Review of Peter Rowan's New CD

Narrows alum Peter Rowan has a new CD out, featuring Narrows alum Jerry Douglas, along with Sam Bush.

Your humble blogger wrote a little review about it, which you can read by clicking here.

Alejandro Escovedo: The Struggle

Celebrated singer-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo, coming to the Narrows in February, nearly lost his life from Hepatitis C in 2003.

Learn more about his music and his health challenges by reading this article from Americanaroots.com.

Access the article by clicking here.

Kris Delmhorst Has a New CD Out

Kris Delmhorst, who is opening for the very fab Richard Thompson in November at our 5th anniversary show (sold out), has a new CD out!

It's called Strange Conversation and it's been out since June--so you can see we're a bit slow on the uptake.

Anyway, your humble blogger has listened to it once and it sounds pretty darn good. I expect to write a full review for www.americanaroots.com very soon.

Anybody out there listen to it? If so, please leave a comment. I'd like to know your thoughts.

A Thrill of a Bill

It was Boston-based Eilen Jewell and her band along with southerners King Wilkie in a dynamic double-bill on Saturday night.

Eilen did her smoky voiced thing which has won her fans every time she's played the Narrows. She'll be back February 3rd, opening for Alejandro Escovedo.
















Her guitar guy, Jerry Miller, also won special acclaim with his frantic fretting on his cool looking axe.












King Wilkie showed the bluegrass chops that recently earned them a contract with Rounder Records.

Happy 80th Birthday Chuck Berry

Your humble blogger still reporting from America's heartland, St. Louis, MO, Chuck Berry's hometown.

He celebrated his 80th yesterday, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch covered the special event in his honor, which included Chuck, Joe Perry from Aerosmith and more.

Read how the locals in St. Louis write about The Man by clicking here.

Jay Bennett, Formerly of Wilco, Update

Your humble blogger is reporting today from America's heartland, St. Louis, MO, which gave America Chuck Berry, beer and more.

Anyway, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch featured a front page banner headline (I think that's the term) featuring Narrows alum Jay Bennett, formerly of Wilco, a band apparently not well known in the Northeast but quite popular for the hip folks out here.

When Mr. Bennett played the Narrows he was clearly wrestling with demons, and he talks about some of them in the interview which you can read right here.

Jim Lauderdale Review & Photo

Songwriter and performer Jim Lauderdale recently performed at the Narrows. Above is a photo from that visit. Dig that suit!

Anyway, here's a review of his latest recorded work.

John Cowan & Darrell Scott Show Moved to March

Despite some generous publicity from the nice folks at the Providence Journal and Providence Phoenix, there is NOT a show tonight at the Narrows.

The John Cowan Band/Darrell Scott show has been moved to March.

Visit www.ncfta.org for the latest.

Help Us Celebrate Our 5th Anniversary!

This message was emailed out to everyone on the Narrows' email list. I thought I'd share it via this humble blog:


Dear Friend of the Narrows:

In November, the Narrows Center for the Arts will be celebrating our Fifth Anniversary. Over the past five years, more than 30,000 people have attended events at the Narrows Center. We have hosted over 350 concerts, over 40 art openings, adult and children's art classes, dance classes, writers' workshops, dozens of special events and produced five Narrows Festival of the Arts. All of this has been accomplished by a hearty group of volunteers dedicated to bringing arts and culture to Fall River. By all accounts, we have been successful beyond expectations and beyond our dreams. The Narrows Center for the Arts has put Fall River on the map as a cultural destination.

To commemorate our Fifth Anniversary, we are putting together a Special Edition Program Book that will be distributed to our patrons and all concert and gallery attendees during November. The book will have a brief history of our venue, highlights of our first five years, photos and advertising space for our sponsors. I hope you will consider sponsoring and supporting the Narrows Center for the Arts. Below is a price list for advertising. Deadline for submission is October 20th.

The Narrows Center for the Arts plans to be around for a long time. I thank you in advance for your sponsorship and support.

