ARL Roots Review 84

Can't you see? Oh can't you see? How much fun lord, American Roots Live can be...

Six people who attended ARL 84 know exactly how much fun American Roots Live can be as they were recipients of the free Marshall Tucker Band concert tickets we gave away, compliments of Rick at Orphan Annie's. Hope you all enjoyed the MTB concert. We'll be giving away more tickets to another concert this Thursday so come and don't miss out!.

It was a great week of live music for us at ARL 84. We were entertained by many wonderful bands and musicians including Rock n' Daddy who played some very cool classic rock song choices. This is not your father's classic rock band - well, they are some body's fathers, but you know what I mean. (Frank Damelio, Rock n' Daddy, above pic by Ed Pampani)



We also heard the interesting and intelligent original sounds of the Mark Bodino Band, a real treat. MBB was our very welcomed showcase act Sunday night. (Mark, left pic: EP)



Well, it is all about LIVE music isn't it? And who knows more about live music than Orphan Annie's and American Roots Live? As matter of fact you are all invited to help us celebrate 30 years of live music this Sunday as the day marks Orphan Annie's 30th anniversary. Like the sign says, music starts at 4pm and goes til midnight. There will be 8 tremendous bands for you to groove, listen and dance to, including John Powers Band, The Congregation, Tony Santos and his Blues Conspiracy, The Wall, Eryn Shewell and so many more. There will also be a free hot & cold buffet all day and NO COVER CHARGE. Did I mention free food? See you Sunday.

See you Sunday that is, after we enjoy Wednesday night at Writers in Raritan and American Roots Live 85 on Thursday.

This week's Writers in Raritan will be another amazing spectacle of brilliance in songcraft featuring Gerry Perlinski, Sheli Aarden, Peter Prasa and Keith Monacchio. Another not to miss show.

If you have been to Writers in Raritan before you know how special an event this weekly singer-songwriter showcase is. Were you there last week listening to Tommy Fuller, Michael Brett, Chuck Schaeffer and Briz? I hope so because it was truely special. Tell your friends. WiR really is a cool thing.

American Roots Live 84's playlist read; Big Boy Kenny Nerbak, Corey Small, Ed Pampani, JR Bradfield, Robert Zee, Ron Seibert, John Sudia, Keith Autocunas, Mark Bodino Band; Mark, Jack & Bobby, Rock n' Daddy; Frank, L. Doc West, Bobby, Joe & Brian, Tommy Toye, Mordechai Jones and the myth, the legend, the man - American Roots Live All Star - good 'ol Hershall Dow (above pic EP)

Hey, also, don't miss me and the Roots Rebels; Michael Krizan and JR Bradfield as we tear up the Blue Moon Cafe in South Amboy this Saturday night starting at 9pm.

Check out the NN live gigs page for details - see the link here in the upper right column.

Looking forward to seeing you soon again. Be careful on the roads out there this time of year.

Thanks to all who keep live music live and for keeping our shows as exciting and successful as they continue to be.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 83

Bang. Bang.

In less time than it took the pilgrims to pop-off a couple of turkeys, invite the locals, ingest, digest and recover, we pulled the trigger on a holiday celebration of roots music; a party in two parts, rivaled by no other, that included everybody and left all wanting seconds.

Here's Brother Dave, above, from Manhattan Island who came in with bluesman Jake Walker to dish it out. He's not flippin' you the bird, he's tearin' off a piece of greazy Telecaster, like only he can for everyone to enjoy.

Much to the delight of American Roots Live revellers, New York City's Jake Walker handled an acoustic twelve string as if it were an electric 6 string serving up biting solos and easy to swallow blues with all the trimmings.

I just had to get me some of that good feeling, too so I jumped into the serving line to do my part.

One thing we're all thankful for is that we don't have to wait for one time per year to party... we celebrate all we have to be thankful for twice a week at Orphan Annie's - once every Thursday at 9 and again every Sunday at 8. And there's always plenty of good vibe to go around.

