Brooklyn Voices – December 2015

December 4, 2015 by David K. Moseder

When we ran into former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz during a promotional event at the Brooklyn Marriott last month, he expressed confidence that the new Coney Island Amphitheater will open on West 22nd Street and Surf Avenue in time for the 2016 summer concert season. The venue has been a long-time dream for Markowitz, who is now VP of Borough Promotion & Engagement for NYC & Co…

Marty Markowitz – photo by Howard B. Leibowitz /B.L.Howard Productions

….Kudos to Crown Heights native Stephanie Mills for her return to The Wiz, this time as Auntie Em in NBC’s live TV production. The Grammy Award-winning singer was The Wiz‘s original Dorothy on Broadway, a role she played for more than 1,600 performances…

Roosevelt Dime / photo by Kate Reeder

It’s a Holiday Soul Party is the aptly titled new Christmas album (with a nod to Hanukkah) from Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings...Amy Helm’s tour in support of her first solo album, Didn’t It Rain, will include a Jan. 14 show at Brooklyn Bowl. Helm’s former Ollabelle bandmate Byron Isaacs, who planted his Texas roots in Brooklyn soil several years ago, produced the album, co-wrote most of the songs with Helm, and is part of her current live trio, the Handsome Strangers…

Lake Street Dive_Kyra Kverno photo (2)_2014

Lake St. Dive/ photo by Kyra Kverno

….Fort Greene’s Roosevelt Dime is reportedly hard at work on their new recording, the follow-up to 2014’s Full Head of Steam. We can “expect to hear some big things coming soon,” says the band, which blends Americana, R&B and bluegrass with a touch of New Orleans swamp pop…Side Pony, the new album from soulful pop quartet Lake Street Dive, is scheduled for release on February 19. You can get a taste of it by listening to the track Call Off Your Dogs now on YouTube…DRW The Band, an Americana-based group led by Williamsburg’s Walter Kenul and Dante DeLemos, is currently recording their third album, American Nomads, at DeLemos’ studio. They are also working on a single, A Revelation’s Gonna Come, which has attracted the interest of Lady Gaga’s former music producer, Joseph Vulpis.
Notable Quote: “You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant.” — audience at Carnegie Hall, Thanksgiving weekend, during Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour.

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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