Making traveling musicians feel at home

It was a pleasure to hear the Folk Brothers, Jack and his friend David
Massengill, in concert in Somerville MA last Saturday. This was one of
the Notlob series of concerts, held at the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian
Church, near Tufts University. I had not heard them since the Guthrie
Center performance so it was interesting to see how their act has
evolved over the past three months.

Jack and David included a couple of Jack's older songs that I hadn't
heard them sing together before (I Oughta Know, May Day) and a new one
by Jack, which might be called We're All in the Same Boat Together. It
has that special combination of bleak pessimism & warm affirmation which
is unique to Jack's writing. It brings to my mind another song, London
Town (Noir) where he sings the paradox

but the love in my heart is as clear and as fine
as the day I left love behind.

Today of all days, we might be excused for feeling just as hopeful about
events in the larger world as we can about the possibilities of love
within us. But if you're like me, you sure do recognize this picture
that Jack paints so well.

This performance featured a "mystery guest" which turned out to be Peggy
Seeger, the distinguished activist and little (half) sister of Pete.
She shared with us two of her recent songs, one in praise of
(President-Elect!!!) Barack Obama, and the other a humorous one taking
gentle jabs at McCain & Palin (which Jack provided backing for, on
guitar.) Peggy is lively and gracious--I was rather in awe to meet her.

One thing that really struck me, in listening to Jack and David on
Saturday, was how their voices are blending and harmonies are evolving.
The mix that sounded good in Great Barrington, can now evoke spine
chills. Like wine, it is developing complexities and nuances that are
a joy to experience. They sang Tim Hardin's gorgeous "Reason to
Believe," another great choice for them, which just about blew me away.

mjc

Dave Carter Tribute

By "Mad Baggans" 

Source

This was the second annual Dave Carter Tribute, last year's being held
8/11/07 at the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain, featuring
Chris Thompson, Adam Sweeney, Eric McDonald, Beth DeSombre, Ryan
Fitzsimmons, and Dana Price, all playing the music of Dave Carter.

Much has changed since last year.  Last year's Dave Carter Tribute was
my first time seeing and hearing Eric McDonald, Beth DeSombre, Ryan
Fitzsimmons, and Dana Price.  Since then I've had the chance to see
some of them again, and have gotten to know Beth DeSombre's original
music much better, chiefly via her CD Release at Wellesley College
(featuring Dave Chalfant and both Pete and Maura Kennedy) and her
appearance at the GFP campsite at Falcon Ridge (with Chris Thompson
Lively, Hungrytown, and Eric Lee).

This year's Dave Carter Tribute was held 8/13/08 (on Dave Carter's
birthday) at Johnny D's in Somerville, and featured Ryan Fitzsimmons,
Beth DeSombre, Chris Thompson Lively, and Eric Lee.

There was an upside and a downside to this year's smaller complement
of musicians.

The downside was that Adam Sweeney (vocals, banjo), Eric McDonald
(vocals, mandolin, guitar), and Dana Price (vocals, fiddle) were all
missed.

The upside was that Ryan, Chris, and Beth each got to do more songs,
since the smaller song circle got to do six rounds this year instead
of the four rounds of the larger group last year.

Another upside to this year was the addition of Eric Lee, who played
fiddle on virtually every song with the others, and was positively
smokin' on the fiddle-happy "I Go Like the Raven."

In the 5th round, Chris, Ryan, and Beth each did an original song of
theirs that they felt showed the influence on them of Dave Carter --
"Old Man of the Mountain," "Cigarettes," and "Sarah's Song"
respectively.

Happytown (Ryan -- Beth & Chris harmony, Eric mandolin)
Tanglewood Tree (Chris -- Beth harmony, Eric fiddle)
Quickdraw Southpaw's Last Hurrah (Beth)
Grand Prairie TX Homesick Blues (Ryan -- Chris harmony, Eric fiddle)
Gentle Soldier of My Soul (Chris -- Eric fiddle)
Calvary's Hill (Beth -- Chris harmony, Eric mandolin)
Tillman Co. (Ryan)
Hey Ho (Chris -- Eric fiddle)
Merlin's Lament (Beth -- Eric fiddle)

Gypsy Rose (Chris -- Ryan harmony, Eric fiddle)
Cat-Eye Willie Claims His Lover (Ryan -- Eric fiddle)
Any Way I Do (Beth -- Ryan & Chris harmony, Eric fiddle)
Old Man of the Mountain (Chris -- Eric fiddle)
Cigarettes (Ryan -- Eric fiddle)
Sarah's Song (Beth -- Eric fiddle)
Cowboy Singer (Ryan)
I Go Like the Raven (Chris -- Ryan guitar, Eric fiddle)
The Mountain (Chris -- Beth Sumerian countermelody, Eric fiddle)
When I Go (Beth)
Gentle Arms of Eden (Chris v.1, Ryan v.2, Beth v.3, Eric fiddle)
Crocodile Man (Ryan -- Beth & Chris harmony, Eric fiddle)

Incredibly, the fun singalong "Gentle Arms of Eden" was not done in
the 2007 Dave Carter Tribute.

