All killer, no filler!
Join us for our Band Fan Night on Saturday, October 23rd at 7:30 p.m. We’ll be celebrating The Beatles to coincide with the release of the “Let It Be” special editions.
Enjoy live clips on the big screen, lively discussion, and music by the group.
Feel free to bring your band memorabilia for show and tell!
With COVID cases on the rise, we recommend that attendees wear a mask.
$5 admission at the door.
All killer, no filler!
Join us for our Band Fan Night on Saturday, September 25th at 7:30 p.m. We’ll be celebrating The Faces, Humble Pie, Robin Trower, and Ten Years After.
Enjoy live clips on the big screen, lively discussion, and music by the groups.
Feel free to bring your band memorabilia for show and tell!
With COVID cases on the rise, we recommend that attendees wear a mask.
$5 admission at the door.
I’ve wanted to see “Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” ever since I heard about its premiere at Sundance earlier this year. So when I saw that it was playing in the area, I decided to make my first movie theater visit in over a year. I am so happy that I did!
For those unfamiliar with the film, “Summer of Soul” is a feature documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African American music and culture, and promoted Black pride and unity.
The directorial debut of Questlove from The Roots, the never-before-seen performance footage was fantastic and I loved how it was weaved into the overall historical and cultural context along with present-day interviews with attendees and performers.
The series of shows, directed and emceed by singer and DJ Tony Lawrence, took place over six weeks in the summer of 1969 at Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park) in Harlem and attracted a combined audience of over 300,000. The shows were filmed. TV wasn’t interested. The footage sat for 50 years…until now.
The archived footage was restored and it looks and sounds amazing! Some of the footage featured in the film includes performances by: Stevie Wonder who even played the drums at one point, B.B. King, Sly and the Family Stone, David Ruffin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Nina Simone, The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson, The 5th Dimension, Hugh Masekela, Herbie Mann, Mongo Santamaria, and more!
There was a variety of musical styles and artists but the two performances that stood out for me were The 5th Dimension singing “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In” and Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples sharing singing duties on one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite songs – “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.”
An interview with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. about their performance was particularly touching. McCoo spoke about how some people thought that The 5th Dimension was not Black enough. She said that playing to the predominantly Black crowd who embraced them made her happy.
And the vocals in the performance of “Precious Lord” will give you goosebumps. In an interview for the film, Mavis spoke of her great love for Mahalia and that sharing the mic with her that day in Harlem was one of the best moments of her life.
I find it so disappointing that I never heard about this incredible festival before but I am so glad that Questlove and the documentary team decided to share the music, history, joy, pride, and culture of the Harlem community with us now!
I can’t say enough good things about this film. I loved it and if you love music, you will too!
Besides not seeing my family during COVID-19, the one other thing that I missed TERRIBLY was going to concerts. You see, I am somewhat of a concert addict. There’s just a rush that I get when I’m singing along live with one of my favorite bands. So when I heard that Foo Fighters were going to reopen Madison Square Garden on June 20th – the first full capacity show since the world shut down in March 2020 – I just HAD to go.
Getting tickets was no small feat and I was unsuccessful on the day of the sale. I checked Ticketmaster over, and over, and over again, up until a couple days before the show with no luck. Reluctantly, I caved and bought tickets off StubHub. There was no way I was gonna miss this show!
As I rode up to New York, my anxiety was setting in…what if the vaccine wasn’t as effective as they said, what if I got sick from being near so many people…I was trying hard not to panic.
Once I got through security and into MSG, my anxiety turned to excitement. I was actually at a concert again! Everyone around me loved Foo Fighters too! I felt a comradery that I hadn’t felt in over a year and it felt wonderful!
The energy in the room was palpable and the band couldn’t have opened the show with a better song than “Times Like These.” Everyone was rocking out and singing along and as I sang, “it’s times like these you learn to live again,” I almost had a tear in my eye. I truly felt like I was living again.
