5 Live Music Musts - February 6, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - February 6, 2015
John Reilly and Friends at Columbus Theatre
The tent at the Newport Folk Festival was overflowing last summer for John Reilly and his friends Becky Stark and Tom Brousseau. Actor/Musician/Songwriter Reilly puts on a great spin on traditional American music incorporating elements of folk, country and bluegrass They’ll be kicking it up tomorrow night at the Columbus Theatre starting at 8PM. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTJay Farrar at the Columbus
Jay Farrar may be best known as the co-founder of the legendary alt-country band Uncle Tupelo. When the seminal band broke up in 1994, Farrar went on to form Son Volt and now tours under his own name. His performances are an authentic experience with strains of Woody Guthrie running through his show. Check out the troubadour Sunday at the Columbus Theatre in Providence. Special Guest Anders Parker opens. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 day of show. Music starts at 8PM.
Patty Larkin at Common Fence
Patty Larkin wore the “singer-songwriter” label back in the 80’s when it wasn’t as fashionable as it has become today. She writes passionate songs about people, places and things. The Cape Cod resident is celebrating her 30th year as a recording artist and tomorrow night, she appears at Common Fence Music in Portsmouth. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door – show begins at 8PM.
It’s a singer-songwriter weekend at Sandywoods with three great shows starting tonight. First up tonight, three up-and-coming artists; Ian Fitzgerald, Krista Baroni and M.R. Poulopoulos perform. All are gifted songwriters and highly regarded on the New England folk scene. Tomorrow, it’s the return of the Magnolia Cajun Band, and Sunday its veteran folk legend Ellis Paul. Prices and start times vary – check the Sandywoods site here for details.
Marc Douglas Berardo at Stone Soup
Westerly based singer-songwriter Marc Douglas Berardo plays tomorrow night at the venerable Stone Soup Coffeehouse at Slater Mill in Pawtucket. Berardo’s a storyteller in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits and recently released his fifth CD, Whalebone. Opening for Berardo are local favorites Tracie Potochnik and Steve Allain. The show begins at 7PM – tickets are $16.
Have suggestions for “5 Live?” E-mail Ken Abrams here.
Top 5 Winter Concerts
Fleetwood Mac at the Dunk
Fleetwood Mac, one of the original super groups of the 70s, returns to the area with a show at the Dunkin Donuts Center on January 28. The band totally killed it at two sellout shows this fall in Boston and we expect the same from the legendary group when they play the Dunk. Of course, the highlight for many fans will be the return of Christine McVie, who had been on hiatus since 1997. Check our review of the Boston show here for a little of what you can expect. Meanwhile, don’t stop thinking about this show.
Indigo Girls at PPAC
The Indigo Girls were in the forefront of the folk-rock revival in the 1980s. They’ve continued to develop artistically with fresh harmonies and ever relevant lyrics. With over 14 million albums sold, they’re the only duo to have Billboard Top 40 titles in the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. We’re looking forward to seeing how their usually stripped down sound plays when they are joined by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show is Friday the 13th of February, but we guarantee good fortune!
Nick Lowe at The Narrows
The absolute coolest holiday show around comes to the Narrows Center on Wednesday December 17 as Nick Lowe brings his “Quality Holiday Review” to Fall River. Along for the ride and backing Lowe will be Los Straitjackets, known for their Mexican wrestling masks and jammin’ guitar chops. Lowe is a well known producer and songwriter having penned hits like “Cruel to be Kind” and “What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Don’t miss this show next week at the Narrows Center.
George Clinton at Lupo's
The spectacle that is George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic is our funkiest pick for the Winter concert season. Clinton has been touring with a diverse group of musicians since the late 60s. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the largest band ever inducted) and is coming to Lupo's on Friday February 20. They're even bringing along a new release – First You Gotta Shake the Gate. Good times are guaranteed for this one.
Mardi Gras Ball at Rhodes
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Boogie down to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet on February 28 for the 23rd Annual Cajun and Mardi Gras Ball. The biggest party of the season is always a sell out and this year should be no different with headliners Beau Soleil with Michael Doucet and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Can’t wait another six months till Rhythm and Roots? Then don’t miss the Mardi Gras Ball.
Honorable Mention I
Did we mention that it’s a really busy winter concert season? The Dunkin Donuts Center has a rock show with Linkin Park, Rise Against, and Of Mice and Men on January 24. Another legend, Mr. Neil Diamond, will shake up the Dunk on March 10. Mother Falcon returns to the Columbus Theatre on January 11 and Uncle Tupelo co-founder Jay Farrar is there on February 8. And catch rocker George Thorogood at Cranston's Park Theatre on March 8.
(Pictured: Neil Diamond)
Honorable Mention II
Acclaimed Indie artist St. Vincent, who’s 2014 album made numerous “Best Of the Year” lists is coming to Lupos on Sunday March 7th. Dianna Krall is at PPAC on March 4, on her “Wallflower” tour where she will re-interpret classic rock tunes. Other highlights include legendary party rockers NRBQ, who arrive at the Narrows Center for a pre-New Years Eve show on Tuesday December 30. The Narrows Center also has a Winter Blues Festival over MLK weekend with artists including Selwyn Birchwood, Yound Neil and the Vipers and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds.
(Pictured: St. Vincent)
Coffeehouse Highlights
Common Fence Music in Portsmouth has its popular "Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen" on January 24 hosted by John Fuzek. You can also find folk-rocker Patty Larkin there on February 7. Stone Soup in Pawtucket has Marc Douglas Berardo with Tracie Potochnik and Steve Allain on February 7 and Roots performers Atwater-Donnelly visit on March 7. And Sandywoods has a Celtic holiday concert with Matt and Shannon Heaton on December 20.
(Pictured: Patty Larkin)
