October 1, 2011
River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs |
Intro and review of Zydeco Dance with Jim & Madeline Christensen of WWUH 91.3FM will start at 7:15 and shortly after, River City Slim and the Zydeco Hogs will kick our 32nd season into high gear with rollicking roots music rhythms and sweeping waltzes from their 4 CDS including Big Fun on the Hog Farm and It's Hot In Here. The origins of the quintet include witnessing an RBNC show featuring Terrence Simien and the Mamou Playboys and appreciating the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier who melded French Cajun music with blues. They also picked up on the stylings of Buckwheat Zydeco whose Southern Louisiana band was fluent in New Orleans Boogie, Soul, R & B and Cajun styles-thereby creating stage and dance floor dynamite! The group includes WWUH's Pine Grove Blues host, Peter Rost on drums & vocals, Blind Mark Thompson on accordions, Toad Eckert on guitar & vocals, Andy Karlok on bass & vocals and Rockin' Robin Bean on rubboard, vocals & fiddle. Their love of music, energetic shows and talent serve them well touring from the Northeast down to Louisiana and back as they perform songs, "Cornbread," "Johnnie Billie Goat," "Back to the Bayou," and "I Just Want to Dance."
$15.00 Adv / $17.00 Door
|
|
|
| |
Sunday October 9, 2011
Open Mike w/ featured performer
Cornelius "Con" Dowd
Join Cornelius in celebrating the release of his Crumbs In Bed cd! This singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist will perform originals “When My Wheel Gets Round,” "Bitter Well," and "Crumbs in Bed" from his cd plus others including crowd favorite, blues traditional "Know You Rider."
Sign Up at 5:30PM 6:00PM Start $5.00
|
|
October 15, 2011
Stan Sullivan / Jim Mercik & Alvin Carter split bill |
|
|
 |
Three multi-talented Hartford resident musicians will perform in a satisfying, superb split bill concert for you tonight. Singer-songwriter, guitar instrumentalist and blues player Stan Sullivan celebrates 50 years of playing music and 25 years of volunteering at Roaring Brook Concerts. The 2011 Roxbury Pickin' and Fiddlin’ Fingerstyle Guitar Champion has won songwriting and guitar playing awards in CT, AZ, NH and KS. He has opened shows for Richard Thompson, Cheryl Wheeler, Greg Brown and John Hammond. Stan will perform highlights from his The Right Road and Do You Like the Rain? recordings. He'll also perform "Pickin' Winfield Again," "Fancy Street," and his "immaculately decorated rendition of 'Summertime.' "--Thomas Kintner, The Hartford Courant
Songwriter-guitarist Jim Mercik has accompanied Eric Andersen, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Bruce Pratt and Hugh Blumenfeld in concert and is part of The Congo Square Ramblers. He was a member of The Roadbirds and The Strange Rangers and a guitar student of Dave Van Ronk. Singing and playing acoustic and resophonic guitars and banjo, Jim covers many styles from Delta Blues to Woody Guthrie to Cole Porter to Tom Waits. Accompanying Jim is the amazing percussionist, Abu Alvin Carter. Colin McEnroe writes, "Never miss a chance to publish a picture of Abu" and he is correct. To this we add, never pass up a chance to hear him play! His enthusiasm for music, life and peace is unquenchable. Patriarch of a percussion playing family, he was honored with his own "Celebration of Abu" night at RAW in the fall of 2010. He played with his sons and members of Hartford's drumming community plus The Congo Square Ramblers. Abu and Jim are also educators who travel the State of CT with Congas, guitars and banjo introducing students to the roots and history of music. Tonight's highlights might include "St. James Infirmary," "Buckets of Rain" and Jim's "Is This Enough for You" which is included in the Smithsonian's Folkway’s Collection!
