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Scott Tarulli is Fascinating to Behold

Reviewed by Susan Ferrari

The current state of guitar playing was on display Thursday night at the Berklee School of Music Performance Center in a concert subtitled “No Picks Allowed.” Two members of the faculty, Don Lappin and Scott Tarulli, performed with their respective groups for an enthusiastic and vocal audience consisting mainly of students attending Berklee’s five-week summer program. Though not technically a master class, it was a chance for the younger musicians to see their teachers put on a demonstration of impressive improvisational technique.

First to take the stage was the Don Lappin Group, with Don Lappin and Nili Brosh on electric guitars, Mike Ball on bass, and Shawn Crowder on drum set. Their high energy and high volume music featured blisteringly fast guitar solos by both players and a relentlessly driving rhythm section. Mr. Lappin is

Artist: Sarah Taylor / Album: The Cure To Everything / Acoustic Blues -Rock

What do you get when you take a singer-musician who has recorded with such diverse artists as Quincy Jones, Joe Cocker and Danny Kortchmar?  You get a splendid artist named Sarah Taylor, whose superb vocals and passionate phrasing produce a tasty bit of ear candy with her debut solo album The Cure To Everything. Taylor’s ability to turn a phrase and make them evocative musical statements, conjures up images of Shawn Colvin meets Bonnie Raitt, yet she serves up a sound that is unique and fresh.  

Dave Sutton’s walking bassline introduces us to the song “Don’t Give a Damn,” which opens this sensational collection of songs and the plodding chords, leave us completely disarmed as Taylor’s Bluesy Rock vocals emerge. The beat is contagious....

Artist: Holly Long / Album: Frequency /   Old School Funk - Light Pop

Singer – Songwriter Holly Long is living life on a much different Frequency these days and that is the title she chose for her new nine track album. This beautiful collection of songs is masterfully produced by Anthony J.W. Benson and features a host of gifted musicians, which includes an awesome horn section, superb background vocalists; Jennifer Grimm, Aaron Keith Stewart, Kathleen Johnson and Patty Peterson, as well as Holly Long playing the Fender Rhodes on the last song, “Little Blue Ball.” With the intro to Frequency, we hear just that, as we listen in on, faux vintage tuning of an old radio, looking for the right frequency, so the radio station can be heard clearly, something that is, for the most part a foreign concept to many of today’s younger set, who are accustomed to streaming their music online, dialing into...

 

Katie Finneran Shines in Promises Promises

Reviewed by Squeaky Moore

When it comes to keeping promises, novice director and one of Broadway's leading choreographers Rob Ashford doesn’t disappoint.  In Broadway’s first-ever revival of Promises Promises, Rob Ashford succeeds in casting an all-star musical, starring, (Will & Grace’s) Sean Hayes and (Tony nominated) Kristin Chenoweth, as well as, Promises’ best kept secret, Katie Finneran, whose known for her exceptionally brilliant featured roles and alas, Tony Goldwyn.

Adapted from Neil Simon's book, The apartment, with music from Burt Bacharach and lyrics from Hal David, Promises Promises, is set in Manhattan, in the 1960’s. A hardworking Chuck Baxter (Hayes) works at the Consolidated Life Insurance Company in what appears to be a position offering no prospects for progress. 

Hopeful and determined to move up in his position and in an attempt to move up the corporate ladder, he makes a deal to lend out his apartment to various executives, whose infidelities are seemingly out of control. Overriding his moral judgment, he agrees to accommodate the needs of one of the top executives, JD Sheldrake, (Goldwyn), who is the only executive who actually follows through with moving Baxter up the ladder, provided that Baxter keeps his infidelity “their little secret.”  It is when Baxter learns that JD Sheldrake is having an affair with the love

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Weapons, War and a Walk in the Woods

Reviewed by Ethan Silver

A Walk In The Woods focuses on two negotiators; one being a Russian and the other, an American, as they meet outside the bargaining room in an effort to come to a weapons disarmament agreement between the two nations…or so it would seem. 

