Radio Bean picture by Tim Lewis

 

I had a nice time seeing music at Radio Bean last night. I worked until 7 then zipped over to the Bean and Silver Bridget were on stage. They played as a trio with an electric guitar, a guy playing acoustic guitar, who used his feet on a bass drum and hi-hat, and the sound was rounded out by Johnnie Day Durand on the musical saw. They played instrumental versions of classic covers. As I settled in the sounds of Nowhere Man were really sweet. They played a Ringo song and She’s Leaving Home. They did endearing versions of Old Man and Harvest Moon. The guitar had a very clean sound for most of the show but he fuzzed it up here and there, most notably on the take off section of Space Oddity. The did an old Mancini song, they played Over The Rainbow and even did a fun version of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. The band sounded super fine and the saw painted beautiful melodies in the air. I think I missed a couple of songs at the beginning of the show, but got to see most of it. I’m really glad I went. Everyone in the room really enjoyed it and demanded an encore. Work is about to go crazy and I will miss a lot of shows in the coming three weeks, so I’m really glad I put in the effort last night.

 

ArtsRiot photo by Tim Lewis

I had a great time seeing music last night. I got out of work at 7, got home quickly and grabbed a bit of leftover Thanksgiving food, then took the long walk to ArtsRiot on Pine st. I thought the show started at 8 but it was closer to 8:30, so I had 20 minutes to settle in and chat with Brad Searles (after having to be reminded who he was, it’s been ages) and Ben Maddox.

Astrocat photo by Tim Lewis

Astrocat hit the stage as a guitar bass drums trio and rocked pretty hard. The sound ranged from mid paced indie rock to slow and sludgy almost Sabbath metal. A couple of songs had some double time speed just to mix things up a little. The drummer was steady and strong. Buck’s bass had lots of fun runs, but the real star of the show was the fuzzed out guitar. I didn’t catch too much of the lyrics as the vocal mic could have been a little higher, but everything sounded nice. The show started a little slow but soon they locked in and had a nice rock energy. When they started Cookie Jar, a really fast fun rocker, it rang a bell, so I must have seen or heard them do that at one point. It was fun to see live, as was their whole set.

The Mountain Says No photo by Tim Lewis

I went to get another drink and ran into Sean Toohey and Ann Mindell and chatted a bit, but soon it was time for The Mountain Says No. Their heavy rock sound was blissful to my ears and soul. They opened heavy with Long Term Sermon, then eased up a bit with Who Could Say? They let loose the sludgy beginning of Iron And Metal then let it slip into full rock mode as the song progressed. They kept things at top gear with Restaurant before easing off into the weirdly mellow and sort of spooky 3,000. They followed with a new one that had a great rock sound and an eerie vibe and might have been my favorite song of the night. A majestic version of King Grifter followed, then they tossed in another killer new song. Things got a little funky with Ricky The Rider then went back to the heavy rock for Come And Decide. They closed the show with a truly stunning version of The Bomb. I was elated note for note and am still committed to the idea that if you miss a Mountain show, you really are missing something.

Eef photo by Tim Lewis

At this point I had certainly gotten my $5 worth, and the main band had yet to play. I don’t think I was a huge Eef back in the day, though likely caught them at some point. I didn’t really know what to expect and could not judge them on past performances or nostalgic notions. The only thing I had to go on was the band in front of me. They took the stage as a trio with Brad on drums, Michael Barrett on bass, and Jedd Kettler (doing double duty for the night) on guitar. Some of the songs had that classic early ’90’s indie “Burlington Sound”, and some were just fun punkish rock songs. They mixed new songs with classics and I really liked them all. Maleman was pretty cool. The song about making mixtapes (opened with Don’t Let’s Start and ended with Love Will Tear Us Apart) was pretty great. Around half way into the set they brought up Trevor (the rock god) from Astrocat on guitar and rocked extra hard for the rest of the night. Sugar High was fast and heavy and fun. An new one about my cat turning black suggests a mix I need to do on my next radio show. Late in the set they thanked the small but mighty audience for showing up, played one more and that was that. Nostalgia aside, it was a solid rock show from a great rock band and I loved every moment. I’m so glad I put in the effort, it was so rewarding.

ArtsRiot sign photo by Tim Lewis

Radio Bean picture by Tim Lewis

 

I had a great time seeing music on Wednesday at Radio Bean. I had the day off and got lots of stuff done early followed by the most relaxing of afternoons. I caught a nap and woke up in the early evening. My copy of RUSH 40 had arrived so I popped in the DVD to check out some of it. Time slipped and soon I was scrambling to get out the door on time.

I walked into the Bean about 9:45 and there was a podium with a white sheet on the stage. Behind it, and other hair cutting accessories, was Dom the Barber. He had a psychedelic swirl projected on the sheet and a slow groove electronic beat going on. When the song came around he started singing “History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of me” and I knew I should have arrived earlier. He had us sing a couple rounds of Godzilla and moved on through the set. His between song banter was a mix of endearing and genuinely funny. His next song was played on a singing drum, which had a gorgeous sound, that was made by a guy named Tim on Pine st. The next song was was a compulsive piece about checking the door 13 times (You are all wondering if you left the stove on before you left, aren’t you?”). A spacey electronic jam followed where he played his 3 string bass like thing and a Theremin. He wrapped the show with a song played on ukulele, though he played it like a bass and had the heaviest sound I’ve ever heard from one of those. The song was a fun ditty about alien abduction. I loved every moment of the show and wish I had gotten out the door sooner.

After a longish tear down and set up, The Nancy Druids hit the stage with their beautiful songs and solid playing. John Franklin and Ann Mindell had the rhythm section moving as one and Sean Toohey let the songs drive through endearing melodies and towering solos. The first two songs put me in a beautiful place and I loved every moment. The third, Ordinary Breakdown Day (??) was almost exactly in the middle of the harmony driven Beatles and the heavy crunch of Led Zeppelin. This was the third time I had seen them so I’m getting familiar with their songs, but don’t quite know them yet. I really enjoyed all of them before and like them more each time I hear them. The band were really good before, but tonight found them extra locked in. They tossed in a couple of brand new ones that were pretty good too. As the set progressed Sean pulled out more of his trademark out of this world guitar solos in which he brought the guitar close to different amps to change the almost feedback tone. It’s so great to be in the presence of a master. Songs like Space Between A Secret And A Lie (all song titles approximate) and Falling are quickly becoming favorites. They wrapped the night with another killer original then said they would play a very complicated cover. They did a great job on I Am The Walrus and Sean kicked the song with another towering solo.

I said a quick goodbye then headed out the door, walking home in an effortlessly blissful way.

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. While there have been a couple of low spots this year, on this day I want to look back at some of the many wonderful things that have happened and be thankful for them. I want to thank all of my FB friends for making me laugh and sharing important news stories. I want to thank U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders for having the audacity to think he could win the Presidency and to mount an full throttled campaign that has avoided the usual personal attacks. I want to thank all of my friends who have hung out with me and made life so enjoyable.

As you would expect, I am very thankful for all of you musicians who go out and play, and for WBKM.org for giving me a way to give some air time to your hard work. I really like the fact that I have a platform to showcase the wonderful music in our town. It’s so hard to do the show then walk home and do the write-up about it on Facebook and tag everyone that I can to let them know their music has been played. It’s so rewarding to wake up the next day and see the large number of likes and lovely comments. The thing that I have always most wanted to do in life is let musicians know that I appreciate what they go through and care about their music. The show gives me a rock solid way to do that, though showing up at their shows is vital too. I’ve been to great shows where I was the only one there, at least for part of it, and wonder what it must be like to put so much energy into creating songs and going through all it takes to get out, get set up and play it, especially if there is little or no appreciation. I feel it’s important to recognize the heart and soul of the musicians who do this. I feel it’s important to say that the songs they have dreamed up and let loose in our world matter. Going to shows is the best way to do that. Doing the radio show gives me another platform to express my love for what they do and for what they have created.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who have found your art and are letting it loose in our world. Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who have yet to find your art. I encourage you to find your passion and let it make a better world for all of us. It will be hard but incredibly rewarding. And, if you even need someone to get your back and say I Believe In You, just give me a shout. That’s what I’m here for.

