Some Velvet Morning

Sometime late last year, British indie rock trio Some Velvet Morning released their debut album Silence Will Kill You. Earlier this year, I was trolling around Amie Street as I'm prone to doing and came across this effort.

Desmond Lambert (vocals/guitar), Gavin Lambert (bass) and Rob Flanagan (drums) put together a dozen songs that rock, roll, simmer and burn. The song "Propaganda" reminds me of early U2 both musically and vocally only more pleasing. "The Madness of Crowds" for some reason, though I can't really put my finger on why exactly, reminds me of Paul McCartney with a bit of Elton John tossed in. The standout songs, "Losing My Mind," "Pretty Girl" and "Settle Down." The other standout, "Stolen Love Song" is my personal favorite. About once a month this song gets put on repeat. I'd call this song a modern day "Layla" though with less intensity.

Silence Will Kill You is a really good record. So far, I think it has slid under the radar escaping notice which is a shame. I look forward to hearing what they have in store for their next record. If it's anything like this one, I'll be in for a treat.

Track Listing

• Let The Good Times Come My Way
• Losing My Mind
• One Day You'll Love The Things You Hate
• Pretty Girl
• Stolen Love Song
• Stone Cold
• Propaganda
• Godless
• Settle Down
• The Nightshift
• The Madness Of Crowds

http://www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/somevelvetmorning

Around New York ... December 1 - December 7, 2008

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

December 1 -- Chester French at Music Hall of Williamsburg

www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

December 1 -- Snow Patrol at Bowery Ballroom

http://www.boweryballroom.com

December 1 -- Jim Jones at Mercury Lounge

http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com

December 1 -- Dave Mason at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

http://www.bbkingblues.com

December 2 - 4 -- Curtis Stigers at The Blue Note

www.bluenotejazz.com

December 2 - Sebastien Grainger & The Mountains plus Josh Reichmann at Union Hall

http://unionhallny.com

December 4 -- The Teenagers / Heloise & The Savoir Faire at Music Hall of Williamsburg

www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com

December 4 -- The King Left / The Howlies at Mercury Lounge

http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com

December 5 -- Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at Webster Hall

http://www.websterhall.com

December 5 -- Modern Skirts plus Princeton / The Brilliant Mistakes at Union Hall

http://unionhallny.com

December 5 -- B.B. King at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

http://www.bbkingblues.com

December 5 - 7 -- Rachelle Ferrell at The Blue Note

www.bluenotejazz.com

December 6 -- Hayes Carll at Union Hall

http://unionhallny.com

December 6 -- Johnny Winter at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

http://www.bbkingblues.com

December 7 -- Nada Surf / Delta Spirit at Webster Hall

http://www.websterhall.com

AC/DC's Black Ice

I ended up buying Black Ice, the latest from AC/DC. I had been hesitant in buying it but, based on the word of about a dozen people, I decided to give it a shot. I like AC/DC. I like them a lot. I just don't generally buy their CD's anymore.

So, I sat down to have a listen and it's a solid record. It's AC/DC. They're pretty much always solid. If there is one thing that AC/DC is, more than anything else, they're consistent. They are possibly the most consistent band in the world.

Black Ice, gives listeners what they want and expect ... blues based rock 'n' roll with bar band appeal. Yeah, so their brand of bar band is arena sized, but it's still the tried and true bar band sound that we all know and generally love from AC/DC. If you're looking for some great artistic statement, you're looking in the wrong place. This is a band who has long subscribed to the stick with what you're good at, if it ain't broke don't fix it method of doing things.

Funk? Did AC/DC just throw a little funk out at us? Yeah, they did ... vaguely. "She Likes Rock 'n' Roll" has a little funk vibe going on. Well, hells bells ... get down with your bad selves! I'd pay money to see Brian Johnson bust a move. Yeah, maybe not. Also, something about the title track, "Black Ice" reminds me of their classic song "Back In Black" only not as good.

Would I recommend Black Ice? Probably, but only to an AC/DC fan (who would likely already have the record!) or perhaps casual listeners and those on the fence. Non-fans and beginners I'd point them in the direction of earlier classics first.

Track Listing

• Rock 'n' Roll Train
• Skies On Fire
• Big Jack
• Anything Goes
• War Machine
• Smash 'n' Grab
• Spoilin' For A Fight
• Wheels
• Decibel
• Stormy May Day
• She Likes Rock 'n' Roll
• Money made
• Rock 'n' Roll Dream
• Rocking All The Way
• Black Ice

www.acdc.com
www.acdcrocks.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

With Thanksgiving nearly here, I'd like to take a moment to wish those who celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving. May you and your loved ones have a safe and happy holiday.

Peace & Happiness,

QNYC

12 Questions with Daniel Iorio

I've been listening to Hike, the twelve song effort from The Daniel Iorio Group (D.I.G.) for a while now. As a matter of fact, it's been in heavy rotation on my iPod. I realized my knowledge about the group was rather limited. To be honest, I didn't know much beyond knowing that I liked the record a great deal. I became curious about the group and wanted to know more about the record and the men who put together such a good record. Well, when I get curious, I start asking questions. I contacted singer/songwriter/producer Daniel Iorio who kindly agreed to quench my curiosity. I sent over a "quirky" photo request, which landed me a Simpsonized version of Mr. Iorio, along with the batch of questions and this is what I learned!

QuirkyNYChick (QNYC): Tell me a bit about the band. How did you come together and what were you doing prior to d.i.g.?

Daniel Iorio (DI): Ooofff. Big question right off the top, eh? lol!

