The sun finally shined on New York City, and just in time. This weekend was Earth Day weekend. To celebrate and mark the occasion founder of Wetlands and Editor of Relix magazine, Peter Shapiro, and a large team of staff and volunteers brought us the second annual Green Apple Music and Arts Festival. This year it included over 200 music events in San Fransisco, Chicago and here in New York.
On Friday and Saturday, outside of Grand Central Station, at the earth fair, there was a free music stage (shouldn't all music be free). Acts like Assembly of Dust and Gandalf Murphy played over the weekend, but it was Grace Potter and the Nocturnals that brought the streets alive late Friday afternoon.
I have seen Grace about a half dozen times now and she never disappoints. Young, soulful talented and very beautiful, the Vermont native just knows how to sing. Calling her a cross between Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt would go a long way in describing her style but would do absolutely nothing to describe what kind of performer she is.
The stage was set up on Vanderbilt avenue, just outside the train terminal. The crowd of about 200 or so gathered to see the bands were suddenly overtaken by a fast growing wave of onlookers. As person after person coming from work on their way to their daily commute passed by, they were drawn to the stage one by one. And really, how could they not. As she belted out, crooned and lilted each tune, she gained dozens of adoring fans with every note. By shows end, the crowd had tripled in size.
Grace is the draw of the band as she can move gracefully (no pun intended) from organ to piano to guitar with noticeable ability on each. However, she is not exactly alone on the stage, as The Nocturnals are more than just a backdrop for the lady in the middle.
On drums is Matthew Burr, on bass is Brian Dondero and on lead guitar and the occasional harmonica is Scott Tournet. Tournet is a big draw by himself and has evolved into a force as a blues guitarist. Watching him and Grace duel on guitar and organ is fun as it gets.
Grace will play again in New York twice in May. She'll be at the Mercury Lounge on May 22nd and Joe's Pub on May 23rd.
If you want to hear a little before hand i would recommend:
Nothing But The Water
Toothbrush and a Table
Mystery Train
more photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/82369865@N00/sets/72157600102896417/
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