Legendary R&B Revue

Tommy Castro, Deanna Bogart, Magic Dick, Ronnie Baker Brooks
State Theatre, January 26

Recommended beverage:
Dogfish Brewpub is just down the road

Once again, the Legendary R&B review made its annual appearance at the State Theatre and did not disappoint. How could it be anything but spectacular when four superior musicians are leading the way?

Backed by Tommy Castro's band, Castro appeared first, followed by local blueswoman Deanna Bogart on vocals and alternating between keyboard and saxophone, harmonica hero Magic Dick from Boston, and guitarist-singer Ronnie Baker Brooks from Chicago. Then, after a break, they all took the stage together for an all-star jam.

photo: with Ronnie Baker Brooks

One nice addition to Magic Dick's set was an early hit from his J. Geils Band days, the reggae-tinged "Give It To Me," which he performed with Castro on vocals.

The Editors: What's Not to Love?

The Editors w/ Hot Hot Heat
January 15, 9:30 Club

recommended beverage:

truth be told, I did my drinkin' pre-show at Marvin

on 14th and U St. Belgians on tap. Yum!

On their fourth visit to the 9:30 Club, the Editors put on another solid show. Playing merely an hour, the UK indie-rock quartet played most of their debut album, interspersed with much of their 2007 album, An End Has a Start. The night before, the band received big news from back home where it was announced they are contenders in the Best British Group category for this year's Brit Awards, England's version of the Grammy's.

Singer Tom Smith didn't miss a beat, singing with that velvety voice that conjures up a range of retro British rockers like Ian McCullough and Martin Gore. Rhythmically, the band manages to pull in older post-punk influences, particularly Joy Division, while maintaining a fresh sound. Excellent set, lads.

It's definitely music to dance to in most cities of the world though, by dancing in my town, I must've looked-like-totally uncool. I did, however, notice some guys pumping their fists in the air toward the end and a handful of folks bopping around which was good enough for me.

Openers Hot Hot Heat were truly on fire. This Canadian quartet served as the perfect support act. Vocalist Steve Bays, with his mop top, bounced around stage full of energy sounding quite a bit Robert Smith-like, somethin' I never picked up when listening to their recordings. But then, I hadn't heard any of their stuff since the 2002 Make Up the Breakdown, other than the fun "Goodnight, goodnight," from Elevator, which they played during their short set. The new stuff is also worth a listen.

So Long, Sweet Willie

Blues singer Weepin' Willie Robinson, 81, died in his Boston apartment on December 30 in a fire apparently set when he fell asleep while smoking in bed. Dude lived a really hard life, but that's why he was so prolific with the blues.

RIP, Willie.