Frank’s Picks: February
African / World
Thursday, February 7, 2019, 7:30pm
The Emelin Theatre (Mamaroneck, NY)
There is an antidote to the blues, to the hardship of our lives and depressing TV news. It’s the enchanting Ladysmith Black Mambazo, one of the most wonderful and moving harmonizing singing groups of our time. If you need a personal lift, this ensemble will fill you with unbridled joy. Most Americans first heard of this South African singing group on Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland, but the group was founded in the early 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, then a teenage farm boy living just outside the small town of Ladysmith, in the province of KwaZulu Natal. By now, they have recorded more than 70 albums, earning 19 GRAMMY Award nominations and five GRAMMY Award wins. When Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, he called on Ladysmith Black Mambazo to join him in Norway to perform at the ceremony. Ladysmith Black Mambazo has recorded with Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Emmylou Harris, Melissa Etheridge, and many others. You will be treated to remarkably uplifting harmony singing and musical happiness.
Singer-Songwriter / Americana
Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt
Friday, February 22, 2019, 8pm
Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown, NY)
For fans of singer/songwriters, this could be the show of the year. The pair of giants are on a national “unplugged” concert tour that will feature the famous singer/songwriters performing side by side, alternating songs from their respective careers, and swapping stories and songs. It’s not a duo performance, but you get two brilliant voices in contemporary American song. Hopefully they will join together on a few tunes, but if not, they each have a body of songs that reflect America in lyrical story. Lyle Lovett is a golden-voiced Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter from Texas who recorded three albums and released 25 singles to date, including the number 10 chart hit in the U.S. John Hiatt’s songs have been covered by many, including “A Thing Called Love” by Bonnie Raitt. He was a member of the short lived super-group Little Village with Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe. And, who can say that none other than Bob Dylan recorded one of his songs? Dylan covered “The Usual” from the soundtrack to “Hearts of Fire” in 1987. Expect witty, sharp, literary songs with an edge.
Reggae
The Wailers
Saturday, February 23, 2019, 8pm
Tarrytown Music Hall (Tarrytown, NY)
Jamaican reggae superstar Bob Marley died in 1981, but his illustrious band, the Wailers, carry on, led by septuagenarian bassist Aston “Familyman” Barrett. Don’t let his age fool you. Marley’s signature bass beat was held down by the Familyman and anyone who thinks that he has diminished even the slightest bit should listen to the 2018 reggae album, “Alborosi Meets the Wailers United,” on which the Wailers back contemporary singer Alborosi. They sound as good and vibrant as ever. This is not just some nostalgic cover band, but still and unequivocally one of the hottest reggae acts on the planet. This is the real Wailers, as fierce and rocking as ever. If you have never been to a real reggae show, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. The poor folks at the Tarrytown Music Hall will have a hard time holding you down from dancing on those fancy seats. These guys will blow the roof off the place and you will walk away dancing on your way home to the same instrumental riffs and thumping bass rhythms as during Bob Marley’s time, which translates to exuberant joy.
Singer-Songwriter / Folk
Natalia Zukerman
Sunday, February 24, 2019, 4pm (Music begins at 5pm)
River Spirit House Concerts (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY)
This singer/songwriter and visual artist is one of New York’s best kept secrets, but perhaps not for long. One day you will say, “I saw her when she played a house concert as if she was in my living room.” The River Spirit House Concert series allows you to bring your young teens to a family-friendly early Sunday show, to hear this brilliant musician in an intimate listening room. Zukerman is a wonderful songwriter and a superb lyricist. Expect heartfelt folk music delivered by one of New York’s best. She comes from a musical family and is the daughter of violist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman and flutist/writer Eugenia Zukerman, and the sister of opera singer Arianna Zukerman. Of course she’s a superb artist on her own right, a powerful chanteuse. This is a fascinating, brilliant young woman with important things to say, musically and visually. Also, keep a look out for the River Spirit House Concerts, where interesting things are happening.
Singer-Songwriter / Folk
Natalia Zukerman
Sunday, February 24, 2019, 4pm (Music begins at 5pm)
River Spirit House Concerts (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY)
This singer/songwriter and visual artist is one of New York’s best kept secrets, but perhaps not for long. One day you will say, “I saw her when she played a house concert as if she was in my living room.” The River Spirit House Concert series allows you to bring your young teens to a family-friendly early Sunday show, to hear this brilliant musician in an intimate listening room. Zukerman is a wonderful songwriter and a superb lyricist. Expect heartfelt folk music delivered by one of New York’s best. She comes from a musical family and is the daughter of violist/conductor Pinchas Zukerman and flutist/writer Eugenia Zukerman, and the sister of opera singer Arianna Zukerman. Of course she’s a superb artist on her own right, a powerful chanteuse. This is a fascinating, brilliant young woman with important things to say, musically and visually. Also, keep a look out for the River Spirit House Concerts, where interesting things are happening.
Get your tickets now for these two not-to-miss future shows below. See the Frank’s Picks: January 2019 edition or look on their website.
Singer-Songwriter/Folk
Saturday, April 13, 2019, 8pm
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts (Katonah, NY)
and
Bluegrass
The Earls of Leicester
Friday, March 1, 2019, 8pm
The Emelin Theatre (Mamaroneck, NY)
Frank Matheis is an award-winning music journalist, author and radio producer with an eclectic musical taste that covers the gamut of music from Americana to Zydeco, from Jazz to World Music. He is a regular contributor to Living Blues magazine and other music publications, and the publisher of www.thecountryblues.com. His radio documentaries have been heard on three continents in three languages.
