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Taylor Swift, Graham Parker and John Fogerty Play Manhattan

By DNAinfo Staff on November 16, 2011 7:06am

By Daniel Jumpertz 

Special to DNAinfo

MANHATTAN — "Besides sports, it's hard to think of too many professions where you're so often viewed as used-up in your early 20s." I read this on the NPR music blog — they were referencing singer-songwriter A.A. Bondy, who is resurrecting his music career after playing in Verbena, a young and promising '90s band which broke up after failing to "make it big" in the post-Nirvana, major-label gold rush. Of course, many bands, even those who once graced the pinnacle of the pop music charts, continue to plug away decades after they first entered public consciousness. 

While many artists struggle to replicate the highs of their youth, some attain something akin to a musical wisdom that infuses their songs with another dimension which becomes apparent when viewed in concert. In this category I would place former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty and English pop-punk songwriter Graham Parker. Both are performing in New York City this week and playing songs that have the stamina to go the distance.

Wednesday November 16

Influential American art and experimental music composers Laurie Anderson & Phillip Glass headline an eclectic bill at Santos Party House for the NYC Filmmakers Co-operative 50th Anniversary benefit concert. Also try your luck bidding at the original art silent auction. Doors open at 7 p.m. 

Thursday November 17

John Fogerty refused to play any of Creedence Clearwater Revival's famous songs (which he wrote) for 25 years after his band's bitter 1972 split. But time heals old wounds. On Thursday, Fogerty will be playing the 1970 Creedence classic album "Cosmo's Factory" in its entirety. The album was a number one hit in the U.S., United Kingdom and Australia and contained an embarrasment of riches including; "Lookin' Out My Back Door", "Run Through the Jungle", "Up Around the Bend", "Who'll Stop the Rain", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," and "Long as I Can See the Light". Friday night he'll be playing 1969's "Green River" at the Beacon Theatre

Friday November 18

Bouncy Aussie indie synth-poppers Architecture In Helsinki play Irving Plaza, celebrating the release of their "Moment Bends" album. Check out this music video of Cameron Bird from the band swimming with dolphins on the track "W.O.W" from the album. 

Saturday November 19

Hard hitting Atlanta metal rockers Mastodon will be playing tracks from their fifth studio album, "The Hunter," at Terminal 5 on Saturday. "The Hunter" has deservedly become their highest charting album. Check out the trippy video from the opening single of the album, "Curl Of The Burl" here

Sunday November 20

London-born Graham Parker prowled stages in the mid to late '70s like a pop-punk preacher. His band Graham Parker and The Rumour were responsible for some of the most incisive sonic gems of the era on albums like "Heat Treatment" and "Squeezing Out Sparks." Neither punk nor pop, he created taut, anthemic tunes that borrowed from reggae, rock and sixties pop, not unlike fellow countrymen XTC. Although Parker has garnered critical acclaim throughout his career he has only enjoyed mild commercial success Stateside, with only the "Squeezing Out Sparks" (1979) and "Up The Escalator" (1980) scraping into the US Top 40 album chart. For a peek at Parker at his finest check out this version of "Hey Lord Don't Ask Me Questions." According to Rolling Stone Magazine, longtime Parker fan and movie director Judd Apatow is featuring Graham Parker and the Rumour in an upcoming movie.  At Iridium (also Sat & Mon).

Monday November 21

Taylor Swift's latest (and third) album "Speak Now" debuted on top of the charts and sold over one million copies in its first week on sale. Every song was written by Taylor and the album has received great reviews. Sonically, the album is less country than her previous outings and a more pure guitar pop experience. Her shows at Madison Square Garden conclude a world tour for the record that began in late 2010. Also Tuesday. 

Tuesday November 22 - PICK OF THE WEEK

A.A. Bondy play throbbing, swampy indie rock and are the creation of singer songwriter Scott Bondy. Scott's first big shot in the music business was as vocalist and writer with the band Verbena, who released three albums (two on major label Columbia) between 1997 and 2003. They disbanded in 2003. After taking a break to get his head together, Scott started recording as A.A. Bondy and has since recorded three full-length albums, the latest being "Believers." Spin Magazine has described "Believers" as "deceptively austere alt folk ... ludicrously gorgeous, vaporous, and reverb-caressed, like the hushed, almost unbearable intimacy of pre-fame Cat Power." And I ain't gonna argue with that. A highly recommended show at the Bowery Ballroom.