I went last night to see Searching for Sugarman at the Angelika with my friend Andrea and we both LOVED IT. and were so uplifted and overjoyed by it.

Rodriguez was the greatest ‘70s US rock icon who never happened. A talented singer/songwriter on the road to the charts, he was briefly hailed as the next Bob Dylan but then disappeared into oblivion – rising again from the ashes in completely different context in South Africa of all places.

The film is mysterious and surprising. I don’t want to say too much. A beautifully told documentary, it is ultimately a film about hope and discovery.

We'll start this new decade with a glace back at the old one.  Here's a song from the Best of The Decade album Here Come the Miracles performed by Steve Wynn and The Miracle 3.

 –Eliot Wagner

Maybe your New Year’s Eve plans have fallen through, or maybe you
just kept putting off planning what it was your were going to do or
maybe you just don’t want to empty your bank account to do something
overpriced and under wonderful.  But whatever the reason, New Year’s
Eve is tomorrow and there’s nothing on your calendar.

Here’s the last refuge for you last minute types.  The Rockwood Music Hall
will be sticking to it’s usual policy on New Year’s Eve.  That means no
reservations.  There’s no cover charge with a one drink per set minimum
(but a $5 contribution for each band is requested).  Not only will they
will have a full night of music, but OTBKB Music fave James Maddock
will be playing during the 10pm to midnight slot.  Not only is James a
great live performer but his album, Sunrise on Avenue C, is on the OTBKB Music Top Ten for 2009.

The only downside is the size of the Rockwood; it holds only about
40 people in the main room, which is where the stage is.  There’s a
back room which holds about another 25 or so, and it does have a closed
circuit TV view of the stage.  So if you want to see James, get there
early, maybe an hour early.

James Maddock, The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street (F or V Trains to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 10pm-midnight

 –Eliot Wagner

The Rockwood Music
Hall
is a small club located on Allen Street about half a block south of
Houston Street.  It’s the home base for many local musicians including Leslie Mendelson, James
Maddock and Sasha Dobson. 
Sometimes big name acts, including Ryan Adams, Matisyahu and a Norah Jones side
project have played there.

But the place is small.  It holds 40 people in the music room, if
everyone is really friendly.  Another 25 or so can fit into the back
room.

But the word is that owner Ken Rockwood has taken the space
immediately south of the current Rockwood and will be opening that new
space in early February.  From the information I’ve received, it
appears that the new space will be a separate club from the current
Rockwood and hold 300 people.  It looks likely to open in early
February.

 –Eliot Wagner

The second half of my best of the decade list.  If you missed the first part, you'll find it here:

Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Matt Mays & El Torpedo (2005): First released in Canada, this
record produced a huge hit there for
the band in Cocaine Cowgirl. Finally released in the US on Halloween
2006, this album is straight ahead rock of the Neil Young – Tom Petty
school. And the fact that MM&ET may just be the loudest band I’ve
ever seen live is, in my book, a point in their favor.

Milton – Grand Hotel (2008):  Milton is both the name of the lead
singer and of this New York City based band.  This album, the band's
third, shows them at their peak with their brand of rock, Americana and
even some alt country.  Everything here is extremely radio friendly,
the only problem being that radio as a means of exposing new music has basically ceased to exist.

The Watson Twins – Southern Manners (2006): An “Oh Wow” moment for me
came as I was sitting in the cafe at
the South by Southwest music festival and heard the Watson Twins do a
semi acoustic live set.  This eight song CD (which makes it either a
short album or a long
EP, take your pick) has the absolute standout Shoot the Lights Out,
which will make you utter the word gorgeous.  If you know the Watson
Twins (which is actually the name of the band) from Jenny Lewis’ album,
you only know a little of what they are capable.

Winterpills – The Light Divides (2007): The second effort from the
band, this is a CD to which I listened again
and again.  You can call this music chamber pop; I've always described
this band's sound as quiet songs played loudly. Perhaps a bit more
polished than their debut album from
2005 because this was a studio set as opposed to the recorded at home
first set.   

Steve Wynn – Here Come the Miracles (2001):The leader of the 80s band
The Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn played around with a variety of styles
in the 90s.  With this double CD, Steve finally returns to straight
ahead rock, finds his 21st century band and produces a double album
that is worthy of being a double album.

