favorite shows of 2012

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http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/...enstersto.html

Music writer Alison Fensterstock's favorite regional shows of 2012

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(Gallery by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune)

By Alison Fensterstock, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on December 27, 2012 at 6:00 AM, updated December 27, 2012 at 11:20 AM

It’s hard to pinpoint a theme among the shows I found most memorable in 2012. Some of my favorite live music experiences this year involved watching a young performer blossom; at others, I was thrilled by old favorites still at the top of their game, and still growing and changing creatively. And others reminded me to leave my comfort zone, to hear -- and enjoy, it turned out -- improvisational music played on a house, or neo-traditional music played in the middle of a muddy field.

That last, I think, provides my musical New Years’ resolution. In 2013, I’ll never turn down the chance to be pleasantly surprised.

Below are five of my favorite live shows of 2012, in descending order. Follow the links for the original, full reviews.

1. Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Oct. 26, Voodoo Fest

Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s performance at Voodoo came late in the year and so, is still fresh in my mind. But even if it had taken place New Year’s Day 2012, it would have easily stuck with me as the best show I saw all year. It was a thunderstorm of fuzz; a fireworks display of guitar heroics, gearhead wizardry and rock 'n’ roll mastery from one of the true originals of our time.

2. Keith Frank at the Buffalo Soldiers’ annual trail ride, Sept. 30, J&J Ranch in Lacassine, La.

For the Oxford American magazine’s 2012 music issue, which focused on the sounds of Louisiana, I signed up to write a piece on the young guns of zydeco – many of whom, since the mid-90s, have been introducing elements of hip-hop and contemporary R&B into their music. I had seen performers like Chris Ardoin and Li’l Nathan at Jazz Fest and the Rock 'n' Bowl, but never at the outdoor trail rides hosted by social clubs in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas throughout the fall.

In a muddy field about halfway between Lafayette and Lake Charles, zydeco star Keith Frank set up under a rusty, tin-roofed lean-to and played to members of at least a dozen social clubs, as well as their resting horses. As they (the people, not the horses) danced, sipped beers and wandered off to watch parts of the Saints game in RVs, Frank played snippets of Salt N Pepa’s “Push It” and his own collaboration with Lil Boosie, “Haterz” (with Boosie’s verse mixed in live from his sampler) alongside more traditional numbers.

I’m an urban person by nature (I grew up in New York City, and moved to New Orleans in 1995) and often find it too easy to overlook the musical marvels just a two or three-hour drive away. After my first trail ride, that won’t be so simple.

3. Lindsey Buckingham, Aug. 18, One Eyed Jacks

Lindsey Buckingham performs at One Eyed Jacks on August 18, 2012, in New Orleans, LA. (Erika Goldring Photo)
Lindsey Buckingham at One Eyed Jacks gallery (6 photos)

Lindsey Buckingham’s solo albums don’t telegraph the kind of power the guitarist can deliver on his own. “Fleetwood Mac is the big machine, and this is the small machine,” Buckingham said onstage at One Eyed Jacks, explaining his choice to play a full tour of stripped-down shows in small clubs. It was a good choice – the force and passion of his unadorned voice, guitar and songwriting skill in the 300-capacity room was riveting. Fleetwood Mac, of course, will reunite for a world tour in early 2013, and it’ll be fabulous, I’m sure – but after that intimate show in August, I may be a convert to the power of the “small machine.”

4. Lil' Band O’ Gold with surprise guests Florence Welch and Billy Squier, May 3, dba

The Lil' Band O’ Gold always offers a good time – how could the swamp-pop supergroup not, with Cajun legends like Warren Storm, Steve Riley and Dickie Landry assembled on one stage? Jazz Fest Thursday 2012, frontman C.C. Adcock took it a step beyond with surprise appearances by fest headliner Florence Welch of Florence & the Machine – who sang several Louisiana standards – and 80’s arena-rock legend Billy Squier. It was sweaty, ridiculously packed, and crawfish heads were trampled underfoot as Ms. Welch gamely took a two-stepping lesson: a perfect, slightly chaotic Jazz Fest night.

5. Rob Cambre with Thurston Moore at the Music Box

Dozens of local musicians participated in the Music Box project throughout late 2011 and early 2012, literally “playing” a ramshackle structure in the side yard of a Bywater house rigged to make all sorts of wonderful noises, which could be prompted either by human musicians or by the weather itself. In late May, the local experimental guitarist Rob Cambre invited his longtime friend, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, to join him for a special performance. The pair split their time between playing a loosely improvised double-guitar duet and running through the house, making use of its many possibilities; it was beautifully kinetic and absolutely unique.

Honorable mentions:

Mystikal, Austin Music Hall, March 15, SXSW; May 4, Jazz Fest. I mention these shows together because they happened a little more than a month apart, yet were worlds away in tone. At the Young Money Cash Money showcase at SXSW, the veteran artist and new label signee blew artists 20 years his junior off the stage with an explosively energetic set that hinted he was making up for lost time, and then some, after being released from six years in prison in early 2010. When he took the stage at Jazz Fest, though, things weren’t looking so rosy – he and the audience knew that within days, a probation violation would send him back to jail for a little under three months. It showed on his drawn face, and in a performance during which he seemed to struggle to explain what had happened, and what was going on in his head.

BEST LIVE MUSIC SHOWS OF 2012

Check out music writer Keith Spera’s top shows and tell us yours in the comment stream below.
2012 was a year that we ourselves struggled to understand the personal tribulations of prominent artists local and national – Chris Brown and Rihanna, Chief Keef, Glen David Andrews – and come to grips with how their often-embattled personal lives affect our appreciation of their work. Mystikal is a singular New Orleans talent whose artistic legacy may or may not be blighted by mistakes he’s made; in the coming years, I guess, we’ll see.