 

WBKM window by Tim Lewis

http://wbkm.org/

 

I just got back from my local music radio show on internet only WBKM.org. I played a lot of classic Burlington music, but mixed in a few newer songs too.

lined up before the show:

Moonlight In Vermont – Willie Nelson
Gift Shop – The Tragically Hip

recording begins:

Song before: Essence – The Church Band

promo

intro

From our small city to the great big world, these are the Sounds Of Burlington. It’s a drizzly rainy night in Burlington and oddly warm for this late in November. Tonight I want to start with the second band I ever saw live. They opened for the Ramones at the Flynn Theater. My friend Christopher Larrow just got a turntable that can rip mp3’s so now I have a copy of this album to play. This is one of those songs that just randomly pops into my head now and then. I hope you enjoy!

1.) Hold Me Tight – The Decentz
2.) You Don’t Like Me, Do Ya? – Pinhead
3.) Wally Rides The Ferry – Zoot Wilson
4.) Every Time I Hear That Mellow Saxophone – Big Joe Burrell & The Unknown Blues Band

Big Joe passed away a few years back, and has a wonderful statue on Church st, but the band are around and playing tonight at Nectar’s to help celebrate the clubs 40th birthday. A lot of great music has been played in that room. OK, it’s time to play the last song on No Need To Beg. I hope you have enjoyed listening to all of those songs as much as I have.

5.) Insomnia – Phil Yates & The Affiliates
6.) I Feel So Dumb – The Decentz
7.) Medula Momblongata – Strung Out
8.) Say It – Anachronist

Great song from the Central Vermont band. Everyone loved to go see Emily play whenever Strung Out performed. Another classic from Decentz. Another great song from Phil Yates. I will be off next week, since it’s Thanksgiving, but the week after I will have to find a new album to play all the way through. This next set should be fun. It’s about girls clubs and boys clubs and motorcycles.

9.) Bad Girls Club – Colin Nicholas Clary
10.) Boys Club – Peg Tassey MUSIC
11.) She’s A Motorcycle – Colin Clary
12.) Faineant – Swale

I love that song about wishing he was a motorcycle and could go where he wants. Well sung Eric Olsen. Motorcycle and Girls Club are from Twee Blues, the album Colin just sent me. Thanks! There are some fun songs on that album. Boys Club is a classic from Peg about the anger that comes from being excluded because of race or sex or whatever. When you think about it the best way to fight terrorism is not with guns and bombs but to make everyone included and feel valued and have a hope of a decent life. It’s really not that hard to figure out. This next song is something that I have had for months on vinyl but have not been able to play for you, since we play all music files at the station. Thanks for ripping the MP3 for this one Chris!!!

13.) Bling Pigs – ROUGH FRANCIS
14.) Heavy Psych – The Cush
15.) Cowgirl In The Sand – The Seth Yacovone Band

Seth and the band played a killer show last week at Nectar’s to help WBKM celebrate its birthday. Joe Moore started the night on solo sax and tossed in a nice cover of Heart Of Gold. Seth played a solo set of Neil Young songs. He began with After The Gold Rush and closed with My My Hey Hey. The full band came on after and opened with Hey Hey My My and played tons of classics, including a killer version of Cowgirl. I was just thinking of the show The Cush played last year at Arts Riot, where they sold me their killer new album. That is the lead off song. Great song from Francis!!! OK, let’s keep rocking.

