Music On Main Street
FALL 2010
Music On Main
United Methodist Church
69 Main Street Woodbridge, NJ
jennifer.burns@twp.woodbridge.nj.us
732-634-4500 X6015
Sept 15: The Strawbs
($22 in advance $25 at Door) One of the great British prog/rock groups goes
acoustic for our little series
(buy)
Sept 29: John Gorka
($22 in advance $25 at Door)
Internationally renowned folk singer with the beautiful
baritone voice and dry sense of humor hails from our own Colonia, NJ
(buy)
Oct 13: John Hammond
($22 in advance $25 at Door)
One of the extraordinary acoustic blues men
(buy)
(Christine Santelli opens
for John Hammond)
Her raspy blues voice can be compared to Bonnie Raitt or
Susan Tedeschi
Nov 3: Richie Havens
($25 in advance $28 at door)
An iconic figure in the history of American
popular music. It's hard to believe we just passed the 40th anniversary of his
opening the Woodstock festival.
(buy)
Nov 17: John Sebastian
($25 in advance $28 at door)
Speaking of icons, Summer In The City, Didn't Have to
be So Nice, Welcome Back, Darling Be Home Soon, Do You Believe In Magic....
Holy cow!
(buy)
Tix available now at
http://woodbridgeartsnj.tix.com/Schedule.asp?VenueCode=5841
more info @
Discount (for 3, 4 or 5 shows purchased) are deducted automatically when you check out @ tix.com
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** NEW 2010**
"WOODBRIDGE WEDNESDAYS"
FREE SUMMER STREET CONCERTS
(7:30pm - Main & School Streets)
(Rain location Woodbridge Middle School 525 barron ave)
"WOODBRIDGE WEDNESDAYS" Summer 2010 Series - FREE
Dennis Diken w/Bell Sound June 2nd (video from this show)
Gandalph Murphy & Slambovian Circus June 9th (video from this show)
Rumba con Son Salsa Band June 23rd (video from this show)
Falu June 30th (video from this show)
Ready in 10 July 7th (video from this show)
Meta & The Cornerstones July 14th (video from their next show)
Aztec Two-Step Aug 4th (video from this show)
McPeake Aug 11th (video from this show)
June
2: Dennis Diken (of The Smithereens) w/ Bell
Sound
(Diken, Bell Sound & David Marks of The Beach Boys)
June
9: Gandalph Murphy &
the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
Retro hippie americana roots rock (video from this show)
June 23: Rumba con Son
Salsa in the Streets!!! (video from this show)
June
30: Falu
She just played the White House for Obama and the Prime Minister of India. (video from this show)
July
7: Ready in 10
One critic compared this young Long Island rock band to Bon Jovi. Oh yeah, that was me! (video from this show)
July
14: Meta and the Cornerstones
African Roots Reggae - Meta is from Senegal, the music and band (now 12 pieces!) from Ivory Coast, Mexico, Israel, Lebanon, USA... (video from this show)
Aug 4:
Aztec Two-Step
We had them last Spring doing their Simon and Garfunkel songbook show, now they're back doing original music from their own "Folk & Roll" catalog from the last 4 decades!! (Aztec web site)
Aug 11: McPeake
The fourth generation of musical McPeakes play traditional Irish music as well as contemporary originals. (video from this show)
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Past Shows Music On Main
SPRING 2010
"MUSIC ON MAIN STREET" spring 2010 Series:
Raul Malo April 7th (video) (web site)
Marshall Crenshaw April 14th (video) (web site)
Janis Ian April 21st (video) (web site)
Al Stewart May 12th (video) (web site)
Raul Midon May 19th (video) (web site) (video #2)
Artist Bios
Raul Malo: April 7th
(Video from this show)
“I have been fighting my whole life against people who want to pigeonhole music. We fought that in the Mavericks. I feel like I’ve got no restrictions anymore,” the Grammy winner says. “I’m not really writing for any specific genre. I feel like I can do whatever I want.”
Clearly, followers of Malo’s eclectic career — both with the Mavericks and after — know he’s always chafed at placing any confines on music. Or, as he laughingly confesses, “If most people do what I’ve done in my career, they’d be driving a taxi by now.”
