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Radio Crystal Blue 10/14/12 news

Posted on October 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

Radio Crystal Blue is sponsored in part by:
Ariel Publicity: www.arielpublicity.com
Miles High Productions www.mileshighproductions.com
Serge Entertainment Public Relations www.sergepr.com
Wampus Multimedia www.wampus.com

Radio Crystal Blue is free to share and listen, in accordance with Creative
Commons License 3.0, full attribution, non-derivative, non-commercial.
*****
HOW TO LISTEN: FEEDPLAYER
Look for a popup link on the home and archive pages at
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If you cannot access the Feed Player or do not have Shockwave/Flash in your
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This page contains a bona fide workable version of the Feed Player.
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CONTACT:
EMAIL: cblue456@comcast.net
personal FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/radiocblue
RCB FACEBOOK:
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TWITTER @radiocblue
STAT BLOG: www.cblue456.tumblr.com
*******
NEXT SHOW will be published on or about October 17 and will be available
for about 1 year. Remember, even if you miss hearing a show the week I
record, you can always find it within the FeedPlayer’s archive of older
shows.
Owing to schedule demands, I usually publish on Wednesdays or as soon as
possible thereafter. For the next show I’m likely to publish BEFORE 10/17.
You will hear music in several segments of top indie/DIY/underground
songwriters and bands.
RCB Novus Ordo will also air separately. On this show I spin one song from
8 songs in one sitting and give you background info of each artist.
******
TWITTER FIVE TO FOLLOW: @dancostellosays @tspoonmusic @DanCloutierFolk @theboxinglesson @Fantazzle
*****
I am into the 2nd week of courses at PhillyCAM and enjoying both the challenge and process of learning video equipment and how to build a show on the city’s public-access channel. One class finishes next week, and the other in 3 weeks time.
As a last minute decision, I decided to check out Beaucoup Blue at Ortlieb’s Lounge in Northern Liberties on 10/6. This venue has reopened under this title and was previously known as Jazzhaus. It was my first chance to see the father-son duo in over a year. My review of this show is at https://radiocrystalblue.net/2012/10/07/ortliebs-lounge-10612/

On 10/11 I was in attendance at Milkboy Coffee’s Center City locale once again, enjoying the music of The Way Home, Food Will Win The War, and The City and Horses, along with West Philly’s own On The Water. Review has just been posted to the site and you may read it at

COVERAGE:
I do audio interviews along with photos, video, and audio of live events.
You can see and hear evidence across my Facebook and YouTube channels, plus
the field recording FeedPlayer.Time, location and expense will be taken into
account before taking on a job. I’ve done this work for free, but that may
change soon. Also, with the video skills I’m learning, I might do more
video oriented work in the future.

10/16: Post-punk alt-country songwriter Freddy Hall (The Best Intentions)
performs at The Grape Room www.freddyhallmusic.com
10/22: The Blakes www.theblakesband.com perform at Ortlieb’s Lounge
11/3: Katie Barbato, Ginger Coyle, Danielle Miraglia at Sine Studios
www.katiebarbato.com www.gingercoyle.com www.daniellem.com
11/15 Mr. Hunter returns to the East Coast, and to The Grape Room
www.mrhunterband.com

Not for nothing, it’s been two years since I’ve joined Twitter. Today is the actual two-year Twitterversary! What gift do I give myself? Someone came up with a clever answer on my timeline.

****
RCB REVIEW:
RCB Novus Ordo: Bobtown and Jesse Terry both highlights this edition; the former a folk ensemble, the latter an award winning songwriter. You’ll also enjoy hearing the space rock of The Boxing Lesson and roots rock from Interstate Buffalo.

