| Steve Forbert Surf City, NJ 14-Aug-2010 | A free concert sponsored by the library - how could it be bad? And actually it was really good. We've seen Steve Forbert before, and he's always good - sort of reminds me of a bluesy Bruce Springsteen the way he plays his harmonica. Comments: 0 | Add a Comment |
| Southern Shore Music Festival 19-Jun-2010 Cumberland County Fairgrounds, Millville, NJ | We arrived ~2pm and caught the end of a set by a female duo called Dala. We caught a country swing set by Elizabeth Cook, and a sort of gospel hip-hop set by a group called the Lee Boys. Then a great set mixing both kid and adult songs by Trout Fishing in America. Erika got their autographs (Ezra Idlet, who is literally about 7 feet tall put her program on her head to sign it). I also mentioned to him that I read the article about the tree house he lives in several years ago in the NY Times, and he seemed thrilled to hear from someone who had read that. He talked with me for about five minutes about the tree house. Pretty cool. Little Feat headlined, and I must say, they were a fantastic outside band (we saw them once at an inside venue and they didn't sound nearly as good). Their set included Hate to Lose Your Lovin', Cajun Girl, Fat man in the bathtub, Willin', and an encore of Dixie Chicken. We have never had a bad time at this festival - it's always a great crowd and a great lineup (I just wish it were still held at the old venue by the lake). Comments: 0 | Add a Comment |
| Christine Lavin Toms River Library 8-Jun-2010 | This was part concert, part author meet-and-greet as Christine's new book Cold Pizza for Breakfast: A Mem-wha? has just been published. She sang songs interspersed with stories and short readings from the book. Song selections included Good Thing He Can't Read My Mind, Ramblin' Waltz, and What Was I Thinking? (and a handful of others I can't remember). And yes, she did close the show with her trademark baton twirling. Comments: 0 | Add a Comment |
| John Hiatt & The Combos Count Basie, Red Bank, NJ 11-Mar-2010 | I hear all of you out there asking, "John WHO?" and I am hollering back at you "John HIATT!" Most people have never heard of this guy (it was not even close to a sell out), but if you heard the songs you would recognize them. They've been covered by Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and BB King/Eric Clapton, among others. I always describe him as what Bruce Springsteen would be without all the PR & marketing. He is one of my favorite artists, and this was the first time I ever saw him with a band, and it was great. A new CD (The Open Road) was just released earlier this month, and the set list (below) was a great mix of cross-career material. You've got to love an artist who hit bottom personally, but them raised himself to new heights through his music. Here's the set list: Drive South Comments: 0 | Add a Comment |