Beth seemed to be the moral compass of the group, as she has
specialized in the songs of Dave Carter, as I witnessed at first-hand
in the Dave Carter song circle which she led at this year's Falcon
Ridge on Sunday morning before the Gospel Wakeup Call.

Beth's musical vibe seems particularly well attuned to the vibe of
Dave Carter, especially the ballads.

Ryan has performed "Cat-Eye Willie" and "I Go Like the Raven" in his
own gigging, that latter one with Dana Price on fiddle, but the other
Dave Carter songs he did were ones he has done less often.

Ryan smokes on guitar and lead vocal on both the uptempo "Cat-Eye
Willie" and the rambunctious "Crocodile Man."

Chris has recorded both "Tanglewood Tree" and "Mountain" with Chris &
Meredith Thompson and has done "Gypsy Rose" at shows, but the other
Dave Carter songs where she sang lead vocal were being done by her for
the first time.

Chris especially seemed to come alive and breathe life and zest into
"I Go Like the Raven," with Eric adding pizzazz of his own on fiddle.

Eric had wonderful chemistry with Ryan, with Chris, and with Beth.
Eric plays in the Strangelings with Chris -- appears on Beth's CD
Crooked Highways -- and shares an upstate NY upbringing with Ryan.

Funny moments --

Ryan relating his playing at a dive behind a head shop in Sidney NY
called Ozone during his Syracuse days, and Chris realizing that she
and Meredith had once played there too during their Ithaca days!

Beth telling of her dream where Tracy Grammer dictated an unreleased
Dave Carter track called "Oh My Little Cracker Girl" to her by singing
it, and Beth being too tired to get up out of bed to note it down,
thereby forgetting the entire song!

Ryan, in his enthusiasm jamming with Eric on "Cigarettes," losing his
balance and falling right off the stage!

Eric playing the fiddle behind his back on "Cat-Eye Willie" !

What a fun show!  I hope the Dave Carter tradition continues with more
excellent concerts like this one.

 Hungrytown 4/19/08 Notlob Series, Jamaica Plain MA

Source

This was my second time to the Notlob Parlor Concert series in the
historic Loring-Greenough House -- the other time was the Dave Carter
Tribute 8/11/07 featuring Chris Thompson Lively, Adam Sweeney, Eric
McDonald, Beth DeSombre, Ryan Fitzsimmons, and Dana Price. 

This was a perfect room to see Hungrytown -- the "old-timey-ness" of
the music fit the antique surroundings to a "t," and the intimacy of
the venue was just right for Rebecca & Ken's songs.  Having Molly
Pinto-Madigan of Jaded Mandolin open for Hungrytown was an inspired
bit of programming as well.

I joined R&K as their "singalong specialist" on 3 songs, "Rose or the
Briar," "On the Other Side," and "Hungrytown Road."

Molly Pinto-Madigan --

Twa Corbies
Silver Dagger
Now I Can See
I Am Weary, Let Me Rest
Spancil Hill
Naturally

Hungrytown --

Hello Stranger
Rose or the Briar (w/ Bruce P)
If I Needed You
Going North
On the Other Side (w/ Bruce P)
Solid Ground
Darkest Hour
Long Black Shore
Sculptor's Song
Hard Way to Learn
California

Come Around
One Morning in May
Rosemary Lane
O Lord
Pretty Polly
Every Day
Weep Not For Me
Hungrytown Road (w/ Bruce P)
Lucille Lucille

With Tomorrow (encore)

R&K's touring camper, the Blue Meanie, is Hungrytown World
Headquarters whenever Rebecca & Ken are on the road.  Seeing the Blue
Meanie outside the venues when I arrive makes me feel lucky -- lucky
to be there -- and I got to enjoy that lucky feeling 3 times in the
past month (3/29 Titusville, 4/11 Montclair, 4/19 Jamaica Plain) which
is unusual.

I used to look forward to seeing the Nields' tour van too (first white
Moby and later green Nessie), when the Full Band Nields made the road
their home.  Moby -- Nessie -- Blue Meanie.  3 legendary touring vans
with their very own names!  :-)

3 has been a lucky number for me before.  When I once saw Gandalf
Murphy 3 nights in a row (Passim 6/12/03 w/ TK, PACE 6/13/03, Grey
Goose 6/14/03), a picture I took of them at that third show
inexplicably wound up in the packaging for Flapjacks From the Sky
under the name "mad baggins" !

So when I went up to sing the first of 3 songs with R&K tonight and
they introduced me as Hungrytown's #1 fan, I knew that the 3rd time
was the charm for me once again.  Titusville -- Montclair -- Jamaica
Plain!

Several people asked me after the show how I knew Rebecca & Ken.  And
without any hesitation, I said it was because of the Kennedys, who
founded the Strangelings!

Is it any wonder I'm digging this new Kennedys song so much? -- "I
found a road that leads to you!  Hey!  Hey!  Hey!"

