TUDOR LOUNGE
335 Franklin St.
Proud Supporter of Buffalo's Independent Bands & Music

Buffalo River Fest
Jun 20-21 2007
Father Conway Park
Between Ohio & Louisiana Streets

National Buffalo Wing Festival
August 30 - 31, 2008
Dunn Tire Park
275 Washington St. Bflo.
565-4141

Taste of Ellicottville
Aug 9 - 10, 2008
Throughout the Villiage
Ellicottville, NY

     The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame celebrated 25 years of honoring the music and performers of Buffalo and Western New York at its 25th Anniversary Induction Gala at the Tralf Music Hall lo.
     The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was founded in 1983 to recognize groups and individuals who have had a significant impact on the WNY music scene and/or achieved success in the music industry on a national and often an international scale. The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame annually recognizes and inducts outstanding Western New Yorkers who have made major contributions to the music industry at their annual induction gala. Members of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame from previous classes were in attendance to honor the Class of 2008 and in some cases to induct the new members.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Class of 2008:

• Ed Bentley: Rockabilly music performer, Inductee/National Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
• Bob James: Songwriter guitarist/singer, local music producer and educator.
• Richard Kermode: 1970's keyboardist for Janis Joplin (posthumous award).
• Jerry Livingston: National Recording Artist with: Miki Howard Atlantic records, Stephanie Mills – MCA Records, Liberty Silvers RCA Records/BMG and Billy Phillips/MCA Records and he recorded (5) albums 2 of them Gold with Rick James on Motown Records. Jerry is also a local Jazz Bassist.
• Tom Reinhardt: Local rock and blues bassist.
• Joe Rozler: Internationally sought after keyboardist.
• Schulz Family: Generations of great musicians represented in one of Buffalo's premier musical families.
• Joanie Sommers: 1960's radio star & "Pepsi Girl."

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEE:

• Jimmy Sacca: Lead Singer of the world famous Hilltoppers – national vocal group from the 1950's and 1960's.

NON-PERFORMING INDUCTEES:

• Mack Luchey: Buffalo music store owner and promoter of Buffalo music.
• Anthony Marchese: Synthesizer pioneer.
• Richard Sargent: Local record producer.

Performances by: Van Taylor, Joe Rozler & Bob James, Gretchen Schulz, Dave Schulz & Robert Schulz, Jerry Livingston with Dave, Gretchen and Robert, Ed Bentley, and The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame band - Willie & The Reinhardts.

For more information on the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame – please access the website at http://www.buffalomusic.org/

Concert Review - By Bob Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com

To the best of my recollection the last time Steve Forbert played a gig in our area was an opening act set for "The Big Man" Clarence Clemons saxophonist for the E Street Band at Melody Fair around 1982. So it was with great anticipation as he finally returned for a show at The Village Meeting House in Williamsville, NY on October 11, 2008. The Buffalo Friends of Folk Music are the people to thank for this one. The Village Meeting House is a converted church that still features the pews for Sunday service. While the quaint confines made for an intimate performance the high ceilings added an echo-y boom that played havoc with the sound at times. It even became a running joke during the evening as Forbert referred repeatedly to the soundman as Jim only to eventually be told it was actually Charles. At times the sold out crowd was so quiet that Forbert seemed unnerved by the silence asking if anyone had questions only to be met with more silence. He joked about it but eventually got the crowd singing along to the songs. The two one hour sets featured a healthy selection of Jimmie Rodgers songs (Forbert cut a disc of Rodgers tunes a few years back) the classic "Moon River" and his own originals "Good Planets Are Hard To Find", "The Baghdad Dream" , "Starstruck" and a sly run thru "What Kinda Guy". The encore featured Forbert's signature tune the breathtakingly beautiful "Romeo's Tune". Thanks to Brad Hunt, Steve Forbert and Dan D'Arcy. For more shows from Buffalo Friends of Folk Music go to www.bffm.org for info on Steve Forbert go to www.steveforbert.com