And as if that's not enough, we also celebrate music on Wednesday nights, too, at Writers in Raritan. Here we feature the best singer-songwriters available in solo, acoustic performance of original song.

Writers in Raritan on November 28 is a "can't miss" show.

Do all you can to get to DeCicco's at 10 Anderson St. in Raritan to hear Tommy Fuller, Michael Brett, Chuck Schaeffer and Briz. They'll bear their souls for you, guaranteed and you will go home full and thankful.

ARL 83's playlist included: Jake Walker, Brother Dave, JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Snakeman Runyan, Keith Autocunas, Lisa Batruch, Hershall Dow, Mordechai Jones, Paul Marinelli, Ron Seibert, Ed Avilia, Randy Marinelli, Corey Small, Mimi Nowak, Tal Patton, Joe Salerno, Carl Botti, Rob Kopp, Joe DeRogattis, Jon Mei, Stix Obremski, Tommy Toye, Johnny Thompson, Chris O'Sullivan, Roy Macnamara, Dan Brickley, Doug Ivey, Chaz, Gene Goodman, Carl Marcantonio and Rich Keorner.

Thanks to Ed for the photos and all who give live music a good name. Looking forward to seeing you soon again.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Corey Small performs at American Roots Live 83.

ARL Roots Review 80

November 1, 2007 was the American Roots Live All Stars "autographed guitar" give-away... and the winner... C. Roderick Black of Westfield, NJ.

Congratulations Rod!!

Heartfelt thanks to all of the ARL All Stars who performed on our stage and scribed the body of that beautiful guitar - and thanks to all the fans and hopefuls who tried to win it. Our drum kit is now almost half paid for!

Along with the fun of having our group photo taken by Win - all of us squeezed on the stage - we were treated to some serious performances at ARL 80.


Tony Santos & His Blues Conspiracy drove in from New York City to heat our house.

Tony Santos; guitar and DH Randi playing guitar with Pinky Mendez on Bass, Michael Lincoln on Drums and Bagel blowin the harp, flat out torched the room with a little help from Len DePiano.


High energy Alphabet City blues was the name of the game and Pinky Mendez was dealin'.





The fun never stops at American Roots Live.

It is where you should be on Thursday and Sunday nights. Whether you are a musician or music fan - we got what you're looking for.

Besides, you wouldn't want to miss our show and take the chance of having some miss put a spell on you. Would you?

I didn't think so...



And on every Wednesday you should point yourself toward Writers in Raritan, the solo, acoustic, original music, singer-songwriter showcase at DeCicco's, 10 Anderson St. in Raritan, NJ.

Last week was another exposition of songcraft and culture. A magical night featuring Tommy Fuller, Robert Zee, Peter Prasa and JR Bradfield. Check out WiR on myspace here


American Roots Live 80 featured stellar band and solo showcases from newcomers and old favorites, impromptu jams by players who regularly hook up together and those sitting in with other players for the first time. Check out ARL on myspace here


ARL 80's playlist read Tony Santos & His Blues Conspiracy, JR Bradfield, Ed Pampani, Hershall Dow, Mordechai Jones (pictured right), Len DePiano, the hard rockin' Spider Lily; Jeri, Lisa and Lucky, Ed Avilia, The Mad Hatters with Phishboy Keith Autocunas and Lisa Batruch, Carlo Trentacosta, Tom Mac, Tommy Toye, Chris O'Sullivan, Johnny Thompson, Bones Sanford, Nick Conti, Frank Cerulli, Ron Seibert, The Mark Bodino Band; Mark, Jack and Bob, The Congregation; Chuck and Evil Dick, Snakeman Runyan, Chris Mongiello, and Randy Marinelli who some are trying real hard to knick name.

Among the suggestions are Duran Durandy, RanDMC and Ed PampRandi... Any other ideas?

(Lucky pictured left)

Thanks to all who, each week, help keep American Roots Live running, and in the process - help keep the music alive; Orphan Annie's, Rick, Karin, Rich, JR Bradfield, John Powers, Win and Ed Pampani (for all of these photos) - and... YOU.

See you soon again.

Keeping it real,

Ned