Back In The Day: Brooklyn Music Milestones – January,2016

January 1, 2016 by David K. Moseder

Harry Warren in 1910/ photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Jan. 8, 1989: 42nd Street, featuring music by legendary Brooklyn composer Harry Warren (b. Salvatore Guaragna) and lyrics by Manhattanite Al Dubin, closes after a phenomenal 3,486 performances, making it the 14th longest-running show in Broadway history. It also won the 1981 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 2001 production garnered Best Revival honors. Among the more famous Warren-Dubin numbers from 42nd Street are I Only Have Eyes for You, We’re in the Money and Lullaby of Broadway.

Jan. 19-21, 1984: Based on a concept by owner Allan Pepper, The Bottom Line presents Leader of the Pack, a revue based on the songs by Flatbush songwriting legend Ellie Greenwich. Performers include Greenwich and fellow Brooklynite Annie Golden (formerly of The Shirts), as well as Darlene Love, Dinah Manoff, Patrick Cassidy and Bobby Jay.

Jan. 22, 2008: Following an earlier digital release, Columbia Records issues the CD version of Oracular Spectacular, the first major label studio album from Brooklyn Heights-based MGMT. Selling more than one million copies worldwide and reaching number 38 on the Billboard 200, Oracular Spectacular would go on the place 494 on Rolling Stone’s 2012 list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”

Richie Havens-2008-photo by Howard B. Leibow

Richie Havens at the BAM R & B Festival at Metrotech ( Summer 2008)-photo by Howard B. Leibowitz /B.L.Howard Productions

Jan. 23, 1968: Something Else Again, Richie Havens’ follow-up album to his iconic Mixed Bag LP, is released. The new album marks the Bedford-Stuyvesant native’s growth as a song writer: Six of the 10 tracks are originals, twice as many as on his inaugural effort.

Jan. 25, 2010: Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare), the third single from Kid Cudi’s smash hit album Man on the Moon: The End of the Day, is released as a digital download. Helping Cudi out on the track are a pair of Brooklyn bands, with MGMT on backing vocals, and rocktronica duo Ratatat serving as both co-writers and producers. Just over a year later Pursuit… sells its millionth copy and is certified platinum.

Jan. 31, 2010: East New York native Maxwell takes home two Grammy Awards, one for Best R&B Album, BLACKsummers’night, and another for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for Pretty Wings, one of four hit singles from the album.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

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