Don't Wake the Scarecrow

Show Review: A.A. Bondy / The Duke and The King - Live at Bowery Ballroom

sean — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:23:03 +0000

Photo gallery and video links are at the end of the review

The show was bound to be an awesome night from the moment it was announced as an A.A. Bondy and Willy Mason show. It came as quite a pleasant surpise that Simone Felice’s new group The Duke and the King were announced as another opening act. We got to the Bowery Ballroom early on December 9th, 2009, first on line before the doors opened. Minutes before the doors opened we got glimpses of everyone exiting and doing some last minute city-walking. First The Deacon, Nowell Haskins headed out the doors, followed soon after by Simone Felice.

I brought up that I went to the City Winery show and talked to him, reminded him that he signed my books. He thanked us for coming and assured us we were in for a treat by saying “Oh we’ve had a lot of shows since then….it should be a special show tonight”. When I mentioned how I heard the Midnight Ramble show (at Levon Helm’s) went well he sounded so happy that Levon asked him to sing with his band. They left to pack up some stuff and after seeing Willy Mason leave and AA Bondy and Macey Taylor (his bass player, also in Mystic Valley Band) entering, we were let in.

Willy had a nice opening set of 10 to 12 songs, and knows how to hold the audience’s attention while alone on stage. Nice mellow set that included some chatting with the audience. The crowd ate up everything that the young guitar player sang and the place was very crowded towards the end of Willy’s set.

Once Willy finished up we got to see The Duke and the King do what they do best. Play from the heart and make everything just feel so natural. There was a small bit of technical difficulties when starting the first song. Simone’s guitar was plugged in but it didn’t seem to be working. They switched it up and the show quickly got under way.

They ran through a pretty normal setlist that they’ve been known to play. I was sad because they didn’t play “This Place We Call a Home” but we did get a bunch of the classics. Songs included were Union Street, Don’t Wake the Scarecrow, The Devil is Real, If you Ever Get Famous, Morning that I get to Hell, Helpless, One More American Song among others. They played Suzanne which I was glad to see…….I love it when Chicken steps up to the mic to take over. Simone stepped behind the drum kit for Suzanne and it was just magical watching him banging away while his head was thrashing back and forth with a big smile on his face. Simi and Chicken had a little one on one section at the end of the song. The band looked very happy on stage and seemed to be having an amazing time.

Finally, the headlining act came out. AA Bondy, Macey Taylor (bass) and Ben Lester (drums, slide guitar) took to the stage. Bondy was amazing in his ability to go from heavy, feedback-filled swampy jamming to soft, melodic finger picking. His between-song banter was hilarious as always. Before the song “Oh The Vampire” Bondy began saying “Fuck Twilight…..that stuff is bullshit. I wrote this song before all that Twilight, True Blood bullshit. Here’s a song called Oh the Frankenstein”.

We also got to hear him talk about how he has a funny job and that he’s glad for it. One of my favorite talking points was “Fuck Scrappy Doo. I never like Scrappy Doo, Scooby was way better. Sometimes when I’m watching it i’ll say Oh sweet Scooby Doo is on…..then I can tell by the animation that he’ll be there and then I see Scrappy and say ahhh shit.” He also mentioned liking Scooby’s cousin Scooby Don’t.

Stage banter aside….the show was awesome. He was joined on stage by an extra drummer and trombonist (apparently members of Elvis Perkins in Dearland) for a feedback-filled version of Killed Myself When I Was Young. Bondy performed the hell out of tunes from both of his albums, as well as beautiful covers of My Funny Valentine and I’m So Lonesome I could Cry where Bondy was on stage alone for some intimate music that was dedicated to different people. He finished up the night to a chorus of cheers and laughter, and left the stage to heaps of applause.

The Duke and The King - Photos | Videos
A.A. Bondy - Photos | Videos

Update: The Dead Weather Photos and Videos from 11-17-09 added

sean — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:47:40 +0000

It’s been a little over a month since the show but hopefully you guys enjoy the photos and videos from the November 17th 2009 show in Brooklyn NY. The hard-rocking band featuring Jack White on drums, Jack Lawrence on Bass, Dean Fertita on guitar/organ, and Alison Mosshart on vocals and guitar played the Music Hall of Williamsburg to a small crowd of a few hundred. The night was filled with many songs from Horehound, as well as a few covers and new tracks.

Click the image below to go to the Dead Weather video page

Below are some sample photos from the shows.

The Dead Weather - Live at Music Hall of Williamsburg
Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Click here to view the Dead Weather 11-17-09 photo gallery.

Update: Dr. Dog photos and videos added from two-night run

sean — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:45:41 +0000

It’s been a little while since we’ve had an update at Don’t Wake The Scarecrow, but that should change shortly. Today i’ve added a TON of photos and videos to the gallery pages from two nights of music featuring the band Dr. Dog. In Philadelphia on October 23rd and 24th, the band played two concerts at the Theatre of the Living Arts. The shows highlights include the band’s dog strutting on the stage and also a pizza delivery to the audience on the second night. The first batch of photos and videos were shot from the upper balcony towards the back of the venue and the second group were taken from right up front next to the stage. Check them both out and let me know what you think.

