photos by Vincent Cornelli

Doveman played another guest-filled show at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC on Saturday night. The backing band was comprised of Brad Albetta (bass), Ben Perowsky (drums), Rob Moose (guitar, violin), and Doug Wieselman (clarinet, bass clarinet). Thomas Bartlett was joined by guests Martha wainwright, Justin Bond, Hannah Cohen (whose record Thomas is producing), Jennifer Charles of Elysian fields, Norah Jones (as advertised), Sara Quin (of Tegan and Sara), Nico Muhly, and Frames/Swell Season singer Glen Hansard. Pictures from the party are in this post.

No guests have been announced for Doveman's next shows yet, but this pats show's lineup has been the norm (read about past shows HERE and HERE), so get your tickets in advance if you want to go on May 26th or June 24th.

Meanwhile, Thomas/Doveman and Doug Wieselman will be two of the special guests at Jesse Harris's final residency show at the same venue this Tuesday night (4/26), as will the recently-added Kaki King. Tickets are still on sale.

Jesse, Doug and Martha Wainwright all share a bill, along with Elvis Perkins, at Cameo this Friday as part of the next edition of Noncerts which is still on sale.

You can also catch Martha on May 12 and 13 at the two shows honoring her late mother at Town Hall.

More pictures from Saturday's LPR show, below....

Continue reading "Doveman played another guest-filled show (pics), Martha Wainwright plays w/ Elvis Perkins & Jesse Harris Friday"

Noncerts #1 (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)

After a successful first show in February co-headlined by Hamilton and Gene with the help of David Dondero, an all-star house band and performer/noncert-creator Dave Godowsky (ex-John Shade), charity concert series NONCERTS will return to Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn on April 29th, and the main lineup is: Elvis Perkins, Martha Wainwright, and Jesse Harris (who also has a bunch of collaborative shows scheduled at LPR).

Dave Godowsky will also again perform a couple songs and play in the house band which features an all-star line up of NYC musicians: Pico Alt, CJ Camerieri, Jesse Harris, Dave Godowsky, Clarice Jensen, Ben Lester, Eivind Opsvik, Caleb Burhans, Christina Courtin, and Doug Wieselman. The venue, Cameo Art Gallery, is hidden in the back of the Lovin' Cup Café at 93 North 6th Street in Williamsburg. As I've been told, "just follow the signs for the restrooms and you'll find it (not a joke)."

Tickets are $20 and on sale now. 100% of the proceeds go towards getting pianos in every Brooklyn public school. Check out some videos from last time, below...

Continue reading "Noncerts #2 lineup announcement (and videos of Gene Ween & Hamilton Leithauser from the first one)"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo

"Gene Ween closed the night with a set that boasted numerous Ween songs as well as a cover of Fiddler on the Roof's "If I Were a Rich Man" that featured the house group's string section. In addition to the show's house band, Ween's set featured accompaniment from longtime Ween bassist Dave Dreiwitz." [jambands.com]

First of all, sorry for the delay in this post - I was originally waiting for some video (coming soon!), and then I just fell behind. Second of all, the first-ever edition of Noncerts back on February 20th was a magical night of music at Cameo in Brooklyn with special sets by Gene Ween, Hamilton Leithauser, David Dondero, and Dave Godowsky, not to mention the 10-piece rotating house band full of acclaimed musicians who have played with everyone from Jay-Z to Bon Iver to Yo-Yo Ma. Plus, all proceeds form the show are being given to music funding at public schools in Brooklyn.

Stay tuned for video and audio, and for the lineup of the next Noncert (date TBA), but for now check out the full setlist and more pictures from the first one, below...

Continue reading "Noncerts #1 pics & setlist (Gene Ween, Hamilton Leithauser, David Dondero, Dave Godowsky & more)"

photos by Dominick Mastrangelo, words by Rachel Kowal

Dawn Landes, Norah Jones & Doveman

January's inaugural Burgundy Stain Session began softly with just Sam Amidon and Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) on stage, but for the second show in the series (2/8 at Le Poisson Rouge), Bartlett, the host, took a different approach. "Tonight, I thought we'd start with everyone on stage," said Bartlett excitedly, prompting nine additional musicians (dubbed by Bartlett as his "all-star backing chorus") to emerge from the audience and assume their positions. Crowded around a few mic stands, the group launched into a sweet, melodic Doveman song, "Angel's Share." (Beth Orton had to cancel due to 'unforeseen circumstances.')

Modeled after a salon, the Burgundy Stain Sessions are largely unscripted and free-flowing. "Sorry I didn't give anybody a set list," Bartlett eventually confessed. "I don't even really have a set list. I'm just making it up as we go." But instead of resulting in a sloppy mess, the music came together nearly seamlessly, thanks in part to the grand maestro, Doveman, who conducted both verbally ("I need A flat right here!") and with his animated body language (sudden glances, wild head nods).

Following the happy unification of musicians at the top of the show, the spotlight shifted to unannounced returning guest Glen Hansard. Once he had procured a pick from someone in the audience, he was ready. At the last Session, Hansard turned to Bartlett and announced, "none of your jazzy shit," but on Tuesday night, he seemed to be going along with it, as evidenced by their first song together. Apparently the song was brand new. "So Glen recorded that not too many days ago," Bartlett revealed. "His friend went to take a walk and he wrote it."

