The Sarah Borges Songbook

It was a record release party at the Narrows for Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles Friday night.

The CD, called "The Stars are Out," might be described as a bit less twangy and a notch or two more rocky than their two previous releases. And it includes a cover of Smokey Robinson's hit "Being with You," a rather unexpected choice; but then Sarah and her guys always surprise.

It's fair to say that between Sarah's originals and their covers, this group has one of the strongest songbooks being carried by any band. While Sarah is lauded for her singing and fab performance skills, she deserves recognition as a serious songwriter.

Sarah, who is from nearby Taunton, MA, was supported by local family and friends who don't seem afraid to wander onto the stage to provide her a beverage. (Frankly--as a point of personal privilege--I wish that her family and friends (and Sarah and the band itself) would cut back on all the booze talk. It's so 1971. )

By the way, it was their 9th show at the Narrows, but the second one on our beloved stage for new guitarist Lyle Brewer, an emerging star. Keep an eye on this young guy, you guitar fans. He's staking out his own sound and integrating well with the band's wild yet disciplined approach.

A skiffle group, Dog Bite, photo below, opened with a strong set. Can't seem to find much about this band. If anybody knows anything, please post. I very much enjoyed their set.

Marc Cohn Debuts

Marc "Walkin' in Memphis" Cohn made his long-awaited Narrows debut Tuesday night before a sold-out house. Not only did he perform, but he answered questions the audience submitted on paper dropped in a bucket before his performance.

Many new faces in the crowd, which always makes us happy at the Narrows as the word continues to spread about our ears friendly space.

Amy Correia, from Lakeville, MA, opened with an energetic set that won her new fans.

She Left Him for Jesus

Hayes Carll, who played the Narrows a few years back, is returning in mid-June, bearing a song that was the Americana's Music Association's Song of the Year in 2008.

It's called "She Left Me for Jesus" and the last time I checked there was a nifty video for the song at www.hayescarll.com.

Rockin'

Although you can't tell it from the photo above, Eilen Jewell took her usually laid back approach up a couple notches Saturday night at the Narrows. For example, when she was doing her cover of the classic rocker "Shake It All Over" she set her guitar down and nearly shaked, rattled and rolled! The crowd loved it! (My photo of this rare event didn't come out terribly well, so I'm keeping it in my archives.)

Her band, particularly lead guitarist Jerry Miller, were hotter than ever.

Saturday night was the "record release" party for her new CD "Sea of Tears" and "Shake It All Over" is one of the tracks.

Boston area performer Sarah Levecque opened with a strong set. Although she's not signed to a label, your humble blogger thinks that Sarah is a real up-and-comer.

Our friends at mvyradio.com streamed the concert live, which means it should be posted on their archives in a few days. Recommended listening.

Fiddling Around

String striker extraordinaire Bruce Molsky (above center), with a little help from some friends, brought his fiddle, guitar and banjo to the Narrows for the very first time Friday nights.

Our cultural partners at mvyradio.com streamed it live so the concert, which featured traditional string sounds, should be posted over the next few days. Look for it in the archives. It's a good 'un!

Mussel Man

Your humble blogger reporting in on the road from the Cranston main public library. Thanks people of Cranston for the free WiFi!

Friday night at the Narrows it was a committed blues crowd to see harpist Charlie Musselwhite, above on the right with his knock-'em-dead guitarist who damn well nearly stole the show. When your humble blogger was dutifully doing his emcee duties--mentioning upcoming artists--the only concerts that drew a reaction were blues shows, particularly the Hubert Sumlin & the Nighthawks gig coming up. Put down your banjos, this was no folk crowd!

When Charlie wasn't gnawing on his harmonica, he was ear-to-ear grinnin', almost in disbelief, in the love he was getting from the audience. Narrows' patrons have to be some of the nicest this blogger has ever seen.

Below, local fave Mark T. Small proved he's more than a hometown hero, doing things with his guitar that may be against nature. A nice guy, too, whose latest recording, we hear, is getting laudits on blues shows across the country. Be sure to see Mark whenever you can to experience some blazing fast acoustic blues guitar scratching and wailing.

Eilen Jewell Speaks!

Eilen Jewell (above at the Narrows' "green room" a year or so ago) is coming to the Narrows once again April 25th. And she has a brand new CD! Below is an interview I did with her via email.


