Ray Lamontagne, Central Park, May 31

Considering I have not posted to this music blog in over a year, I have failed terribly as a fan of music and social media. To revive a dying cause, I am uberly excited to put on my best dress and drag my boyfriend out to listen to some Ray in Central Park, New York City, on May 31.

Josh Rouse

I missed Josh last week, but something I'm listening to this week.

Listen

Thursday, March 4, David Ford at Les Poisson Rouge

Will David Ford continue to eloquently seduce us?

Rachel Yamagata, The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, N.J. - March 13, 2009

The Stone Pony is known for its flips and flops of shows, but most people who don't live in the area know its name from performers like Bruce Springsteen. Personally, I love "the Pony." It's almost like you're a part of history as you stand to watch your best friend, a favorite local band or someone like Rachel Yamagata. And, you might even get lucky with a special guest appearance by Bruce. In fact, the night of the show, Mr. Springsteen was rehearsing across the street at Convention Hall.

I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to review the show after it was over. Here's why:

1) She was so drunk that after a few songs, Ms. Yamagata could not complete a full song.
2) I was fascinated more by the drummer than by the actual singer-songwriter.
3) I was extremely disappointed.

I'm sure her loyal fans will say that it was a great concert, and it would have been if she could remember her own lyrics, which happen to be pretty damn good. It was disappointing to me because she didn't take the performance seriously. So, because you're in Jersey at the Stone Pony means that you can put on a shit show?! As the drummer glowered, Rachel joked around with the audience, and did more talking about how drunk she was than actual singing. Although, in the end, Rachel did redeem herself somewhat as a cool performer by inviting a fan on stage to sing her encore song, "The Reason Why" for she could not finish the song herself.

What's next...

Rachel Yamagata at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, N.J., March 13

Ray Lamontagne at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, N.J., March 31

Colin Hay at the Canal Room, New York, N.Y., April 16.

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, N.J. - February 22, 2009

There are three things that you always get at a concert: music (good or bad), lots of energetic people and pot. O.k., I'm going to vent a little just because it's my blog and I can. Two of these things I thoroughly enjoy, however, the latter I have no avocation for. Don't get me wrong, I could care less if someone likes to enjoy this type of activity and I have nothing against it, but did you ask me if I wanted to inhale your second-hand waste? No. I had no choice in the matter. Yes, we were sitting in the balcony and I should know better, but I think I should be able make the decision for myself. Next time you feel like getting high at a concert (or anywhere for that matter), why don't you turn around and politely ask your fellow neighbors if they mind? Because god forbid you go outside and do your business somewhere else and come back!

Adams started off the show with "Still I See Montsers" like a psychedelic monster. You could feel the tone and vibe of the upcoming two-hour show. With what seemed like technical difficulties, the boys continued to excite the crowd with songs like "Fix It", a cowboy "I'm Ready to Go" and an 8-minute cover of "Wonderwall", which captured even the highest crowd. "Come Pick Me Up" can even get to you up in the rafters, but a distracted Adams seemed to be uneasy.

After an hour of performing, a 15-minute intermission gave the band and Adams time to unwind. A more relaxed Adams took the stage and "Goodnight Rose" shook the theatre and the crowd. You could feel the emotion with "Oh My God, Whatever, etc.", his signature sound with cowboy lyrics. The next hour Adams opens up to what he's really capable of. I think performances are like relationships - a two way street - where one energy feeds off of the other. If you have a void in either one, you don't get a good performance. I truly believe that I experienced an entirely different show than the crowd standing downstairs.

Wish List -top 5

If you could see anyone perform, who would it be? I've been known to say that I try to live my life as if money were not an obstacle. The only difference? If I won the lottery, I would just do more of it. What am I doing with my bi-weekly paychecks? Besides paying the monotonous bills, I try to attend as many performances as I can, splurge a little on my only child, take some graduate classes, travel as much as money and time allow, ski, eat some great food with friends and purchase a plethora of books that I really don't have time to read.