 –Eliot Wagner

This decade has been around for ten years now and we still don't have a
name for it.  No, it will never, ever be called the aughts or the
naughts.  The zeroes are a possibility, but I think eventually we'll
settle on calling the last ten years the two thousands.  But no matter
what it's called, these are the ten albums released during the past ten
years I think were the best. 
Presented in alphabetical order in two parts; part one is below:

Dan Bern – New American Language (2001): This album finds Dan singing
about the Alaska Highway, playing with Keith Richards and hanging out
with Britney Spears.  He also has a song in which he talks to God. 
It's that latter song, God Said No, in which Dan shows what makes him a
wonderful lyricist.  On this record, Dan's lyrics are all wrapped up in rock music that will make
you move and smile and maybe even consider the metaphysical.

Kathleen Edwards – Asking for Flowers (2008): A rocker who knows how to
tell a story, this album finds Kathleen at the top of her game.  A
remark by a friend suffering in a failing relationship gave rise to
the title song.  Musically, Kathleen goes from solo acoustic to Neil
Young like rockers and even plays a little violin.  A couple of all
star players are on this record, including Benmont Tench from Tom Petty
and The Heartbreakers.

The Hold Steady – The Boys and Girls in America (2006): I missed out on
this one when it first came out, but when I
found out that The Hold Steady were headlining a show in my backyard
(Prospect Park) in 2007 I got hold of it.  What I found was 11
songs with incredible lyrical density and music not unlike early Bruce
Springsteen.  Live this band, especially it's lead singer, Craig Finn,
is charismatic.

Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (2002): When I reviewed this album back
in 2002, I noted that this is not the kind of record I usually listen
to, but that it was so good that I had to listen to it and then
declared it my record of the year.  The passing years have not changed
my opinion one bit.  Solid, subtle vocals and great songs (five by
Jesse Harris) made this the runaway hit that it was.

Scott Kempner – Saving Grace (2008): Scott was a fixture on the New
York music scene for years, appearing in bands like the Del Lords, The
Dictators and for a while in the mid-90s, The Little Kings, Dion's
backing band.  Then he moved out to LA about five years ago.  Last year
a friend told me about this record and once I got it, it quickly became
one of my favorites.  If a record can sound like New York City, this
one does: gritty and heartbreaking, but resilient.

To be Continued…

 –Eliot Wagner

Tomorrow night (Tuesday the 22nd) there are two excellent shows
available to you; one early and one late.  Of course, you can always
choose to go to both.

Early: Charlie Faye.  Charlie and her excellent band, The Jerks, make
music that's at the place where rock, alt country and blues all blend
into each other.  Charlie's album, Wilson Street, made my Top 10 list
for this year.  An Austin resident, Charlie's visits to NYC don't come
often enough, and the next one isn't scheduled until July.  So this is
the time to see Charlie up close and personal.

Charlie Faye, The
Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 8pm

Late:  Sasha Dobson and her band.  Sasha started playing with guitarist
Steve Elliot about a year ago and has moved from the jazz-folk-samba
material she was playing to a more straight-ahead rock style.  With
Steve's lead guitar moving towards Dire Straits territory, Sasha's new
batch of songs are all terrific.  Since this is the release show for
Sasha's new CD, you'll be able to take it all home with you.

Sasha Dobson, The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen
Street (F Train to
Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 11pm

 –Eliot Wagner

Now that I've finished with the albums list, it's time for the Top 10
songs of 2009.  You'll see that three songs are from albums that didn't
make the Top 10 list.  Like the albums list, this Top 10 is also
presented in alphabetical order.

Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles – Me And Your Ghost
Neko Case – People Got a Lot of Nerve
Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career
The Damwells – Like It Is
Charlie Faye – She's Gonna Go
Israel Nash Gripka – Pray for Rain
Norah Jones – Young Blood
James Maddock – When The Sun's Out
Or, The Whale – Datura
Chuck Prophet – Hot Talk

 –Eliot Wagner

The first part of my top ten album list for 2009 was published on Monday and is available here.  Now for the second half, still in alphabetical order:

Li'l Mo
and the Monicats –
On the Moon:  After a few years away from
the music biz, Li'l Mo returns with a collection that runs from country
to blues to rockabilly to 60s pop.  Most of the songs are originals but
a cover of the Bill Hailey song Rocking Chair on the Moon gives the
album its title.  Standouts include I Really Love (To Really Love You)
and The Boy Who Loved the Blues.