$15.00 Adv / $17.00 Door
|
 |
|
Saturday October 22, 2011
Eliza Gillkyson
Talk about credentials! Grammy-nominated songwriter-guitarist Eliza Gilkyson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame alongside legends Willie Nelson, Nanci Griffith and Townes Van Zandt. Her songs have been recorded by Roseanne Cash, Tom Rush and Joan Baez. She has toured with Richard Thompson, Patty Griffin and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Tonight, Eliza plays songs from her 2011 recording, Roses At the End of Time and her previous stellar releases, Beautiful World, Lost & Found, Hard Times in Babylon and Land of Milk and Honey. Program highlights may include, "Tender Mercies," "The Party's Over," "Vayan al Norte" and “Midnight on Raton.” "Like the master she is, Gilkyson cuts through the jungle of leftist posturing verbage and conservative spin. She packs a political punch that is as entertaining and blue-collar as the work of Woody Guthrie."--Houston Press
$25.00 Adv. / $30.00 Door
|
| |
Saturday November 12, 2011
Dave Mallett
Superb Maine-based songwriter-guitarist, David Mallett is gracious about your requests for his hits, "This Town,” "Garden Song,” “Fire” and “Somewhere In Time” his pastoral and country tinged Nashville period songs that capture vivid scenes of the farming and fishing life. On his latest CD, Alright Now, Mallet has expanded the scope of his songwriting with important new songs that have emerged with national and global themes. Like the iconic songs of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs in the '60's, these songs pertain to all of us now. "North Meets South," holds the hope that working together we can turn this nation around for the betterment of all. After all the work we've done and sacrifices we've made, as his song title says it should be "Easier than This." "Ten Men" is a consummately-written non-blinking view of economic power and political control of our natural resources. “A masterpiece …This is an exquisite, ennobling record, made by a terrific craftsman.” - Steve Morse, Boston Globe
$20.00 Adv / $22.00 Door
|
|
 |
 |
|
Saturday November 19, 2011
Stephen Bennett
Harp Guitarist
One of the best and truly the most eclectic of all shows we have ever hosted was performed by Stephen Bennett last fall. A finger-picking and flat-picking virtuoso on flat top acoustic, National Steel and baritone guitars, he is also the leading master harp guitar player since the passing of Michael Hedges. The harp guitar is a remarkably resonant instrument with an "extra" wood enclosed air chamber, joined to the body of a standard guitar shape. There are two sound holes and six extra drone strings that expand it's harmonic range. Stephen mesmerized the audience with his harp guitar/vocal version of Wichita Lineman and his film title instrumental of "To Kill A Mockingbird!" Expect great humor and a musical magic carpet ride that may include, “Snowflake Reel," "Paper Moon,” “What A Wonderful World,” “Whiter Shade of Pale,” “Round Midnight” and superb originals “Perestroika” and “Emerald City!” cds include Good Wood, Solos & Duets, Guitar Town and his classic rock harp guitar cd, In-A-Gadda-Da-Stephen!
$18.00/ $20.00 Door |
| |
Saturday December 3, 2011
Paul Geremia
Red House Recording artist Paul Geremia is an important figure in American roots music. Tonight he plays two generous sets of music from his October 2011 release Love My Stuff and W.C. Handy Award nominated Gamblin' Woman Blues and Self Portrait in Blues. Paul cut his performer's teeth in the 60's at legendary clubs like NYC's Gaslight opening shows for Doc Watson, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, Pink Anderson and Skip James. His first-hand exposure to these seminal roots artists plus his knowledge and anecdotes about the blues masters make him a "must see" performer. For 45 years he has toured North America and Europe, played Merlefest, The Newport Folk Festival and appeared on Prairie Home Companion. Enjoy classic songs, “Come On In My Kitchen,” “ See See Rider” and “Statesboro Blues." Enjoy 6 and 12 string and slide guitar playing on his original songs "Kickin In the Country," "My Kinda Place" and "I Still Think About You."
$15.00 Adv / $17.00 Door |
|
 |
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Bill Staines
America’s Troubador Laureate, Bill Staines begins his annual 70,000 mile North American tour by performing Roaring Brook’s first concert of 2012. Numerous artists perform and record songs from his 24 releases. In 2003 Xlibris published Bill’s book, The Tour—A Life Between The Lines. In 2007, Red House released his superb CD, Old Dogs which offers six fine originals and covers of songs by Guy Clark, John Stewart, Norman Blake and Elizabeth Cotten. In 2009, he was honored by publication of the Simon & Shuster book, All God’s Critters. Based on Bill’s great song “A Place In The Choir,” it features his lyrics with brilliant illustrations by two-time Caldecott Honor-Winning artist Kadir Nelson. Relax, enjoy and join in with Bill’s rich baritone voice and satin-smooth guitar work on choruses to his anthems “River,” “Sweet Wyoming Home” and “Roseville Fair!”