I'm hearing that the new CD is a departure for you, in that it has more fast-paced material. Is that how you view it?

I've been having some difficulty describing the new record. It's not so much a departure as it is an elaboration of a few sounds we dabbled in with our last record, Letters from Sinners and Strangers. It definitely doesn't have more fast-paced material. Letters had more of that for sure. It sounds more like "Where They Never Say Your Name" and less like "Blue Highway." That's the best I can do to describe it. You'll just have to hear it and be the judge.

In the studio, how much stuff do you record live, how much overdubbing? Is there anything in the studio that you're doing that can't be reproduced on stage?

Almost all of what we do in the studio is live. I overdub my vocals sometimes, and we always overdub Jason's harmonies so they won't bleed into his drum mics. Other than that, there's very little overdubbing. I do play the organ on the new record, though. And Jerry played the steel. Those had to be overdubbed, since you can't do that and play the guitar at the same time. I'm sure I could reproduce the organ on stage, but so far we haven't tried it yet. Maybe we'll give it a whirl at some point this year. We sound like our records, almost to a tee.

How do you go about writing a tune?

I don't have a formula. Every song is different. Some of them write themselves, some of them are based on words that came to me while I was asleep or half asleep. Some of them live in the back of my head for years until I finally figure out how they want to sound. One thing I have noticed though is that I write best when there's a deadline.

What is the fun part of being on the road? What are the perils?

The fun part of being on the road is performing when the sound is good on stage and the audience is warm and receptive--especially when you're in a town you've never been to before. I love seeing new places. The perils...mostly other drivers are the bummer. I swear people drive so poorly they must be trying to kill us.

Saw you on a Boston television station playing solo at a senior citizen home. That was very nice of you! You seemed to be getting great reaction too.

You're probably thinking of a show I did at the Boston Home--a care center for people who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis and similar conditions. People did seem to enjoy it, and I loved seeing that in their faces. Music can do so much to bring people out of their rut, even sad songs like mine are uplifting.

You're originally from the west--Idaho I think. But you're based on the East Coast. Do you miss the west?

I am from Idaho, and I do miss it terribly. I love the East Coast too though, and I do get homesick for Boston when we're away for long stretches. I think the key will be to have an Idaho home base and a Boston one...maybe one in Spain too someday.

People coming to the show at the Narrows--what should they expect?

They should expect to have a good time. That's what we're doing. And they can also plan on hearing a lot of new songs. Sea of Tears will be available for sale there, for the first time in world history!

Rickie Lee Jones Likes the Narrows

"I really like it here," said Rickie Lee Jones Tuesday night at the Narrows. "I'm glad you know how to find it!"

It was Ms. Jones' debut at the Narrows, and she did it before a sold out crowd that brought a wide smile to her face as they went wild as she stepped into the spotlights.

Your humble blogger was up on stage making the usual pre-show announcements when I looked down and there was Rickie Lee standing in front in the darkness, smiling, accompanied by Kathleen, one of our stellar volunteers.

"Do you want to do your show?" I inquired. She nodded and off we went!

Special shout out to the guy who drove all the way from Oklahoma City to join us (and see his sisters)!

Levon Helm to Release New Album

Levon Helm, the Band's drummer and dad of Narrows alum Amy Helm, is releasing the follow up to his acclaimed "Dirt Farmer" recording in late June.

Yes, Amy is on this record too. (She's a member of Ollabelle.)

Rollingstone.com has more here.

Murder Conviction for Wall of Sound Producer

Phil Spector, who produced The Righteous Brothers, the Ronettes, George Harrison, John Lennon and many others, has been convicted of murder.

Spector developed the "Wall of Sound" production approach, where he would literally have a number of pianos and guitars playing the same chord at the same time and classical-sounding string sections--all to provide a "thick" at times majestic sound to fairly simple songs.

His influence can be particularly heard on Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" album, although Spector didn't have the same technology available when he was making his recordings in the early and mid-1960s.

Some may say that his approach went overboard in his production of Tina Turner's "River Deep Mountain High," which American djs felt buried her vocals, while the record was celebrated in England. Spector was apparently bitter about the failure of this record stateside, since he considered it a masterpiece.

Spector's first success was in the early years of rock 'n' roll, with the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is To Love Him" a title Spector took from his father's gravestone. His father had committed suicide.