16.) The Day I Met You – Dirtminers
17.) So They Say – The New Siberians
18.) Who’s Fault Was That – The Snaz
19.) Compared To You – The Decentz

I love mixing something so old like Compared with something so new like Fault. I thought they sounded quite nice together. I’m still impatiently waiting for the next Siberians album. Great song that likely will be on that album. Killer song from Dirtminers. It’s been drizzly and rainy all night and feels a little bit like this.

20.) In The Rain – Plan B
21.) Left One In The Rain – Alice Austin
22.) We Shall Overcome – U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and 30 VT Musicians

I’m so glad there is one candidate for President talking about the need to create a world where people don’t want to be terrorists, rather than dealing with the repercussions afterwards. Bernie has been doing it for decades. Plan and Alice Austin sure sum up the mood of the evening. Since I have a bit of an international commentary going, I thought this would be fun to play.

23.) Attempt No Landing Aria – Mailbox
24.) Micronesia – Mailbox
25.) TFAY – Elephants of Scotland

I hope you enjoyed checking out the music of our town. Let’s not do it next week but rather spend Thanksgiving with our families and not shopping. Let’s do it the week after that, and the week after that…

outro

promo

Song after dedicated to all the racist sentiment and fear about Syrian refugees: The Perception Of Johnny Punter – Fish

recording ends

Lined up after:

Map Of The World Part 1 – jane siberry
Usual Plays In Heaven/Be Kind And Talk To Me – Active Heed
Down By The River/Like A Hurricane – Real Old & Insane Donkey
I Talk To The Wind – King Crimson
4 Minutes->The Tide Is Turning – Roger Waters
Empire Of The Clouds – Iron Maiden
Siberian Khatru – Yes (official)
La Villa Strangiato – RUSH
Where The Streets Have No Name – U2
Afraid Of Sunlight – Marillion
Orange Like Water – The Cush
Hello Earth->The Morning Fog – Kate Bush
The Awful Ache – The Church
Ball Of Confusion – Love And Rockets
Letter From The 21st – Jeremy Gilchrist
You’ll Be The Sky – Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band
New York My Lovely – Joshua Glass Music
regular programming.

 

WBKM Birthday 2015-poster-663×1024

http://wbkm.org/

It was a bit too late last night, or this morning, to write up last night’s local music radio show on WBKM.org, so here I am now.

Lined up before:
The Vigilant Ones – The Cush
Delirious – The Church Band
Edgar Allen Poe – Lou Reed

recording begins
Song before: Symmetry – jane siberry

promo

intro

From our small city to the great big world, these are the Sounds Of Burlington. It’s going to be a bit of a short show, since the WBKM birthday party starts at Nectar’s at 9:30 and my show runs 9-11. I’m going to hang out for 30 minutes or so, then play some music from last years party. I had a great time last Saturday at the Radio Bean birthday party, where 80 or so bands played. I caught a lot and had a great time. Let’s begin with one of the bands who played a killer set in the afternoon.

1.) Waiting For You – Swale
2.) I’ve Been Down – Bob Wagner
3.) By My Side – Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band
4.) Good Thing – Maryse Smith

Maryse played a killer set at the party. I did not make it late enough to see Kat and the soul band, but did catch a fantastic set with a woman named Maggie and Kat Wright and Bob Wagner. That’s a new song from Bob that he just sent me. Thanks Bob!! Hmmmm, Swale. OK, let’s continue on through No Need To Beg. There are just a couple of more songs to play until I get to choose another album to play all the way through.

5.) Flicker (Song For Clara) – Phil Yates & The Affiliates
6.) The Night Syd Barret Died – Colin Nicholas Clary
7.) Amble Down – Crater Lake
8.) Gettin High – Heavy Plains
9.) Hit – Blue Button

I missed BB’s set at Radio Bean, but did catch them with Aspero Siacos and Heavy Plains at Finnegan’s the night before. Killer show. There was an article on Noisey about the local music scene that talked about local bands with links to listen to their music. The only one I did not know was Crater Lake so I thought I should check them out. Pretty good stuff. Colin played a great version of Syd at the Bean birthday party. Lovely song from Phil Yates and the band. OK, I’m going to head over to the party. I think Joe Moore is on soon, or now. Here is some music from last year’s party. The first few will be rock songs from Bob Wagner and the Book ‘Em Blues Band. When it starts sounding like Neil Young, that will be Seth Yacovone Band playing as Real Old and Insane Donkey. See you next week.

