Chad & Jeremy Bring Back Yesterday

Chad & Jeremy, vets of the British Invasion, delighted a Wednesday night crowd at the Narrows. It was the first visit for the whimsical duo, who, you may remember, appeared on the Batman television show, along with the Patty Duke Show and the Dick van Dyke Show.

"Yesterday's Gone" and "A Summer Song" were their big USA hits.

They told stories of the old days, working with Paul Simon (they were slated to record Simon's "Homeward Bound" just before it became a hit for Rhymin' Simon and his pal Art Garfunkle), having their voices held for ransom by Catwoman, and lounging on the Left Coast with Dean Martin, Ursula Andress, Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra.

Beausoleil

Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet (left) appeared to be a major draw for the Narrows Festival of the Arts on Sunday.

This Louisiana-based group certainly seem to have a horde of devoted fans in these parts.

Weather, Music Combine for a Fab Festival

The annual Narrows Festival of the Arts brought perfect weather with it Sunday, along with such performers as Hot Club of Cowtown (above) and Dirty Dozen Brass Band (below). More photos coming soon.

Kicking Off a Fab Weekend

The Old Blind Dogs Thursday night kicked off a weekend that will feature Tom Rush (Saturday night), and Beausoleil, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Hotclub of Cowtown and more (the free Narrows Festival of the Arts on Sunday).

The Dogs--who last played the Narrows about 3 years ago--performed their high energy Scottish folk music to an enthusiastic crowd of fans.

One highlight from their last visit was their purchase of a bass guitar hanging on the wall of a liquor store across from where they were staying in Somerset, MA. Since they had forgotten to bring a bass to the states, they bought the instrument (for $40)--later raffling it off and donating the money to charity. From then on they have been raffling off one of their instruments at the end of a tour. This time they are raffling off a guitar.

Last we checked there were just a handful of Tom Rush tickets available. And, of course, this Sunday is free.

Country Comfort

Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay reminded us why country rock is one of the most enjoyable genres, particularly when played well with a lot of simple harmonies.

He and his band (featuring one of his daughters as back-up singer) brought the house down at the Narrows Saturday in his first visit to our fab listening pad.

He played tracks from his former bands Buffalo Springfield and Poco, and new material.

By the way, these days his full-time gig is as a pastor of a church near Denver. Your humble blogger, in fact, walked into a prayer session with the pastor and his band backstage shortly before they started the show.

The prayer worked!

And Now for Something Completely Different...

It was kinda 3 chords and the truth at the Narrows--well, maybe not.

Our beloved stage featured the masked and mysterious surf masters Los Straitjackets doing the instrumental rockabilly sound on a rainy Friday night. It was the 2nd visit for the group, which speaks Spanish on-stage and never appears without their Mexican-wrestling inspired disguises--although your humble blogger saw them uncovered before the show. But I'm sworn to secrecy regarding their true identies. Let's just say let sleeping masks lie.

Openers were Providence 's Mericans, with a Byrds-like flyte that gave the crowd delight.

Club Helsinki in Great Barrington Closing

A number of Narrows' artists--Eilen Jewell and Sarah Borges immediately come to mind--also have regularly played Club Helsinki in Great Barrington, MA, way out there in the Berkshires.

Club Helsinki is closing the end of the month; your humble blogger knows not the reason.

Maybe something on their website although I didn't see details.

Red Molly Makes Narrows Debut

A group your humble blogger has been hearing great things about, Red Molly, made their Narrows debut Friday night. And they did not disappoint, with their rootsy sound, beautiful harmonies, and gentle sense of humor.

And, for their debut, they also drew a nice sized crowd!

It was broadcast on mvyradio.com and should be posted in their archives soon.

Cowtown to Our Town

Because the Narrows is dedicated to everybody in the area and is committed to sharing the arts, the annual Narrows Festival of the Arts will take place once again--this year, Sunday, September 13.

