I traveled to New York City a few weeks ago to check out Amber Rubarth for a new project I am working on. The rising singer songwriter was performing at the intimate Rockwood Music Hall and I was looking forward to seeing her based on what I heard on MySpace and saw on YouTube. Sometimes you can't fully tell from those media how someone actually translates live in person. However, Amber translated just fine.

Indeed, more than just fine. She was fantastic. I saw first hand why she has over 400,000 page views and counting on her MySpace profile. She is a gifted songwriter with a terrific stage presence who will no doubt continue to woo fans from coast to coast. Amber's set ranged from the appropriately titled "You Will Love This Song" to the playful diddy like "23", to her soulful emoting on "Washing Day," co-written with Adam Levy.



Levy is best known for his tenure as the featured guitarist in Norah Jones' Handsome Band. He played on Norah's Come Away with Me, Feels Like Home, and her latest disc Not Too Late. Adam also wrote "In the Morning" from Feels Like Home. Adam has accompanied onstage and/or in the studio various musical luminaries like Rosanne Cash, Amos Lee, M. Ward, and up-and-coming Aussie artist Eran James.

I have to admit I didn't know Levy's solo work prior to Amber leading me on a seemingly never ending walk through the Lower East Side around midnight that took us to a neat little place called "Banjo Jims" where Levy was playing. Adam and Amber dueted (is that a word?) quite nicely, but I was equally impressed with Levy and his band. Beyond himself being a great songwriter, Adam has some impressive guitar chops. "Behind Close Doors" and "In The Morning" are among Levy's standouts.

Both of these NYC gems are worth seeing. You can catch them at various Big Apple haunts throughout the year. But, if you're adventurous trek to Sundance this week to see Adam or if you're wondering where to take this year's big vacation Amber will be making various spots in France a bit more interesting later this spring. No matter where you see them I have no doubt you'll be glad you did.

Labels: Adam Levy, Amber Rubarth, Norah Jones