Music

11/26/2009

R.I. talent flocking to Blackstone River Theatre’s annual homecoming concert
The Blackstone River Theatre holds its ninth annual fundraising Homecoming Concert and Silent Auction Saturday, featuring Rhode Island-based talent in a variety of genres ranging from Pendragon’s Celtic-derived balladry to Martin Grosswendt’s acoustic blues to The Atwater-Donnelly Trio’s old-time Americana to The Occidental Gypsy Jazz Quartet’s — um — gypsy jazz, and a whole lot more. The BRT is maybe the best venue in the state, and this is a great way to hear a range of what they present in one go.

R.I. Chorale brings Bach to Providence cathedral
The Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra kicks off its season this weekend with music of Bach. The Chorale, now in its 53rd year, will be performing Cantata 191 (“Gloria in Excelsis Deo”), The Third Suite (with its “Air for the G String”) and the “Magnificat.”

‘Yesterday’ comes alive in Beatles-tribute act Rain
Joey Curatolo has been portraying Paul McCartney onstage since the 1976 Beatlefest, when some friends entered him in a Paul sound-alike contest without his knowledge. He won it, and a year later was in the cast of the Broadway and touring show “Beatlemania.”

11/25/2009

Adam Lambert: Loud, proud and over-the-top outrageous
The former ‘American Idol’ finalist is ready to shake up the pop world with his new CD

11/23/2009

Philharmonic Review: Gerhardt bows lush Elgar
Philharmonic also offers Falla dance suite and a stunning “Petrouchka,” by Stravinsky

11/19/2009

Beethoven sonatas a monumental collection
They represent one of the widest-ranging bodies of work by a composer within a single genre

Kim Trusty eyes tour; M-80 is back
Singer and songwriter Kim Trusty has been a vocal powerhouse in several genres over the years, and her latest disc proves it.

11/15/2009

Like the Beatle himself, ‘Paul McCartney: A Life’ is hard not to like
Looking for tabloid gossip? There’s none here

11/12/2009

Pianist Jim Brickman hits a holiday note
If it’s November, and it’s Jim Brickman, it’s gonna be a holiday show — the pianist has done four Christmas records already. But Friday’s show at the Providence Performing Arts Center will still include a mix of his hits and songs from his latest disc, “Beautiful World.” “Even the day before Christmas,” Brickman says at the start of his latest tour, “it’s not all holiday. Because I figure if you’re lucky enough to have hits, you should play them.”

Singer Orla Fallon braves it on her own
Orla Fallon said she was either “mad or brave” to leave the wildly successful female vocal troupe Celtic Woman. But here she is back on her own touring this weekend with pianist Jim Brickman at the Providence Performing Arts Center. She appears Friday night at 8.

Aerosmith’s drummer Joey Kramer letting go of troubled past
Writing an honest memoir helped drummer overcome many demons

Rapper Sage Francis is bringing some friends
Rhode Island rapper Sage Francis calls it a year Thursday night, and he’s bringing over some friends to help him celebrate. Along with longtime collaborator B. Dolan, the show includes Portland, Ore., rapper Sleep and Minneapolis’ Cecil Otter, both of whom are on Francis’ own Strange Famous Records. It’s a tough sell, since the underground market is very regionalized and the Northeast is “the toughest market in music,” Francis says, but it’s worth bringing them to a wider audience. Sleep, he adds, has “an incredible live show, one that East Coast rap fans aren’t accustomed to,” with fully worked-out stage routines involving his DJ, even incorporating magic and illusion. “I’m just out there with a CD player,” Francis says.

Steve Miller shows his roots at PPAC
Reaching back to his formative days adds meaning to classic hits

11/11/2009

All eyes are on Taylor Swift at CMA awards
She beat out every living artist this year, selling over than 3 million copies of her CD

11/08/2009

IN CONCERT
Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, narrates in the concert that includes footage from the movies

11/05/2009

Balladeer LaMontagne has an eye for detail
When Ray LaMontagne does a solo show, one of the side effects of not having a band onstage with him is, “I can’t shut up.”

Music Scene: Steve Miller strikes back
He began a new album at George Lucas’ ranch last year, and plans to sell recordings on the Net

Live/Whirled acoustic music series at Perishable
The Live/Whirled acoustic music series reboots for its fourth season at Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire St., Providence, Sunday at 5 p.m. with Will Ayton and Robert N. Martel playing new music in New England traditions on a variety of instruments. It’s $10, $8 for students and senior citizens. Call (401) 331-2695.