Merry Christmas Darling - A Carpenters Christmas

A few months back I was shooting a show up in Portland, Maine.  As is usually the case I was on my own.  As is also the case, when I'm alone I meet people.  This night was no different.  As I fiddled with my camera settings a nice gentleman with a kind and welcoming smile struck up a conversation.  Long story short, Mark Brett introduced himself and then introduced me to his lovely bride, Michelle Berting Brett.  The three of us just clicked.  Conversation was easy and it was a great night.

Now Michelle and Mark are two of the nicest people you'll ever want to meet.  They are also a match made in heaven.  Mark produces "We've Only Just Begun"  which is a renowned Carpenters tribute show that also includes Merry Christmas Darling - A Carpenters Christmas and the lovely Michelle stars in it!!  Oh what a voice she has!!!  

I was lucky enough to have run of the house for this show,  compliments of Mr. & Mrs. B, and for that I am so grateful!  The music of the Carpenters holds a special place in my heart.  Its the music of my childhood.  It's the music that causes a slow smile to spread across the faces of young and old alike.  It's music that warms the heart, and it certainly warmed mine.  

Thank you, Michelle, for sharing your talent and the sweet songs of the Carpenters with their forever fans!  Merry Christmas Darling!!

xoxo

Michelle

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Rodrigo y Gabriela at The Calvin Theater

Rodrigo y Gabriela at The Calvin Theater

by Michelle Cucchiaro

The road was long and empty and the scenery along the way showed signs of a still-beautiful-but-past-its-prime New England fall day. I was headed to the Calvin Theater in the little town of Northampton Mass. Northampton is in the western part of the state, a three hour drive from my home on the Northshore, and is in stark contrast to the hustling and bustling of  music venues in eastern Mass..........

To see my complete review and photo gallery of the show, click on the link below....

http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/portfolio-view/rodrigo-y-gabriela-calvin-theater/ 

See you at the show!

xoxo
Michelle

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Flyleaf Rocks TT the Bear's!

Flyleaf Rocks TT the Bear's!

by Michelle Cucchiaro

I was asked to head down to TT the Bear's in Cambridge to fill in for another photographer.  The artist(s) dujour was a band called Flyleaf.  Opening were a couple of other bands, notably Lullwater out of Georgia.  Honestly, I had no idea what I was in for as I'd never heard of the headlining Flyleaf despite the fact that they've been around for over a decade.   No worries, I brought them up on YouTube, liked what I saw and figured it would be a good night.  I'm always up for something new and you should be too. It's the only way to broaden your musical horizons.................

To see my complete review and my picture gallery in it's entirety, click below.....

http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/portfolio-view/flyleaf-rocks-tt-bears/

A few pics to get you rockin'...........

See you at the show!!!

xoxo
Michelle

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The Glitch Mob at House of Blues!!

Just a sneak peek at pics from last week's show at HOB!!  Loving the light show!

To see my complete album check out www.newenglandconcertreviews.com !!

Rock on!

Michelle

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CCR at Twin River Event Center

CCR...............

CCR put on a fantastic show at Twin River Event Center.  To see more great pics check out my complete album on New England Concert Review........

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/CCR-at-Twin-River-Event-Center

See you at the show!

Michelle

The Johnny Lang Band at The State Theater

The Johnny Lang Band..........

Johnny Lang

For more great pics of The Johnny Lang Band, see my complete album on New England Concert Review..........

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/Jonny-Lang-at-The-State-Theate

See you at the show!

Michelle

The Rich Robinson Band at The State Theater

The Rich Robinson Band.................

For more great pics of The Rich Robinson Band, see my complete album on New England Concert Review...........

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/Rich-Robinson-at-The-State-The

See you at the show!

Michelle

Daughtry at Toyota Oakdale Theater

Daughtry.....

Chris Daughtry

For more great pics of Daughtry, see my complete album on New England Concert Review...........

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/DAUGHTRY-at-The-Toyota-Oakdale

See you at the show!

Michelle

Goo Goo Dolls at Toyota Oakdale Theater

The Goo Goo Dolls............

John Rzeznik

For more great pics of the Goo Goo Dolls see my complete album on New England Concert Review............

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/GOO-GOO-DOLLS-at-Toyota-Oakdal

See you at the show!

