Rockwood Music Hall
New York, NY
Material: Straddling Americana, folk and country, Ricky Stein delivered a set that was both spirited and uplifting. Perhaps the perfect antidote to what was about to hit New York City, when, just a few days later, all live music would be shut down due to the Coronavirus. But in this tightly packed, intimate venue, the audience embraced the Austin transplant, who brings to bear his love for roots music and the historical influences that continue to shape his career. “American Dreaming,” by far, the most universal and poignant of the set, is a clever spin on the American Dream. Though the majority of us aspire to achieve it, it is often illusive: Early in the morning before the break of dawn tumble out of bed and turn the radio on/ one more cup of coffee is a moment alone/ sounds of the working week coming on strong/ nights can be redeeming…/ all the gold now is traded for green/slowly fall victim to the daily routine…/ lost in American dreaming. In “I’m A Stone,” Stein laments love lost: Well, the days are just a number now, spend my days mostly trying not to feel anything at all…I’m alone I’m a stone and I’m rollin’ once again. Also in Stein's set were several Townes Van Zandt songs, which aligned seamlessly with his own.
RICKY STEIN
Musicianship: Backing bands often serve to fill out the front person’s sound, but in Stein’s case, his instrumental choices not only matched the material, they enhanced it. Employing an acoustic bass and pedal steel guitar added warmth and dimension to the musical landscape. Stein’s vocals are consistent and pleasantly scrappy.
(everyone has one) will let the audience know what makes you unique as an artist and as a human being. Undoubtably, there are some meaty ones behind Stein’s music that would be worth unleashing.
Performance: Radiating sincerity, his roster of material was indeed user-friendly. But in a set that’s only 45 minutes long, there is understandably a tendency to squeeze as much music into it as possible. However, slightly shaving it down in favor of sharing his story
Summary: Stein is a solid performer with songs the listener can connect to musically and lyrically. His choice of several covers by a comparable artist further connects him to his genre. Sharing more of his personal narrative and how it relates to the material will capture even more fans. You can catch Stein’s recent YouTube livestream here: youtube.com/user/ rstein84. – Ellen Woloshin
BLACK SABBATHA Molly Malone’s
Santa Ana, CA
Web: BlackSabbatha.com Contact: JimManzo1@iCloud.com Players: Lisa O’Neal, vocals; Jim Manzo, bass; Bob Brunner, drums; Jimmy Silcox, guitar; Dawn Marlone, backup vocals/visuals/props Material: Black Sabbatha is a tribute/concept musical group based on one of the heavier rock bands of all time; Black Sabbath. The show revolves around the Queen of Darkness, Sabbatha, as she travels from country to country executing her deeds of darkness. As she tells her story, her band mates/henchmen perform Black Sabbath tunes with reverence and excellence. All the great tunes are played, 52 May 2020
musicconnection.com
PIERCE BROCETTI
paint as she wishes. Still needing to strengthen her voice (no doubt from all the singing she does), O’Neal tries her hardest to keep up with the guys. Some would say she doesn’t need to keep up, thanks to all that sexiness and sultriness emanating from her as she takes you on this wild, wicked journey.
from both the Ozzy and Dio eras. Tunes like “Sweet Leaf” and “Paranoid” take you way back to the band’s dark, drug-infested days, while “Heaven N Hell” was instilling fear and dread wherever they went. Musicianship: Black Sabbatha is composed of some of LA’s best all-around musicians. Manzo and Brunner comprise the rhythm section and together they hold down the fort for Silcox and O’Neal to work their magic. The rhythm section is one solid wall of Thump and Bass as Silcox sprinkles the finishing touches that make you think you’re listening to the real Black Sabbath. With the band summoning all the evils of the world with their crazy hardhitting sound, the canvas is left to Sabbatha to
Performance: Black Sabbatha is loaded with energy, imagery, lighting, special effects and sexiness. They incorporate titillating visuals to go along with the great music. Ghosts, goblins and skeletons appear out of nowhere to dance and groove as Marlone happily teases the crowd with more dance and ballet, and tries to coax them to join her. You can definitely feel the vibe and all the hard work that has gone into this production as the music takes hold and you feel it coursing through your veins. Marlone is a great prop and background vocal specialist as she tries to get you to participate in the ghastly rituals. Summary: This is a not-to-be-missed production if you’re a heavy metal fan; and even more so if you’re into Black Sabbath. Cranking their amps to 11, the band is superb in recreating the Sabbath tunes of yesteryear with a definitively positive and modern feel. Most of these musicians have recordings and music experience under their belts and are known to play loud and hard. You can’t help sing, dance, yell and scream along to “War Pigs,” “Iron Man” and “Black Sabbath.” Super-fun performance filled with seduction, sensuality and hard-hitting rock & roll that will surely please the metal child in you. As of this writing, Sabbatha is still in its developmental stages, but more surprises, shock and revelations are promised. – Pierce Brochetti
MARK SHIWOLICH
Contact: rstein84@gmail.com Web: rickystein.com Players: Ricky Stein, acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica; Ben Tiberio, standup bass; Justin Camerer, pedal steel guitar