RCB proper: A technical issue caused to re-record the entire show from scratch. I still managed to deliver the show on Wednesday as usual. Once again I began with Pamela Wyn Shannon’s acclaimed and limited edition album “Courting Autumn”. First segment includes touring songwriters Ellis and Meghan Cary, plus Nerissa & Katryna Nields who formally release their new CD this week. There’s a line in the song “Back At The Fruit Tree” that cites the month of October. Yes, you did hear more about space dinosaurs and more of the story (and backstory) from MJ Hibbett & The Validators. Segment 2 was much more uptempo. Spun more new music here from Add Moss and EndAnd (the latter’s EP is slightly deceptive in description, as there are multiple titles for different songs. Most songs in this segment were somewhat dark. Segment 3:Chuck Schaeffer introduced here with the title track, a Craig Bickhardt cover. I stayed along the lines of pedal steel to present Marc Berger and Sam Otis Hill (complete with Sam’s take on elections). Lily Wilson and Mare Wakefield take part in a songwriter in-the-round at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles, 10/24. Final segment: The pride of Ocracoke Island, NC, Molasses Creek kicks off with a medley penned by Fiddler Dave Tweedie: “Scat Reel/Charles In Jeopardy, First Day Of School”. Two songs of similar vibe closes us out from Craig Sonnenfeld and Lynn Hollyfield.
AIRPLAY SUBMISSION:
Send CDs to
Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
1701 Snyder Avenue, #4
Philadelphia, PA 19145

CDs MUST have a 2012 release date. Digital is acceptable if media is not
available in other formats.
Artists are also advised to add my email address to their general email
list.

I also accept EPKs through these companies. For EPK submissions I select
artists on their body of work and the completeness of the press kit.

SONICBIDS: http://www.sonicbids.com/radiocrystalblue
MusicSUBMIT: www.musicsubmit.com.
Search for the words Radio Crystal Blue to find my pages there.
*********
Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
www.radiocrystalblue.net
http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
cblue456@comcast.net
@radiocblue on twitter
215 995 2234

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@ Milkboy Philly 10/11/12

Posted on October 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

This show at Milkboy Philly was nearly off my radar until the prior evening. Two weeks prior I had received a postcard (remember those?) from Brooklyn’s Food Will Win The War, mentioning this particular event. I filed it away and paid a bit more attention to emails alerting me to other events. Then I heard from Marc Cantone, who fronts the Brooklyn indie pop band The City And Horses, asking whether I’d like to attend. I said, sure, with barely any recollection of who else was on the bill. So I check out the lineup online…it’s Food Will Win The War, The City And Horses, and…wait for it….big local favorites The Way Home! Plus there was West Philly Americana hybrid band On The Water as the opener. From what I recall, Food Will Win The War and On The Water have shared bills previously, as has the latter band with The Way Home.
The audience was pretty vocal throughout and thinned out a bit later. The sound at Milkboy was strong all through the evening.
On The Water are a large ensemble perform songs with their lead singer Fletcher Van Vliet commanding in ragged voice, not unlike Tom Waits. The music is even-tempered in waltz time for the most part, and rides the chemistry of the band, who were eight-strong tonight. Instruments were two acoustics, banjo, snare drum, toy piano, bass, fiddle. A lot of hollerin’, a bit of croonin’.
   
The City & Horses provide unsophisticated indie pop with lots of lyrical and guitar-based hooks. They introduced a new guy on bass. Marc also introduced his day job co-worker Carlie (sp?) on backing vox for a few songs.
VIDEO Of The City & Horses with Carlie taking the lead
Food Will Win The War are billed as ‘glockenspiel rock’, tho I have to admit I barely could hear said glockenspiel in their set. Rockin’ the glock’ is Devlin Rodriguez, whom I’m told was once was part of this band.  This six-piece band grooves has lead rhythm guitar by tall baritone Rob Ward, anchored on keys and accordion by the well-groomed Scott Stein, and others checking in bass, drums, and a rather animated fiddler. This was the final night of a 8-city East Coast tour outside of the home base in Brooklyn. They perform 10/17 at Bowery Electric during the big CMJ Music Marathon. The band is big on chemistry and good harmonies. Having been around for about 10 years plus, they know exactly how to deliver a good show, even when it doesn’t rock out fully.
The Way Home are beginning to tour around the region themselves, with upcoming shows in DC, western PA, eastern MA, CT, and upper NY.
This was the band’s first fully acoustic show, a bit different from a similar gig performed at Sine Studios that I covered for you way back when. James rocked the acoustic, with Daniel Drago on bass, Nick Hughes on drums, Henry Nam on accordion, an instrument he was just beginning to learn. Henry sounded just wonderful on the accordion, making it sound like a Rhodes, having me forget this was an acoustic set. A truly clever, well-thought set and arrangement was experienced. James would intro each song either promoting the CD, talk about the lyrics, shout out a few folks, or otherwise would say “This is ‘The Way Home’ “. They didn’t have to break the fourth wall. It was at tho, despite the mild turnout, that one could easily connect with the band’s ethos. And if that doesn’t grab you, you should have been singing along with the 4-part harmonies (kind of the way The Eagles did). I was.
After the show I caught up with Dave DeHart, who is in the bands The Gang Age and Donovan Rice‘s band The Standing Cinema. I had seen both bands last summer at The M Room, and covered this event last summer

