Sneak Peek of McCartney's Good Evening New York City

I've already declared my soft spot for rock legend Paul McCartney, probably more than once even. And, you know he has a new live effort coming out, right? Well, for those who don't know or just need a little reminder, McCartney is releasing a multi-disc live set on November 17. The set, Good Evening New York City was recorded in July at Citi Field and contains nearly three hours worth of music ... 30 plus songs folks. That's a whole lotta Macca! So, to get you ready for the release, we've got video! Check out the clip of "Highway" from Good Evening New York City below. And, if that wasn't enough, there's an additional handy dandy little widget down there for some free stuff! Toss in your email address and you can download the video plus an MP3 from the release, one of my favorite McCartney songs, "Let Me Roll It."

"Highway"

Toss in your email and get some goodies!

www.paulmccartney.com
www.myspace.com/paulmccartney

Around New York ... November 2 - November 8, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

November 2 -- TV Baby / Otterclan / Neo Soul Trio at Pianos
pianosnyc.com
November 2 -- Sister Helen / Mother Courage / Phony Ppl / Bad Teeth at Public Assembly
publicassemblynyc.com
November 2 -- Fuck Buttons / Growing / These Are Powers at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
November 2 - 4 -- Noah & The Whale / Robert Francis (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
November 2 - 4 -- Shawn Colvin & Matthew Perryman Jones at City Winery
www.citywinery.com
November 3 -- Tim Noyes / Joy Dragland / Elijah Tucker at Spike Hill
www.spikehill.com
November 3 -- The Blakes / The Diggs / Pablo at Glasslands Gallery
glasslands.blogspot.com
November 3 -- She Keeps Bees / The Mumlers / The Fisherman Three at Bruar Falls
www.bruarfalls.com
November 3 -- The Glowflies / Eveni / Doubleverything at Sullivan Hall
www.sullivanhallnyc.com
November 3 -- Annie Crane / Photon Dynamo at The Sidewalk Cafe
www.sidewalkmusic.net
November 3 -- Milk & Blood / Nilsa & Seve / Ends of The Earth / Flotilla at Fontana's
www.fontanasnyc.com
November 3 -- Laura Izibor (pictured) / Heston at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com
November 4 -- Lyle Lovett and His Large Band at Beacon Theatre
www.beacontheatre.com
November 4 -- Gil Scott-Heron at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com
November 4 -- Liam Finn & Eliza Jane at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
November 5 -- Dirty Dozen Brass Band at Brooklyn Bowl
www.brooklynbowl.com
November 5 -- Chemical Reaction / Father of Sam / Kathy Fleischmann Band at Ace of Clubs
www.aceofclubsnyc.com
November 5 -- Ray LaMontagne at Beacon Theatre
www.beacontheatre.com
November 6 -- Caitlin Krisko at Bitter End
www.bitterend.com
November 6 -- Ryan Leslie / Melanie Fiona at Nokia Theatre
nokiatheatrenyc.com
November 6 -- Joseph Arthur & Shilpa Ray at City Winery
www.citywinery.com
November 6 -- Glenn Tilbrook at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
November 6 -- Alberta Cross at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
November 6 -- The Mary Onettes / Kordan at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
November 7 -- Hesta Prynn / Workout! / Bad Girlfriend at Cake Shop
cake-shop.com
November 7 -- The Heavy (pictured) / Illinois at 92nd Street Y Tribeca
www.92y.org/92yTribeca
November 7 - 8 -- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Madison Square Garden
www.thegarden.com
November 8 -- Wolfmother / Heartless Bastards / thenewno2 at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
November 9 - 10 -- Ray LaMontagne at Beacon Theatre
www.beacontheatre.com

Video: Robert Francis - "Nightfall" + NYC Dates

Robert Francis has released a video for his song "Nightfall." The song is from his recent release, Before Nightfall. Check it out below.

New York, Francis will be on the LES at Mercury Lounge for three nights, November 2nd, 3rd, & 4th with Noah & The Whale.

robertfrancisofficial.com
twitter.com/Robertfrancisla
www.myspace.com/robertfrancis

The Sheriffs of Nottingham Release Hard Places: The EP

A while back, I came across Memphis based The Sheriffs of Nottingham on Twitter, I think. I can't remember if they found me or I found them but we're now doing the mutual follow thing. It doesn't really matter who found whom, does it?

