Acoustic Showcase, Lexington MA

Cold Weather, Warm Music

2012-01-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

Another warm, happy evening at the Acoustic Showcase, as outside the snow subsided and the cold breezes blew.

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We began with Arl-Lex Five and Dime, the "two town super group" that often graces our humble venue. They were in particularly fine form, with tight five part harmonies, sweet guitar, mandolin and fiddle lines, and (as usual) a satisfying set list featuring American folk/country/pop favorites. For example, they rocked out on "Oh Boy!" (Buddy Holly) then shifted to a tender version of "Oh Susanna" (Stephen Foster, go figure!).

Mike Barrett, Jack Donahue, Peggy Rose, Paul Hatem, Quinn Eastburn, Chris Eastburn

That's the band in full swing. As always, special mention goes to 6 year old fiddler Quinn, who was featured on a rip-tearing instrumental blues number. The kid can rock out!

Arl-Lex always brings out a good crowd, bopping along to the tunes.

Sam Berman, collaborator and lead singer on the original "Charlie On The MTA"

An excellent set came to a deeply satisfying close with an audience sing-along of "Charlie On The MTA" -- the campaign/protest song created right here in Boston. Introducing the tune was Lexington's own Sam Berman, the original singer on the original recording (he's holding it!). Here's a link to more on Sam: http://www.wickedlocal.com/lexington/news/opinions/x1519716986/Scene-Herd-Sam-Berman-and-Charlie#axzz1kBn2Zwvb

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Next, we brought on Laughing Boy. (We call them the "house band" because playing once a month is how David Keevil rewards himself for organizing and presenting the Acoustic Showcase.) These jovial lads had a lot of fun trotting out some new songs, both covers and originals. Highlights included a bouncy rendition of CCR's "Lodi," and an appealingly louche "Little Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. They closed with two originals -- "Happy When The Wall Comes Down" and "I Need A Rock" -- that brought to mind the high energy of a revival meeting (or maybe just a really good cup of coffee).

photo by Griffin Keevil

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And finally we welcomed Diane Taraz. Elsewhere in this blog I've waxed rhapsodic about Diane's lovely voice and affecting instrumental work. Despite this being her second performance of the day, her voice was as appealing as ever.

Diane has a gift for setting new words to old melodies, drawing from a rich compendium of French, French-Canadian, and Scottish tunes. She's got a wonderful combination of serious craft and playful delivery.

The coffee shop quieted down, and we were lifted and carried by Diane's beautiful, lilting songs.

· ~ ·

And that does it for another rendition of the Acoustic Showcase. Back out into the cold, still warm inside from the joys of music.

See you next time!

In Good Hands

2012-01-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

I know I say this every time, but we really did have tremendous fun last night at the Acoustic Showcase! Three excellent, experienced musicians, joined by various other excellent musicians -- lots of warm camaraderie and musical harmony. And the smell of coffee in the air!

· ~ ·

We began with Ken Selcer (filling in for Patti DeRosa, who was called away at the last minute).

Ken's such a pleasing musician. He's got an easy, smooth voice, which he employs to great effect. And his guitar work is smooth and flexible as well, as he shifts deftly over the fingerboard, jazzing chords and trickling fills, then stepping away to tease out a lyrical, spiraling solo.

He did a sweet combination of Little Feat's "Willing" and Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry." Really strong originals too, with a particular favorite of mine: the reggae flavored "It's All Around You."

· ~ ·

Ken stepped aside, and we brought on one of our very favorite musicians, Rob Carlson. Elsewhere in this blog I've used multiple superlatives to describe Rob's music -- what can I say, they're all true. Rob's so quick, tuneful, passionate, and intelligent in his guitar playing; I've always got a smile when I'm listening to him. And his high, powerful tenor is a treat as well.

Rob was backed by Ted Millen on djembe, with Jeff Trout ever facile on bass, making for a lovely interplay of lines and harmonies.

photo by Griffin Keevil

The music had elements of folk, blues, and jazz, with a syncopated Brazilian flair at times.

Rob's happy to share the stage, and he brought in Ken Selcer to provide color commentary on a number of songs, and David Keevil to harp it up on some blues numbers.

It was a hot time on the old town, as Rob finished the set with "Highway to Hell" -- you haven't really enjoyed that song until you've heard the acoustic, dobro version at your local coffee shop!

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And then we welcomed Christiana Gerstner to the Acoustic Showcase. She's an accomplished singer/songwriter with one of the nicest voices we've heard in quite some time. Her songs run the gamut, from soulful ballads to an up-tempo blues number. Particularly affecting was her opening song, told from the point of view of a young man going into battle; and later we heard another beautiful song inspired by her grandmother, about seeking work during the Great Depression.

John Zaia provided a steady bass foundation. And here came Ken Selcer again, inflecting Christiana's songs with his supple solo fills.

Good music! We'll hope to hear from Christiana again soon.

· ~ ·

And thus ends another Acoustic Showcase. Let's hear it for harmonious collaborations from old friends and new. What pleasures will the next performance bring? Stop by and find out!

Singing in the Holidays

2011-12-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

Many harmonious voices were raised last night at the Acoustic Showcase, and everybody went home happy. Not bad for a holiday get-together!

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We began the evening inauspiciously, as David Keevil could only sing "I really can't stay, baby I've got a cold inside." Bad puns and song paraphrases aside, David had to scratch, due to having a cold and sounding like a frog (at best).

· ~ ·

So we kicked it off with familiar friends Random Chants, the all-female a cappella group we've often enjoyed at the Showcase. They were in rare form last night, with sparkling renditions of holiday favorites from "Santa Baby" all the way to "Dona Nobis Pacem". Supposedly a few of the Chants were suffering from colds of their own, but you couldn't hear it; quite the contrary: their harmonies were strong and sure, their lyrics were distinct (every word of Silver Bells!), and the holiday mood was cheery and warm. Very nice performance!

Unfortunately, the photographer's automatic focus was turned off for the evening, so we didn't get a clear photo of Random Chants' performance! The management apologizes dejectedly.

Random Chants, in the holiday fog.

· ~ ·

Random Chants exited the stage (rug), and we welcomed Arl-Lex Five & Dime, who entertained us with their all-holiday set. (By this time the photographer had fixed the focus problem.)

Jack Donahue, Mike Barrett, Peggy Rose, Paul Hatem, Chris and Quinn Eastburn

The two town supergroup did a bang-up job with a range of excellent selections, from the traditional to the somewhat off-beat. We enjoyed "The Dreidle Song" presented as a shuffle, and "Jingle Bell Rock" with Quinn tearing it up on the fiddle. As usual, the vocal harmonies were strong and true, and the instruments meshed and twined appealingly. Multi-instrumentalist Jack Donahue deserves special mention for his stable bass, his expressive harmonica, and his clear, melodic penny whistle on "Caledonia."

We didn't get a picture of the audience, but there were a lot of 'em! And with lyrics to all songs handed out, we could sing along with abandon. Lots of fun!

· ~ ·

And that's about it for another Acoustic Showcase. This is our third holiday season together (by my count), and it keeps getting better. Some people had colds, some photos were blurry, but everybody got together and sang, and everybody had a good time!

See you in the new year!

Lots To Like

2011-12-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

We had a varied and exciting time at the Acoustic Showcase last night. Of the four acts, three were new to us. A broad range of styles and experience made for an entertaining time.

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We started off with Wild Maple. This excellent duo features Gary Dolinsky on guitar and Trish DeCaprio on violin. Both sing, trading off lead vocals and joining for sensational harmonies.

Gary's a flatpicking guitar whiz, and Trish is an expressive violinist, both flexible and incisive. The result is an appealingly polished sound.

Their set list included a number of excellent originals, with some pleasing covers as well.

I liked their version of the Beatles' "I Will," with a contrapuntal byplay of guitar runs and pizzicato violin figures. Great fun. A minute later they had me tearing up with a plaintive ballad, then tapping toes along with a twangy number. Make no mistake, these folks are good. We'll try to get them back, I promise!

· ~ ·

Next we shifted to a couple of mini-sets by comparative new-comers. First we heard from Leo Bohigian. He played a number of originals, shifting between playful insouciance and more serious shades of pensiveness.

Leo's rangy baritone brought to mind Townes van Zandt, with more than a hint of Jonathan Richman, especially when he serenaded us about his new beard, or his blue sweater. Quirky, with a downbeat appeal.

· ~ ·

The next mini-set was brought to us by Steve Southard and Andrew Southworth. In addition to alliterative last names, this duo has energy and musical appeal.

Steve's guitar playing is emphatic and assured, while Andrew's tenor has a kind of husky clarity (if that's not a contradiction in terms). They presented a nice set of cover tunes -- some familiar, some pleasantly obscure.

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And then, WOW! We welcomed Gary Backstrom to our humble carpet. Gary's new to the Showcase, but familiar to area audiences from his work with Jiggle The Handle and The Gary Backstrom Band.

What a musician -- some of the very best guitar playing we've had the pleasure to hear anywhere, coupled with a strong, flexible, playful, evocative tenor voice. Lots of funk and soul influences, with a healthy dose of Todd Rundgren (say what?).

What a treat to hear someone move around an acoustic guitar neck with such facility. He had bass, percussion, rhythm and lead all bursting forth from four fingers on six strings.

Music's not really a visual medium, and I'm not an accomplished photographer, so it's difficult to convey just how dynamic and approachable Gary was in performance, and just how appreciative and involved his audience was. Let's just say he had people dancing in the aisles -- he really did!

· ~ ·

So, last night we had another dose of what I love about the Acoustic Showcase: musicians, family, friends, fans, and coffee-seeking passersby, all enjoying the music. Pretty sweet.

See you next time!

Youth Movement

2011-11-20T04:07:00.000-08:00

Last night we trended young and talented. It was great fun hearing music written just yesterday (sometimes literally!), from two songwriting phenoms.

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But first, we enjoyed music from David Keevil (an older, taller, grayer songwriter).

photo by Griffin Keevil

Nice set, featuring chunky guitar rhythms and David's appealing baritone voice. We heard some of his "B side" songs, which he trots out when not performing with Laughing Boy. He also played a couple of his "recombinant covers"; a particular favorite was "My Funny Valentine," with an inserted harmonica solo featuring Gershwin's "Summertime."

· ~ ·

David bowed out, and we brought on the appealing Elli Loria. Elli first played the Showcase last March, and we were thrilled to have her back.

Elli's got a clear, strong voice that's a pleasure to listen to, and a guitar sound that's assured and full. Her songs are lyrically rich -- I'd like to hear them each a few more times, just to savor all the images and phrases that go rolling by.

Her words give a nice sense of personality, by turns spunky, pensive, lovestruck, and resolved. And she's got a nice feel for songwriting, with some great phrases and lyrical hooks. We've got another year and a half before she leaves high school, so hopefully we can have her back to the Showcase some more!

· ~ ·

And then there was Kristina Musto, another young singer/songwriter with a big talent, and another performer we were thrilled to have back a second time.

Kristina's got a great voice -- supple and strong -- you can imagine her fronting a band with no problem. Her guitar playing is varied and confident, moving smoothly from strong rhythmic work to finger style and back, which means she can outline and color in her songs very effectively.

And I really like her lyrics. She's playful and creative, so you get lines that are a happy surprise. Raw emotion is balanced with a wry, self assured attitude. Lots to like!

· ~ ·

Elli and Kristina have big, bright futures as songwriters, if I'm any judge. What a pleasure to hear them early in their careers, in the intimate confines of your local coffee shop!

See you next time!

How Many Superlatives Can You Fit In A Blog Post?

2011-11-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

Great music last night at the Acoustic Showcase. Really -- we were blessed with one excellent song after another, presented by musicians with tremendous skill and heart. And everybody had a good time.

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We began the evening with Ashley Jordan. We had the pleasure of first hearing Ashley when she was still a high school student. She had big talent then, and she's only gotten better in the ensuing year(s).