 The play, written by Lee Blessing, had a successful history on Broadway in 1988 and was nominated for a Tony as well as a Pulitzer Prize, so there is no doubt as to the quality of the writing, which is indeed superb and easily followed, even for one who is not especially politically minded.  The challenge in a two character piece such as this is two-fold;  to find actors who can handle the tremendous amount of dialogue, while at the same time embodying the spirit

Mara New and Mickey Rooney Play Strip Poker

Mara New is an award winning stage actress from Los Angeles and she also has the distinction of being a member of the Beltrami family, which enjoys a rich heritage in the Italian fashion design community. At a time when the economy is still playing havoc with the entertainment industry Mara New has emerged as one of the busier actresses in film, with a role in the Agnes-Nicole Winter production of The Gold & the Beautiful, in which New portrays a dog psychologist. That movie will be released direct to DVD in the fall. New also just finished  shooting Night Club in which she appears in a prominent role, with actors Ernest Borgnine, Mickey Rooney, Rance Howard, Sally Kellerman and Paul Sorvino.

Recently, Mara New took time to chat about her role in Night Club, a film directed and produced by Sam Borowski. “There are three friends who decide to start their own nightclub, after they take jobs working the night shift at a retirement home, as they put themselves through university.

They get a lot of help from one of the home’s residents, Albert, played by Ernest Borgnine, who claims that he used to run one of the hottest nightclubs in Los Angeles in Los Angeles. (The three university students are) Justin (Zachary Abel), Chris (Bryan Williams) and Nikki (Ahney Her), who have parties at the senior citizens home, while Justin ...

More Than a Musical - An Experience!

The hit musical Jersey Boys, which chronicles the lives and careers of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons continues its run in Toronto Canada at the Toronto Centre for the Arts and in the month of June the 1,000,000^th customer will have seen the Toronto production. A startling accomplishment when once considers that the Toronto run is still only in its second year. Riveting Riffs Magazine had the privilege of reviewing this extraordinary musical which regularly plays in sold out theater venues in Australia, London and Las Vegas and has been produced on Broadway for more than five years.

As good as Jeff Madden is at portraying legendary rock idol Frankie Valli, in our opinion two other actors overshadowed his performance, Quinn VanAntwerp as Bob Gaudio, one of the members of The Four Seasons and

 Rock 'n' Roll Icon Bobby Curtola

I grew up listening to the music of Bobby Curtola, a Canadian rock ‘n’ roll legend whose hit songs dominated the airwaves in Canada and the United States in the 1960’s and whose concerts in Las Vegas and other major centers around the world, have sold out in the decades which followed. Few artists achieved the star status and the staying power of Bobby Curtola, during a time when the British Invasion swamped North America and in later years, first disco dominated and then heavy metal. My first recollections of the handsome teen idol occurred when I was a child and he appeared on a televised telethon singing, while he was wearing a white cowboy hat. Another early memory was of a relative of mine who told of a date with one of Bobby Curtola’s musicians. Whereas in those days, Paul Anka, another Canadian was considered smooth, it was the charismatic Bobby Curtola who sent the girls hearts a fluttering, much like his good friend Bobby Vinton and another teen idol Bobby Vee. His songs “Fortune Teller,” which was a million seller, “Aladdin,” and “Hitchiker,” were the songs which teens and young adults sang along with, while riding in their cars, spinning their 45’s and LPs and when dancing. It was songs such as “Sandy,” and “Three Rows Over,” which made the girls swoon as they wished for a guy like Bobby who would have a crush on them and who desired to woo them. You can then imagine this editor’s delight when my childhood hero Bobby Curtola graciously accepted our magazine’s invitation for an interview and when I discovered a man who speaks from a place of gratitude about the people who helped him to become a household name in music for so many years, for the friendships he has made, inside and outside the world of entertainment, and most of all for the fans who helped make his dreams come true. The story that will unfold in the

 

Artist: Kathy McCord / Album: New Jersey to Woodstock  / Folk - Rock - Pop

Reviewed by Joe Montague

I did not know who Kathy McCord was six months or so ago and then her brother Billy Vera posted something on Face Book talking about his sister’s album which was being released. I must confess that my first motivation was Kat, as she is known to friends, is Billy’s sister and Billy is a talented singer – songwriter, so maybe the other family members inherited the same genes. Those hopes were confirmed when the reissue of Kathy McCord’s music from the seventies and the decade beyond, was released under the title New Jersey To Woodstock. The two disc collection

Sketch of San Diego guitar virtuoso David Randle by San Diego celebrity artist Patrick Carney. Please visit Patrick's online gallery by clicking here

Codeine Velvet Club performing at the Dangerbird Showcase during SXSW in Austin, Texas,  copyright © for all photos held by Pam Hendrix, photographer and graphic artist in New Orleans, LA, To view Pam's graphic designs click here.