At any rate, I gave them a listen and liked what I heard. I made an inquiry about whether they had a record out and they kindly responded that they would have one out in October or November. Well, it's October and true to their word, there is a record! The record, by the way is titled Hard Places: The EP and it's a solid piece of rock 'n' roll.

The Sheriffs of Nottingham consists of Justin Jamerson (vocals, rhythm guitar), Kevin Lipe (lead guitar), Curry Smith (bass, vocals) and Kyle Fagala (drums). They have this whole funky, soulful, blues rock thing going on. Hey now! Y'all know I like that kind of stuff. The EP kicks off with "Running Man." The music reminds me of some funkified Led Zeppelin. As I continued to listen, I kept thinking they reminded me of another band that had the same sort of vibe, the now defunct Brand New Immortals to be specific. Not remind in a, they're ripping them off sort of way or anything but, remind as in it's a familiar and comfortable sound that I enjoy having in my collection. Anyway, this record has been in frequent rotation on my iPod since I picked it up.

Check 'em out for yourselves. You can stream and or buy Hard Places: The EP using the handy widget below.

Track Listing

• Running Man
• Easy
• Hard Places
• The Road
• He Said/She Said
• Same Old Song
• Nineteen Eighty-Four

www.myspace.com/thesheriffsmusic
www.facebook.com/thesheriffs
twitter.com/TheSheriffs

Metric Release Plug In, Plug Out

This past Tuesday, October 27, Metric released their acoustic Plug In, Plug Out. I like Metric. One of my favorite songs of the year and certainly my favorite Metric song is their "Sick Muse." Sadly, that song isn't on this EP. But, you know what I discovered? While I like Metric, I discovered that I REALLY like them acoustic. There's something more earnest in their acoustic readings of their songs.

And while "Sick Muse" isn't on this effort, the songs that are on this record, are stellar acoustic renditions of five songs from their highly enjoyable Fantasies album. As much as I like Fantasies, right now, I find myself preferring this acoustic record over that one. The acoustic version of "Satellite Mind" is worth the price of the EP on its own. It's the song that might end up replacing "Sick Muse" as my favorite Metric song. "Gimme Sympathy" is a song that I hadn't really paid much attention to. But, when I sat down to listen to this record, it demanded my attention. I'm not sure why it grabbed my attention now but, it did and I'm glad it did.

I'm really enjoying Plug In, Plug Out. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have a few more songs on it!

Track Listing

• Gimme Sympathy
• Gold Guns Girls
• Help I'm Alive
• Satellite Mind
• Twilight Galaxy

Grab the 80kidz remix of "Help I'm Alive" HERE.

www.ilovemetric.com
www.myspace.com/metric
www.facebook.com/metric
www.imeem.com/metric
www.twitter.com/metric

Sean Kershaw & The New Jack Ramblers Do Country Brooklyn Style

I've had Sean Kershaw and the New Jack Ramblers' Coney Island Cowboy in and out of my player for about a week or so now. People who know me know this, well, maybe some don't but they will now if they read this. I've been known to spin a fair share of country records when I'm listening to music. I'm a big fan of the bluegrass delight that was known as Flatt and Scruggs. Heck, their At Carnegie Hall record is one of my favorite live records. I'm also a fan of the fine writing skills of Miss Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton among others. It's the small town country girl in me that dives for the country records.

So, with my country girl side on display, I tossed Coney Island Cowboy into my player and listened. It's honky tonk Brooklyn style. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that just yet though. A part of me wants to be snobby and say 'I only want country from the country.' The other part of me says, 'hey now!' The first thing I noticed and was glad of was, that it wasn't the pop country stuff that plagues the charts. That in and of itself was a plus in my book. Score one for Kershaw and his Ramblers. There's nothing worse than country music that is so non-country that you can't tell it from your run of the mill annoying pop act du jour.

