ARL Roots Review 81

What a wonderful week of music.

It started Wednesday at Writers in Raritan with John Powers and Aster Pheonyx (pic) dealing strong songcraft in solo, acoustic performance with Jim Popik and Kevin Reavey - then me and Bradfield and Jim Popik really getting into something at the end.

Aster Pheonyx, who you'll hear more of in the future, is where passion and pain meets "strong songwriting and dynamic vocals". Watch for good things for her.

Thursday's American Roots Live 81 was a talent packed, horse-choking line-up of great musicians all showin' their stuff, starting with Johnny Charles, Kim Brewer, JR Bradfield ,Ed Pampani, Tommy Toye, Tony Pilleggi, Bobby Z, Keith Autocunas, Lisa Batruch, Ron Seibert, Dice; Rich, George and Al Pilleggi. Randy Marinelli, Hershall Dow, Mordechai Jones, Steve Pozz, Rich Keorner, Carl Marcantonio, Corey Small, Ed Avilia, George Nicola, Jerry Lanza, Rob Bianco and Ernie Fortunato.

Continued fun Friday night when I joined the DelRosso Experience at the Blue Moon Cafe and laid it down all night with Bob DelRosso, Vinnie Capodice and Kevin Brennan with a sit-in visit from ol' 88's Jim Beckerman. What a groove...

Then Saturday night at the Stanhope House hearing the magnificant Jo Wymer & the Itty Bitty Band open for Christine Martucci Band, who put a solid ass whoopin' on the house with two and a half solid hours of good rockin originals and big Janis gems. Damn that girl can sing and them boys can play!


Sunday night American Roots Live 81 featured a cool new band, Reality Addiction. Dustin (pic), Adam, Robby, and Jonathon brought a good sound, a good vibe and good originals.

The night's playlist included a young new friend from Oxford, NJ on guitar named Justin Kamm, then JR Bradfield, Evan Miggs, Ed Pampani, "Phishboy" Keith Autocunas, Ron Seibert, Sticks Obremski, Chris Mongiello, Carl Marcantonio, Rich Keorner, Mike Coyle, Phil Liebergall and Gene Goodman.

Thanks to Win for the "timed" ARL 80 group photo that'll hang on the "Wall of Fame" at Orphan Annie's. That's Win, down low in the foreground and HoneyBoy Dupree on the cell phone. Can you find yourself here?

Thanks again to all the folks who work hard to keep the music alive. And Ed Pampani for the Live pics.

See you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Justin Kamm plays American Roots Live 81.

ARL Roots Review 79

We did it again last week - got together Thursday and Sunday at American Roots Live, plugged in and had a blast. Blues, country, jam, R&B and outer-space - it's all good! Lots of smiles and high fives.


And again ARL presented "Writers in Raritan" on Wednesday; the pre-booked solo, acoustic, original, singer-songwriter showcase series that featured the Asbury Park Five - George Wirth, Sheli Aarden, Michael Brett, Jo Wymer and Aster Pheonyx. Each one of them was fantastic!

The week before that WiR featured John Powers, Robert Ross, Bruce Jepson, Peter Prasa and the Wiliamzboy - and each of them was Fantastic!

Don't miss the next one!

Yeah buddy, lots of great music being made around here. I suggest, if you haven't done so already, get over to www.nastyned.com and leave your email address for me so I can keep you informed on all the great upcoming events.

Remember, November 1st is special at American Roots Live as it is the night of the ARL All Stars autographed guitar raffle drawing. The guitar is covered front and back with the signatures of some of the most awesomely talented people around. A real collectors piece. If you want a chance to win this guitar, come early Thursday and get your tickets before the drawing.

November 1st will also feature a smokin' blues showcase by New York City's Tony Santos & His Blues Conspiracy with Pinky Mendez and the 1st is group photo night.

Come get in the picture and be forever memorialized on the Orphan Annie's wall of fame.

ARL 79's playlist read:Mimi Nowak, JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Ron Seibert, Al, George and Rich of The Dice from Jackson, NJ., Robert Zee, Keith Autocunas, Lisa Batruch, Carlo Trentacosta, Ed Avilia, Bones Sanford, Carl Marcantonio, Rob Bianco, Rich Keorner, Grady Frederick, Frank Cerulli, Chris Mongiello, Stix Obremski, Gene Goodman, John Listori, Mordichai and the return of Hershall Dow - way to go!

Thanks to all who help our shows happen each week and we hope to see you all soon again.

Keeping it real,

Ned