http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/ From Musikfest to Riverfusion, Croc Rock to Godfrey Daniels, Mayfair to the Allentown Fair -- check in regularly for one-of-a-kind concert and record reviews from our resident pop music aficionados. en-US 2009-11-15T01:30:00-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/matthew-sweet-and-susanna-hoffs--sid-susie-under-the-covers-vol-2--shout-factory--the-decision-by-90s-alt-rocker.html MATTHEW SWEET AND SUSANNA HOFFS "SID & SUSIE UNDER THE COVERS VOL. 2" (SHOUT! FACTORY) The decision by ‘90’s alt-rocker Matthew Sweet and The Bangles singer Susanna Hoff to be so true to the original songs on “Under The Covers,... Music Music News New CDs John J. Moser 2009-11-15T01:30:00-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/talking-with-matthew-sweet-life-under-the-covers-with-the-bangles-susanna-hoffs-.html The Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs and alt-rocker Matthew Sweet between them bridged two decades of power pop with her hits such as “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Manic Monday” and his 1990s solo hits “Sick of Myself” and “Girlfriend.”... Music Music News Sellersville Theater John J. Moser 2009-11-14T01:30:00-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/aerosmith-guitarist-joe-perry-cancels-solo-show-is-his-tour-like-bands-headed-south.html UPDATE UPDATE Joe Perry, who has beaten up on Aerosmith band mate Steven Tyler in the media over sustaining injuries that forced the group to cancel its summer tour, has canceled at least one show in the tour he’s undertaken... Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-13T19:15:31-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/is-taylor-swift-rerelease-worth-2198.html TAYLOR SWIFT "FEARLESS PLATINUM EDITION" (BIG MACHINE RECORDS) POP-COUNTRY| Taylor Swift’s album “Fearless,” released a year ago Wednesday, has sold more than 3 million copies and had nine of its songs hit Billboard’s Top 100 – four in the Top... Country Music Music News New CDs John J. Moser 2009-11-13T11:25:40-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/u2-tickets-for-950.html When tickets for U2's July 12 concert at Lincoln Financial Field go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. today, the top ticket price will be a whopping $253.50. Unless you want the VIP package, which includes preferential... Music Music News Tower Theater John J. Moser 2009-11-13T07:01:06-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/tin-bird-choirs-barn-rock-is-intelligent-and-original.html By Dave Howell Special to The Morning Call Tin Bird Choir calls its music "Barn Rock", but this self-titled debut CD is not a bland Eagles-like mixture of country and rock. Beneath the patched-in electric guitar and occasional organ is... Godfrey Daniels Music New CDs Jodi Duckett 2009-11-12T19:05:30-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/janet-jackson-to-open-american-music-awards-try-to-revive-career.html Singer Janet Jackson will open the 37th annual American Music Awards broadcast Nov. 22 with a “special opening medley,” the show’s producers, dick clark productions, announced Thursday. The show could make up for the wretched treatment MTV’s Video Music Awards... Music Music News Television John J. Moser 2009-11-12T18:26:19-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/mohegan-sun-bets-on-arenas-concert-draws.html The 8,300-seat arena sports and entertainment arena near Wilkes-Barre has its fourth name in its 10-year history. But Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs casino is betting on the arena’s success, anteing up to keep its name on the building for... Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-12T12:30:12-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/taylor-swift-wasnt-cmas-only-area-link-even-the-gosselins-came-up.html Taylor Swift not only swept the Country Music Awards on Wednesday, winning Entertainer of the Year and three other top categories, but dominated the awards show, as well. Her performance opened the show. She was the only artist to perform... Music Music News Television John J. Moser 2009-11-12T00:36:37-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/top-3-tickets-going-on-sale-this-week-u2-joe-perry-project-and-more.html Pick up tickets to these shows this week: Joe Perry Project, 7 p.m. Dec. 10, Crocodile Rock, 520 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, 610-434-4600. Tickets: $25, on sale today. U2, July 12, Lincoln Financial Field, One Lincoln Financial Way Philadelphia. Tickets:... Top 5 Lists Kelly Federico 2009-11-11T11:51:15-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/fan-poll-says-taylor-swift-will-sweep-cmas-wednesday.html After sweeping last weekend's episode of "Saturday Night Live " -- she appeared in eight of nine skits on the show -- and sweeping her album "Fearless" back to the top of the charts by re-releasing it with additional songs... Music Music News Television John J. Moser 2009-11-11T01:30:00-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/local-soundtrack-peace-or-war-by-pokerface-a-political-statement-in-hard-rock-.html By Dave Howell Special to The Morning Call Twenty years of making music has not softened Pokerface’s music or its lyrics. Far from churning out the usual banal relationship and partying songs, this rocking foursome concentrate on politics, which are... Music Music News New CDs Jodi Duckett 2009-11-10T17:12:28-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/kathy-mattea-concert-at-moravian-college-postponed.html Grammy-winner Kathy Mattea’s concert on Wednesday night at Moravian College has been postponed “due to illness,” according to the college, which says the concert will be rescheduled and an annoucement of the new date made soon. Tickets are good for... Music Music News Jodi Duckett 2009-11-10T17:01:29-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/musikfest-marketingpr-chief-leaves-abruptly.html Kim Plyler, ArtsQuest’s director of marketing and public relations for nearly five years, abruptly left her position Monday, she and ArtsQuest officials confirmed. Plyler, of Bethlehem, was responsible for marketing, advertising, promotions and public relations campaigns and programs for ArtsQuest’s... Music Music News Musikfest John J. Moser 2009-11-10T15:35:36-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/reggae-rapper-cancels-second-show-in-two-days.html A day after Jamaican reggae hip-hopper Sean Paul's show scheduled Saturday at Allentown's Crocodile Rock Café was canceled, his show at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza also has been canceled, that venue said today. Sean Paul’s Croc Rock show was... Music Music News Wachovia Center John J. Moser 2009-11-10T13:59:48-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/honor-society-goes-from-jonas-openers-to-hot-headliners.html New York-based pop-rock band Honor Society spent last summer opening for the Jonas Brothers’ hugely successful North American tour while simultaneously playing their own tour at smaller venues in the same cities. Then in September, the band released its debut... Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-10T08:07:05-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/eagles-fans-wink-wink-can-buy-tickets-to-u2-in-philly-this-morning.html Being a Philadelphia Eagle fan – even a temporary one -- can get you early access TOMORROW to buy a ticket to U2’s July 12 concert at Lincoln Financial Field, without having to pay $50 for the privilege, as the... Lincoln Financial Field Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-10T01:30:00-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/sean-paul-show-at-croc-rock-canceled.html Jamaican reggae hip-hopper Sean Paul’s show scheduled Saturday at Allentown’s Crocodile Rock Café has been canceled, the venue said today. Sean Paul also is on the bill with Keri Hilson and Colby O Donis for a show Friday at Wachovia... Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-09T17:34:27-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/jonas-brothers-preparing-for-a-comeback-disney-says.html Surprising absolutely no one, The Disney Channel announced today it’s keeping its No. 1 television show by its No. 1 selling act “a little bit longer.” The comedy series “JONAS,” starring The Jonas Brothers, has been picked up for a... Music Music News Television John J. Moser 2009-11-09T14:05:11-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/tickets-for-u2-in-philly-on-sale-friday-heres-how-to-get-them-tomorrow.html Tickets for U2’s 360° Tour stop in Philadelphia – the top price of which is a whopping $253.50 but the cheapest of which is only $33.50 – go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, concert promoters LiveNation announced today. But... Lincoln Financial Field Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-09T12:34:14-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/taylor-swift-hits-kanye-kate-gosselin-joe-jonas-and-twilight-on-snl-1.html Country superstar Taylor Swift barely mentioned Kanye West during her stint as host and musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” last night – taking a swipe at him in her musical opening monologue then a brief reference in another skit.... Music Music News Television John J. Moser 2009-11-08T21:04:48-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/sean-kingston-has-fire-burnin-cleanly-at-croc-rock.html If Asher Roth’s show at Allentown’s Crocodile Rock Café in October was a rap concert for the college crowd, Sean Kingston’s performance Friday at the same venue was hip-hop for a Disney audience. Kingston, in a way-too-short 40-minute set, gave... Concert Reviews Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-08T21:04:19-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/johnny-mathis-shows-easton-crowd-he-still-has-style-and-voice.html By Harley Payette Special to The Morning Call Johnny Mathis left many of his signature hits at home, but still gave a near classic performance at the State Theatre in Easton, Friday night. In many ways, Mathis gave the sold-out... Concert Reviews Jodi Duckett 2009-11-08T13:43:15-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/poppunkers-van-atta-high-getting-ready-to-graduate.html New Jersey pop-punk band Van Atta High in the past three years has played dates on the Vans Warped and Taste of Chaos tours and played the massive Bamboozle festival in its home state in 2008, and was chosen an... Concert Reviews Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-07T13:35:30-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/aerosmith-guitarist-joe-perrys-new-solo-album-tour-coming-to-croc-rock.html No need to Dream On: The solo tour that Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry is doing to promote his solo disc after the band scrapped its nationwide jaunt this summer and fall will stop at Allentown’s Crocodile Rock Café on Dec.... Music Music News John J. Moser 2009-11-06T15:17:16-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/abba-mania-slow-to-start-the-party-but-give-a-great-show.html By Steve Siegel Special to The Morning Call Abba Mania, formed in 1998, bills itself as an authentic replica of the famous Swedish supergroup ABBA. As evident from its concert at the State Theatre Wednesday evening, the group puts a... Concert Reviews Jodi Duckett 2009-11-06T14:46:47-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/lower-milford-girl-10-makes-final-four-in-singing-contest-and-meets-miley-.html A ten-year-old Lower Milford Township girl has made the final four in a national contest to get a recording contract, and on Wednesday got to meet her idol Miley Cyrus. Miley was in Philadelphia for her “Wonder Tour” and Sabrina... Kathy Lauer-Williams 2009-11-06T10:12:33-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/if-anyone-doubted-whether-there-would-be-kanye-west-jokes-when-taylor-swift-acts-as-host-and-musical-guest-on-saturday-nig.html If anyone doubted whether there would be Kanye West jokes when Taylor Swift acts as host and musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” tomorrow – well, they’ve started already. One of NBC-TV’s promos for the show has Berks County native... Music Music News Television John J. Moser 2009-11-06T07:02:22-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/sophomore-sean-kingston-disc-bodes-well-for-career-beyond-tomorrow-.html SEAN KINGSTON "TOMORROW" (EPIC) POP-REGGAE-HIP-HOP| When Sean Kingston topped the charts two years ago with his self-titled debut disc, you couldn’t help but fear his hit formula of adding island raps to samples of classics (Ben E. King’s “Stand by... Music Music News New CDs John J. Moser 2009-11-06T07:00:09-05:00 http://blogs.mcall.com/lehighvalleymusic/2009/11/jessie-james-others-set-free-show-to-mark-10-years-of-wachovia-arena-.html Hot country-pop singer Jessie James, who opened several dates for the Jonas Brothers on their world tour, will headline a free show Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. James,... Music Music News Wachovia Center John J. Moser 2009-11-06T01:29:00-05:00