James Maddock – Sunrise on Avenue C:  James stock in trade is the
mid-tempo rocker, and he sings with an engaging gravelly voice with a
rasp someplace between Steve Forbert and Rod Stewart.  James has been
able to round up an all star band for this release, including Leslie
Mendelson on piano.  Sunrise show off James' strength as a songwriter,
including his ablity to mix humor into his songs without any of them
becoming novelty numbers.  Highlights include the anthemic When the
Sun's Out and Straight Lines, as well as Chance, Stars Align, Sunrise
on Avenue C and Dumbed Down.

Leslie Mendelson – Swan Feathers: Adult pop, mostly piano based. 
Leslie's lyrics are literate and as many people have noted, playfully
sexy.  A couple of the songs on this album have been rearranged from
the way Leslie had been doing them live to provide the opportunity for
Leslie to step out from behind the piano and onto center stage,
including the first single, Hit the Spot.

Or, The Whale – Or, The Whale:  This seven-piece band based in San
Francisco takes their name from the subtitle of Moby Dick.  Their sound
is alt country, rock and folk with great harmonies (from four
vocalists, two male and two female) and their high energy live shows
are something that you must see.  This album, the band's second,
expands their sound a bit with some hints of The Grateful Dead and even
a nod toward Fairport Convention.  Highlights include Datura, Never
Coming Out and Shasta.

Amy Speace – The Killer in Me: This is a reflective album as the songs
in this collection were written during the break up of Amy's marriage. 
Instead of the mostly country sounds of her last collection, Songs for
Bright Street, this material lends itself to a folk rock treatment for
the most part.  And although Amy ruefully decides that "the only thing
I've learned is I haven't learned a thing" she does kicks up her heels
during a very spirited Would I Lie.

 –Eliot Wagner

OK, it's mid December. 
That means it's time for my best of 2009 list.  Overall, 2009 had a
tough act to follow because 2008 was an extraordinarily good year
musically.  I do think that there was a bit of a fall off from last
year, but there was still plenty of good new music around.  I've picked
the 10 albums that I've enjoyed the most this year.  They will be
presented today and Wednesday, half on each day, in alphabetical order.

Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles – The Stars Are Out: Sarah Borges
has been around for a few years and usually categorized as alt
country.  But The Stars Are Out demolishes that view of her.  It's
mostly rock
of varying kinds, mostly up tempo and all wonderful.  The songs are
split between covers and SB originals.  A few SB&BS fans have
complained that this album is overproduced, but if this is
overproduction, bring it on.

The
Damnwells – One Last
Century: One Last Century is just plain
wonderful.  You could call it rock power pop with wonderful songs and
great vocals.  If you need a reference point, The Gin Blossoms aren't
all that far away from this.  There is no reason not to own this album;
it was released as a free download here. Yes, it's
legal!

Charlie Faye – Wilson St: Originally from this area, Charlie moved to
Austin a few years back and Wilson St. of the album title is where she
ended up.  Austin is the place where rock, blues, country and folk all
blend into each other and that's what happens on this album as well. 
All songs are CF originals or co-writes and standouts include She's
Gonna Go, Bottletops, Runaround and Simple Seduction.

Israel
Nash Gripka – New
York Town:  Too young to have been around
during the classic rock era, Israel reaches back to what was good in
the 70s as inspiration for this set.  And yes, it does seem he's
channeling John Fogerty in the song Pray for Rain.

Norah Jones – The Fall: The past couple of years have
been ones of change for Norah Jones.  So
with all that going on in her life, its no wonder that her new album,
The Fall, finds Norah's music in transition as well.  This record
features
an entirely different musical team and although it still recognizable
as a Norah Jones record, it has
electronic elements and is mixed to be edgier. Highlights include Young
Blood, It's Gonna Be and Back to Manhattan.