Her voice is flexible and strong, with a lovely lilt to it -- well suited to ballads, love songs, country numbers, even the Adele cover she tried out.

It's a cliche, so I try not to over-use it, but... I wouldn't be at all surprised if we heard a lot more from Ashley in the not too distant future (hit songs, big tours, etc.). In the meantime, it's a real treat to hear her up close at the Showcase.

· ~ ·

Next in line was Chris Nauman. He's played the Showcase before, so I thought I knew what to expect -- energetic yet nuanced folk/pop music, with solid guitar work and an appealingly textured tenor voice. However, this time Chris's music was wonderfully augmented by a couple of tremendous musicians: McGregor McGehee on bass and Ken Selcer on lead guitar.

Wow. These guys can really play.

McGregor's steady, playful, smooth notes swam beneath the songs like a big fish, while Ken's deft, facile, flexible leads darted and twisted over the melodies like some kind of dragonfly [extended metaphor alert!].

Highlights included a beautiful rendition of Woody Guthrie's "I Ain't Got No Home," and an up-tempo number inspired by recent events: "Occupy."

· ~ ·

But wait, there's more! Chris and cohort left the stage, and Showcase newcomers Michael Priscella, Brice Buchanan and Rebecca Lynch picked up the torch.

And again, wow. More folks with pro skills and playful appeal! This trio says they specialize in "dusting off neglected baubles," and the songs they offered did receive a delightful jazz/pop shine. Michael (that's him on the left) had a smooth, sweet acoustic feel going, while Brice (on the right) tickled some solos and bit into others with his Telecaster Thinline. As for Rebecca, she's got a tremendous voice, a real feel for the music, and great stage presence.

And I do...

mean...

stage presence!

We had lots of fun listening (and singing along) to appealing renditions of wonderful songs by Burt Bacharach, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, and others. Question: when was the last time you grooved to "Harper Valley PTA"? Answer: last night at the Acoustic Showcase!

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And that's all for this episode of the Acoustic Showcase, where good music reigns supreme, and superlatives abound!

See you next time!

Good Vibrations

2011-10-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

Another lively night at the Acoustic Showcase! We started off with house band Laughing Boy. The guys were in fine voice and humor, serenading the assembled multitudes with an excellent collection of originals, leavened by the occasional cover tune (Nancy Sinatra, The Kinks, Tommy James, and Patsy Cline meets Judy Garland).

Love those vocal harmonies!

Will Ryan, undeterred by an intrusive microphone

They even got the audience singing along on a new sea shanty -- a thinly veiled metaphor of personal transformation titled "Swim, Boys! Swim!" (Thanks to Griffin Keevil for these photos.)

· ~ ·

Laughing Boy extricated themselves, and Paul Hatem took the stage. I always enjoy Paul's songs. A particular favorite last night was "I Wish Mom Would Come" -- sung from the point of view of children waiting for their mom to give them a ride home. It's a quiet and affecting little number (as are many of Paul's creations) that evokes a strangely pleasant childhood melancholy. I like it a lot.

Paul was joined on a number of his songs by Carrie Harrington. They make a good duo -- nice vocal tones, nice feel for the lyrics, nice harmonies.

Add to all that a great rapport with the audience. People were smiling and singing along from the seats, which is always a good thing!

· ~ ·

After a great set, Paul made way for Arl-Lex Five & Dime (he's also a member). They're regulars at the Showcase, and last night showed us why! Great energy and enthusiasm, with some nice musicianship and engaging harmonies.

Jack Donahue, Michael Barrett, Chris Eastburn, Peggy Rose, Paul Hatem, and Quinn Eastburn

And talk about audience engagement! Arl-Lex has a big, enthusiastic following that these pictures can't adequately convey.

The result is lots of fun music, with people playing, singing, singing along, clapping, smiling, and enjoying themselves. I think that's the whole point!

· ~ ·

See you next time!

Theme and Variations

2011-10-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

The theme last night at the Acoustic Showcase was (I suppose) "Man With A Guitar." We heard from three of 'em. That being said, what a pleasing array of variations on the theme!

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We began with the return of DJ Parsons. He's a local luthier (parsonsguitarrepair.com) who's repaired two out of three instruments from Showcase house band Laughing Boy (wow, two plugs in one sentence!). He's also a great interpreter of folk songs from the last 50 years or so.

He opened the set with a particularly nice song -- Glen Campbell's Gentle On My Mind. Not only a great song, but one particularly suited to DJ's strengths: clear, fluid finger picking, and an understated yet emotional vocal style.

DJ's set included radio favorites like Gentle, one or two from John Prine, a sea shanty, and Where Have All The Flowers Gone from "the world's oldest living hippy," Pete Seeger. Then, with a few minutes left, and a couple of old favorites still to play, DJ spontaneously welcomed David Moore (guitar) and David Keevil (harmonica), and the whole hanging-out-with-my-friends-playing-tunes-in-my-living-room vibe was firmly established on such songs as Country Roads. (And the barristas were singing along... steaming lattes in rhythm...)

photo by Griffin Keevil

Thanks, DJ! That was a whole lot of fun.

· ~ ·

The next set featured the return of Nathan Thompson to the Acoustic Showcase. I love hearing from Nathan -- he's got a great tenor voice, and he's not afraid to explore the top of his range and beyond, to great effect. His guitar playing is expressive and varied, with full-throated strumming on some songs, and emphatic, thumping bass runs on others. At times he lets his guitar fold into the background -- distant commentary -- as his voice carries the song.

I also love Nathan's sense of humor. Great rapport with his listeners -- he's obviously enjoying himself, and he's happy to share the experience. The humor comes through in his songwriting as well: anyone who rhymes "house" with "occasional grouse" is OK in my book! (Not that every song is humorous; we also heard a couple of affecting loss-and-loneliness numbers that were a treat.)

· ~ ·

Nathan finished his set on a high note (literally and figuratively), and exited the rug to make way for David Moore. David has been with the Acoustic Showcase almost since its inception nearly three years ago. His blend of original acoustic pop music goes over like a tasty libation (not the sort offered at Starbucks), and affects my mood in similar fashion.

David was joined by Tim Feihler on bass (and occasional backing vocals), and Tom Smith on snare drum. This trio hops and bops! What's not to like: David's strong, flexible voice and masterful guitar licks; Tim's steady, playful, expressive bass work; Tom's snappy beat and wide array of drum effects. Great music from great musicians -- can't beat it with a stick!

· ~ ·

And so we bid a fond farewell to another edition of the Acoustic Showcase -- three men with guitars, but so much more! Special thanks goes to David Moore, who brought along his very nice Bose PA system last night -- great sound, and easy to use -- we have an official case of techno-envy.

See you next time!

Family and Friends

2011-09-25T05:16:00.000-07:00

We got together with some familiar friends last night and heard some great music. But first (!) we stopped by Verrill Farms over in Concord, and watched some morris dancing!

Pinewoods Morris Men

That's my brother in law there in the middle, with my niece watching from the sidelines. Nothing says harvest time in New England like a good morris dance, don't you agree?

And now, back to our regularly scheduled program. We began this iteration of the Acoustic Showcase with house band Laughing Boy.

The "Boys" were in fine shape, with three-part harmonies and trickling mandolin all in order. Here they are in a pensive mood, singing their original "Up On The Roof" -- one of the songs they'll be recording later this fall. Stay tuned!

Next up were Tom and Ann O'Donnell, teaming with Robert Cedrone for a scintillating set of appealing cover tunes.

These folks make really nice music. Tom told me that he and Robert began playing out in their (very) early teens; imagine musicians too young to drive hiring three taxi cabs to take them and their equipment to the show. Their years of experience add up to responsive, flexible musicianship -- with deft guitar work and beautiful vocal harmonies.

Added to the mix was Ann's niece, the lovely Gillian Goolkasian.

She's got a beautiful voice, a nice feel for the music, and a great future ahead of her!

Here's the band in full swing. Lots of fun for an audience of family, friends, and coffee shop passers by.

The O'Donnells left the stage to warm applause, while Robert stuck around to anchor the next trio, adding Noah Mendelsohn on bass and Acoustic Showcase guitar god Ron Chancey on (yup) guitar.

I know we call this show "acoustic," but it's nice to add a little electricity from time to time. With a set list of favorites from Van Morrison, Al Green, the Allman Bros, and others, the electricity was certainly flowing! Again, great music from experienced musicians. Can't beat it!

I know I go on and on about Ron Chancey, but he plays some of the sweetest electric guitar I've had the pleasure to hear live. Keep rocking, Ron!

And that about does it for another Acoustic Showcase. (Next time we'll come back to our senses and feature some soulful ballads from a finger-picking folkster or two.) It's good to make and celebrate music, whether you're jumping around waving handkerchiefs while the concertina plays, enjoying a chiming mandolin, or grooving to a wailing Strat. See you next time!

People Making Music

2011-09-11T05:11:00.000-07:00

Let's hear it for people making music! In the shower, in the car, in the kitchen, with family, with friends, in a coffee shop, etc., etc., etc. A friend mentioned the other day that one thing he liked when he lived in New York City was that he could walk around in public, "singing my little songs," and nobody got upset or offended. Let's hear it for walking around in public, singing our little songs!

OK, got that off my chest. We had a great time at the Acoustic Showcase last night. (I know I say that every time, but it's really true.) A nice line-up of people making music began with Arl-Lex Five and Dime. Their number was diminished by one, as Kate Donahue is off in China (walking through Beijing singing songs, I hope!). That still left us with a crowded carpet, as Jack Donahue, Mike Barrett, Chris Eastburn, Paul Hatem, and Quinn Eastburn serenaded us with a lovely selection of great songs from the last 60(?) years of American popular music.

Here they are in full voice -- you can see they have four-part harmonies going on, with six year old Quinn adding the high notes. Great energy last night, and a great sound; as usual, the audience was singing along with at least half of the songs. This group has played the Showcase a number of times since the beginning, and it's been a great pleasure to hear their development.

As usual, a highlight of the evening was hearing Quinn's violin solos. He's got that country double-stop bend thing going on, with great conviction.

Next we welcomed Showcase newcomer DJ Parsons. DJ grew up in the area, and used to play out "back in the day." He's an accomplished luthier; he's repaired my guitar (following a series of unfortunate events that left it with an unsightly dent), and he's worked on the fretted instruments of various friends and relations. It was a pleasure to hear him play a number of familiar folk and pop songs from such greats as Gordon Lightfoot, The Beatles, and others.

Nice guitar work and a laid-back vocal delivery made for great listening. And again the audience joined in on various choruses and refrains. (Let's hear it for an audience that sings along!)

DJ was joined by his friend Beth Levin late in the set, as she hustled over from another gig. Two guitars, vocal harmonies, and some excellent folk standards rounded out an appealing set.

At 7pm Perry Desmond-Davies and Marc "Sonic" Bridge stepped in front of the mics, took off their sandals, wiggled their toes in the carpet, and started singing! This duo has a nice blend of energy and musicianship. Two strong, flexible voices, engaging guitar work, strong song-writing: what's not to like! Each is a solo singer/songwriter in his/her own right, yet they often perform together, joining in each other's songs. It works well.

Notice that they're both smiling! They smiled a lot last night, clearly enjoying themselves, and easily communicating that enjoyment to their listeners. (Cue Perry's refrain: "la la la la la la la, here's your damn happy song!")

They also played a couple of affecting songs devoted to memories of 9/11. As I said last year around this time, getting together and making music seems a good response to tragedy.

So, one more time, let's hear it for getting together and making music! A warm "thank you" goes to our excellent musicians last night, their attentive, responsive audience, and the helpful folks at Starbucks in Lexington. We'll be back in a couple of weeks: stop by the Acoustic Showcase next time and join in!

Winging It

2011-08-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Well, another Acoustic Showcase has come and gone, and we had a good time, even though there was a certain amount of getting by with what we had available. One scheduled musician cancelled, various possible replacements were unavailable, another musician agreed to play then cancelled at the last minute because he had to go to a wedding (assumedly not his own). No problem! We wung it.

