Paul Robicheau
Perhaps more impressive — though too late to evolve further given the group’s impending finale after eight years and more than 200 shows — was the growing roles and comfort level shown by Dead & Company’s younger charter members.
At New Hampshire’s just-christened Nashua Center for the Arts, 68-year-old jazz guitarist Pat Metheny shared a wily sidelong glance at his own broad compositional and improvisational history.
Boston Calling reached some highs this year, sealed by perfect weather.
The saxman and his usual band (including vocalist Patrice Quinn instead of the billed Ami Taf Ra) easily adapted to the 200-seat venue, barely modulating their visceral delivery while also highlighting their softer dynamics and a personal rapport.
The Town and the City Festival honors the “spirit of [Jack] Kerouac, a celebration of exploration, discovery, love of life, those things that he wrote about.”
Goose has seen its stock in the jam-band world soar at a pace unseen since… well, Phish.
So yeah, mortality was a heavy theme in Bruce Springsteen’s passion play – or what he could still impressively summon at 73 after rocking oft-mythical local shows for five decades.
The 11-piece group frontloaded its 90-minute set for immediate impact, answering the biggest challenge — replacing the vocal charisma of David Byrne — with a communal approach.
Both jazz combos, The Bad Plus and Marc Ribot, sport connections to rock, which might have contributed to the sold-out room.
Rock Remembrance: Tom Verlaine
Tom Verlaine will be most remembered for Marquee Moon, both the album and title track, which alone would be enough to seal any legacy.
Read More about Rock Remembrance: Tom Verlaine