Review: Rock & Roll Oracle Cards by NYC's Math and Medium

By A.D. AMOROSI

Since the 15th century, reading tarot cards has moved beyond its origins in fun and games. With its allegorical art work and its means of divination based on certain characters, tarot cards became a way for believers to seek spiritual guidance from those who knew how to read them. Now, in the 21st century, Natalie Mertz - the founder of NYC’s Math and Medium graphic design and branding firm – is nudging the form into the future with the newly-released Rock & Roll Oracle Card Deck of 40 illustrated cards with full holographic backing.  According to Mertz and her Rock & Roll Oracle Card Deck, the high priests and priestesses of the present day include Grace Jones, Elton John, George Harrison and Miles Davis.

Interview: Don Jamieson from VH1's 'That Metal Show'

By A.D. AMOROSI

Don Jamieson has had so many careers and interests, it’s hard to focus on just one. Behind the scenes, Jamieson produced and wrote for HBO’s Inside the NFL, penned the screenplays for the Apt. 2f series, and crafted one-liners for raunchy comedian Lisa Lampanelli. He even played guitar in acoustic hardcore punk bands. Yet, it's his work in heavy metal (co-hosting VH1's That Metal Show and collaborating on the BlondeAndCrossbones website) and comedy performances (albums of prank calls and caustic stand-up routines) where Jamieson truly lets his hair down as he'll do this weekend at Philadelphia's Helium Comedy Club.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel Talks to The Killers; Rips Graham-Cassidy Bill

By REESE AMOROSI

When it comes to the nightly talk show wars, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been winning 2017’s ratings battles. However, when it comes to making marks beyond comedy, it’s the titular host of Jimmy Kimmel Live who is on top. This Fall, Kimmel showed off his music smarts by interviewing The Killers in September’s Magnet Magazine. On the political front, Kimmel’s monologues against Graham-Cassidy, a bill by Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy meant to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, is credited with helping sway state senators’ constituency to speak out. On September 27, Kimmel’s healthcare rants helped him snag a rare ratings win among adults 18-49. As for the Graham-Cassidy Bill? It’s toast.

El Compadre Restaurant to Launch Taller Grafica Popular Art Show

By A.D. AMOROSI

When immigration rights activists and wedded restaurateurs Cristina Martinez and Benjamin Miller opened shop, part of their goal was to act as presenters of the art of protest. The marrieds presented gallery shows at their former restaurant, South Philly Barbacoa (just off East Passyunk Avenue’s culinary mile), and now at El Compadre in the Italian Market.

Interview: Gina Yashere Discusses Stand-up, Improv and Sketch Comedy

By A.D. AMOROSI

With her gravelly voice, wide eyes and offbeat sense of humor, Gina Yashere is one of Great Britain’s most recognizable comedians. The London-born, Nigerian performer appeared on the Blouse & Skirt panel program and the Lenny Henry in Pieces sketch comedy series in the UK, then moved to the United States in 2009, and became a regular on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  Despite her sketch comedy success, it is stand-up comedy that is her signature. We spoke to Ms. Yashere via phone to talk about her work on both continents.

Interview: Missy Suicide of SuicideGirls on Touring and Empowerment

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Record Store Day Celebrates 10th Anniversary

By A.D. AMOROSI

When Record Store Day (RSD) started 10 years ago, it immediately became a great way for labels and artists to show their appreciation to their vinyl fans who loved the form, feel and pure sound of vintage LPs and 7-inch singles. Eventually, the masses embraced vinyl again; Forbes Magazine reports that sales shot up to nearly $1 billion by 2017.  On April 22, RSD 10 has its grand brand ambassador (St. Vincent), its honoree (Elton John) and finally, comedians to cherish (George Carlin, John Cleese).

HBO’s 'Big Little Lies' Soundtrack Hits No. 1 on iTunes

By A.D. AMOROSI

The only thing as haunting and suspenseful as the finale of HBO’s Big Little Lies limited series starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz, is its harrowing soundtrack, a digital-only release from ABKCO Records that hit #1 on the iTunes soundtrack chart (and #3 among all albums) on April 3.