There have been a few incarnations of d.i.g. I was in a Montréal band called Ecclestone for about 7 years. The group parted ways in 2002. We enjoyed some modest success, and were fortunate enough to open up for some legendary acts such as YES, Nazareth & April Wine during our time together. Dan Legault, who co-produced/engineered “Hike” and plays a few instruments on the album was Ecclestone’s drummer. Our last cd together was released in 2001 and called “Datamantra”.

I became a solo artist by default when the band split up, although still collaborated with Dan Legault and Ecclestone guitarist Rob Phillips from time to time. I was writing like crazy and couldn’t stop. Tunes kept accumulating.

No longer having a band to arrange songs with forced me to start experimenting with loops and samples on my computer, something that I would have normally considered somewhat blasphemous as I’d always been a very organic songwriter up to that point. As a result, I produced a lot of haphazardly recorded lo-fi home demos and uploaded them online as a lark. Remarkably, they helped create a buzz on the net, which lead to my signing an independent recording and publishing deal in 2003. Marco Desgagné (bassist) joined me around that time, and was part of the sessions that took place in Toronto under that deal. D.I.G sort of started taking shape at that point. Between 2003 and 2006, different variations of D.I.G played several shows in Montreal and Toronto. Unfortunately, like too many indie deals, things didn’t pan out despite the three grueling years of sacrifice, tons of commuting and non-stop hard work. I was pretty much ready to call it a day and took a break from music. I redirected my energy to martial arts and meditation.

Video: Bob Schneider - Gold In The Sunset (live)

Bob Schneider: November 15 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Bob Schneider - Gold In The Sunset (live)

bobschneidermusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bobschneider

Video: Bob Schneider - Slower Dear (live)

Bob Schneider: November 15 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Bob Schneider - Slower Dear (live)


bobschneidermusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bobschneider

Bob Schneider Heats Up New York

Bob Schneider: November 15 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Once again I found myself in the lower regions of New York City's East side. This time, it was to see the charismatic Bob Schneider. It seems every time I go to the Bowery it's raining! This was a show that was worth getting wet for though.

The show kicked off with the talented Amie Miriello. I wasn't familiar with her work prior to the show. The lady can sing. She's a very personable entertainer and I really enjoyed her set. My favorite of the night from her set was the wonderful "Hey."

So, I got myself up front, against the stage, right there under Bob. This isn't a bad place to be. Nope, not at all. Other than a slight neck ache from looking up and a blinding headache from the brutal assault of the lights on my congested head it was a great place to be. Colds and flashing lights don't mix ... just so you know. I told myself I was reserving what little voice I had in case he played "Tarantula," which he did. I did attempt to 'la, la, la' during "Getting Better" prior to that though. If you were near and heard what sounded like an off-key frog, that was me! All hope for my poor throat was gone with "Assknocker" and "Mudhouse." Some songs you just can't resist singing along to.

I'm not sure how to describe one Bob Schneider. He's a bit of a jack of all trades type of musician. He's a storyteller with a wicked sense of humor. He's a multi-instrumentalist. He effortlessly exudes charm. You know what to expect (a bit of the unexpected) while at the same time he keeps you off balance just enough to completely blow your mind at each turn. One moment he's the guy you want to toss back drinks with, the next you want to hug him and give him a bowl of soup. And if you're one to go all weak kneed and girlie, he offers opportunity to do that too. It's said, that once you see him live, you're forever hooked. I have no doubts that that's true.

Schneider who during the course of the night played guitar, keyboard, harmonica, the trumpet and a cymbal was joined by Jeff Plankenhorn (guitar), Harmoni Kelly (bass) and Conrad Choucroun (drums). They were just as talented and entertaining as their leader. This is a group of people who covered just about every musical base possible and made it all fit without making you wonder "what the hell?" Where else are you going to get the 'rap song,' "Bullets," and the sultry "Slower Dear" (which I was very happy to hear) in one show?

Schneider's shows aren't just concerts. They're experiences with audience participation. I had a great time in spite of having a horrible cold. I would gladly go out in the rain and sound like an off key frog again for Mr. Schneider. Does that mean I'm hooked?

I was loaded up on cold medicine and didn't take setlist notes. But, to the best of my memory, the below is what was played ... obviously not in this order. I know I'm forgetting a few ...

Set List (Updated)

• When The Sun Breaks Down On The Moon
• Game Plan
• Metal & Steel
• Blue Mountain
• Changing Your Mind (w/Amie Miriello)
• Realness Of Space
• Bullets
• Cheaper
• The Californian
• 40 Dogs & Cigarettes
• Gold In The Sunset
• Trash
• Getting Better
• Ready, Let's Roll
• Big Blue Sea
• Sun Hurts My Eyes
• Captain Kirk
• Tarantula
• Snakebucket
• Slower Dear
• Country Club
• Mudhouse / Heart Holds Diamonds
  
• Assknocker

I still swear I heard "Looking At The People" and "Greg The Gangster" ... perhaps I was more loaded up on cold medicine than I thought or the voices in my head were doing their own show or I was wishful thinking!

The Band

bobschneidermusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/bobschneider
All Photos: © L.R. Adams

Video: Amie Miriello - Snow (live)

Amie Miriello: November 15, 2008 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Amie Miriello - Snow (live)

http://www.myspace.com/amiemiriello
http://www.amiemiriello.com

Amie Miriello Live

Amie Miriello: November 15, 2008 @ Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

Photos and video from Amie's set.

Amie Miriello - Hey (live)


http://www.myspace.com/amiemiriello
http://www.amiemiriello.com

All Photos: © L.R. Adams