We began the evening with Laughing Boy.

The house band was in fine form, enjoying performing after a two month hiatus, and appreciating the inclusion of Griffin Keevil on the djembe. They trotted out a new song or two, ending the set with a rousing version of "Lola," by the Kinks. It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world, for sure.

It's true: playing music is fun!

And then it was time for our next performer. But he was away, witnessing the apotheosis of true love...

Nothing daunted, Griffin and David reformed as a duo, and serenaded the assembled multitude with a brief set. Disaster was averted! The show went on!

The Keevils left the stage, and we welcomed another duo: Andrew Southworth and Steve Southard.

Southworth & Southard; what a great name for a band. They played a set of appealing cover songs, energized by Steve's radio-ready tenor voice and Andrew's full-bodied guitar work. Some nice harmonies rounded out the auditory experience.

Finally it was time for Nadia. She played the Showcase once before -- both times we've enjoyed her heart-felt lyrics and warm, fluid vocal style. She was accompanied by guitarist Kris Gosselin -- he had a beautiful pop/jazz thing going on his nylon string acoustic/electric.

I love this photo -- like a record cover from the early 60's. (That being said, sorry for the photo quality on some of these -- I should have used my flash!)

And that concludes our last Summer 2011 Acoustic Showcase. We'll return to our twice monthly schedule in September. See you then! In the mean time, keep making music!

Assorted Songsters' Summer Serenade

2011-07-17T15:45:00.000-07:00

Say that five times, fast! We had a good time last night at the Acoustic Showcase, basking in the air conditioned, coffee-scented atmosphere, enjoying the music offered by a series of old friends.

We started by welcoming Random Chants. They just keep getting better and better.

There are a number of reasons to like this group. First, they're having a lot of fun up there. Second, they have great voices which sound particularly good in blended harmony. Third, they have an appealing set list with some nice surprises. Fourth, they do a great job with tricky rhythmic work. I could go on and on.

Here's another receptive Showcase audience, featuring three generations of listeners!

Next we welcomed back Diane Taraz. I love Diane's voice; it's clear and flexible -- equally good on a lullaby, a humorous ditty, or a more risque number. Nice guitar work, and once again, a couple of Joni Mitchell covers with the lap dulcimer.

According to Diane, last night's stand-out set was chemically (legally) enhanced. If so, I'll have what she's having!

Finally, we brought on Arl-Lex Five and Dime, playing old favorites from the American folk/country/pop tradition.

Enthusiastic four-part harmony, some excellent musicianship, and a sing-along set list -- this group is always a pleasure. A few of them had already graced the stage at Passim earlier in the day (as part of the Family Folk Chorale), so we felt extra-lucky to have them with us. Special mention goes to Kate Donahue's swan song at the Showcase; a recent high school grad, she'll be spending the coming year in China or India (according to her dad).

Another special mention goes to six year old Quinn Eastburn, rockin' that fiddle!

So passes another Acoustic Showcase. Let's hear it for singing, playing, and listening (and singing along)!

FREE RANGE

2011-06-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

Yes, the title of this post is cryptic, but I was thinking of the range of performers we heard from last night (for free!).

We started off with Patti DeRosa. She's an accomplished professional, and we felt lucky and honored to hear her up close and personal. What a tremendous story teller she is! Her songs delved into the hearts and experiences of such folks as an Italian immigrant from early in the 20th century, a man unjustly incarcerated in Concord prison, and a woman finally made aware of "family secrets" -- and that's just naming a few. The fact that all of these people are Patti's relations made the listening experience all the more engaging. And while at times Patti concludes that she "can't pretend to know" what the other's experience is like, that doesn't stop her from writing lovely, engaging songs devoted to the attempt.

Patti's assured, evocative song writing was supported by her supple voice, deft and sinewy guitar work, and her personable, warm, wry presence on stage. Thanks, Patti! It was marvelous to have you stop by.

We turned next to Alyssa Zahka, and this is what I mean by range. While Patti is an experienced, polished performer, Alyssa is a comparatively young new-comer -- she first played at the Showcase last year as a high school senior. Now, after completing her freshman year of college, she was back by popular demand!

Alyssa sang a blend of covers and originals, sometimes blended in the same song. She has an easy, understated stage presence, with a true, clear voice that communicates authentic feeling. I liked the country vibe on a few of the songs; again, Alyssa's voice is well suited to simple, heart-felt feelings of longing and love -- so the subject matter was a good fit. Nice guitar playing too, with some more adventurous runs on a new song written with her sister.

An appreciative crowd of family, friends, and passers-by -- we had that warm, living-room thing going. Big thanks to Alyssa for jumping in only days after completing her first year of college. I guess we'll try to have her back when she's finished sophomore year? Can't wait!

Finally we heard from Paul Hatem. I really like Paul's music. As I've said in the past, Paul writes songs that seem at times surprisingly simple, but that have great strength and feeling, and respond well to multiple listens. By now I've had the pleasure of hearing him perform a number of times at the Showcase, so I know what I'm talking about!

Notable last night were the many melancholy, contemplative, and just plain sad songs Paul sang, all to great effect. When a number of listeners, in tears (literally!), asked him for no more sad songs, Paul paused, grinned, and said "Well, how about a different kind of sad song?" (I'm not making this up!) Paul's dolorous song selection was lightened by his obvious good humor, and by such highlights as "Pancakes, Bacon, and Eggs," a sort of family-and-stomach-friendly take on the old rock and roll number "Route 66."

Another leavening ingredient was the vocal harmony provided by Carrie Harrington (on the right), as well as Charlotte and Ella (over there on the left). Their harmonies got the rest of us singing too (by invitation), and we had a fine time joining in.

I love it when our lowly, local Starbucks resonates with the sound of people singing. Thank you to all of last night's performers and listeners -- community music makers all.

See you next time!

With A Bang

2011-05-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

Well, the world didn't end last night -- or at least, if the elect were all removed to a better place, then there aren't a lot of them... Anyway, at the Acoustic Showcase we celebrated with good music right here on earth.

We began the show with Showcase "house band" Laughing Boy.

Not their tightest set ever, but one of their most enthusiastic and musical. The three-part harmonies keep getting better, and a couple of new songs ("Up On The Roof" and "I Think We're Alone Now") were particularly pleasing.

It's a season for regretful cancellations. Last time it was Wild Maple; this time it was Sawyer Lawson, who emailed from Samoa to say he couldn't make it. Into the breach once again stepped David Moore and Tim Feihler, with an all-blues acoustic set.

David and Tim were assisted by David Keevil on harmonica -- you don't have to ask him twice! As usual, Moore and Feihler were a pleasure -- a great mix of talented chops and playful ease. Thanks for filling in, guys!

Finally we heard from Showcase newcomer Kristina Musto.

Kristina's only 16, last I checked. You wouldn't know it to listen to her. Here are some of the notes I wrote last night:
Inventive, powerful lyrics ... assured guitar ... strong, emotionally true voice ... passionate and convincing ... wry, loving, scathing...
You get the idea. Kristina's the real thing: really talented, great sound, a blast to listen to.

Here's a tiny sample of her excellent lyrics:
"I don't wanna be your baby girl / Cuz when I think of you I wanna hurl."
And:
"Let's hold hands under the table / Let's walk around aimlessly."
We'll have her back as soon as we can!

We all had a great time last night, enraptured in our own earthbound ways -- caught up in the music, transported and moved. I predict: the next Acoustic Showcase will be on June 4th, at 5pm! Be there!

Big Voices, Ringing Guitars

2011-05-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

It's true, we sported three versions of our headline at the Acoustic Showcase last night: three iterations of big voices and ringing guitars. The combination makes for appealing music, and that's what we enjoyed!

We began with Will Ryan and Jeff Paulhus.

Okay, so the ringing guitar was often a mandolin... Be that as it may, this duo has nice vocal harmonies, an easy, understated stage presence, and a pleasing playlist of folk and pop from the range between familiarity and undeserved obscurity. I particularly enjoyed a rousing version of Steve Earle's "Galway Girl."

Wild Maple had been scheduled to play next, but had to scratch at the last minute. Into the breach stepped David Moore and Tim Fiehler.

Great stuff, as usual, from Moore and Fiehler. The big voice is David's (though Tim's no slouch with the harmonies), carrying on the proud Irish Tenor tradition. The ringing guitar comes from David as well, with assistance from all those boxes he keeps on the floor -- love that chorus pedal!

Not to overlook Tim's prodigious contributions on bass. What a treat! His playing was both solid and playful, adding dimensionality and color to David's songs.

David and Tim left the rug, and we sat back and enjoyed Judy C's pure, clear soprano and lush, ringing (yup) twelve-string.

Judy's original songs have a calm, warm, open feel -- uplifting messages in the midst of challenge and difficulty. It was all very satisfying as the rain fell on the parking lot outside, and we sank a little deeper in our upholstered chair, sipping our coffee.

And so, another enjoyable Acoustic Showcase comes and goes. Join us next time (and the time after that) for more singing and ringing by real people in an intimate setting!

Gimmee a 6, gimmee a 3, gimmee a 1 !

2011-04-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

Another appealing night at the Acoustic Showcase. This post's cryptic title springs from the experience of listening to a sextet, a trio, and a solo performer -- all in one evening (Haydn's 45th, anyone?).

We began with the always appealing Arl-Lex Five & Dime.

Here's the Five: Jack Donahue (bass, harmonica), Mike Barrett (guitar, vocals), Paul Hatem (guitar, vocals), Kate Donahue (guitar, vocals), and Chris Eastburn (guitar, mandolin, vocals).

And here's the Dime: (smaller, brighter and particularly valuable) six year old Quinn Eastburn on violin and vocals.

This band is an Acoustic Showcase staple, and they always bring in an enthusiastic audience. Their blend of American Songbook, country-western, pop-rock, and Celtic (to name only a few) never fails to disappoint. Nice vocal harmonies, some really pleasing musicianship, and a warm/welcoming feel all combine to make a deeply satisfying musical experience.

Here's the Showcase version of a big, happy audience.

They had people dancing in the aisles! Really!

Then we pulled all the chairs off the stage, folded up some mic stands, and welcomed Showcase "house band" Laughing Boy.

[the photographer was busy playing, so we're using this studio shot]

These guys get incrementally smoother each time we hear them. A rousing version of "I Need A Rock" was a lot of fun. A few tourists appeared to be filming and uploading the performance; look for us on Russian Youtube!

After Laughing Boy blasted out with a fastest-ever version of "Tumble and Swerve," we brought on singer/songwriter Nathan Thompson.

Nathan's a Berklee grad with a folksy, humorously off-beat presentation. His songs often point back to his Minnesota youth -- he's got a nice feel for people, land, and history. Folk, country-western, blues, with some nifty guitar lines throughout. He's performed at the Showcase three times now, and each time I get a little deeper into his music. It's a rewarding journey.

Some very satisfying songs last night. If you were there, thanks for being a part of it. If not, we hope you can make it to the next one. In any case, keep singing!

House Blend

2011-04-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

We like a good mix of musical styles and performers at the Acoustic Showcase, and last night we achieved just that, without even breaking a sweat!

photo: Ron Chancey

We began the evening enjoying Ashley Jordan's beautiful voice. She's got a kind of folk-country thing going on, with a characteristic break that conveys great feeling. A nice mix of covers and originals, backed by some convincing guitar work.

Two particular high points: the first, an anthem from her upcoming CD (her second!) titled Liquid Words. Great song. The second, a cover of Brandi Carlile's The Story (requested by Ashley's mom) that had me fighting back tears. Really beautiful. Ashley's part of the Acoustic Showcase youth movement; another very talented high school student we're catching early in what could easily be a great career. We'll have her back as soon as we can!

