Another Triumph for JAB

I was very happy when I first heard JAB was peforming at Triumph Brewery's New Hope location. They were first there on a Thursday night when I wasn't able to attend, but didn't have to wait very long for them to get a Saturday night gig. I hadn't been to this Triumph in a few years, so I was looking forward to going back. So many good memories there. It was great for the band to have a high-quality sound system and a whole new group of people to experience a band I had gotten to know very well over the years. We were a bit disappointed when many of those new people left after midnight. Still, the JAB regulars who made the trip out there had a great time. Between sets some band members and I helped hand out homemade copies of their second EP featuring favorites "All Amp'd Up," "Big Mama's House" and Les McCann's "Compared To What."

Taragirl Takes on "The City"

I was pretty excited for this one. It was the first time I attended a show just for taragirl, who before I saw only when she performed with another act I knew. I saw her at World Cafe Live with Markeisha Ensley. Taragirl played a full set, honoring Michael Jackson with "Dirty Diana," featuring amazing work from her guitarist. Markeisha Ensley did the same with "Man In The Mirror." Taragirl also honored Luther Vandross with a song not performed or written by him but sounded like a song he would have done. The main reason for the show was the premier for her video for "The City," which was shot in Philadelphia. "The City" has a very different tone from what I had seen before with programed beats and more aggressive sound. The director of the video was in attendance as well.

 

The Fantastic "Planet" Six

I got to see former members of Blue Sinatra perform as part of their new group, Fantastic Planet, playing at the Note in West Chester. My friend Greg joined Mike and Steve from Blue Sinatra and Jon "Gus" from Case Of The Mondays and Fist To The Dome. The group brings a more funky, party-like vibe and features newcomer Plablo on glockenspiel and percussion. Hearing that the club was co-owned by Jackass star Bam Margera was another reason to check them out.

Check out the videos I posted below:

Part 1, featuring "Need Is Close" and "Tinman"

Part 2, featuring "Sheila Get the Gun"



Return(s) to New Hope

Tiffany Randol was back in New Hope this past weekend during its annual film festival, first performing at John and Peter's (where I saw her with Valeze in 2004) on Saturday afternoon and at Sunday evening at Havana at the awards dinner. I had never been inside Havana before and was suprised to see a lounge and a bar across from the small resturaunt. Tiffany performed for about a half hour singing along to pre-recorded tracks on her laptop with Mickey Caputo from The Kingdom accompanying her on bass and backing vocals. Even though I had not seen any of the films I still chatted with some of the filmmakers afterward while also catching up with Tiff herself. I had been following through Valeze's mailing list since 2004, keeping up with her as she moved to California and established her solo career  so it was great to finally see her again after all those years and take a few pictures with her.

JABin' with family and old friends

I saw JAB for the first time in 2010 and Brian Lally since October 2008 when he returned to the band after a year away. They were perfoming at the Chill Bar with the white funk-rock fusion band Jackson Hightower. I invited my sister and her boyfriend and they got to reconnect with Tara and meet Sheryl, Andy and Kerri. Rose was visting from Florida and we talked about her upcoming novel. A few weeks later JAB played at Mugg's in Doylestown and they led the crowd in Flyers chants throughout the night. I posted a video below.