WAMC Performing Arts Studio
News and Reviews
| Felice Brothers provide a wild, raucous show By David Malachowski (First published in the Times Union of Albany, NY: Friday, September 12, 2008) Catskill travelers the Felice Brothers have started to make a name for themselves all over, and an intriguing show at the Linda surely showed why. Hailing from Palenville (also home of singer Genya Ravan) and sporting a disheveled, just rolled-out-of-bed look, Simone Felice (drums), Ian Felice (guitar), James Felice (accordion), Christmas (bass) and Farley (violin) held court with rootsy fare; part jug band, part The Band, all with a distinct Hudson Valley vibe. Kicking off with the raucous "Murder By Mistletoe," the Brothers fell into the loosey-goosey "Memphis Flu" and set the tone for the night. There was yelling, screaming, foot stomping, leg slapping and carrying on, more like you find at a summer bonfire jam than in a concert hall. James shouted out, "Now we're gonna play some hillbilly music," (as if this was something different) and jumped on "Whisky in My Whisky." The pensive "Mercy" and hypnotic "Ruby Mae" followed. For "I'm Saved," Woodstock saxophonist Peter Buettner added some grit and growl, soon Ian went sensitive with the solo piece "Saint Stephen's End." From the free-flowing "Helen Fry" to the rollicking "Penn Station," this crew was more about feel than accuracy, but it all worked quite well in the end. Simone sang the moving "Don't Wake the Scarecrow," and James sang a riveting "God Damn You, Jim." Then as soon as Simone yelled out, "This ain't no library, no bank no more," the entire crowd rose for "Frankie's Gun," turning the studio into a wild roadhouse. A flailing "Run Chicken Run," subdued "Revolver" and out-of-control "Send Me an Angel" turned up the heat. Finally, with the uplifting "Glory Glory," it was time to call it a night. It was often messy, it was always righteous, and above all, it was big fun. You can be sure Rick Danko is smiling in up in heaven. A scruffy looking A.A. Bondy brought a raw realism to his old school folk songs with a too short set. With merely a guitar, harmonica and a well-worn voice, Bondy carefully negotiated through several well-crafted songs filled with irony and angst. Growing pains ode "Killed Myself When I Was Young" was a scary high point; the eerie "Mightiest of Guns" was another. Bondy juxtaposed biblical imagery with cocaine and whiskey in the haunting "Rapture (Sweet Rapture)," leaving plenty of food for thought.
David Malachowski is a local freelance writer from Woodstock and a regular contributor to the Times Union.
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| Used with permission of the Times Union of Albany, NY. Re-use rights may not be assigned to a third party without prior written permission from the Times Union. |