However, a talent as mighty as Malo’s simply can’t be denied. His glorious voice has been rapturously described by The New York Times as “exceptional” and The Wall Street Journal as “exquisite.” Its crystal purity is simply unmatched by any other singer’s today. (Raul Malo- "You're Only Lonely")
Malo’s mellifluous tenor combines equal parts Sinatra, Jones and Orbison in one beautiful package. Every tune will give you goosebumps.” —VINTAGE GUITAR
“ it plays to Malo's strengths: Hollywood-style Afro-Cuban songs, Tex-Mex stompers, romantic ballads, countrypolitan honky-tonk. He ain't reinventing the wheel, but he sure can roll it smooth.” —CHICAGO READER
Marshall Crenshaw: April 14th (Crenshaw
web site)
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Crenshaw began playing guitar at age ten and he received his first break playing John Lennon in the off-Broadway company of Beatlemania. In 1987, he played Buddy Holly in the Richie Valens biopic "La Bamba."
A quote from Trouser Press sums up Marshall Crenshaw's early career: "Although he was seen as a latter-day Buddy Holly at the outset, he soon proved too talented and original to be anyone but himself." All Music Guide captured Crenshaw's vibe perfectly: "He writes songs that are melodic, hooky and emotionally true, and he sings and plays them with an honesty and force that still finds room for humor without venom."
Janis Ian: April 21st
(Video
from this show)
Al Stewart: May 12th
(Video from this show)
Though Year Of The Cat and its 1978 platinum follow-up Time Passages brought Stewart his biggest worldwide commercial successes, earlier albums such as Past, Present and Future from 1973 are often seen as better examples of his intimate brand of historical folk-rock - a style to which he has returned in recent albums.
With the arrival of a new century, Stewart has returned to his inimitable brand of historical folk-rock. In 2005 he released A Beach Full of Shells which was set in exotic places from WWI England to the 1950s rock'n'roll scene that influenced him.
In 2008, he released Sparks Of Ancient Light produced, like his previous album, by Laurence Juber. Here he weaves tales of William McKinley, Lord Salisbury and Hanno the Navigator, without losing any of the wit and crispness of delivery that made him famous.
Stewart and guitarist Dave Nachmanoff released a live album, Uncorked: Al Stewart Live with Dave Nachmanoff on Stewart's label, Wallaby Trails Recordings, in 2009. (Night Train To Munich - live)
Raul
Midon: May 19th
(Video from this show)
Midón began his career as a session singer for numerous Latin recording artists including Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Julio Iglesias and Jose Feliciano. Midón's album State of Mind was released on May 10, 2005. The album features a guest performance with Stevie Wonder, one of his idols, another one with Jason Mraz. (Jealous Guy)
Midón's national television debut was on Late Show with David Letterman on June 28, 2005. He later went on to appear on other late night television shows in the U.S. and abroad. Herbie Hancock also featured Raul Midon on his compilation album "Possibilities", which was released in 2006, performing his rendition of Prince's "I Just Called to Say I Love You".
The New Mexico native is about to release his third album, Synthesis, which he recorded in Los Angeles in June 2009 with legendary producer and bassist Larry Klein, who is noted for his work with such luminaries as Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, and Peter Gabriel. A genre-defying blend of soul, pop, jazz, folk, and Latin elements, Synthesis showcases Midón’s evolution as an artist. (Save My Life)
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FALL 2009
September 16th: Guy Davis (Samuel James opening) (Samuel James video) (Guy Davis video)
October 7th: Steve Forbert (Steve Forbert video)
October 21st: Acoustic Poco (Poco video)
October 28th: David Bromberg (Bromberg video)
November 18th: Cheryl Wheeler/Susan Werner co-bill (Wheeler video) (Werner video)
SEPTEMBER 16th: Guy Davis
w/Samuel James opening "A Night of Acoustic Blues"
(Video from this show)
He’s got some Blind Willie McTell and some Fats Waller, some Buddy Guy and some Taj Mahal. He’s got some Zora Neale Hurston and some Garrison Keillor. He’s a musician, composer, actor, director and writer. But most importantly—Guy Davis is a bluesman. The blues permeate every corner of Davis’ creativity. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to reviving the traditions of acoustic blues and bringing them to as many ears as possible through the material of the great blues masters, African American stories, and his own original songs, stories and performance pieces. (Guy Davis video)
"It's difficult to know where to begin with the story of New York City bluesman Guy Davis. Accomplished and acclaimed as a musician, composer, actor, director and writer, Davis somehow makes the term multi-talented seem woefully inadequate.