Philly’s Most Romantic Valentine’s Day Date: Morrissey Karaoke

By A.D. AMOROSI

Of all the grandly romantic things you can do - and all the money you could spend doing so – for Valentine’s Day 2017, one of the most curious events is its most musical and lyrical: a night spent dancing, drinking and doing karaoke to the sad songs of Morrissey and The Smiths with MOZZAOKE. The party is at TLA (Theatre of Living Arts), 334 South Street, starting at 7 PM,  and the cost of admission is $8. The music of Morrissey, solo or with The Smiths, has always revealed the deepest of yearnings while remaining cleverly caustic. What could be better then, than lifting your voice in song to “Hairdresser on Fire” or “Every Day is like Sunday?”

Loving and Hating the 2017 Grammy Awards

By A.D. AMOROSI

On a yearly basis, critics, industry insiders and viewers ask the musical question, “Are the Grammy Awards relevant?”  For the 2017 Grammy Awards hosted by James Corden (The Late Show), there is controversy, with some artists declining to attend due to lack of diversity; there are triumphs, like Chance the Rapper’s historic nomination for his streaming-only album and Sturgill Simpson's spot in the Best Album category; and there are blunders, like David Bowie being relegated to the “Alternative Music” categories. Here's what we’re loving and hating about The 59th Annual Grammy Awards including our Grammy drinking game.

Best Albums of 2016: This Year's New Classics

By A.D. AMOROSI

It has been a hard year for music with so many beloved icons passing away: David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Alphonse Mouzon, Merle Haggard, Prince, Sharon Jones, Leon Russell and George Michael are among the greats we've lost. Despite such sadness, 2016 was a year of brilliant and inventive recordings, two of which came from Bowie and Cohen, who died after releasing wise, world-weary work as last wills and testaments to their genius. They top our list of 2016's best albums: read on for my baker's dozen of this year's new classics.

Like Mother, Like Daughter: A Conversation with Debbie Reynolds

By A.D. AMOROSI

The world barely had time to mourn the death of actor-author Carrie Fisher – a woman famed for roles ranging from her iconic Princess Leia in the Star Wars saga to the recent comedy series Catastrophe, and books including Postcards from the Edge (also a film released in 1990) and The Princess Diarist – before her mother, Debbie Reynolds, passed away. Renowned for her boundless energy and roles in classics such as Singin' in the Rain, The Tender Trap and her Oscar-nominated turn as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Reynolds was a queen of Hollywood with Fisher as her princess. In January 1997, I met with Ms. Reynolds to interview her about her title role in the Albert Brooks film, Mother, for the now-defunct Philadelphia City Paper.

Childish Gambino's Stunning 'Awaken, My Love!' Debuts at Number 1

By A.D. AMOROSI

There has been much to hail in 2016 when it comes it music and television, but only one man had such a fascinating lock on both mediums with equal doses of daring and brilliance: Donald Glover. His FX Network series Atlanta was a subtle, assured socio-political comic triumph. Just as engaging, Glover’s newest album, Awaken, My Love!, recorded as his alter-ego Childish Gambino, ends the year with soulful, stylish, stunning and sexy innovation. Gambino made a real show of such sensuality on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on December 14, with a shirtless performance of the jittery, Prince-like “Redbone.”

Review: Haunted Historic Colonial Williamsburg Virginia by Tim Scullion

By REESE AMOROSI

Although American Horror Story: My Roanoke Nightmare recently aired its finale, fans of haunted houses don't have to travel far for a scare. Just 150 miles north of Roanoke, North Carolina, lies Williamsburg, Virginia, and within it, Historic Colonial Williamsburg, an area so reportedly rife with paranormal activity that there are guided ghost tours. While working as a tour guide, author and photographer Tim Scullion was inspired to document sightings, and this led to his latest book, Haunted Historic Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia: with Breakthrough Ghost Photography.