10.) Intro/Have You Ever Loved A Woman – Book ‘Em Blues Band
11.) Crossroads – Book ‘Em Blues Band
12.) Little Wing – Book ‘Em Blues Band
13.) Bamboozled By Love – Book ‘Em Blues Band
14.) Rocking In The Free World – Real Old and Insane Donkey
15.) Cowgirl In The Sand – Real Old and Insane Donkey
16.) Powderfinger – Real Old and Insane Donkey
17.) Down By The River – Real Old and Insane Donkey
18.) Like A Hurricane – Real Old and Insane Donkey
19.) Hey Hey, My My – Real Old and Insane Donkey
20.) Sayonara – Black Rabbit (since when after Joe’s set I popped back to the station and noticed that the players had shortened the time and the show was going to end early)
outro

promo

Songs after: Raingods Danding/Make It Happen – Fish
See Emily play

recording ends
regular programming

 

I just got back from one of those melancholy/happy times with Mom and my brother Ken. When Mom and Dad had their 50th anniversary party in 2010 instead of gifts they asked for donations to go to Heifer International and the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps. Dad had made it known that when he did pass away he did not want people to send flowers but to instead donate some money to the VYCC. We put that in the obituary and several people (including the lovely Vicki Tucker) donated some money. A while ago my mom got a call from them asking where all these donations were coming from. Mom talked with them for a bit and they invited the three of us to stop in at their facility in Richmond for a tour. Today was the day we went to do that.

We arrived and were greeted by a lovely woman named Naomi. As she walked from her desk to greet us, I saw something unusual and specific behind her work space and had to ask. “Is that a Phil Yates & The Affiliates LP?” She said yes and said she sings in a band with their drummer Jacob Blodgett. I let her know I loved the band and do a local music radio show on WBKM.org. I think she is going to send me an album. Yea, more local music to play.

We toured the barn and she told us about the program which is for kids in their late teens to early 20’s and they get sent out all over the state to work on projects and learn about sustainable living off the land, learning to work with groups of people, learning leadership skills and things like that. It really sounds like they are doing some great work. If you know a kid in that age range who needs some direction, check out the organization.

At the end of the tour I mentioned that I work at Gardener’s Supply Company and she said Jim Feinson (GSC’s CEO) is a member of their board. It’s such a small, and wonderful, world sometimes.

So, I’m thinking about Dad today. I’m feeling a little sad, but happy to know that something that meant a lot to him, kids getting a chance to learn and better themselves, is thriving and available. I know he would be pleased.

On the way out, Mom mentioned that we were going to stop and get something to eat. Naomi recommended the Parkside Kitchen. We took her up on that, and the food was just great. Great call!!

That’s my day so far.

http://www.vycc.org/

 

Light Club Lamp Shop photo by Tim Lewis

I had been down to Radio Bean three times and it was almost 4pm and I knew Swale would be coming on soon, so I hustled downtown (again) and arrived at 4:10pm. The DuPont Brothers were onstage playing acoustic guitars and sounding ridiculously good, but when they finished their song, that was the end of their set. Lee Anderson hopped onto the stage and had everyone go out front for a community photo. We did. Kevin Bloom climbed a ladder that was partially in the road and quickly took a few pictures.

Everyone moved back inside and the music resumed.
Swale took the stage and launched into Waiting For You. I love how upbeat and happy that song is. They followed with another mellow song, Beaten Down, then kicked up the volume. Jack Sharp rocked hard, then they closed the set with a rousing Everyone Likes To. It’s so fun to sing along to that one.

