I don't often comment on concerts I go to. There aren't too
many of them. This one was something special because it featured a bunch of
people I've been there for as they get better and better. Let me start,
however, with Jim Kweskin and Bob Siggins. The first time I saw them share a
stage was at Club 47 in Boston and I was being introduced for the first time to
this concept of a Revival Jug Band. I'd heard a couple of tracks by the Memphis
Jug Band and Gus Connon on old 78s but this was something new. I saw them again
at the Newport Folk Festival (Siggins was no longer with them then, he was in
the Charles River Valley Boys, who I also saw at Club 47). At any rate, it is
40 plus years later and they still sound great doing songs with as fresh a
sound as they had then (maybe better). The folks on twin fiddles, string bass,
and harmonica all added depth to what they were doing. I'd love to see this
band record (maybe with Geoff Muldaur who was also in that original band).
Having them down here for a Haiti Red Cross benefit was nice, and along with
them all of my favorite local folks who I'm sure are all gonna become famous if
they want to (they are that good).
Gregory
Page: It's nearing time for him to become famous. I didn't think a voice could
get better or a performer could get more inventive, but he does it.
Sara Petite
should be famous soon if she isn't already Her songs get better and better and
she's got that stage stuff down right for sure. Nice, pretty, and lots of
talent. And you could say that about Chris Clarke. He just gets better and
better. His voice is stronger and his mandolin is top notch. You can tell he
plays music a lot. He always seems to attract the best musicians and brings the
best out of them. Robin Henkel has that correct mix of down home blues and
circus clown that will always charm an audience. Good musicianship and
extraordinary stage presence always works. Cindy Lee Berryhill has grown as a
songwriter and as a performer as well (she was only on the show for one song,
but it was directly concerned with the subject at hand - Haiti - and it was a
showstopper). Allen Singer and Dane Terry started the show with some fine
pickin' and blowin' on the guitar and harmonica. If you weren't there, I'd
suggest any of these folks in any of their solo efforts around town. You won't
be sorry and you should buy their CDs, too.
Recordially,
Lou Curtiss