To be continued…

 –Eliot Wagner

I'll finish my December listings with some possibilities for music on
New Year's Eve.  Although some shows are already sold out I believe
everything below is still available.

In and around Park Slope:

Eli "Paperboy" Reed, The Obits and live DJs – The Bell House, 149 7th Street (at 2nd Avenue),  8pm , $30 advance, $40 day of show

Project Jenny Project Jan and  DJs Midnight Creep – Union Hall, 702
Union Street (at 5th Avenue), 8pm, $20 advance, $25 day of show

Brazil Meets Appalachia: Matturo.Forro-Down Dance Party – Barbes, 376
9th Street (at Sixth Avenue), 10pm (appears to be regular $10 donation
request policy, contact the club)

Dean & Britta (early show) 7:30 $20 – Southpaw, 125 Fifth
Avenue (between St. Johns and Sterling Places), 7:30pm, $20

Elsewhere:

The Mike Hunt Band -  Lakeside Lounge,
Avenue B and 10th
Street, 9:30 (F Train to 14th Street, transfer to either the 14A or 14D
bus, exit at 10th Street (14A) or 11th Street (14D) and walk to Avenue
B), $10, contact the club for time of show

The Brooklyn Boogaloo Blowout – 55 Bar, 55 Christopher St. between 6th
and 7th Avenues (1 Train to Christopher Street), 10pm, cover tba

Dan Torres with Ryan Vaughn – Caffe Vivaldi, 32 Jones Street off
Bleecker Street and  near Seventh Avenue (F Train to West 4th Street or
1 Train to Christopher Street), no cover, contact club for times

The Detroit Cobras – Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street at Essex
Street (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit) , 11pm,
$25 advance, $30 day of show

Los Lobos -  City Winery, 155 Varick Street between
Spring and
Vandam Streets (1 Train to Houston Street or Canal Street; C or E
Trains to Spring Street), 7:30pm, $45-150; 11pm, $75-225

Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co. – Otto's Shrunken
Head, 538 E. 14th Street near Avenue B, F Train to 14th Street, transfer to 14D
bus to Avenue B, 8pm, check with club about cover

James Maddock, 10pm-midnight, Dan Torres, midnight-2am  – The Rockwood Music
Hall, 196
Allen Street (F Train to
Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit), check with club for cover policy

Auld Twang Syne III featuring Fresh Baked, Whistling Wolves, Cain &
Annabelle, and more.  The Living Room,
154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 9pm, $15

 –Eliot Wagner

At The Bell House tomorrow night: lots of local artists and a good
cause at a reasonable price. Brooklyn Sings for Health Care Reform,
organized by Red Hook's KaiserCartel, features the following:

April Smith
Tracy Bonham
Dayna Kurtz
KaiserCartel
Mascott
Lucinda Black Bear
Cat Martino
Milton
Kevin McGinnis
Greta
Gertler

plus the always popular special surprise guests.  The money raised at the show goes to Campaign For A National Health Program.

Brooklyn Sings for Health Care Reform, The Bell House, 149 7th Street (at 2nd Avenue), 7:30pm, $15.

 – Eliot Wagner

More advance planning, this time for the second half of December.  Some
clubs still haven't updated their schedules, some events still have details to come and some details and times might change.  We'll hit New Year's Eve later.

Thursday Dec. 17: Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds: the very large blues
band who packed them into The Rockwood Music Hall weekends this summer
now comes to Park Slope.  Part of Mining the
Roots, also appearing Brothers Moving and Bertha. Southpaw, 125 Fifth
Avenue (between St. Johns and Sterling Places), 8pm doors,

Thursday Dec. 17: 3rd Annual George Harrison Tribute: details to come,
Banjo Jim's, 9th
Street and Avenue C (F Train to 14th Street, transfer to the 14D bus
going east, exit at 11th Street and Avenue C).

