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Review: Herbie Hancock

While Herbie Hancock looked sharp in the colorful paisley and polka dot shirt he wore Sunday at the Lied Center, a white lab coat might have been more appropriate attire.  An audience of about 1,500 witnessed the legendary musician assume the role of a mad scientist as he engaged in 90 minutes of experimental music.  

Janelle Monae to brighten Christmas tree fete

The dynamo singer/songwriter/performer (and cover girl) from Kansas City, Kan., will be this year's celebrity at the annual Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Crown Center. She and Kansas City Mayor Sly James will flip the switch. It all starts at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25, a Friday. Word is that Monae will also perform a song or two. The ceremony benefits the Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which helps thousands of people in the metropolitan Kansas City area.

Cyndi Lauper: the blues are one of her true colors

To those unfamiliar with her childhood and early music career, Cyndi Lauper’s foray into the blues might seem like another attempt by a veteran singer to rejuvenate a career by poaching other genres and eras.

Tweedy and Adams: Twin sons of different music paths

Given the similarities between some of their music styles and their concurrency with each other, it’s odd that the careers of Jeff Tweedy and Ryan Adams have not crossed, at least not in a studio or on a stage.

Review: Halloweenie Roast

Above: Craig Finn of the Hold Steady. Photos by Matthew Cook/Friend of B2R

Thursday evening’s Halloweenie Roast was anything but scary. In fact, the Midland theater was probably one of the happiest places in town.

Review: Lynyrd Skynyrd

Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd,  who performed at the Sprint Center on Friday night. Photos by Mike Ransdell/The Star

Few rock bands have the history and reputation of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Its history is tragic; its reputation is all over the spectrum: beloved, derided; the poster band for what’s anti-cool.

Some Hold Steady-ish news

Craig Finn's band, the Hold Steady, performs tonight at the Midland, part of the Halloweenie Roast. But on Nov. 25, Finn will release his new 7" single "Honolulu Blues," from of his solo debut due early 2012. From his PR folks: 

Some hell will break loose on Halloween weekend

Them Damned Young Livers will help tear up the Riot Room, 4048 Broadway, on Saturday night. See below.

This year will go down as one for the scrapbook for the Hearts of Darkness.

Among the band’s biggest gigs were opening spots for Huey Lewis & the News at Starlight Theatre, for Snoop Dogg at Crossroads KC and at Farm Aid at Livestrong Sporting Park. Amid all that, the big crowds at the Top of the Bottoms Masquerade Ball and support for Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, both at the now-closed Crosstown Station.

A reminder about a good show for a good cause

It's one of several good shows on Nov. 11: "Our Town: An Evening with Iris DeMent and Greg Brown" at the Folly Theater 300 W. 12th St., featuring two great songwriters who are also married. Each will deliver a solo/acoustic set; then they'll likely join each other for a song or two. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $40. The show benefits United Inner City Services, part of the St. Mark  Child and Family Development Center in Kansas City.

On the way: home boys

Two guys from KC who made it large are coming home around the holidays for shows at the Midland theater:

• David Cook, 'American Idol' winner in 2008, will headline a show Nov. 25, a Friday. Carolina Liar will open. Tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. $25.
• Puddle of Mudd, featuring KC native Wes Scantlin, will perform Dec. 8, a Thursday. Also on the bill: Halestorm, Adelitas Way, Black Tide and Landsowne. Tickets on sale at 10 .m. Friday. $15.