4 In A Row

The Narrows began a rare 4-in-a-row weekend Wednesday night, welcoming for the first time the Infamous Stringdusters.

That's some of them in the photo below, cookin' up a storm with their bluegrass virtuosity.

There's a show Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night.  Visit www.ncfta.org for more.

Please Donate to the Narrows

As you may know, the Narrows is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit--a charity, in other words.

As you might imagine--considering the economy--it's been tough sledding financially over the past month or so.  Some of the shows have not drawn the audience they have in the past.  The Narrows has had to pick up the difference when ticket sales don't cover costs.

To help us get through these tough times, and to keep the music coming, please consider a gift to the Narrows.  For more info, please click here.

Thanks.

Discipline

The California Guitar Trio brought their beautiful, disciplined guitar work to the Narrows on Thursday night.

Your humble blogger emphasizes the discipline of their performance because they literally walk a tightrope during their performance--one false note, one hesitation can ruin a musical phrase. You gotta see them to believe it.  

These former students of Robert Fripp were streamed live on mvyradio.com and we hope the show will be available on that site permanently in the near future.

Your humble blogger caught them on his camera "backstage" moments before their performance.  

Do Your Remember Rufus and the Moondogs?

Do you remember Rufus and the Moondogs?  One of the founding members helped make the Narrows restroom renovations possible, as noted on the above plaque.

Shelby Lynne Played Johnny Cash's Mom

Did you know (I didn't) that Shelby Lynne--coming to the Narrows very soon--played Johnny Cash's mother in the fab movie Walk the Line?

Hey! You Don't Play It That Way!

We don't know if you call The Iguanas' music Tex-Mex, rock 'n' roll, jazz or what have you--it was a load of booty shakin' fun Friday night at the Narrows.  And did the crowd dance!

As you can see from the photo above, The Iguanas will do practically anything to get the sound they want!  Don't miss these guys from the Big Easy next time!  By the way, the show was streamed live by our friends at mvyradio.com and we hope it will be archived on their site in the near future.

Thanks from Jeff Olson

If you've been following this blog, you already know that the Narrows recently held a benefit for the Olson family.  Musician Jeff Olson had a close call with Legionnaire's Disease, which put him into a 10 day coma and stuck him in the hospital for several months.  He's home now, but still unable to work.  However, he should be back in the swing of things in December.

He asked me to share this note with you (I've actually edited it a bit with his permission):

"I want to express my gratitude to the folks at the Narrows as well as all the members of my 'real' and musical families for making the benefit last Sunday a great success.  The Narrows is a first class facility with a premiere sound system.  It costs money just to open the doors and someone has to give up their time to run the sound and handle the concessions and do the introductions.   

"In addition to raising some badly needed money which will help retire our massive medical debt I was personally gratified that so many people contributed to the auction.  We gave away some very valuable merchandise including a Baby Taylor guitar and a custom made drum by Ken Lovelett of American Percussion, an exotic bottle of wine and many other fine offerings.  Barbara Kemper deserves most of the credit for getting out there and soliciting these donations as well as organizing the auction at the benefit.  She worked long and hard on this and has my undying gratitude.  Others who helped were Vincent Pasternak, and RISA (Rhode Island Songwriters Association) co-chair John Fuzek who peppered the RISA crowd with emails and contributed to the auction.

"The musical portion was truly magical.  My older son Matt's band 'The Dyke Street Boys' opened the show with a lively set of what can best be described as 'cowboy punk.  My other son Eric and Vincent Pasternak sat in with Matt on his solo material including a haunting tune called 'Gypsy. ' Fred Wilkes and Michelle Wilson got the open stage part of the program rolling with a rousing set of Dylan tunes that got the crowd singing along. Frank Gotwals, who made the trek from Central Maine, debuted some exciting new songs including a collaboration with Rick and Vincent.   Mary Whelan came down from Northhampton and brought down the house with her tune 'Carol's Lament.'  Dan Lilley of 'Lovetrain' and 'Forever Young' turned in a fine solo performance that culminated with a group version of 'I Shall Be Released.'   Finally. Folks Together, my friends (and family), took the stage with my son Matt and Fred Wilkes covering for me. Of course I had to get into the act at some point and we ended up closing the evening with a spirited version of 'Lord Knows.'   

