By Lynn Riley

To an appreciative Drexel community crowd including students, faculty, friends, alumni and family, the Drexel Fusion Band held a CD release party celebrating their new album “Cold Duck Sauce: The Best of Drexel Fusion Band” Nov. 11 in the lobby of Creese. 

Recorded last spring by Drexel Music Industry students, the performers are former and current members of the Drexel Fusion Band.  It includes 12 original arrangements by Director Lynn Riley (Adjunct Instructor in the Performing Arts Department) of Jazz, R&B, Latin and Rock songs such as “Summertime,” “What’s Going On,” “Ran Kan Kan” and “Moondance.”  On this festive night with pizza for all, the Band performed cuts from the new CD as well as some newer arrangements. 

The title “Cold Duck Sauce” derives from a recording session of the Eddie Harris jazz standard “Cold Duck Time,” another of the tracks on the CD, accidentally labeled as Cold Duck Sauce by a probably hungry engineer who performs in the group. 

The CDs are available for $10 by contacting Lynn Riley at mcr27@drexel.edu or calling 215 895-2451.

***Media courtesy Michael Donnella

You will most likely never see a band member smile on stage as much as Anberlin’s frontman, Stephen Christian. His gleeful appearance makes it clear there is nowhere else he would rather be than on a stage singing to his fans. This radiant stage presence lifts the mood of the entire band and crowd. It is no wonder Anberlin drew such a dedicated and energetic gathering to their show at the Trocadero on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The second the lights dimmed in the venue, fans began chanting the band’s name. Anberlin emerged from backstage starting their set full throttle with energy that seemed to refuse to die down. Despite the fact that the current tour is in support of their new album “New Surrender,” the band did not overpower their set list with new songs. Instead they played a relatively balanced amount of titles from their latest three albums that seemed to please the crowd. Anberlin’s set lasted a little over an hour including a two-song encore. The entire set flowed together nicely with well-chosen songs and plenty of thanks from the band for the fans’ support. The set was seemingly flawless except for Christian accidentally calling the crowd, Boston, which ultimately just led to playful “boos” and laughter.

Probably the most impressive aspect of the concert was the undeniable connection between everyone in the venue. Fans were united and there did not appear to be a gap between the band and the crowd; the fans were just as much a part of the night as the band was. Anberlin’s set could not even be called a “performance” since that implies a disconnected audience. The “show” definitely involved each and every person present at the Trocadero. I heard quite a few people walk away that night claiming the event was one of the best concerts they had ever attended.

If you did not get a chance to catch Anberlin in Philadelphia this time around, I suggest you try to catch them live next time they make a stop here. In the meantime check out their latest album “New Surrender” as well as their older releases.

***Photos by Anna Clay

Media credit: A. Sinagoga - PCVB/GoPhila.com

by Francesca Galarus
Suburban transplant, Drexel student, Phillies phan

Let’s face it, Philadelphia is not known for its ray of positivity. Rather, the clouds shrouded over us act as a blanket, nurturing our harbored negativity. We endure horrifying murder rates. Our public school system is imperfect. We’ve been dubbed a sixth borough to the city we do not wish to become.

However within the last week, Philadelphia has, for all intents and purposes, turned into Disney World, and while I’ve always loved this city, I have never been happier and prouder to be a resident. Starting with the Phillies even having a glint of hope at winning the World Series, an electric buzz could be felt throughout the city. People smiled more, strangers didn’t avoid eye contact, businesses thrived. Philadelphia was awash with red. Then, with the win, not only were people smiling - strangers were hugging, high-fiving and toasting champagne (or Steel Reserve) in the middle of Broad Street. Continue Reading »

Fans lined the parade route Oct. 31 from downtown Philadelphia to Citizens Bank Park in celebration of the Phillies World Series win. Fans followed the team to continue the festivities in the stadium.

Triangle Photos by Mike Arrison and Karl Kuchs

In 2002, the alternative rock band Anberlin was born in sunny Florida. The band has worked hard since then, landing them a deal with a major label, Universal Republic, in 2007. The band is fronted by sincere Stephen Christian, who cares about nothing more than creating honest music for his fans and that’s exactly what he does. Anberlin recently released their album “New Surrender,” which charted number 13 on the Billboard 200. The album is full of energy and honesty that yields songs that are sure to sound great live on their current tour in support of the release.

Need something to do this Saturday, Nov. 1? Catch Anberlin live at the Trocadero along with Straylight Run, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and There for Tomorrow. Check back here after the show for pictures and a review.

After releasing a duo CD in September, Grammy Award winners Chris Thile and Edgar Meyer reunite on a tour scheduled to set up camp for one night in Philadelphia on Oct. 22. Thile, a former mandolinist of Nickel Creek, invites all music lovers regardless of musical preference—in other words, it is perfectly fine if bluegrass is mixed in with rap and hip hop in your CD collection—to join him and Meyer at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Perelman Theatre of the Kimmel Center.

“My goal is to attract a music audience,” Thile said, “people where music is as vital a component as air. Having a variety of people in my audience means not being a demographic, but appealing to everyone.”