The Texas Tornadoes, April 27, Jazz Fest. Augie Myers told shaggy-dog jokes, Shawn Sahm buzzed at high speed, and Flaco Jimenez played fairly wild accordion, all while looking like he was about to tip over, with a can of beer and cigarette ever-present.

Bonnie Raitt, May 6, Jazz Fest. Pointing out that her loud turquoise satin shirt was a tribute to Ernie K-Doe, the veteran guitarist – apparently, the first non-New Orleanian ever to play the festival - delivered a top-notch set to a rapt crowd. Hard-driving blues, tender ballads and a host of killer new songs from her well-received new album, “Slipstream,” proved that she remains, as festival producer Quint Davis introduced her, “the great Raitt.”

Alynda Lee Segarra, Nov. 4, All Ways Lounge. In 2011 and 2012, the young singer-songwriter and her band Hurray for the Riff Raff grew by leaps and bounds, creatively. At this intimate, seated show, a capacity crowd saw her perform with increasing confidence and craft.

Madonna, Oct. 27, New Orleans Arena. Even on a Halloween Saturday night in New Orleans, Madonna easily beat all in terms of spectacle. Her epic performance may not have pleased traditionalists, who hoped for 80’s classics in their original arrangements. But even if the show was sometimes a bit scary (the gunfire! the animal masks! the sound of bones breaking! the… extra gunfire!) Madonna’s sky-high production values, sly musical tricks and general refusal to rest on her laurels proved that thirty years into her career, she remains one of the most exciting live performers there is.

Music writer Alison Fensterstock can be reached at afensterstock@nola.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AlisonF_NOLA.

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http://orangeleader.com/local/x16334...ncerts-of-2012

December 29, 2012
Best concerts of 2012
Tommy Mann Jr.
The Orange Leader

ORANGE — This list is always subjective, but good music is good music and a great concert is still a great concert, but just because an artist or group is well known or has numerous hit singles does not necessarily mean each has what it takes in a live music venue. Below is the list of the best shows in 2012.

1. Bryan Adams at Julie Rogers Theater in Beaumont (Jan. 27, 2012)

Surprisingly, the Bryan Adams "Bare Bones" concert, which featured Adams performing all of hits and gems in an intimate, solo setting proved to be the most entertaining show of 2012. It was a night of sing-alongs, laughs and energy in an unexpected environment.

2. Snoop Dogg at Ford Park Exhibit Hall in Beaumont (June 3, 2012)

The hip-hop super start was 30 minutes late on stage, reportedly due to the overtime basketball game in the NBA finals, but a packed house of fans didn't mind once the rapper hit the stage with his trademark swagger, style and hits.

3. Dog Jam 2012 at Ford Park Pavilion in Beaumont (July 28, 2012)

This heavy metal show fared amazingly well in the Beaumont market and delivered several surprising performances. The concert featured headliner Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Pop Evil, Emmure, God Forbid and Battlecross in a seven-hour metal music marathon with more than 5,000 fans in attendance.

4. Hall and Oates at Nutty Jerry's in Winnie (Dec. 8, 2012)

Arguably the greatest pop-rock duo of all time did not disappoint with this holiday season performance at Nutty Jerry's. More than 1,100 fans packed this venue to sing and dance the night away to hit after hit.

5. Godsmack, Staind, Halestorm, Man Made Machine at Ford Park Pavilion in Beaumont (April 24, 2012)

Hard rock fans were delighted with the co-headlining "Mass Chaos" tour which featured New England acts Godsmack and Staind. This show featured everything rock fans could want with loud music, lots of lights, and songs with catchy lyrics.

6. Theory of a Deadman, Charm City Devils at L'Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles, La. (July 19, 2012)

This concert is the definition of what the weekly summer "Party by the Pool" concert series is all about as it featured a well known band, which is current, relevant, popular and good. Thousands packed the pool area of the casino for this show and it only cost $10.

7. Lindsey Buckingham at Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts in Orange (Aug. 19, 2012)

Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham opened the 2012-2013 Lutcher Theater season in style in a show which featured only the musician and his arsenal of electric guitars. Although he only performed a handful of Fleetwood Mac songs, it was night to remember.

8. Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Ford Park Arena in Beaumont (March 3, 2012)

Welcome to Beethoven meets heavy metal. This amazingly talented unit of classical and rock musicians delivers a stunning performance each night. If the music doesn't mesmerize you, then the light show surely will with walls of flame and more lasers than a Star Wars movie.

9. The Toadies, The Phuss, Sea Lion at The Gig in Beaumont (April 4, 2012)

The opening acts were definitely the undercard this night as a capacity crowd turned out to see the Texas natives in the group's first appearance on Crockett Street in three or four years. Whether you are a fan or not, you have to say The Toadies are a good band to see live anytime.

10. (Tie) Tanya Tucker at Nutty Jerry's in Winnie. (May 11, 2012)

The Texas diva was in fine form at this concert at Nutty Jerry's and did not disappoint as she performed a 75 minute set of music featuring well known hits and classic gems. The show also featured a song from her young daughter and a guest appearance the legendary Jo-El Sonnier.

10. (Tie) Shoji Tabuchi at Lutcher Theater for Performing Arts in Orange (Dec. 15, 2012)

Making his first return appearance to the Lutcher Theater in 19 years, Shoji Tabuchi's showcase was not only a concert, but it was a masterful performance from a true entertainer. Tabuchi performed holiday classics, as well as Cajun, Country and Classical music while his sense of humor left little doubt he has a true comedic nature.