$15.00 Adv / $17.00 Door |
|
 |
 |
|
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Paul Rishell & Annie Raines
Some of the best Blues shows we've presented over 32 years include Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Dave Van Ronk, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Geoff Muldaur and tonight's performers, Paul Rishell & Annie Raines. Multiple nominations from the W.C. Handy and Blues Foundations Awards attest to their great talent. They present a rich repertoire of roots blues, folk, ragtime and jazz material. If you appreciate artistic substance with meaningful lyrics, vocal and instrumental nuances and great grooves performed by a duo who can create a musical party on stage, you'll love Paul & Annie. Instructor to the stars, Paul Rishell is a superb acoustic, National Steel, slide and electric guitarist who has played with roots legends, Son House, Howlin' Wolf, and Brownie McGee & Sonny Terry. He's also a strong vocalist and an excellent songwriter. Lending a welcome female blues perspective, Annie Raines is the queen of blues and roots harmonica and a fine singer, songwriter and mandolinist. Together they relate historical anecdotes and interpret major works by Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Big Maybelle, Ma Rainey, Skip James, Memphis Minnie and Blind Blake. Song highlights include, "Got to Fly," "Moving to the Country," "Memphis Town" and "Good Women Have Bad Days."
$18.00 Adv / $20.00 Door |
|
|
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Joseph FireCrow
Cheyenne Flute Man
Joseph Fire Crow returns to Roaring Brook after having won a Grammy Award and multiple Native American awards. He returns with his remarkable program of flute playing, singing and chanting and sharing magical stories that illuminate Native American Culture. Joseph constructs flutes from natural materials to play songs passed down through countless generations. Born in Montana and raised on a Cheyenne Reservation, he experienced much hardship and poverty. His great love of music and education saw him through it all. Today, Joseph is a superb musician, singer and public speaker whose music is heard on the film soundtracks to Ken Burns' National Parks and Lewis & Clark PBS documentaries. Joseph's CD recordings are titled Fire Crow, Red Beads, Winds of Honor and Legend of the Warrior. Song highlights include, "I Walk With You," "Sundance Horses" and "Summer Changes the Heart."
$15.00 Adv / $17.00 Door |
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Ed Gerhard
The bottom line for Ed Gerhard is the sound and the music. This Grammy-Award winning acoustic guitarist comes back to us employing innovative and time-tested techniques, and a masterfully-informed sense of taste as he performs beautiful arrangements on the best sounding instruments he can find. His finger style playing of 6 and 12-string and lapstyle slide guitars has made him a favorite at clubs and intercultural guitar festivals in North America, Ireland, Europe and Japan. His music is heard on Ken Burns’ PBS productions The National Parks and Mark Twain. There is nothing better than hearing Ed Gerhard perform fine original compositions and selections from Old English and American country ballads plus lively and soul-pleasing tunes from the Celtic, African, Appalachian, Hawaiian, Mexican, gospel and delta blues genres in our fine listening room. Concert highlights may include “Homage,” “Killing The Blues,” “Imagine” and “The Water is Wide.”
$20.00 Advance / $22.00 Door |
|
|
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Frank Vignola Trio
“One of Les Paul’s favorite guitarists.”—Boston Globe. Jazz guitar phenomenon Frank Vignola, accompanied by sideman Vinny Raniolo, proved at his RBNC debut that he can play anything and that he will! Also, Frank has added Glenn Tosto, famed NYC guitarist to tonight's bill! Not limited to tremendous renditions of Django Reinhardt tunes and timeless standards with virtuosity, he goes on to cover the best pop, rock, folk, classical and operatic material. Would you believe a set including “Minor Swing,” “Night In Tunisia,” “Nature Boy,” “Shady Grove,” “Sounds of Silence,” Sting’s “Walking On The Moon,” and a Medley of Bizet’s Carmen? Recently, he recorded Just Between Frets with Tommy Emmanuel, Frank and Dawg, Melody Monsters with David Grisman and Standards, Live with Bucky Pizzarelli. Frank’s diverse recordings include pairings with Wynton Marsalis, Lionel Hampton, Ringo Starr, Mark O’Connor and Queen Latifah.