Next we brought on Lexington's own Robert Cedrone, accompanied by Noah Mendelsohn on bass, and Ron Chancey on lead guitar.

These guys really know how to rock. Excellent energy, song selection, and musicianship. Real pros. Robert's ringing voice, Noah's striding bass, and Ron's ~~[fabulous]~~ evocative solos -- it makes for really good music.

To add to the excitement, the band brought up two different guest vocalists: Ann O'Donnell, then Sarah Shaw. Two exciting vocalists with distinctive styles. Here's Sarah giving us a rousing Me And Bobby McGee.

Finally, we welcomed back Julian Baptista. A laid back stage presence, a nice blend of delicate and ringing guitar work, a pleasing mix of originals and covers, and a tremendous tenor voice.

Any performer who has (A) the nerve, and (B) the pipes to pull off Roy Orbison's Anything At All is OK in my book! Julian recently finished college and is hitting the road as a gigging musician. We wish him all the best, and we hope to see him back soon.

And that about does it for another Acoustic Showcase. How many of these have we done? We're in our third year -- I'll have to count them up. In the meantime, stop by next time and get it while it's hot!

Old Friends

2011-03-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

Two regulars and a repeat performer who we'd like to make a regular ASAP: it was another good night at the Acoustic Showcase, IMHO.

We began with Barrett, Donahue, Hatem, Eastburn, and Eastburn (law firm, anyone?). As usual, their song selection ranged from old-time rock and roll to good-time country numbers, with various appealing road-side attractions along the way.

That's Jack Donahue pounding the skins -- he also played bass and harmonica. Down the other end is Chris Eastburn, a stand-out on guitar, mandolin, and tenor harmonies (and parenting five year old violin players). Mike Barrett sang lead, while mountain man Paul Hatem joined in on guitar and high harmonies. These guys are great fun -- at least half the audience was singing along most of the time.

Quinn Eastburn added his country fiddle to some particularly appealing numbers. As I've said before, his rhythm, intonation, and melody are outstanding. Anybody up for another rockin' round of "This Old Man"?

After we cleared away the chairs, mic stands, and cables, David Keevil came on and played a solo set.

Clearly, this man takes his music seriously (or maybe he's just wondering if there's time for another latte). David played some (by now) familiar numbers, mixing in one of his earliest ("I Don't Dare") and his latest, a Sesame Street-ready ditty titled "Small." Thanks to Barrett, Eastburn, and Hatem for sticking around and singing harmonies from the audience.

And then it was time for the extremely entertaining Josh Beetler.

Josh is a guitar wizard, and I use the term advisedly. He's endlessly inventive and playful -- listening, you hook into his joy and enthusiasm. He performed a nice mix of original songs, instrumentals, and covers. No beat box this time, but great use of a loop machine, as he created an architecture of harmonies and rhythms.

Josh also sports a jaunty chapeau!

And that does it for another Acoustic Showcase. It's always a good time -- stop by and check it out!

Fun For The Whole Family

2011-03-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

We had a great time last night at the Acoustic Showcase. Two acts new to our stage, one old hand. Two young women with lovely voices and great material, seven "grown ups" with experience and talent to spare. It made for an excellent mix.

We began with Elli Loria. A talented singer/songwriter, she came to our attention via her teacher, Chris McKenney (that's him on the right adding some excellent country licks).

Elli's been playing guitar for five years (her first guitar was a sparkly pink Daisy Rock!), and writing for longer than that. She sings refreshing, touching songs about life and love -- her voice is flexible and true.

Elli's dad backed her on one song, a bitter-sweet meditation on what's gained and lost by growing up.

Here's only a small part of Elli's enthusiastic crowd. She played a great set, got lots of well-deserved applause, and we'll have her back as soon as we can!

We continued the wonderful music with the next group, a quintet made up of (left to right) Tom and Ann O'Donnell, Gillian Goolkasian, Ellen Watters Sullivan, and Robert Cedrone.

What a great band! Nice set list, strong vocal harmonies, tremendous musicianship, and that lovely 'cello!

Among numerous high points were "Creep" by Radiohead, mixed with a Dvorak (I think) 'cello solo. Beautifully done.

Here's Ann and her niece Gillian -- both are marvelous vocalists. At 13, Gillian is already an accomplished performer, with a strong, clear, flexible voice.

And here's another enthusiastic, attentive crowd. What a pleasure to get so many people listening!

We capped the evening with a set from Chris Nauman, accompanied by Ken Selcer.

I love Chris's songs. Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen -- he's got some great influences. A nice voice with some texture to it, and songs that are moving in lots of different ways. Ken's guitar playing was deft, assured, playful -- all that good stuff.

I was a little tired and distracted before the show last night. By the end of the evening I was energized and happy. We had good music, but more than that we had great feeling, human warmth and community. On with the show!

2 Davids and 1 Nadia (plus a Joe and a Tim)

2011-02-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

More good times last night at the Acoustic Showcase. We featured two familiar performers (both named David) and one appealing newcomer.

We began the evening with impresario David Keevil, who (sans Laughing Boy) played a solo set.

High points: an energetic opening song (Grace); an evocative meditation on making choices (The Right Mistake); and a song that he doesn't play often because its just too sad (Walk Away). Low point: stopping and starting a song over after removing an offending capo. Love the vest!

Next we heard from the very appealing Nadia, accompanied by guitarist Joe Baer Magnant. Nadia's new to the Showcase; it's always a pleasure to feature new talent!

Lovely vocal tones, great stage presence, and a nice interplay with Joe.

The audience liked her so much that they demanded an encore. Good stuff!

Finally we enjoyed an excellent extended set from Showcase regular David Moore, accompanied by stand-up bass stand-out Tim Fiehler.

David just keeps getting better and better (and we met him when he was already impressive). His original material is polished from hours in the studio (and the woodshed). He played a couple of new ones that were hits right out of the box.

Tim's bass (and unamplified vocal harmonies) added depth and color -- the songs became greater than the sum of their parts.

Another appealing Acoustic Showcase! It was lovely to see an attentive audience last night -- people who turned out on a Saturday evening for the simple pleasure of live music in a cozy, casual setting. Thanks for joining us!

Alternate Universe

2011-02-06T04:40:00.000-08:00

After weeks of snow and all its hardships, last night the Acoustic Showcase created an alterate universe (as Diane Taraz put it) of good music and conviviality. We began by filling our stage with talented musicians, as Showcase regulars Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn were joined by Paul Hatem (guitar and vocals), Adrian Rigopulos (bass and vocals), and the amazing Quinn Eastburn (violin). (David Keevil jumped in from time to time on harmonica as well.)

These guys were a blast! As usual, an excellent song list from the American folk/country/early rock tradition. Great musicianship, and up to four part harmonies! Special mentions go to Adrian -- who earlier in the day auditioned for Tanglewood -- and Quinn, who at age 5 (?!) has a sense of intonation, rhythm, and phrasing coveted by musicians ten times his age.

A warm and enthusiastic audience turned out to hear the band. We needed a wider lens to really capture it -- one couple dancing, a mother nursing her newborn, and numerous others singing along. Great stuff! Good for the heart, soul, and immune system.

The band finished with a rousing number, quickly packed up their gear (I love that rubber wheel on the bottom of the double bass case), and we welcomed the wonderful Diane Taraz.

Diane said she had a cold last night (as befits the season), but we couldn't hear it -- as usual her soprano soared, lilted, and crooned. Her selections ranged from the 1700's to the present day, from heartfelt reflection to wry humor.

We loved her two Joni Mitchell songs; Diane's voice above that ringing dulcimer is deeply affecting. Diane's an accomplished performer, and we're lucky to have her. Thanks, Diane!

And finally we heard from Kevin Moore. Kevin's an excellent singer/songwriter with a pleasing voice, satisfying guitar work (picking and strumming, open and conventional tuning), and a great song selection. His music is both quiet and strong -- conveyed with feeling and conviction.

We particularly enjoyed his original "That's My Child," and his moving rendition of "The Water Is Wide."

Kevin's got nice rapport with his audience -- understated, quietly humorous -- a nice counterpoint to his songs. Another great performer we'll keep inviting back.

And thus ends another Acoustic Showcase. Yes Diane, it's an alternate universe: in the midst of a dark, snowy, and demanding life, these gatherings continue to delight and inspire with the simple pleasure of shared music.

See you next time!

Good Folk

2011-01-23T05:36:00.000-08:00

Some nice folks came by yesterday evening and played some good music at the Acoustic Showcase. We began the evening with the talented Will Ryan. Will (also known as the mandolin player and associate vocalist for Laughing Boy) is a really appealing solo performer.

Will made beautiful use of open tuning -- ringing, chiming guitar chords interspersed with deft melodic lines -- while his strong tenor put the songs across with great feeling. He had an excellent set list: folk highlights and B sides from the past twenty years or so. We're looking forward to hearing more in the future!

After nearly an hour of solo music, Will put aside his guitar and picked up the mandolin, as Laughing Boy came on.

The trio was in fine form (at least we like to think so), despite occasional free-form moments of random note-making.

Laughing Boy premiered their new song: "Hey Sisyphus," one of three they're currently recording in between bouts of snow-shoveling. Coming soon to a down-load near you!

Love that three-part harmony...

Finally we welcomed singer/songwriter Paul Hatem to his first Acoustic Showcase appearance.

Paul writes songs that are apparently simple at first blush, but quietly reveal themselves as little gems. His pleasing tenor plays over the strummed guitar; his lyrics contain mostly words of one and two syllables -- and with these materials he fashions lovely meditations on childhood, love, loss, the change of seasons, and more.

Paul was joined on a number of songs by Carrie Harrington, whose mellow harmonies added depth and feeling.

A warm and enthusiastic audience turned out for Paul's set.

And there it is again -- the feeling of community created by shared music. I could go on and on, but instead I'll simply wait for the next Acoustic Showcase, so we can have some more.

Blues! Blues! Buh-looz!

2011-01-09T14:28:00.000-08:00

A wonderful evening at the Acoustic Showcase. David Moore fronted an all-star blues band, with guest lead guitarists and a guest vocalist! Upside: everyone had a tremendous time; downside: it might have been too loud at times to order coffee comfortably (sorry Starbucks!).

The line-up was as follows: Don Strauss on bass, Michael Valdez on keys, Sawyer Lawson on drums, David Moore on lead guitar and vocals, and David Keevil (in the very fetching hat) on harp and backing guitar. And that's the incredible Rob Carlson on lead guitar. As usual, he knocked our socks off (after he blew us out of our shoes).

As well as being an occasional speed demon, Rob's got real soul.

Great interplay between the rhythm section and the soloists. And check out that gorgeous dobro!

Rob ended with a bang, and we brought in the marvelous Ron Chancey. What an artist! He makes his Strat talk, wail, and bark like a dog. Beautiful.

David Moore was tearing up the vocals, and playing some pretty spectacular lead guitar as well.

Rob Cedrone stopped by, and jumped in on vocals for a couple of numbers (we had to beg). Great pipes and great presence -- Rob's a real front man.

The set ended all too soon; Ron stepped out, and we welcomed Gordon Fromm in the lead guitar spot.

Nice licks! He was spot-on for Bell Bottom Blues, and stretched out in great style on various other numbers.

Major kudos to David Moore for organizing the event, leading rehearsals, writing up playlists and charts, singing, playing guitar, and inspiring us all! Thanks, David!

Thanks as well to our photographers: Griffin Keevil and Noah Mendelsohn.

And so ends another Acoustic Showcase. A real pleasure -- to play and listen. An honor and a huge kick to make music with such an accomplished bunch. Good stuff!

And now we're going to set aside the amps and pedals, and get back to acoustic instruments for a while. See you next time!

Holiday Sing!

2010-12-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

We had a grand, cozy, vocal time last night at the Showcase. Fun for the whole family! We began the evening with Showcase stalwarts Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn, joined (as they often are) by Jack Donahue and his daughter Kate.