Friday Dec. 18: The Mumbles.  I haven't seen them, but they come
recommended by a friend and I've been intrigued by the goings on at Bar
4.  The band's website says that they are  a Brooklyn based three piece
who
blend singer-songwriter soul with avante and old time jazz. Bar 4, 444
7th Ave.(at 15th Street), 7pm

Friday Dec. 18: Brooklyn Boogaloo Blowout  Led by Tim Luntzel, this
band includes frequent special vocal guests like: Leah Siegel, Richard
Julian,
Sasha Dobson, Steve Elliot, Michael Blake, Jon Cowherd, Steve Cardenas
et all…  Two sets, The Rockwood Music Hall, 196
Allen Street (F Train to
Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit), Midnight

Monday Dec. 21: Amy Speace and Kenny White, hosted by Judy Collins (yes, that Judy Collins). The
Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street between Thompson Street and LaGuardia Place (A, C, or F Trains to West 4th Street), 8pm

Tuesday Dec. 22: Charlie Faye and The Jerks.  Charlie's album Wilson
St. is one of my favorites for this year. She's based in Austin and
doesn't appear here all that often.  Need I say more?  The Living Room,
154 Ludlow Street, (F Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue
exit), 8pm

Wednesday Dec. 23: Milton.  One of the best live acts regularly playing
in NYC these days.  Roots, rock and a whole lot more. The Rodeo Bar, 375 Third Avenue at 27th Street (6 Train to 28th Street), 10pm

Saturday Dec. 26: Mary Lamont.  Alt country, Americana and country. Hill Country, 30 West 26th Street, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway (F Train to 23rd Street; R Train to 23rd or 28th Street), 9pm

Sunday Dec. 27: Dar Williams.  Dar has been playing Southpaw the end of December for the last few years. Southpaw, 125 Fifth
Avenue (between St. Johns and Sterling Places), 8pm, $25/$30

And we'll look at New Years Eve shortly.

 –Eliot Wagner

A clip to get you in the mood for tonight's show.  Elliott Murphy is originally from Long Island, but he moved to France 20 years ago. 
He's started to show up on these shores about twice a year now with his
band, the Normandy All Stars.  The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 7pm, $20

–Eliot Wagner

It's the beginning of December which  means that there's still more
than 8% of 2009 yet to come, but in spite of that, like every other
music critic, I've started working on my year end list.  One of the
artists who is firmly entrenched on that list is Sarah Borges.  Sarah,
together with her band The Broken Singles put out an album in March,
The Stars Are Out,  that I'm still listening to in December.  There's a
really slick professionally shot video of a song from that album out
there, but I prefer this acoustic take on the song Me and Your Ghost
shot aboard the Music Fog/Celebrity Coaches bus in Nashville.

 –Eliot Wagner

I recognize that some of you out there need to plan things in advance. 
Therefore, I've put together a bunch of suggestions for the first half
of December.  Get your calendars out.

Tuesday Dec 1: Adam Levy: formerly guitarist with Norah Jones releases his new CD, Humdinger.  The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 10pm, $10

Thursday Dec. 3: Emily Zuzik plays at the Green Edge NYC 3rd Birthday
Bash; Littlefield, 622 Degraw St (between 3rd and 4th Avenue), 7:30
doors (first hour includes an open organic vodka bar), $20

Friday Dec. 4: Elliott Murphy: originally from Long Island, Elliott moved to France 20 years ago.  He's started to show up on these shores about twice a year now with his band, the Normandy All Stars.  The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 7pm, $20

Saturday Dec. 5: Harper Blynn (formerly Pete and J): high energy pop rock. The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen
Street (F Train to
Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 10 pm

Sunday Dec. 6: Emily Zuzik plays her Christmas show at The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 8 pm

Tuesday Dec. 8: Book Release party for I Slept with Joey Ramone by Mikey Leigh (Joey's brother) and Legs McNeil; music by Spanking Charlene (see below) and Mickey Leigh.  Goodbye Blue Monday, 1087 Broadway (J Train to Kosciusko St.), 7:30pm

Saturday Dec 12: Spanking Charlene. I keep missing this band, but
friends like them and they won the Little Steven Underground Garage
Best Unsigned Band contest and that's good enough a recommendation for
me.  Lakeside Lounge,
Avenue B and 10th
Street, 9:30 (F Train to 14th Street, transfer to either the 14A or 14D
bus, exit at 10th Street (14A) or 11th Street (14D) and walk to Avenue
B), 11pm, No Cover

