Music Reviews |

Concert Revue: John Lodge's The 10,000 Light Years Tour at City Winery DC

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Lodge Performs at City Winery DC

October 16, 2018 Jeff Talbert Music Reviews

John Lodge, bass player for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Moody Blues performed on Sunday Oct 14^that the City Winery in downtown Washington DC for an intimate group of energetic fans.

John Lodge and his band started the show at 8pm sharp which is unusual. Usually shows start at least a few minutes late but not this show. I have been a fan of The Moody Blues ever since I was a kid. I am not young, but there were a lot of fans at this show that have been fans of The Moody Blues since the beginning of the band back in 1964, which is a few years before my time, but not by much!

Album Revue "Usher A"

Usher’s Latest Release Gets A Failing Grade

October 14, 2018 Derrick Dunn Music, Music Reviews

Fourteen years ago, Usher released the album Confessions, which for me is still his iconic work. Since then all of Usher’s releases have been either good 2008’s Here I Stand or downright horrible 2016’s Hard II Love. On October 11, Usher tweeted that he would be releasing a new album, sending his fans into anticipation, hoping Usher, would finally deliver an album worthy of his talents. Sadly, Usher’s latest release simply titled A continues the downward spiral of Usher’s once-promising career.

Mary J. Blige Opens the new ESA in DC

October 10, 2018 Renita Clarke Music, Music Reviews

The queen of hip-hop soul Mary J. Blige was the main act for the grand opening for the new venue in Southeast Washington DC, ESA (Entertainment and Sports Arena) Saturday night. Mary J. held nothing back with a powerful performance of all her hits throughout the years and a medley only the queen of hip-hop so could do. The new venue, that holds about 4,200 people, was a sold-out success on October 13th. The Grammy Award winning the lodge bar with her talented opening act British singer and songwriter Jacob Banks.

Concert Revue: Travis Tritt at Weinberg Center for the Arts

Travis Tritt brings Country Music to Frederick MD

October 6, 2018 Jeff Talbert Music Reviews

Wednesday night at The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick MD I had the pleasure of seeing one of the country artists known as part of the Class of 1989. I am talking about none other than Travis Tritt.

Concert Revue: RBRM at EagleBank Arena

A Successful Branch Added To The New Edition Legacy

October 1, 2018 Derrick Dunn Music, Music Reviews

Old school music and unity were the theme on Saturday September 29^th at the Eaglebank Arena in Fairfax, VA. Concertgoers partied all night when the newest branch of New Edition’s musical family tree, RBRM, stopped in for a performance. RBRM is comprised of Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins. Known for their work in the legendary group New Edition, as well as their groundbreaking solo careers. After forty years of performing together, Ronnie Devoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins can still command a stage as if it was second nature.

Concert Revue: Johnny Gill with Ralph Tresvant at Rams Head Center Stage

Old School Is The Still Best with Gill & Tresvant

October 1, 2018 Derrick Dunn Music, Music Reviews

Romance & iconic stage presence were in effect when Johnny Gill and his New Edition bandmate, Ralph Tresvant, performed at the Rams Head Center Stage at the Maryland Live Casino in Hanover, Maryland on Friday September 28^th. While the singers both came into the spotlight as members of the legendary music group New Edition, this show was dedicated to their solo material, with a few surprises thrown in as well.

Review of Bill Murray and Friends at the Music Center at Strathmore

Bill Murray and Jan Volger’s New Worlds Feels Like Home

October 1, 2018 Cortland Jacoby Music, Music Reviews

As Bill Murray graced the Strathmore stage in North Bethesda last Friday night, the audience didn’t quite know what to expect. Were they going to see a comedy show? Some classic Bill Murray shenanigans? Some classical music perhaps? As Bill Murray opened his mouth and started to recite Hemingway, immediately followed by Jan Vogler playing “Prelude” from Bach’s Cello Suite No.1, the audience was in for something different yet wonderfully familiar.

Concert Revue "Eric Benet"

Benet Serenades The DMV

September 30, 2018 Derrick Dunn Music, Music Reviews

Eric Benét graced the stage at the legendary music hall, The Birchmere, in Alexandria, VA on Thursday, September 27^th. While there was rain outside, Benét entertained his fans with a 90-minute set performing songs from his seven albums. Benet opened the show with 2001’s “Love Don’t Love Me”, which still sounds just as fresh as seventeen years later.

Concert Revue: Chris Isaak at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts

Chris Isaak Brings the Wicked Sounds to Annapolis

September 6, 2018 Jeff Talbert Music, Music Reviews

On Tuesday September 4^th,I saw Chris Isaak in concert at one of my favorite concert venues in the area, The Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. I have been a fan of Chris Isaak since as with a lot of people, his song “Wicked Games” in the David Lynch movie of the same name.

Chris Isaak has an amazing voice. He has been compared to a few of my favorite artists of all times, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. I love the beautiful, yet eerie at times voice of Roy Orbison. Not many performers can sing in the manner of Roy Orbison, but Chris Isaak sure can. He also is great with Elvis’ songs, not as great as Roy’s songs in my opinion but still very good. But Chris Isaak covering Roy Orbison or Elvis songs is not the reason I like Chris Isaak. He is a masterful songwriter. He has written hit songs for other artists and has had good success with his music doing well also.

Dave Mason and Steve Cropper concert revue!

Dave Mason and Steve Cropper and a night of rock and soul classics!

August 27, 2018 Jeff Talbert Music, Music Reviews, Uncategorized

On Saturday August 25^th, Dave Mason and Steve Cropper performed at the Baltimore Soundstage. Opening the night, the Dave Mason Band, sans Dave Mason and Steve Cropper came on stage to warm up the crowd. As one of them said, they really needed to warm us up since they had the AC cranked down to 65. It was cool, but not bad. Once the stage lights came on and the band started to play, that changed quickly!

Dave Mason’s band, played for about 30 minutes to warm up the audience. The resume of the Dave Mason band is impressive.