- Jim Musser, Icon Magazine
Samuel James includes some older material in his set, and when playing a song created by a previous blues master he truly makes it his own. His stamp of originality is evident in every song he picks. Clearly the historical torch is being passed to him from today’s elder masters and yesterday’s originators. Does that make him authentic? Let the listener decide if that is even the question. Samuel James is the most relevant young blues artist to come our way in quite some time.
Samuel explains “Pre-war blues is much more intimate for me . . . much like a conversation. I’m not really drawn to anything contemporary because it’s not nearly as engaging.” Based on consistent standing ovations, Samuel James clearly knows engaging. (Samuel James video)
October 7th: Steve Forbert
Growing up in Meridian, Steve Forbert first picked up the guitar at age 10 and spent his high school years playing in a variety of local bands. Frustrated with his job as a truck driver, the restless singer/songwriter moved to New York City at 21, where he performed for spare change in Grand Central Station before working his way up through the Manhattan club circuit. Performing at Folk City and eventually opening for artists like Talking Heads and John Cale at CBGB.
Released at the height of the new wave explosion, his 1978 debut Alive On Arrival offered a first look at his colorful mix of spare acoustic introspection and scrappy rock ‘n’ roll and became one of the year's most acclaimed albums. While critics tagged him—like Bruce Springsteen and John Prine before him—“the next Dylan,” Forbert never put too much stock in the comparison and forged his own path, expanding his audience substantially with 1979’s commercial breakthrough Jackrabbit Slim and his era defining hit single, “Romeo's Tune.”
Given the mythic nature of Forbert’s early
career, one can be forgiven for wondering what he’s done since parting
company with Geffen Records after they released The American in Me in 1992.
The fact is that Steve Forbert has never
stopped writing, singing and performing and has released twelve studio albums,
three live sets and four DVDs since 1978 - to say nothing of the several
compilations and archival releases that are available through his website (www.steveforbert.com).
(Steve Forbert video)
October 21st: Acoustic Poco
Poco is an American country rock band originally formed by Richie Furay and Jim Messina following the demise of Buffalo Springfield in 1968. The title of their first album, Pickin' Up The Pieces, is a reference to the break-up of the Springfield and is the only debut album ever to receive a perfect rating from Rolling Stone Magazine.
Poco continues to write and record a substantial volume of music while performing at festivals and top rock venues in the United States, Canada and Europe. Rusty Young, Paul Cotton and Jack Sundrud comprise the acoustic lineup. Cotton and Sundrud recently released solo albums, and Young is the author of an upcoming autobiographical history of the band. Poco alumni continue to periodically reunite in concert with the current lineup. Richie Furay and Jim Messina returned for several 2008 Poco performances and 2009 saw Timothy B. Schmit and George Grantham at a reunion show. Bareback At Big Sky (2005) and The Wildwood Sessions (2006) are Poco's most recent original releases, capturing live acoustic versions of songs both new and familiar from their forty-year plus career.
October 28th: David Bromberg
Bromberg attended Columbia University in the 1960s and studied guitar with Reverend Gary Davis during that period. He has played with many famous musicians, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Jorma Kaukonen, Jerry Garcia, and Bob Dylan, and co-wrote the song "The Holdup", with former Beatle George Harrison.
He began releasing albums of his own in the early 1970s on Columbia Records. His seven-minute rendition of "Mr. Bojangles" from 1972's Demon in Disguise, interspersed with tales about traveling with song author Jerry Jeff Walker, earned progressive rock radio airplay.
