Local music whiz David Smash promises a high-energy New Year's Eve performance at the foot of the pineapple drop at the corner of Lemon Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sarasota. Backing him up will be his band, enhanced for the night with a stellar horn section.
The David Smash band is scheduled to play from 10:30 to 11:30 PM on Monday night, December 31st, in downtown Sarasota, between the Gator Club and Mattison's City Grille. Plan to park several blocks away and push your way through a densely packed New Year's Eve crowd. This will be a memorable night made even more so by Smash's signature band leading and lead guitar and vocals
Always danceable and full of good cheer and fun, Smash's shows are well worth showing up for.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tapert Sparling Reunion Concert in Grosse Pointe Park MI
What always stops me in my tracks is the sound of unique voices and passionate musical performance. What gets me writing tonight is the surprise of finding Don Tapert and Tim Sparling performing in a reunion concert last July in Grosse Pointe MI.
It's been 25 years since I heard Tapert play live -- in New York, Michigan and Nashville -- and the sound of "Errol Flynn", one of his soulful original compositions, brought me right back to those prolific songwriting years.
With deep roots in Detroit blues and later adventures in country music, Tapert's style is uniquely his own. Adept at everything from beautifully rendered folk classics to original story songs to hard-driving rockin' dance tunes, he's a deft band leader who knows how to deliver a good show.
I hope this reunion is only the beginning of a new chapter for Tapert and his band. Too much mojo here to keep hidden from deserving fans.
It's been 25 years since I heard Tapert play live -- in New York, Michigan and Nashville -- and the sound of "Errol Flynn", one of his soulful original compositions, brought me right back to those prolific songwriting years.
With deep roots in Detroit blues and later adventures in country music, Tapert's style is uniquely his own. Adept at everything from beautifully rendered folk classics to original story songs to hard-driving rockin' dance tunes, he's a deft band leader who knows how to deliver a good show.
I hope this reunion is only the beginning of a new chapter for Tapert and his band. Too much mojo here to keep hidden from deserving fans.
Monday, May 21, 2012
David Smash in the News
David Smash is finding a place at the musical table in the Sarasota live music scene. Local media is taking notice with recent articles in The Observer and SRQ Magazine. His candor, positive outlook and appreciation for the opportunities he's finding here are inspiring.
Oh, yeah, and his music rocks. Go listen and dance at Ocean Blues Monday night. Can't help but smile.
Oh, yeah, and his music rocks. Go listen and dance at Ocean Blues Monday night. Can't help but smile.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
David Smash at WSLR Concert
Tomorrow, Friday May 4th, David Smash will open for the Dirty River band from Louisiana at WSLR community radio station auditorium (525 Kumquat Ct.(at Orange Avenue and 6th Street in Sarasota).
He'll perform from 8 - 8:30PM. If you can make it, you'll enjoy a solid half hour of interesting music well-played and enthusiastically presented by David Smash.
He'll perform from 8 - 8:30PM. If you can make it, you'll enjoy a solid half hour of interesting music well-played and enthusiastically presented by David Smash.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Bain Beakley at the 5 O'Clock Club
Was intrigued to see Bain Beakley onstage tonight at the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club in Sarasota. Having seen him perform in several venues around the Sarasota live music scene for the past year, as a solo act and backing up various bands, I thought I knew his "sounds", both instrumental and vocal.
But when he stepped out front for a few lead breaks tonight, I was blown away to hear him wail on that guitar. Did not know about the screamin' bluesman he's been hiding away. Looking forward to more of that soulful sound.
Bain Beakley can be seen playing at Sarasota Vineyard and Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota, at SKOB on Siesta Key, and various other music spots in this amazingly musical town.
But when he stepped out front for a few lead breaks tonight, I was blown away to hear him wail on that guitar. Did not know about the screamin' bluesman he's been hiding away. Looking forward to more of that soulful sound.
Bain Beakley can be seen playing at Sarasota Vineyard and Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota, at SKOB on Siesta Key, and various other music spots in this amazingly musical town.
Monday, April 23, 2012
David Smash at Ocean Blues
I'll cut to the chase: You absolutely must make it over to Ocean Blues on Hillview Street in Southside Village, Sarasota, on Monday night to hear David Smash and his band.
Here's a look and a listen. But video cannot convey the magic and the fun of seeing this talented young entertainer perform in person. He engages the whole room and has fun with the band, too.
