Wolfman Show A Lock

Are you familiar with the work of Walter "Wolfman" Washington? Probably not. Yet his show last year at the Narrows was terrific! Which is why your humble blogger/m.c. has declared his June 22 show "a lock," just like the recent Holmes Brothers show was.

Don't worry whether you know his stuff--this is a guaranteed good time! Heck, he's from New Orleans!!

Meet the Wolf at his website: www.walterwolfmanwashington.com.

Then go to the Narrows website, www.ncfta.org, and get your tickets!!

Holmes Brothers Sanctify the Narrows

The Holmes Brothers kicked off their show at the Narrows Friday night with--believe it or not--a slow, soulful, damn near religious version of Cheap Trick's ode to teen lust "I Want You To Want Me."

The Holmes Brothers' version is on their new CD, and the track caught the attention of the editors of Rollingstone.com, who picked it as one of their faves.

But the night was still young. They did their excellent version "What's So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding," popularized by Elvis Costello and written by Nick Lowe. Intertwined were gospel numbers, some good old rock 'n' roll (Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On) and much, much more.

Your humble blogger, who also is the humble m.c. at the Narrows, had given his personal guarantee on the show, proclaiming it a "lock" so folks who didn't know the Holmes Brothers would come anyway.

And come they did! Many thanks to all who attended and especially those unfamiliar with the Holmes Brothers but trusted my (and the Narrows') commitment to quality.

Monster Mash Guy Dies

Bobby "Boris" Pickett has died. His record "Monster Mash"--featuring Leon Russell on keyboards--continues to be dusted off every Halloween, despite being over 40 years old.

Read more in the Boston Globe by clicking here.

Cracker Semi-Acoustic

It was "Cracker Semi-Acoustic" night at the Narrows Thursday night, as Cracker co-founder David Lowery strummed a folkie guitar and co-founder Johnny Hickman played his harp and Les Paul electric.

It was their first visit to the Narrows.

Drunk Stuntmen Lead Singer Cuts Hair

One of our faves, Drunk Stuntmen, has a new look.

Well, at least their lead singer does.

See the video at www.drunkstuntmen.com.

Day Trippin': Museum of Bad Art

No, it's not just because this photo was taken by a cell phone. The art is truly bad.

Your humble blogger used the beautiful Sunday weather to search out cheap and illuminating artistic experiences within an hour's drive from the Narrows.

Lo and behold in the basement of a movie theater in downtown Dedham, MA, next to the men's room, is the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA).

Many of the works were retrieved from the trash in the Boston area, only to breathe new life on the walls of MOBA.

Think we're kidding? Learn more here.

Graham Parker Sets Off Sparks

An enthusiastic crowd called Graham Parker and his band back for TWO encores on Friday night.

It had been awhile since the British pub rocker had plied his trade at the Narrows, and the locals were hungry.

Although Graham has been courting the folkie crowd--with ads in No Depression magazine for example--he and his band rocked out bigtime.

Our Guy Duke Robillard Getting Arts Excellence Salute

Our guy Duke Robillard is one of this year's winners of the Pell Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

Duke did a heck of a show awhile back at the Narrows, his first one, and he brought the house down. And, most important to the crew at the Narrows, he's great to work with behind the scenes. A gentleman and solid pro.

Learn more about the award by clicking here.

Congrats, Duke!

And the Hits Keep Coming...

Not yet posted on the schedule:

July 12
Boris McCutcheon and the Salt Licks

December 7
Richie Havens

December 8
Allison Brown Quartet

Alternative Sounds at the Narrows

Alt. rock pioneer Kristen Hersh brought her muses to the Narrows for the first time ever (if memory serves) on Thursday night.

She was backed by an expert bass player and drummer.

It was the second stop on a cross country tour.

Check out her set list and show comments by clicking here.

Article on David Lindley

We're honored to welcome David Lindley to the Narrows on Saturday, April 21.

Here's an article about him you may want to read, particularly if you are unfamiliar with his work.

Click here for more.

We're Not Worthy!

Narrows prez Patrick Norton with the guy who backed George Harrison in the Concert for Bangladesh

Patrick Norton, head honcho at the Narrows, and your very humble blogger and Narrows emcee are huge fans of Leon Russell, who played to a sold out crowd Saturday night. In fact, despite our hipness and being totally blase about the whole star thing, we were frankly overwhelmed by the presence of Leon in our very own freight elevator. Dare we ask for photographs?