A really nice set of American originals (with at least one British interloper) -- from quiet folk to Buddy Holly stomp. Great stuff! It got the audience limbered up for the next set, a sing-along bunch of holiday favorites.

Chris Eastburn led the next part of the program, ably assisted by three other members of his family: Adrian Rigopulos (bass), Simon Rigopulos (vocals), and Quinn Eastburn (violin). As an audience member pointed out, this quartet had both the biggest instrument and the smallest performer in Showcase history!

These guys were a whole lot of fun, with some terrific musical chops -- serious talent! We particularly enjoyed hearing from swinging violinist Quinn. His spot-on intonation, excellent tone, and syncopated rhythms wowed the crowd. Adrian flew in from Canada only an hour earlier to lay down a rocking bass line with experienced authority, while Simon's harmonies were confident, accurate, and soulful.

Then it was time for general singing of old favorites. Jack returned to lend his harmonies, while David Keevil helped out on guitar. Too bad we didn't get a good picture of the audience -- you'd see everybody belting out "Frosty The Snowman"! You'll have to take our word for it...

Finally, we had the great pleasure of hearing from Showcase favorites Random Chants. They were in fine form last night, singing holiday songs interspersed with favorites from their year-round playlist.

There are usually nine Chants singing, but one of them had more immediate demands on her time...

No matter, the eight-voice group did a bang-up job, and everyone had a great time!

See you in 2011!

End With A Bang

2010-12-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

The Acoustic Showcase began with a whimper this week, but we quickly hit our stride and ended with a very satisfying bang. For the second time in a row, a featured performer pulled out at the last minute. So, with the clock ticking, your fearless impressario (David Keevil) phoned a friend (Gordon Fromm) and played a duet set to open the evening. Many thanks to Ken Selcer, who loaned David his lovely acoustic guitar, and to Gordie, who played some tasty lead guitar with zero rehearsal. (No photos were taken to document the event, because the photographer was busy playing.)

On with the show! Next up was the aforementioned Ken Selcer, who played a great set of originals.

(Sorry for the grainy picture quality -- had to use my phone!) Ken's a deft, slippery guitar player with a great sense of rhythm and really nice solos tossed in from time to time. He has an excellent tenor voice: rumpled velvet, warm air, and 500 grit sandpaper. Good lyrics as well. Which means Ken is the complete package, and a real treat to have at the Showcase.

And then we heard from Via Perkins, who just continues to get better and better.

Last night Via played her set ably accompanied by friend and drummer Jung Park. Really nice music! Via is an understated singer who brings the listener in close as she shares insightful, affecting lyrics. She conveys great feeling and a kind of quiet power, with a lovely tone and a great delivery. Her lyrics are evocative and subtle; her guitar sets the mood with clarity and texture.

Nice crowd last night. I love the fact that audiences at the Showcase tend to really listen and respond to the songs. And while the whole thing is very small-scale and casual, there are musical moments of real depth and meaning. We had some last night!

Lemonade!

2010-11-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

Happy accidents at the Acoustic Showcase last night. First, Laughing Boy's mandolin player was unexpectedly called away at the last minute. Second, Lena Stein had to back out three and a half hours before showtime! What to do? We responded with a scintillating blues jam, led by David Moore, with an excellent solo set from Nathan Thompson in the middle.

The festivities kicked off with David Moore's lusty tenor and whipsaw Telecaster, backed by Don Strauss on bass and David Keevil on guitar and occasional harp.

Great fun, and gratifying audience response!

Next, Nathan Thompson took the stage [rug], and entertained with his rootsy, country-tinged folk music.

Nathan's songs are worth a second, third, and fourth listen -- his guitar work is deft and understated, and his vocals are similar -- at times pleasingly talky, and then pushing into higher ranges with lovely effect. Nice lyrics; and we enjoyed the running joke about real estate (you probably had to be there).

Nathan's set came to a close, and we got back to the blues (to the extent that suburban white guys are capable of such endeavors). Don Strauss had to leave, so Gordon Fromm took over on bass, Nathan added his guitar, while David shifted to harp. On with the show!

More satisfying licks from David Moore, and Nathan chimed in with some excellent solos on the acoustic. Then Gordie had to leave, so David shifted over to bass, and we played out the set as the world-famous blues trio Cannonball Demolition.

Playing music is fun, fun, fun, no matter how sour the initial circumstances (read: cancellations at the last minute). Turns out the Showcase is a great place to make blue lemonade. See you next time!

Short and Sweet

2010-11-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

An abbreviated Acoustic Showcase lost nothing in warmth and conviviality. Jay Broyer scrubbed at the last minute (something about "it" moving from his throat to his ears -- bad news for a musician), but we thoroughly enjoyed the other two acts: Showcase stalwarts; for whom our growing familiarity breeds appreciation.

First we heard from Michael Barrett and Chris Eastburn, with Jack Donahue holding down the bass line.

These guys continue to entertain with their excellent selections from the great American song-book. Great stuff from the '30s through the '00s. As usual, strong vocals from Mike, beautiful harmonies mixed with deft guitar work from Chris. And Jack's bass playing is always satisfying.

Then we welcomed Rick Drost back to the Showcase.

Rick's an experienced performer, and he easily filled the quiet coffee house with his textured tenor voice and chiming finger-picking. One particularly intriguing song of his from 1968 I'd love to hear again... what was the title again? We'll have him back again in a few months, and we can give it another listen.

We wished Jay Broyer good luck recovering from the crud and packed up early. We'll be back in two weeks for another Showcase!

Singers and Songwriters

2010-10-17T16:35:00.000-07:00

We had a good time last night with three singer/songwriters, all of whom are excellent at both.

We began with Showcase newcomer Ashley Jordan.

She's got one of those voices that make you keep listening, engaged and enthralled. Clear, pure tones, with great passion and inflection throughout. Good guitar, nice songwriting. What's not to like? And she's only seventeen (with two CDs already to her credit). We're expecting to hear more great things from her in the future, and hoping to have her back to the Showcase before she (too) famous.

Next up was familiar Showcase favorite David Moore.

David's got a CD about ready to pop, and all the work he's been putting in shows in his effortless delivery, smooth use of (restrained) pedal effects and ringing guitar. He complained of a cold, but we didn't hear any sign of it in his flexible tenor. I love David's acoustic pop songs -- serious and playful, great for singing along. Next time we have him at the Showcase we'll be looking for the CD -- and it's sure to be a hit.

Finally we welcomed Chris Nauman. Chris was a treat -- an easy stage presence, strong voice, nice song writing, fluid guitar and energetic harmonica. Complete package.

A little of a Neil Young feel to his voice, which I really enjoyed -- a kind of high, textured tenor. Simple, heartfelt lyrics. Very appealing.

We don't usually get huge audiences at the Showcase, but those who come are here to listen and enjoy.

People drop by, stay as long as they can, maybe enjoy a coffee, chat with the performer between songs -- it's as intimate as your living room, but you don't have to provide the food or clean up after. And a good time is almost invariably had by all.

Lift Up Your Voice

2010-10-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

A great night for great voices at the Showcase. Varied performers, all with really nice pipes!

We began with the a cappella group Random Chants.

We've enjoyed them before at the Showcase, and last night they were in particularly good form, with tight harmonies, great rhythm, and appealing song selection. Unadorned voices in harmony: about as acoustic as it gets (though we do use mics to project over the sound of grinding coffee and steaming milk). We'll try to have them back in December for a set of holiday music.

Next we brought on Showcase newcomer Julian Baptista. Another appealing voice -- a strong, clear tenor (well suited to the Roy Orbison number he covered).

Julian's set featured numerous originals; with his voice, his effective guitar work and his engaging lyrics, the experience was deeply satisfying. We'll have him back too!

Finally we welcomed Diane Taraz. She's familiar to us from previous performances, and she's a real pro, with inventive, well-researched originals and folk songs from a variety of historic periods and traditions.

What a beautiful voice. She's got good range, great clarity, and supple tone. Couple this with lovely guitar and dulcimer playing, and you have the makings of a very appealing performance indeed. Yet another performer we'll look forward to featuring again.

And that's about it from the Acoustic Showcase. Stop by for the best (free) music in the neighborhood!

Community Sing

2010-09-26T07:45:00.000-07:00

A convivial time at the Acoustic Showcase last night. We started late, due to the impresario's scheduling conflicts, but we made up for it in enthusiasm and warmth. The evening began at 6pm with perennial favorites Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn, ably accompanied by father/daughter team Jack and Kate Donahue.

(Apologies for the photo quality -- forgot my camera, and had to use my iPhone.)

As usual, this group's song selection is a pleasure -- like meeting old friends you haven't seen in a while. Lots of good singing, and some springy harmonica playing from Jack.

The audience always gets a kick out of these performers -- smiling, tapping their toes and singing along. Lots of fun.

At 6:45 we quieted down a bit to hear from Dami Noah, another familiar favorite here at the Showcase.

Dami's songs are always interesting and compelling. He delivers them in a high, quiet tenor, with quavering grace notes. His guitar playing compliments his singing -- finger picking graceful, lacy melodies. Yet there is considerable strength in his songs as well -- in subject matter, emotion, and intention. Really intriguing and affecting. He's currently recording a song-cycle CD, all about a single character. Stay tuned!

And then Rob Cedrone took over, ably accompanied by Noah Mendelsohn on bass and Ron Chancey on lead guitar. An engaging set of excellent songs from Van Morrison and others. Talk about singing along.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: these guys cook! I couldn't stop bouncing up and down while listening, and I wasn't the only one; we had one brave audience member up and dancing at Starbucks! In Lexington! How often does that happen? (Answer: well... hardly ever.)

Particular kudos to Ron Chancey on the Strat. His solos are soooooo smooth and tasty. And with Rob singing and Noah pounding the bass.... well, all I can say is Yeah!

So, still enjoying last night's music on the morning after. See you next time!

Fun with Guitars

2010-09-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

Yup, lots of fun last night at the Acoustic Showcase. We began with The Jolly Topic -- this trio is as close as the Showcase comes to a house band. They played a tight set (if I do say so myself), with some particularly nice contributions from Will Ryan on mandolin.

That's Will on the left, David Keevil in the middle, and Don Strauss on bass. We're working on getting everyone to look at their instruments at the same time... Almost there!

Next up was Josh Beetler, with his guitar, his Mac and his loop box. Wow!

Josh played the Showcase once before almost two years ago. His set has changed considerably -- he now features some of the most flexible, witty, facile guitar playing we've had the pleasure to enjoy, in layers above a vocal beat-box. Musical quotes ranging from Willy Wonka to Bad Company kept us all on our toes, and everyone had a blast, including Josh. We're looking forward to having him back as soon as we can.

Finally we welcomed back Rob Carlson, guitarist and singer extraordinaire. I get an enormous kick out of listening to him -- so smooth, quick, assured and gifted. His music gets to my gut, heart and head. That's a nice combination!

Rob was joined by Jeff Trout on the (5 string!) bass, and Ted Millen on percussion. These guys cook, and they're subtle too, with some really nice interplay.

So, yet again we had an evening where I was tapping my toes and smiling like a happy idiot about 90% of the time. Not bad for free music at the coffee house!

Fun, Fun, Fun!

2010-08-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yup, lots of fun at the Acoustic Showcase last night. We began with regulars David Keevil & Don Strauss.

Actually, they were standing for their set, and David didn't scowl once while singing, and he had a different guitar, and Don was on the other side, but we didn't get a picture of them last night so we're running this old one. The music was fine, by the way.

Next up was Bruce Sabian.

Playful lyrics, ringing guitar work (and this on an instrument the Music Emporium declared DOA!), and a really enthusiastic crowd response, especially from the four-year-olds in attendance. Good stuff. Maybe we can entice his whole band -- Flail Like Ed -- next time.

Finally we heard from Howie Newman, who provided something a little different for the Showcase.