Saying 'I Do' with Celebrity Wedding Officiants

By A.D. AMOROSI

We've noticed a wealth of weddings officiated by someone not ordained or elected – not a priest, rabbi, judge, mayor or ship’s captain – but rather, someone regal in his own fashion. Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead married Live Nation's Geoff Gordon and Sayeeda Kibria (now Gordon) between sets during his show at Philadelphia's Tower Theatre. Good Day Philadelphia host Mike Jerrick presided as Mix 106.1 FM’s Timothy “Chio in the Morning” Acosta re-married his wife Shawn. Throughout November, Grammy-nominated blues pop singer Elle King will be marrying couples during her "Matrimony Tour."

Review: Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks

Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks

By A.D. AMOROSI

To most people, singer Bobby Rydell is a happy voice from their past, a joyful, rock n' rolling presence best known for early 60s hits such as "Volare" and "Wild One" as well as Hollywood musicals such as 1963's Bye Bye Birdie. Now, you can add author to that list as the crooner – with fellow musician and writer Allan Slutsky – has penned and published his autobiography Bobby Rydell: Teen Idol on the Rocks.

Hall & Oates to Stream Concert from Camden's BB&T Pavilion

L to R: Hall & Oates celebrate platinum sales with execs Jeremy Holiday and Adam Block (Legacy Recordings) and manager Jonathan Wolfson

By A.D. AMOROSI

Daryl Hall and John Oates may not currently spend much time (OK, any time) recording new music as a duo. Yet, as Hall & Oates, the Philadelphia-born, blue-eyed-soul twosome continue to create new work apart, host new milestones as a unit and tour together. On Sunday, July 10, 2016 beginning at 9 PM EST, the newest Hall & Oates show will stream live from Camden, NJ's BB&T Pavillion exclusively on Yahoo Music. Live Nation TV will present the July 10 show with a stream lasting for 24 hours at this Yahoo.com link. To see Hall & Oates tour in person (with opening acts Trombone Shorty and Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings) visit Ticketmaster.com.

Lakaye Studio Brings Henna and Jagua Tattoos to the Masses

By REESE AMOROSI

Mehndi, the practice of temporarily staining the skin with plant-based dyes – usually ground henna leaves – is an ancient art with origins in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Many people associate mehndi with India, where pre-wedding celebrations often include ceremonies to paint intricate designs on brides (and sometimes grooms). In the 1990s, mehndi became popular in the West, largely due to being seen on celebrities like Madonna and Liv Tyler, and is now appreciated by a new wave of patrons and practitioners who often call the designs "henna tattoos." Along with using henna that results in a reddish-brown stain, Lakaye Studio offers jagua, a gel that develops into a blue-black color.

Interview: Andrew Bird on Old Songs, New Songs and Fiona Apple

Andrew Bird

By A.D. AMOROSI

Violinist, composer and singer Andrew Bird has been making swinging, folkish, art pop as a soloist since 1996. Beginning with his first album, Music of Hair, and continuing with each recording and project (e.g. the soundtrack of the Louis C.K. produced FX Network sitcom Baskets) proving to be more intriguing than the last. No less is true of his newly released Are You Serious album, one that finds him singing his most personal, least cryptic lyrics yet (getting married and having a son can do that), crooning a duet with Fiona Apple and generally sounding as if he's loving life more than ever.

New Documentary Focuses on Career of Musician Kenn Kweder

Kenn Kweder

By A.D. AMOROSI

With Adventures of a Secret Kidd: The Mass Hallucination of Kenn Kweder, documentary director John Hutelmyer has created a literate, harrowing, comic piece about one of the East Coast's most legendary folk rock heroes, Kenn Kweder. The film premieres Friday, March 25, at Philadelphia's International House in University City with several screenings, Q&A sessions and an acoustic showcase by the titular singer-songwriter.