Yep, it's free.

One of the highlights is the return of the internationally loved Hot Club of Cowtown, pictured above.

If memory serves, we hosted these folks a time or two, then they split up, with vocalist/fiddler Elana James starting her own group, which also played the Narrows.

We're glad to see they're back as a unit with their modern take on Western Swing, Dawg Music or whatever one wants to call it.

Pencil the Narrows Festival into your calendar. Starts at 11 a.m. and goes until the sun goes down.

On the Waterfront with the Duke

Your humble blogger, felled by a sudden back ailment, didn't make the free Duke Robillard show last Friday sponsored by the Narrows outside down the street at the Gates of the City.

Fortunately, a sharp-eyed Mike Moran took this shot of the Duke looking quite dapper.

The Dapper Duke!

Founder of the New Riders Passes

John Dawson, who founded Narrows fave New Riders of the Purple Sage, died recently. He founded the group with Jerry Garcia.

More here.

Maria Muldaur Works with Narrows Alums

Maria Muldaur, who makes her Narrows debut on October 31, has a new CD coming out featuring Narrows alums John Sebastian and Dan Hicks.

And she's returning to the old jug band sound.

More here.

The Waybacks from Way Back

Took the above shot during Friday night's show at the Narrows from progressive roots speedsters The Waybacks.

The band was recording the show for a possible future CD.

See the mikes hanging from the ceiling?

Got My Mojo Workin'

No question:one of the top shows of 2009. The fabulous Nighthawks and Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin (above) at the Narrows Saturday night.

The nearly 80-something Mr. Sumlin was "the star" according to the Nighthawks, but this celebrated roots group brought star-power energy and prowess to the stage all by themselves.

Mr. Sumlin, who influenced Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and others with his riffin' for The Wolf, was like their beloved dad who was sitting in just for the fun of it. And was it fun!

On a personal note: you couldn't find a nicer group of folks than the Nighthawks and Mr. Sumlin. Lots of positive energy and smiles! Hope to see them again soon.

Forgotten African American Music Celebrated

Most people probably think that African American music pre- and post-Civil War was spirituals, blues, gospel, ragtime.

How about CLASSICAL?

Brilliant pianist John Davis brought his show to the Narrows Thursday night that showed us that a slave named "Blind Tom" and a son of a slave, "Blind Boone," wowed audiences across the US with keyboarding wizardry that owed more to Mozart than to the Mississippi Delta.

It was a one-of-a-kind performance that was recorded by our friends at mvyradio.com and should be posted on that site in a few days.

"Gordon" of Peter & Gordon Passes

British popsters from the '60s Peter & Gordon were known for "A World Without Love," written by Paul McCartney (he almost married Peter's sister) and other tunes.

One half of the duo has died. Details here.

Newport Jazz and Folk Festival Head Interviewed

George Wein, of Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival fame, was interviewed on Buddy Cianci's show on WPRO in Providence.

Hear it here.

First Gates of the City Concert Features CJ Chenier

It was a beautiful night for an outdoors concert, and the Narrows obliged by taking its CJ Chenier concert Friday night outside down the street to what's known as "The Gates of the City." And it was free.

Zydeco sounds brought out the dancers, but, interestingly enough, not the mosquitoes. Not too warm or cold, nor too humid. Had to leave early; lucked out since I was typing this in Barrington when the rain hit.

Another one coming up later in the summer. Check out www.ncfta.org.

Guilty

Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women took to the Narrows stage Thursday on a warm, but fairly comfortable July evening.

To the best of your Humble Blogger's memory, this is the first headlining appearance by Mr. Alvin. He opened for James McMurtry a couple years back.

Along with the women in the picture opening this article was award winning steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar. You may remember her during her many years with Asleep at the Wheel.

Cruel To Be Kind

Fab Brit Nick Lowe debuts at the Narrows October 15.

You may remember his song "Cruel To Be Kind."

More here.