Music Reviews |

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.

Concert Revue: Algebra Blessett at the City Winery D.C.

Algebra Blessett at The City Winery D.C.

August 14, 2018 DJ 4 POUND Music, Music Reviews

Sunday August 12th, the beautiful R&B songstress Algebra Blessett graced the City Winery stage with blessings for all. Stepping onto a florally decorated stage, the set began with an upbeat version of “U Do It for Me” from her debut album “Purpose”. This was the song that turned me on to her music and my personal favorite to date. Algebra then issued the “make yourself at home” ground rule. She told the crowd, “pretend you’re at my house”, and then asked if she could perform a new song. The crowd approved and she went in with “Feels So Good”, from her upcoming album. It was cool to hear new material as her last album was released in 2013.

Concert Revue: Brand Nubian at the City Winery D.C.

Brand Nubian at The City Winery

July 29, 2018 DJ 4 POUND Music, Music Reviews

Photos by CCP Photos

This Thursday July 26th, Hip Hop O.G. group Brand Nubian fell through D.C. to spread love the NYC way. Hitting the City Winery stage at 8:00 p.m., they led off with the classic “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head”. I appreciated them just going in instead of trying to hype up the crowd like some acts. Never being a group to rely on gimmicks, they had a simple set up. The 3 veteran MCs and a DJ. As a group from the early foundation of Hip Hop, the’ve always put rhyme skills and content over jumping around on stage.

Concert Revue: "Musiq Soulchild"

Musiq Soulchild Hits the Wrong Notes

July 22, 2018 Derrick Dunn Music, Music Reviews

Neo-Soul crooner Musiq Soulchild graced the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Saturday, July 21, 2018. Dressed in jean shorts and a tee-shirt, Musiq appeared relaxed and ready to perform. The show, however, seemed to be more of a sound check than an actual show.

Concert Revue: Big Sam's Funky Nation at The Hamilton

Big Sam’s Funky Nation Brings New Orleans to D.C. !!

June 26, 2018 DJ 4 POUND Music, Music Reviews

Photos by Ari Strauss

For those that have never had the pleasure of a real New Orleans live show, its not your “sit down and enjoy” type of event. I say event because that’s exactly what it is, an Event! Performers from the Crescent City don’t know how to do small. That in mind, on Saturday June 23rd the perfectly named “Big Sam’s Funky Nation” showed up, and showed out.

Concert Revue: two guitars, a piano, and Richard Marx.

Richard Marx comes to Annapolis for a Very Entertaining Night

June 23, 2018 Jeff Talbert Arts & Entertainment, Music, Music Reviews, Uncategorized

On Friday, June 23, 2018 Richard Marx came to Annapolis MD to the Maryland Hall of the Creative Arts. I have been a fan of Richard Marx since his first album. Loved his album so much that I had to take the CD back to the store three time to exchange it because there was an issue with the CD. In the late 80’s I saw Richard Marx in concert when he opened for The Hooters for a Toys for Tots concert. I am fans of both, but think I was more excited to see Richard Marx than the Hooters.