For more on the conviction, check out this report from the BBC here.

Patriot Ledger Reviews

A newspaper in the Boston area wrote a review of the recent smokin' Coco Montoya show at the Narrows.

Read it here.

The Flatlanders Debut

The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll says that Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s first demo recordings, back in 1965, were paid for by Buddy Holly’s father. Whew! That’s the kind of Friday night it was at the Narrows as The Flatlanders, Joe Ely (below), Jimmie Dale and Butch Hancock (above, left to right), took our beloved stage.

A feeling of the historic, a feeling of dust, a feeling of Lubbock. The lines in the faces of guys who’ve been there and back and then there again.

Your humble blogger got himself in the mood in the afternoon by watching You Tube clips from the semi-cult film The Big Lebowski, in which Jimmie Dale makes an appearance. Then followed that up with a listen to The Flatlanders first recording in five years, Hills and Valleys.

Newcomer Joe Pug, the young guy down below, opened with a strong set.

The show was broadcast on mvyradio.com. Should be posted soon.

Sea of Tears

Eilen Jewell's new CD "Sea of Tears" is being released about the same time she and her fab band are playing the Narrows.

For more info visit www.ncfta.org.

By the way Eilen--nice new 'do.

Coco Sells Out!

Coco Montoya and his fab band rocked the sold out Narrows with the electric blues Saturday night. It was loud, fast and soulful, just like we like it. Tall King Blues, below, opened.

Thunder Harp

Kim Wilson's Blues Revue rocked the Narrows Thursday night. Kim, of course, is in the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Recently his harp was heard in the movie Cadillac Records.

If you missed the show it will soon appear in the archives of mvyradio.com.

Richard Shindell's Finger is OK

Richard Shindell, who whacked his finger with an axe about a year ago, seems fully recovered from the incident, which led to the canceling of some shows.

Your intrepid humble blogger, following up on the not-quite-exclusive story reported on this blog last July, inspected said finger in the Narrows "green room" Friday night and took the above photograph before Shindell's entrance upon the stage. At first, Richard thought I was just going to photograph his now healed finger, which would have been weird, but I assured him I was looking to include his visage as well.

A large enthusiastic crowd attended the show, which was so good that nobody thought about bringing up the damaged digit. One of the best concerts of the year at the Narrows!

Blues guitar princess Danielle Miraglia (below) opened with a strong set.

Jonathan Richman Coming in June

Oh my my! One of your humble blogger's favorites, Jonathan Richman, will make his Narrows' debut in June.

Mr. Richman, who originally hails from Boston's western 'burbs (where your humble blogger once resided), wrote such great tunes as "Roadrunner" (covered by Greg Kihn) (Roadrunner once. Roadrunner twice. We're in love with rock 'n' roll. So let's stay out all night), "Pablo Picasso" covered by John Cale (Pablo Picasso never got called an -sshole), "Ice Cream Man" (I love your chimes. They reel and they rock), "I'm a Little Dinosauer" (I'm a little dinosauer, and I'm planning to go away), "I'm a Little Airplane" (I fly in the dark, over the baseball park), and many more.

As you can tell, I really dig Jonathan; but I've never seen him live.

Oh, abominable snowman in the market. Ooooweeee!

Sarah Borges Reviewed in Rolling Stone

Taunton native, and Narrows fave, Sarah Borges and her guys, the Broken Singles, have their new CD reviewed in the latest issue of Rolling Stone.

Your humble blogger, who subscribes to the magazine, was delighted to come upon their 3-star review on page 83.

It's on line too right here.

It's Spring

Retro popsters The Spring Standards opened for Glenn Tilbrook Thursday night at the Narrows. The youngsters clearly listened to their parents' record collection and probably thumbed through high school yearbooks circa 1970.

That said, they are talented vocalists, songwriters, arrangers, and multi-instrumentalists who brought the crowd to their feet. Keep an eye on these Big Apple-based up-and-comers!

Squeezing in a Fab Show on a Thursday Night

Glenn Tilbrook, the guy from Brits band Squeeze, tore into the Narrows Thursday night for the first time, showing that he's more than capable of making our now fabled stage all his own.

He played Squeeze hits, e.g. Tempted, but mostly performed more recent stuff. His band featured several members of the current version of Squeeze, by the way.

Viva Los Lobos!