Michelle

Snoop Dogg at The Portland Expo!!

Snoooooooooooooooooooop!

For more great pics of Snoop Dogg at the Portland Expo see my complete album on New England Concert Review............

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/Snoop-Dogg-at-The-Portland-Exp

See you at the show!

Michelle

Kurt Vile and the Violators at The State Theater

Check out Kurt Vile and the Violators..............

For more great pics of Kurt Vile and the Violators see my complete album on New England Concert Review at

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/Kurt-Vile-at-The-State-Theater/i-dfHPMfS

xoxo
Michelle

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Rod Stewart at Mohegan Sun, Review

It was Sunday, May 25th and I was in the presence of greatness.  I'd traveled to Uncasville, CT to shoot the Rod Stewart concert at Mohegan Sun and that alone would have been awesome enough but I would soon learn that my experience would be so much richer than I had originally anticipated.


I got there early and roamed the floor for appropriate vantage points and took a peek at the stage to try to get a feel for whoever the opener might be.  Among other things I saw two drum kits, a few sets of maracas and the expected guitar racks.   My curiosity got the better of me so I did what anyone would do, I asked a stage hand.  To my surprise and absolute delight I was informed that Carlos Santana was opening for Rod Stewart!  Whaaaaaaaaat!  How did I miss THAT?  Two icons in one night, it doesn't get any better than that!  Sweet!

Santana's stage was as you would expect it to be and much like his music--  A bit darker and earthy with splashes of color.  The music was rich. There were beautiful Latin undertones of both sight and sound.  There were grooves that took you away and caused your hips sway.  He played for 90 minutes straight and showed the fans that he is every bit as deserving of his multitude of Grammy awards than he ever was.  After 4 decades of wowing audiences around the world, he shows no signs of slowing down even at 67 years old!  Once an icon, always and icon.  Rock on Carlos!

A 30 minute intermission was completely necessary to totally transform the earthen glow of the Santana stage and vibe into the whitewashed crispness of the rockin' Rod experience.  A silver lame curtain dropped as Rod's dazzling darlings and fellow performers took to the stage.  As expected, they were equally as gorgeous as they were talented.  Clad in turquoise sequined mini-dresses they gave the appearance of sugar coated gumdrops dancing across the stark white stage.  Rod's voice filled the room before he appeared looking dapper as ever in a blue satin jacket.  Still sporting those signature tufts of blonde spikey hair, the man simply doesn't age.


I grew up listening to his music and his voice is as distinct and awesome as ever!  He took us on a stroll down memory lane singing fan favorites of every decade since the 70's.  The packed house new all the words and sang along to songs like Forever Young, Reason to Believe, You're in My Heart and, of course, Maggie May.  Hot Legs was a huge crowd pleaser as Rod showed off his own pair of hot legs and kicked dozens of soccer balls out to his adoring fans. Rod rocked the house with a full 90 minutes of melodic mastery so if you get the chance, this show is a must see!!  Rock on Rod!!

xoxo
Michelle

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Jenny Lewis at State Theater

I went north last week and caught a Jenny Lewis show up at the State Theater in Portland. Check it out......

For more great pics check out my complete album on New England Concert Review at

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/Jenny-Lewis-at-The-State-Theat/i-DvVP6wv

xoxo

Michelle

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Ray LaMontagne at the Cumberland County Civic Center

I absolutely love the music of Ray LaMontagne so when I had the chance to shoot this Nashua-born artist I was totally pumped!

For more great pics of Ray LaMontagne see my complete album on New England Concert Review at http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/concert-photographers-of-new-england/


xoxo
Michelle

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Salt-N-Pepa Push it Real Good at MIXX 360!

Well here's a blast from college years!!!  Salt-N-Pepa!!!  Push it Real Good!!!!

For more Salt-N-Pepa pics see my complete album on New England Concert Review!!!

http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/concert-photographers-of-new-england/

xoxo
Michelle

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Jason Isbell at Cumberland County Civic Center

Jason Isbell opened for Ray Lamontagne at the Cumberland County Civic Center.........

For more great pics of Jason see my complete album on New England Concert Review!!!

http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/concert-photographers-of-new-england/

xoxo
Michelle

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Cruisin' With Styx

During a recent vacation I had the opportunity to meet and shoot one of my favorite bands, STYX!

