The Charleston Gazette - Reviews

Review: Mollie OBrien is so much more than a folk singer

earle@wvgazette.com (Rosalie Earle) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:45:00 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I didnt go to the Mollie OBrien and Rich Moore concert Saturday intending to review it.

I rarely review concerts because my musical knowledge is lim...

Review: Mountain Stage starts 29th season off right

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:13:19 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- By the end of the evening, "Mountain Stage" host Larry Groce was joking that youd never see these particular bands on the same stage again and hes probably right. A brass band, a Neo-traditional Celtic group and an Isra...

Book review: W.Va.s glass towns dominated the industry

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:00:00 -0500

"West Virginia Glass Towns." By Dean Six. West Virginia Book Co. (Quarrier Press). Hardcover. 240 pages. $29.95. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Dean Six spent the past 20 years collecting fascinating historical information and documents abo...

Review: Southern Fried warms cold day with hot jazz

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:48:45 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Inside the Charleston Municipal Auditorium Sunday afternoon, a small crowd came in from the cold to have a few laughs and catch some hot jazz. The Southern Fried Jazz Band at the Municipal Auditorium, presented by Charlestons Comm...

Percussionist Pegher rocks the Clay

(David Williams) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:31:07 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Joseph Schwantners Percussion Concerto was composed in 1993. In the world of orchestra music, with audiences that can still tremble at the names of Bartok, Stravinsky and Schoenberg, and conductors that tremble at most things Ameri...

Book review: Sharyn McCrumb offers new twist on old story

(James E. Casto) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 23:00:00 -0500

"The Ballad of Tom Dooley." By Sharyn McCrumb. Thomas Dunne Books. 311 pages. $24.99. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The title of award-winning Appalachian novelist Sharyn McCrumbs newest book seems sure to catch the attention of many o...

Extremely Loud hits incredibly close for post-9/11 moviegoers

(McClatchy Newspapers) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:48:24 -0500

"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" *** RATED PG-13 (emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language) DIRECTOR: Stephen Daldry CAST: Tom Hanks, Tho...

W.Va.s Billy Cox, Africas Lijadu Sisters offer great sounds

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:41:22 -0500

"Old School Blue Blues" Billy Cox www.bassistbillycox.com Gypsy Sun ----- Wheeling n...

Book review: Hamills ‘Tabloid City' more than just a thriller

(James E. Casto) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:00:00 -0500

"Tabloid City." By Pete Hamill. Little, Brown. 278 pages. $26.99. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As a young man, Brooklyn-born Pete Hamill wanted to be a comic book artist. Later he tried his hand at painting. Then he switched his caree...

Feast your ears on the years five best CDs

flipside@wvgazette.com (Nicholas Ransbottom, FlipSide staff writer) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:51:38 -0500

This year is coming to a close, and while we say goodbye to 2011, we should do so by listening to the five best albums of the year. 5. "Mylo Xyloto," Coldplay ...

Megadeth still going strong on Th1rt3en

For the Gazette (Thom Copher) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:13:40 -0500

Megadeth "Th1rt3en" Roadrunner Records www.megadeth.com ---------- CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Megadeth i...

Review: Brickman brings positive Christmas energy to Clay Center

For the % (Betty King) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:53:33 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Imagine a bare stage, a few sashes of white cloth, a few 3D stars a la Japanese lantern, and a full rainbow of lighting effects. Add a grand piano, an alto, a 6-string violin, and a football player. Enter fearless leader and sh...

Review: Home-grown talent shines at B.E. Taylor concert

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:20:13 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Part spectacle, part futuristic light feat, part musical variety show, the B.E. Taylor Christmas concert graced the Municipal Auditorium stage for more than 2 hours Tuesday night. Playing to a large and boisterous crowd, th...

Review: This South Pacific is better remembered than endured

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:15:52 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Rodgers & Hammersteins "South Pacific" came to the Clay Center last night, as part of the Broadway in Charleston series, on a revival tour of the original 1949 musical. "South Pacific" is a somewhat st...

Nutcracker creates some magic at the Clay

(Laura Allen) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:02:39 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In 1892, the year Peter Tchaikovsky premiered "The Nutcracker," in St. Petersburg, Russia, Xboxes and 3D television didnt exist. Bringing stories to life took effort and ingenuity -- things the digital world has in spades...

Review: Bob Thompson still giving ‘Joy to the World'

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:59:06 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Outside the West Virginia Culture Center on Thursday night, it looked like anything but a winter wonderland. Weather reports called for light rain and temperatures well above freezing -- no snow, no ice, nothing of the sort. Stil...

The Story of My Life is both a heartbreaking and funny musical

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:19:35 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It is rare that a musical can be simultaneously heartbreaking and amusing and do so in an entertaining and delightful manner. The Charleston Stage Company strikes the perfect balance of poignancy and lightheartedness with its prese...

Whiskey Daredevils latest is more great rockabilly

For the Gazette (Nick Harrah) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:48:23 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Whiskey Daredevils could be described as Elvis Presley meets Glen Danzig singing for Dwight Yoakam fronting The Cramps. Clevelands kings of cowpunk are back with al...

Review: A lovely evening with Symphonys Christmas show

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:24:43 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra opened their Christmas Pops installment with a concert suite from "The Polar Express." It was a whimsical piece with soft melodic strains, bringing to mind a cold winters evening, ...

New Sounds

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:00:00 -0500

"Rare Genius -- The Undiscovered Masters"

Ray Charles (Concord).

The Fox Hunt takes the stage at the Culture Center

(Susan Bissett Spangler) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 16:03:13 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Love. Heartbreak. Murder. Drunken debauchery. These are the boys your momma warned you about. The Fox Hunt took the stage Saturday night at the West Virginia Culture Center as part of the 2011-12 Footmad Concert Series. The...

Review: Landau does it his way

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:51:50 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sometimes, a show is more than just a show. Its a cultural event. Landau Murphys sold-out show (the first of three) at the Clay Center was much bigger than just an evening of light entertainment. It was proof in the flesh t...

Review: 'Mamma Mia!' dazzles Clay audience

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:30:17 -0500

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- My college career was set to a soundtrack of ABBAs greatest hits. The music of "Mamma Mia!" is an intrinsic part of my soul, and the cast of Broadway in Charlestons production brought it all back to life. A nearly sold-ou...

The Time is back with new name but same great sound

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 19:09:46 -0500

"Condensate" The Original 7ven "A Winters Ta...

Landaus debut album stays faithful to his favorite crooners

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:32:45 -0500
"Thats Life" Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. Columbia Records ---------- CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.s fans can brea...

Book review: Engrossing history of Helvetia reissued

pjnyden@wvgazette.com (Paul J. Nyden) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:00:00 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Back in 1869, Swiss immigrants created the small town of Helvetia in the mountains of northwest Randolph County, near the Webster County line. By 1890, 610 Swiss immigrants had arrived in West Virginia. The first Swiss immigrant...

Sellout crowd gets Lost in Love songs

For the % (Betty King) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:00:25 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Five minutes before 8 p.m., many seats in the Clay Center were unfilled. I wondered if the box office had really sold more than 1,600 seats to Air Supply. Five minutes later, the hall was full. By the concerts end, the crowd was ...

Germanys Jack Beauregard a welcome change of pace

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:10:19 -0500
"The Magazines You Read" Jack Beauregard www.myspace.com/jackbeauregard Tapete ...

Review: River City Youth Ballet puts poets words into motion

(Victoria McCabe) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:14:49 -0500
WANT TO GO. "Poetry in Motion" Presented by the River City Youth Ballet Ensemble WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday WHERE: Culture Center Theater COST: Adults $12, seniors and children $10 INFO: 304-925-3262 C...

Pianist Parker impressive with W.Va. orchestra

(David Williams) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:23:52 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In 2005, the last time the West Virginia Symphony played Rachmaninoffs Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Yakov Kasman had to make a program-saving appearance without rehearsal, substituting for an ill Olga Kern. The orchestra played th...

Gospel-souls Golden Age captured on CD

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:31:27 -0500
"This May Be My Last Time Singing -- Raw African-American Gospel on 45 1957-1982" Various artists Tompkins Square/Fontana

Review: Russians with bows instead of hockey sticks just as good

(David Williams) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:19:01 -0500
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It may only seem that Russian babies, after they have drawn their first few breaths, are offered their choice of either the piano, a string instrument or a pair of skates and a hockey stick. And then they start to practice....