Sunday Dec. 13: Keren Ann.  I'm not sure if this is will be an intimate
acoustic show or a rocking band show, but either will be
worth your while.  City Winery, 155 Varick St. (between
Spring and
Vandam Streets), 1 Train to Houston Street or Canal Street; C or E
Trains to Spring Street, doors 8:15, show, 9pm $15

Monday Dec. 14:  Chip Taylor’s “Yonkers NY” featuring Kendel Carson w/ special guest Jon Voight.  Chip Taylor, the writer of a whole bunch of songs you'd recognize
(including Wild Thing and Angel of the Morning), grew up in Yonkers.  So
did his brother, Jon Voight.  Should be interesting at the very least.  The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 8pm, $15

Tuesday Dec. 15: Songs of Bowie.  Another cast of thousands event with artists who play the Living Room, both obscure and more well known, sometimes even the downright famous.  This will run all night and so come for however long you can stay.  The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), times to be announced, $12

 –Eliot Wagner

8 PM on Sunday night at Jalopy in Red Hook.

It's Black Friday and I have another freebie for you: Amazon is giving
out $3 worth of mp3 downloads for free.  Just go here and follow the
directions.

After you've profited from that deal, get ready to check out Chuck
Prophet and The Mission Express tonight at 92Y Tribeca.  The last time
I saw Chuck and company, I was packed into the basement of a tiny club
located off a back alley in Austin, Texas.  Tonight's environs are much
more comfortable than that.  Chuck plays soul tinged rock with
blistering guitar solos.  Since he's based in San Francisco, he gets to
our area only every couple of years, so don't miss this opportunity to
see one of the best live acts in the business.  Still not sure?  Check out the video I posted previously.  Eilen Jewell opens.

Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express, 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street
(A, C or E Train to Canal Street, exit via the northern end of the
station and walk west on Canal Street to Hudson Street), 7pm doors, 8pm
show, $20

 –Eliot Wagner

Windsor Terrace's David Roche has a few gigs coming up next month
including one right here in The Slope on Friday December 18th, 8pm at The
Good Coffee House, Prospect Park West and 2nd Street.  In order to get
you in the mood, Dave is making his last album, Harp Trouble in Heaven
available FREE.

As Dave said, "I needed to make this record because I want to celebrate
the huge amount of good fortune I have been the recipient of while
running in this human race."  It is indeed an optimistic record. 
Dave's family helped out on harmonies as well, including his daughter
Oona and sisters Maggie, Terre and Suzy.  It's also probably the only
record to have a song about the dedication of a ship named after
President George H. W. Bush. 

Download Harp Trouble in Heaven for free here.

 –Eliot Wagner

There are two fine shows right here in the neighborhood tomorrow
night.  They are pretty much mutually exclusive, but each promises to
be good in its own right.

Robbie Fulks and Jennie Scheinman:  After spending six months living in
Windsor Terrace and then returning to his home base of Chicago, Robbie comes back to his Brooklyn base of Barbes for another set with Jennie
Scheinman.  If you missed their run at Barbes this past spring, you owe
it to yourself to hear Robbie and Jennie play guitar and fiddle,
respectively, on a variety of country, blues and the like.  Since
Robbie has just finished a nine year in the making Michael Jackson
tribute album, you might even hear something from that too.  And as
Robbie notes on his website, you'll get half off of drinks if you find
Jennie a babysitter.

Robbie Fulks and Jennie Scheinman, Barbes, 376 9th St. (corner of 6th
Ave.), 7pm, $10 donation strongly suggested

Leslie Mendelson and Jim Boggia:  Part of the monthly Acoustically
Related series at Southpaw.  If you haven't already memorized what I've
written about her previously, I'll mention again that Leslie plays
piano, writes great melodic songs in the adult pop vein, knows how to
pull out an inspired cover at the right time and will leave you smiling.

Jim Boggia is a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter.  You can call his
songs rock or pop or both.  Jim seems to know every song written over
the past 50 years and at times seems poised to play some or even all of
them in his set.  And his shows are not only great musically, they are
funny as well.