 

 

Violette Has Joie de Vivre

French singer - songwriter Violette is an international recording star on the rise. From her beautiful vocals to her luxurious arrangements and her heartfelt lyrics, Violette strikes a chord with every listener, as her music transcends genres and she reminds us to live our lives with gratitude.

Violette is currently living in the US, working on her 3rd opus while performing internationally. Past appearances include venues in Paris, Senegal, Boston, New York, St Marteen, Prague and Dubaï … She took part in several Jazz Springboards such as Jazz a Vannes and Jazz a Crest and performed for numerous festivals like Jazz a Sete, Violons Croises and Cambridge Make Music.

 

 

Denmark Has A Friend In London

Danish Rock band A Friend In London, fronted by vocalist and primary songwriter Tim Schou, who is complimented by Esben Svane (drummer ), Sebastian Vinther (guitarist ) and Aske Damm Bramming (bassist), are about to land in Canada for the third time, as they embark on their second tour in Canada, following their initial visit in 2009, when they performed at NXNE in Toronto. During a recent interview Tim Schou revealed that while A Friend In London plans on playing crowd favorites such as; the Pop–Rock Noire song “Freddie,” “The Light,” which should chart well in North America and the guitar mashup, “The Way, the band also plans to unveil a few new songs.

While back home in Denmark, the music of A Friend In London has been played on the larger radio stations, Canada is just starting to discover this band and soon television audiences will as well, because A Channel and Breakfast Television have planned interviews with the band and they will be performing live.

When asked about A Friend In London’s growing popularity in North America, drummer, Esben Svane replied, “Sometimes you’re more interesting when you’re from “across the pond.”  Many North Americans like Scandinavian music and /or European music in general. I think A Friend In London, could be appealing to North American music fans because Tim is inspired by John Mayer and some of the melodies could remind you of the way he (Mayer) would do it. A Friend In London has a more “rock band feel” to it though, and when we are playing in Canada, people said we sounded like Coldplay, U2 and Radiohead. So maybe there is a reminder of something North American (such as) John Mayer, but with a European rock sound.”

 

 The Imogen Heap concert at the House of Blues in New Orleans on June 7th, All photos by Pam Hendrix protected by copyright. To view more photos by Pam or her graphic designs click here.

Making You the Most Beautiful Bride in the World!

By Belfast Fashion Columnist Paula Fraser

Organizing your wedding day is a mammoth task, with many different elements making up one special day and one very important element is your make up as you will be looking at your wedding photos for years to come.  Finding the right make up artist to help you with your makeup on the day need not be daunting, so here are some tips to help you with your search, and advice on working out the right make up look for you.

So you have set the date, booked the venue, found your dream dress…time to think about how you would like your hair and make up to look on the day.  For bridal make up it is important that you still look and feel like yourself, but there are certain techniques and products which professionals use so that you get that flawless airbrushed finish for your photographs.

If you do not usually wear red lipstick or purple on your eyes, your wedding day is not the time to start!  Keeping it neutral, fresh and radiant is the best way to achieve a timeless and classic look.  If you prefer your makeup a little glamorous, then go for it, but remember less is more.  A professional should know how to accentuate your best features, it should be your sparkling big blue eyes your guests see, not the colour of eyeshadow or blush that you are wearing.

When choosing a make up artist it is important to have a trial with them so you can get to know them and see their work first hand.

Burn It Slow Coos Tish Oney

Summer in the city, hot, humid, hazy, things moving slow, a languid pulse to the avenues and maybe the perfect time to sit back in elegant surroundings and be treated to an evening of songs written by the prolific composer, Peggy Lee.  Most of us know Peggy Lee as the sensual blonde chanteuse of such iconic pop performances as “Fever,” or “Manana,” but the cabaret singer Tish Oney came to appreciate a different side of Peggy Lee, and last Sunday night at Feinstein’s at the Lowe’s Regency, she took us on her own journey of discovery of a very different Peggy Lee.

