Little River Band @ Bergen PAC, Englewood NJ

The evening’s weather forecast was at the very least, ominous. Severe thunderstorms would be passing through close to showtime, and again at the end of the show. Most of us were lucky, having beaten the raindrops into the comfort of the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.

The Little River Band opened the night with a little a capella intro into “It’s A Long Way There,” just in case you may have forgotten just how strong their five part harmonies can be. Though the band has gone through many changes of personnel over forty years, the integral sound is still very much alive.

Bass player Wayne Nelson has taken over most of the lead vocal duties, though Greg Hind gets plenty of lead time as well. The LRB has a deep catalog of hits with hooks that you can’t get out of your head. All the songs you remember would be played this night, with “Man On Your Mind” as the next in line.

After greeting the crowd and asking if they were ready to sing, the band launched into “Happy Anniversary.” While the set list was heavy on the hits, they didn’t ignore their most recent album, Cuts Like A Diamond, with fine versions “The Lost And The Lonely” and “I’m An Island.” But with an older crowd, the night would indeed be about “Reminiscing.”

For the rest of the review and additional photos, please jump over to Little River Band @ Bergen PAC, Englewood NJ at OnstageMagazine.com

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Leaders In The Clubhouse Debut Album "Won" Reviewed

Late last year, Spud Davenport and Charlie Recksieck got together in San Diego and started creating fun music filled with satire and written with a “jaundiced eye.” It resulted in the formation of a band called Leaders In The Clubhouse (LITC) and a debut album titled Won.

Let’s just say their music is a little quirky. At times, you could almost imagine a Seinfeld episode coming out of their song lyrics, but don’t get the impression that they are about “nothing.” Actually Won is about a lot of things, many which are extremely relatable: sex, technology, long-distance romance, getting along with your fellow man, and oh yeah, the end of the world.

For the entire review, please step over to Leaders In The Clubhouse Debut Albun "Won" Reviewed at OnstageMagazine.com

Got It Covered: Everywhere I Go

It's been a while since I posted an installment of Got It Covered, hope you enjoy this one.

In 1993, Jackson Browne released his tenth studio album titled I'm Alive. On it, Browne returned to the familiar territory of love lost, while easing away from the political flavor that marked Lives in the Balance and World in Motion, his previous two albums.

While I'm Alive didn't break any sales records, it did become certified gold, and more importantly, it gave back to his fans the music they wanted to hear. The song "Everywhere I Go," features Browne's initial foray into a reggae beat, with Scott Thurston on backing vocals.

A little over a year ago, Music Load Records released a Jackson Browne tribute album called Looking Into You: A Tribute to Jackson Browne. It's a two-disc set and it's highly recommended. It would seem all of Jackson's friends lined up for a chance to be included: Keb Mo doing "Rock Me On The Water," Lyle Lovett singing "Rosie," Joan Obsourne with "Late For The Sky," "Lucinda Williams on 'The Pretender," and Don Henley with "These Days." Yeah, it's real nice.

My favorite of the collection is the cover of "Everywhere I Go," sung by Bonnie Raitt and David Lindley. It's a light, airy version and of course, there's Bonnie's voice.

Take a listen.

For a little peek into the recording of it, check out this video.

Fun, don't you think?

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Gary U.S. Bonds Birthday Bash at B.B. Kings NYC

The night was billed as Gary U.S. Bonds with Special Guests, and it was a celebration of Gary’s 76th birthday. This was his seventh B.B. King’s birthday party and it didn't matter who the guests would be, this crowd was there to have fun.

Fun was to be an understatement.

As the band played him onstage to the opening notes of Springsteen’s “Action In The Streets,” Gary, obviously enjoying the moment, had a twinkle in his eyes and a huge smile on his face. That smile did not leave his face all night. And why would it? Bonds still commands the stage, has a natural ease about him as a man who feels right at home in his own skin, a sense of humor, and on this night, was surrounded by beautiful and talented women. On this night, with the exception of two local guitar rockers, Gary’s special guests were all of the female type, and he clearly appreciated every minute of it.

He spent a few minutes talking about some of his dear friends who couldn’t make it to the show:  Ben. E. King, who passed away in April; Springsteen, who apparently was in Europe watching his daughter participate in her equestrian events, and Southside Johnny, for whom he thanked God that he wasn’t there, before getting the crowd going with his rendition of “New Orleans.” It was then time to bring up the first musical guest, singer-songwriter Christine Martucci, who offered a couple of her own soulful tunes before joining up with Gary on another Springsteen treasure “Rendezvous”

For the rest of the recap of the show, please go over to Gary U.S. Bonds Birthday Bash at B.B. Kings NYC at OnStageMagazine.com

Somebody's Darling @ Hill Country NYC

While the voice of Amber Farris started off the night somewhat smooth and reserved, carefully waiting for Wade Cofer to get his bass pounding, soon enough Somebody's Darling was ready to bring on the heat. Opening the show with "Bad Bad," from their 2014 release Adult Roommates, Somebody's Darling brought to New York City that Southern blues-rock which the state of Texas has been happily endorsing for several years.

Originally from Dallas, the band has now relocated to Nashville to take in the musical influences, write some new songs, and record a new album. It appears the Lone Star State's loss is a benefit for other areas of the country, as the move allows the band a road more easily traveled. Their current tour has taken them into the Northeast, for the first time since they appeared at the CMJ Music Marathon in October, before taking the southern route back to Nashville, Texas, and points... many points west. This night the vibe of Somebody's Darling fit right in with the Texas BBQ being served at Hill Country in NYC.

 For the rest of the review and more photos, please jump over to Somebody's Darling @ Hill Country NYC

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