June Music Highlights

Sa 6/12- BLUEBERRY and JOHNNY SOCIETY at Market Market, Rosendale—The little rockin’ joint on Rte. 32 has been keeping good musicians busy, booking cool local stuff plus some young NYC groups looking to get a little break from the city grind—even recently getting some ink in the New York Times. This month is no exception, and we get a rare treat: Saugerties-based Blueberry—a.k.a. Gwen Snyder—has been recently on “maternity leave.” But she’s also been working on her newest CD (Tempest In a Teacup), and will hopefully debut tunes from it as well as her stellar funky pop gem Organika, previously reviewed in Roll. Johnny Society is a band with Snyder, her husband Kenny Siegal (see Roll review of his recent Eleccentricity), and Brian Geltner, playing what could possibly be called intelligent psychedelic pop, garnering rave reviews from the New York Times, Village Voice, and Rolling Stone. (Really good bi-bim-bop here too.) Market Market, 1 Madeline Lane, Rosendale, www.jentrip.com, 845.658.3164. 8 PM

Fr 6/18, Su 6/20- ADRIAN BELEW solo “Painting With Guitars” tour at The Towne Crier, Pawling (6/18) and Bearsville Theater, Woodstock (6/20)—Guitar wizard/songwriter extraordinaire Adrian Belew is hitting both sides of the Hudson on this quick one-man run through the Northeast. Ah, and who is Adrian Belew, you might ask, and what is he to me? You might indeed. Let’s see, in the 70s and 80s he toured and recorded with Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Laurie Anderson, and co-wrote the big hit “Genius Of Love” with the Tom Tom Club. Then, a long time off-and-on collaboration and conversation with Robert Fripp and Co. in various incarnations of King Crimson. A fistful of extraordinary solo records, straddling his love of Beatle-esque pop and guitar sonic exploration, the beloved Cincinnati-based quartet The Bears, numerous side projects with Trent Reznor, Tori Amos, William Shatner (!). Most recently he’s been touring a new CD by his Power Trio, which includes the dynamic young brother-sister rhythm section of Julie and Eric Slick. Belew’s solo tours are very personal affairs, it’s fun to watch the magician work, and he’s a truly gifted singer to boot. Plus, he’s the most personable and approachable guy in rock, he’ll probably be at the door saying good night and thanks to each and every one of you. The Towne Crier, 130 Rte. 22, Pawling, www.townecrier.com, 845.855.1300 (Fr 6/18); Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker St. (Rte. 212), Bearsville/Woodstock, www.bearsvilletheater.com, 845.679.4406. 8:30 PM (Towne Crier), 8 PM (Bearsville, w/ Joey Eppard)

Sa 6/19- Unison Arts Center presents MACTALLA MOR at McKenna Theater, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz—From the website: “MacTalla Mor features the Great Highland bagpipes, piano, vocals and bodhran in a dynamic mix of traditional Celtic roots, rock, jazz, hip hop, calypso and fusion. MacTalla’s ancient and modern instruments—along with their Gaelic and original songs—brings the past to life creating a joyous, poignant and powerful experience for audiences of all ages called ‘Celtic Music for the Masses.’” Judging from the YouTube video, they are quite capable of covering that aforementioned wide array of genres, with a youthful spark and swagger as well. But I’m a-warnin ya: you best have a love for the bagpipes. Cause they’ve got ‘em….front and center. And the kilt-clad (naturally) guy can play the haggis out of them. Plus, they have a magician. McKenna Theater, SUNY New Paltz, 1 Hawk Dr., New Paltz, www.unison.org, 845.255.1559. 8 PM

Sa 6/19- A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BENEFIT SHOW for WGXC Community Radio, with THE WEIGHT, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and J. P. HARRIS AND THE TOUGH CHOICES at Club Helsinki, Hudson—Fundraisers continue apace for community radio station WGXC, which soon hopes to be broadcasting to Greene and Columbia counties at 90.7 on your FM dial. If you’ve ever wonder what the heck “community radio” means, well, imagine a spot on the dial where people can participate with the medium, where you’re not bombarded by advertising, where real people play real music, and have serious—sometimes even funny—discussions on the air about issues that affect the community. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? If you think so, this is a nice way to help the cause: three bands to rock the new Club Helsinki in Hudson. Brooklyn-based The Weight wears their love for the Southern sound on their sleeve, playing “alt-country executed by post-punk kids,” rough and salty like a fine jerky. Sub Pop-signed Happy Birthday wears the title of “poppy sour-bubblegum” nicely, with quirky helium hooks over innocent homemade grooves. And J. P. Harris and the Tough Choices? From the website: they play “old-fashioned Honky Tonk. Period. If you wanna two-step, if you wanna cry in your drink, or if you just like scruffy young fellas in Wranglers, find them in a low-lit roadhouse near you.” Club Helsinki, 405 Columbia St., Hudson, wgxc.org, helsinkihudson.com, 518.828.4800. 9 PM

Sa/Su 6/19 & 20- CLEARWATER’S GREAT HUDSON RIVER REVIVAL 2010, at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson—Yes, it is indeed that time of year again—during a year that has made the importance of good stewardship of our waters very clear indeed. Time again for the Great Hudson River Festival, the proceeds of which go directly toward supporting Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s environmental research, education and advocacy efforts to help preserve and protect the Hudson River and its tributaries, as well as communities in the river valley. The festival features seven stages with superb storytellers and family-oriented entertainers, the Green Living Expo, the Working Waterfront with small boat exhibits and rides, environmental education displays and exhibits, and the Circle of Song where audience participation is the focus. Ever sang along with Pete Seeger? Here’s your chance…

Listed below are schedules for four of the seven stages; we apologize for not having room for everything! (Please visit www.clearwater.org/festival for further details.)

Sa 6/26- Local 845 and Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA) present the Inaugural BEACON RIVERFEST, featuring THE FLESHTONES, TRACY BONHAM, and YARN, free concert at Riverfront Park, Beacon—Operating somewhat under the radar, it turns out that Beacon has been steadily developing a music scene, thanks to Stephen Clair’s Local 845, an organization which has brought nearly 100 musical artists from all over the U.S. to this historic Hudson River town, ranging in style from folk, jazz, swing, rock, urban, and electronic. The Howland Cultural Center has been often the go-to venue, as has been the Piggy Bank. A series of fundraisers with BACA and the City of Beacon over the last years has resulted in this inaugural Beacon Riverfest, featuring three very different bands. Mid-70s Queens-based garage band The Fleshtones made their bones at CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City, achieving a cult status that never quite took off in the mainstream, but insured legendary status. Grammy-nominated violin-rocker Tracy Bonham had a hit with “Mother, Mother” in 1996, and she has since continued an interesting career, notably recording and touring with…Blue Man Group? Brooklyn-born Yarn has a rootsy Americana feel that seems at home with modern jamband music, but also has an unexpected maturity of soul. A solid line-up for the first of hopefully many Riverfests. Riverside Park, Beacon, www.local845.com. 2 PM to dusk.

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