Fresh Bread

Day Of The Child Benefit - Chelsea Piers 11.18.06

DMX

Daryl "DMC" McDaniels

Miss Saigon

Her Kicks

DMC & Miss Saigon

DMX, Daphna Ziman, DMC

DMX & His Wife


Day Of the Child Info

DMC's website

DMX's website

NY1 article

Robert Randolph & the Family Band - Roseland Ballroom 11.17.06

Robert Randolph & the Family Band might be the best "dark horse" type band in America.  Most people probably have never heard of him yet he has opened for Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, and the Rolling Stones.  I was so blown away the first time I saw them in 2005 back home in Virginia.  Most of the band is from the NYC Metro area - thus making Friday night's gig somewhat of a homecoming show with Colorblind on display like a new baby. 

RRFB's mix is one part rock, one part soul, one part R&B, one part gospel, and three parts awesome.     RRFB shows are something else.  Everyone gets down.  You can't help yourself.  The blend is extremely good and I can totally see them becoming a household name.  *crosses fingers*   The new album is chock full of guests - Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, Leroi Moore (DMB), Rashawn Ross; some songs were co-written with and produced by Mark Batson (Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Dave Matthews Band), Drew & Shannon (India.Arie, The Temptations), Tommy Sims (Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt).  It's catchy album with  massively upbeat hooks.

Friday's set consisted of mostly Colorblind songs:  "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That", "Deliver Me", "Thrill Of It", "Diane", and the Doobie Bros. cover "Jesus Is Just Alright".  An excellent version of the O'Jay's "People Get Ready" and the first album track "I Need More Love" were also played.

The highlight came during "Diane" when the horns section from the Conan O'Brien Show added brass to the song.  All players took solos, jams....it was sick. 

The Daily Show: 10 F*CKING YEARS Anniversary Show - Irving Plaza 11.16.06

Rob Riggle

John Oliver

The Daily Show celebrated it's 10 year anniversary Thursday night with a festive throwdown at the Irving Plaza.  "Ten Fucking Years" was a mix of comedy skits and music.  The comedy came from video of Steven Colbert and John Stewart as well as live appearances by the correspondents.  Samantha Bee,  Jason Jones, Rob Riggle, John Hodgman and John Oliver  all performed skits between sets by The Upper Crust, Clem Snide, Mountain Goats, Lonesome Trio, and Superchunk. 

I am not sure how Upper Crust made the cut for the show.  They were a bad version of Spinal Tap dressed as colonial parliamentary members.  Awful.

Clem Snide's set was plagued by audio difficulties...but they sounded great.  Mountain Goats rocked.  Their set included "Wilde Sage", "New Monster Ave.", "You Or Your Memory", "This Year", and "Dance Music".  The set was not as good as when I saw them at the Bowery a couple month's back but very enjoyable nonetheless.

I left before Superchunk played.

nymag.com was there as well

Jamdown Jamaica 2006

Those that read Fresh Bread know how much of a fan of reggae music I am.  The music, the culture, the drinks (hooray! and ting!)....I was so excited earlier in the year to hear not only that my friend Claudia was engaged (to this guy) but that the wedding was in Jamaica!!!  SEEN!!!!

So I booked my trip in July.  And I waited...and waited...and waited.  Last Thursday I landed and finally arrived in Jamaica after 4 months of patiently waiting.

It was an amazing trip - not sure if I would go back to the same resort without a family in tow but hey, it was a destination wedding (and a beautiful one at that). 

We kayaked, boated, tanned, ate, drank, hiked, bingo'd, and had an awesome vacation.  To top it off, I met one of my favorite musicians - reggae legend Winston Rodney!!!  Nuff Respect!!!

View the pics here.  I can't wait to go back!!

Thank Jah!!! It's Jamaica Week

Thank Jah!!!  It's Jamaica Week.

Thursday I am going on my first trip to Jamaica....Seen!!!  I really couldn't be more excited.  A trip to Bob's house may or may not happen (hopefully it will).  However, just to go there makes me feel jah blessed. 

ben

Peep this excellent video of young Ziggy Marley during his first big public performance at a tribute concert to his father.  Zig, the Wailers, and I-Threes lay down a serious reggae p-dropper.  The audio of this performance is available on the highlights disc of Sunsplash '81.

Ziggy is playing the Irving Plaza this Thursday (tix still available).

Stale Bread - Ziggy Marley - Bowery Ballroom 8.1.06

Another touch of reggae gold on youtube: 
Toots & the Maytals plus Jack Johnson and Ben Harper
Pressure Drop
(how sweet is Toots' outfit?????)

Ben Harper and Jack Johnson covering Bob's "High Tide or Low Tide"

KEXP & Crackers United Showcase - Sin-e 11.03.06

The Diggs

I have been a big fan of Brooklyn-based The Diggs for a while now.  They are a solid band that has excellent pop-rock songs.  Front man Timothy Lannen's voice is above average and leaves it all out on the stage.  The lyrics and melodies are extremely catchy.  I regularly play 2005's Commute.  The set consisted of their best material ("Trouble Everyday", "Everyone's Starting Over", "It's Just Like You Say") plus a couple new songs and was truly enjoyable.  Just the pick-me-up I needed after the melllllllooooooooooooowwwwwwwww Damon McMahon.

Then my camera broke...which kinda pissed me off.  Lucky I am still under warranty. 

After the Diggs was The Diableros.  wasn't really feeling them nor the lead singer's voice.  I was counting the seconds until the end of the set...which finally came (whew!).  Listen for yourself on their myspace page.  Fortunately the next band blew my mind. 

Pela is awesome.  One of NYC's best bands for sure.  2005 ep All In Time is always getting PT on the BreadPod III.  Their song "Philadelphia" was a CMJ highlight for me.  As the last song of their set it set the crowd off one last time.  I hope to see them again soon. 

Damon McMahon - Astralwerks Showcase @ Canal Room - 11.03.06

Inouk frontman, Damon McMahon, offered up a solo set in addition to one with his old band.  I was only able to catch half of his set before running to Sin-e but was glad I did.  MacMahon is a unique singer/songwriter.  He's emotional and deep but in a strange way.   His face is a canvas to express what his songs are trying to say.  Pretty moving stuff. 

??? - Astralwerks Showcase @ Canal Room 11.03.06

Only caught the last two songs of ^^^....didn't catch their name and it doesn't appear to be one of the bands listed on the showcase lineup.  I dig the pics though so I'll post with no other info.  Any help with recognition???

Cold War Kids - Bowery Ballroom 11.01.06

One of 2006's bloggiest bands is California's Cold War Kids.  I had meant to check out a set of theirs for what seems like 6 months but had not had a chance.  However, I really wasn't feeling their brand of rock on Wednesday.  The melodies weren't there and the neither was interest from me.  That might have been why I didn't stick it out to catch headliners, Tapes 'n Tapes.

Dr. Dog - Bowery Ballroom 11.01.06

Philadelphia's finest Dr. Dog impressed me.  Rock and roll with a brass touch.  Upbeat.  Exciting.  Dancable.  Catchy.  Band cross-polination included.  Overall, a hot set from a good band.