Nothing sad, nothing bleak, no teenage wastelands visited for your listening pleasure. Instead, upbeat lyrics, guitar, harmonica, kazoo(!), even a little karaoke!! All this and a tutorial on baseball arcana (check out his song "The Mendoza Line"). We all had a great time listening and singing (on cue). Fun x 3 indeed.

As Howie said, at the Showcase every seat is in the front row, and all eyes (and ears) are on the performer. Live music in an intimate setting -- you can't beat it with a metronome!

Nota Bene

2010-08-04T04:06:00.000-07:00

As you may have noticed, I've stopped posting descriptive previews of coming attractions. A couple of reasons: (1) I was essentially duplicating the information I send out to our email list, which seemed a little tedious, and (2) I ended up running two posts in a row with very similar pictures/info, which looked kind of silly. Tedious silliness is not my aim, so I'm discontinuing preview posts!

If you want more information about upcoming acts (listed on the calendar at the top of the blog) then let me know that you'd like to be included on our email list. Contact me at: davidkeevil@davidkeevilcom. Thanks!

That's Entertainment...

2010-07-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

Returning to the Acoustic Showcase after more than a week of brutally hot weather. Air conditioning plays havoc with acoustic guitars, but it's a welcome relief otherwise. As is good music! We enjoyed three great sets from four talented performers.

We began with Rick Drost, back at the Showcase for the third time. Rick's got appealing lyrics (both humorous and touching), a great tenor voice, and a chiming finger-picking style. Nice combination.

Then David Moore (another favorite repeat performer) took over, with periodic assistance from Jeff Finn on keys. David's in the process of completing a CD, and it shows -- his songs were smooth and assured. Still waiting for him to drag his band in here, with a trio of backing vocalists... a guy can dream, can't he?

Finally we heard from Showcase newcomer Kevin Moore. Kevin's new to us, but he's well known in the area, and he's an experienced and accomplished performer. Really nice songs -- beautiful guitar work, affecting lyrics, and strong voice -- nothing but superlatives for this guy. We'll try to get him back as soon as we can.

I'll say it again: there's nothing like sitting right there, listening, while dedicated, engaging musicians work their craft. Good for the soul. See you at the next Acoustic Showcase!

Abbreviated Bliss

2010-06-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

Two familiar favorites played the Showcase last night (our third act had to cancel at the last minute). We began with Michael Barrett and Chris Eastburn.

As usual, their song selection was a great blend of American country, folk, and early rock. Michael's vocals were assured, with Chris adding his beautiful high harmony. Very pleasing.

And then Acoustic Showcase house band The Jolly Topic took over (this is what David Keevil, Don Strauss and Will Ryan now call their trio).

Quirky originals with a few 60's AM radio hits thrown in -- they premiered "Can't Get Used To Losing You" (Andy Williams by way of English Beat). Jolly fun!

And that was the Showcase for June 5th, 2010; we knocked off early and went out for a cold drink. Summer schedule means we're presenting once a month -- so we'll be back on July 10th with another edition. Stay tuned!

Oh Won't You Staaaaayyy...

2010-05-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

A bitter-sweet Acoustic Showcase last night, as Ayan Sanyal played for the last(?) time before heading off to college in the fall. He's bound for the wilds of Waltham, which means he won't be able to make it back to Lexington? (I don't quite get the logic there, but we'll worry about it later.

The entertaining evening began with David Keevil, Don Strauss and Will Ryan playing their folk-pop originals, with a few mid-60's covers to spice things up. Will makes a wonderful addition with his mandolin, adding punch and tingle to up-tempo numbers, and moody tone with the larger octave mandolin on slower songs.

Then we heard from Via Perkins. This is her third time playing the Showcase, and she just keeps getting better. Thoughtful lyrics, a lovely voice, and ringing guitar. She gave us a thrill by opening with the world premier of a song she just finished last night! Thanks, Via! We're looking forward having her back soon.

And finally, Ayan Sanyal, solo. He's reeeeelly good -- jazzy, punchy guitar; deft lyrics; lots of up-tempo vim and vigor. A treat. Pleeeeze come play again, Ayan! We'll send a taxi to Waltham and pick you up! College life is over-rated anyway -- you'll want to come home and visit your family every weekend! (Good luck, and all that.)

And that about does it for another edition of The Acoustic Showcase -- brought to you by talented local musicians who play just because they love to. We'll be on our summer schedule for the next three months. Check us out!

Safe to Drink

2010-05-09T07:01:00.000-07:00

And we're back -- now that the pipes are fixed and the pressure's been restored.

Some good music coming up on the 15th, beginning at 5pm with a folk/pop trio in search of a name -- David Keevil on vocals, guitar and harmonica, Don Strauss on bass, and newcomer Will Ryan on mandolin.

Then at 6pm we'll hear from Via Perkins, with original songs of surprising tensile strength and beauty.

Via's played the Showcase twice before, and I never tire of listening to her.

We had a last-minute cancellation from Diane Taraz, so I've asked Ayan Sanyal to jump in at 7pm. He's headed off to college in the fall, so this may be your last chance to hear him at the Showcase for some time. He's a big talent, and not to be missed!

Busted Pipes 'n' Busted Plans

2010-05-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

A water main broke in Weston, and our venue was shut down by order of the Governor (something like that). So no music tonight, much to my chagrin. Such is life. We'll be back on May 15th with another great show!

May Day!

2010-04-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

Comrades! Here is the lineup for our upcoming show on May 1st! Fulfill your entertainment quota by attending the show and applauding the citizen musicians with vigor and enthusiasm!

The fabulous Random Chants will be on at 5pm. This nine-voice a cappella group has entertained us twice before -- their harmonies and song selection are always a pleasure.

At 6pm it's the Groove Pops! Original pop-rock with catchy melodies, intelligent lyrics, and three-part harmony.

And rounding out the evening at 7pm is Ayan Sanyal, with Ethan Schneider on drums and Lucy Kahn on bass. Ethan's off to college in the fall, so this may be your last chance to catch this exciting trio at the Acoustic Showcase!

Come Celebrate International Workers Day at

The Acoustic Showcase!!!

Local Color

2010-04-18T04:58:00.000-07:00

An enthusiastic night at the Acoustic Showcase. Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn began the evening, joined by Kate Donahue on backing vocals and guitar, and her father Jack on bass and the occasional vocals/harmonica. As usual, their set list was excellent -- high points included "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) and a rousing rendition of "Spirit In The Sky" with Jesus replaced by Nancy (as in "gotta have a friend in Nancy" -- evidently the harbinger of a new and exciting religious orientation originating right here in Lexington, Massachusetts!)

I get a kick out of listening to this group. They have an old-timey spirit that's very inviting -- a kind of hootenanny effect that brings a smile.

After Mike, Chris, Kate and Jack were cheered off the stage, Alyssa Zahka took over. Alyssa has a gorgeous voice that she sends soaring over her ringing guitar, with an unaffected and appealing stage presence.

Great song selection -- a balanced blend of covers and originals. Among many wonderful moments: "Unchained Melody" (Righteous Brothers), an out-of-left-field selection that went over beautifully. She also covered Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus (proving that good song writing trumps marketing hype). I got a kick out of watching her friends in the audience singing the words along with her...

Alyssa's set was another example of what deep pleasure is to be had from listening to live music in an intimate setting -- especially when the performer is local, the crowd is warm, and the songs are sung from the heart.

Finally, as Alyssa's crowd filed out at the end of a very satisfying evening, they were serenaded with some original songs from David Keevil.

See you next time at the Acoustic Showcase!

Local Boys Make Good

2010-04-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

Another exciting evening at the Acoustic Showcase. Three performers, all residents of Lexington Massachusetts, all great musicians and entertainers. We kicked off with David Moore, whose ringing guitar work, flexible tenor, and (often) lovelorn lyrics make a powerful combination.

David's in the process of recording an EP, with a release date slated for August. His songs work well solo, and they should rock with additional tracks. Last night we had fun imagining a rhythm section, twelve-string chords, screaming solos, keyboards, horns, strings, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir... Go David!

Next up (what is it with these sports metaphors to indicate sequence?) was Kenny Selcer. Kenny's guitar work is deft and swinging -- I love his easy solo runs and his slippery chord work. His tenor voice and nice mix of originals and funky covers was a real pleasure. Very easy, very professional, lots to like. You can see/hear more about Kenny at http://www.kenselcer.com/

And then Rob Cedrone teed up (had to continue my string). Rob's a tremendous performer; he always puts a smile on my face. With the brilliant Ron Chancey on lead guitar and rock-steady Noah Mendelsohn on bass, this trio kicked (if you'll excuse me) some very serious butt. The enthusiastic crowd sang along, yelled requests, and imbibed various stimulating drinks.

Nothing like starting them young on good music and orange juice (see foreground).

We'll be back again next week -- two in a row because of the holidays at the beginning of the month. Coming up:

Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn

Alyssa Zahka

and David Keevil

Stop by and give a listen!

And now... more great music for your listening pleasure!

2010-04-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

In deference to the religious holidays, we postponed the Showcase -- which means we now have two Saturdays in a row! On April 10th we have an exciting roster:

Lexington resident and Showcase regular David Moore, with his ringing guitar, inventive lyrics, and Celtic tenor...

Kenny Selcer, who wowed us a few months ago...

And Rob Cedrone (with Noah Mendelsohn), whose spirited covers of Van the Man and others are always an enormous pleasure.

Come see them all, starting at 5pm on Saturday the 10th!

It's Eclectic! It's Electric!

2010-03-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

Good stuff at the Acoustic Showcase last night. We began with David Keevil, sans bass player and backing vocalist Don Strauss. David took the solo opportunity to stand up and play his hollowbody.

Highlights included the "Strep Set" -- four 60s pop covers David learned while listening to AM radio during repeated bouts with strep throat when he was about nine years old.

"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" made for a rousing finish.

Next we heard from Jay Broyer. He's been getting some local air play behind his new album, and last night we could hear why. Jay's songs are engaging and appealing in the best pop-rock tradition.

Jay's got a great stage presence, affecting lyrics, pipes and chops -- what's not to like? We'll have him back in the Fall. In the meantime, check him out at http://jaybroyer.com/

And THEN we had some serious excitement as the Marc Boggs trio came on.

Jazz-rock fusion at the coffee shop! These guys are GOOD -- professional grade. The trio features the fabulous Marc Boggs on guitar, Brendan Byrnes on drums (amazing what that man can get out of a snare) and Ed Spargo all over the bass. Two of my personal favorites from their instrumental set: "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" (Jeff Beck), and "Little Wing" (Jimi Hendrix with some input from Stevie Ray Vaughan). Delicate, grooving, driving, subtle, etc., etc. I couldn't stop bouncing up and down! We'll look for them in the Fall as well.

Meanwhile, we'll be back on April 10th with some more local talent. Stay tuned for good music.

Up and Coming

2010-03-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

March 20th should be an exciting evening. We'll begin at 5pm with Showcase regular David Keevil, playing his originals seasoned with a sprinkling of AM radio hits from the 60s.

Then at 6pm we'll welcome back Jay Broyer.

Jay's been enjoying the buzz from his recently released CD: "All Of This Dreaming." He was even featured as a "Sparkling New" artist on Motion Wave Radio Japan! Check out his catchy, downbeat lyrics and foot-stomping grooves.

Finally, at 7pm Lexington guitarist Marc Boggs will present his eponymous trio, with Ed Spargo on bass and Brendan Byrnes on drums. They play a fusion of blues, jazz, and rock that grooves outside the box -- should be a blast!

the very graphic Marc Boggs

Here Comes The Sun, Doo 'n' doo doo...

2010-03-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

A sunny day (finally) gave way to a pleasant evening of good acoustic music. We began with Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn -- they're regulars at the Showcase, and they do a good job of stirring the set list, mixing new material with old favorites.

A highlight of their set for me was a Quaker hymn interpreted by Bill Staines: "How Can I Keep From Singing."

As usual, the harmonies were strong and Chris's guitar solos were flexible and tangy.

