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.

Narrows Capacity Expands--Means More Leo Kottke Tickets!

Thanks to architect Jo Ann Bentley, the Narrows' capacity has been increased to 292!!!!

This means the formerly sold out Leo Kottke show October 7 now has tickets!!!

For more info: www.ncfta.org.

Narrows Festival of the Arts Rules

The Narrows Festival of the Arts, outside the Narrows, was a HUGE success Sunday.

The weather, the talent, the volunteers and the fans came together to make an outstanding outdoor festival. Congrats to all, with a special tip of the hat to the sponsors and Narrows president, and chief "Imagineer," Patrick Norton.

Sonny Landreth, up top, closed the day as the sun set over the Taunton River. People shivered while they danced, as the temps started reminding us that summer is waning.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, left, rocked the crowd in the late afternoon, while Sarah Borges, right, did the same earlier in the day.

The Wood Brothers, featuring jam band icon Chris Wood on bass, helped opened the day. Chris, on the right, and brother and guitarist Oliver, on the left, met your humble blogger (in the center) before their set.

Jimmy Ryan and Hayride (below) helped close the day.

Of course, there were many other performers. If you have some interesting photos, please send 'em to your humble blogger at slouishug@comcast.net.

Slaid Cleaves Sweating It Out

Slaid Cleaves earned the title as the "hardest working guy in show biz" Friday night as he literally sweated through his shirt as he pleased his fans.


Adam Carroll opened the show, and was called back by the crowd for an encore, a rarity at the Narrows.

Richard Thompson Tickets Coming Down To A Precious Few

Our 5th anniversary show with icon Richard Thompson in November is on its way to an early sell-out.

BUT--tickets are still available.

Go to www.ncfta.org ASAP.

Free Show Outside Sunday

It's the Narrows' gift to our supporters. Sunday outside the Narrows, a free concert featuring Sarah Borges, Grace Potter, Sonny Landreth and more.

Click here for more.

Shows Not Yet Posted

December 16
Savoy Brown

These British blues rock vets had Kiss and AC/DC open for them. They opened for Cream back in 1967 and backed John Lee Hooker that same year. Members of Fleetwood Mac, Foghat, Humble Pie, Black Sabbath and other prominent bands were once members of Savoy Brown. Learn more: www.savoybrown.com


February 10
Paul Brady

Bonnie Raitt covered his song "Luck of the Draw" and even named an album after it! In addition to Ms. Raitt, his songs have been covered by Joe Cocker, Santana, David Crosby, Cher (Cher?), Tina Turner, Mary Black, Lucy Kaplansky, etc. Learn more: www.paulbrady.com

March 9
Beolach

Beolach is Gaelic for "lively youth." Most appropriate for this young band out of Cape Breton which mixes Cape Breton, Scottish and Irish tunes. www.beolach.com.


March 23
Eliza Gilkyson/Mary Gauthier

What a double bill! Ms. Gilkyson's 2004 album was nominated for a Grammy, and she's in the Austin Music Hall of Fame. Bob Dylan plays Ms. Gauthier's music on his radio show. Need we say more? Okay, here are the websites: www.elizagilkyson.com and www.marygauthier.com.


April 14 Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards came to fame with his toe-tappin' anti-war anthem "Sunshine," which still gets played on the radio, decades later. He's one of the funnest artists to see in concert, which is why we've had him at the Narrows several times. www.jonathanedwards.net.

Meet Crooked Still

One of the hottest roots groups is out of Boston. It's called Crooked Still, and perhaps someday we'll book 'em at the Narrows.

Your humble blogger wrote a review of their latest CD for americanaroots.com. To read the review, please click here.

Ryan Rocks!

Mild-mannered, nice guy folkie Ryan Fitzsimmons proved he has a rock 'n' roll heart Saturday night as he fronted a band that turned his songs to rock anthems.
If you've attended more than a few shows at the Narrows you probably have seen Ryan open for a good number of big names.

But this time Ryan had an opener--the lovely and talented Maybees--who, in spite of their youth, are starting to show their stuff as a solid roots duo.

So How Was Dylan?

Rick Massimo from the Projo did a write up on the Dylan concert at McCoy Stadium.

If you'd like, add your own comments.

For Rick's article, click here.

They Don't Look Like Nobody's Uncle

Sunday night the Narrows was graced, for the first time, by the presence and talent of Uncle Earl, an all female bluegrassy group.

They announced that on Monday they were scheduled to meet with Rounder Records concerning their next record. They said they were worried the record company wouldn't like their new songs.

The Narrows crowd sure did.

Local faves, the Remnants opened the evening.

A Realistic Take On Johnny Cash

If you're like me--always looking to pop somebody's balloon--you might be uncomfortable with all of the belated Johnny Cash worship, in some cases by people who forgot all about him for decades.

Johnny Cash, the new pet rock. Yeeck.

In your humble blogger's opinion, some of the Rick Rubin-produced Cash stuff is just plain baloney. Yes, "Hurt" was a great track. But "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" was horrible, as were others.

That's why I particularly enjoyed a write-up in Slate that wrestles with the Johnny Cash fad. Check it out, if you dare, by clicking here.

Is It Flea?

It it Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers?

No, it's the bathrobed bass player for Ghorar Deem Express, a way out there progressive jazz combo that believes in giving "good visuals."

They brought their creativity and chops to the Narrows on Thursday night as our schedule begins to heat up after a short summer break.

See you soon at the Narrows?

Projo on Uncle Earl

The Providence Journal did a little blurb on our upcoming show with newgrassers Uncle Earl:

"On their debut record, She Waits for Night, the old-time folk quartet Uncle Earl honor classics such as 'Walking In My Sleep' and 'Ida Red,' and write new stuff that stands right up with them, such as 'Pale Moon' and 'Divine.'

"Banjoist-singer Abigail Washburn's solo performance (with cellist Ben Sollee) was one of the revelations of the Dunkin' Donuts Newport Folk Festival earlier this month, and the group is just as energetic, sinuous and fun. They're at the Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River, Sunday night at 8.

'Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 the day of the show. Call (508) 324-1926."

Thanks Projo for the plug!

NY Dolls: More Son Volt than Sex Pistols

Remember the New York Dolls? They're baaaack, and sounding great.

If you care, you can read your humble blogger's review by clicking here.