Bromberg is proficient on fiddle, many styles of acoustic and electric guitar (to each of which he lends a highly individual voice), pedal steel guitar and Dobro. David Lindley, Norman Blake, Mark O'Connor, Larry Campbell, Emily Robison and Ricky Skaggs are among the small number of other major musicians with equal proficiency on three or more string instruments.
Bromberg released his first new studio album since 1990 with Try Me One More Time on 27 February 2007, on Appleseed Recordings. The disc includes Dylan's "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" and Elizabeth Cotten's "Shake Sugaree." The album was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Traditional Folk Album at the 50th annual Grammy Awards in 2008. (Bromberg video)
November 18th: Cheryl Wheeler/Susan Werner co-Bill
Susan Werner
Cheryl
Wheeler
Cheryl's concerts are more like what you would find at a
comedy club than expect to find at a folk music concert. She will tell a
story that has you rolling in the aisles, and then sing a song that leaves
you wiping tears from your eyes. She will talk about some serious current
event, and then sing a song that will have you howling with laughter. Her
entire concert is a emotional roller coaster.
(video from this show)
Over the course of her colorful career, singer songwriter
Susan Werner has cultivated a reputation as a daring and innovative
songwriter with a killer live show. She boldly endeavors to weave old with new
to create altogether new genres of music when existing ones do not suit her
muse, and she regularly keeps audiences guessing and laughing simultaneously.
Most of her work infuses traditional music styles and methods with her
unmistakable contemporary worldview, constantly challenging listeners to
experience music from a fresh and unexpected perspective. Susan Werner's new
release
Classics asks
no less of her distinguished audience or herself. Her songs effortlessly slide
between folk, jazz and pop, and are delivered with a sassy wit and classic
midwestern charm.
"Susan Werner, a clever songwriter and an engaging performer, brings literacy and wit back to popular song." -The New Yorker
"(Susan Werner is) a triply blessed artist who sings adroitly, plays the piano smartly and, best of all, writes songs of genuine distinction and high craft..." -Chicago Tribune
"(Werner is) a songwriter and musician who is in such complete command of her gifts that it's almost scary." -All Music Guide
"Always an impressive songwriter, Werner continues to compose sharp, funny, compassionate lyrics, a gift rare enough to set her apart..." -The Washington Post
"The classically trained and jazz inspired singer is redefining the genre and winning admirers around the country..." -Philadelphia Inquirer
"This woman is great. period." -Music Row (Nashville) (Video from this show)
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SEASON ONE (Spring 2009)
Thanks to all who helped make the first series a success!!!
April 29- Aztec Two-Step (Simon & Garfunkel songbook) (Aztec video)
May 6th Jeffrey Gaines
(Gaines video)May 13th Graham Parker
(Graham Parker video)May 20th Lucy Kaplansky
(Lucy video)May 27th Vance Gilbert
(Vance video)
April 29th: Aztec Two-Step perform the Simon & Garfunkel songbook with special
guest host Pete Fornatale from 90.7 WFUV
In 1972, Aztec Two-Step, whose name comes from a poem by beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, burst upon the scene with their self-titled debut album on Elektra Records. Since then Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman have spent a lifetime making music together as the folk/rock duo Aztec Two-Step. Their first album, along with their subsequent albums for RCA Records were staples of progressive FM and college radio and helped to bring the music of the 1960s into the 70s.
One of the
architects of progressive FM radio, Pete Fornatale is the author
May
6th: Jeffrey Gaines
Since Jeffrey Gaines’ self-titled debut
was released, this expressive and dynamic singer, guitarist, and songwriter has
been heralded for his soul-searching confessional lyrics and his powerful live
performances. Recently, Gaines was described by MOJO as "the man who sounds like
Otis Redding, Elvis Costello and David Bowie, wrapped up in one amazing
package."
Jeffrey Gaines has been a special guest on a number of arena and stadium tours,
gracing the stage with Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow as well as Tom Petty, Tracy
Chapman, Gregg Allman, Tori Amos and Sting. Last year, Jeffrey was honored with
an Emmy nomination for his song “I Want You To Want Me.” His original
composition, “Your Town,” featuring his dynamic lead vocals, was selected for
AT&T’s 2003 "Let’s Talk" Campaign.