"Finally, when Donna first told me that our good friend Rick Bellaire was putting this together I was a bit overwhelmed.   Apparently Rick and (Rick's wife) Carleen along with Vincent and Elizabeth Pasternak, Barbara Kemper, you and (Narrows prez) Patrick Norton started planning this when I was still in a coma.   I am very glad that I was able to cooperate and live long enough to attend.  Much of the credit for me being there has to go to (Jeff's wife) Donna who refused to let me die and made sure that everything was being done to keep me breathing."

Jeff Olson

MVYRADIO.COM

Should have mentioned in the previous blog report that the Moonalice show was streamed live on mvyradio.com.

They have streamed live a number of our shows this year, and recorded them, posting them on the site.

Jim Lauderdale's and the Holmes Brothers' shows from the Narrows Festival for the Arts are currently posted and there are several others.  

To go directly to the Narrows' page at mvyradio.com, click here.

GEEE EEEE

Your humble blogger apologizes for not getting stuff about Friday's show with jammers Moonalice up on the site until Sunday morning.  Man, it was a late show on Friday night, as G.E. Smith (who led the Saturday night Live Band for years) seemed to get hotter and hotter on the guitar as the hours went by.  Above, that's a photo of G.E. sitting in on bass, flanked by group founder Roger McNamee's wife, Ann, lead and harmony vocalist.

According to a January, 2008, article on portfolio.com, Mr. McNamee is a super smart investor type who has done well financially--and is a longtime lover of the Grateful Dead et. al.  "After years of playing music for fun, McNamee says he's dead serious about making Moonalice work as a business."  If you Google his name, you'll pick up a lot more about McNamee, who happens to be a very nice guy and not a bad musician.  He's also been a financial advisor to the Dead, and counts Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Bono among  his friends.

Anyway, G.E. Smith's guitar prowess was undeniably the anchor for the show.  He was joined by Pete Sears, formerly of the Jefferson Starship, and other musical pros.

Mr. McNamee, on bass below, and friends, by the way, have a CD coming out soon produced by T-Bone Burnett. 

Rebirth

The Narrows Sunday afternoon hosted a fundraiser for musician Jeff Olson and his family to help them overcome the financial whack of his damn-near-bought-the-farm illness over the summer.

Jeff, guitarist/singer/composer for Folks Together, came down with Legionnaires Disease and was likely to be a goner--your blogger kids not--but his wife Donna, up above with Jeff, stood by her man the whole time, making sure the health system didn't snuff him by accident or neglect.  Your humble blogger witnessed firsthand her feistiness with the medical establishment, making sure Jeff got the care he needed.   

Jeff, by the way, went into a coma for something like ten days, and lost use of his hands, legs etc. after he woke up.  Slowly but surely his physical abilities have been coming back; he can walk a bit, although he still has a wheelchair/walker, and was able to play guitar fairly well during the show.

Speaking of the show, one of Jeff and Donna's sons, Matt, 18, showed that he knows his way around the guitar and banjo, and is a promising singer and writer as well.  That's him below playing with his group the Dyke Street Boys.
Below, Rick Bellaire, who organized the benefit concert, strums his guitar during the Folks Together set.  Rick, a wonderful writer and performer, did a great job bringing everyone together and making the afternoon flow smoothly.  Other performers included Fred Wilkes and Michelle Wilson, Frank Gotwals, Mary Whelan, Dan Lilley, and Chris and Diane Myers.

Patty Larkin's First Narrows' Visit

Patty Larkin graced the Narrows with her wonderful songs, humor, and instrumental prowess Friday night.  It was her first visit to the Narrows, although she lives about 45 minutes away on Cape Cod.

