Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger And Blood Orange South Street Seaport June 24 2011 Written by Joshua Williams Photographed by Amy Davidson Opposite Photo: Sean Lennon of Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger

Free music is a staple of a New York City summer. The South Street Seaport has pretty much become an institution, delivering indie rock to tourists, kicked off it’s 10th year with Blood Orange and Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger.

Dev Hynes of Blood Orange	Dev Hynes of Blood Orange

Blood Orange is a solo project of Dev Hynes. Basically just him with a guitar and a synth, putting down soul and pop with guitar solos here and there. Evocative of 80s soul pop, and seems he‘s reaching to be the Prince of the new century. Nice voice, nice arrangements, and he is undoubtedly talented. But I was kind of bored. I would have liked to see it with a backing band. Someone else singing harmony would have been nice. I also would have liked to see some drone work underneath the pop.

Charlotte Kemp Muhl of
Ghost of a Saber Tooh Tiger

Sean Lennon of Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger

The Blood of a Saber Tooth Tiger is a collaboration between Sean Lennon, and his girlfriend, Charlotte Kemp Muhl. Heavy on the mellow psychedelic, with nice guitar work by Lennon and pleasurable harmonies between Lennon and Muhl. Metaphorically, it was like toking up and taking a ride through the country side. Lennon’s heritage is evident, but it’s work of his own, and can stand up as so. I would have liked it more if it kicked up the tempo a bit. But in the end, it was a good soundtrack for a mellow evening.

I haven’t seen the schedule for the rest of the summer, but if the past is an indicator of the future, we’re in for some good times. For free no less.

Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger