Have you listened to a great record lately? Perhaps you caught a great concert around town and want to share the experience! Good or bad, we'd love to hear it all at the Sound Table!
The Flynn Center this past sunday night, The Spirit of Uganda was live on the main stage and it made for one hell of a night. Boys and girls, drummers and dancers ranging in age from 12-17 took the stage to preform a host of, rhythm driven, traditional songs for an under attended audience. The drums could not have sounded more crisp and the bells on the ankles of the dancers were all chiming in perfect time. The show was awesome, but I wonder about the organization that runs the foundation. I no absolutely nothing about how they operate, so I can't speculate, but the flair that some of the organizers seemed quite extravagant for an organization dedicated to Ugandan students no older than 17--I'll have to look into it.
The Burlington Chamber Orchestra played a excellent concert this past Saturday, the 24th to a packed recital hall. The group had an incredibly cohesive, unified sound and was the perfect size for McCarthey Recital Hall. The program was well selected representing pieces from the baroque, classical, and romantic eras. During the first piece the violinists stood up while they played the Corelli concerto grosso, which I had never seen before. Quality performance of the Haydn cello concerto in C major by the winner of the Young Artist Solo Competition. Overall a great performance of a well selected program.
Josh Lanney's senior recital, on Sunday, April 1st, was a mixed bag of performances with the first half occupied by pieces composed by Grieg, Beethoven and Astor Piazzolla. The first piece was Libertango composed by Piazzolla and arranged for two pianos. To perform this piece Lanney was joined by his piano teacher, Annemieke Spoelestra. The second half included two modern pieces one of which was composed by Lanney himself. The last two pieces required ear plugs, which were passed out at the beginning of the performance. Lanney was joined by two guitarists and a drummer for the last two pieces and the place shook under their combined forces. Lanney showed his versatility as a performer with a variety of pieces spanning many different genres, time periods, and volumes.
I was quizzical about buying a ticket for Toots & the Maytals March 23rd concert at Higher Ground, after all, these guys had to be in their late sixties. After heavyhearted deliberation, I decided twenty bucks was well worth seeing a towering band of the reggae tradition; and hell, maybe if I was lucky I’d see someone break a hip.
I made the right decision. Just seeing Hibberts in a purple leather suit would have been worth it, but it turns out that after fifty years of playing, you learn how to put on a great show. The whole concert was one long song. Although they’re talented enough to sell out arenas, Toots belongs in small venues like this, where they can play off the audience and garner a real connection.
Despite having nearly 30 studio albums, Toots, in popular culture, will be forever remembered as “that band The Clash covered once (Pressure Drop.)” This only illustrates the niche that reggae has become. Hundreds of bands have been left in the shadow of Bob Marley. But, whatchagonnadoaboutit?
This Saturday (4/21) the jazz orchestra played directed by Brian McCarthy. The program had a variety of genres ranging from latin to the music of Count Basie with most/all of the tunes written by Rich DeRosa. The music was well played and many of the members of the band improvised solos. During the tune "The Funk Stomps Here" Professor McCarthy attempted to get a couple of the saxophonists to improvise at the same time which was a new experience for some.
The Flynn Center this past sunday night, The Spirit of Uganda was live on the main stage and it made for one hell of a night. Boys and girls, drummers and dancers ranging in age from 12-17 took the stage to preform a host of, rhythm driven, traditional songs for an under attended audience. The drums could not have sounded more crisp and the bells on the ankles of the dancers were all chiming in perfect time. The show was awesome, but I wonder about the organization that runs the foundation. I no absolutely nothing about how they operate, so I can't speculate, but the flair that some of the organizers seemed quite extravagant for an organization dedicated to Ugandan students no older than 17--I'll have to look into it.
ReplyDeleteThe Burlington Chamber Orchestra played a excellent concert this past Saturday, the 24th to a packed recital hall. The group had an incredibly cohesive, unified sound and was the perfect size for McCarthey Recital Hall. The program was well selected representing pieces from the baroque, classical, and romantic eras. During the first piece the violinists stood up while they played the Corelli concerto grosso, which I had never seen before. Quality performance of the Haydn cello concerto in C major by the winner of the Young Artist Solo Competition. Overall a great performance of a well selected program.
ReplyDeleteJosh Lanney's senior recital, on Sunday, April 1st, was a mixed bag of performances with the first half occupied by pieces composed by Grieg, Beethoven and Astor Piazzolla. The first piece was Libertango composed by Piazzolla and arranged for two pianos. To perform this piece Lanney was joined by his piano teacher, Annemieke Spoelestra. The second half included two modern pieces one of which was composed by Lanney himself. The last two pieces required ear plugs, which were passed out at the beginning of the performance. Lanney was joined by two guitarists and a drummer for the last two pieces and the place shook under their combined forces. Lanney showed his versatility as a performer with a variety of pieces spanning many different genres, time periods, and volumes.
ReplyDeleteThat sounded like an AMAZING senior recital. I'm so sad I had to miss this one. That Josh definately sounds like he has so much talent to share.
DeleteI was blown away by a mighty Toot!
ReplyDeleteI was quizzical about buying a ticket for Toots & the Maytals March 23rd concert at Higher Ground, after all, these guys had to be in their late sixties. After heavyhearted deliberation, I decided twenty bucks was well worth seeing a towering band of the reggae tradition; and hell, maybe if I was lucky I’d see someone break a hip.
I made the right decision. Just seeing Hibberts in a purple leather suit would have been worth it, but it turns out that after fifty years of playing, you learn how to put on a great show. The whole concert was one long song. Although they’re talented enough to sell out arenas, Toots belongs in small venues like this, where they can play off the audience and garner a real connection.
Despite having nearly 30 studio albums, Toots, in popular culture, will be forever remembered as “that band The Clash covered once (Pressure Drop.)” This only illustrates the niche that reggae has become. Hundreds of bands have been left in the shadow of Bob Marley. But, whatchagonnadoaboutit?
Everyone do the reggay!
This Saturday (4/21) the jazz orchestra played directed by Brian McCarthy. The program had a variety of genres ranging from latin to the music of Count Basie with most/all of the tunes written by Rich DeRosa. The music was well played and many of the members of the band improvised solos. During the tune "The Funk Stomps Here" Professor McCarthy attempted to get a couple of the saxophonists to improvise at the same time which was a new experience for some.
ReplyDelete