Odds and Ends

Just some oddds and ends:

--If you'd like to see some Susan Cowsill and general Cowsill videos, check out www.youtube.com. You can go to the Cowsill page by clicking here.

--The Narrows is always looking for good volunteers. If you think you can "bring something to the table" at the Narrows, go to "help us" at www.ncfta.org.

--Our guys Chip Taylor, Slaid Cleaves and Darrell Scott are doing quite well on the Americana radio chart, which you can view by clicking here.

--One CD doing well on the chart is the tribute to Kris Kristofferson. Yours truly didn't like the CD, though, for whatever that's worth. Read your humble blogger's review by clicking here.

--The New York Dolls have a new CD out! Although they're viewed as punk, actually it's mostly mid-tempo sometimes bluesy rock. Could we get a good crowd if we booked 'em at the Narrows?

--Ollabelle has a new CD out. They're coming to the Narrows in November.

--Also coming to the Narrows in November is Sarah Borges, who starts work on a new CD in August. It's about time!!

--Dirty Linen magazine has a feature on Chris Smither, who is coming to the Narrows in January (brrrr!). Read an excerpt by clicking here.

--Last I heard, tickets are still available for the Richard Thompson show in November, when we'll be celebrating our 5th anniversary at our waterfront location.

--Next couple of weeks, no shows at the Narrows. But we have a fundraiser on August 4th at the Venus De Milo in Swansea. Some details by clicking here.

Susan Cowsill Returns To Her Roots

Susan Cowsill returned to her stomping grounds when she played the Narrows last Friday night.

Susan, of course, is of the famed Cowsill family, out of Newport. They had a bunch of national hits in the late 1960s.

After she grew up, she sang for a number of groups and was a member of the cult faves Continental Drifters, out of New Orleans, where she lives.

(For all of you Bangles fans, the Continental Drifters also included Bangle Vickie Peterson, who is now Susan's sister-in-law since she married one of Susan's brothers.)

Susan has just released her first solo record, and it's terrific! And her show was as well, featuring Continental Drifters songs and tunes from the new CD.

By the way, the show had former Continental Drifter--and her husband--Russ Broussard on drums.

Country guy Duncan Walters opened the evening with a solid set of music. He's out of Texas these days and is fairly new to the scene. But his voice and songs no doubt will be solid foundations for being around a long time.

Goths!!!!

Rasputina, the cello rock group recently performing at the Narrows, brought a slew of fans who dress in what might be termed a "gothic" style.

In other words, sort of spooky.

But despite their scary looks, we found them to be friendly and gentle, and even family-oriented!





A family that goes Goth together, stays together!

Not Yet Listed: Chris Smither

Narrows fave Chris Smither returns January 13.

Yeah, yeah, January sounds far away. But it's not, really. Sorry.

We've done a number of shows with this influential performer.

Don't miss him this visit!

Oh My Goodness!!

Cello-rock Gothic group Rasputina played to a sold out crowd at the Narrows Thursday night.

It was truly a Goth night, with loads of young people and even families donning black garments, nose pins, and other apparel to fit the mood.

More photos coming soon, including pictures of some members of the crowd who dressed as interestingly as the group.

Gubernatorial Candidate Visits Narrows

Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick visited the Narrows on Monday to hold a forum on the arts and other issues.

Narrows volunteer extraordinaire Deb Charlebois, on the left, gave him a tour and introduced him to various resident artists.

Narrows volunteers and representatives from arts groups asked the candidate a bunch of questions. To read the Herald News' account of the visit, click here (as long as the link exists).

The Narrows hopes other candidates for public office will utilize the Narrows as a place to meet the voters.

Buckner & Barn Burning on Saturday Night

Brooding songwriter Richard Buckner once again brought his guitar, voice and songs to the
Narrows' stage.




















Barn Burning (actually only half of Barn Burning) opened.

op

Fundraiser for the Narrows on August 4th

A Texas Hold 'em Poker Night will take place on Friday, August 4th at the Venus DeMilo Restaurant, 75 GAR Highway (Route 6), Swansea. It's a fundraiser for the Narrows.

Donations are $50.

Registration begins 5:00 p.m.

Tournament begins 6:00 p.m. Additional buy-ins available during tournament.

Must be 21 to play.

Pre-registration (highly recommended) can take place at the Venus during the weeks before from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. or at the Narrows. For more info: 508-324-1926.

Billboard Proclaims Johnny Cash #1

Johnny Cash's new release is the number 1 album in the nation, according to Billboard.

Learn more by clicking here:

Chip Taylor Sings with Brother Jon Voight

Chip Taylor, who has performed several times at the Narrows (with Carrie Rodriguez), happens to be the brother of actor Jon Voight.

You can see a video of Chip and Jon performing together by clicking here.

Chip has a new album out, by the way.

No, we don't have him booked at the Narrows at this time. But watch this space!

Concert Raises Nearly $1,500 for A Moveable Feast

Saturday night the Narrows hosted a fundraiser for A Moveable Feast, an organization that provides meals for people living with HIV/AIDS.

A bunch of bands performed. One of the highlights was the performance by the funky jam band Shipyard Wreck, and I've provided a couple photos.

Congrats to all the volunteers who helped to make the evening a success!

Red Stick Ramblers & Fireworks

The Red Stick Ramblers did their Cajun swing thang Thursday, with a brief break for Fall River fireworks, which had been postponed earlier in the week.

The Cottars On Cover of Dirty Linen Magazine

Celtic kids The Cottars made the cover of the latest Dirty Linen magazine.

They did a great show at the Narrows last year.

To read an excerpt from the story, click here.

Note: the Boston Herald has reported that The Cottars have broken up. Couldn't find a confirmation on their website, and they're still listed as touring.

Anybody know anything?

Red Stick Ramblers Tonight

Tickets are still available for the Red Stick Ramblers tonight (Thursday).

They had one of the big Americana CDs last year.

They play Cajun, Western Swing and more!

Don't miss this classic group from Louisiana!

See you tonight at the Narrows!

Judy Collins in Newport

Attended the Judy Collins show in Newport Saturday night as part of the Sunset Music thing. Have never seen her perform before, and not a big fan, really.

Can't stand the record "Send in the Clowns."

Nonetheless, your humble blogger thinks Judy was a delight. Accompanied only by her guitar and a keyboardist, "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" was charming, singing wonderfully and entertaining the crowd with her stories. She seemed very down-to-earth.

She did sing "Send in the Clowns." I hated it.

Nice to see Judy still getting the job done.

A guy who has performed at the Narrows, John Fuzek, was the opener but played so early that I missed his set.

FolksTogether Have It Together

Played hooky Friday night from the Narrows to attend the come-back performance of my buddies FolksTogether.

They played a benefit at the United Church of Assonet for a family struggling with illness and unemployment.

It was the first public performance of the group, which stopped performing many months ago due to illness in the band's family. It was particularly bad timing since they just released Pilgrims, their latest CD.

While health matters for the group have improved, guitarist/banjoist/singer/jack-of-all-trades Rick Bellaire recently hurt a crucial finger, so they needed to bring in Fred Wilkes to play guitar and banjo while Rick sang. Fred was terrific.

By the way, got word from them that their Pilgrims CD is getting airplay across the country and out of the country too. They're moving product despite being sidelined for so long.

Looking forward to seeing more of them in the weeks and months ahead!