Gordon Elgart – Page 17 – Spinning Platters

Show Review: Bell Biv Devoe at Yoshi’s SF, 12/23/2010

BBD — This is what they looked like. No idea who the smiling guy in the hat is.

When I thought about what to expect out of a Bell Biv Devoe show at a jazz club in 2010, I thought this: a 12-minute version of “Poison,” a 10-minute version of “Do Me!”, an instrumental jam by the band and a medley of everything else. “What about New Edition? I bet they do a lot of that,” remarked one friend. What about them? What does a Bell Biv Devoe show look like in 2010? The short answer: it looks like MTV in 1990. The long answer? Continue reading “Show Review: Bell Biv Devoe at Yoshi’s SF, 12/23/2010”

Spinning Platters Presents the Official List of the Top 10 Albums of 2010

0250 — No, it's not an album, but what you see here sure helped one album make our list.

by The Spinning Platters Staff

Unlike last year, we spent more than a month at the Spinning Platters offices (our homes) passing albums around to try to determine a staff list of the Top abums of 2010. We were going for “Top 10 and ties,” and that ended up at exactly 10. There was a nomination step, a finalist selection step, a final voting step, and then we had a list. No list is perfect, but ours is not only pretty darned good, it also manages to represent the wide variety of musical tastes among our team here (i.e. some of us hate some of these albums). Now, read and enjoy our Top 10 for 2010. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Presents the Official List of the Top 10 Albums of 2010”

Show Review: Monsters of Accordion Featuring Jason Webley at Slim’s, 12/18/2010

JW_Pear — Jason Webley holds a pear over his head. If you're a fan, this makes sense.

At Slim’s Saturday night was the San Francisco stop of the 5th Annual Monsters of Accordion tour. For me, it was my first annual. For although I’ve never been to one of these shows before, I am absolutely sure to go again. This was a fun night with a lively crowd, and something I intend to repeat soon. Very soon, in fact, for there is a secret additional Monsters of Accordion show this Tuesday night in Oakland. Want to know where? Better read on … Continue reading “Show Review: Monsters of Accordion Featuring Jason Webley at Slim’s, 12/18/2010”

Album Review (with bonus movie talk): Daft Punk – TRON: Legacy Original Soundtrack

I’m a fan of the original 1982 movie TRON, even though I’m aware it’s kinda crappy. So I’ve been following the TRON: Legacy hype pretty closely for the last few years. And when I was sent Daft Punk’s TRON: Legacy Original Soundtrack for review, I immediately emailed our lead film reviewer, Jason LeRoy, and called dibs when he got his tickets for a preview screening. Then I began listening to Daft Punk’s film score to get myself psyched. And it worked. I was psyched. Continue reading “Album Review (with bonus movie talk): Daft Punk — TRON: Legacy Original Soundtrack”

Show Review: Os Mutantes, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Teen Inc. and Diva at The Regency Ballroom, 11/30/2010

At the Regency Ballroom on Tuesday night was one of the unsatisfyingly satisfying shows I’ve been to in a long time. There were some great music, some pretty decent music, some bad music, and a whole lot of empty room. This all combined to make for a fun night, but in the end a fairly poor showcase for the bands on the bill. I wish a better future for all of them, but this one was odd. Continue reading “Show Review: Os Mutantes, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Teen Inc. and Diva at The Regency Ballroom, 11/30/2010”

Show Review: Bloody Beetroots with Pance Party at Mezzanine, 11/2/2010

On Monday night, the city celebrated (and rioted a bit). And on Tuesday night, some of those people celebrated (and rioted a bit) at The Mezzanine for another energetic show by The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77, the in-your-face live version of the noted Italian DJs. And while the audience was pumped and ready for the show, the venue itself had no idea what they were in for. And it showed. For a mosh pit was about to happen at The Mezzanine, and not a soul seemed to be prepared. Continue reading “Show Review: Bloody Beetroots with Pance Party at Mezzanine, 11/2/2010”

Show Review: Lucha VaVOOM at The Fillmore, 10/31/2010

Lucha Queen — Lucha, VaVoom or both? Depends on your perspective.

A music blog reviewing a wrestling show? I thought the same thing moments after I agreed to review Lucha VaVOOM at The Fillmore on Halloween. But I had seen this event on the calendar multiple times, always thought about going, and figured there’s certainly going to be enough musical content to warrant a review. While apart from the theme music of Los Pollos Locos there wasn’t much music to talk about, I did find a whole lot of fun. Continue reading “Show Review: Lucha VaVOOM at The Fillmore, 10/31/2010”

Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival – Sunday 10/17/2010

1333 — Monotonix did not get the memo on the San Francisco weather

I sent out an email to everyone from Spinning Platters that went to the Treasure Island Music Festival on Sunday. I asked them to send me back something about their favorite act from the day. From some people, I got nothing, but from nearly everyone who responded, I got the same news. Belle & Sebastian was their favorite act. So you’re about to read mainly a Belle & Sebastian love-fest, and look at a whole lot of pictures of Monotonix. And other than the rainy, windy, cold conditions and some energetic sets from Surfer Blood, Superchunk and Rogue Wave, that’s my biggest takeaway, too. Continue reading “Staff Picks from Treasure Island Music Festival — Sunday 10/17/2010”

Day 1 of Treasure Island Music Festival 2010 – Instant Band Reviews

Nick Offer of !!! wants you to read this now!

Sure, one could write hundreds of words about each band on the bill at the Treasure Island Music Festival, but then the entire comment section would be filled with a lot of “tl;dr” comments, which aren’t much fun. And I could write a “best-of” post, which basically translates to “I took a nap during Jamaica’s set.” Instead, in the tradition of our fan-favorite Instant Album Reviews columns, I instantly review Saturday Treasure Island Music Festival, with the help of some great photos from David Price. Continue reading “Day 1 of Treasure Island Music Festival 2010 — Instant Band Reviews”

The Insiders’ Guide to the Treasure Island Music Festival (Updated for 2010)

No, I'm not sure how to get to where this picture was taken. — Still no idea how to get to where this picture was taken.

(This post is about a year old, but I’ve made some updates for 2010)

This weekend’s Treasure Island Music Festival has quickly become my favorite musical event of the year. There are no conflicting set times, so you can see everyone on the bill. The size of the festival is fairly small, so it’s easy to get around. The setting in the middle of San Francisco Bay is absolutely stunning. And something about all of these combine to keep the people going in a relaxed, pleasant mood that makes being there all the more enjoyable.

Now, you might think going to this festival is as easy as hopping in your car and going to the festival to enjoy some music, but you’d be wrong. Read on, and I’ll teach you how to avoid rookie mistakes. Continue reading “The Insiders’ Guide to the Treasure Island Music Festival (Updated for 2010)”