Concert Review - By Bob Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com

Nicole Hart and The NRG band paid a visit to The Lafayette Tap Room in Downtown Buffalo on October 11, 2008. The band based in New York City is currently out on tour to support their latest CD Live NRG. The sparsely attended show was nonetheless filled with Buffalo's blues and music cognoscente a testament to the buzz being generated by the band. And they did not disappoint. After some heavy local press and word of mouth chatter why this show was not packed is anyone's guess but if you stayed home on a Saturday night and missed this one consider yourself the fool. The stunningly gorgeous Hart and her crack band led by Lance Ong wowed the crowd with a mix of blues and a side order of soul. Hart's command of the stage and her way around a song are impeccable as she held the crowds rapt attention. Before long the dancers hit the floor to the band's heavy groove. Although we arrived late having come from a Steve Forbert show earlier in the evening the hour plus portion of the show we caught was one of the best blues shows I've seen to hit these parts in awhile. A return trip is warranted. For more great shows at The Lafayette Tap Room go to www.lafayettetaproombbq.com for information about Nicole hart and the NRG Band check out www.thenrgband.com

Concert Review - By Bob Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com

    Maybe my shorts were on too tight or I had a bad taco for lunch but the performance by the Barenaked Ladies at the Events Center at the Seneca-Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, NY on September 26, 2008 left me yawning at best. Don't get me wrong as that is just my opinion and by the looks of the sold out crowd many were enjoying themselves but to these eyes and ears it was a listless poorly paced performance. I've seen the Ladies numerous times. This was not one of their better performances.
    Oh the hits were played including "One Week", "The Old Apartment", "Pinch Me", "Alcohol", "All Been Done" and "Brian Wilson" among them and some more obscure material including "Asleep At The Wheel", "Running Out Of Ink" and "Conventioneers" and others during their nineteen song set. But the banal repartee grows tired after a while. In other words shut up and play the songs. The Ladies lyrical witticisms are more than enough to enjoy without the adolescent humor that at times seemed forced and unnatural. Also the constant changing of guitars and instruments after almost every song leave huge gaps in the pacing of the show with lots of anti climatic waiting till the next song starts. You would think these guys could string together at least a few songs in the same tunings to avoid this unnecessary distraction from the show.
    Even the Ladies best known song "If I Had $1,000,000", saved rightly for the encore, suffered from the endless prattle between singers Steven Page and Ed Robertson while trying to lengthen the song. This was totally unnecessary. Again just play the damn song. The song lends itself to audience sing along and participation but the talking did not allow for it. Unbelievably one of the high points of the evening came at the end of "If I Had $1,000,000" when singer Steven Page added a couple of verses in his best operatic voice of the song "Memories" from the Broadway musical "Cats" proving if they would tone down the hokiness and just play and sing their songs how talented and enjoyable the Barenaked Ladies can be instead of the insipid novelty act they come across as. For more shows at the Seneca Casinos go to www.senecaniagaracasino.com

By Bob Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com

This seven song disc from Nicole Hart & The NRG Band recorded live in the summer of 2006 in Connecticut features the sexy blues vocals of Nicole Hart and a slew of top notch musicians and guests. The disc kicks off with the eight minute workout "I Heard" written by and featuring keyboardist Lance Ong who has worked with David Sanborn and others. Grammy nominee Gil Parris adds a nice mid song guitar solo on "I Heard". Stanley Behrens who has played with Willie Dixon and other blues giants adds his harmonica and tenor sax talents to some tracks as well. Other tracks of note include a nice run thru The Allman Brothers classic "Hot 'Lanta", Koko Taylor's "Voodoo Woman" and the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member Tom Hambridge written "It Hurts So Bad". You can get more information about Nicole Hart & the NRG Band at www.thenrgband.com

One of Western New York's emerging artists the past few years has been Noa Bursie. From open mics, to singer song writer circles to solo and headlining gigs for national artists including Shawn Colvin and Los Lobos she has played them all. She has sharpened her song writing skills along the way and put to together a bouquet of them together on her second disc Familiar Addiction. An all star cast of local musicians back up Bursie including among others Jerry Livingston, John Bacon Jr., Ron LoCurto, Mary Ramsey, Jim Bohm and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame members Jim Whitford, Emile Latimer, Frank Grizanti, Ken Kaufmann and Wendell Rivera. The disc kicks off with "Sweet William" an infection number with Bursie's joyful singing along to a galloping drum best and singular guitar lines. "Weightless" and the haunting "I'll Never Tell" score bonus points as well as the up tempo "Altitudes", the title track "Familiar Addictions" and the country waltz time "Pilgrim's Progress". Familiar Addiction is an outstanding effort from Noa Bursie. For more information check out her website at www.noabursie.com

Vote for Noa in the Messa Music 'Artist of the Month' competition for July 2008!!! Messa Music is an online music magazine based in the UK. Click Here to Vote!

