Many Thanks

After four years of twice-monthly musical performances, this version of The Acoustic Showcase has ended. Many thanks to all the wonderful, talented musicians who freely shared their songs with us; many thanks to the people who showed up to listen, sing along, and (occasionally) dance; and many thanks to our hosts at Starbucks, 60 Bedford St. in Lexington, MA.

As of this writing, a new version of the Showcase is planned to begin in the spring of 2013.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Playing Music, Drinking Coffee

What a beautiful weekend! Our sunny Saturday was capped off by some good music at the local coffee shop -- as the Acoustic Showcase was in full swing. 
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We began with Showcase impresario David Keevil (bereft of his usual trio, Laughing Boy). A solo set allowed him to trot out a couple of light-hearted songs from the vault: "Chicken" -- an extended riff on relational ambivalence -- and "Naugahyde," which compares the devolution of a marriage to the aging of a cheap couch. Fun!
David was accompanied on three songs by 12 year old Griffin "Gibby" Keevil, who offered deft commentary and expressive solos on the ol' Les Paul.
Griffin rocks out


Another highlight came when David took out his home made "Dry Cake" slide guitar for a raunchy rendition of "Summertime Blues." 
Amazing how much fun you can have with four strings, a tin box, a piece of banister and a pickup!
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Next up was Livin' On Luck, comprised of singer Ann O'Donnell and singer/guitarist Tom O'Donnell, with Robert Cedrone adding his sweet guitar and strong tenor voice.
These folks play so many great songs, with a wonderful mesh of guitar parts and three-part vocal harmonies. You want to sing along, bounce your foot in time -- you get the idea. Real professionals; they came to our show straight from another gig, where we hear they had about 200 people up and dancing! It's not difficult to see why.


Robert Cedrone is always a treat. He sang one by Van Morrison and left us wanting more. 


And the band also brought on 14 year old Gillian Goolkasian -- a marvelous singer with a clear, flexible sound -- who graced us with two songs. We're looking forward to hearing a lot more from her in years to come!
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We ended the evening entertained by Howie Newman. And *entertained* is the word -- Howie is an experienced, polished, resourceful performer, with great patter, audience participation, and variety in his song selection.
He's got a strong comic streak that comes out in songs like "Way Past My Bedtime," and another about collecting garbage in space. He can turn more pensive when he reflects on parenting children into adulthood, or dating in middle age, while his past as a sports writer informs humorous up-tempo baseball numbers like "Mendoza Line" and "It's The End Of The Curse."


We enjoyed the kazoo, the "karaoke" versions of two songs (backed by a prerecorded band), the dry/zingy humor, and Howie's expressive delivery.














The many faces of Howie Newman!
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And so, as usual, a good time was had by all at the Acoustic Showcase. Thanks to everyone who came out and shared in the music.
See you next time!