In Good Hands

I know I say this every time, but we really did have tremendous fun last night at the Acoustic Showcase! Three excellent, experienced musicians, joined by various other excellent musicians -- lots of warm camaraderie and musical harmony. And the smell of coffee in the air! 

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We began with Ken Selcer (filling in for Patti DeRosa, who was called away at the last minute). 

Ken's such a pleasing musician. He's got an easy, smooth voice, which he employs to great effect. And his guitar work is smooth and flexible as well, as he shifts deftly over the fingerboard, jazzing chords and trickling fills, then stepping away to tease out a lyrical, spiraling solo.

He did a sweet combination of Little Feat's "Willing" and Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry." Really strong originals too, with a particular favorite of mine: the reggae flavored "It's All Around You." 

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Ken stepped aside, and we brought on one of our very favorite musicians, Rob Carlson. Elsewhere in this blog I've used multiple superlatives to describe Rob's music -- what can I say, they're all true. Rob's so quick, tuneful, passionate, and intelligent in his guitar playing; I've always got a smile when I'm listening to him. And his high, powerful tenor is a treat as well.

Rob was backed by Ted Millen on djembe, with Jeff Trout ever facile on bass, making for a lovely interplay of lines and harmonies. 

photo by Griffin Keevil

The music had elements of folk, blues, and jazz, with a syncopated Brazilian flair at times.






Rob's happy to share the stage, and he brought in Ken Selcer to provide color commentary on a number of songs, and David Keevil to harp it up on some blues numbers.

It was a hot time on the old town, as Rob finished the set with "Highway to Hell" -- you haven't really enjoyed that song until you've heard the acoustic, dobro version at your local coffee shop!

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And then we welcomed Christiana Gerstner to the Acoustic Showcase. She's an accomplished singer/songwriter with one of the nicest voices we've heard in quite some time. Her songs run the gamut, from soulful ballads to an up-tempo blues number. Particularly affecting was her opening song, told from the point of view of a young man going into battle; and later we heard another beautiful song inspired by her grandmother, about seeking work during the Great Depression.

John Zaia provided a steady bass foundation. And here came Ken Selcer again, inflecting Christiana's songs with his supple solo fills.

Good music! We'll hope to hear from Christiana again soon. 

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And thus ends another Acoustic Showcase. Let's hear it for harmonious collaborations from old friends and new. What pleasures will the next performance bring? Stop by and find out!