Many of the musicians are long-time friends and collaborators. Bartlett and Hansard met six or seven years ago (Bartlett can't really remember), and Amidon entered the picture long before that as was evidenced by the impromptu reunion of Popcorn Behavior, the childhood band Bartlett and brother Sam and Stefan Amidon (ages 13, 13, and 10 respectively). In addition to a Popcorn Behavior song, Sam played a song or two of his own, including "I See the Sign," which featured Doug Wieselman on bass clarinet.

Next up was Steve Salett who showcased some songs from his project, The Poison Tree. (His debut album is due out in March.) Much of Salett's songs were marked by technical difficulties due to some cell phone interference, prompting the group to stop while Bartlett switched his cell phone to airplane mode (it turns out his phone wasn't the culprit), but the show continued, thanks to Salett's booming baritone and his picturesque songs about the broken-hearted.

Apart from Glen Hansard (who was also present at the last Burgundy Stain Session), perhaps the biggest surprise guest of the evening was Norah Jones who performed a couple of songs, including a lovely cover song by the late Canadian singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle, "(Talk to me of) Mendocino."

Since Le Poisson Rouge was set up in the round, the performers faced inward on stage... with exception of the theatrical Justin Bond, who made sure to sing to the whole room. Before beginning to play, the snarky, morose performance artist managed to both hit on Sam and get the whole room laughing. "I'm feeling horny and generous tonight," said Bond by way of introduction. "So someone might have a very nice evening tonight... and it might just be me." Bond played a series of songs, often featuring lyrics borrowed from (delightfully risque or provocative) poetry.

The "genderqueer" singer definitely elicited the most laughs of the evening. "I've got some bourbon. It's in a plastic cup, but it looks like glass, so hey! I'm all for things that look like one thing and are another," joked Bond. It was wise to conclude the show with this rousing performance, but the end still came rather abruptly and unexpectedly, leaving Bartlett to quickly ramble off next month's collaborators: Elysian Fields, Martha Wainwright, Sara Quin (from Tegan and Sara), Dawn Landes, David Thomas Broughton, and more. Tickets are still on sale for that show, and for Sam Amidon's show at Glasslands, and for the one Justin Bond has coming up at Joe's Pub on 2/20.

More pictures from the 2/8 show below....

Continue reading "Doveman played another salon w/ Norah Jones, Glen Hansard & more (pics), announced guests for next time"

"Noncerts is a charity-based concert series in Brooklyn, NY. The idea is to bring together some of the finest musicians in the area to back-up prominent songwriters, putting established artists in a unique musical environment while encouraging community and collaboration."

BrooklynVegan is proud to be on board as co-presenter of this new series conceived by Dave Godowsky who is also performing at the inaugural event on February 20th at Cameo Gallery alongside David Dondero, Gene Ween, and Hamilton Leithauser of the Walkmen! Those great men will be backed by an unbelievable house band comprised of Pico Alt, CJ Camerieri, Dave Godowsky, Jesse Harris, Marika Hughes, Lev "Ljova" Zhurbin, Ben Lester, Eivind Opsvik, Jenny Scheinman, and Doug Wieselman! It will be a special night, with all the money going to charity, and tickets are on sale now.

Stay tuned for more future Noncerts announcements. More Walkmen tour dates HERE.

Continue reading "introducing NONCERTS (tickets on sale now for Gene Ween & Hamilton Leithauser show at Cameo)"

Yuka Honda at Le Poisson Rouge (more by Chris La Putt)

If you still need something to do tonight (1/21), tickets are still available for an If By Yes (Petra Haden, Yuka Honda, Shimmy & Yuko) show at Living Room at 8PM tonight. Plus, Petra Haden announced that, "Yuka C. Honda and I will be performing with Trevor Dunn, Courtney Kaiser, Michael Leonhart, Billy Dobrow, Doug Wieselman".

Can't make it tonight? You can check out If By Yes at Mercury Lounge on March 25th instead. Tickets just went on sale. No word on who, if anyone, will join the band at Mercury.

Yuka recently played with Doug Wieselman, and Nels Cline & Mike Watt, as Floored by Four at LPR. Mike Watt also has shows coming with the Missingmen up at Maxwell's on 4/3 (tickets) and Mercury Lounge on 4/4 (tickets).

The Missingmen also recently toured as Lou Barlow's band, and now Lou Barlow is back with Sebadoh as his band, who have upcoming shows scheduled too.

Michael Leonhart (who plays Living Room tonight with If By Yes) and The Avramina 7 are scheduled to make a free appearance at David Rubenstein Atrium on Feb 3rd as part of a series of free events at the venue.

Video of If By Yes performing at the Stone, below...

