Souled Out at Blender Theater

James Hunter took the Blender Theater by storm last night. After a lovely set by Tift Merritt, Hunter and his 5-piece band played rhythm and blues grooves alternating with melodic ballads. These guys are tight and so hip! Then, New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint came out to sing and play a little electric piano. They did a rendition of Lee Dorsey's "Get Out Of My Life, Woman" followed by two Hunter originals off the new album 'The Hard Way,' which came out Tuesday.


Here's James spinning a yarn for Shore Fire's Matt Hanks and soul/jazz journalist Ashley Kahn.
















Whoa! James and indulge our zombie sides together!





It's been a busy week for James; Monday, he appeared on Conan O'Brien; Tuesday, he headlined World Cafe Live in Philly, Wednesday in NYC. This morning, James, GO Records' Steve Erdman, James' lovely mother Daphne, and I made our bleary-eyed way over to the CW11 Morning News, where James performed. Here he with CW11 entertainment anchor Emily Frances.

Bell X1 Takes Off

Joined Bell X1 on the set of Conan O'Brien with the fine folks of Yep Roc Records and Intrigue Management on Tuesday. Bell X1 sounded resplendent, singing their single "Rocky Took a Lover." The day also saw a recommendation from the Very Short List: "it's simply one of the best records we've heard in a long time."

Here's me on the set of Conan:



Here's Emily Bass, Steve Gardner and Jim LoGrando of Yep Roc in the green room:



Bell X1 completely blew away Joe's Pub on Wednesday. Paul and boys sounded amazing and the SRO crowd was riveted. I can't wait for their March 15 at the Bowery!