Next up. Lowell Thompson took the stage. This time he was singing and playing guitar, like he usually does. He was joined by Kirk Flanagan on bass, Bill Mullins on guitar and Steve Hadeka on drums. They are all masters of their instruments and it was cool to listen to them jam out three country rock songs. Bill’s lead playing was understated and very cool.

At 4pm they had opened the Light Club Lamp Shop and I think Kat Wright and Brett Hughes played there at some point, according to the schedule, but even though I peeked in a couple of times, I just missed them.

After Lowell, I headed to the Lamp Shop and two women were on stage playing acoustic guitar. I’m pretty sure one was Annie Battipaglia but did not catch the other. The song I walked in on was nice enough, then they went into a cover of Stand By Me. The audience enjoyed it but I was worried I might be missing something and went back to the Bean.

Brittney Langdon was onstage playing an electric guitar and had an enchanting ethereal sound. I really enjoyed the song and a half that I saw her do on guitar. For her last song she just used a pedal to trigger a lush full sound and sang delightfully over it. I really enjoyed her celestial set!

Just looking around the Bean and seeing some dramatically dressed people was a clue that I should stay put. The Toes came on next and played a hell of a show. They played as a four-piece with guitar, bass, drums and the stunning Pam Ant on vocals. OK, the guitar player sang some too, but Pam can contort her voice into something almost unreal, and does so often. Their sound is a bit like the B-52’s playing a Ramones song and they rocked hard. They rocked out three of the most delightful songs possible and Pam’s voice was almost more intense than the plugged in electric guitar. They never disappoint.

I hung out at the Bean as Sarah Stickle played acoustic guitar and sang. Her voice is really nice and her playing is solid. I really liked her first song (a cover, maybe called Sad Eyes), but was a bit distracted as I could hear a full rock band playing at the Lamp Shop. After her first one I ducked over, but the band did not grab me immediately, so I went back and listened to her second song, which was one of her own. It was quite good, and it’s quite rare for me to want to hear a solo singer instead of a band. Well done Sarah.

I headed over to the Lamp shop to see what was going on. Sean Hood was set up to sing and play acoustic guitar and was joined by another acoustic guitar player. It took them a moment or two to get ready. I popped back to the Bean and Andrew Stearns was on stage and playing banjo. He sounded nice but did not grab me so I headed back and enjoyed the mellow gorgeous sounds that Sean played. They played three songs. The second was a George Strait song, something about Amarillo. The last one was one Sean wrote about Springsteen’s song Backstreets. It was pretty cool, and Sean plays well and has a pleasant voice. I liked their set.

I headed back to the Bean and the tunic clad Binger hit the stage. I just love their rock sound that features a calypso guitar, Shakir Stephen‘s rapping, and the way they take such elements and just turn them into rock songs. They are super good. The began with If I knew and let it flow into Resurrection. Neither are on their album so hopefully they will be releasing new music soon. Towards the end of the second song they got into a long jam and brought it out with Shakir chanting Vote Bernie for me, Vote Bernie for me, Vote Bernie for me, Vote Bernie for me, then it changed into Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, Bernie. I loved every note of the music and every sentiment they sang, even the non Bernie parts. Funny note, in the afternoon and evening I was dressed in the classic Tim style, but in the morning for the Dino Bravo VT set when I had moments to get myself together, I threw on the U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders for President t-shirt.

I zipped back to the Lamp Shop, since I was sure I was missing one of the acts I most wanted to see. Sure enough Ver Sacrum was on stage. The band is just Matt Hastings and the sound was a mix of exactly what I expected and not at all what I expected. I’d been meaning to catch him, since I love his guitar work in Vedora. I thought he would be playing some soundscaping on electric guitar but he was playing a bluesy rock song on acoustic. The sound was filled with flowing effects and created a great atmosphere, and the song just drifted into the universe. I only caught part of one song, but it was a long one and I was enchanted by his singing and guitar playing for every note. I must check out a full set sometime!

