Well, the GRAMMYS were tonight, and there was a lovely tribute to Levon. Led by Elton John on piano, Mumford and Sons, Mavis Staples, T-Bone Burnett, and Alabama Shakes’ vocalist Brittany Howard traded verses on “The Weight”, Helm’s signature closer.
There was also a Bob Marley tribute that featured Sting, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and Ziggy and Damian Marley performing the Marley classic, “Could You Be Loved”.
David Bowie has a new album coming out next month, his first in a decade! Titled “The Next Day”, the album features local residents, Gail Ann Dorsey, Tony Levin, and Earl Slick, amongst others. Bowie has been working on the record in secret for over two years!
March also sees the premier of the HBO movie “Phil Spector”, starring Al Pacino as the troubled genius. Focusing mostly on his trial and conviction for murder, the film premiers on HBO on March 24. You can see the trailer here:
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/al-pacino-radiates-intensity-in-phil-spector-trailer-20130205
Alright, that’s enough news for this week. Here’s a few shows to keep you entertained until next week.
Thursday, February 14 – The only show in town for Valentine’s Day is guitar god, ALBERT LEE, at The Egg in Albany.
Friday, February 15 – Ramble veteran and Levon Helm favorite, CHRIS BERGSON, pulls into The Bearsville Theater tonight with a band of musicians all associated with Helm, so you know it’s gonna be good! But if you had any doubts, know this – Bergson’s 2008 release was named #1 Blues CD of the Year by Mojo magazine, the most intelligent and thorough music magazine on the planet! And his 2011 release was named #2 for the year by Mojo! I think you probably wanna go to this! More info at http://www.bearsvilletheater.com/events-calendar/chris-bergson-band-friday-february-15-2013.
If your in the city, Woodstock’s own young guitarslinger, CONNOR KENNEDY is at The Rodeo Bar.
Saturday, February 16 – A really cool band from the 80’s, SOUL ASYLUM, returns to The Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan tonight. They had a hit with “Runaway Train”, remember?
Alright, that at least gets you through the weekend. Yer on yer own till Wednesday. Have a good ‘un!