Art Garfunkel Amaturo Theater, Broward Center for the Performing Arts February 21, 2014 Better than: Simon and Garfunkel? Predictably no. Art Garfunkel in his prime? Again, no. Art Garfunkel, three years prior when he was robbed of his voice? Decidedly yes. Three years ago, a mysterious malady robbed Art Garfunkel…

Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman shares observations, insights, and updates relating to South Florida’s musical environs. This week, Lee’s weirder encounters…

 In the world of music journalism, an otherwise run-of-the mill meeting with a rock star can suddenly become awkward. Take these scenarios as examples… Those old…

It ought to come as no real surprise that certain outfits are embracing the cover band concept and reaping rewards as a result. Consequently, there’s a veritable cottage industry that flourishes via tributes to the Beatles (natch), Pink Floyd, the Eagles, Led Zeppelin (led by the son of drummer John…

“Hello! Who could this be?” The voice — THAT voice — at the other end of the line sounds remarkably reassuring, especially considering the fact that it belongs to one of the greatest singers and most revered musical icons of the past fifty years. “It’s Lee,” I respond. “And who…

After 31 years as bassist and sometimes vocalist for Late Show With David Letterman’s musical ensemble, WIll Lee would seem to have more than enough activity to take up his time. Still, considering the more than 1,700 sessions he’s played over the course of his career — for luminaries like…

Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions, and observations about the local scene. This week: aching for the ’80s. Hey, kids, remember the ’80s? That era of big hair, leisure suits, and Phil Collins? Yeah, a lot of Phil Collins. Maybe too much Phil Collins,…

Call it the mountain muse, the happiness of the heights, or maybe it’s simply the mix of altitude with attitude. Whatever the case, Yonder Mountain Band consistently captures that spirit, a connection that has more to do than with their name alone. Notoriously independent, they blend the frenzy of bluegrass…

Unlike many outfits who take years to reap their just rewards, Band of Heathens worked their way into the spotlight fairly quickly. It wasn’t that they had any grand designs early on, or even had any thoughts about becoming a band in the first place. What began initially as a…

Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions, and observations about the local scene. This week: Jim Wurster returns with his boldest effort yet. Jim Wurster can claim credit as one of South Florida’s most original musicians, not simply because he possesses a singular sound but,…

Jorma Kaukonen is a genuine musical journeyman, a man whose trajectory has all but ensured his musical immortality. As a member of both the Jefferson Airplane and its bluesy offshoot Hot Tuna, which he formed with bassist and longtime friend Jack Casady, his name is forever ingrained in the annals…

The accolades given the Coen Brothers for their fictional “biography” Inside Llewyn Davis are definitely well-deserved. But the biggest rewards the film will reap will likely be those shared with the real-life folk singers who came of age in the early ’60s and extended their influence onward over the successive…

With so few venues for folk music, the chances the genre have to take root seem slim indeed. Fortunately, there are those troupers who persevere when it comes to bringing that sound to those that desire it, both artists and entrepreneurs determined to give folk music a place to thrive…

Billy Joel isn’t your average rocker. And that’s not simply because he has accumulated more hits than any dozen other rock folk combined. While he boasts many of the same qualities that typify your average rock star – a penchant for drinking too much, his habit of wrecking expensive cars,…

There’s nothing like a Jam Cruise to kick off the new year in style, complete with free-flowing musical expression, an abundance of good vibes, and the endless partying and self-indulgence that music cruises have become so famous for. But don’t bother trying to book now. The 2014 cruise is already…

South Florida seems to have become quite the magnet for music festivals lately. There’s the burgeoning worldwide popularity of the Winter Music Conference and Ultra Music Festival, not to mention this year’s debut of Tortuga and the annual gains being made by the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival. Add to that…

Music vet and New Times scribe Lee Zimmerman offers his insights, opinions and observations about the local scene. This week: How to screw up your kid from day one. The holiday season is only now getting underway. but it’s the perfect time to pick out a musical gift for any…