Nathan Thompson was next. He's originally from the Midwest, and made his way to the Boston area to study at Berklee. He's been playing the local circuit for some time now, with a nice collection of originals and covers influenced by country-western and R & B.

I guess I was in a slow, sweet mood last night, because I particularly enjoyed Nathan's rendition of a Bill Withers song: "Just The Two Of Us." He played it at quiet evening speed, and the interplay of melody, chords and lyrics was a real pleasure.

We ended the night with Ayan Sanyal. He's knocked us out before, and he didn't disappoint. With Ethan Schneider on drums and Lucy Kahn on bass, the songs blossomed and flourished.

This band is really good! Particularly fun to hear the subtle yet driving interplay between the three musicians, with Ayan's sure voice and intriguing lyrics up top.

We're lucky to have such a wide variety of appealing musicians to hear from, (every other) week after week. A great way to end a sunny day...

In Like A Lion

2010-02-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

Coming up on Saturday, March 6th: all king of the jungle, no mutton!

We'll begin at 5pm with Chris Eastburn and Mike Barrett. These Showcase regulars are always a lot of fun -- blues/country/gospel/folk music that will have you singing along.

At 6pm we'll bring on Nathan Thompson. He's a graduate of Berklee, with musical chops and passion to spare. He's new to the Showcase -- it's always a genuine pleasure to add another performer to the mix.

And then at 7pm we'll welcome back Ayan Sanyal and Ethan Schneider. These guys play exciting, original alt-pop indie-rock -- truly inventive, talented musicians.

Check it out!

Saturation Point

2010-02-21T04:32:00.000-08:00

Well, some evenings are like that. One performer pulled out a couple of weeks ago, and we had a rare no-show from another performer. And so our intrepid Showcase impresario stepped into the breach! David Keevil and Don Strauss entertained the crowd for an extended set, and the Groove Pops filled out the evening in fine style from 7 to 8. No animals were harmed, and everyone went home happy.

The highlight of David and Don's set might have been "I Say A Little Prayer," the 60's pop ballad sung by both Aretha Franklin and Dione Warwick. David's been digging into his AM radio childhood for some interesting covers, and this one is probably the best so far. What a lovely song -- with tiny little obsessive overtones of "Every Breath You Take": after about the third outburst of "forever and ever we never will part" you start to wonder about the other member of this putative relationship and how he or she is feeling about all this vociferous attention. None the less, it's beauty of a song, and a gas to sing.

The Groove Pops were in fine form as they negotiated the moguls and slaloms of a few new tunes, mixed with the easy powder of some familiar favorites (tortured metaphor alert). Michael Madera's most recent offering "It's Not Sweet" was a toe-tapping hit. The song is about a specific person Michael met on his travels, but it also comments back on a staple song for the Pops (performed earlier in the set): "Sugar For The Day." We like the inventive and engaging notion of writing successive songs that further a musical narrative or conversation. Way cool.

OK, over and out. Tune in on March 6th for another Acoustic Showcase offering!

That New Car Smell

2010-02-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

I'm not really sure what our post title conveys, but we are excited to have a new performer with us on February 20th (and we bet he smells just fine). He's Kevin Moore, an experienced acoustic singer/songwriter on both the New England and Alaska circuits (go figure!). Kevin was born in Wakefield and began writing songs at the tender age of 13. His genres range from Traditional American and Irish folk to Blues and Bluegrass. This should be a blast!

Kevin's on at 6pm. Providing the bread in this sandwich are David Keevil and Don Strauss at 5pm, and The Groove Pops at 7pm. Check out previous blog posts from more on those characters.

See you there!

Showcase Sampler

2010-02-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

A lovely evening at The Acoustic Showcase: entertaining, engaging, and enthralling (superlatives in the key of E). We began with the nine-voice women's a cappella group Random Chants.

The Chants were in fine voice, and obviously enjoying themselves. A highlight was during the slow roller "Fire" (think Pointer Sisters) when at a particularly intense moment the group was joined by a wailing infant soloist from offstage. I love these multi-level vocal experiences... The group also channeled Miley Cyrus and Kelly Clarkson to wonderful effect. (You may not be wild about the stars, but the songs rock!)

Next we heard from Via Perkins, (who goes by Kidd Strange when she's performing).

Via's guitar work is melodic and assured; her lyrics are thoughtful and evocative; while her vocal delivery is both understated and strongly felt. She's a gifted songwriter, and it was a real pleasure listening to her again (though we felt our age when she referred to a "really old song from 2005").

And then came folk musician Diane Taraz. Evocative, sometimes humorous songs -- guitar and dulcimer -- and a clear, pure voice that was beautifully in tune with her instrumental accompaniment.

Diane's an experienced songwriter, song interpreter, and performer -- and it shows. Her set was a lovely mix of moods and attitudes.

Another harmonious evening at The Acoustic Showcase. We'll look forward to having all these performers back for more good music. Stay tuned!

Full Palette

2010-01-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

The Acoustic Showcase: where the music is free and the coffee is easy. We've got a wonderfully wide array of musical talent coming up on February 6th. We begin at 5pm with the nine-voice women's a cappella group Random Chants -- they sang for us in December, and we couldn't wait to get them back.

Random Chants offers a rich blend of appealing voices, nice stage presence, and great song selection. And the intimate Showcase setting is perfect for a cappella.

At 6pm we'll hear from Via Perkins (a.k.a. Kidd Strange). She quietly blew our socks off when she performed last at the Showcase, and we're thrilled to have her back.

Then at 7pm we'll introduce Diane Taraz to the Showcase. Diane's an accomplished folk performer, with numerous CDs and performances to her credit. She "creates new songs and breathes new life into traditional ones, singing in a clear, velvety voice and playing guitar and lap dulcimer." We're looking forward to hearing her!

Stop by and enjoy the music!

January Thaw

2010-01-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

It's been terribly cold lately, at least by Massachusetts standards, so a warmer day was welcome. And capping it off, three warm sets by some Acoustic Showcase steadies.

We started off with Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn. Their vocal harmonies and song selection (not to mention Chris's adept guitar work) are always pleasing. Last night they featured songs from Ireland, which meant beautiful tunes and touching lyrics.

Next we heard from David Keevil and Don Strauss. (David organizes the Showcase, and rewards himself with monthly appearances -- which means that his picture crops up all over this blog. He's threatening to start substituting pictures of stuffed animals.) The set was interrupted when crazed fans rushed the stage, as you can see from this documentary footage. The price of fame.

And then Mikel McCavana entertained us. He's the real thing -- his lyrics are both surprising and satisfying, and his guitar work is deft and powerful. This was his third appearance at the Acoustic Showcase, and I keep discovering new things to like in his performances. He was joined for a few numbers by his friend Gabe Shirley on vocals and keyboard. Their collaboration was the highlight of the evening; the songs were layered and deep. Nice stuff! We'll have Mikel back as often as we can (June maybe?). And look for a solo set from Gabe in the Spring (if we can get him!).

So ends another Acoustic Showcase: sunny, with a reminder that Spring is only about three months away (blah). Tune in next time for another eclectic blend of local musical talent. Can't wait!

We're Back!!

2010-01-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

... and we're easing into the new year with three Acoustic Showcase mainstays:

Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn (5pm); David Keevil and Don Strauss (6pm); and Mikel McCavana (7pm). The first two acts play here regularly -- see earlier posts for more on them. About Mikel, perhaps all you need to know is that his picture graces the top of our blog, not just because he's a handsome guy, but also because he embodies what the Acoustic Showcase is all about: a loyal local following, an engaging stage presence, and appealingly original songs you'll want to hear more than once (or twice) ... (or thrice).

Stop by for some great music!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Acoustic Showcase will be resting on the 2nd;

we'll be back on the 16th with another great show.

We wish everyone a harmonious New Year!

Plugged...

2009-12-20T11:47:00.000-08:00

With the blizzard of the century impending but not descending, the Acoustic Showcase played the blues! The curtain rose with some Showcase regulars playing half-hour sets.

David Keevil and Don Strauss tore through a scintillating collection that featured a couple of new ones: "My Conviction" (from Hair) and "Run Away," an alt-pop evocation of longing and ambivalence.

David Moore graced us with his ringing guitar, punchy lyrics and passionate vocals. His songs are the ones I'm singing to myself as I drive home after the show.

Rob Carlson came next, with Jeff Trout on the (5 string) bass and Ted Millen on the cajon. For those of us unfamiliar with the cajon, that's the wooden box-thing Ted's sitting on. It's got a kick-drum side, a snare side, and a sound hole side as well. A very satisfying sound, with the added appeal for the percussionist of literally sitting in (or at least on) the pocket. Rob's speed-of-light guitar work and airborne vocals are hard to beat, and the deft support of Jeff and Ted made this set a real crowd-pleaser. It's no surprise that Rob's off to Brazil later this winter to pick up an award from MTV Brazil...

THEN, we took a few minutes to bring in a bunch of equipment, added a drummer (less-is-more whiz Ethan Schneider) and a keyboard player (maestro Jeff Finn), and shazam! we were reborn as the Acoustic Showcase Blues All-Stars!

The All-Stars are (left to right): Rob Carlson (guitar/vocals), Jeff Finn (keys), Don Strauss (bass), Ethan Schneider (drums), David Moore (guitar/vocals), and David Keevil (harp). Kudos and thanks to David Moore for putting together and leading a set of blues standards with a few appealing curve balls (early Fleetwood Mac?).

Everyone had an extremely good time...

In fact, we had so much fun that we're threatening to do it again...

Maybe in the Spring? Stay tuned!

Now we're digging out from all the snow that finally fell, and savoring blue memories of the latest Acoustic Showcase. The Showcase will take New Years weekend off, then come back with a bang on January 16th! Don't miss it!

Holiday Blues

2009-12-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

We've got something special planned for Saturday the 19th. Beginning at 5pm, the first half of the evening will feature half-hour sets from some Acoustic Showcase regulars: David Keevil with Don Strauss; David Moore; and Ron Carlson. Then at 6:30 we'll join together for a blues jam featuring Moore on vocals, Carlson on lead, Keevil on harp, and Strauss on bass. We'll add the very talented Ethan Schneider on drums, and there's a rumor we may even have a mystery keyboard player as well. This should be a blast for musicians and audience. Stop by and enjoy the music!

David Moore

Ron Carlson

David Keevil

Don Strauss

Ethan Schneider

House Blend

2009-12-06T08:46:00.000-08:00

A marvelous blend of activity at the Acoustic Showcase last night as the first snow of the season fell outside. The place was jumping, with each performer bringing in new listeners -- by the end of the evening we had one of our biggest and most enthusiastic audiences to date. Here's the rundown, with pictures from my phone (forgot the camera again)...

The evening began with Acoustic Showcase regulars Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn playing a nice set of standards -- folk, country, and some holiday chestnuts. The duo presented their songs alphabetically by title; how come more performers don't do that? Nice harmonies, guys!

Then we heard from Alyssa Zahka, and wasn't that a pleasure! Alyssa's music is a really appealing blend of solid guitar work and heart-felt vocals. Covers and originals -- for someone who hasn't been doing this long, she really knows how to put a song across.

Here's Alyssa singing, with members of Random Chants (see below) listening in the background. And that's Rob Carlson way in the back... One of the highlights of the evening for me was watching people in the audience appreciatively singing along (quietly) as Alyssa performed. Check the calendar -- we'll try to have her back in the Spring.

Next came Random Chants, a nine voice women's a cappella group. They gave us holiday songs -- "Santa Baby" was a big hit. Very tight harmonies, precise yet flexible presentation. And they looked like they were having fun! They'll be back at the Acoustic Showcase on February 6th. Can't wait!

Finally Robert Cedrone took the rug (I love saying that). Rob was with us last June, and we had him back as quickly as we could (he's a busy man). He doesn't disappoint -- a gutsy voice and assured guitar playing -- impassioned songs from Van the Man and others.

