Cold Weather, Warm Music

Another warm, happy evening at the Acoustic Showcase, as outside the snow subsided and the cold breezes blew. 

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We began with Arl-Lex Five and Dime, the "two town super group" that often graces our humble venue. They were in particularly fine form, with tight five part harmonies, sweet guitar, mandolin and fiddle lines, and (as usual) a satisfying set list featuring American folk/country/pop favorites. For example, they rocked out on "Oh Boy!" (Buddy Holly) then shifted to a tender version of "Oh Susanna" (Stephen Foster, go figure!).  

Mike Barrett, Jack Donahue, Peggy Rose, Paul Hatem, Quinn Eastburn, Chris Eastburn

That's the band in full swing. As always, special mention goes to 6 year old fiddler Quinn, who was featured on a rip-tearing instrumental blues number. The kid can rock out!

Arl-Lex always brings out a good crowd, bopping along to the tunes.

Sam Berman, collaborator and lead singer on the original "Charlie On The MTA"

An excellent set came to a deeply satisfying close with an audience sing-along of "Charlie On The MTA" -- the campaign/protest song created right here in Boston. Introducing the tune was Lexington's own Sam Berman, the original singer on the original recording (he's holding it!). Here's a link to more on Sam: http://www.wickedlocal.com/lexington/news/opinions/x1519716986/Scene-Herd-Sam-Berman-and-Charlie#axzz1kBn2Zwvb

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Next, we brought on Laughing Boy. (We call them the "house band" because playing once a month is how David Keevil rewards himself for organizing and presenting the Acoustic Showcase.) These jovial lads had a lot of fun trotting out some new songs, both covers and originals. Highlights included a bouncy rendition of CCR's "Lodi," and an appealingly louche "Little Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. They closed with two originals -- "Happy When The Wall Comes Down" and "I Need A Rock" -- that brought to mind the high energy of a revival meeting (or maybe just a really good cup of coffee).

photo by Griffin Keevil

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And finally we welcomed Diane Taraz. Elsewhere in this blog I've waxed rhapsodic about Diane's lovely voice and affecting instrumental work. Despite this being her second performance of the day, her voice was as appealing as ever.

Diane has a gift for setting new words to old melodies, drawing from a rich compendium of French, French-Canadian, and Scottish tunes. She's got a wonderful combination of serious craft and playful delivery.

The coffee shop quieted down, and we were lifted and carried by Diane's beautiful, lilting songs. 

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And that does it for another rendition of the Acoustic Showcase. Back out into the cold, still warm inside from the joys of music.

See you next time!