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Down With Love: A Cabaret Down With Love: A Cabaret will be presented on February 16 at the Common Fence Point Hall in Portsmouth. Jeff Blanchette and Rachel Hanauer will be performing jazz standards, musical theater and pop. “Jeff and I wanted to perform again at the Common Fence Point Hall, specifically to fundraise for some theater arts equipment,” Hanauer said. They hope to turn the facility into a full arts center to be used for theater, music and arts programs, as well as community-based fitness and wellness classes. “Valentine’s Day seemed like the perfect time to put on a cabaret program,” Hanauer said. “Jeff and I are fans of collaborating on these musical review shows together, as we did with I Love… What’s His Name? We decided to create a program for both lovebirds and Anti-Valentine’s Day folks alike, which is why we called it Down with Love.” Hanauer said the music in this family-friendly program should appeal to audience members of all ages. Hanauer and Blanchette also encourage a BYOB policy, and most of the guests at CFP Hall bring picnic dinners, which all are welcome to do. Down With Love: A Cabaret will be performed at Common Fence Point Hall, 933 Anthony Rd, Portsmouth. brownpapertickets.com/event/3223822 Album of the Week: Ty Segall – Freedom’s Goblin Freedom’s Goblin by Ty Segall If you have been reading this review column for the past couple of years, there’s one thing that you should realize by now. At least once a year I’m going to write about a certain musician’s new album due to his immense talent and his continuously prolific output. That certain musician is Los Angeles garage rock phenom Ty Segall, and his 10th album Freedom’s Goblin came out Jan 26 via Drag City Records. The album is a lot more wide-ranging and experimental than his previous releases. Nothing sounds similar to another, and that says a lot for a record that has 19 songs on it. Certain albums can take the mind on an adventure and Freedom’s Goblin achieves that through its variety. It goes from one end of the spectrum to the other with tunes encompassing jazz, punk, new wave and acoustic styles. It’s ingenious and schizophrenic at the same time. Usually a record follows an identity, but this one is the antithesis of that. Segall’s new artistic output is truly all over the place and that’s what makes it so amazing. One trait that a musical savant will always possess is an incredible amount of fearlessness: They’ll write a song how they want without conforming to what’s “popular” or “trendy.” It’s a testament to them staying true to themselves while also making a conscious effort to progress as an artist. There’s a sense of sheer individuality that’s inspiring and makes one wish others would emulate. Segall has always been one to do his own thing and never be swayed by the mainstream. For a closer look, let’s examine my top tracks off of the Album of the Week: “5 Ft Tall” has an unplugged beginning and then it gets electrifying with vibrant rhythms and raucous riffs; the energy is massive and it’s a sizzling song that the ears will want to hear at a high volume on repeat. Reminiscent of the storied New York City late ‘70s No Wave scene is “Talkin 3,” and fans of James Chance & The Contortions will enjoy the blaring sax and chaotic vibe. A funky synth disco sound makes up the weirdness of “Despoiler Cadaver” with vintage English new wave flair. Sadly, Ty Segall has no shows announced in the New England area as of this writing, but 2018 is still in its infancy so who knows? Maybe some dates will be unveiled in the coming months and one of them will be in our neck of the woods. Segall live is a must-see experience, so when he’s coming through your town you better go. For now, get yourself a copy of Freedom’s Goblin: It’s an album that has a whole lot to offer and then some. Bandcamp: tysegall.bandcamp.com/album/freedoms-goblin Web site: ty-segall.com Z-Boys’ Residency, Newport Blues Café, Starts Feb 1 Z-Boys The Z-Boys are a power trio that set themselves apart. This act from Newport brings an amplified style of surf rock that shreds into the infinite abyss. Guitarist and vocalist Greg Burgess has a unique jazzy flair. The rhythm section of bass guitarist Amato Zinno and drummer Ziggy Coffey is incredibly tight. When their talents come together, it is an amazing thing to witness. Starting on Feb 1, Burgess, Zinno and Coffey will be having a Thursday night weekly residency at the classy Newport Blues Café featuring a range of special guests. “This came about when Jim Quinn, the owner of the Blues Café, approached me about playing every Thursday,” Zinno explains. “The Z-Boys have been at Perro Salado in Newport on Wednesdays for a long time, and we were starting to feel a little confined, so moving to a bigger room made sense. We picked February 1st to start the residency because we wanted to take a short break, write some new songs, and get people hyped up about the change.” With The Z-Boys already having a solid reputation for a good time in the City by the Sea, folks are for sure going to get amped from the first night onward. Each night will have the trio sharing the stage with a stellar opening band. The styles range from blues to indie rock to hip-hop, so each night will be a bit different. “The first month’s acts are all bands or performers we really enjoy and respect,” said Zinno on the openers. “The Silks are a great foil for us. Julie Rhodes is an amazing singer. And Roz and the Rice Cakes are the first band I saw after moving to Providence, and they are still one of my faves. Camden Murphy is also a great friend, a talented performer, and he invited us to play the first show we did at the Blues Café. It’s only right that we have him on for one.” “What people can expect is great music on a great sound system in one of the best rooms in Rhode Island!” exclaimed Zinno. “It’s going to be a party and we wanna start it off right, so by the time we get into spring and summer, it’ll be humming every week.” Come on down for what should be a swell way to spend Thursday nights at the Newport Blues Café with a band that brings a one of a kind experience. Event page: facebook.com/events/1356829037777246 Newport Blues Café: newportblues.com Z-Boys: facebook.com/zboystonight Jazz Insights: Rick Wells Portsmouth’s Rick Wells is truly one of New England’s top jazz drummers. Rick separates himself from other drummers, smartly choosing to be more of an accompanist, rather than a showman soloist. He wisely recognizes that he is hired to complement other members of the group, not to take away from other talents during performances. His softness and unique touches blend perfectly in his contributions to any appropriate music. Yet, he gives his all to solo opportunities and is well applauded for his solo skills. Wells grew up in New Jersey favoring the work of Chicago, Blood, Sweat and Tears, and admiring the skills of Buddy Rich, Mel Lewis, Art Blakey, Harold Jones and Conrad Duco. He attended William Paterson College, where he became a member of the jazz ensemble under the direction of Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. Lewis recognized Rick’s skills and encouraged him to try a career in music. Following Mel’s advice, he performed at weddings and with rock groups, honing different styles. During his time off, he worked in electronics, managed a catering business, got involved in Cub scouts and volunteered as a little league coach. Many years later Rick and his family moved to Rhode Island. He got involved with music once again with performances at the Greenvale Vineyards’ seasonal jazz series in Portsmouth, where he has played regularly for the past three years. He has played with most of the touring performers, as well as the leading local jazz groups, and his rising reputation has led to more work. Album of the Week: Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas Over the past couple of months, there’s been a band from Boston that has nearly everyone affiliated with the city’s music scene talking about them. They’re known as Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas, and they have a groovy instrumental sound that fuses psychedelic rock, acid jazz and funky blues. It’s the kind of music that leaves a lasting impression and they’re independently releasing their self-titled debut album Jan 26. Each track offers something different while the rhythms stay consistently tight. This album definitely has what it takes to be considered one of the top releases in New England when 2018 comes to a close. Blues fans might know Stubbs from his time as the guitarist for the legendary harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite since 2007. His band’s debut has a bombastic vibe that’s reminiscent of big-time blues music. It’s a quality that grabs hold of the ears and keeps the listener hooked. The bombasticness comes from drummer Chris Rivelli bringing the down beats and bassist Mark Hickox providing the line that each song walks on.

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