What can you say? It was the Narrows' 600th show--and what better way to celebrate than bring in one of the finest bands in the land--Los Lobos!

They started off acoustic, playing several songs from the album "Kiko" and other tunes. After a break they came back strapped to their electrics.

It was yet another sold-out show at the Narrows (thank you folks!) and another step as the Narrows continues to broaden its offerings.

Viva Narrows!

Ana Egge Gets 3 Stars from RS

Another rather obscure Narrows alum has gotten recognition from Rolling Stone. Read the write up on Ana Egge (in photo), who played the Narrows in 2007, right here.

Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles' New Video

Narrows fave Sarah Borges and her guys have got a new video.

Check it out here.

Stimulus

Your intrepid blogger caught the Infamous Stringdusters in the act of stimulating the Fall River economy before their show Wednesday night at the Narrows. Above you see the group waiting for their grub at the Battleship Brewhouse, about a mile north of the Narrows. Let's see, how many guys at that table, ordering how much food and drink apiece...hmmm...of course that doesn't count the food your blogger chowed down on at a nearby Chinese restaurant, or the food, drink, gasoline and who knows what the pretty-good-crowd for a Wednesday night purchased before and after the show.
The arts...more than pretty songs and pictures. You can take it to the bank!

Narrows Alum Earle Gets 4 Stars

Narrows alum Justin Townes Earle (photo above outside the Narrows last fall) has received 4 stars from Rolling Stone for his new album. More here.

Rickie Lee Jones Coming in April

Just added--Rickie Lee Jones at the Narrows Tuesday, April 14. More info here.

Photo by Lee Cantelon, c. 2007

Narrows Alum's Song on Kelly Clarkson's New CD

Keri Noble, who opened for James Cotten Saturday night at the Narrows, did not mention that one of her songs--"No One Will Listen"--is on Kelly Clarkson's brand spanking new CD All I Ever Wanted.

Probably not surprising--After Keri finished her set at the Narrows, there was a long line to purchase her own new CD and get it autographed. People recognized a star, even when she's a rather obscure opener for a blues performer!

Congrats to Keri. Your humble blogger was chatting with her before the show and found her very friendly and quite thankful that she was opening for James Cotten.

A Day in the Life...

He played with Muddy Waters for more than a decade. He played with Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Janis Joplin, Paul Butterfield, Johnny Winter, etc. But no matter where he's played, with whom he's performed, like everybody else a blues icon needs to arrive at the gig, do his thing on stage, and interact with the fans on some level. In the case of superharp James Cotton, he spent loads of times with his fans.

He sold out the Narrows Saturday night, had a crack backing band that was worth the price of admission by itself, and signed and signed and signed after the show. Not bad for somebody 70-something years old.


The Narrows loves you James Cotton! Stay well, 'cause we want you back as soon as possible.

Narrows Alum Low Anthem Featured in RS

Rhode Island group Low Anthem, who played at last year's Narrows Festival of the Arts, was featured in Rolling Stone recently.

Check it out here.

Oh Baby!

It was darn near Martha Scanlan and Ollabelle Friday night at the Narrows, as the ego-less group members not only had Ms. Scanlan filling in for member Amy Helm, but celebrated her own music!

Amy, with a new baby and involvement in her dad's rejuvenated musical career (Amy co-produced dad Levon's Grammy-winner "Dirt Farmer"), was missed but the group, nonetheless, impressed with their rootsy musicianship and winning personality.

Above in the photo you see Martha taking the lead while the lovely and very pregnant Fiona McBean has a deserved breather and Byron Isaacs works the slide.

Ms. McBean said she should be delivering next month. Ollabelle drummer Tony Leone (Lorne Entress of Ronnie Earl's band filled in for him at the gig) is the daddy.

Monkee Peter Tork Fighting Cancer

Monkee and Narrows alum Peter Tork is fighting cancer.

Details here.

Apple Users!

If you have an Apple computer, you may have had trouble listening to Narrows' archived concerts on mvyradio.com.

Probably no more.

Your humble blogger has had a load of problems--but just found that the site apparently made some adjustments for Apple users.

Try it again. Go to archives at mvyradio.com and go to "Narrows."

I-Man Chats with Van

Van Morrison, who is been on tour doing his "Astral Weeks" album, did a rare interview the other day. Don Imus had the honor.

It's posted on the WABC site. Visit it here.

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.