And as you can see from the photos, Robert was joined by some stellar talent. That's Rob Carlson on the left, Noah Mendelsohn next to Robert in the middle, and Ron Chancey on the right. Noah provided the rock-steady bass line, while Carlson and Chancey traded solos -- deft, scorching, soulful -- these guys are some serious talent. The crowd went wild (at least by Acoustic Showcase standards).

And so a wonderful time was had by all! Stop by for excellent music bubbling up out of community bedrock (how's that for a metaphor!). Seriously, it's a very good time, with talent, camaraderie, enthusiasm (and snow) blended in equal measures.

Variety Show

2009-11-28T09:30:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 5th, from 5 to 8 pm -- another exciting show coming up. Given the performers, we're expecting to do a lot of singing along (if only under our breath). Here's the lineup:

Local regulars Chris Eastburn and Mike Barrett are always crowd-pleasers. Chris directs the Arlington-based Family Folk Chorale, and has performed with Bill Staines, Robbie O'Connell of the Clancy Brothers, Tracy Grammer, Sol y Canto, Scott Alarik and others. He teams up with his friend, fellow guitarist and vocalist Mike, to present a lively, harmony-filled blend of Buddy Holly-era rock, John Prine-inflected folk, Ricky Skaggs-inspired gospel, and Willie Nelson-style country. We're hoping they'll be joined again by father and daughter team Jack and Kate Donahue.

Alyssa Zahka stopped by a few months ago to play some songs for us. She's another of the many talented musicians at Lexington High, and we liked her music so much that we asked her back to play a half-hour set. She tells us: "I LOVE music, and I particularly enjoy songs with deep lyrics. I try to give my all with every song while keeping my guitar work simple because I'd rather pour my heart out in my vocals."

Random Chants is definitely NOT your mother's all-female group singing stratospheric pitches only your dog can hear. It's a Boston-based women's a cappella group with a repertoire ranging from folk to pop, country to rock, the 70s to now. With nine "Chants," they have plenty of flexibility to take on rich harmonies and show them who's boss. Their half-hour set should be a real treat -- and you can't get much more acoustic than a cappella...

Robert Cedrone played the Showcase back in June, and he was a big hit. He's a Lexington resident who has performed on the local circuit for the past 30 years. Inspired by the likes of Van Morrison and Greg Allman, Robert loves to mix pop/R & B standards with his collection of original songs. He'll be joined by another Lexington Resident, Noah Mendelsohn, an accomplished bass player who often appears locally with the Rock City Band.

Dylan at Newport

2009-11-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday evening (11/21/09) the Acoustic Showcase threw caution to the winds and went all electric for an evening. No incidents of violence were reported. In fact, everyone had a great time: an enthusiastic audience ages 4 to 70+ enjoyed The Groove Pops' three-part harmonies, quirky subject matter, and deft arrangements (if we do say so ourselves). Due to unforeseen events the GPs played a double set, finally retiring from the stage (rug) around 6:45 as various family members yelled "encore!"

The Groove Pops have played various rock and roll venues around town, at volumes high enough to necessitate big amplifiers, in-ear monitors and complicated hand signals. But this was something new --

What pleasure and relief to turn down the volume! It allows us to really listen to each other, interact with greater nuance and precision, and play, in all senses of the word.

It turns out that rocking the coffee shop is a great fit for our age, abilities, and ambitions(?). (The Groove Pops are [down the page] David Keevil [that guy assaulting the microphone], Don Strauss, Michael Madera, and Josh Stein.)

The -- shall we say "mature" -- Groove Pops were followed by the youthful (at least by our standards) and extremely talented Ayan Sanyal. Ayan's supple, inventive guitar work is a tremendous treat, and his songs are new and engaging. To reiterate, this guy is really good! Ayan is joined by Ethan Schneider on drums, another extremely talented musician. Together they make a combo that is not to be missed (and I'm not just saying that). This was their second appearance at the Acoustic Showcase; we'll have them back in the Spring if we can.

Not Very Acoustic (and loving it)

2009-11-15T05:29:00.000-08:00

Saturday the 21st will feature something a little different for the Acoustic Showcase: three bands! I think each will have at least one acoustic guitar, and we're not going to mike the drums, so sure, it's acoustic (I swear!). Here's the line-up (with a paucity of photos -- sorry about that):

The Groove Pops

Local band The Groove Pops play alt-pop/indie rock for people who want to boogie, think, and chew gum at the same time. Their engaging songs feature three-part harmonies, intriguing lyrics, and tight ensemble playing.

Will Kung

Will and his band performed at the Acoustic Showcase a couple of months ago, and they are lots of fun. Part of the burgeoning music scene at Lexington High, they play original music with tight vocal harmonies and a lively sense of wit.

Ayan Sanyal

Another showcaser back by popular demand -- songwriter, singer, guitarist Ayan Sanyal plays arresting songs backed by his friend Ethan, a skilled drummer/percussionist. An excellent musician and exciting performer, Ayan's another local (Lexington High) talent on the rise.

There's nothing like a good band in a small space -- rockin' the coffee shop! Stop by for some lively music. It should be an absolute blast!

Warm music on a cool evening

2009-11-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

We had a nice time last night, as an appreciative audience of local supporters turned out to hear some excellent local musicians. The evening began with Ken Selcer, who inaugurated our new Showcase banner in fine style.

Ken's blend of ballads, blues, and reggae -- originals and standards -- is a real treat. His supple voice and deft guitar playing make a nice combination (especially with his occasional solos -- very tasty!). Ken was joined by Jill Stein on percussion and vocals. They make an appealing duo. Love that alligator skin djembe!

Next, our stage/rug was filled by regulars Michael Barrett and Chris Eastburn, with Jack Donahue on bass and his daughter Kate on backing vocals. Their set of standards old and new made us all want to sing along (who would have thought that "Oh Susannah" could still provide such pleasure?). There's not much that beats earnest three-part harmonies.

We'd planned on completing the evening with Sugar Snow (the slow-pop duo/trio from Brookline), but they had to cancel at the last minute on account of illness. So David Keevil filled the gap, joined by the excellent Don Strauss on bass and backing vocals, and the ever-ready Gordon Fromm on guitar. Highlight of the set: an inspired listener dancing with enthusiastic abandon to Big Surprise. Let's have more dancing at the Acoustic Showcase!

And so ends another evening of music. Some people sing songs and play guitars, others hum along, tap their toes, and drink coffee. The simple pleasures of a life worth living.

I'm melting! I'm melting!

2009-11-06T02:31:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, we'll have to wait to hear Sugar Snow again -- they're unable to perform this Saturday. (Amazing that we've been going for nearly a year and this is a first. Though one performer overslept and missed his gig...). Anyway, we'll hear instead from late addition David Keevil, who jumps at any chance to get on stage. We'll try to have Sugar Snow in the Spring.

Coming up on November 7th

2009-10-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

Kenny Selcer
Kenny's a warm, eclectic performer who plays a wide range of material: folk rock, blues, country and reggae. He's new to our stage, but those in the know say that "his stunning guitar work and intimate vocals keep audiences asking for more. He plays known classics with original spice, as well as originals that will get you tapping your feet and singing along." Check out more at www.kenselcer.com.

Barrett and Eastburn
Guitarist and award-winning composer Chris Eastburn directs the Arlington-based Family Folk Chorale, and has performed with Bill Staines, Robbie O'Connell of the Clancy Brothers, Tracy Grammer, Sol y Canto, Scott Alarik and others. Chris teams up with his friend, fellow guitarist and vocalist Mike Barrett to present a lively, harmony-filled blend of Buddy Holly-era rock, John Prine-inflected folk, Ricky Skaggs-inspired gospel, and Willie Nelson-style country. That's Chris on the right; Mike is hiding behind the tree.

Sugar Snow
We don't have a picture of these guys, but we had a lot of fun listening to them a few months ago. This minimalist/acoustic/pop trio hails from Brookline, and sounds like "something none of us has done before." Their influences include such stellar songwriters as (to name just a few): Aimee Mann, Marshall Crenshaw, John Doe, and Jerry Garcia. You can hear more at www.myspace.com/sugarsnowmusic.

Well THAT was fun!

2009-10-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

October 17th at the Acoustic Showcase: excellent music and great fun. We began the evening with some originals from David Keevil, backed by Groove Pops bass player Don Strauss. Don's playing adds such warmth, stability and nuance to these songs -- quite a treat. We're hoping to continue the collaboration long-term.

After a half hour of original music, David switched to harp, and David Moore and Gordon Fromm joined in for a blues jam. Moore gave us rousing vocals and Fromm some tickling, scorching solos that were a highlight of the evening. A blast.

Next, Rick Drost took the stage. His songs are tuneful, melodic, pensive and cheeky by turns -- put across with deft finger-picking and a sweet tenor. My wife's uncle and aunt were visiting -- he gave Rick a couple of standing ovations, while she was brought to tears more than once. Thanks, Rick!

And then came Rob Carlson. Wowee wow wow (as Judy Moody says). Rob is an A+, top-notch, accept-no-substitutes musician. Pretty much for his entire set both of my knees were bouncing up and down and I couldn't keep a delighted smile off my face (really, that's not a cliche -- if you had a picture of me during the set you'd see this huge "oh-my-god" smile plastered on -- I couldn't control it). Thanks Rob; come back ANY time.

I continue to be gratified and impressed by the musical skill and feeling we are able to share at the Acoustic Showcase -- the spirit of warm community created by interested listeners and generous musicians. Turn off the TV and make some music!

Coming up 10/17/09!

2009-10-12T07:54:00.001-07:00

On October 17th we'll be exploring the "solo-white-male-acoustic-singer-songwriter" genre; stop by and give a listen to some excellent examples of the breed!

David Keevil (with special guest David Moore)
The Los Angeles Times said his installations were "strong and memorable" while High Performance Magazine called his spoken word performances "work of resonant originality and beauty." Now, as a nascent singer/songwriter (and organizer of the Showcase) he appears every third Saturday. Come hear what all the fuss is about. Tonight David will sing his songs for a half hour, then pick up his harmonica and join David Moore for a blues jam.

Rick Drost
Rick started writing and singing in coffeehouses around DC and New England in the 70s, finally settling in Cambridge MA, where he started playing with the folk-rock group Parts and Labor. In the late 90s Rick took up choral singing again, then Parts and Labor regrouped to record "Twelve Shared Dreams" (cdbaby.com/cd/rdrostpal). Rediscovering songwriting with help from the (national!) live music community, Rick has now found that living so that music comes out is its own reward.

Rob Carlson
Yes, it's THE Rob Carlson. He's a consumate musician who has written and performed in every genre: acoustic, electric, live and electronic. He graduated from Berklee where he majored in songwriting and big band jazz arranging; he also studied voice for eight years with Joanne Messier at the Boston Conservatory. Currently Rob plays in a Caribbean bnad, writes music and plays guitar for a number of singer-songwriters, and owns/operates a recording studio.

The Year So Far

2009-10-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

The Acoustic Showcase has been up and running for almost a year now, but this blog is new. Here are photos of just a few of our performers so far. Lots more to follow in the months ahead!

Lexington native Mikel McCavana is an energetic treat: chops, wit, and musicianship.

The Wicked Pickers let 'er rip with their scintillating bluegrass fusion

Dami Noah plays songs like spider webs, with the same tensile strength...

Samantha Farrell, with that funky bi-coastal sound -- check out those B. Holiday pipes

Rick Drost (and others) listen to Alina Ostrow

Two views of k.b. Marie -- folk/country/pop? with a great voice and a smooth delivery

Robert Cedrone and Noah Mendelsohn, with rousing songs by Van The Man and others

Via Perkins (a.k.a. Kidd Strange) ~ simple delivery of surprisingly affecting songs

Jeffrey Terrace, one of a number of truly skilled high school bands we've enjoyed so far. They're funky, inventive, and a whole lot of fun.