The show was streamed live on mvyradio.com and will likely be posted on that site in the near future.

We'll Have A Blue Winter

Rory Block makes her return to the Narrows January 10.  If you haven't seen her, and dig acoustic blues, this show is for you.  Students of the guitar--a must see.  The photo is her performing at the Narrows.

Harmonica players--James Cotton returns March 7.

Details should be posted soon at www.ncfta.org.

Graham Parker Returns October 25

It's been more than a year since we last hosted Graham Parker.  The photo above is from his spring 2007 appearance at the Narrows.

He'll be back on our stage October 25.

For more info, visit www.ncfta.org.

Feelin' Groovy

Folk pop duo The Kennedys got the crowd a-smilin' Saturday night at the Narrows, bringing their good vibes and infectious 60s' style approach to music to a stormy night in the Northeast.

They may lean retro, but make no mistake--they are solid performers, with Pete exhibiting guitar virtuosity and Maura showing impressive vocal styling. 

Your blogger also is impressed by their entrepreneurship, releasing many CDs and hosting a Sirius radio show.

Edgy But Happy

Justin Townes Earle, the twenty-something son of the great Steve Earle, showed that he's got his daddy's songwriting gift Thursday night at the Narrows.  The 6'3" or so gangly dude with the slicked back hair is somewhat scary at first--smoking outside the Narrows before the show with eyes that have perhaps seen too much.  And pacing onstage when his sideguy takes a solo--bending and twisting like a punk rocker or maybe Johnny Cash on a bender.

But then you notice that he's not angry; nope, he's smiling, happier than heck to be playing for you, acknowledging applause with a down home "Thank you all!"

He sings as if he's lived every lyric and then some, leaning down into the microphone 1950s rural radio broadcast style.

No question: one of the best shows of 2008.  Keep an eye on this youngster!

Jeff Olson Update

Musician Jeff Olson is home and recovering reasonably well from his near-death experience from Legionnaire's Disease.

He is healthy, but as of yet can only walk a few steps.

I watched the Patriots at his house yesterday with him along with Folks Together bandmate Vinnie Pasternack. Jeff, of course, was disappointed with the Patriots' loss, but he feels fortunate to be around.

This whole health thing has been a tough fiscal blow for the Olson family, so the Narrows is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, October 5, 1 p.m.

By the way, thanks to Philippe and Jorge in the Providence Phoenix for the recent blurb about Jeff.

Swansea's Songstress

Cheryl Wheeler, with her base in nearby Swansea, MA, had the Narrows laughing Saturday night as she played her annual concert at our beloved venue.

Some news, particularly for Cheryl fans: she's recording a new album!  

Other stuff: she's dismayed about the political situation (of course!), she loved the overcast weather in August (inspiring her to write a new tune), she's dreading her flight to Houston next week ('cause flying hasn't been enjoyable since the 1950s), and she urges her fans to support the Narrows Center for the Arts (thank you, Cheryl!).

A regular reader of this blog suggested I add more "behind the scenes" stuff.  Okay, here's some dirt: before the show Cheryl quietly sat in our "green room"; and moments before showtime helped me find the switches to turn on the ceiling fans.  Yep, it's fascinating!

We look forward to Cheryl's next visit!

"If you must keep talking, try to make it rhyme..."

The bridge between jazz and blues (and a damn funny songwriter) Mose Allison brought his piano stylings to the Narrows on Friday night for the first time.

"When I discovered Mose Allison I felt I had discovered the missing link between jazz and blues," says Ray Davies.

This 80+ year old hep cat with a voice of a 35 year old jive talker kept a packed house hanging on every dry-witted lyric, like the one your humble blogger is using as the headline. That's from Mose's song "Your Mind in on Vacation But Your Mouth is Working Overtime," a favorite of mine (and of Van Morrison and Elvis Costello, who covered it).

"If talk were criminal, you'd lead a life of crime.  'Cause your mind is on vacation and your mouth is working overtime."

