Concert Review: Roger Hodgson

powerpopaholic 7 Comments

I had a great time at the Paramount in Huntington, NY last night seeing Roger Hodgson perform. While a member of Supertramp, Roger wrote most of their hit songs and his distinct vocal is what fans most recognize. With an experienced band behind him, Hodgson mesmerized the audience. He played audience favorites like “Breakfast in America” but plenty of deep cuts like “Lady,” “School,” and “Even in the Quietest Moments.” Roger still carries over the progressive rock influences from those early albums, full of grandiose textures – a great example being “Fool’s Overture”.

The stage was decorated with various trees and greenery – all to add atmosphere to the epic “Death and a Zoo,” where the percussion and animal noises made the stage look and feel like a rainforest. Hodgson has a very deep spirituality that comes forth when he plays, and the complex arrangements of the song add to this impression. The band was also superb, and special mention goes to the exceptional Aaron MacDonald doing sax, clarinet, flute and backing vocals. And Roger can still hit those high notes! I can’t wait for Roger bring the magic back to New York on his next tour. In the meantime – let’s see what we can do to get Supertramp into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Be sure to visit http://www.rogerhodgson.com & http://www.facebook.com/RogerHodgson

Tim Lee 3 and Gail George

powerpopaholic
Tim Lee 3

Tim Lee 3 “Devil’s Rope”

One of the better acts at IPO is the Tim Lee 3, which is essentially Tim Lee (Windbreakers, Marti Jones, Let’s Active) and his wife Susan Bauer Lee accompanied by Chris Bratta on drums. Devil’s Rope is a mix of Southern rock, blues and pop all done with solid proficiency and fiery spirit. “Signal” opens it and its the most pop oriented tune with Susan’s bright clear vocal leading the way. The title track is a sing-along blues stomp with a hand-claps and cool reverb-drenched guitar.

“Monkey Dance” is whimsical look about touring; struggling musicians with great guitar work from a “never-was.” A bit of Southern Culture On The Skids show up on the fuzz tones of “Cut-Rate Divorce” and “Judging You.” Overall, a really sweet album that has enough variety to prevent predictability and some great songs sprinkled throughout. They are hard at work on a new album, and I look forward to it.
power pop
Amazon

Gail George

Gail George “The Barrio Sessions with Early Times”

Gail George was another “live” hit at IPO that’s decidedly off the power pop genre. The Barrio Sessions were recorded in East Harlem, and George has a silky vocal with pop smarts playing with multi-instrumentalist Early Times. “Mythomaniac” is a soulful torch song with bongos and little Santana-like guitar flourishes. Gail has an emphatic approach that is similar to Laura Nyro, Carole King and Joni Mitchell (all obvious influences here).

The big single here is “Gonna Get Worse” with a strong bass line and strong backing vocals with its hook. Also a highlight is “Nobody’s Friend” with its sad lyric, somber trumpet that highlights Gail’s willowy vocal performance. “Walk Away” is another highlight with its strong coda (particularly good performed live). The album second half fails to generate much excitement, but I enjoyed the understated tone and hope to hear more from this talented singer-songwriter.
power pop

Amazon | CD Baby

 

Sunday Singles: The Popravinas, Lannie Flowers, Lily Sparks, Spirit Kid, Nick Piunti

powerpopaholic 1 Comment

Although I don’t review singles, we still want to let readers know when an artist comes out with something cool. And with a lot of new singles floating around, I wanted to feature a few standouts:

The Popravinas release their first tunes since the full-length CD Everybody’s Fault But Ours in 2008. The Santa Monica, CA based band continues to crank out great tunes and this single proves they haven’t lost a thing since then.
CD Baby

Lannie Flowers was a highlight at IPO this year and he released a new single at the show, the Big Star classic “Back of A Car”. It was recorded live at the Trash Bar in New York taken from the Live In NYC album. It also has an unreleased new song “Best I Can” which is so good, I’d call it another “A-side.”
CD Baby

Lily Sparks is a new trio that deserves your attention that performed at IPO. Lead vocalist Niamh (pronounced “neev”) is a rock diva comparable to Grace Potter or Ann Wilson (Heart) and the guitars really rock on this brand new single. Check it out!
CD Baby

Spirit Kid (Emeen Zarookian) continues to dazzle us with this new single, about a supposed “true story” about living off the remains of that last job. Its has a bit of glam in its DNA, and its catchy too! Awesome. Bandcamp