Acoustically Related, Southpaw, 125 Fifth Avenue (between St. Johns and
Sterling Places), 8pm doors, 8:30pm Leslie Mendelson; 9pm Jim Boggia;
$10

 –Eliot Wagner

It's been about two months since Amy Speace packed up and moved out of
the area and down to Nashville, but she is back in town and playing at
The Living Room tonight.  Amy will be playing her mix of Americana,
rock and alt country with her band, The Tearjerks.  Amy's
album released earlier this year, The Killer in Me (which will
undoubtedly be appearing on year-end best of lists), was born out of
the end of Amy's marriage.  Sure, it has some introspective stuff on
it, notably the stand out I Haven't Learned A Thing, but also upbeat
numbers as well, including Would I Lie.  Amy also promises to premier a
whole bunch of new songs as well.  Since it's likely that Amy will play
fewer dates in the area now, you should take tonight's opportunity to
see her.

Amy Speace and The Tearjerks, The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, (F
Train to Second Avenue, use the First Avenue exit), 10pm, No Cover

  –Eliot Wagner

If you were at the  The Rockwood Music Hall last night, you got to see Norah
Jones join Sasha Dobson on stage for two songs and play guitar on one
of them.  If you weren't, here's a video of Young Blood, a song from
Norah's new album, The Fall, which features Sasha on guitar.

 –Eliot Wagner

Stay in the nabe tonight and see a three-fer for free.  The Brooklyn
Songwriters Exchange is holding its last show for 2009 at Union Hall.  Here's
what they say about it:

The show features great local songwriter and alt-country champion Matt
Keating with his band, as well as Misra recording artist and
ambient/mazzy-star oriented songwriter Emily Rodgers from Pittsburgh
with her band and host Rebecca Pronsky will open the evening with her
trio, debuting some new tunes and playing a few old favorites.  All our
shows are FREE to attend.

The Brooklyn Songwriters Exchange, Union Hall, 702 Union Street at 5th Avenue, 7:30 doors, 8pm show, Free

********

On Tuesday, OTBKB Music favorite Sasha Dobson will be playing at The
Rockwood Music Hall.  Although Sasha is now part of the Norah Jones
Touring Band, she's taking the night off to play her own new material,
which will be on Sasha's new EP, due imminently, perhaps
at this show.  Although Sasha is going on late, it is well worth your
while to catch this talented artist.

Sasha Dobson, The Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street (F Train to Second Avenue, take the First Avenue exit), 11pm, No Cover

 – Eliot Wagner

Laura Cantrell was born and raised in Nashville, but came to New York
City for college and never left.  She's not only a singer and
songwriter but a musicologist as well, serving as the proprietress as
The Radio Thrift Shop on WFMU.  Rolling Stone has called Laura "A
modern woman with an old-timey heart, with a voice pitched somewhere
between the bluesy realism of Lucinda Williams and the vintage
femininity of Kitty Wells."

Laura plays traditional country, alt-country and folk-rock as well.  The
title song from her debut album, Not The Trembling Kind, was written by
Jersey rocker George Usher.  She's also covered Gordon Lightfoot's
Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.  Laura has opened for Elvis Costello and also for country music legend Charlie Louvin.

This time out
Laura's band includes Dave Schramm (guitarist for Yo La Tengo and later The Schramms), Jeremy Chatzky (bass player for Bruce
Springsteen's The Seeger Sessions), and Steve Goulding (drummer for
Graham Parker and The Rumour and The Mekons).   As she doesn't perform all that frequently at this point, it will be
well worth your while to see Laura tomorrow when she plays 92Y
Tribeca.  Opening for Laura will be Amy Allison.

Laura Cantrell, 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street (A or C Train to Canal
Street, exit the front of the train, and walk west to Hudson Street),
7pm (doors), 7:30 (show), $15.

 –Eliot Wagner

The songs of Warren Zevon were populated by what had to be the
strangest assortment of characters in rock: werewolves, lawyers,
headless Thompson gunners, junkies, diplomats and mutineers.  Although
Warren left us in 2003, his songs and characters live on.  Tomorrow at
Banjo Jim's, an all star cast will celebrate the dirty life and times of
Mr. Zevon.  I'm sure that you'll not only hear the well known tunes,
but some obscure ones as well.  Banjo Jim's  is one of the most laid
back places to hear music around and this is a free show.

