Donna the Buffalo News & Rumors

April 2006 Just Added: More Photos From Albany 4/6/06 Brendon Layton has generously been contributing his photographs to DonnaFans.com for almost a year now. Unlike many others, Brendon shoots film, not digital, and the results are always eye-pleasing, as evidenced by his 10 photos of DtB performing in Albany, NY on 4/6/06. Brendon shot this show with his Canon EOS Elan 7e camera, Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens, and Fuji NPZ 800 film. About the show, he wrote "Albany was a fantastic time. I don't think I've ever seen Donna play in a space quite like that before. Mystic Water and 40 Days & 40 Nights were excellent. I really enjoyed having that extra space to move around, because the next night in Rochester was shoulder-to-shoulder people in a packed house, a totally different experience." Thanks for the photos, Brendon, and I hope to meet you soon. (posted 4/23/06) DtB's Heading To NC And FL On Wednesday, 4/19, Donna the Buffalo will embark on a tour of the southeast that will last for the remainder of April. First stop is the Sunrise Theater in Southern Pines, NC for a show on 4/19 that will precede the band's Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in Silk Hope, NC, where DtB and more than 60 bands will grace the stage from 4/20 through 4/23. After a day off, the band heads to FL for gigs in Tallahassee (4/25), Jacksonville Beach (4/26), Ft. Lauderdale (4/27), and St. Petersburg (4/28 and 4/29). As always, the best source for info on the band's schedule is the Tour Dates page of their official site, www.donnathebuffalo.com. (posted 4/18/06) Just Added: Review Of Albany 4/6/06 Donna the Buffalo always seems to pull out all the stops for the Albany, NY area, and their show at the Washington Avenue Armory earlier this month was no exception. With fill-in keyboardist Dave McCracken, the band turned in another one of those performances that makes you glad you made the trip. I finally got around to posting my review of DtB's gig in Albany on 4/6/06, and will follow it shortly with my take on the NYC show that came two days later. (posted 4/18/06)

New Photos: Rochester 4/7/06 For the second night of its three-night run of shows in NY state last weekend, Donna the Buffalo returned to one of their favorite haunts, the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester. This sold-out show was opened by the Sim Redmond Band. While he's long been Herd, Larry Franklin's first contributions to DonnaFans.com are these seven photos of DtB playing in Rochester on 4/7/06. Larry's shots include two of the band with Keith Secola, who came out to join the band for Fry Bread and Mystic Water, which were the second half of a four-song encore, and one of a small gathering of the Herd. Thanks so much, Larry! Today I also added to the site Vickie's brief review of the Jamm in Jamaica festival. (posted 4/15/06)

More Photos And Reviews From Jamaica Longtime DonnaFans.com contributor Jessica Little was one of the fortunate ones who was at Donna the Buffalo's performances at the Jamm in Jamaica in Negril, Jamaica 3/26 - 4/1, and she generously shares with us seven photos of the band performing at this festival, and one shot of a beautiful sunset. In the Reviews section, in addition to the review of first half of this event from Rand Knapp of HaveYouHerd.com that I previously posted, I've added Carol Knapp's rundown of the entire week, and a review from an anonymous fan who was also at all of the band's Jamaica shows. Thanks to everyone for your contributions, and keep 'em coming. (posted 4/12/06)

McCracken To Stay With DtB At Least Through April??? From a very reliable source comes word that David McCracken will continue to play keyboards with Donna the Buffalo for all of the band's upcoming shows in North Carolina and Florida. That puts him onboard at least through 4/29. He's currently filling in for DtB keyboardist Kathy Ziegler, who on 3/30 gave birth to a beautiful 9 pound 8 oz baby boy named Mink Faio (his photo was taped to McCracken's keyboard at the Rochester show on 4/7). The band's next performance after the FL run will be 5/11 in Charlottesville, VA. McCracken appears to be having a great time playing with DtB, and has been extremely well received by the band and the Herd alike. Congratulations and best wishes to Kathy, Jairo and the new addition to their family!! (posted 4/10/06)

