Throwback Thursday

Believe it or not dreary rainy days haven’t been the only thing Boston’s been attracting lately. Our now perpetually damp city has also become a hot spot for music legends as well. Just last week, Sir Paul McCartney delivered a lively performance to thousands of fans at Fenway Park and that very same week Van Morrison brought his enchanting brand of bluesy-folk to the Wang Center, as he performed his 1968 masterpiece, Astral Weeks, in its entirety. Could it be the gray skies, and water logged streets luring these legends to our fair city? Probably not, but in any case enjoy this clip of Van “The Man” Morrison performing “Sweet Thing” live at the Hollywood Bowl in 2008. After almost 30 years, the Irish troubadour has still got it! Be sure to check out a review of his show last week at wers.org

Jesse Dee Brings Soul To Boston

Boston-based Jesse Dee at WERS studios. (Samantha Simon/WERS)

By Alex Schab

Jesse Dee was in the live mix studio today to play a set for WERS’s Local Music Week, bringing with him a slew of musicians.

Beside Jesse Dee in the packed studio, there was Steve Mossberg on keyboard, Jim Larkin on bass, Matthew Joi on guitar and Pie Beaulie on drums. When asked if this is his usual band, Jesse Dee replied with a smile. “When I’m lucky, yes,” he said. Together, they played three songs from Jesse Dee’s latest album, Bittersweet Batch. The three songs, “Remember Me”, “Around Here” and “Yet to Come” all had Jesse Dee making ample use of his simply astounding vocal ability. His voice resonates with soul and emotion, even as it reaches to the high ends of the scale.

As for words about Local Music Week, Jesse Dee had a lot of praise for the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge. The lounge, he says, is his favorite venue. “Energy generates from an intimate setting,” he says, “the audience is wrapped around you.”

Jesse Dee has an upcoming show with one of his idols, Etta James, May 8, at the House of Blues. To say he’s excited would be an understatement.

“I’m still pinching myself,” he says.