The second thing I noticed was that you get the sense, listening to the record, that the band is probably one of those bands that are fun to see live. I can envision rollin' into a local honky tonk on a Saturday night and kickin' up some dirt on the dance floor. There are five songs on the disc that stand out from the pack to me. The song that gets me to tap my feet, clap my hands and leaves me on the verge of dancing is "Little Mr. Train Man." "Already Cheatin'" was working for me until it got to the yodeling bits. I'm not a big fan of the yodel and there are very few I can listen to. Questionable comparison time ... something about the music on "Already Cheatin'" reminds me of the song Stewie does from the Family Guy episode "To Love and Die In Dixie." The title track, "Coney Island Cowboy" as well as the closing track, "Six Days On The Road," also caught my ear. But, the track I like most on the record is, "Crackerjack Delight."

Would I recommend Coney Island Cowboy? Sure I would. But, I'd mainly recommend it for those who already like non-pop country music and to listeners who are open minded and willing to checkout something outside their norm. For my personal tastes and though I've never witnessed a performance, I think I'd rather see them live than listen to them on record. Some things feel better live and my gut says to me, that Sean Kershaw and the New Jack Ramblers would get me more excited live. My expectations were a bit high for this effort. I was hoping for something a bit more rip roaring and electric. Electric meaning that shocking feeling one gets that sends shivers up your spine. I didn't quite get that electric feeling I had hoped I would.

For those in the New York area you can catch Sean Kershaw and the New Jack Ramblers at Hill Country on November 28. Swing by and check them out.

In the meantime, have a listen to them for yourselves.

"Coney Island Cowboy"

"Crackerjack Delight"

Track Listing

• Old Hollow Tree
• Piggy In The Middle
• Coney Island Cowboy
• Already Cheatin'
• Bigshot Of The Honkytonk
• When The Sheriff Comes To Town
• Moonlight Eyes
• Little Mr. Train Man
• Honkytonk Special
• Crackerjack Delight
• The Trucker & The Tranny
• Get Real Gone
• Woke Up Dead
• Six Days On The Road

www.seankershaw.com
www.myspace.com/seankershawandramblers
www.facebook.com/sean.kershaw1
twitter.com/seankershaw_njr

On Sale Dates For The Week of October 25

Tickets go on sale this week for upcoming shows in the New York Area.

On Sale Wednesday, October 28, 2009

November 17 -- Dave Barnes at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Friday, October 30, 2009

November 9 -- Wolfmother at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
November 15 -- Natalia Lafourcade at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 2 -- Imogen Heap at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
http://tinyurl.com/yzzymog
December 10 -- Arctic Monkeys at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
December 17 -- Pete And J at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com


December 17 -- Lake Trout at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
December 29 - 31 -- Patti Smith And Her Band (pictured) at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
January 1 -- Passion Pit at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
January 8 -- City And Colour at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
January 30 -- Between The Buried And Me at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
http://tinyurl.com/yzzymog
February 14 -- Al Green at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
March 19 -- Indecision at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

Metric Get Remixed & Release Acoustic EP

Metric has a new acoustic EP, Plug In, Plug Out out today. I find that I'm rather enjoying Metric in plug out state. You can check out a preview of it with the handy little widget below. I like widgets and I like the word widget, but I digress. Metric, kind band that they are, are also offering up a download for you good folks in the Internet world. Japanese DJs, 80kidz, have remixed "Help I'm Alive" which you can grab HERE. I'm not big on re-mixes but I'm diggin' this one.

Track Listing

• Gimme Sympathy
• Gold Guns Girls
• Help I'm Alive
• Satellite Mind
• Twilight Galaxy

www.ilovemetric.com
www.myspace.com/metric
www.facebook.com/metric
www.imeem.com/metric
www.twitter.com/metric

Paul McCartney To Release Good Evening New York City

Mark November 17 on your calendars as Macca Day. Why? That's the day Paul McCartney releases Good Evening New York City. I confess to having a soft spot for McCartney, actually all of the former Beatles. Okay, that's not really much of a confession especially if you've seen my music collection. To be honest, I hadn't realized how much McCartney music I owned until I set about trying to organize my collection. Being extremely unorganized and easily bored by such tasks, I failed miserably ... at least all of his music is kinda sorta in the same general vicinity now! But, I digress.

Good Evening New York City immortalizes McCartney's historic three-night wing ding (July 17, 18 & 21) out at Citi Field. For trivia buffs, historical reference and whatnot, Citi Field is the site of the former Shea Stadium which is somewhat hallowed ground for Beatles fans. That's where the Fab Four played a 34 minute set in 1965 to a screaming mass of fans, not that those same screaming fans actually heard the show due to well, their screaming! We've all seen the footage, it's one of those big deal Beatles US moments. Some 44 years later and armed with a much better sound system, Macca returned to the scene of the crime and did his thing.

You'll have a few versions of Good Evening New York City to choose from. There's the standard edition 3-disc set (2 CD's + 1 DVD) and the deluxe 4-disc version (2 CD's + 2 DVD's). The deluxe edition includes extended packaging and McCartney's performance atop the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee (the theater the Beatles made their US television debut incase for some odd reason you lack that bit of music trivia) where he stopped traffic. Macca drew about 15 blocks worth of people along Broadway trying to witness the legend. I walked by the theater that morning, passing by all of the MPL equipment cases outside the building (if you hadn't already heard whispers of something big happening, you knew once you saw all of the equipment) and witnessed people already scouting out vantage points hoping for a glimpse of the man himself while on their way to wherever they were going. Parts of the marquee performance aired on The Late Show with David Letterman but the bonus DVD contained in this package will contain footage that didn't air on television and was previously only available on The Late Show's website. And, for the vinyl lovers of the world, of course there will be a vinyl edition package too.

The Citi Field concerts have been heralded by critics and fans alike. So, if you weren't there and want to experience the Macca Magic (Did I just write that? That's kinda corny!) or want to relive it, pick up a copy. As for me, I'm sure the deluxe version of Good Evening New York City will end up in the same general vicinity as the rest of my McCartney collection.

www.paulmccartney.com
www.myspace.com/paulmccartney

Around New York ... October 26 - November 1, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

October 26 -- Har Mar Superstar / Bang Band Eche at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
October 26 -- The Idle Hands / Atomic Tom at Pianos
pianosnyc.com
October 26 -- Girls At Dawn at Bruar Falls
www.bruarfalls.com
October 27 -- Pearl and the Beard at Joe's Pub
www.joespub.com
October 27 -- Cartel at The Gramercy Theatre
www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/411577
October 27 - November 1 -- Ron Carter Trio (pictured) at Blue Note
www.bluenote.net


October 28 -- Matt Sucich / Jason Blum / Annie Keating / Piera at Southpaw
spsounds.com
October 28 -- Emilie Simon at Knitting Factory
ny.knittingfactory.com
October 28 -- Spider / Liz Durrett / Cabineta of National Curiosities / Golden Bones at Cake Shop
cake-shop.com
October 28 -- Jay Farrar / Benjamin Gibbard at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
October 29 -- Blackmore's Night at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/411381
October 29 -- John Roderick / J. Wise at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
October 29 -- A Place To Bury Strangers / Dead Confederate at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
October 29 -- Robert Earl Keen / Todd Snider at Town Hall
www.the-townhall-nyc.org
October 30 -- Living Colour at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com
October 30 -- Bethany Saint Smith & The Gun Show / So So Human at Ace Of Clubs
www.aceofclubsnyc.com
October 31 -- The Misfits at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com
October 31 -- Deer Tick Plays The Songs of the Sex Pistols at Brooklyn Bowl
www.brooklynbowl.com
October 31 -- Thievery Corporation at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
October 31 -- Karl Denson's Tiny Universe at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
October 31 -- Junior Boys / Woodhands at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
October 31 -- Mike Doughty / Porter Block at Le Poisson Rouge
lepoissonrouge.com
November 1 -- Keegan DeWitt (pictured) at Rockwood Music Hall
www.rockwoodmusichall.com
November 1 -- Dana Piccoli at Bitter End
www.bitterend.com
November 1 -- Dysrhythmia / Stats / The Smother Party at Union Pool
www.myspace.com/unionpool
November 1 -- The Ghost of a Sabre Toothed Tiger / Doveman at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com