O.K., so my top-five performance wish list for this year:

1. Joshua James
2. Bruce Springsteen (hey, I'm a Jersey Girl through and through)
3. Regina Spektor
4. Wilco
5. Kings of Leon

What are yours?

Joshua Radin and Dar Williams New York, Webster Hall, January 23, 2009

From the streets of the Village, Joshua Radin has come a long way from his original passion of screenwriting. I was fortunate enough to have stumbled upon his music - intertwined with pensive lyrics and a melancholy tone - a new genre he calls, "whisper rock". This was my second time seeing him in New York. As he walked to the microphone, Joshua seemed happy, stating, "I just moved back to New York about four days ago..."

The crowd at Webster Hall was diverse in both gender and age - something unusual for his shows. A warm "Winter", the first song Joshua wrote, filled the room with a peaceful quietness that overcame the crowd. "What if You" ponders, and has you harshly relating, falling into his music, as if you were falling in love with someone for the first time. The show presented a surprise guest appearance of Ingrid Michaelson singing "Sky", where anyone who has been in a relationship has probably had "the dream". The whole show was not about breaking up or losing your love, but "Vegetable Car" is fun, hopeful and upbeat although his original formula works best.

Dar Williams followed, with some upbeat tunes and a soft personality. The crowd seemed to shift, but her voice kept you there for more. Her stories, songs and personality revealed a cool, hip woman who was blessed with a tranquil voice. I've never heard Dar before, and did not know any of her songs, but my favorite, "The Babysitter" was cute and witty. A perfect ending to the show.

Ingrid Michaelson, The Town Hall, NYC - December 18, 2008

In my mind, I think Ingrid Michaelson is a pretty well-known artist, mainly for her catchy tune, "The Way I am" featured in last year's Old Navy advertising campaigns. Before and after attending her performance at The Town Hall, nearly everyone I told about my travels had absolutely no clue who I was talking about. Yes, a lot of my friends think I've lost my faculties every month when I say I'm going to a show...Ingrid who? or Josh from where? or the new Freddie Mercury from the U.K.?

I had recently seen Ingrid last month in Philly, so I was interested in the "Holiday Pop" version in New York City. I can't comment on the opening act, Greg Laswell because we arrived just as he performed his last song. Now, there were two guys trying to give the audience some holiday laughter with some silly and lightly witty comments. They helped pass the time while we were waiting for Ingrid to take the stage...yet, she couldn't go on soon enough. In the spirit of Christmakuh, the Yule Logs, (elliot jacobson, bess rogers, ingrid michaelson, allie moss, and chris kuffner) a group from "Pensecola, Fla." performed some funny holiday cheer to start off the show.

Dressed in Christmas spirit with colors of red and green stockings, Ingrid took the stage with her witty and sarcastic monologues, and a voice so distinctive I can't compare it. Being the last show of a long year of touring, I'm hoping for a bang! As "Breakable" filled the room, I felt at home once again. Her lyrics and voice intertwine, as I can relate to "Giving Up" and the show starts taking on its personality. The Town Hall is a seated venue, which changes the dynamics of a concert. My friend Brian, who is my partner in crime when it comes to live music, thought it was a little mellow.

So what would a Holiday Pop concert be without holiday cheer? "Mele Kalikimaka" makes you want to hula, how fun?! Other covers performed were "Creep" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Ingrid's distinctive whisper-rock style. There's nothing like seeing an artist perform live - sometimes you get to know them a little bit better, and in Ingrid's case you really do. She will make you laugh and do double takes... "Did she just instruct us on when to start and stop clapping, and then say that there's always that one drunk girl who will mess it up?" or tell the audience that they don't have to yell, 'woohoo' because she can hear us just fine? Yes, she does.

I am once again blessed to be able to see another artist play in her hometown. Ingrid's mother and father seemed to be secretly hidden in the audience as she sang her father's Christmas song. Additions of cellos and chorus singers completed the show. I am looking forward to what's in store for us next year!