Mose posed below with his bassist, Paul DelNero, in the Narrows "green room" shortly before the performance.

Take Your Pick!

That guitar pick above is an official Tom Rush pick, something he gave away to an unexpected donor of $1,000 Saturday night at the Narrows.

That's the kind of guy Tom is.  Your humble blogger, during his usual introductory remarks before bringing the featured performer on stage, noted that the Narrows now has a WALL OF RECOGNITION, for donors at various level of giving.

Tom, who has been very generous to the Narrows himself, offered--tongue squarely in cheek--- to give away his official pick to donors.  People laughed, but heck a little while later a generous donor stepped forward.  As always, thanks Tom!

A sold-out crowd delighted in Tom's music performance of course, which was streamed live on mvyradio.com.  And Tom spent quality time with the fans signing autographs and chatting with folks who, no doubt, have been following his career since his early days in Cambridge, MA.

Backstage with Bonoff

Karla Bonoff returned to the Narrows Friday night, bringing her polished West Coast folk pop sound.  Left to right in the photo above is her fine guitarist, Nina Gerber, and Ms. Bonoff.  This was "backstage" a little while before the concert.  

The pink blouse that Karla is wearing later turned into a liability while playing the guitar.  She kept pushing it back off the strings--but finally she just rolled up her sleeve, noting that it wasn't a good shirt to wear and play guitar.

The show was opened by longtime producer and collaborator, Kenny Edwards (pictured below).

By the way, several members of the audience drove all the way from Buffalo, NY, just to see the show. I'm sure they felt it was worth it! One of the best concerts of the year at the Narrows!

Jeff Olson Update

Jeff Olson is pulling through.  He's getting physical rehabilitation currently and should be home very soon.

Right now the docs are determining the long-term effects, if any, of the ordeal that nearly took his life.

Check down further on this blog for information about the benefit concert and to learn more about him in case you don't know this outstanding musician and all around fine gentleman.

One More Time!

Eric Lindell, below, wrapped up the main stage at Sunday's Narrows Festival of the Arts. 

Eric brought his swampy Big Easy funk to the Fall River streets--and the people responded wildly when Narrows prez Patrick Norton raised his finger and asked if they wanted Eric and his band to return to the stage for one more song.

Down Home with The Holmes Brothers

Please indulge your humble Backstage Blogger for publishing the above photo of me hangin' with The Holmes Brothers after their show at the Narrows Festival of the Arts on Sunday. Left to right, that's Sherman Holmes (bass, vocals), Popsy Dixon (drums, vocals), the Backstage Blogger, and Wendell Holmes (guitar, keyboard, vocals).

The Holmes Brothers, by the way, will soon be touring for an extended period in Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Austria and other countries.  There are no language barriers when it comes to Sanctified Soul.

Loving Lauderdale

Grammy-winner Jim Lauderdale brought his country tunes and fun attitude to the Narrows Festival of the Arts on Sunday afternoon.

That's our volunteer coordinator Marilyn Edge in the photo above getting a hug from Jim before the show.  She and Jim got to know each other through their involvement with the Americana Music Association.

We hope to see Jim again sometime in 2009 at the Narrows.

Narrows Festival: Carrie Kicks Off Main Stage

The annual Narrows Festival of the Arts was a huge success Sunday! Tropical Storm Hannah blew in and blew out Saturday night and left a beautiful sunny day for the festival, part of which was carried live on mvyradio.com.

Carrie Rodriguez kicked off the main stage, located outside the Narrows Center for the Arts on Anawan Street.  Above, Carrie and her band put together their set list moments before performing.

More photos of the festival coming up.  Watch this space.

Also, check out mvyradio.com over the next few days to hear some of the performances.

How Do You Warm Up?

Rebecca Pronsky, who opened for Catie Curtis Friday night, uses yoga as a warm up.  That's her in the photo back in the Narrows' "green room" a few minutes before she got onstage and charmed the crowd with her voice, songs and wit.