Local Celtic rockers The Pug Mahones (Mike Jordan-vocals/guitar, Kelly Jordan-drums, Jeff Shaw-fiddle/mandolin and Chris Gugliuzza-bass) have released a new disc tiled Bootleg. Following in the steps of bands such as Flogging Molly, The Tossers and Dropkick Murphy's the band shows an adherence to traditional Celtic music roots while adding a healthy dose of rock to the mix. "All For One" and "Stomp on the Floor" take the traditional route and "Gone Too Far", "Leave the Bottle" and "Simple at First" rock out a little harder. Bootleg is a nice debut from The Pug Mahones. Why not raise a pint and wish the lads well at www.thepugmahones.com

Stalwarts of the local music scene and the bard of Buffalo, Tom Stahl and the Dangerfields are coming at you to proclaim they are indeed King of the World. The poetic folk rock musings of Stahl have always been a treat to follow and King of the World is no exception. His wistful sarcasm, his political slant and keen insight always set you thinking about the subjects he writes about. The Dangerfields add ample artistic support in the likes of bassist David Courtemanche, drummer Gary Kowalski, guitarist Marty Peters and keyboardist Mark Stahl. Ted Lambert and Mary Stahl are credited as Special Guest Dangerfields. Not a dog among these eleven tracks but I was partial to "Ignorant", "Take a Gander", "Dumb American" and "We Are Blessed". You can check out Tom's lyrics, hear The Dangerfields music and of course purchase merchandise at www.tomstahlandthedangerfields.com

After releasing two albums of classic Heartland pop/rock, Jackson Rohm decided a change was needed before recording his next disc. The Jamestown, NY native who currently resides in Cleveland, OH, headed to the capitol of country music, Nashville. The result of that change is his exciting new disc Long Way from Moving On. His music and vocals seem most comfortable in the country music mode and results in his best work yet. His country charm shines on the tracks "The Old Me" and the title cut "Long Way from Moving On". A couple of wistful ballads "Driving with the Brakes On" and "Don't Cut Your Hair" would not be out of place on the current Country Top 40. The blindside lover's tale "Your Wife is Cheatin on Both of Us" is an unusual take on the normal tryst. Rohm shows he still has the rocker in him on the track "Christine" about an unattainable girlfriend. By the sound of his latest Long Way from Moving On, Jackson Rohm has found his niche. For more on Rohm check out www.jacksonrohm.com

Test Tube Rhino is the latest project from guitarist Joe Pinnavaia. He has previously helmed the bands 716 and Breakerbox. On Test Tube Rhino Pinnavaia handles guitars, synths, bass and drum loops along with Matt Castronova who helps out on bass and drum loops. The instrumental tracks veer from Steve Vai/ Joe Satriani speed shredding to Lenny Kravitz funky blues and rock to Jeff Beck Blow era jazz rock. Highlights among the seven tracks are "Test Tube Fantasy", "Nimicus Namicus" and "High". Check out "Caucacious" which shows some serious Pinnavia fretwork over a hypnotic bass line. You can get more info about Test Tube Rhino at www.myspace.com/testtuberhino

Joe Mombrea's most recent release titled (MOM-bray) features a selection of mostly self penned songs that highlight his guitar work and clever songwriting skill. The disc starts off with the hilarious funny track "She Does the Laundry (More Than She Does Me)" that follows a breezy acoustic melody. "She Does the Laundry..." is receiving national airplay in major cities currently including 107.7 The Lake here in Western New York. "Caveman" and its big Neanderthal guitar chords and the blues rock vamp "She's A Lady" shows his rocker side. He professes his admiration on "Marshalline" and turns in a nice version of the Bill Withers classic "Ain't No Sunshine". Bonus track material includes an impressive rendering of Genesis tribute band Seconds Out recorded live at The Tralf by soundman Bob Hillman. Go to www.geocities.com/mombreamusic/mombros for more information.