From Beth Fridinger, Photographer

"I had the pleasure of attending a great concert of the Notlob Acoustic Music Series put n by Jeff Boudreau, held at the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain. This was an incredible experience hearing these artists, Marylou Ferrante and Dennis Brennan on October 6, perform close up with no microphones and no amplifiers, utilizing the natural acoustic qualities of the room. The experience was nothing like I have experienced listening to them in a bar environment or even a coffeehouse. The historical house is a beautiful and unique environment, and it makes for a very intimate experience with the artists close up. The sound quality is incredible here, and I could hear every nuance. I could not have imagined how different this experience would be. As an avid music fan I highly recommend the Notlob Acoustic Music Series." - Beth Fridinger, Photographer, October 8, 2007

Bruce Palmatier's review of Dave Carter Tribute (8/11/07)

Dave Carter Tribute 8/11/07 Notlob Series, Jamaica Plain MA

This Dave Carter Tribute was a round robin affair featuring 6 talented musicians who all happen to be gifted interpreters of Dave Carter's music -- Chris Thompson, Adam Sweeney, Eric McDonald, Beth DeSombre, Ryan Fitzsimmons & Dana Price.

The show took place under the auspices of the Notlob Acoustic Music Series at the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain. I've scarcely ever had so much fun in an acoustic setting like this one. First, it was an intimate room in a Colonial Era mansion. Second, the round robin format was conducive to workshop-style collaboration and spontaneous singalongs. Third, all 6 of the musicians were in tune to their muse, to the audience, and with one another, a really exceptional good vibe in the room. And fourth and foremost, the evening showcased wonderful performances of Dave Carter songs, both well-known classics and lesser-known gems.

• "When I Go" (Adam Sweeney, lead vocal and banjo; Dana Price, fiddle; Chris Thompson, vocal harmony. Adam & Dana ended with the fast duo ending).
• "Disappearing Man" (Dana Price, lead vocal and fiddle; Ryan Fitzsimmons, guitar and vocal harmony. Dana was actually singing and playing fiddle at the same time in some parts).
• "The Mountain" (Chris Thompson, lead vocal and guitar; general singalong).
• "Red (Elegy)" (Beth DeSombre, lead vocal and guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, guitar solo; Adam Sweeney, vocal harmony).
• "Song For Dave" (Eric McDonald, lead vocal and mandolin. This was an Eric McDonald original, a tribute to Dave Carter sprinkled with song references).
• "Tillman Co." (Ryan Fitzsimmons, lead vocal and guitar) .
• "Hard to Make It" (Adam Sweeney, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, mandolin) .
• "Gentle Soldier of My Soul" (Dana Price, lead vocal; Ryan Fitzsimmons,guitar and vocal harmony) .
• "Tanglewood Tree" (Chris Thompson, lead vocal and guitar; Beth DeSombre, vocal countermelody; Eric McDonald,mandolin solo; general singalong).
• "Calvary Hill" (Beth DeSombre, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, mandolin.Beth said that this is an unrecorded Dave Carter song). "Elvis Presley" (Eric McDonald, lead vocal and guitar; Dana Price, fiddle) .
• "Cat-Eye Willie Claims His Lover" (Ryan Fitzsimmons, lead vocal and guitar; Dana Price, second lead vocal, fiddle, and vocal harmony. This brought down the house. Ryan & Dana worked magic with this difficult yet captivating story-song).
• "41 Thunderer" (Adam Sweeney, lead vocal and guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, vocal harmony; Dana Price, fiddle)
• "I Go Like the Raven" (Dana Price, lead vocal and fiddle; Eric McDonald, guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, vocalharmony. Dana was a portrait of perfection on both the difficult lead vocal and the difficult fiddle part).
• "Gypsy Rose" (Chris Thompson, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, vocal harmony and mandolin).
• ”Any Way I Do" (Beth DeSombre, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, mandolin; general singalong).
• "Little Liza Jane" (Eric McDonald, lead vocal and guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, second guitar; Dana Price, fiddle. This was another one that brought down the house. Eric was just smoking on this rampaging narrative about a runaway truck on a mountain road).
• "Crocodile Man" (Ryan Fitzsimmons leading the whole ensemble, with some of them taking turns on instrumental solos).
• "Gentle Arms of Eden" (tutti; Chris Thompson sang v. 1; Adam Sweeney sang v. 2; Beth DeSombre & Eric McDonald sang v. 3; Ryan Fitzsimmons sang v. 4; general singalong on the choruses).

What a good time! Incredible, terrific. I can't remember ever being at a show like this one. It really defies comparison for me.
The true flame of Dave Carter music is very much alive!

Credits follow --
Notlob Parlor Concerts

Chris ThompsonAdam SweeneyEric McDonaldBeth DeSombreRyan FitzsimmonsDana Price

Bruce

Nov 27 2007 6:14 PM

hello jeff
thanks for your comment a way back...I hope your concerts are going great! Rose and I loved the concert you hosted for us...
all the best
Sharon
:-)

Nov 27, 2007 9:06 PM

what a wonderful venue jeff! it was a pleasure to meet you and an absolute joy to perform there.

i'm finally off the road and home again - hope i get back down your way soon!
cheers,
lenore

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