Concert Review: The Black Pumas Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC (September 10, 2019) Concert Reviews Music Features by Ken Templeton - September 12, 20190 The Black Pumas perform with a collective joy that seems to stem from a few things: a rhythm section that is driving and inventive, songs that create tension and release, and a quiet confidence that they are a very good band. At Cat’s Cradle the other night, they came onto the stage in an understated way--no introduction or music that cut off or lights dimming, just folks wandering onto the stage with little waves of acknowledgement and nods to the crowd that was already grinning at them with anticipation. Of course, the audience had high hopes, because The Black Pumas’ debut record is stunning. And we were not disappointed. Eric Burton’s range as a singer is totally captivating and inspiring, but
Show Review: Hiss Golden Messenger: The Sinclair, December 18, 2018 Concert Reviews Featured Concert Music Features Reviews by Ken Templeton - December 28, 20180 One of the best things about seeing Hiss Golden Messenger is that it’s a different line-up every time and, also, whoever is in the band on any given night is like family to frontman MC Taylor. This shifting collection of players are encouraged to offer their own sense of the songs, so makes it certain that you’ll hear new textures on songs that have made their way into your bones. (If you haven’t yet checked out the amazing collection of Hiss shows on nyctaper.com, please do: there’s a solo show, and many iterations of full-band shows.) This particular line-up was masterful. Phil Cook is, of course, Phil Cook. Josh Kaufman on lead guitar can do pretty much anything. Michael Libramento,
Low Cut Connie + Ruby Boots Great Scott October 17, 2018 Concert Reviews Music Features Reviews by Ken Templeton - October 25, 20180 When Ruby Boots stepped to the front of the stage and her band stepped back so she could sing “I Am A Woman” a capella, the crowd at Great Scott hushed up. We were with her. And we were with her not just because she has a great voice or because it’s a powerful song, but because she was putting on an incredible set. Her songs feel more punk-influenced live than on her studio recordings, but maybe that was just because she is a badass, and badassery comes across more clearly in person than through speakers or headphones. Ruby has an incredible sense of melody and lyricism too, and it was these qualities that led the person behind to just
Phil Cook at The Sinclair Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Concert Reviews Music Features Reviews by Ken Templeton - October 25, 20180 Phil Cook, man. I’m shaking my head trying to capture how that show felt last night. Here’s the thing. At one point in the show, Phil talked about how much Aretha Franklin meant to him. He reminded everyone that it’s Aretha playing the piano on all those records we love so much. He said that her death hit him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Now, many, many people would then play an Aretha Franklin song; but Phil must know that you don’t do that. Like Adia Victoria tweeted, the only way to properly do an Aretha Franklin song is to “walk out on a stage containing a boom box of her greatest hits and press play.” But you can
Show Review: Sarah Shook & The Disarmers (4/29/18 at Atwood’s Tavern) Concert Reviews Featured Concert Music Features Reviews by Ken Templeton - April 30, 20180 After introducing each member of her incredible band, The Disarmers, during their absolutely smoking set, Sarah Shook introduced herself, saying, “I’m Sarah Shook. I wrote these songs, and I went through some shit to get ‘em.” She laughed a bit as she said it, but, as in everything she says or writes, truth and honesty was at its core, and this show was no exception. I heard some folks talking after the show at Atwood’s on Sunday night; one of them said, raving about her, “She’s just so passionate.” Yeah, that is part of it, but I think what draws me to her music and to her as a performer isn’t so much passion as it is how unflinching her
Show Review: Patrick Coman at The Burren (February 17, 2018) Concert Reviews Featured Concert Music Features Reviews by Ken Templeton - February 20, 20180 Patrick Coman has been a staple of the Boston music scene for years and he released his latest album, Tree of Life, at The Burren on Saturday night. A few months ago, Patrick and his family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, leaving a hole in our local music scene, as Patrick was an integral part of WUMB and organized an incredible run of tribute shows under the banner, “For The Sake of the Song.” It was good to have Patrick back in the area, joining forces with the incredible Peter Parcek, who co-produced the new album, for an evening of blistering blues. In the liner notes for Tree of Life, Patrick quotes Woody Guthrie: “All you can write is what you
Under The Covers: Mark Erelli, Rose Cousins, Jake Armerding, Zack Hickman Concert Reviews Music Features Reviews by Ken Templeton - December 15, 20170 “Under The Covers,” the show of entirely cover songs, has been going strong at Club Passim now for fourteen years. I got to attend the Thursday’s late show, which they added after the 7:00 Thursday, and both Friday shows all sold out. Good job, greater metro Boston: you got good taste. I won’t spoil any surprises with a set list--it was too enjoyable to hear the songs emerge, to feel that wave of recognition in the audience, and the appreciation when we were introduced to a new song or songwriter. The selection of songs balances the popular with more obscure; in all cases, there is great care to both honor the original versions and to make the songs new. What
Show Review: Hiss Golden Messenger, One Longfellow Square (July 26, 2017) Concert Reviews Music Features by Ken Templeton - July 27, 20170 I really wanted to take pictures of this show while Mike Taylor was playing music, but it was too quiet at One Longfellow Square. That is to say, while the room was absolutely full, the noise from the camera shutter would have been wholly audible, because everyone was listening so intently. It was great. Through two sets that spanned the entire Hiss Golden Messenger catalogue, including several new songs from the recently announced album Hallelujah Anyhow (Merge Records, September 22), this was another gem in what has become a tradition of solo shows at one of New England’s best listening rooms. The first set was a balance of new songs, tunes from Heart Like a Levee, released last fall, and
Show Recap: Bahamas at Higher Ground (Burlington, VT 6/8) Concert Reviews Music Features by Brian Carroll - June 9, 20170 A man saunters onto a stage who's lights have just been brought up. A tuxedo Silvertone Jupiter, well worn to the point you can't see the name on the headstock, strapped on his chest. Rocking an L.L. Bean hat, a gray Carhartt t-shirt, denim with a series of patches and Chaco sandals. He very well could have been another gent walking down Church Street on Thursday evening, grabbing a bite to eat or some dank hopped beer after a hike through the hills, but this was Afie Jurvanen, most commonly known as the collective Bahamas. The band graced the stage at Newport Folk two years, and to my own demise, I only caught a song or two from their set. When
Show Review: Mipso at The Sinclair (4/22/17) Concert Reviews Music Features by Ken Templeton - April 24, 20170 Mipso is poised for a breakout year. Their fantastic third album, Coming Down the Mountain, was released two weeks ago, they’re hosting the MerleFest all-star jam in the midst of a two-month album release tour, and they are playing with swagger. The band took the stage at The Sinclair on Saturday and, with a few quick rips from Libby Rodenbough’s fiddle, launched into “Hurts So Good,” the single from the new album. The effect on the crowd was palpable and where a minute before people had been chatting and snapping pictures, they were immediately locked in with the group, bouncing and grooving. “Get Out,” from the band’s first album, Dark Holler Pop, continued the feeling of a good summer backyard