The band had as much fun as the fans as they ran through lots of hits but also a few deep cuts and new material off of Medicine at Midnight. Some show highlights included a surprise appearance by Dave Chappelle who sang Radiohead’s “Creep,” a rendition of the Bee Gees’ “You Should Be Dancing” which will appear on their recently announced July Record Store Day Drops release, and a turn on drums by Dave while Taylor sang Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” The three hour show ended with “Everlong.”
They certainly brought rock and roll back to the Garden!
I don’t know how I missed the news about Robby Krieger playing Ardmore Music Hall on April 23rd but when I heard that he was doing a show for the Doors’ 50th anniversary, I knew that I had to try and get tickets. I went online, and naturally, it was sold out. Disappointed, I thought I’d try my luck at the door the night of the show. Arriving before doors opened, I bypassed the line to ask security if they released any last minute tickets. They hadn’t but the guard kindly pointed us in the direction of someone who was selling two tickets. Jackpot! Gregg and I were able to take the tickets off his hands.
The tickets were general admission so we proceeded to the floor area, parking ourselves about 10 feet from the stage. Robby and his band, which included his son Waylon on vocals, opened the show with “Break On Through” and proceeded to play a great number of songs off of The Doors’ first album plus not often heard titles like “Spanish Caravan.” They concluded, not surprisingly, with “The End.”
Robby seemed to be in good spirits; he told stories about some of the songs that he wrote including “Light My Fire” and “Twentieth Century Fox”, which he wrote for his wife (they’re married for 45 years now), he talked about Jim and Ray’s favorite songs, and even joked with the crowd after being booed for wearing a Joe Namath jersey, saying, “At least it’s the right color.” The over two hour show was the last one of the tour so I was thrilled that I was able to see him play live. Absorbing the essence of The Doors, I felt wonderfully connected to the songs and the original band members.
My amazing night got even better after the show when Robby autographed my newly acquired Doors’ Record Store Day album. I now have a beautiful new treasure in my rock and roll collection!
Last night’s Paul McCartney show at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly was a real treat for first-timers and fans like me who catch him every time he’s in town. He played close to 40 songs over an almost three hour set that included Beatles’ songs, some Wings’ numbers, and a few tracks off his new album, New. As someone who regularly goes to see him, I was pleasantly surprised to see him perform a few songs that I’ve never seen him play – “All Together Now,” which was fun for young and old alike, and “Temporary Secretary,” which he had never before performed live. I particularly enjoyed “Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite” and “Lovely Rita,” both off of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, too. Some other highlights of the night included the fire explosions during “Live and Let Die,” his tributes to John Lennon and George Harrison, and of course, the crowd sing-a-long of “Hey Jude.”
Paul’s voice was in fine form. My daughter commented that he sounded like an angel and I’d have to agree. My friend noticed that he didn’t even take a drink all night which I found hard to believe. I, on the other hand, was constantly popping Tic Tacs in my mouth to moisten it from all my singing and cheering. McCartney is such a huge talent you might think that musicians playing with him might not be able to perform up to par but that’s not the case with his band. Paul Wickens (keyboard), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar), and Abe Laboriel Jr. (drums) did a fabulous job keeping up with the always energetic, playful and entertaining McCartney.
Some people ask how I could go see Paul time after time, and for me the answer is simple. Even though I obviously don’t know him, I feel like he’s an old friend. For 35 years, his music has touched my heart and soul and given me such joy. I think he feels the same way about me, about us, his fans. Sir James Paul McCartney always puts on one hell of a show and I always want to be there to thank him for that. May God bless him and may he keep on rockin!
Queen and Adam Lambert rocked the Wells Fargo Center in Philly on July 16, 2004.
I have seen many, many bands play live over the years but there was always one band that I wished I had seen but hadn’t… until the other night. The band I’m talking about is Queen. Queen’s last American tour was in 1982 and I remember when they played the Spectrum. A friend of mine saw them and loved them. I always said I’d catch them the next time but unfortunately there wasn’t a next time.
When Queen got together with Paul Rodgers around 2006, I just couldn’t bring myself to go. It’s difficult to see a band you really like play without all of the original members, but I think it’s even more difficult when the original front man isn’t there.
When I heard Adam Lambert would be touring with Queen, I actually gave some serious thought to going. I was a big Lambert fan from his days on “American Idol” and thought he certainly had the singing chops to do Queen’s songs justice. Although, once again, it just didn’t seem right to me that they’d have another lead singer, but when I got a last minute invite from a friend who had an extra ticket, I decided to go.
I am so glad I did! Although NO ONE could ever take Freddie Mercury‘s place, Adam’s voice was amazing and he really put on one hell of a show. With costume changes, an audience sing-off, effortless interaction with the band members, and his own unique styling, I think Freddie would’ve been pleased with his performance. It sure seemed like the audience was pleased and happy to hear all of Queen’s wonderful music live again. Queen’s remaining original members were pretty terrific too! Brian May’s guitar playing was sick! I especially loved his trippy guitar solo and his tribute to Freddie. Then there was Roger Taylor who was totally rockin’ out on the drums. He gave the younger drummer playing with them a run for his money! Overall, the entire band sounded great and they looked like they were really having a fun time on stage. They gave the audience a great show over two hours long with just the right mix of hits and lesser known numbers. I would definitely see them again.
If you went to the show, what did you think and would you see them again?
Vinyl Revival is proud to be participating in Record Store Day, an international day to celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store, on April 19, 2014. Vinyl Revival will stock a selection of titles that are Record Store Day exclusive, limited edition and first releases. As part of the Record Store Day celebration, there will be free entertainment by indie/alternative musicians, a book signing, light refreshments and drinks during store hours from 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Record Store Day Schedule of Events
10 a.m. – Store opens
11 a.m. – Book signing with James Rosin, author of “Philly Pop, Rock, Rhythm & Blues”
11 a.m. – Performance by Aaron Hug
12 p.m. – Performance by Nina Marie
12:45 p.m. – Performance by Traffic Nightmare
1:30 p.m. – performance by Ghost Gum
2:15 p.m. – Performance by Family Vacation
3:00 p.m. – Performance by Tom Curtis Jr.
3:45 p.m. – Performance by The One2s
4:30 p.m. – Performance by Big Tusk
5:15 p.m. – Performance by Wild Rompit
6:00 p.m. Performance by DRGN King.
For a complete list of titles being released for 2014 Record Store Day, visit http://recordstoreday.com/.
I am very optimistic about the future of rock and roll! For a while, there was a lot of dance/pop music dominating the airways, but there currently seems to be a really strong crop of rock and roll bands out there to that I am really excited about.
Attending the Made in America concert the past two years has introduced me to a number of bands that I am listening to and going to see in concert. I saw Gary Clark Jr. there for the fist time and just caught him opening for Kings of Leon the other night. Love him and them! This year at Made in America, I saw Imagine Dragons and The Gaslight Anthem, two more bands I look forward to seeing in concert again. Dr. Dog is another favorite of mine and I finally got to see them live again after missing every one of their local shows the past two years. A couple of bands that I haven’t seen yet but hope to see soon are Arcade Fire and Arctic Monkeys. There’s so much good stuff out there, it’s hard to name just a few of my faves.
Who’s your favorite “new” band?
Pearl Jam played their second Philly show on Tuesday and boy was it a fabulous! I always catch them when they’re in town and I was lucky to get a seat last night. Even though I sat behind the stage, Eddie would turn to us every now and then and even sang a song directly to the bunch of us in the back. The guys brought their usual high energy and their mighty musical talent playing a great mix of stuff off their new album, Lightening Bolt (which we have in-store), a lot of deep tracks and a variety of their bigger hits.
The band treated concert-goers with a few of their ballads but it’s their heavy, loud style and sound that I love best. There were some songs I didn’t know but that’s one of the things I love about Pearl Jam. They’ll play songs that their hardcore fans will know and the rest of us will want to check out again. I found myself looking at the set list this morning and going though my Pearl Jam to see which albums had the songs I didn’t know. Another thing I love about the band is they never play the same set twice. If they’re in Philly two nights, you’ll see a different show each time.
Time after time, and year after year, I never tire of seeing this band live. They completely energize me and I continue to look forward to each new release they put out.
Did you go to the show? What’d you think of it?
