Tag Archives: roots

Review: Elwood James Band – Forgetting the Sound EP

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Artist: Elwood James Band
Album: Forgetting the Sound EP (LISTEN)
Released: Nov. 16, 2015
Genre: Rock ‘n Roll/Blues

Elwood James Band comes to us from nearby Bucks County with “Forgetting the Sound,” a five-track EP that showcases a little bit of everything the band does best.

Whether you’re a fan of blues or rock and roll, there’s something for you here. The opening track – and album’s namesake – kicks things off with crisp harmonies and a British Invasion vibe, which are married together with modern pop rock sensibilities. Another straightforward rocker, the mid-tempo “Soulful Look,” is driven forth by keys and crisp vocal harmonies.

As mentioned, Elwood James Band isn’t afraid to get bluesy on “Forgetting the Sound.” “Riding the Storm” features a rhythm section that slightly resembles Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold,” while being driven forward by down and dirty guitars and a striking keyboard melody. Album closer “Black Cherry” also features drums and bass that set a bluesy tone, before becoming more progressive with an intense instrumental break about halfway through the tune.

With “Forgetting the Sound,” Elwood James Band has a collection of songs that has the potential to appeal to our Valley’s masses. For sure, these tracks would hold up well alongside SteelStacks’ usual Saturday night lineup.

Track listing:
Forgetting the Sound
Riding the Storm
Alabama
Soulful Look
Black Cherry

PHOTOS: Delbert McClinton at the Musikfest Cafe (RiverJazz)

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On Wednesday night, we were back at the Musikfest Cafe on the third floor of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. This time, it was to experience RiverJazz through the sounds of multi-time Grammy winner and six-decade music veteran, Delbert McClinton.

McClinton, who was supported by an outstanding opening set from singer-songwriter Brian Dunne, took the stage with his band to play their patented uplifting blues rock in front of a packed house.

PHOTOS: Scott Marshall & Marshall’s Highway ‘Sounding Out Against Heroin’

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On Saturday night, local mainstay Scott Marshall brought his band, Marshall’s Highway, to the stage of the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Cafe in Bethlehem with a very important mission: to raise awareness and stop the use of heroin in our region.

Marshall, his band, and a few hundred of their closest friends went the distance — about three-and-a-half hours — for this cause, on an evening highlighted by great music, as well as stories from parents and addiction survivors. It was a night that was as emotional as it was unifying. Those in attendance drew strength and inspiration from each other.

Local contributor Lisa Robinson captured the event on behalf of Lehigh Valley Underground. Enjoy the shots!

Review: JD & the Straight Shot at Sands Bethlehem Event Center

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On Friday night, Jewel’s Bethlehem stop on her “Picking Up the Pieces” tour was kicked off by JD & the Straight Shot, who are on the road with the Alaska native in support of their new album, “Ballyhoo.”

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JD & the Straight Shot’s Jim Dolan welcomed thousands to Sands Bethlehem Event Center on Friday night.

The six-piece Americana band came to Sands Bethlehem Event Center to perform a 45-minute, all-acoustic set of selections mostly off of the new album. Frontman Jim Dolan was particularly welcoming with a confident, calm charisma in front of a near-sellout crowd. As a whole, the band was in sync for the entirety of its set, marked by crisp vocal harmonies and well-balanced, skillful instrumentation.

Highlights included the new album’s title track, whose instrumental buildup – marked by Erin Slaver’s epic fiddle work – translated well live and left the audience in awe. Also, the jazz rhythms and duet-style harmonies of “Better Find a Church” carried well through the venue and showcased Dolan and Slaver’s onstage chemistry. Staying on vocals, the band’s soaring four-part harmony on “Nature’s Way” provided another magical moment, especially for the trained ears in the audience.

JD & the Straight Shot heads with Jewel to Atlantic City tonight, before heading back north to Boston to round out the weekend. We wish them well in their travels, and hope they’ll visit the Lehigh Valley again soon!

Setlist:
Empty
Violet’s Song
Glide
Perdition
Nature’s Way
Don’t Waste My Time
Better Find a Church
Ballyhoo
Let it Roll (Little Feat cover)

The Quinn Spinn: Apr. 11, 2016

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The Quinn Spinn brings you great music from all over the world every Monday, and this episode is no different! We’ve got a variety of artists lined up across genres. Some tracks are old, some are new, and all are great indie music!

Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
Schroeder – Drop
The Mad Sugars – Queen of the Club
Permanent Ability – Hey Now
Ayoinmotion – Dreams
Rawboss ft. Jennie J – Talk to Me
Steve Omari ft. Alan Z – Getting Over
GC – Demonz
Bill Zanni – Dying Grace
Art Block – Angel
Linda Lou – Nashville
Middle City – No More
The Wayside Shakeup – Optimistic

BONUS VIDEO: The Wayside Shakeup Performs ‘Stay Up’

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Many of us on the music scene can relate to a song like The Wayside Shakeup’s “Stay Up.” We’re often out late, doing what we love, meanwhile someone waits patiently (or impatiently) at home for us to finish for the evening. As someone who had a special lady waiting for me as I attended the band’s show at MilkBoy last Friday, this song certainly speaks to me.

Naturally, then, you can imagine my excitement when they transitioned into the new single during their set. I was so taken in by the moment that I just had to hit record!

Consider this just a sample of the band’s great live show, which you need to make sure you see if you haven’t yet. They’re as tight a band as you’ll hear on the indie scene and, as an added bonus, they’re super cool to work with!

PHOTOS: The Wayside Shakeup at MilkBoy Philly

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It felt great to be back in Philadelphia as The Wayside Shakeup opened up for Animal Years and Wild Adriatic at MilkBoy. The band’s set was tight as the guys played selections from their entire catalog, including their newest single, “Stay Up,” and selections from their funky “Private Party” EP.

Overall, Wayside’s set was a fun beginning to a great night of indie music in the City of Brotherly Love. Enjoy some photos from our night on the town, and be prepared for an extra treat from the show in the coming days.

QSLehighValley: Mar. 17, 2016

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The Wayside Shakeup has been a longtime mainstay on the Philly scene. Rob Volansky from the band joins us to talk about their projects, past and present. Also, we have a brief preview of some of the things to come on the scene in the next few months.

Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
John Scargall – Harder They Fall
The Wayside Shakeup – Optimistic
The Wayside Shakeup – Stay Up
Lauren Marsh – Dear Love
Avi Wisnia – Something New
uMan ERA – It’s All About Me
Mo7s – Make a Stand

Review: The Wayside Shakeup – Stay Up (Single)

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Philly-based Americana band The Wayside Shakeup released their newest single, “Stay Up,” on Feb. 2. Recorded at Dr. Dog’s former Philadelphia studio, the band adds support from trumpeter Greg Rosen of Swift Technique and Philly roots rocker Reed Kendall of Up The Chain, who produced, engineered and lent backing vocals to the track.

With “Stay Up,” The Wayside Shakeup has released a heartfelt traveler’s ballad that could quite easily serve as the soundtrack to a film montage featuring two long-distance, estranged lovers. Lead singer Rob Volansky’s vocals soulfully project the longing that accompanies being on the road and away from the one you love, while a listener can’t help but feel it on every note played by lead guitarist Chris D’Antonio during his solo around the two-minute mark.

Just before three minutes, the song begins to wrap up with a beautiful, a capella sing-and-clap-along moment before the full band re-enters to close out this expertly-crafted roots rock tune.

Watch the official lyric video for The Wayside Shakeup’s “Stay Up” below, and listen for the track on this Thursday’s edition of QSLehighValley!

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