Below are some sample photos from the shows.

Dr. Dog
Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Click here to view the Dr. Dog 10-23-09 photo gallery.
Click here to view the Dr. Dog 10-24-09 photo gallery.

Tour News: A.A. Bondy and The Duke and the King to share the stage

sean — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:58:59 +0000

A.A. Bondy and Simone Felice are no strangers. The two have shared the stage together many times in the past but December 9th will mark the first time Bondy is playing with Simone’s new group The Duke and the King. The show takes place in New York City at the Bowery Ballroom and also features the singer/songwriter Willy Mason, another friend of the Felice Brothers.

A.A. Bondy is just returning to the states following a slew of tour dates in Europe with The Felice Brothers. On the current tour he will be playing shows with Willy Mason and Elvis Perkins. So far his last date is the NYC show with Simone Felice and Willy Mason. The Duke and The King are also spending some time touring Europe currently and will be coming back for a few select U.S. shows in such unique venues as Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble and a Philadelphia Church (where they’ve apparently played before). Both of these acts are just raw, real examples of music at it’s bare minimum. Stripped down to it’s heart and soul. Be sure to catch these two when they come to your hometown.

A.A. Bondy - There’s a Reason

The Duke and the King - If You Ever Get Famous

A.A. Bondy tour dates
The Duke and the King tour dates

Buy Tickets to AA Bondy/Duke and the King show at Bowery Ballroom

Show Review: Daniel Johnston in Boston

sean — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:38:18 +0000

Here’s a review from our good friend Digger from Take This Bread. He recently attended a Daniel Johnston show and here are his thoughts:

I was pretty excited to see Dan Johnston play for the first time this past week at the Paradise in Boston Ma near Boston University. Daniel Johnston is one of those rare songwriters that can capture true human emotion without the bullshit of ego, self delusion and wordiness getting in the way. Daniel is capable of only the truth as he sees it, and his heart is too pure for the rest of us. Although he is oft compared to Brian Wilson because they share mental illness, where they are most alike is the innocence of their music, the connection their songs have with God, and the love they have in their heart. The opening act was the Capitol Years, an average band, going nowhere, not terrible, but lacking charisma or songs to be more than a bar band/cover band.

It seemed like forever till 10:00pm when Dan Johnston finally took the stage alone with his guitar. Trembling a bit, and clumsily strumming his guitar, Johnston’s first few numbers were not impressive, but when joined onstage by the Capitol Years, who double as his touring band, things got interesting as Dan delved deeper into his catalog for songs like “Hey Joe”, Rock and Roll EGA, Fake Records of Rock and Roll, Speeding Motorcycle, and a slew of Beatles/Lennon songs; “A Day In a Life”, “Jealous Guy” and “Hide Your Love Away”. His voice was very good throughout the night, and the performance improved when he was unburdened of the guitar playing by the Capitol Years and his sidekick Brett.

He did enjoy the comfort of reading the lyrics from his book throughout the show only looking up a few times to acknowledge the calls of support from the crowd. The night was riddled with “we love you Daniel!” outbursts, and the packed out Paradise didn’t have more than a handful of people over the age of 25 in the joint, which shows the remarkable resurgence in popularity that Daniel Johnston is enjoying right now.

The night’s climax was the one song Daniel did as an encore; the classic “True Love Will Find You In the End” . Rock and Roll has had a long history of autobiographical songs, from Bo Diddley and Johnny B Goode to Slim Shady, but very few are as good as his ode to his own broken, lonely heart. Great end to the night.

Download Now: Felice Brothers on BBC Radio 2 - Performance and Interview

sean — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:34:53 +0000

The Felice Brothers, who are currently touring in Europe, stopped by the The Radcliffe and Maconie Show for BBC Radio 2 on October 21st, 2009. They had a mini interview that included questions about Josh/Christmas, the name of the Yonder is the Clock album, and the band’s formation…among other things. The band played three songs during the broadcast. They include Katie Dear, Rise and Shine, and a newly written song called Endless Night. You can listen to the entire broadcast at the show’s website by clicking here.

If you want to hear just the parts with the Felice Brothers you can download them below in mp3 format. The recording was broken up into 3 sections - each section beginning with some questions, followed by a song. You can either play the mp3s here or download them (right click + save as).

Download part 1 - featuring “Katie Dear”

Download part 2 - featuring “Endless Night”

Download part 3 - featuring “Rise & Shine”

Album News: The Mixtape now available! New Felice Brothers CD

sean — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:34:35 +0000

Finally, after months of speculation, The Felice Brothers newest effort The Mixtape will be available starting October 12th. It can be ordered from the bands online store or purchased at live shows. This mini-album of 9 songs is astounding and beautiful work from one of the best live rock bands touring.

