All stories by Scott McLennan on BroadwayStars

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Rock Concert Review: Bob Dylan at the Tsongas Center — Nothing if Not Chameleonic by Scott McLennan

But really, what is a Bob Dylan concert these days if not a case study in transformation? The post Rock Concert Review: Bob Dylan at the Tsongas Center — Nothing if Not Chameleonic appeare…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:03AM
Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Music Commentary: The Black Crowes — Redux? by Scott McLennan

When have the Robinsons ever done what was expected on them? And when have they ever really cared? The post Music Commentary: The Black Crowes — Redux? appeared first on The Arts Fuse.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:24AM
Monday, November 11, 2019

Music Preview: “Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly: The Rock ’n’ Roll Dream Tour” — Virtual Presence by Scott McLennan

Believe it or not, Buddy Holly is on tour with another deceased rock ’n’ roll pioneer -- Roy Orbison. The post Music Preview: “Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly: The Rock ’n’ Roll Dre…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:36AM
Sunday, September 29, 2019

Arts Remembrance: Robert Hunter, Lyricist for the Grateful Dead by Scott McLennan

Robert Hunter did as much to shape the sound and influence of the Grateful Dead as guitarist Jerry Garcia did. The post Arts Remembrance: Robert Hunter, Lyricist for the Grateful Dead appea…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:18AM
Friday, September 20, 2019

Music Preview: Guitarist Jimmy Herring — Seeking the Simple Root by Scott McLennan

Veteran guitarist Jimmy Herring and the 5 of 7 play groove-heavy tunes that barrel into unexpected and interesting places. The post Music Preview: Guitarist Jimmy Herring — Seeking the Sim…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 06:48PM
Monday, September 2, 2019

Rock Album Review: Tool’s “Fear Inoculum” –No Surprises by Scott McLennan

Fear Inoculum is not a bad album. It’s not a great album either, and Tool has made some great albums. The post Rock Album Review: Tool’s “Fear Inoculum” –No Surprises appeared firs…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:18PM
Sunday, September 1, 2019

Music Concert Review: The Mavericks at 30 — Digging into the Songbook by Scott McLennan

The last half-hour or so of any Mavericks concert is usually just about the happiest place to be on the planet. The post Music Concert Review: The Mavericks at 30 — Digging into the Songb…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:36PM
Sunday, August 25, 2019

Rock Concert Review: Mark Knopfler — Brilliant in Boston by Scott McLennan

Dire Straits and its string of hits made Mark Knopfler a well-known figure, but going solo gave him freedom to present a wider range songs. The post Rock Concert Review: Mark Knopfler — Br…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:18PM
Friday, August 23, 2019

Rock Concert Review: Hot Tuna and Dave Mason at the Wilbur by Scott McLennan

With a powerful partnership, the possibilities for Hot Tuna, it seems, are endless. The post Rock Concert Review: Hot Tuna and Dave Mason at the Wilbur appeared first on The Arts Fuse.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:24AM
Monday, July 29, 2019

Music Preview: Tribute to Jerry Garcia — An Homage to his Musical Spirit by Scott McLennan

“They created an alternative to the pop music model, and it’s been very powerful. It’s a whole world unto itself.” The post Music Preview: Tribute to Jerry Garcia — An Homage to hi…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 02:54PM
Saturday, July 27, 2019

Rock Concert Review: Steve Miller Band with Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives by Scott McLennan

The most accurate name for this summer's Steve Miller/Marty Stuart tour would be “When Two Music Geeks Collide.” The post Rock Concert Review: Steve Miller Band with Marty Stuart and His…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:36AM
Monday, June 24, 2019

Music Review: Dead & Company — Rethinking the Grateful Dead Legacy by Scott McLennan

Avoiding pat formulas and enlisting unexpected aides de camp are probably the only ways that Bob Weir and his fellow founding Grateful Dead mates can avoid turning into a stale nostalgia act…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:48PM
Monday, April 15, 2019

Concert Review: Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets — The Early Brilliance of Pink Floyd by Scott McLennan