David Smash's glib mastery of a soulful and dextrous electric guitar, punchy and throaty vocals reminiscent of Elvis and other iconic American blues singers, and stage presence of someone much more seasoned . . . well, he's quite the phenom in a town already full of amazing musicians.
On a related note, it's so great to finally have an alternative to the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club next door. Ocean Blues is blissfully smoke-free, with a classy interior and shiny dance floor that fills up with people of all ages who simply love to dance. Service at the bar is attentive and friendly. What a welcome addition to the neighborhood and to the Sarasota live music scene.
Here's a look and a listen. But video cannot convey the magic and the fun of seeing this talented young entertainer perform in person. He engages the whole room and has fun with the band, too.
David Smash's glib mastery of a soulful and dextrous electric guitar, punchy and throaty vocals reminiscent of Elvis and other iconic American blues singers, and stage presence of someone much more seasoned . . . well, he's quite the phenom in a town already full of amazing musicians.
On a related note, it's so great to finally have an alternative to the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club next door. Ocean Blues is blissfully smoke-free, with a classy interior and shiny dance floor that fills up with people of all ages who simply love to dance. Service at the bar is attentive and friendly. What a welcome addition to the neighborhood and to the Sarasota live music scene.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Kettle of Fish at SKOB with Jimmie Fadden
Yet another unique feature of the Sarasota live music scene is the seamless collaboration of musicians from different generations, along with audiences of all ages enjoying the same show.
Case in point: Kettle of Fish offering up yet another evening of masterful bluesy rock at SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar) on Siesta Key. Each player is master of his domain instrumentally -- base, lead, rhythm guitars, drums, harmonica -- and all four offer up a nice blend of harmonies, with each also taking turns on lead vocals.
Jimmie Fadden, of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, is just one of the bandmates here, and I get a kick out of seeing the group perform 60s rock tunes -- a live memory no doubt for Jimmie and fresh classics for the other, younger players.
There are so many incredible, world-class (yes, I've said it before here) musicians in Sarasota -- like Jimmie Fadden -- and it's great that they can simply keep playing . . . on and on and on. And that we get to see, listen, and dance to them. What a special music town Sarasota continues to be. And all you have to do is walk around with your ears and your soul tuned to the magical sounds all around us.
Case in point: Kettle of Fish offering up yet another evening of masterful bluesy rock at SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar) on Siesta Key. Each player is master of his domain instrumentally -- base, lead, rhythm guitars, drums, harmonica -- and all four offer up a nice blend of harmonies, with each also taking turns on lead vocals.
Jimmie Fadden, of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, is just one of the bandmates here, and I get a kick out of seeing the group perform 60s rock tunes -- a live memory no doubt for Jimmie and fresh classics for the other, younger players.
There are so many incredible, world-class (yes, I've said it before here) musicians in Sarasota -- like Jimmie Fadden -- and it's great that they can simply keep playing . . . on and on and on. And that we get to see, listen, and dance to them. What a special music town Sarasota continues to be. And all you have to do is walk around with your ears and your soul tuned to the magical sounds all around us.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Frankie Lombardi at The King George Pub in Sarasota
Partial as I am to both British culture and Frankie Lombardi's music, I stopped in tonight at The King George Pub, on Superior Avenue, in Gulf Gate, Sarasota, to hear Frankie's Acoustic Revolution.
The bright, cheerful, high-ceilinged interior of The King George Pub was inviting, with friendly patrons enjoying a "swift half" or pint. Owners Nick & Christie Barthram have created an inviting "home away from home" for locals to socialize and listen to live music (Frankie Lombardi on Friday nights; Irish music on Monday nights).
An unexpected gift tonight was a flurry of expert lead guitar riffs emanating from the direction of an 11-year old boy accompanying Frankie, who provided vocals and alternated between rhythm and lead on acoustic guitar. Sarasota continues to impress with an inordinate number of accomplished young players who sit in on stage with world class adult musicians, who are gracious enough to share the spotlight with them.
As usual, Frankie's vocals were intense and passionate, his guitar playing first class, and the set list familiar enough to hum along with on several tunes.
The demise of The Irish Rover left a large void in the Sarasota live music scene, so it's cheering to discover a new spot where one can be included once again in the easy sociability of Brits who've chosen to make Sarasota their home. Brilliant!
