I wish I had my good camera, but I attended as a civilian.

 

I guess it’s been a long time since Sister Sparrow + The Dirty Birds (website) played a big show. The last time I saw them was at Roy’s Hall in Blairstown, NJ grand re-opening in 2016 (click here for that story). Singer Arleigh Kincheloe made a few references of their happy return (after having two babies and managing through COVID like the rest of us) at their recent show on a beautiful July night in White Plains, NY. The band was great and played some super new material that showcased their talents – big booming voice, shiny energetic horns and noticeable bass riffs.

As part of the Westchester city’s main street concert series, Sister Sparrow and gang opened up for the 90s frozen Spin Doctors. We were there to see Sister Sparrow then catch a phat dinner at Mulino’s (website) a block away. Thanks, but I’ll pass on a pocket full for kryponyte for a mega shrimp cocktail and veal chops.

Sister Sparrow is at crossroads that often leads groups with some early success to their doom. BUT, I think this gang of merry bandits may have the talent and make-up to go where many in their position sink. I am excited to see what’s next for Sister Sparrow. They are very dynamic and know how to excite an audience.

Think about it… bands spend years working on new material and eventually put the best of the best songs on an album, then tour like hell. If they are successful, they have to go back in the studio and do it again. Except on record two, the songs are often written on the road between gigs or are reheated leftovers from round one.

I am always a fan of bands that get through that second and third albums with gusto and welcome evolutions. If you stay still, you die.

On the heals of their third album, Mt. Joy comes to mind. The first time I saw Mt. Joy at Tippy’s in New Orleans (click here for that) I’ll be seeing them at Beach Road Festival on Martha’s Vineyard later this summer along with a whole bunch of interesting bands with some initial success (Caamp, Lord Huron, Billy Strings) warming the crowd up all day for headliners Wilco, Avett Brothers, Jason Isbell and Beck.

Dawes is another band that comes to mind… interesting enough they are also playing Beach Road. Those guys are great songwriters and have a whole bunch of great studios albums. Most recently, I saw them backing up Phil Lesh at The Cap.

I’ll be at Beach Road all three days with Sir Rich, Long Island Steve and their brides.

Some bands despite big talent (like Alabama Shakes) just can’t make it. After album two they imploded and lead singer Brittney Howard went solo and weird.

Another band that is facing this phase two crossroads and is cosmically connected with Sister Sparrow for me are The Sheepdogs. I am seeing them later this fall at Levon Helm’s Barn in Woodstock and eager to report back on their progress beyond “a band that sounds like a bunch of great 70s rock and roll bands”. Besides the obvious position of also staring at the great fork in the road, the link for me between the bands is Mountain Jam 2012 (click here for that story which features pictures of both groups).

Both young and up and coming bands played two sets that year… one inside, and one outside early in the day. I’ve been following them ever since. (Click here for a story and pics from my interview in studio with The Sheepdogs. There were no pics allowed in studio, so I drew one myself… and I’m no artist.)

Getting back to the recent Sister Sparrow show… the music was great, the venue worked well and I got to see my Capitol Theatre Squirrel Squad friends. Always nice to see my very old bud Joe B (click here for his interview on The Music People Project).

My one criticism of the band is that they need a better lead guitar player to replace Sasha Brown. Jackie Brown comes to mind!!

Maybe I can get a member of some of these bands standing at the crossroads to be interviewed for my Music People Project (website). Considering a photo I took of Sister Sparrow is the website feature photo, I may overcome the message of the great Rolling Stones song and get what I want, as I certainly don’t need it.

As aside note, my recent piece with rock photographer and drummer Paul Undersinger caught a lot of love on Facebook from Monkees great Mickey Dolentz.