Drummer Nick Mason and his four non-Floyd bandmates turned Boston's Orpheum Theater into a psychedelic palace. The post Concert Review: Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets — The Early Bril…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:32PM
Monday, March 11, 2019

Rock Interview: The Flesh Eaters Redux by Scott McLennan

The Flesh Eaters have returned with renewed vitality, after it hit some troughs and sputtered to a near stop. The post Rock Interview: The Flesh Eaters Redux appeared first on The Arts Fuse.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:15AM
Thursday, February 14, 2019

Rock CD Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band Provides “Signs” of the Time by Scott McLennan

This studio outing emphasizes superb ensemble playing; the results in a beguiling album in which just about every note shines. The post Rock CD Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band Provides “…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:48PM
Monday, January 7, 2019

Rock Preview: Lettuce — Stirring up a “Witches Stew” at the House of Blues by Scott McLennan

"I want our music to be genre-less. Actually I want it to be genre-more.”

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:54AM
Thursday, December 27, 2018

Music Year End Feature: The Dead Lives! — In So Many Ways by Scott McLennan

The Grateful Dead’s music is moving forward with the help of musicians who are OK with the occasional look back over their shoulders.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 10:06AM
Sunday, November 11, 2018

Music Review: Kamasi Washington — A Vibrant Taste of Heaven and Earth by Scott McLennan

Kamasi Washington's music connected viscerally with a Royale audience that was packed with young people -- or at least way younger than those normally seen at a jazz concert.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:12AM
Thursday, September 20, 2018

Book Review: “Heavy Duty: Days and Nights in Judas Priest” by Scott McLennan

K.K. Downing does not trash Judas Priest or its legacy, but he gives, from his perspective, an honest and believable assessment of the group and his role in it.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:54AM
Friday, September 14, 2018

Concert Review: Van Morrison — Working in Overdrive by Scott McLennan

There were moments during Van Morrison’s 22-song concert Tuesday when he was whipping the band into a frenzy -- shouting out song selections before the final notes of the previous tune had…

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 06:18PM
Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Rock Preview: Dawes — Never Predictable by Scott McLennan

The group's songs range from the cynical to the sweet without losing their sincerity, and that may be Dawes’ most defining trait as it shifts its musical focal point.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 03:36PM
Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Rock Homage: Farewell, Slayer — Metal to the Core by Scott McLennan

Slayer has been as good and dependable as any band ever has been in rock and roll.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:48AM
Thursday, July 12, 2018

CD Review: Cowboy Junkies — Time for a Reckoning by Scott McLennan

You know a Cowboy Junkies tune the second that you hear it, but the songs don’t come off as formulaic or produced for mass consumption.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:12AM
Monday, July 9, 2018

Music Review: Wheels of Soul 2018 — An Impassioned Trio of Bands by Scott McLennan

This edition of Wheels of Soul works just fine as a display of post-Allman Brothers Band/post-Lynyrd Skynyrd/ post-Tom Petty musical sensibilities shaped in the South.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 12:12PM
Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Festival Preview: Disc Jam — Still Showcasing Freedom Music by Scott McLennan

The best festivals, like Disc Jam, build and deliver music-fueled experiences.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 09:42AM
Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Music Feature: Alt-Country Singer Kelly Willis — Blue Again by Scott McLennan

“I’m happy with where I am in my career. I know what I want to do and can do it. I just enjoy it.”

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 11:54AM
Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Rock Interview: Gozu — Multifaceted Heavy Metal by Scott McLennan

It’s not a bad time to be performing back-to-the-boogie heavy metal music anywhere in the world.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 08:36AM
Thursday, March 8, 2018

Music Review: Bob Weir & Phil Lesh — Together, At Times by Scott McLennan

On the occasions that Bob Weir and Phil Lesh performed as a legitimate duo the concert attained some of its more transcendent peaks.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 01:56PM
Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Music Feature: The New Funk of Ripe — Making Happiness a “Heavy Emotion” by Scott McLennan

Here we are more than a year into the tumultuous Trump era, and we have not seen a revival of angry punk or righteous folk.

SOURCE: The Arts Fuse at 07:03PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards