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Showcase: April 15, 2013 #261

Once again, O’Toole’s was the scene of VOCAL’S monthly showcase. Perhaps because of the looming tax deadline, or shock at the Boston marathon explosions/killings, the audience wasn’t as large as usual, though, the music they heard was thoroughly enjoyable. Tonight’s showcase featured Ray Brady, Bill Wellons and Steve Fisher. Ray started the program off playing his acoustic guitar solo in true troubador style, and mainly did a set of ballads. Most of his songs seemed to have a nostalgic quality to them, as the titles describe: “Where’d The Good Times Go” (self explanatory) “Before I Go” ( a song with a bucket list theme), “Turn Your Head” dealt with how fast the time goes by, and the closer “We Need a Hero”. His set was well received by the audience.
Bill Wellons followed Ray. Bill plays electronic keyboard. Most times when he does a showcase he’ll have pre-recorded tracks to play along to, but this night it was solo keys. One thing for sure, he has a wry sense of humor which permeates many of his songs. This was demonstrated right from the top, with “Better Stay In” which detailed all the pitfalls that can happen if one goes out. “Hurricane” a fairly new piece, had the feel of a Randy Newman song. Many of Wellon’s lyrics are conversational, the singer talking to an imaginary listener which draws you into the dialog, such as in
“A Long, Long Time Ago”. One observation that struck a chord and drew some audience reaction was in the closing song “It’s Been So Long” and that line about going to Nashville and “Writing songs nobody will hear” rang true with a lot of people. No question, though, if Bill goes to Nashville, his songs will definitely be heard.
After a short break, the featured performer of the night, Steve Fisher, took the stage. Using a resonator guitar and harmonica, in true folk fashion, Steve began with “Holding Back the Sea’ which was a song in keeping with the day’s tragic events, a little morose. But, not wanting to dwell on such sad things, Steve launched in an uptempo tune “Sweet Tea” which had a southern charm to it, then followed that with “Highway To Your Heart” more in the love vein. At this point, he switched to a standard guitar for the rest of his set, though detuning it for a couple of songs. After “Till Morning Comes” Steve tapped into his blues bag and Gave us his mandatory prison song “Joliet”, as if not to be outdone by The Man In Black. “Oh Susanna” borrowed it’s chorus riff from Steven Foster, but as Steve said: “He probably won’t be seeking any royalties”. “Muscle Shoals” about that legendary music town, followed, and somewhere in the distance one could hear the echo of Bob Dylan’s “Lay, Lady, Lay” filtering through the air. Last song in the set, a Fisher classic, was “Rollin’ ‘n Tumblin’ Back To You” which was done with great enthusiasm and energy.
All the performers were encouraged and by the audience, and if even, somewhat slim in number, they were generous in their appreciation of the music they heard.

March 2013 VOCAL Showcase

What could be better than a big dose of Irish musical charm on the day after St.

Patrick’s day? That’s what was delivered at this month’s VOCAL showcase #260 at

O’Toole’s, with three pickers who’s ancestry probably goes back to the Auld Sod.

The cool and rainy weather didn’t deter a large group of enthusiasts from

showing up to enjoy the program.
First up was the aptly named Doug Patrick who wowed the audience with his set of

finely honed, well constructed folk and bluesy songs, including a new tune

Donegal, demonstrating why he is greatly admired by musicians all over, with his

great guitar picking and excellent vocals. after a short break, Pam McCarthy

took center stage to deliver a fine set of her folk styled songs, old and new,

which pleased the crowd immensely and even garnered her an encore or two. The

main attraction of the evening was Gerry Laverty, the featured performer. Gerry

also introduced a couple of new tunes, while mixing in his tried and true old

favorites. He was joined by Valerie (O’)Rourke on Lonesome Blue Eyes and then

accompanied her on her own song Torn In Two which was well received, as well.

Zion Crossroads closed out his 45 minute set.
Overall: It was a highly entertaining night and was well appreciated by all

those in attendance, with many shouts of enthusiasm and more, more.