The bright, cheerful, high-ceilinged interior of The King George Pub was inviting, with friendly patrons enjoying a "swift half" or pint. Owners Nick & Christie Barthram have created an inviting "home away from home" for locals to socialize and listen to live music (Frankie Lombardi on Friday nights; Irish music on Monday nights).
An unexpected gift tonight was a flurry of expert lead guitar riffs emanating from the direction of an 11-year old boy accompanying Frankie, who provided vocals and alternated between rhythm and lead on acoustic guitar. Sarasota continues to impress with an inordinate number of accomplished young players who sit in on stage with world class adult musicians, who are gracious enough to share the spotlight with them.
As usual, Frankie's vocals were intense and passionate, his guitar playing first class, and the set list familiar enough to hum along with on several tunes.
The demise of The Irish Rover left a large void in the Sarasota live music scene, so it's cheering to discover a new spot where one can be included once again in the easy sociability of Brits who've chosen to make Sarasota their home. Brilliant!
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Irish Rover in Sarasota
Goodbye to the warm and welcoming Irish Rover in Sarasota FL. Here's hoping Paul Duffy and his merry musical mates find a fitting venue before next St. Paddy's Day!
The Sarasota live music scene will be too quiet without The Irish Rover as a venue for diverse and wonderful bands.
The Sarasota live music scene will be too quiet without The Irish Rover as a venue for diverse and wonderful bands.
Hymn for Her in Carbondale CO
Shortly after arriving in the Aspen CO area, we were surprised and excited to learn that Hymn for Her, a unique duet/band we'd enjoyed several times at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market in Sarasota FL was scheduled to play at Steve's Guitars in Carbondale CO.
Lucy Tight & Wayne Waxing are “Hymn For Her”, a band that hails from anywhere they can park their trailer. H4H live, tour and record in their 16 foot, 1961 Bambi Airstream (comes with dog and baby). Their new release, ‘Lucy & Wayne and THE AMAIRICAN STREAM’ was entirely recorded in their classic trailer on a coast to coast U.S tour.
This couple's sound is so unusual, I spent most of the concert at Steve's Guitars thinking about how to describe it. For starters, Lucy plays a gut-churning slide "guitar" which is made from a cigar box, toilet plunger pole, and three strings (one bass and two guitar strings, to be exact).
Wayne sits in front of a one-man-band setup consisting of guitar, harmonica, bass drum and cymbals.
And what a LARGE sound comes out of their instrumental and vocal harmonies. Their playing is loud and very very tight, and it's a blast watching them feed each other's crazy energy and seamless musical wizardry.
To add to the ambiance, Lucy works a foot pedal to periodically change slides on a screen set up behind them. The photos are from slides found in Wayne's father's attic and depict people and scenes from the 1970s.
But enough 'splaining. Here's a video to give you a bit of Hymn for Her's rootsy, Appalachian, folk rock bluesy, zydecoian jambalaya. . . Ya gotta see them in person. You'll be smitten and boggled, for sure.
Lucy Tight & Wayne Waxing are “Hymn For Her”, a band that hails from anywhere they can park their trailer. H4H live, tour and record in their 16 foot, 1961 Bambi Airstream (comes with dog and baby). Their new release, ‘Lucy & Wayne and THE AMAIRICAN STREAM’ was entirely recorded in their classic trailer on a coast to coast U.S tour.
This couple's sound is so unusual, I spent most of the concert at Steve's Guitars thinking about how to describe it. For starters, Lucy plays a gut-churning slide "guitar" which is made from a cigar box, toilet plunger pole, and three strings (one bass and two guitar strings, to be exact).
Wayne sits in front of a one-man-band setup consisting of guitar, harmonica, bass drum and cymbals.
And what a LARGE sound comes out of their instrumental and vocal harmonies. Their playing is loud and very very tight, and it's a blast watching them feed each other's crazy energy and seamless musical wizardry.
To add to the ambiance, Lucy works a foot pedal to periodically change slides on a screen set up behind them. The photos are from slides found in Wayne's father's attic and depict people and scenes from the 1970s.
But enough 'splaining. Here's a video to give you a bit of Hymn for Her's rootsy, Appalachian, folk rock bluesy, zydecoian jambalaya. . . Ya gotta see them in person. You'll be smitten and boggled, for sure.
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