The Warren Zevonathon, A Tribute to Warren Zevon, Banjo Jim's, 9th
Street and Avenue C (F Train to 14th Street, transfer to the 14D bus
going east, exit at 11th Street and Avenue C), 8:30pm, Free.

 –Eliot Wagner

The past couple of years have been ones of change for Norah Jones.  She
dissolved her band, worked on her guitar playing, cut her hair, split
up with her boyfriend and moved back from Manhattan to Brooklyn.  So
with all that going on in her life, its no wonder that her new album,
The Fall, finds Norah's music in transition as well.

With The Handsome Band no longer backing up Norah, this record features
an entirely different musical team.  Jacquire King, the producer this
time out, has produced Tom Waits, The Kings of Leon and Modest Mouse. 
The musicians include including drummers Joey Waronker and James
Gadson, keyboardist James Poyser, and guitarists and Brooklynites Marc
Ribot and Smokey Hormel.

What Jones, King and company have done is to edge away from the sound
of Norah's previous albums toward one which is more guitar based,  has
electronic elements and is mixed to be edgier.  But when all is said
and done, the record is still recognizable as a Norah Jones record.

The first track to be released from The Fall is Chasing Pirates, a very
infectiously poppy sounding song with an electric piano hook.  It will
probably equally at home on WLTW, WPLJ and WFUV, even though it clearly
different from Norah's previous work.  Fans of that previous work will
like I Wouldn't Need You, December and Back to Manhattan.  Other
standout tracks include Young Blood, Stuck, Tell Yer Mama and Man of
the Hour.  The subject of that last song appears on the cover of The
Fall along with Norah.

But the song to which I keep returning is Back to Manhattan.  It
chronicles what seems to be an affair. It is melancholy and honest, and
for that it ends up being the emotional heart of  The Fall.

Not everyone who has followed Norah to this point will be willing to
see Norah move out of her comfort zone.  But those who do will be
rewarded with hearing some good music and seeing an artist grow before
their eyes.

The Fall will be released on November 17th.  NPR is currently streaming
the whole album here. 

 
–Eliot Wagner

The Brooklyn Museum's First Saturday, a free party which starts at 5pm,
is centered around its wonderful Who Shot Rock and Roll exhibit
tomorrow.  There are several events, including a show featuring three
Brooklyn indie bands: Grass Widow, The Beets
and Crystal
Silts.  They go on at 5pm and the concert will end at 8:15pm.

Don't like 21st century rock?  Then go back to the '80s with Purple Rain, the film featuring Prince.  You'll need a ticket to get in, but
they are free and available at the museum's Vistor Center starting at
6pm.  The movie starts at 7pm.

Finally, from 9-11pm, there's a dance party which, as the Brooklyn Museum describes as "highlighting
artists featured in Who Shot Rock & Roll, including Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Chuck Berry, and Jay-Z."

First Saturday, The Brooklyn Museum, Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue, 5-11pm, Free.

 –Eliot Wagner

Posting about Chuck Prophet's upcoming show last time led me to search for a
representative video for you.  Here's Chuck playing what I think is his
best song to his hometown (San Francisco) crowd.  There's a bunch of
talk until 1:30 in, but then it's just pure high voltage rock. Looks
great in full screen mode too.

 – Eliot Wagner

My friend Jill Eisenstadt recommends Los Cenzontles playing at Barbes tonight at 7 PM:

LOS CENZONTLES.
The Bay area Mexican Roots music effortlessly mix electric bass and
drums with traditional Mexican instruments – jarana, vihuela, requinto,
pandero and quijada (jawbone) – creating a powerful contemporary sound
infused with the gutsy soul of Mexico’s rural roots music. The group,
directed by Grammy-nominated producer Eugene Rodriguez has performed
and recorded alongside Los Lobos, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano,
Grupo Mono Blanco, Los Tigres del Norte, Lalo Guerrero, Flaco Jiménez,
and Santiago Jiménez Jr. Their new CD "American Horizon" with Taj Mahal
and David Hidalgo will be released on 11/03.