Etta James never received the musical acclaim she deserved, but her legacy includes several classic blues tunes. And perhaps one of the most enduring is “I’d Rather Go Blind,” the 1968 hit she co-wrote. Born Jamesetta Hawkins in L.A. in 1938, James first gained attention singing in her church choir… Read More →
By Christopher Vaughn When Jim James and his fellow Louisville, Ky., rockers in My Morning Jacket visit New York for the holidays, they aren’t thinking “Silent Night.” The group’s last two December dates were three-hour-plus, floor-stomping celebrations that filled Madison Square Garden. This year, the soulful Southern rock collective will… Read More →
This just in from LoHud.com: Music legend Bob Dylan will be the first headliner to play the Capitol Theater in Port Chester when the historic venue opens in the fall. This stifles lingering rumors that The Rolling Stones would be the “anonymous” first act in an already star-packed lineup. If… Read More →
Hats off to LowHud Lowdown, which posted about a run-in with Rolling Stones icon Keith Richards. I hope the folks over there won’t mind if we steal it. Well, let’s just say we’re sharing. Check out the Lowdown’s post here, or check it out below. Seems that Rolling Stones guitarist… Read More →
Make it Live is a new Listening Room feature that looks at classic live rock performances from the past, focusing on raw stage shows that are unedited and unfiltered by overdubs or studio gimmicks. Our goal is to make longtime music fans nostalgic and younger music fans appreciative of the… Read More →
Hard to believe it’s been nearly 17 years since Grateful Dead founder and front man Jerry Garcia passed away, just a few days after his 53rd birthday. And still the legions of Deadheads have remained loyal to the music. Well, here’s a treat for fans: NCM Fathom Events is sponsoring… Read More →
Nice musical treat this week, with news that singer/songwriter Christopher Brown will be playing at Watercolor Cafe in Larchmont. Brown, a talented folk singer and guitar player, brings an interesting perspective to his songwriting, weaving his talents as an artist and illustrator into his lyrics and melodies. In true troubadour… Read More →
This is undoubtedly one of the oddest covers I’ve ever come across – and that makes it a great cover. With the exception of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and perhaps a handful of others, not many recording artists have had the motivation – or the courage – to… Read More →
The Listening Room is generally a positive place. When there’s so much amazing music out there to write about, we figure, why waste ink (or pixels, I suppose) picking apart a dippy ditty? Sometimes, though, we make an exception. Now is one of those times. On my drive to work… Read More →
Today we mourn the loss of banjo player Earl Scruggs, as important to country music as, say Muddy Waters was to blues, who died Wednesday in a Nashville hospital. He was 88. (Earl with Marty Stuart at Merlefest in 2001. Photo from Earlscruggs.com) Scruggs, who started recording in the 1940s,... Read More →
Hey Listening Room-ers, here are some links to stories, features, podcasts you might find interesting. We got a kick out of them, anyway. Jack White, of White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather, Third Man Records and, as of earlier this year, Jack White fame, was interviewed by the mayor of Lambeth,... Read More →
Does the name Nass Gnawa mean anything to you? Until last Saturday, it didn’t mean a thing to me. My fiancee and a couple friends and I caught them perform at Zebulon, in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg (not to be confused with this Williamsburg) and were completely knocked out. Here’s the deal:... Read More →
Nationally acclaimed guitarist Tim Palmieri, of the band Kung Fu, will make a rare Westchester appearance at the Thornwood Ale House tonight. Heavy recommendation on this show from those of us at the Listening Room. If you’ve never heard Palmieri you’re in for a treat. He’s truly one of the… Read More →
How did we forget this guy? Yes, it’s been a long time since John McLaughlin formed the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Heck, younger music fans have trouble remembering Beatles tunes, let alone a progressive rock band that gained limited mainstream acclaim after it formed in 1970. But we at the Listening Room… Read More →
There’s no off season in the music biz, but summer is clearly playoff time. This summer will be no exception. While the lineups are still being put in order, the 2012 summer tour circuit will be a good one, with a usual mix of hot ticket concerts and a few… Read More →