For more great pics of STYX check out my album on New England Concert Review at 

http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/concert-photographers-of-new-england/

xoxo
Michelle

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Santana at Mohegan Sun

For more great Santana pics see my album on New England Concert Review!

http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/concert-photographers-of-new-england/

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/Santana-at-Mohegan-Sun-CT

xoxo
Michelle

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Rod Stewart at Mohegan Sun

For more great pics see my album on New England Concert Review!


http://www.newenglandmusicnews.com/

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Rod-Stewart-at-Mohegan-Sun-CT

xoxo

Michelle

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It Feels Like the First Time, Oh Yes it Does!!!

It was a long, icy and snow covered drive to The State Theater in Portland, Maine.  The 4 hour treacherous commute didn't quite fit the dream I had had for my first professional concert shoot but it was well worthwhile in the end I assure you. It was Foreigner after all and come hell or high water (snow as it were) I was going to be there front and center.  The 4 hours were well spent as my thoughts drifted to their potential song list. You forget how many hits this epitome-of-the -80's rock band had until you stand before them as the greatness unfolds.

I thought I had a bit of time to spare despite Mother Nature's curve ball but luck was not on my side.  There was no opening band and that surprised me.  This is Foreigner and while anyone who breathes air knows who they are, they are still quite worthy of an opening act to warm the crowd and grow the anticipation.  As a concert goer I like that part, I like the idea of an opening act.  It gives the "new" band a great forum and an instant audience and it gives the audience exposure to new music. Win-win but not tonight folks.  Tonight was about instant gratification and Foreigner delivered, Foreigner always delivers.

I flew into the theater and Foreigner had already taken to the stage.  I rounded the velvet curtain that separated the lobby from the theater and proceeded down the aisle toward the stage all the while searching for Mick Jones.  Where was he?  Where was the lead guitarist, founder and only remaining "original member"?  When I didn't see him my mind momentarily drifted to the pre-concert chatter one often hears when a Foreigner concert is in town--"it's not the original band", "it's not Foreigner",  or "it won't be the same."  These ney-sayers have been saying the same thing for years and to them I say, ok then, go see a show and then tell me "it's not Foreigner" but I guarantee you that that ticket will be hard to come by because they are STILL selling out venues wherever they go and tonight's show was no different.

While Mick was not present, the talent that graced the stage was top notch and every bit as "Foreigner" as Foreigner ever was.  The line up included Kelly Hansen (formerly of Hurricane, with Foreigner since 2005) as lead vocalist, Michael Bluestein (Foreigner since 2008) on synthesizer/keys, Thom Gimbel (formerly of Aerosmith, with Foreigner since 1995) on flute, guitar, keys, and sax, Jeff Pilson (formerly of Dokken, with Foreigner since 2004), Chris Frazier (formerly of Whitesnake, with Foreigner since 2012), and Bruce Watson filling in for Mick Jones (with Foreigner since 2011) on lead guitar.

They played songs that the packed house came out to hear--Juke Box Hero, Cold as Ice, Dirty White Boy, Waiting for a Girl Like You and so many more.  They shared the stage with the local high school choir who sang back up for them during I Want to Know What Love Is, an experience those kids will not soon forget I'm sure. The moment that stopped me dead in my tracks and caused me to lower my camera and just listen was the moment when I heard the first few notes of It Feels Like the First Time.  It was in that moment that I looked around me and into the faces of my fellow 80's music junkies-- smiles spread across those faces, I could see that they were thinking the same thing that I was....  it really did feel like the very first time.

xo
Michelle

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Foreigner at The State Theater, Portland, Maine

For more photos from this phenomenal show, click the link below to see my album published on New England Concert Review!

http://www.newenglandconcertphotographers.com/Concert-Photography-2014/Foreigner-at-The-State-Theater/i-c2FGF5s

xo
Michelle

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MASS at Rain

I was at Rain in Malden the other night to see the voice of Ratt, Stephen Pearcy. MASS opened the show for him and put on quite an impressive show of their own.  I hadn't seen these guys before and I guess they've been around for years.  They're coming out with their 8th album and it'll be worth a trip to the music store to get your hands on it.  These guys were awesome!  Enjoy the pics and see you at the next show!

xo
Michelle

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