Jeffrey’s hit cover version of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” positioned him as
the # 3 Artist on R&R’s Callout America. Jeffrey was also the Most Request
Artist on New York’s WPLJ-FM (Hit Hot AC Station) for 10 straight weeks with his
version of “In Your Eyes.”
(Video from this show)
May
13th: Graham Parker
For nearly 30 years, Graham Parker has been slinging a signature sound across continents and airwaves that has rightly earned him a spot in the pantheon of truly original and influential figures in rock and roll. Since his early days with his band the Rumour (with whom he has two albums in Rolling Stone’s “Top 100 Albums of All Time”), Graham has coupled punk’s energy with his deeply rooted love of American R&B, country and soul music.
He’s got a snotty barroom brawler’s rasp and sneer, a soul man’s swagger and an ear for indelible hooks and pop songcraft. Parker emerged from the British pub-rock scene of the early '70s to gain fame alongside Elvis Costello as one of punk and New Wave's "angry young men" archetypes. He released his best-known works late in the '70s with his aforementioned backing band, The Rumour, including what was possibly his most critically admired album, 1979's "Squeezing Out Sparks." Rolling Stone magazine ranked the disc No. 45 on its 1987 list of the Top 100 albums from 1967-1987; Parker's 1976 debut, "Howlin' Wind," ranked No. 54 on the same list. The always-prolific Parker released a "comeback" album of sorts last year, "Don't Tell Columbus," which garnered him some of his best reviews in years. (Video from this show)
May 20th: Lucy Kaplansky
She started out singing in Chicago bars. Then, barely out of high school, Lucy Kaplansky took off for New York City. There she found a fertile community of songwriters and performers - Suzanne Vega, John Gorka, Bill Morrissey, Cliff Eberhardt, and others - where she fit right in. With a beautiful flair for harmony, Lucy was everyone's favorite singing partner, but most often she found herself singing as a duo with Shawn Colvin. People envisioned big things for them; in fact, The New York Times said it was "easy to predict stardom for her." But then Lucy dropped it all.
Convinced that her calling was in another direction, Lucy left the musical fast track to pursue a doctorate in Psychology. Yet she continued to sing. Lucy was often pulled back into the studio by her friends, who now had contracts with record labels (and wanted her to sing on their albums). She harmonized on Colvin's Grammy-winning Steady On, on Nanci Griffith's Lone Star State of Mind and Little Love Affairs, and on four of John Gorka's albums. She also landed soundtrack credits, singing with Suzanne Vega on Pretty in Pink and with Griffith on The Firm, and several commercial credits as well - including "The Heartbeat of America" for Chevrolet.
Then Shawn Colvin - who was itching to produce a record - hooked up with Lucy, her ex-singing partner. They went into the studio, and it all came together. When Lucy's solo tapes got into the hands of Bob Feldman, president of Red House Records, he was blown away. Suddenly, Lucy was back in the music business. (Video from this show)
May
27th:Vance Gilbert
One of many self-styled contemporary folk singers to have come on the scene in the 1980s, Vance Gilbert was inspired to begin writing his own material after hearing Shawn Colvin perform at a Boston theater. While Gilbert has become recognized on the folk festival circuit as a songwriter of substance, performance for him is second nature. Gilbert is not a middle-of-the-road folk singer, and his diverse set of influences includes Kenny Rankin, Roberta Flack, Carmen McRae, George Benson and Stevie Wonder. His voice has been compared to everyone from Al Jarreau to Bill Withers and Donny Hathaway.
Gilbert took the stage, accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, a whimsical sense of humor and an astonishingly smooth, pure tenor voice. But that proved to be more than enough. Gilbert's burnished voice poured over one purling, liquid melody after another, over an accompaniment of tender arpeggios and supple chord progressions. Well-crafted and thoughtful, the songs qualified as 'folk' only in the loosest sense. (Video from this show)