Nick Piunti is hard at work on his next album after the top-ten winner of Thirteen In My Head last year. I enjoyed meeting him and listening to his excellence at Power Popaholic Fest this past August. Once again comparisons to Mike Viola are apt, and I can’t wait for this new one as “Time Machine” is an awesome start. Bandcamp

Concert Connection: IPO and Roger Hodgson

powerpopaholic

It’s that busy time of year and IPO is in New York this week. It started Wednesday and continues on this weekend at Bar Matchless, 57 Manhattan Ave @ Driggs Ave, Brooklyn. Don’t miss the fun and fellowship of like minded power pop bands: Eric Frisch, George Usher and Lisa Burns, Bubble, The Modulators, The GO-NY, The Pomps, Milkshake Jones, Joey Kelly (of Buddy Love), Adam Randy, Gianni Paci, The Thigh Highs, Tim Lee 3, Tenterhooks, Josh Fix, Morty Shallman, Gail George, Dave Rave, Sonny Lee & The Layovers, The Lannie Flowers Band, London Egg, Rorie Kelly, Zombies Of The Stratosphere, Oberon Rose, The Turnback, The Peaces, Joe Caravella (of The Reign), Jana Peri, The Rousers, The Anderson Council, and The Q. For showtimes visit the IPO Facebook page — we will review the concerts next week.

Go to top

Roger Hodgson (Supertramp)  returns to New York!

Accompanied by a four-piece band, Roger Hodgson continues to perform all his hits he wrote and later recorded with Supertramp. Enduring rock standards such as “Breakfast in America,” “Give a Little Bit,” “Take the Long Way Home,” “The Logical Song,” “Dreamer,” “It’s Raining Again,” “School,” and “Fool’s Overture” are all part of the show. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of “Crime of the Century,” released in September 1974 and Hodgson’s song, “Dreamer,” became Supertramp’s first international runaway hit, driving the album to the top of the charts. Roger will be at The Paramount in Huntington, NY on Tuesday, November 11. For more info visit the Paramount!

The Successful Failures and Joe Sullivan

powerpopaholic

The Successful Failures “Captains of Industry, Captains of War”

Chesterfield, NJ trio The Successful Failures have gotten better and better with each album, as former Dipsomaniacs leader Mick Chorba tightens the sound up on the bands’ fifth album. You’ve got a melodic mix of classic power pop that fans of The Replacements, Cheap Trick or Sloan should really flock to. And as a songwriter Micks come a long way too; his stories are deeper and more compelling.

Chorba’s hooks are strong on the the opener “Stagger Lee & Woodrow Wilson,” supported by band mates Ron Bechamps (bass) and Rob Martin (drums). Together the trio effortlessly make you love their sound and lyrical prowess on “Milwaukee” and the dramatic energy is right on for the gem “1954.” The jangling “Meal Parade” is the type of melody that recalls Robert Pollard and GBV. But its tough to single out a favorite. Every single track here shines, all with differing tempos and styles. “Falling Out” is a light piano-guitar combo, and the slower ballads work as well as the fast paced fuzz guitars. Even the alt-country “O Carolina” bounces along to a catchy beat and the best attitude song here is “Sunny In My Head” with great minor chord shifts. One of the best LPs this year, it would be a crime to ignore – and it makes my top ten nominated list.
power pop
Amazon | CD Baby


The Successful Failures

Joe Sullivan “Schlock Star”

Joe Sullivan (An American Underdog) delivers a sunny burst of bubblegum pop with the help of fellow band mate/producer Andy Reed. If Ron Dante (The Archies, Cuff Links) were reincarnated today, he might sound a lot like Sullivan with those crisp vocal harmonies. Joe mixes those early sixties influences into his modern guitar pop easily.

From the Beach Boys meets Ramones styled “Conspiracy Radio” to the Archies-like “Nurse Tracy” its a fun romp with multi-tracked harmonies and infectious guitar lines. “Okinawa Girl” is another gem that brings to mind Marc Bacino’s Pop Job. And Sullivan adds plenty of humor to tracks like “Rock Star Boyfriend” with an Ozzy Osborne interlude between the chorus, and the Star Wars nerd-love of “Victims of the Sarlaac.” This is one of those albums you can listen to on repeat mode, so yeah its highly recommended.

power pop

Bandcamp | CD Baby