May Day!

Comrades!  Here is the lineup for our upcoming show on May 1st!  Fulfill your entertainment quota by attending the show and applauding the citizen musicians with vigor and enthusiasm!

 The fabulous Random Chants will be on at 5pm.  This nine-voice a cappella group has entertained us twice before -- their harmonies and song selection are always a pleasure.

At 6pm it's the Groove Pops!  Original pop-rock with catchy melodies, intelligent lyrics, and three-part harmony.

And rounding out the evening at 7pm is Ayan Sanyal, with Ethan Schneider on drums and Lucy Kahn on bass.  Ethan's off to college in the fall, so this may be your last chance to catch this exciting trio at the Acoustic Showcase!

Come Celebrate International Workers Day at 

The Acoustic Showcase!!!

Local Color

An enthusiastic night at the Acoustic Showcase.  Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn began the evening, joined by Kate Donahue on backing vocals and guitar, and her father Jack on bass and the occasional vocals/harmonica.  As usual, their set list was excellent -- high points included "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) and a rousing rendition of "Spirit In The Sky" with Jesus replaced by Nancy (as in "gotta have a friend in Nancy" -- evidently the harbinger of a new and exciting religious orientation originating right here in Lexington, Massachusetts!)

 I get a kick out of listening to this group.  They have an old-timey spirit that's very inviting -- a kind of hootenanny effect that brings a smile.

After Mike, Chris, Kate and Jack were cheered off the stage, Alyssa Zahka took over.  Alyssa has a gorgeous voice that she sends soaring over her ringing guitar, with an unaffected and appealing stage presence. 

Great song selection -- a balanced blend of covers and originals.  Among many wonderful moments: "Unchained Melody" (Righteous Brothers), an out-of-left-field selection that went over beautifully.  She also covered Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Miley Cyrus (proving that good song writing trumps marketing hype).  I got a kick out of watching her friends in the audience singing the words along with her...

Alyssa's set was another example of what deep pleasure is to be had from listening to live music in an intimate setting -- especially when the performer is local, the crowd is warm, and the songs are sung from the heart.

Finally, as Alyssa's crowd filed out at the end of a very satisfying evening, they were serenaded with some original songs from David Keevil.

See you next time at the Acoustic Showcase!

Local Boys Make Good

Another exciting evening at the Acoustic Showcase.  Three performers, all residents of Lexington Massachusetts, all great musicians and entertainers.  We kicked off with David Moore, whose ringing guitar work, flexible tenor, and (often) lovelorn lyrics make a powerful combination.

David's in the process of recording an EP, with a release date slated for August.  His songs work well solo, and they should rock with additional tracks.  Last night we had fun imagining a rhythm section, twelve-string chords, screaming solos, keyboards, horns, strings, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...  Go David! 

Next up (what is it with these sports metaphors to indicate sequence?) was Kenny Selcer.  Kenny's guitar work is deft and swinging -- I love his easy solo runs and his slippery chord work.  His tenor voice and nice mix of originals and funky covers was a real pleasure.  Very easy, very professional, lots to like.  You can see/hear more about Kenny at http://www.kenselcer.com/

And then Rob Cedrone teed up (had to continue my string).  Rob's a tremendous performer; he always puts a smile on my face.  With the brilliant Ron Chancey on lead guitar and rock-steady Noah Mendelsohn on bass, this trio kicked (if you'll excuse me) some very serious butt.  The enthusiastic crowd sang along, yelled requests, and imbibed various stimulating drinks.

Nothing like starting them young on good music and orange juice (see foreground). 

We'll be back again next week -- two in a row because of the holidays at the beginning of the month.  Coming up:  

Mike Barrett and Chris Eastburn

Alyssa Zahka

and David Keevil

Stop by and give a listen!

And now... more great music for your listening pleasure!

In deference to the religious holidays, we postponed the Showcase -- which means we now have two Saturdays in a row!  On April 10th we have an exciting roster:

Lexington resident and Showcase regular David Moore, with his ringing guitar, inventive lyrics, and Celtic tenor...

Kenny Selcer, who wowed us a few months ago...

And Rob Cedrone (with Noah Mendelsohn), whose spirited covers of Van the Man and others are always an enormous pleasure.

Come see them all, starting at 5pm on Saturday the 10th!