When speaking of his music as a demographic, or lack thereof, the 27-year-old mandolinist heightened his tone a notch or two. “Music making [today] revolves around music as a lifestyle accessory just as a certain person wears Louis Vuitton handbags, with such a clear cut musical agenda as opposed to making music that’s fun to write and fun to play. I have a much commoner agenda,” Thile explained.

Thile’s intense passion for music parallels that of his partner’s. It is no coincidence that these two musicians have come together.

“I look for musicians to collaborate with on what music really is and what it means to make it,” Thile said.

This is not the first time the duo have joined forces.

“I met Edgar when I was 16 at a Bluegrass Festival in Colorado. He was my hero since I was 12. I made a solo record called ‘Not All Who Wander are Lost’ and we played on that together and had a duo concert three years after that.”

Meyer, 48, a double bassist and composer, is predominately known for his album “Appalachia Waltz,” in which his talent on the bass earned him recognition throughout the music industry.

The duo’s concert at the Kimmel Center will feature styles of country/bluegrass along with jazz and classical influences from their self-titled CD. Tickets for the event are $30 and $42. Students with ID on the day of the performance may be able to take advantage of Student Rush, depending on the availability of tickets.

***Media credit: Michael Wilson

It’s only Wednesday, but it’s already been way too long of a week! Why not get away from campus and head over to Johnny Brenda’s to grab a local brew and check out one of the blogosphere’s most talked about bands, Ra Ra Riot. First joining together at Syracuse University, the group (seven members!) known as Ra Ra Riot has really made a name for themselves amongst the inner-web of music nerds and critics alike. With similarities to Vampire Weekend, Love Is All and The Spinto Band, Ra Ra Riot will most surely put on an entertaining show.

But before Ra Ra Riot hits the stage, let’s take a look at the openers: Walter Meego and The Morning Benders.

Get dancing to the electro-sounds from duo Walter Meego! Their songs “In My Dreams” and “Forever” were featured on the television show “Ugly Betty” and by the second chorus of the latter, everyone in the audience will be singing along to the catchy, infectious track.

Kicking off the night, The Morning Benders from California will bring listeners some good ol’ pop music. The quartet sound like the love child of Ben Kweller and The Beatles. With their recently released covers album, “The Bedroom Covers,” expect to hear an awesome rendition of The Cardigans’ hit “Lovefool” or The Smiths’ “I Won’t Share You.”

See you at the show!

The Morning Benders, Walter Meego, and Ra Ra Riot- Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.)- Doors at 8 p.m.- $10- 21+

***Media credit: Columbia Records, Walter Meego’s YouTube, and Timothy Norris

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out:

Details:
When: Saturday, October 11, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Cherry Pit, 1431 Cecil B. Moore Ave @ Broad St.

This remarkable lineup features:
Dr. Fameus (Allen Aucoin of The Disco Biscuits)
Lo-Life (Clay Parnell of Biodiesel)
CIA (Clay Parnell, Ian McGuire of MJ Project, and Allen Aucoin)
Push

DJ sets by Labl’d and Tech.9-Tony.
Plus visual stimulation by Chet Jagwire.

MAGIC HAT will be providing free samples of their fine ales and odd notions from 7-9 p.m., and there will be $3 pints all night!

Sen. Barack Obama will be holding a two hour cocktail reception and fundraiser in Center City on Oct. 10 and Jon Bon Jovi will be performing live, according to my.barackobama.com.

The minimum contribution to attend the event for patrons is $1,000 and for sponsors $2,300, according to  my.barackobama.com.

On Saturday, Oct. 11 Obama will be making four appearances in Philadelphia for a neighborhood rally, according to a press release from the Obama campaign

The location of those events are:

Progress Plaza
1501 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Doors open: 6:15 a.m.
Program begins: 8:15 a.m.

Mayfair Diner
7373 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19136
Doors open: 7:15 a.m.
Program begins: 9:30 a.m.

Vernon Park
5789 Germantown Ave between E. Chelton Ave and W. Rittenhouse St.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Doors open: 9:00 a.m.
Program begins: 11:15 a.m.

Intersection of South 52nd Street and Locust Street
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Public entrance: Spruce Street
Doors open: 11:00 a.m.
Program begins: 1:10 p.m.

Bruce Springsteen will take the stage around 5 p.m. today to play a free, open-ended acoustic concert on the Parkway, The Inquirer reported.

Springsteen has not committed to how many songs he will play or what time it will end, Zach Friend, spokesman for Obama, told The Inquirer.  “Its up to him,” Friend said.

Yesterday people who volunteered for the Obama campaign received premium tickets, according to The Inquirer.

Two other local musicians, Nora Whitaker and Amos Lee, will also be playing at the concert, The Inquirer reported.

On Friday, the center stretch of the Parkway was shut down so crews could put together the stage for the concert, according to The Inquirer.

Unlike most concerts, which the stage is set up with the Art Museum in the background, Springsteen will play with City Hall as the backdrop, The Inquirer reported.

The concert is expected to start at 3:30 p.m. and gates will open at 2 p.m., CBS 3 reported.

Media Credit: The Inquirer