A convivial time at the Acoustic Showcase last night. We started late, due to the impresario's scheduling conflicts, but we made up for it in enthusiasm and warmth. The evening began at 6pm with perennial favorites Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn, ably accompanied by father/daughter team Jack and Kate Donahue.
(Apologies for the photo quality -- forgot my camera, and had to use my iPhone.)
As usual, this group's song selection is a pleasure -- like meeting old friends you haven't seen in a while. Lots of good singing, and some springy harmonica playing from Jack.
The audience always gets a kick out of these performers -- smiling, tapping their toes and singing along. Lots of fun.
At 6:45 we quieted down a bit to hear from Dami Noah, another familiar favorite here at the Showcase.
Dami's songs are always interesting and compelling. He delivers them in a high, quiet tenor, with quavering grace notes. His guitar playing compliments his singing -- finger picking graceful, lacy melodies. Yet there is considerable strength in his songs as well -- in subject matter, emotion, and intention. Really intriguing and affecting. He's currently recording a song-cycle CD, all about a single character. Stay tuned!
And then Rob Cedrone took over, ably accompanied by Noah Mendelsohn on bass and Ron Chancey on lead guitar. An engaging set of excellent songs from Van Morrison and others. Talk about singing along.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: these guys cook! I couldn't stop bouncing up and down while listening, and I wasn't the only one; we had one brave audience member up and dancing at Starbucks! In Lexington! How often does that happen? (Answer: well... hardly ever.)
Particular kudos to Ron Chancey on the Strat. His solos are soooooo smooth and tasty. And with Rob singing and Noah pounding the bass.... well, all I can say is Yeah!
