Music Blog

There's no explaining how Gwyneth Herbert arrived at her arsenal of  eclectic instrumentation. but there she stood on the Max of Eastman Place stage behind half a drum set, a ukulele, and a melodica, an actual instrument that looks like a mini keyboard with a hose to blow into on one side. It's cool really.

But the real orchestra is in Herbert's voice as she warbled and coo'd and whistled with a super high-pitched falsetto out of her throat. It was like a  bird whistle with the blast of an air raid siren. Remember Kate Bush?

Herbert had paper and pencil passed around and she instructed folks to write  something memorable about Rochester for a custom song she would compose later and perform at tonight's show. Well, before the crowd even started shouting out, I knew what they'd say. Yup, that gastric tragedy. The act of throwing up in reverse. The beloved Garbage Plate. I guess it's not as bad as the one I was tempted to contribute. But alas, I didn't have the guts to shout out: "Jack the Ripper!"

Gwyneth Herbert plays again Friday, June 29, at Christ Church. 6:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. $30, or a Club Pass.

I was in sheer awe with Lake Street Dive's pageantry and majesty  as they lorded over a sold out Kodak Hall for nearly two hours. Front woman, and my new favorite singer, Rachael Price picked up the baton where Amy Winehouse left it and sang in a smokey contralto that knocked me flat. The band made a big sound for not being that big, with hints of Aretha and Motown wafting off the stage with the fog and  lights.

Sax-o-Matic played on The Stooges' a bit before blasting away into "Splish Splash" over at the Big Tent. I love the baritone sax especially, and these cats know how to rock it like a hurricane. But too much jazz, fried chicken, and frozen custard makes this boy feel his age. I split for home so as to write you this sordid tale.

Friday night, catch me at Robin McKelle at Harro East, Jill Scott at Kodak Hall, and running over to MLK Park for Pokey LaFarge.