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Radio Crystal Blue and RCB Novus Ordo 10/7/12

Posted on October 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

Radio Crystal Blue: Novus Ordo spotlights CDs that are debuting on my
standard freeform radio program, Radio Crystal Blue. The show exists as a
weekly podcast.

Listen here:
(1) The FeedPlayer on my home page (visible with Flash-supported browsers)
www.radiocrystalblue.net and available to stream/download/share. Click the
pop-up link at the ‘home’ tab.
(2) If you cannot view the FeedPlayer, try a different browser, or get
Flash, or try my podcast provider at www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
(3 mp3: https://radiocrystalblue.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/rcbnew100712.mp3

(4) RSS: www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rss

This show was distributed on 10/10/12

Interstate Buffalo “Cousin” – One Step Away CD www.interstatebuffalo.com
Black Cherry “Just the Other Day” – Defying Gravity CD www.blackcherry.ca
The Boxing Lesson “Cassiopeia” – Muerta EP www.facebook.com/theboxinglesson
Jetpacks And Laser Guns “1969” – s/t EP www.jetpacksandlaserguns.com
Achilles Wheel “Slow Train” – Thirteen Hours CD www.achilleswheel.com
Tilford Sellers & The Wagon Burners “You Always Shut Me Down” – Heartaches, Lies And Cheating Songs CD www.tilfordsellers.com
Bobtown “Magilla Lee ” – Trouble I Wrought CD www.bobtownmusic.com
Jesse Terry “Bitterroot Valley” – Empty Seat On A Plane CD www.jesseterrymusic.com
****************
Running time: 57 minutos
****
All content of Radio Crystal Blue’s programming is free to listen and share
to via a Creative Commons License, version 3.0, full attribution,
non-derivative. For more info: www.creativecommons.org

Here’s RCB proper:

Radio Crystal Blue is my long-running standard freeform radio program. The
show exists as a weekly podcast.
Listen here:
(1) The FeedPlayer on my home page (visible with Flash-supported browsers)
www.radiocrystalblue.net and available to stream/download/share. Click the
pop-up link at the ‘home’ tab.
(2) If you cannot view the FeedPlayer, try a different browser, or get
Flash, or try my podcast provider at www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
(3) .mp3 https://radiocrystalblue.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/rcblive100712.mp3
This show was distributed on 10/10/12.

Artists who are appearing at events together are marked by * and **


Opening music: Pamela Wyn Shannon “Tis Rambetide in Ambleside” – Courting Autumn CD http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pamela-Wyn-Shannon/192567270765711
***************
Nerissa and Katryna Nields “Back At The Fruit Tree” – The Full Catastrophe CD www.nields.com
Ellis “Right On Time” – Right On Time CD www.ellis-music.com
Meghan Cary “Live!” – Building This House CD www.meghancary.com
John Brodeur “Easier” – Tiger Pop Ten CD www.johnbrodeur.com
Mr. Hunter “The Corner” – The First Chapter: A Story By Mr. Hunter CD www.mrhunterband.com
MJ Hibbett & The Validators “Don’t Darren Don’t” – Dinosaur Planet CD www.mjhibbett.com
*************
Tweed Funk “Fragile” – Love Is CD www.tweedfunk.com
Aqua Cherry “Oh” – Drowning In The Shallow End CD www.reverbnation.com/aquacherryband
Frank Palangi “I’m Waiting” – s/t EP www.reverbnation.com/frankpalangi
Add Moss “Precious Waste” – In Self-Defense Of The World CD www.addmoss.com
Bound By Substance “Garden State Prison” – Dead Wrong EP www.boundbysubstance.com
EndAnd “Far In Between” – Adventures Of Hi-Fi In Space EP www.facebook.com/endandmusic
*************
Chuck Schaeffer “Along These Lines” – Along These Lines CD www.chuckschaeffer.com
Marc Berger “Twister” – Ride CD www.marcbergermusic.com
Sam Otis Hill & Co. “My Texan Friend” – Sand and Gravel CD www.samotishill.com
Lily Wilson “Looking For Reasons” – harbour CD www.lilywilson.com
Mare Wakefield “If We Go, You Go” – Meant To Be CD www.marewakefield.com
**********
Molasses Creek “Scat Reel Set” – An Island Out Of Time CD www.molassescreek.com
Devon Sproule “The Easier Way” – Don’t Hurry For Heaven! CD www.devonsproule.com
Tyler Spooner “Dancing On The Sidewalk” – Forgetting To Remember EP www.tylerspooner.com
Craig Sonnenfeld “All My Better Angels” – Angels, Lovers And Fools CD www.craigsonnenfeld.com
Lynn Hollyfield “Layers” – Layers CD www.lynnhollyfield.com
**********
Closing music: Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors “Speaking Curves” – Jhoom: The Intoxication Of Surrender CD www.ravenrecording.net
Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutos.