With deep roots in the big band era of the forties, Peggy Lee had a prolific career that spanned an incredible six decades, but her own wish was to be remembered as a composer and with the able help of Tish

Artist: Patrick Yandall / Album: One Hour Blues / Blues / 12 tracks

There are few musicians who are as congenial, live their lives from a place of gratitude or play an electric guitar as well as San Diego artist Patrick Yandall, so it was with great delight that I spun his new CD One Hour Blues. Looking funky on the cover in a black hat, black suit jacket and sunglasses, this is a new look for Mr. Yandall and “Follow My Road,” the opening song on this fabulous album, is played with the same passion with which Patrick Yandall performs in concert. If we may put in a plug for him you can watch the schedule for Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge in San Diego where he often performs with his band.

In most cases when you get an album which is entirely written, produced and played by the

 

Berlin, A Sexy Fashion Metropolis

By Fashion Columnist Palaschka Parchomenko Curvello

Twice a year, in January and July, Berlin becomes a fashion metropolis attracting people from all over the world and this year from July 7^th – 11^th Berlin Fashion Week featured fashion shows, trade fairs and lots of parties. This big brands such as Berlin’s own, fashion designer, Michael Michalsky, was featured.  There were also newcomers like Frida Weyer, who presented her collection of modern cocktail and evening dresses in muted tones at the historic Banking Hall of the Humboldt Carre at Gendaremenmarkt, as part of the Mercdes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring / Summer 2011.

The overwhelming majority of the brands represented at Berlin Fashion Week were not local labels, since they are unable to afford the fees to participate in the events. There are however, between 600 – 800 fashion designers who live and work in Berlin and many of them are designing their collections in their own homes where the rent is more affordable. Berlin presents up and coming designers with a good start on their careers, as rent and living costs compared to other major cities such as New York City, London and Paris is relatively inexpensive and yet you still enjoy the flair of a creative and sexy fashion metropolis.

My favorite season in Berlin is the summer as people seem to become more

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Kara Johnstad in concert at the Metropolitan Room in New York City.  All photos are the property of photographer Lynn Redmile and are protected by copyright ©  Please visit Lynn's website by clicking here

Ron Davis - Jazz Pianist Extraordinaire

Recently, jazz pianist and composer Ron Davis, who makes his home in Toronto, Canada, released his seventh album, My Mother’s Father’s Song, and in a departure from his earlier projects which were well populated with his original compositions, only four of the thirteen tracks on Davis’s new recording, were composed by him.  Davis who along with Michael Kaeshammer are arguably the two best Canadian pianists on the music scene today, covered Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,” Charles Trenet’s “La Mer,” and Stevie Wonder’s “For Once In My Life,” while adding to the mix, his own songs, “The Climb,” “Sergei’s Shuffle,” “Danza Daniela,” and “Tumba Ron Rumba.”

The essence of who Ron Davis is, both in concert and as a composer, is to be innovative and to play with passion. “These past few weeks I have been obsessing over the fact that I think the standards should be retired, because they’re tired. I think that anyone with living ears would realize that the standards are tired and it is time for them to be retired. When you are on the stand playing them and somebody calls “Body And Soul,” as you start to play, and you approach the song musically and authentically, I don’t think that you can help to be aware, of ‘Oh here we go again.’ You are plugging into a tradition

The Breathtaking Music of Fabrizio Pigliucci

Recently, renowned Italian composer and orchestrator Fabrizio Pigliucci had his original music celebrated in German playwright Heiner Müller’s theatrical production of L’Orazio, which was staged in an open Roman villa at Anzio, near Rome. Mr. Pigliucci was greeted afterwards by numerous members of the audience who said they felt shivers while listening to his music and watching the story unfold, under the direction of Simone Barraco and Jordan Palmer.  

L’Orazzio is set in ancient Rome and is an age old story of tension between two families, the Orazi and Curiazi families. Without spoiling the storyline, there is a death, there are moral and legal judgments that are passed and it is viewed through the lens of today’s society and values.

Fabrizio Pigliucci says that “there is a parallel between this story and the truth of our day. We cannot have the real truth without having all of the facts from both sides and today in Italy this is a serious problem, because we need both sides of the medal to build a real truth.”

As for his music which was featured in L’Orazio, Mr. Pigliucci says, “The music is a union between ethnic sounds (such as), flutes,....