Sure, you’ll be a 100 miles away and sure you will have to sit through the dreaded Alicia Keys and almost as dreaded John Mayer to get there, but IT IS LITTLE STEVIE WONDER and any chance to see this great songwriter, one of the greatest of all times, must be seized with both hands and cherished. I’ve seen him a number of times and it has never come within a million miles of disappointing me. On Saturday (which is good) but at the Great Lawn of Central Park is not ideal (Radio City was ideal) but this is a huge gig. A must see. It is a benefit so go to globalfestival.com and figure it out for yourself.
Monday – Johnathan Rice – Mercury Lounge – I saw him open for Rilo Kiley years ago and he blew em off stage, and then with that Jenny And Jonny deal and he sucked, so my gut sez he is better solo. Plus, this is one small club.
Monday – Travis – Webster – The only time I saw em they were building to “All I Wanna Do Is Rock” and they were pretty damn good. Today? A touch on the graying temples side but Fran cans till write a melody.
Monday – Daryl Hall And John Oates – Beacon Theater – Hookers and blue eyed soul boys gain respectability with age, so all respect.
Monday – The xx – Radio City Music Hall – Much better than they have any right to be at Harmmerstein earlier this year, but Radio City might be a more difficult fit.
Tuesday – Oh Land – Gramercy Theater – Swedish electronica, not bad modern pop for adults (or at least 20 somethings)
Tuesday – Earth, Wind And Fire – Beacon Theater – Their new album is masterful isco and if they don’t fuss it up too much, the live show should be just as good.
Tuesday – Lionel Richie – Barclay Center – Of all the great 80s soul men, Richie was worse. But does that make him bad?
Wednesday – Grouplove – Bowery Ballroom – How good is the new album by this West Coast indie band? Good enough to make you wanna see a little bit more.
Thursday – Joe Satriani – Beacon Theater – One of the last remaining truly great prog rock guitarists
Friday – Portugal. The Man – T5 – Alyson Camus fave, indie rocker. Me? I liked “Creep In A tee-Shirt”
Friday – Atoms For Peace – Barclay Center – Pretty good electronic assholes
Friday – Ben E. King – BB Kings – Former Drifters lead singer, immortal forever for “Stand By Me’
Friday – Bastille – MHOW – Latest UK rock and roll band to try and break the States, I think I’ll pass on this one.
Friday – Richard Thompson – He had a good run for his money but the last couple of albums have seen a definite drop in quality.
Friday – Spider Bags – Bowery Ballroom – Opening for Superchunk
Saturday –Jimmy Cliff – Webster – Reggae superstar still a great
Saturfay – Michael Buble – Prudential – Sure, he isn’t Tony Bennet but he is much better live than on record and the most popular cabaret artist in the country.