I took a quick breather outside in the cool but not cold air, then went back to the Lamp Shop for the Shane Hardiman trio. Shane played keys, Robinson Morse played stand up bass and I missed the name of the drummer. They played jazz, which is not my favorite, but each musician was truly stunning and I loved every note. I was enchanted and could not leave until the last note.

I zipped back to the Bean just as Milton Busker left the stage and packed up his guitar. Rats!!! I love his songs, and really wish I had seen some or all of them.

Three women, clad in black took the stage. The two on either side wore veils and accentuated the words with their movements while the one in the middle read poems and talked about Radio Bean turning 15 and how the place had finally become a grown woman.

I ducked back to the Lamp shop and there was a guitar bass drums instrumental band rocking. From the band list I’m guessing they were Usually Wednesday. Their songs rocked nicely and I had a good time checking them out, especially the very insistent drumming.

I went back to the Bean and caught Loveful Heights. They featured a woman named Maggie singing some lovely high parts, a lovely woman named Kat Wright singing the low parts and a guy named Bob Wagner playing some subtly beautiful guitar, and adding some vocals. They played Make The Magic Last, a delta bluesish When The River Sings Your Song, a cheery song called I’ve Left Him. They closed the set by getting the audience to sing along to Every Little Cell. That was a delightful set, and the last song has to be one of the highlights of the day.

I bopped back to the Lamp Shop to hear Michael Chorney sing and play acoustic guitar. He was joined by Robinson Morse on stand up bass and they sounded lovely together. Chorney is a great singer and player and his quiet songs were delightful. I did not want to miss the next act at the Bean so I ducked back over, but nothing was happening yet so I got to catch another one by Michael.

After that one, I went back to the Bean and settled in until Caroline Marie had her rig set and started to play. I did not recognize either of the two songs she played, but both had a nice dramatic feel with her strong and sultry voice over the top. I loved both of them. I chatted with her after and found out one was very new and one was older, but she had never played out. I can’t wait for her new album!!

I popped back to the Lamp shop to see a woman singing and a guy on accordion. They called themselves Jennifer “Oh Lord” & The Riders of the Apocalypse and the first song had a Parisian jazz feel. The second song reinforced that since it was called My Clothes Are Made In China But The Label Is In French. It was a fun set.

I slipped through the double doors, walked through !Duino! (Duende), and back into the Bean in time for Joe Adler & The Rangers Of Danger. I did not recognize the drummer or bass player but Joe Adler played guitar and sang and Samara Lark Brown threw her vocals at the songs. I did not know any of the three songs, and instead of the usual high energy classic rock Joe usually plays, all three songs were quite punk. The second was something about Gotta Find A Way, A Better Way. Despite being clueless about what songs they played, I loved every note and the huge intensity they unleashed. That was just a great set!!!!!

I ducked back to the Lamp Shop and Maryse Smith was on stage and just started to play. She skipped her more famous songs and enchanted the quiet as a mouse audience with some deep cuts. Much like the last time I saw her play the Lamp Shop, you could hear every nuance of ever note she played on her acoustic guitar and every nuance of every note she sang. She closed her three song set with the one that begins Winter Is Coming. That is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

I was completely exhausted at that point, but there was an artist on at the Bean that I was curious about. I went back and caught a couple of songs by Eric George. He got the audience to sing along with one that was pretty cool and closed with Drifting (?). He had a nice voice and played well.

I was done, but headed back through the Lamp Shop and caught the tail end of the last song by the legendary Tom Banjo. Listening to him sing his songs of old is like being transported back a century in time. He’s really solid and has put his mark on our town for decades.

After that, I slipped out the door and took the very familiar walk home. There was a lot of music left to come, and a couple of bands I really wanted to see, but was literally exhausted. OK, time to rest up and be ready to do it again next year.

Happy 15th Birthday Radio Bean.

 

Radio Bean picture by Tim Lewis

 

I just got back from round three at the Radio Bean birthday party. It’s almost time to go there for real.

