screams, whispers and songs from planet earth

Tag: Precinct Bar

Seeing Out The Year That Was: My 12 Favorite Shows of 2012

A last minute addition: The Magnetic Fields at Symphony Hall for First Night (last night)

A last minute addition: The Magnetic Fields at Symphony Hall for First Night (last night)

It’s a good thing I held off posting this, because I’ve just made it an even dozen in honor of the year that just flew by, 2012. The last one? A band I had the immense pleasure of seeing for the first time, on First Night just last night at the majestic Symphony Hall. [Why do they call it “First Night”? Shouldn’t it be “Last Night”?]

I saw a total of 24 shows this year. Not a whole lot for a music blogger, but I’ll tell you—nearly all of them were spectacular. That’s damn good odds. I’ve heard some people say that 2012 was an awful year. What I’ll say, from my personal perspective, is this: 2012 was a year of massive challenges and difficulties, but the rewards, if you were prepared to step up, and I mean step up in a major way, were equally impressive. It was most definitely not a year for lightweights. But it’s all moving forward, and it’s moving forward quickly. Hold on to something sturdy, because I have a feeling 2013 is going to be just as intense. Remember, with challenge comes opportunity. Happy New Year, everyone.

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Christopher Paul Stelling at Precinct Bar Friday night (as part of Hear Now Live Presents’ stellar line-up)

photo by Clarence K. Photography

photo by Clarence K. Photography

Hear Now Live Presents: Dead Cats Dead Rats, Shoney Lamar & The Equal Rights, Division Tree, Subpar Co-star, and Christopher Paul Stelling (from Brooklyn) with
Friday, April 20
Precinct Bar, Union Square, Somerville
21+ | 7pm

Hear Now Live will be presenting a big 5-band bill Friday night at Precinct with a few Boston notables – Dead Cats Dead Rats and Shoney Lamar & The Equal Rights – and two other Boston-area bands. But the one I’m really here to talk about is Brooklyn-based Christopher Paul Stelling. His debut album, Songs of Praise & Scorn (Mecca Lecca Recording Co), was released back in February, and it’s quite wonderful.


I’ve written about Mr. Stelling’s very impressive acoustic finger-picked guitar; smooth, soulful and occasionally hellfire-explosive southern gospel vocals; and personal storytelling a few times now on ‘musings.’ The album is stunning, with minimal accompaniment in the form of gorgeous gypsy violin courtesy of Cheyenne Marie Mize and additional vocals from Julia Christgau. Last time he was also at Precinct, and I see now with Shoney Lamar as well, and for some reason I wasn’t able to get there. I’ll do my best not to make the same mistake twice. I’ve heard his live performances are quite powerful and compelling. Have a listen below, and put this on your calendar (get there early, as it seems he’s on first).

Christopher Paul Stelling: blog | bandcamp | facebook | twitter
Dead Cats Dead Rats: facebook | bandcamp
Shoney Lamar & The Equal Rights: facebook | bandcamp
Division Tree: facebook
Subpar Co-Star: bandcamp | reverbnation

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