Just Added: Photos From 4/8/06 Call it the gig that almost wasn't: Last night Donna the Buffalo wrapped up a three-night run with an early show (8 p.m. start, 10:30 end) at Avalon in New York, NY. The police had raided and closed the club the week before, but it was reopened and DtB's gig went off without a hitch. Fill-in keyboardist Dave McCracken continues to shine, taking solos on several songs, and the band, feeding off that NYC energy, played a particularly upbeat show, with If You Only Could, Arrows Pointing Sideways, and 40 Days and 40 Nights being just a few of the high points. I shot 10 photos of DtB performing on 4/8/06 in New York, NY, and will add reviews of this show, the Albany show, and the Jamm in Jamaica Fest as soon as I can. (posted 4/9/06)

New Photos: Albany 4/6/06 Donna the Buffalo was in fine form last night at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, NY. In their first show since returning from Jamaica, the band seemed fresh and eager to jam. Highlights included Push Comes to Show, an absolutely epic Mystic Water, and VW Rastafari. Temporary keyboard player Dave McCracken is fully up to speed and enjoying himself. Check out a dozen of my photos of DtB playing on 4/6/06 in Albany, NY, including a few of Dave. I will post a review of this show sometime early next week, but before that, I'll be adding photos I'm planning to shot of the NYC show on 4/8/06. (posted 4/7/06) NYC Show Is Definitely Not Cancelled Don't listen to the rumors--Donna the Buffalo's performance at the Avalon in New York City on Saturday 4/8 is not cancelled and will take place as scheduled. It's an early gig, with the doors at 6:30 p.m., showtime at 7:30. Although the Avalon's web site is down at the moment, you get tickets from Ticketmaster or at the venue. DtB always puts out in NYC, Dave McCracken has been doing a phenomenal job on keys, and this may be your only chance to see this lineup, so don't miss it! (posted 4/5/06)

Just Added: More Jamaica Photos! Bill Nichols was lucky enough to catch all of Donna the Buffalo's performances at the Jamm In Jamaica Festival in Negril, Jamaica 3/26 - 4/1, and he's generously shared his photos from the week with DonnaFans.com. Bill got some great shots, including photos of the band playing a private party, David Gans sitting in with the band, and DtB playing with The Overtakers. About the party gig, Bill writes, "About 20 or so Herd showed up without a real invitation, but the hosts Jamie and Paige were very gracious and glad to have us." Thanks, Bill, and I hope to be able to share more of your photos in the future. (posted 4/5/06) David Gans' Take On Jamaica On his blog, David Gans has a short write-up of the Jamm In Jamaica Festival in Negril, Jamaica 3/26 - 4/1, where he played his own sets and sat in with several bands, including DtB. David's got a nice photo of him performing with DtB, and another of Tara Nevins playing Gans' Renaissance guitar. (posted 4/4/06)

First Photos From Shows In Jamaica! Photos from Donna the Buffalo's performances at the Jamm In Jamaica Festival in Negril, Jamaica 3/26 - 4/1 are starting to trickle in. This first batch of images from Billy Bridges features three photos of DtB performing one night (exact date not yet determined), including a decent shot of Chris "CJ" Vanderpoll on drums, and one of Tara hanging out with members of The Overtakers, who played with DtB throughout the fest. I've added them to the page with the two previously posted images of the band arriving in Jamaica. Thanks, Billy! In addition to their scheduled gigs at this fest, the band also played a private birthday party on Friday afternoon; rumor has it that this special gig was captured on both audio and video. I'll post more photos and info as soon as I get them. (posted 4/3/06)

David Gans Joins DtB In Jamaica Musician/journalist/deadhead extraodinaire David Gans, who's been a longtime friend and supporter of Donna the Buffalo, played with DtB during the band's set on 3/30/06 at the Jamm In Jamaica Festival in Negril, Jamaica. As the sun set, David played rhythm guitar on a cover of Jimmy Cliff's The Harder They Come, and then on DtB's In Another World>Revolution. During the same set, the Overtakers joined DtB for versions of several Bob Marley tunes, including Three Little Birds, One Love, Stir It Up, and Buffalo Soldier. Thanks to Carol Knapp for the update! (posted 3/31/06)

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