Catie

Catie Curtis brought her tunes, her humor and musicianship to the Narrows Friday night.

Save the Date

Jeff Olson Update

Your humble blogger has visited Jeff Olson at the hospital...as noted earlier, Jeff is a fabulous musician with Folks Together, and has been involved with various musical projects with your humble blogger and others in the area.

Jeff was striken with Legionnaire's disease, and was in a very serious fight for his life--but, as expected by those of us who know and love him, he was able to beat back the threat.

However, although he's out of intensive care (as of a few days back), he's going through a difficult recovery in the hospital. So please remember him in your thoughts and prayers.

A benefit concert is being planned for early October at the Narrows.  Watch this space for more information.

Thanks

Glory Be

Got the word that former Sarah Borges' guitar god, Mike Castellana, left the group due to his wife having their first child very soon..

and he is playing with a group called the Glory Tellers with whom he's going to tour Europe very soon.

Best wishes, Mike.  Maybe the Glory Tellers will be coming to the Narrows in the future.

Congrats to you, your wife and your baby boy Caetano (due to arrive October 30).

Stay Forever Young

Who knew?  That a Neil Young tribute group made up some of the better known Rhode Island area musicians would have drawn such a crowd?

Forever Young did just that on Saturday night at the Narrows.

Created by John Fuzek (left photo) and starring (in upper photo, l-r) Becky Chace, Dan Lilley and Mark Cutler, the ensemble, backed by several other musicians, put the pedal-to-the-metal for Neil Young songs such as "Heart of Gold" and "Harvest Moon."

New Tables

Narrows program manager Deb Charlebois was a busy person this week, bringing in a bunch of fancy new tables and chairs.

She and president Patrick Norton--with the support of our board, our volunteers and many nice folks in the community--continue to class the place up!

Over the past 12 months or so, here are the improvements: new sound system, new lighting system, installation of an elevator, installation of ceiling fans, new accessible bathroom (with more bathrooms to come)--has your humble blogger missed something?

Probably!

Blueswoman!

It's not often that we get a female electric blues player at the Narrows--in fact, Friday night was perhaps the first time (the great Rory Block is an acoustic blueswoman who has played the Narrows a bunch of times).

So Debbie Davies and her group showed how to play what some might term "Chicago blues" with a female being the "guitar god." Or make that "guitar goddess."

Debbie Davies certainly was that, although her interaction with the audience was more like somebody who lived next door to you. Imagine if you lived next to Buddy Guy, Albert Collins etc. and they came to your house to borrow your lawnmower.  

If you missed her this time and are an electric blues fan, be sure to catch her in the future.  She's got the chops!

Sarah Borges' New Guitar Player

Narrows' faves Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles have a new guitar player: Lyle Brewer.

He's a young roots cat whom you can see at his myspace page right here.

Major Improvements for Jeff Olson

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers for Jeff. I guess they're working!

The latest word I have is that Jeff has come out of his coma and is eating normally, and that he's out of immediate danger. His longterm prognosis remains to be seen, but it is much more positive than a few days ago.

He will remain in the hospital for the near future as his recovery continues.

Watch this space for more updates.

Laura Cantrell: A Voice That Stirs

One of the more beautiful voices echoed in the Narrows' rafters Saturday night as alt-country singer,songwriter,guitar strummer Laura Cantrell made her debut.

Narrows fave Jimmy Ryan was the opener and side-guy for her.

Laura hasn't been gigging much in recent years, she explained, because she became a mom and has been sticking close to her New York digs. 

She played tracks from her latest CD "Trains and Boats and Planes" and other selections.

 

Personality Blues

Friday night was the debut of Watermelon Slim and the Workers at the Narrows.

It was blues, but a bit different--no guitar "god" to feature, although Slim was playing some pretty mean slide as well as harmonica.  (Also note: the drummer, who kinda looks like CNN news guy Anderson Cooper, was awesome, in the eyes of your humble blogger.)

