It’s been a busy week in the music world. In fact, it’s been a busy two weeks, which is why there was no column last week. Furthur at The Capitol Theater in Port Chester took up a lot of my time, and drained me physically, because I got the stomach virus that was going around the night of the first show, (which, of course, put a damper on my enthusiasm for the performance), and I caught the flu the night of the last show, which I am still suffering from now! It could have been worse. At least I didn’t faint onstage, like Bobby Weir did at the last Furthur show!

Bobby was wobbly the whole night, and finally did fall, and had to leave the stage! The rest of the band carried on, after a brief pause. The good news is that I talked to some friends who saw them in Atlantic City, and they said Bobby came roaring back in A.C., and was once again in top form!

Of the three shows I saw, the Sunday night was the best, with flashbacks to The Grateful Dead very prominent! Furthur is a good band, but I’m partial to Phil and Friends! More jamming, more experimentation, and more rockin’! Lesh is more!

Of particular note to our friends in Woodstock (and everywhere), on the Friday night show, April 19, the one year anniversary of Levon’s passing, Furthur slipped “Tennessee Jed” into the first set, which Levon covered on “Electric Dirt”! Then, in the second set, they launched into “The Shape I’m In” followed by “Long Black Veil”, and encored with “Angel Band”! And they closed the first set with “Box of Rain”, which Phil Lesh famously wrote for his father when he was dying from cancer! A lovely tribute to Levon.

Sadly, we lost two giants this week. George Jones, one of the best Country singers who ever lived, passed away at the age of 81. And Richie Havens also crossed over at the age of 72. Bob Dylan heard Richie sing his song, “A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall” and told him it was the best he’d ever heard the song done! A vastly underated talent!

The Rolling Stones pulled a surprise gig at a 700 seat club in LA last week. Tickets went on sale the day of the show for $20! Here’s the set list.

"You Got Me Rocking"
"Respectable"
"She’s So Cold"
"Live With Me"
"Street Fighting Man"
"That’s How Strong My Love Is"
"Little Queenie"
"Just My Imagination"
"Miss You"
"Love In Vain (with Mick Taylor)"
"Midnight Rambler (with Mick Taylor)"
"Start Me Up"

Encore:
"Brown Sugar"
"Jumpin’ Jack Flash"

It’s kind of a slow week in the live music world, but as usual, there are still a few gems out there.T

Thursday, May 2 – City Winery is hosting two Woodstock artists tonight. AMY HELM, who rocked the house at WKZE’s Parlour Session a few weeks ago, and CONNOR KENNEDY, the young guitarist and vocalist, who continues to improve.
Saturday, May 4 – MIKE AND RUTHY open for THE WYOS at The Bearsville Theater. I’m not sure the billing shouldn’t be reversed! I haven’t heard The Wiyos. They’re supposed to be an old timey acoustic band who sometimes goes electric, which sounds fine, but I have seen Mike and Ruthy several times, and they always impress! Though mostly acoustic, they manage to bring an edge to it. Highly recommended! Downstate, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB are at Terminal 5.
Sunday, May 5 – At The Bearsville Theater, TODD RUNDGREN returns to Woodstock. This show is sold out, but there is another on Monday, which tickets are still available for. In the city, the great DAN HICKS AND HIS HOT LICKS are at City Winery, and KINGS X are at Stage 48.
Monday, May 6 – TODD RUNDGREN concludes his engagement at The Bearsville Theater, and in Manhattan, post-Pixies Deal sisters band THE BREEDERS are at Webster Hall, while out in Brooklyn, former Plimsouls frontman, PETER CASE, is at Knitting Factory Brooklyn, which, I think, is now the only Knitting Factory in New York!
Tuesday, May 7 – One of the better hair bands from the 80’s, LA GUNS, is at Bowery Electric tonight.
Wednesday, May 8 – STEVE EARLE AND THE DUKES with THE MASTERSONS opening are at Music Hall of Williamsburg. I just saw them at Bearsville Theater last night, and they were very good! Steve hasn’t been touring with a band much lately, so this is a treat.
Thursday, May 9 – Tonight marks the first night of REGGAE IN RESIDENCE at The Bearsville Theater. Opening the series, which continues every Thursday in May, will be the highly touted BIG TAKEOVER.

Well, that’s it for this week, thankfully. Now I can crawl back into bed and try to kick out this flu. Who ever heard of the flu going around in May! It’s the end of the world as we know it!

See you next week!

Fred Perry is the owner of Reservoir Music Center on Route 28 in Kingston, and founding member of Alt-Country supergroup, The Brooklyn Cowboys, is from a 3rd generation musical family and lives in the Hudson Valley, where he does what he can to promote live music.