Continue reading "Petra Haden & Yuka Honda's group If By Yes playing Mercury Lounge in March & the Living Room tonight w/ guests"

photos by Chris La Putt

"Saw a very briefly reunited Cibo Matto play "Birthday Cake". #my1999dreamcometrue #soooooawesome" - St. Vincent

Cibo Matto fans (like Chris) may have been a bit disappointed at Le Poisson Rouge last night (12/6). That's because the semi-reunited group only played four songs at the show which was billed as "Yuka & Miho cover Cibo Matto". Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori were backed by Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), Dougie Bowne, Doug Wieselman and Steven Bernstein (who also played the Bob Dylan event at the same venue one night earlier). After the four songs, a cake was brought out for Yuka who was celebrating her 50th birthday.

The show opened with a 15 minute noisy Nels Cline solo set followed by the Cibo Matto set, followed by a break before Floored by Four took the stage. As you know, Floored by Four is Mike Watt, Dougie Bowne, Yuka Honda, and Nels Cline. (there was more jamming after that - as Nels advertised there would be to the end the night - but Chris took off before the end).

The show was unofficially part of Wilco Week here in NYC which also saw Mikael Jorgensen playing with Yo La Tengo at Maxwell's last night while Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt and Pat Sansone were not far away in Tarrytown (Jeff, John and Pat played a variety of NYC and Hoboken shows on the three nights prior).

Doug Wieselman plays again tonight, 12/7, at the Stone.

More pictures from the LPR show, two videos and the Cibo Matto setlist below...

Continue reading "Cibo Matto sort of reunited, Yuka Honda, Nels Cline, Mike Watt & friends jammed @ LPR (pics, video, setlist)"

words & photos by Chris La Putt

It's been a disorienting year for Martha Wainwright -- the Montreal-born singer/songwriter lost her mother (renown singer Kate McGarrigle) to cancer, went into labour early (thankfully delivering a healthy baby boy), and took up residence in a new and somewhat foreign home in Brooklyn.

Her remarkable skill at performing onstage is evident in her new live disc, 'Sans Fusils, Ni Souliers, À Paris,' which pays homage to legendary French singer Edith Piaf. Wainwright played three nights at New York's Dixon Place Theater for the recording, singing some of Piaf's lesser-known tracks. Her renditions uphold the integrity of the originals, but she also dusts them with her own magic. [Spinner]

Monday night's intimate show at Le Poisson Rouge marked the last night of a summer tour spanning the globe from Europe to LA and back to New York. Martha was joined by C.J. Camerieri on trumpet, Will Holshouser on accordion, Doug Wieselman on guitar and clarinet, Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) on piano, and her husband Brad Albetta on bass. If you missed Martha's two shows don't fret! CBC Radio 2 recorded Martha's show at the Mondial Choral Festival in Quebec when she was backed by not one but two choirs.

Opening for the show were the Mittenstrings which incidentally is partially made up of Martha's two cousins (Anna McGarrigle is their mother) and their friend.

Speaking of family, we'll probably find out soon which "friends" showed up to the "Lucy Wainwright Roche and friends - Album Release" album release show that happened to tonight at City Winery (Ira Glass and Dave Hill at a minimum). And tickets are still on sale for Rufus's December 6th show at Carnegie Hall

This post contains pictures from Monday night's show. They continue, with a video from the show of Martha covering Kate McGarrigle's Tell My Sister, below...

Continue reading "Martha Wainwright sang Piaf @ Le Poisson Rouge (pics)"

Martha Wainwright singing Edith Piaf @ Spiegeltent (more by Chris La Putt)

Martha Wainwright has sung the songs of Edith Piaf in the past, and she'll do it again for three shows on Sunday, June 14th and Monday, June 15th at Dixon Place Theater (161 Chrystie St). Tickets are still on sale for the Monday 10pm show.

She'll be recording the sets with producer Hal Willner for a live record; her band will include electric guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Doug Wieselman, bassist Brad Albetta and pianist Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman - who's got his own show Thurday, June 18th at Le Poisson Rouge with Sam Amidon and members of the National).

Just a few days later, on Wednesday, June 17th, some other Wainwrights (Loudon Wainwright III, Sloan Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche) will perform a free "Wainwright Family Concert" at the Madison Square Park Oval. Martha and Rufus are not on that bill, but they are playing the "Not So Silent Night" show set for December at London's Royal Albert Hall with the McGarrigle side of their family (Martha + Rufus = children of Louden + Kate McGarrigle). Tickets are on sale. Poster below.

Martha will also play two free outdoor NYC shows of her own this summer. She's appearing at part of the Tribute to Sly and the Family Stone at Castle Clinton on Thursday, July 16th. Then on August 14th and 15th, she'll play Central Park Summerstage with Morphoses and the Wheeldon Company. That night is billed as...

A very special evening of dance and music that will feature a world premiere by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, set to new music by Martha Wainwright, both commissioned by City Parks Foundation.

Finally, out in Long Island near the end of the summer Martha will play the The Watermill Center in Watermill, NY on August 29th with brother Rufus and Norah Jones, who'll sing together for the first time. Martha will play songs from her Edith Piaf project. Tickets are on sale.

Videos of Martha doing her Edith Piaf thing, with all tour dates and "A Not So Silent Night" poster, below...

Continue reading "Martha Wainwright - 3 Edith Piaf shows, Castle Clinton, Summerstage, Watermill & other 2009 tour dates "