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Songwriters Showcase May 2007
Showcase number 190 happened at the Richbrau TapHouse on May 21, 2007, offering up a big sample of fine VOCAL songwriting talent. Gerry Laverty, Steve Nuckolls and Jim Westlyn wowed the crowd with great performances.
The Showcase was hosted by the welcoming, attentive management and staff of the TapHouse Grill. Thanks from VOCAL to the TapHouse for the continued support.
Our dedicated soundman, Jim Uzel had the show ready to roll as always and John Ellis was sitting in as MC for the dynamic Mr. Gary Shaver.
First to the stage was Jim Westlyn. Jim kept the crowd rockin’ and engaged with upbeat rock styles and blends of jazz. “What are the Chances”, “Heaven Knows”, “Maybe I Won’t” and “Long Road” showed Jim’s variety of finger styles and interesting chord changes. “Ring True” is a song that took 3 years to ‘pull together’ with a bridge, but it finally came to Jim and completed a great song.
Steve Nuckolls was kind enough to bring his thought provoking and heart-felt lyrics to the Showcase stage to share his brand of subtle, melodic song craft. “Living Out This Love”, “This New Found Love”, “Making Memories” and “They Died for Love” kept the crowd enchanted. Steve also included his true song about a friend “Hello from Normandy” and a song about and African trip to the ‘Land of the Zulu’s’, “Simunye”.
Gerry Laverty took the last slot of the evening and amazed the crowd, with his folk-style ballads and social commentary. “This Lethal World”, the New Orleans inspired “Details of Catastrophe” and “Zion Crossroads” offered a sample of styles and tempos, and all were examples of Gerry’s inspiring lyrical abilities. Gerry also gave a brief history of “Time” and shared a song born of a midnight walk in the darkened halls “Blues in the Night”. Gerry was in fine form even with a scratchy throat challenging his vocals.
Thanks again to all performers, the sound crew and our supporters. Keep your calendars marked for the 3rd Monday of the month – we’ll see you then!
Songwriters Showcase February 2007
Showcase 187 was a great event for all in attendance. The attendees were treated to great sounds from Steve Nuckolls, Larry Cody and Dave Pollard.
Steve kicked off the evening with his list of great songs including “Making My Getaway”, the true sotry of “Honest, Dependable and Fair”, “Hearts Caught Off Guard” and one of the first songs Steve ever wrote, “Alley Man” about his neighbors living in the byways of the fan district. Steve’s sound was superb as he delivered his brilliant, insightful works to the Showcase crowd.
Larry Cody took his famous songs that are a story in themselves and combined them into a musical novel for the evening. Taking the listener from the blush of love at first sight, to a young man’s eternal dedication to the woman he loves. Larry’s hero starts out so in love that he promises the young lady “I’ll Give You Day and Night”. As time goes by, the hero changes his mind and decides to pursue other ladies, but doesn’t understand his misgivings over the decision and wonders why “My Heart Wouldn’t Try”. Now that he’s back out in the game, he realizes that really, he’s “Going Round in Circles”. Then one night he’s having dinner with a wonderful lady and thinks, ahhh, “This Could Be the One”. He finds later that he still has these great feelings for his new interest and realizes, “Now I Know”. Finally our hero jumps in and tells his love, I want to be “Your Good Time Guarantee”.
Thanks to Larry for such an interesting presentation and his always entertaining songwriting. Also, thanks for his contribution to the review this month.
Headlining the Showcase for February was Dave Pollard who celebrated the release of his latest CD “Perfect Poetry” the same month. Some of the highlights from Dave’s set include “From the Start”, “Shattered Chains”, “Take Me Whole” and one of my favorites, the title song from the new CD “Perfect Poetry”, accompanied at the Showcase by Gary Shaver on saxophone. Dave’s voice was great as usual and the guitar work sounded fantastic.
The Showcase absolutely would not be possible without the dedication of Gary Shaver and Jim Uzel, our MC/Sound Crew. Thanks to all those in attendance and to Richbrau’s Taphouse for hosting.