This album was recorded a little while ago when the band was on a break. They had a lot of new songs that they wanted to put on a CD and distribute at shows. Songs like White Limo and Old Song have a little more history then the other tracks. White Limo has been played at live shows for a few years now, and just hasn’t been recorded. Old Song is apparently a tune that Ian wrote when he was seventeen years old (hence the reason for the original tracklist of The Mixtape having it called 17). Supposedly he wrote this around the time of The Big Empty - the band that featured Ian, Simone, Robert “Chicken” Burke, and others.

Other songs showcase Ian’s talent for writing some of the most spiritual lyrics of any new music being released today. Forever Green is sung from the first person perspective, with Ian telling an anonymous female “May you stay forever green / Like the country between us / Far after our hands unfold“. One highlight for many fans will be the song called Marie which features each member of the band taking a turn on the mic. Ian, Christmas, Farley, and James all take turns singing a verse.

Personally, the song Indian Massacre is my current favorite. It is a dark and eerie number that features James on lead vocals. A lot of talk about the Devil in this brooding tale that has a guest appearance from a chorus of crickets in the background. Ian’s subtle back-up vocals also add another layer to this soulful song. Just an amazing track. Be sure to get your copy of the Mixtape.

Click here to purchase the album.

The Duke & The King on Later with Jools Holland

sean — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:17:46 +0000

Awesome performance from a usually awesome show. Seriously, watch some of the other artists who have played this. It’s a never-ending list of great musicians. Anyway, here’s the video of Simone and co playing “The Morning that I get to Hell”.

UPDATE: “The Morning that I get to Hell” was taken down from Youtube. Here’s the band playing “If You Ever Get Famous” after the taping of the show.

Just beautiful.

Album News: The Felice Brothers - The Mixtape

sean — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:56:17 +0000

That’s right, the Felice Brothers already at work on another album of new material. Yonder is the Clock was just released in April of this year but the brothers from the Catskills had so many unreleased songs that they felt compelled to record them. Apparently right before embarking on the Big Surprise Tour with Old Crow Medicine Show, Dave Rawlings Machine, and Justin Townes Earle, the boys went recorded 9 new tracks and began burning them onto CD-R’s to sell at shows. A few of the tunes could be heard at their live shows for a little while before what was dubbed “The Mixtape” was made.

Now the story of the Mixtape is pretty interesting. It turns out that the Felice Brothers were selling copies of CDs at some of their live shows and as soon as word spread about a new CD the demand was pretty high. I know I tried to snag a copy at The Big Surprise’s stop in NY at the Beacon Theater. When talking to James at the intermission he thought they were available at the merch counter but no such luck. Anyway, the band had to stop selling the CD for the time being.

According to our good friend Digger, management wanted the album to be more official and they are currently pressing the CDs and artwork now. For fans of the Felice Brothers, they will just have to stay tuned here and I will update when I hear more of a release. It’s assumed that it will be available at live shows, with a possibility of it being released on iTunes.

The Mixtape tracklist:

1.) Forever Green
2.) Ahab (Christmas sings this one)
3.) White Limo
4.) Let Me Come Home
5.) Captain’s Wife
6.) New Mexico
7.) 17 Years
8.) Marie
9.) Marlboro Man

Some of the songs can be heard by attending live Felice Brothers concerts! Below are a few examples.

White Limo

Marie

Marlboro Man

TheFeliceBrothers.com

Update: Deer Tick and Felice Brothers Photos and Videos from Ithaca NY added

sean — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:23:08 +0000

It’s been a little while since we’ve had an update at Don’t Wake The Scarecrow. Sorry about that, i’ve been kind of busy with real life work. But I plan on having more posts and updates and downloads on the way soon.

Anyway I have a bunch of photos and videos from the Positive Jam one-day festival at Stewart Park in Ithaca NY on September 6th, 2009. Two of the must-see acts were Deer Tick and The Felice Brothers. They both had excellent sets and won the crowds over easily. An article in The Cornell sun said of the Felice Brothers:

The Felice Brothers came onto the stage like nothing we’d ever seen, wearing face paint, war paint, breaking out into these wild, cross-stage dances as if something was going to explode. They brought out the big guns: an accordion, strange looking guitars, a washboard, a rabid violinist. If you ever doubted that you were going to dance, The Felice Brothers left you no choice.

Anyway click the links below to head to the video pages for each band. Be sure to check the Felice Brothers page to view some of the newer, unreleased songs like Stepdad and River Jordan while also viewing some older material they’ve started to play again like Roll On Arte.

Below are some sample photos from the shows.

Deer Tick
Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Click here to view the Deer Tick photo gallery.

The Felice Brothers
Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Sample Photo: (click to enlarge)

Click here to view the Felice Brothers photo gallery.