It was more the stories, the personality and the showmanship of the group that made the evening a delight.  Watermelon Slim's personal history, which you can read on his website, informed the performance, which was filled with passion, humor and occasional wackiness.

Of particular note is Watermelon Slim's blues song for his friend Howard Zinn, probably a first!

Patriot Ledger Sings Narrows Praises

Probably one of the best, most comprehensive articles about the Narrows has been published by the Patriot Ledger, up there near Boston.

Read it here.

Latest on Jeff Olson

Your humble blogger asks that you continue to send your thoughts and prayers to Jeff Olson and his family. See previous entries for more info about Jeff.

The latest is he's showing some improvement but is still in very serious condition and is in a coma.

I'll post information here when it becomes available.

Jeff Olson Shows Some Improvement

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for Jeff Olson. The word I've received is he showed some improvement Friday.

Jeff is a wonderful songwriter, musician, singer, producer etc. who is best known for his work with Folks Together, which has played the Narrows a time or two. Jeff also has volunteered at the Narrows. Jeff is one of the good guys you'll come across in life.

He was hospitalized a few days back for Legionnaires, and his prognosis was not positive.

Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. I'll keep you posted on his condition.

Old Friends

Chris Hillman (Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, the Desert Rose Band), left in photo, and Herb Pedersen (Desert Rose Band, and other groups with the likes of Jerry Garcia) took their two-man tour to the Narrows' Friday night.

They played the roots of what became country rock and arguably the roots of some of today's country music as well as alternative country or Americana.

These guys met back in their late teens, and have been together on various projects ever since, including the Desert Rose Band, which is reuniting for a few gigs very soon.

Highlights included "Turn Turn Turn," lyrics by, as Chris noted, King Solomon, "Eight Miles High," as well as "If I Could Only Win Your Love," which Emmylou Harris and Herb had a country hit with as a duet.  

Chris played mandolin and guitar during the show, and Herb played guitar.  Both united for gentle harmonies.

Your humble blogger snapped the above photo "backstage" (actually in a room behind the audience) a few minutes before show time.

After the concert, Chris and Herb were generous with their time, signing CDs etc. and posing with fans for photographs (including one with your humble blogger).

Please Send Your Thoughts and Prayers Out

Jeff Olson, one of the greatest musicians and gentlemen I've ever known, is in very serious condition and is in intensive care at an area hospital.

His wife Donna called me and asked that everyone send out their thoughts and prayers for his recovery. He was stricken a few days back with what appeared to be pneumonia, but turned into a more serious situation.

Jeff is a member of the folk group Folks Together, which has played the Narrows a number of times.

See For Free Nominee for Artist of the Year

The Narrows Festival of the Arts is coming up September 7 and will feature a nominee for Americana Artist of the Year--our guy Jim Lauderdale.

Above is a photo of Jim performing at the Narrows.

See him live--for free!

Tell your friends and bring the kids, too.

Sarah Borges Guitarist Gone

Fab guitarist with Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles, Mike Castellana (far left in the photo at the Narrows), leaves the band in mid-August.

Mike has been incredibly important to the group's sound and will be missed greatly.  No word on why he's leaving or who is replacing him, as the group prepares to head to the studio to record their 3rd CD.

Mike really could do no wrong, as far as your humble blogger is concerned.  He knew when to play, when to pause, and when to let loose.  Very tasteful and a nice guy too.

Best wishes Mike from your friends at the Narrows!

Hear Walter Trout and Greg Brown

We are very proud to note that mvyradio.com has posted the Narrows' Walter Trout show and the Greg Brown show on their website, for your listening pleasure.

Your humble blogger's voice makes a very brief appearance at the beginning of both.

Check the shows out here.

Asylum Street Spankers: Uniting Roots with Theater

The wild and wacky Asylum Street Spankers, from deep in the heart of Texas, paid a visit to the Narrows Thursday night, expounding on the evils of weed wackers and demonstrating that roots music and theater can co-exist on the same stage.