too bad.

It was then back over to the main stage to check out Roy Haynes who was joined by special guest Ron Carter.

I stuck to the main stage to see Dave Brubeck who seemed to be in really good spirits.

It was then off to another stage to see the James Carter Organ Trio. They were the highlight of the day for me.

I then went over to check out By Any Means. Drummer Rashied Ali was unable to perform as he wasn't well and couldn't make it. His brother Muhammad Ali filled in for him though.

After that was The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis. They were a little to experimental sounding for me so I didn't stick around long enough to catch Lewis hit the stage.

Antonia Bennett did a short set before her father took the stage. She didn't inherit her father's entertainment gene. She was lacking in stage presence in my opinion. I found her rather boring to be honest.

Closing the festival was Tony Bennett. I'm not a Bennett fan and expected to completely hate his set. Well, much to my surprise, I didn't hate it. While I'm still no fan, I did find him entertaining.

Dave Brubeck joined Bennett onstage for one song, "That Old Black Magic." They both seemed to be enjoying themselves during the song.

All in all it wasn't a bad day. The sun refused to cooperate and it was a bit chilly out but I rather enjoyed myself.

www.jazzfestival55.com

The Black Crowes Set To Release New CD

The Black Crowes are scheduled to release a new CD Before The Frost... on September 1. The fan friendly band is also releasing an exclusive second record, ...Until The Freeze, via download code which will be included in Before The Frost... as a thank you to fans for two decades of continued support.

Both records were recorded over five nights in upstate NY. While they're both studio recordings they were recorded in front of a small audience of fans making them a part of the intimate studio experience.

Before The Frost... features eleven new and previously unreleased tracks including "I Ain't Hiding" which can be found HERE. ...Until The Freeze features eight originals and a cover of Stephen Stills "So Many Times."

If you're a vinyl fan, you can pick up the limited edition version of Before The Frost...Until The Freeze on September 1 too. I haven't seen the packaging for the vinyl but I'm sure it'll be fun. I still adore my Three Snakes singles box set and a few other unique packages I acquired over the years.

After being somewhat disappointed by Warpaint, I'm looking forward to this release based on "I Ain't Hiding." If the rest of the record sounds like this, I'll be a truly happy camper. I can't believe it's been nearly twenty years since I fell in love with Shake your Moneymaker. It seems so long ago since I had the Crowes on constant repeat ... so long ago that I used to travel around to see them play.

Speaking of seeing them play, they're on tour. The Black Crowes will be making a stop in NYC the day after their record release. They'll be at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park Wednesday, September 2.

Track Listing

Before The Frost…

• Good Morning Captain
• Been A Long Time (Waiting On Love)
• Appaloosa
• A Train Still Makes A Lonely Sound
• I Ain't Hiding
• Kept My Soul
• What Is Home
• Houston Don’t Dream About Me
• Make Glad
• And The Band Played On
• Last Place That Love Lives

…Until The Freeze (Free Download Album Track Listing)

• Aimless Peacock
• Shady Grove
• Garden Gate
• Greenhorn
• Shine Along
• Roll Old Jeremiah
• Lady Of Avenue A
• So Many Times
• Fork In The River

www.blackcrowes.com
www.summerstage.org

Juliette Lewis Explores Terra Incognita

Juliette Lewis has a new record coming out. Terra Incognita is set to be released on September 1! The album is available for pre-order HERE. I for one can't wait to get my happy little hands on a copy. Lewis has hit the road and is on the bill with The Pretenders and Cat Power until the beginning of September then she'll hope across the pond for some European dates.

www.myspace.com/juliettelewis

Lights On In NYC & Brooklyn

San Diego band Lights On are making their NY debut in a big way. They'll be lighting up NY with four shows, two nights in Manhattan and two nights in Brooklyn. If you're hanging about the LES or across the bridge in BKLYN, check them out. You'll get to hear songs from their upcoming 5 song EP, Waiting For The Heart To Beat if you do.

On the LES, Lights On will be at Club NME at The Annex on Thursday, August 13 at 8PM and the following night at Pianos, Friday, August 14 at 8:30PM. In Brooklyn, they'll be at Union Hall on Saturday, August 15 at 8:30PM and Bruar Falls, Sunday, August 16 at 9PM.

Check out "John And Anne" from the upcoming record HERE.

www.myspace.com/lightsonband

Gigs To Check Out This Week ...

Greensboro, NC band Israel Darling are at Pianos on Tuesday, August 11 at 8PM and at Spike Hill in Brooklyn on Wednesday, August 12 at 11PM. They also just released their debut album Dinosaur Bones and Mechanical Hands on August 4. Check out "Samson The Mason" from the album HERE.

www.myspace.com/israeldarling

* * *

NY rockers Audio Fiction are going to be at Crash Mansion on Saturday, August 15 at 11PM. It'll cost ya $12. I saw them play back in March and they put on a good set!

www.audiofictionband.com
www.myspace.com/audiofictionband

* * *

Check out Connecticut rockers Talking To Walls Saturday, August 15 at 8PM. They'll be at Desmond's Tavern doing an acoustic set.

www.talkingtowalls.com
www.facebook.com/talkingtowalls
twitter.com/talkingtowalls

Talking To Walls Are Coming Back To NYC, 8/15

NYC area folks, do ya have plans for next Saturday night? No? Well, head on over to Desmond's Tavern and check out Talking To Walls, well just Brian & Nat from the band. They're doing a must see acoustic set. Drop by, enjoy the music and say hi.

Oh, and nice guys that they are, they've put together a 5 song acoustic EP and they're giving it away for free! Yes, I said free folks! We all like free stuff, right? Well, what are you waiting for? Download it, tell your friends and enjoy. You can grab it from their website HERE.

www.talkingtowalls.com
www.facebook.com/talkingtowalls
twitter.com/talkingtowalls
www.desmondstavern.com

Through The Window

George Wein's Folk Festival 50: August 1 & 2 @ Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

These photos were taken from one of the fort windows behind the stage at George Wein's Folk Festival 50.
www.folkfestival50.com