McCrary sisters take us on a wonderful journey

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:04:17 -0400
Our Journey McCrary Sisters www.mccrarysisters.com------- CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The four McCrary sisters are...

Deft and minimalistic, Of Gods and Men is indisputably great

(McClatchy Newspapers) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:08:43 -0400
"Of Gods and Men"4 stars Part of the West Virginia International Film Festival RATED: PG-13 (a momentary scene of startling wartime violence, some disturbing images and brief language)...

John Lillys latest is a great-sounding album

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:11:08 -0400
"Cold Comfort" John Lilly

Review: 'Mountain Stage' pumps up the volume

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:27:45 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Days and perhaps weeks before the "Mountain Stage" show Sunday night at the Culture Center with James McMurtry, Jason Isbell and Dawes, some of the radio shows staff were joking about handing out earplugs to the audience ...

Cellist plays Shostakovich with mastery

(David Williams) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:39:23 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Cellist Julie Albers made such a strong impression in her debut with the West Virginia Symphony in 2005 that I called her performance of Elgars Cello Concerto "revelatory and exquisite." Her return to the Clay Centers stage f...

Review: Needless quirks detract from fine Othello

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:17:26 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I am a child of the 90s. I love Nirvana, longhaired boys and the Claire Danes/Leonardo DiCaprio version of "Romeo and Juliet" -- fast cars, "Sword" branded guns, violence at the carnival, and all. That bei...

A Moving Sound is magical and mystical

gazette@wvgazette.com (Michael Lipton) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:33:31 -0400
"A Moving Sound" A Moving Sound motema.com/artist/a-moving-sound Motema Records --- CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Founded by American musician Scott Prairie and Taiwanese singer/dancer Mia Hs...

Review: 'Spamalot' conquers Clay Center

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:22:18 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Theres no getting around it. "Spamalot," the opening show for the new Broadway in Charleston season, was easily the weirdest piece of musical theater to ever cross the stage of the Maier Foundation Performance Hall at the...

Review: Hornsby, band make anything but noise

For the % (Betty King) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:37:39 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I dont know if fans in attendance at the Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers concert at the Clay Center on Friday night knew they had gotten so much more than a classic rock concert. Opening with an extended classical-style pi...

West by West not your usual sports biography

gmoore@wvgazette.com (Greg Moore) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:00:00 -0400
"West by West: My Charmed, Tormented Life." By Jerry West and Jonathan Coleman. Little, Brown and Co. 352 pages. Hardcover. $27.99. CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Dont call him "Zeke from Cabin Creek." Jerry West never liked that...

Ballets Classic Country Rock n Roll a thriller

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:07:35 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Charleston Ballets Friday night performance of "Classic Country Rock n Roll" was an unexpected thrill. Divided into three acts, as the name implies, the first act was classical ballet one would expect. Serenade (as it ...

Foul-mouthed and funny; Sykes keeps Clay Center laughing

earle@wvgazette.com (Rosalie Earle) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:14:23 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Any review of comedian Wanda Sykes is going to be short. Most of her routine cant be printed in a family newspaper. The 47-year-old black married lesbian with white twins age 21/2 is coarse, crude - and funny. She performed Sunday...

Aimee, Figueiredo are excellent at Edgewood

(Laura Allen) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:40:19 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The phrase "in the pocket" is used by jazz musicians to describe music thats perfectly in time. Singer Cyrille Aimee and guitarist Diego Figueiredo were certainly there last night in a two-set show at Edgewood Country Club in...

Sinbad knocks them out at the Clay Center

lynch@wvgazette.com (Bill Lynch) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:23:15 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- He repeated it over and over: "Ill knock you out." It was a punch line and throwaway line Sinbad used again and again, but thats what he did Friday night at the Clay Center in Charleston. He delivered one comic knockout punch...

Review: Caillat sings smoky and sweet, but lacks variety

(Autumn D. F. Hopkins) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 22:41:56 -0400
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- I must confess, this is not the type of music I usually listen to. In fact, I had to research Colbie Caillat to make sure I would at least recognize a few of her songs. I read a little background information and learned that...