Your humble blogger with the guy who was the musical guru in Joe Cocker's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" tour

"I live for photographs," mumbled Leon, who had just completed banging out some Jerry Lee Lewis on the keyboards, wrapping up the concert.

So your humble blogger snapped Patrick and Leon. And Patrick snapped your humble blogger and Leon. As you can see by the photos, Leon was really paying a lot of attention. In fact he was more or less in a conversation with his bass player about whether he could see out of his nearly omnipresent shades very well.

Oh, and about the concert: Leon did what Leon does. Opener Adam Hood, out of Alabama, was excellent and bears watching. Solid songwriter, guitarist and singer. Keep an eye on Adam!

Soon we won't be worthy for him!

'Bama Boy Adam Hood had never played in the Narrows' hood before. He's been touring with the guy who wrote "This Masquerade," "Lady Blue," "Delta Lady," "Tightrope" etc. and played in the "Wrecking Crew," studio cats who played on records by the Byrds all the way to Bing Crosby.

Fer-Get-About-It: Jorma's Show Sells Out

Told ya.

Got Goths?

Thursday night was Goth night at the Narrows, thanks to the incredible cello-rockers Rasputina and their opener, the Bowmans, below.

Leon Russell Sells Out

We're pleased to announce that the Leon Russell show for Friday night has SOLD OUT!!

Tickets still available for Rasputina on Thursday night, and Jonathan Edwards on Saturday night.

Visit www.ncfta.org.

The Waybacks Impress Hardened Crew

Friday night The Waybacks drew an impressive-sized crowd, despite this being only their second visit to the Narrows--and their not exactly being a household name. Yet.

Tickets were moving pretty good for the show on-line, but they had a strong walk up which put them over the top as far as the Narrows' crew was concerned.

Your blogger knows that's talking "inside baseball" in the concert biz, but nonetheless it bears noting.

Oh, and by the way, The Waybacks put on a helluva show, with pickin' and grinnin' that caused the audience to give them TWO encores.

Unfortunately, they did not play their cover of the Kinks' song "Motorway," which your humble blogger just adores. It's on The Waybacks latest CD.

Maybe next time. They owe me!

Duhks Lead Singer Paddles Away

Sad to hear that Jessee, the Duhks lead singer and chief image of the group, has left to pursue other opportunities.

The Narrows hosted the Duhks a few years back before they became a celebrated group in the Americana world. We were knocked out by the show!

To read the group's statement on the change, click here.

Rasputina On YouTube

Rasputina, coming to the Narrows this week, can be seen on YouTube.

They're an act that deserves to be seen, not only heard!

Police: Billy Joe Shaver Shoots A Man

Legendary country songwriter Billy Joe Shaver has been charged in a shooting down in Texas.

His lawyer says it was self-defense.

More details by clicking here.

Karla Bonoff Coming

This just in: Songwriter/performer Karla Bonoff is coming to the Narrows October 12.

You might associate her with Linda Ronstadt because Karla wrote "Someone to Lay Down Beside Me."

We're honored to have her come to the Narrows for the first time ever!

Visit www.ncfta.org for ticket info soon!

Sarah Borges New Single Available On Web

Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles' first release from their upcoming CD is now available on her website by clicking here.

The song continues their in-your-face, high energy style. It might be called country-meets-punk or cowpunk.

It's their second CD, but the first on Sugar Hill Records, which is a major label in the Americana field.

Sarah is from the Narrows' neighborhood, so we're hosting her hometown record release party in June. Check out www.ncfta.org.

Leon Russell Being Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame

Leon Russell, playing the Narrows in a few weeks (tickets are going fast) will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with Ray Davies, Lou Reed, Jackson Browne, Leonard Cohen, Robbie Robertson and others.

Details by clicking here.

Elana James Makes Narrows A Hot Club

Elana James and her crew made the Narrows smile Saturday night with their take on Western Swing, upbeat country and what might be termed "dawg music" (see David Grisman and Django Reinhardt).

She charmed the fans from the stage and one-on-one, taking time to sign CDs and converse with her admirers.

Her guitarist, Whit Smith, wowed the crowd with his jazzy soloing, as did stand-up bass guy Beau Sample.

By the way, they had just returned from a State Department good-will tour of some (for us, at least) unpronounceable nation near Russia. Hey, take the gig where you can get it!