OCTOBER 2012 VOCAL Showcase Review

Before what can only be called a “Full House” all seats filled, and standing room only, the October 2012 VOCAL showcase kicked off with the vocal stylings of Frank Lucas. Lucas, who has not done a showcase in recent memory, began his four song set with “Styrofoam” a song dedicated to his wife, comparing the undestructable property of the substance to their love. He was accompanied by Louis Millhose on trumpet and Gary Shaver on clarinet, giving the song a decidedly dixieland quality. the next tune, “Winter Rose” had a definite Gordon Lightfoot “Edmund Fitzgerald” quality to it, wth fellow guitarist Rick Good adding some somber strumming. On “Ghost” Lucas switched to mandolin for some fine picking and then closed out his set with “Baseball Blues’ in which he invited the audience to participate by shouting out prompts at the designate time. All in all, his set was very well received by the lively audience.
After a short break, The next act, Louis Millhouse, with daughter Nancy on bass, set up and launched into a calypso-ish “Marauder” which got the crowd back into the music. “I Promise I Will Love You” (assumed title) was a uptempo duet with Robin Kim that comtained some heart-felt lyrics to which the audience could relate. Taking some cues from Jimmy Buffett, Millhouse next gave us a lively tune “Marathon” which described life on the Florida Key of that name and had us all wishing we could be there. Rounding out the “island” set, Millhouse performed one of his classic Jamaica tinged songs, “Kara’s Mom Is Hot”, which had the audience singing along. A very upbeat and enjoyable set.
Gary Shaver is a long time VOCAL member going back to group’s origins and, as such, he has had an opportunity to work with many fellow writers and singers over the years. Calling on that experience, Shaver prepared a retrospective of his music career by inviting many of those collaborators to assist him this night on a series of duets from his catalog of material. As the featured performer of the evening, he did not disappoint. with songs in different styles, country, pop and jazz, Shaver manned the keyboard and mike with authority. Sharing vocals With Carol Covel on the jazz tune “How Could Love”, Wendy Lael on two songs, Carolyn Crohn, on “Love You More Each Day”(his very first composed song), Frank Lucas on “Better Than This”, Marilyn Miller on “We Don’t Matter, Anymore” and a reprise with Louis Millhouse and Robin Kim on “We’d Better Leave It Alone”, the audience heard a wide array of music. Shaver’s ten song set, included a couple of solos, sent the crowd home completely satisfied and enthused for the talent that VOCAL counts in its ranks of excellent singers and songwriters.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/04/11/150444697/new-royalty-agreement-promises-more-money-for-musicians-and-labels

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Bill Wellons

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Coming up on September 19, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• In-the-Round: Glenda Creamer, EIleen Edmonds, Sarah Kane
• Headliner: Bill Wellons
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Gary Shaver on VOCAL’s Celebrationof  20 years of continuous showcases.

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Coming up on August 15, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• Larry Cody
• Matthew Costello
• Glenda Creamer
• Eileen Edmonds
• John Ellis
• Chuck Kerwaith
• Russell Lawson
• Steve Nuckolls
• Don Pinkleton
• Gary Shaver
• Jim Uzel
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!

Vocal Showcase: July 18, 2011

Tonight’s showcase featured two contrasting artists: Gerry Laverty, the smooth balladeer and Andrew Rohlk, the Emo singer/songwriter. Laverty was first up and kicked off his location oriented set with “Only Need”, a touching Irish folk song with echoes of military and skirling undertones provided by his strumming technique. The medium sized audience was very enthusiastic, and responded with a big round of applause. “Details of Catastrophe” Followed next and Gerry accompanied himself with mouth harp on this rockabilly tinged song about the post Katrina aftermath. A song written from the perspective of a house continued the set in what was a dylanesque folk style. Heading back to his Irish roots. Gerry next gave us “Don’t Want to Die” which was inspired, he says, by the tragic death of Glenn Miller, who disappeared during WWII, while flying over the Atlantic. The minor chorded “Blues In The Night” offered a change of pace in tone. “Jerusalem” picked up the tempo and outlined the conflicts going on in the Middle East, to the end that peace is a desired outcome. He next called up Valerie Rourke to provide harmony on “Lonesome Blue Eyes” which offered the audience a traditional sounding country song set in Montana. Closing out his set Laverty offered up his signature song “Zion Crossroads” about a lonely lover awaiting his never-to-show lady love. All in all, a trip around the world in song done to perfection by Gerry’s flawless picking and singing talents.
After a short intermission, the featured performer of the night, Andrew Rohlk took the stage. Andrew is a newer member of VOCAL and brings a refreshing youthful outlook to his music and the group. Most of his selections were in the emotional (EMO) category, detailing broken or unsettled relationships. “Not To Late” was first and immediately one could hear echoes of John Mayer or Dave Matthews in his performance style, using his guitar more as punctuation to the lyrics than melodic accompaniment. “stubbornly” Added falsetto singing to the chorus, which Rohlk continued injecting sporadically during his set. This was followed by “Only Friends” and “Fade Away” which continued in the free form style of song construction he uses. A work-in-progress song “Make a Decision” followed which seemed fairly well complete. “Too Much Input” was, perhaps, the most accessible song of the night as it had the most traditional form of song composition, a verse/chorus pattern. A new song “Everytime” had a blues quality to it and was enhanced by the falsetto singing. A cover of “Ring of Fire” was next. Andrew closed out his set with two more original songs. “Conversation About You” and a singalong closer “What This Will Be”, which heartily engaged the audience, Rohlk’s high energy was infectious throughout his set and he appears to be a star in the making and a great addition to the VOCAL family.

