Rare show (in New York) by '60s legends The Left Banke before our Rabid in the Kennel Session!

For those New Yorkers who missed the first Left Banke shows in decades as Joe’s Pub in March—this writer was in Liverpool—we get another chance tonight, Wednesday, July 20, at Littlefield in Brooklyn. The current version sports two of the three members of the original group that created the band’s unique and timeless three-part harmonies, Tom Finn and George Cameron (who each sang lead on two songs on the band’s second and final LP, 1968’s The Left Banke Too ) with local institution Mike Fornatale more than capably/ably subbing for original singer *Steve Martin*— whose residence in Florida makes it too difficult for him to take part at this juncture.

But even without Martin, the band, re-born with full trademark strings and keyboards, was terrific playing both their albums start to finish at Joe’s, as detailed in our interview by Daniel Coston with Finn and Cameron in the current issue 68 of Big Takeover (see back issues button on the left to order, or subscribe) and recently stopped by the Kennel studios in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to cut a “Rabid in the Kennel” session with us, as you will hear broadcast late this summer—including my own friendly follow-up interview with Finn and Cameron.

And don’t just take my word for the current incarnation’s credibility in performing such indelible ’60s chart smashes as “Walk Away Renee” and “Pretty Ballerina,” check out these youtube videos from Joe’s embedded in this timely Brooklyn Vegan post for confirmation.

Finally, New York’s Sundazed label is reissuing the two albums, so the band’s relaunch is more than timely. It’s easy to see, once again, the massive influence they’ve had on so many contemporary bands, especially the lionizing Belle and Sebastian whose Stuart (not related to Rupert!) Murdoch even namechecked “Walk Away Renee” in the band’s song “Piazza New York Catcher.”

For those who can’t make Littlefield tonight, the group has also scheduled a show upstate next month, August 20, at Woodstock’s Bearsville Theater. I expect to attend that as well. It’s amazing to have them back, and their session was flat out amazing!