5 Live Music Musts - January 9, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - January 9, 2015
RI Free Radio Benefit at Manchester 65
We start with a fundraiser tonight at Manchester 65 in West Warwick sponsored by Rhode Island Free Radio. The concert is scheduled to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and the North Kingston Food Pantry. The show features a number of bands including (candidate for longest band name) Irp Snerple the Rabble Rousing Pleiadian Dragon Lion, Vague Perception, Stone Free, November Party, Hellitosis, and Bad Motherf*@cker. Bring canned food – earplugs optional. Tickets are $10 at the door. It’s an all ages show - music starts at 7PM.
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Rhode Islanders Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly rank among the nation’s foremost interpreters of traditional American music. They’ve been bringing fans acoustic based Americana, Celtic and folk since the 1980s. Tomorrow night, they appear in their trio format at Sandywoods. See the Atwater-Donnelly Trio featuring Cathy Clasper-Torch at 7PM. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Debra Cowan and John Roberts at Stone Soup
Also tomorrow night, the Stone Soup Coffeehouse at the Slater Mill in Pawtucket has Debra Cowan and John Roberts performing. You’ll hear love songs, sea shanties, traditional folk and ballads from the Massachusetts based pair. The folk duo is known for their vocals where “Debra’s soprano compliments and contrasts with John’s rich baritone.” Tickets are $16 in advance and at the door for the 7PM show.
Murali Coryell at Chans
Tomorrow night at Chan’s, Blues fans won’t want to miss Murali Coryell, son of noted Jazz guitarist Larry Coryell. It’s a record release party for the younger Coryell, who has made a name for himself in Blues circles. He welcomes a familiar friend, local guitar hero Duke Robillard, who he toured with 20 years ago when he was starting out. Tickets are $20 for the 8PM show.
Mother Falcon at Columbus Theatre
Things are warming up at the Columbus Theatre in Providence this month and Sunday night, an eclectic band known as Mother Falcon promises to bring the heat. The band is a collective of over 20 musicians playing strings, horns, guitars and percussion. They’re a big hit on the indie rock scene and exciting to see live. Special guest Vio/Mire opens. Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 at the door. Music starts at 8PM.
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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)
