Polly Wolly Doodle!

It sold out 3 weeks before the date--a record at the Narrows, according to memory. Leon Redbone brought his old timey understated performance to our loft Friday night, holding the crowd in the palm of his expressive mitts from the get-go.

It was "Polly Wolly Doodle," "Shine On Harvest Moon," "Diddy Wah Diddy," and more.

Accompanied by a pianist, Mr. Redbone, of parts unknown, expertly picked his guitar, never breaking a sweat, and never losing a beat as he chatted back and forth with his fans during the show. At times you could hear a pin drop as he quietly pondered if he had already done a song.

Although looking rather stand-offish in his trademark shades and hat, he was quite talkative and pleasant, never "breaking character" if, indeed, he is playing a character.

We salute you back, Leon, and look forward to Polly Wolly Doodling with you soon!

Duke's Axes

Duke Robbilard and his fabulous group combined serious artistry with good times Saturday night before a packed house at the Narrows.

I know guitar aficianados read this blog, so I was hoping that they would leave the make of Duke's guitars in the comments section. Your humble blogger, while a guitar player himself of limited reach, does not specialize in the knowledge of guitars--but was curious about Duke's choices. Is that one a Telecaster or a Strat? Inquiring minds want to know!

Wagonmaster, Kurt Cobain, Richie Havens, Led Zep

--Take a listen to glitter country guy Porter Wagoner's "Wagonmaster" CD. It was produced by Marty Stuart and features nice and twangy country the way it's supposed to be. It came out a couple years back and got acclaim from the hipsters--quite a change from when we used to giggle at the guy who wore Nudie suits and slicked-back golden hair and discovered Dolly Parton. At the end of the CD Marty Stuart interviews Mr. Wagoner about the old days. Anyway, a lovely, listenable CD if you like twang. Porter "stepped on a rainbow" (to use a Kinky Friedman saying) not long after the CD came out.

--Record dude Danny Goldberg's book "Bumping Into Geniuses" is a great read if you like behind the scene stories about Led Zepplin, Stevie Nicks, Kurt Cobain and Warren Zevon. I just returned it to the Cranston library.

--Speaking of the Cranston library, I'm typing this there, where I just picked up Richie Havens' latest "Nobody Left to Crown." I haven't listened to it yet, but I noticed it's got a version of The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again." Richie performed that during his last visit to the Narrows. He's coming again soon.

--A friend of mine who is a big ELO fan just let me know that the band's former bass player has stepped on a rainbow. More here.

Spankin' Good

Narrows alums Asylum Street Spankers have a new CD out. Read a review here.

The Man Who Taught George Harrison To Play Slide

Delaney Bramlett, who worked with Eric Clapton and George Harrison, has joined George in the sky.

Read Rolling Stone's write up here.

Chawin' on Some Wood

Friday night saw the return of The Wood Brothers--Chris on bass and Oliver on guitar--to the Narrows. Your humble blogger has seen these guys several times, but this had to be their most energetic performance. Chris's fingers were chewing into the wood up and down the body, finding notes never heard before, and Oliver was sliding on his guitar, clanging and banging.

A dedicated group of would-be flower children grooved to the side like they were twisting to the Grateful Dead or Phish.

Andrea Belanger (below), a Berklee College of Music student, opened the evening before a hometown crowd of parents and assorted relatives and friends.

The show was streamed live by our buddies at mvyradio.com, and will no doubt be archived on that site for your pleasure very soon.

Bromberg

The rather reclusive David Bromberg brought his show to the Narrows Saturday night. It was his first time at the Narrows, and probably one of the few times in the area in recent years. As you might expect, the show was a sell-out.

Up above, Mr. Bromberg relaxes between sets (he's a side man for the opener Angel Band). The ladies of Angel Band hang out with the Narrows' Herb, who was helping them sell stuff.

Special thanks to Fred and Friends for bringing some wonderful weirdness to give away during the show.

mvyradio.com broadcast the concert and should be posting it soon.

Tickets In Your Ear

Just a note to remind you that you can pick up Narrows tickets at In Your Ear in Warren, RI.

Check it out here.