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."

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.

Following the Groove Train

I made it out to Cazz's in Levittown to see my friend Loretta Allen playing with the Groove Train Riders. She played a full-hour set while GTR played the rest of the night. With the close-in view and televisions at eye level at Cazz's it was much easier to also enjoy the  marathon 20-inning Mets-Cardinals game and the Rockies' no-hitter. Loretta showed her full singing ability performing lead vocals with the Riders on covers including "Son Of A Preacherman" and "Jackson." A guest guitarist also sat in on a cover of "Smooth" and a handful of other songs.

A Musical Ladies' Night

Loretta Allen at John & Peter'sSince I was off from work the Friday before Thanksgiving I was able to see two of my lady musician friends perform in one night - over forty miles apart. My journey started with Laura Cheadle at the Burlap And Bean in Newtown Square. I then drove across two counties to New Hope to see Lorretta Allen at a Soir du Femme show playing with other female fronted acts. Lorretta played most of her solo work and covers including "Hide And Seek" by Imogen Heap. I hadn't been to John And Peter's since July and was suprised to run into my friend Heather there as well. Every time I go there I seem to see someone I wasn't expecting. After the show Loretta had copies of her new EP New American for sale and which the other members of Stellium backed her on.