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Andrew Rohlk

[display_podcast]

Coming up on July 18, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• Gerry Laverty
• Headliner: Andrew Rohlk
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!

VOCAL SONGWRITER SHOWCASE

May 16, 2011

Pete Seeger once sang “When these hands can strum no longer, pass the old guitar to a young one stronger.”

That was certainly not evident at the most recent Songwriter Showcase held at O’Toole’s Pub. None of the three performers appeared ready to vacate their status as masters of workers in song.

Bill Kaffenberger, originally from Northern Virginia commenced the evening’s festivities with  Maybe by Then, influenced by Gene Clark of the Byrds which plaintively stated “ She’ll know, she was meant for me.”

This was followed with a wistful tribute to his Dad, simply titled Dad.

The minor key She’s so Real was next with the frank admission “ Love that’s deeper than the deep blue sea.

The Byrds influence continued through Lonesome Rider and the closer What am I doing here, where the subject seems to be caught between interia and isolation.

Sitting on my hands and lamenting, No one listens to an outsider like me and the killer Beauty came from deep within his pain.

Bill’s songs come from his love of Philadelphia Soul and the aforementioned Byrds .  The songs seem to spring forth in chains of images. An excellent guitarist and singer to boot.

Next the  veteran and ever-growing Steve Nuckolls, one of the premier ballad writers on the scene today eased into his set with the beautiful open tuning piece Whole World Turning, performed on his vintage Martin D-35, featuring Gary Shaver on the flute. You know you’ve arrived when Gary sits in with you.

The open tunings continued with The Earth had been painted blue. A tender rememberance of the victims of the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001.  The song seems to travel through the steps of grief- I thought the earth had been painted red describing anger at the news, to I thought the earth had been painted white harkening back to the Martyrs bathed in light which was colored with a sad flute solo by Mr. Shaver. The song ended with I heard the world singing with one voice.

Anguish with a flickering flame of hope.

Trying to get you home seems to recall the sweetness of young love and stealing away for innocent intimacy.

Changing lanes, he debuted a new song which recalls the joys of the early days of learning the guitar as a youth. Nothing in this world I’d rather do, then spending Saturday morning sitting in with Emmy Lou.

Amen to that brother!

Steve then moved through his “glass is half full song,” My Prayer of thanks. He ended his set with Something about your love which if there were any justice in the world would be a chart topping hit.

Recalled for an encore he placed a giant exclamation point on  an absolutely stunning set with his  much loved Simynye ( spelling ?) loosely meaning ‘We are one.” about his travels in Africa.  In this writer’s opinion, one of the finest songs to ever emerge from VOCAL.

Steve himself just keeps getting better and better. One knack I hope he never loses.

The head liner, Darryl Ellyson emerged in a bright multicolored shirt and ‘60’s style fedora. Mr. Ellyson is a top notch performer with a wide array of influences. He sang so many great songs and space does not permit us to expound upon all, so we’ll provide a few of the many highlights.

The sweet soul of Daryl’s powerful singing voice was manifested immediately on the opener Love Refugees, a classic, beautiful love song.

Darryl then moved through You are the only one ( the strummin life is hard)  and I RememberYou, before the exuberant Down on the Point which describes the satisfaction and joys of fishing.

This was followed by the upbeat country of Rainy Days Ahead accompanied by fast guitar licks, and That’s just the way ( love goes) which harkens back to the style of Conway Twitty. This song allowed Darryl to demonstrate his wide vocal range.

What’s Gone Wrong which seemed to come blazing out of a film noir night with its minor key mood was followed by the imaginative News Man Blues.

He concluded with Blue Light District with its ‘50’s New Orleans feel and finally Done With You where the singer is resigned to Love has finally been defeated.

Hearing Darryl Ellyson is always a treat with his powerful vocals and guitar accompaniment that is just right.