Brooklyn Music Milestones-September /October 2015

September 15, 2015 by David K. Moseder

Sept. 11, 1999: A brief reunion of ‘70s New Wave rockers Annie Golden and the Shirts culminates in a headlining gig at New York City’s Bottom Line Cabaret.

Sept. 18, 1970: Robert Lamm’s first hit as a songwriter, 25 or 6 to 4, peaks at number 4 for Chicago. Lamm, who sang in the choir at Grace Episcopal Church in Brooklyn Heights as a teenager, goes on to compose or co-write more than a dozen of the band’s biggest hits.

The_Left_Banke_1966-photo courtesy of Wikipedia

The Left Banke in 1966 /photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Sept. 24, 1966: Co-written by 17-year-old Brooklyn keyboard player Michael Brown (nee Michael Lookofsky), Walk Away Renee cracks the Top 40 for The Left Banke. Five weeks later, the single peaks at number five. A cover version by The Four Tops would reach number 14 in 1968. Brown, writing solo, also penned his group’s only other top 20 hit, Pretty Ballerina.

Sept. 24, 1975: Seven years after his musical and marital breakup with Carole King, Brooklyn Tech alumnus Gerry Goffin begins a comeback as a lyricist with the release of Theme from “Mahogany” (Do You Know Where You’re Going To). It becomes a number one hit for Diana Ross and garners an Academy Award nomination for Best Song.

October 8, 2013: After several months of recording at Treefort Studios in Greenpoint, Sleigh Bells’ Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller release their third album, Bitter Rivals. Like its predecessors, Treats and Reign of Terror, it becomes a top 50 album and peaks high on the Rock (number 16), Alternative (15) and Independent (9) charts.

Sleigh Bells-Bittler Rivals album cover

October 12, 1999: Having previously collaborated on several projects with fellow Brooklynite Talib Kweli, Mos Def releases his first solo album, Black on Both Sides, which quickly soars to number 25 and number 3 on Billboard’s Top 200 and R&B charts, respectively. Less than four months after it hits the stores, Black on Both Sides is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Talib Kweli / photo courtesy of talibkweli.com

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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