I walked in and Mickey Western was on. He was playing with a cool drummer, Eric Preacher on electric guitar and Malcolm Sanders on violin. I walked in on the last note, so missed the whole set.

Eric and the drummer stayed on stage and were joined by a keyboard player and a bass player and called themselves Sundown. The first song had a rocking jazz fusion sound with a stinging guitar. The second had a slow moody start and built into a nice almost cacophonous jam before easing off into the end. It was quite nice.

Up next Colin Nicholas Clary sand and played electric guitar and was joined by David on bass. They opened with The Night Syd Barret Died and I just loved the many Burlington music references. They played four more fun poppy rocky songs with enjoyable visual lyrics.

Brattleboy Choir followed and were just outstanding. The first song began with just vocals and keys then the guitar and drum came in and rocked it hard. The chorus was Step To The Left Step To The Right and I really liked the song. After that the keyboard played picked up the bass and they jammed out a nice rocking groove. I’ve got to check out their music soon.

Bill Mullins followed and was joined by Kirk Flanagan on bass and the debut of Lowell Thompson on drums. They played a trio of rock songs with a country edge and a super cool vibe, They sounded great and sang songs that said things like “on the run into the heart of the sun”, and “rewind, maybe I should”. Those guys are such pros!

OK, time to go settle in for a while. Lots of great music is about to happen!!

 

Radio Bean picture by Tim Lewis

I just got back from my second run at the Radio Bean birthday party. I arrived just before 11am and Linda Bassick was on stage singing a song about Fishermen. The kids in the audience enjoyed it, as did we adults. She followed with How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You and wrapped her fun set with The Lion Sleeps Tonight. She was as delightful as always.

Next up was The Cleary Family who turned out to be Joe Cleary and his two very young daughters. He and one daughter played violin while the other played a hand drum. They opened with Amazing Grace then played something I did not know. Did they say it was a Gua Gua song? For the last song, the violin played moved to acoustic guitar, the drummer moved to the keyboards and Joe moved to the hand drum. The instrumental they played was kind of simple but each of the girls threw in some musical sparks and it was quite enjoyable. Watch out world, those kids have a ton of potential.

Static Blooming Circut followed and the first song was just Kevin Bloom using an electric guitar, and a radio, and his voice, to create some super-cool sonic effects. His soundscaping drifted along nicely and was rather enjoyable. For the second song he was joined by Max Freeberg on drums and Joe Adler on a shiny silver bass. Joe and Max laid down a funky groove, that shifted around a little here and there, and Kevin soundscaped with guitar and voice over it. Mixed over the top was a Lou Reed sounding rap and the whole effect was just great. The songs were pretty long so they only got to play the two of them.

Up next was Erich Pachner’s Romance, which was just Eric on acoustic guitar and harmonica. He played a trio of country blues songs with subversive lyrics.

Malcolm Sanders was on next and he was joined on violin by Joe Cleary and they played some Irish songs. The harmony violins on the first song were very sweet. They tossed in an Irish polka for the second song and wrapped their set with some reels. It was pretty cool.

Gua Gua followed and filled the stage with percussion players. They had one guitar player, a keyboard player, a bass player, a drummer with two snares and a cowbell, a bongo player and a maraca player. Their first song was a mellow happy jazzy groove lead alternatively by sweet guitar licks and keyboard licks. It created a lovely space. The second song was a bit more upbeat and may be called Voodoo #3. It had a bit of a mellow Santana groove and was quite nice too. Since both songs were quite long, they only got the two.

Things started rocking after a lighting quick band change and The High Breaks kicked off with a cool surf rock song that I did not know, but totally loved. They followed with Salty Shore, then rocked the room with Banana Seat. They closed their set with The Big One. I really loved every note of the set and am sure they got to play 4 because they were so quick to set up and their songs are not very long.

It was a bit warm in the room so I headed home to drop my coat and write a little. I will head back soon.