All content of Radio Crystal Blue’s programming is free to listen and share
to via a Creative Commons License, version 3.0, full attribution,
non-derivative. For more info: www.creativecommons.org

Next show will be recorded and distributed in the week of 10/14/12

Dan Herman/Radio Crystal Blue:
cblue456@comcast.net
2159952234
www.radiocrystalblue.net
www.facebook.com/radiocblue
www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
twitter: @radiocblue

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@ Ortlieb’s Lounge 10/6/12

Posted on October 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Last night, at Ortlieb’s Lounge in Northern Liberties, Beaucoup Blue guitarist David Mowry declared “We believe there are two kinds of music: blues and zip-ah-dee-doo dah. We don’t know zip-ah-dee-do-dah” The elder of the father-son duo-led band, David brought the blues spirit to the mostly full venue, while son Adrian has more of the soul sensibility. They were backed by two guys from Canada; Jeff on drums, Bill on standup bass.They both sported full business attire plus hats as they customarily do on stage.
Upon arrival at Ortlieb’s, formerly known as Jazzhaus, I met DJ Sean Smoove, who runs a weekly DJ night. We talked about the intersection of live music and local politics and how the scene had changed for the worse in the last 10 or so years. He believes firmly that Ortlieb’s will help to turn the tide. I have to agree. The venue is rather warm in appearance, with a lot of tables inset into one wall facing a modest bar space. The stage area faces one wall at center, a bit like The Bitter End in NYC, and there is diner seating on one side and tables for two on the other. I was able to get a lot of pictures done but no video as the foot traffic was very heavy between the patrons and the waitstaff.
Beaucoup Blue  shared an anecdote centered in a club in Black Mountain NC, remarking that a train passed by when they played a particular song. That song was Elvis Presley’s “Mystery Train”. The couple seated next to me, who were big fans and had helped to back Beaucoup Blue’s prior full-length album, remarked that this also occured at another Philly venue near a train station. They would play other songs referencing trains, along with covers that included “CC Rider” and “Hesitation Blues”.
Adrian confided in me that he used to sneak into Jazzhaus while underage to see greats of the genre perform. He was psyched to return on Saturday to perform on the same stage and absorb ‘the music in the walls’. David mentioned that he’d like for the band to perform more in Philadelphia but many of their gigs are in suburban regions, and often only accessible by car. Their next several gigs take them back to North Carolina and then to suburban Pennsylvania (Barto, Spring City), followed by the annual NERFA event among NY’s Catskill Mountains.
Opening the event were local band The Nightlights, 3 guitarists, one vocalist, doing languish originals in the vein of Galaxie 500. Their lead guitarist appeared to be playing an Epiphone, with a rich tone to it. This was the band’s first gig in about 2 years. They plan to do a few more regional shows beyond this one.
  

Did I forget to mention the food? The fare is Tex-Mex. OK I didn’t get the greatest burger pic below but I did have their standard burger, 8 oz. of sirloin with soft toasted potato roll, modest bed of shredded lettuce and tomato, crisp red onion, pepper jack cheese. A bit salty, very juicy, and cooked medium. I chose Founder’s Porter for drink, which has this chocolate/malt thing going on. The condiments were served in a sturdy 6-pack holder, with ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce options, along with forks and knifes rolled into napkins.

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