Sincerely,
Patrick Norton, President
Narrows Center for the Arts

Fifth Anniversary Book

Back Cover $250.00

Full Page 8.50 x 5.50 $100.00

Half Page 4.25 x 5.50 $60.00

Quarter Page 2.125 x 5.50 $30.00

Business Card $25.00


Please mail ad copy or business card with payment by October 20, 2006 to:

Narrows Center for the Arts
16 Anawan Street
Fall River, MA 02721

Leo Kottke Enjoys the Fruits of His Labors

Truly a Backstage at the Narrows experience:

Guitar god Leo Kottke enjoys some fruit after his sold-out performance at the Narrows Saturday night.

Left to right: volunteer Laura McNamara; Leo; and Narrows president, booking agent and all-around-visionary Patrick Norton.

Carrie Rodriguez Interview

Carrie Rodriguez, who has performed several times at the Narrows with Chip Taylor, has her own CD out.

Recently she was interviewed about her solo work. Read the interview by clicking here.

John Cowan/Darrell Scott Show Moved to March

The John Cowan Band and Darrell Scott show scheduled for October has been moved to March. A new date will soon be announced.

Please check the schedule at www.ncfta.org.

Leon Russell in April

Not yet posted: Leon Russell coming to the Narrows in April.

Keep an eye on the schedule at www.ncfta.org.

Steve Forbert & Michael Troy Photos

Steve Forbert pleased the crowd Saturday night with his casual yet passionate performance.

Local guy Michael Troy, who opened the show, nearly stole the night, though, with his set of original songs and thoughtful commentary. Some think it was Michael Troy's greatest performance ever at the Narrows.

Sarah Borges Wins Boston Music Award

This just in from Sarah Borges' publicity folks (excerpt from press release):


September 28, 2006 Boston, MA - Boston songstress extraordinaire Sarah Borges took home the award for Best Local Female Vocalist at the 2006 Boston Music Awards on Wednesday, September 27th. The awards show was held at Avalon in Boston as part of the NEMO Music Festival taking place throughout the city and surrounding areas September 28 – 30. Ms. Borges also won the local semi-finals in the NEMO Music Makers songwriting competition this past August, sponsored by NEMO and Starbucks New England.

Last week, the band performed for the Americana Music Conference in Nashville, TN where they packed the house at 3rd & Lindsley and stirred up an amazing buzz when they finished their set by playing their last song atop the bar.

The wit and charm of Ms. Borges along with her scorching vocals, charismatic songs and brilliant star power prove her to be an entertainer on the rise. Chris Morris of The Hollywood Reporter claims, “This is one performer nobody should miss… she’s the goods,” and Paste Magazine tells people to “make note of this name and get in on the sawdust covered ground floor… this stuff screams for a wider audience on par with at least Lucinda, if not Gretchen Wilson.” The Improper Bostonian names her as the top of their “IT” list and advises its readers to “go see her so when she’s bringing down the house on Saturday Night Live in a year or two, you can say you saw her way back when.”

When not on the road, the band will spend some studio time with noted producer Paul Q. Kolderie at Camp Street Studios in Cambridge, MA recording songs for their sophomore release.

Escovedo, Block, Kaukonen

Not yet posted on the schedule:

December 2--Folks Together...some of the finest roots musicians you'll hear in these parts and beyond. Good friends of your humble blogger.

Jumping ahead to frosty February, 2007:

February 3--Alejandro Escovedo...No Depression magazine named him the artist of the decade in the 1990s.

February 17--Rory Block...internationally acclaimed acoustic blues master. This is her third visit, I think.

Moving to May, 2007

May 5--Jorma Kaukonen....this will be a sell-out. It will mark this 3rd visit.

Crenshaw Cranks

Marshall Crenshaw power popped the Narrows Saturday night, mixing originals with a touch of the Stones and Buddy Holly.

It was Marshall's 3rd visit to the Narrows, but his first with a band.

Funny man Ray Mason opened the evening, strumming his Sears Silvertone and singing his humorous tunes.

Interesting Write Up On Springsteen's Folk "Conversion"

Bruce Springsteen's We Shall Overcome CD and tour have perhaps confused some of the faithful.

I stumbled across an article that provides some perspective.

Click here.

Jim Lauderdale Write Up

Jim Lauderdale is making his first appearance at the Narrows on Thursday, Oct. 5.

Tickets are still available.

I came across this write up about his new releases from Eric Banister at Americanaroots.com.

You can see it by clicking here.

More Festival Fotos

Some nice folks emailed more photos of the Narrows Festival of the Arts. Click here to see 'em.