$20.00 Adv / $22.00 door |
|
 |
 |
|
Saturday, March 10 , 2012
Joyce Andersen
Roaring Brook has hosted many fine fiddlers including Johnny Cunningham, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Rani Arbo and Laurie Lewis. The last time fiddler-troubadour and singer songwriter-guitarist Joyce Anderson was here she played an unforgettable hoedown-showdown double bill with Jake Amerding. Her RBNC concerts with Eric Andersen, Cormac McCarthy and Harvey Reid show why she was picked to join Marshall Krenshaw on The Conan O’Brien Show and by The McKrells for an appearance at Carnegie Hall. Tonight she performs selections from her solo electro-acoustic fiddle troubadour project—SWERVE! The 2011 CD release includes four originals titles, “Yearning,” “Get Your Swerve On,” “Heartbreak” and “I Will Shine.” She also puts her own spin on pop tunes, “Higher Love,” “Dream a Little Dream” and “Hey Joe” that you’ve heard from Steve Winwood, Mama Cass and Jimi Hendrix plus the traditional tune, “Little Birdie.” In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Joyce will favor us with a few Celtic fiddle tunes and we can expect a couple of fine songs from her previous discs, The Girl I Left Behind, Love and Thirst and Right Where I Should Be.
$16.00 Adv / $18.00 door |
Saturday, March 24 , 2012 |
Cece Borjeson and Ruth George |
|
The Birch Creek Band |
|
|
|
Since 1997 Cece Borjeson & Ruth George have made beautiful music together. Alternating lead and harmony vocals, these fine singers accompany each other on guitars, pennywhistle, bodhran, harmonica, cabasa and tambourine. They sing songs of love, war and peace, hearth and home, from many cultures including American, African, Cuban, Irish and Scottish. On their CDs Perennials and Hearts In Harmony the duo also covers fine songwriters, “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”--Richard Thompson, “Wild Grass”--Gil Dube, “That Old Moon”--Kent Aldrich, and “ Martinmass Wind”--John Renbourn. Sing along with them on “Guantanamara,” “Pharoah” and “Jamaica Farewell.”
The Birch Creek Band is an instrumental quartet that formed in 2009. Their 16 tune debut CD Celtic Enchantment features Celtic aires, jigs and reels. They list Dervish, The Duhks and Tony McManus as influences. The band members are Brian Horton on guitars and bouzouki, Aleks Miglowiec on flute and piccolo, Sandra Lynn on dulcimer, and Kevin Gallagher on mandolin, dobro and bass. Their tune catalog includes "Star of the County Down," Mary, Young and Fair" and "Down by the Sally Gardens."
$12.00 Adv / $15.00 door |
Sunday, April 1st
1:30-2:30 PM
Nancy Tucker
Nancy Tucker blends outrageous squeaky clean comedy, spirited guitar instrumentals and moving songs of human experience in her shows for people of all ages. Her music and comedy center around a passion for life and laughter. Nancy captures each audience's imagination and heart with gentle invitation and contagious lunacy. Advance tickets are now on sale at a cost of $7.00 for members, $8.00 for nonmembers. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door prior to the show at a cost of $8.00 for members, $9.00 for nonmembers. |
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Phil Ochs Song Night
hosted by Sonny Ochs
featuring Magpie, Kim & Reggie Harris,
John Flynn and Sonia of disappear fear
Phil Ochs is an historically and artistically important voice of the '60's whose songs stand out among the great talents of that time--Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and Peter Paul Mary. Roaring Brook is proud to present a special four-act touring concert program that celebrates Phil Och's song legacy. The event is hosted by Phil's sister, Sonny Ochs, who will provide reflections on her brother's life and career. Even more relevant today, his songs continue to be sung by many artists including Joan Baez --"There But For Fortune," Gordon Lightfoot--"Changes" and Richard Thompson who adds his 21st century verses to Och's anthem, "I Ain't Marching Anymore." Although best known for his protest songs, he also wrote poignant and majestic non-political works. Expect the previously mentioned songs and a sampling that may include, "What's That I Hear?," "The Draft Dodger Rag," “Love Me, I'm a Liberal," "When I'm Gone," "The Ballad of Medgar Evers" and Outside a Small Circle of Friends." Tonight's fine performers are Kim & Reggie Harris, Magpie, John Flynn and Sonia of disappear fear. Each will perform three Phil Och's songs and one song of their own.
$20.00 Adv / $25.00 door
Doors open at 6:30 PM, Show starts at 7:00 PM |
|
|
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Kate Campbell
Cornelius "Con" Dowd opening
$18.00 Adv / $20.00 door
|
|
|
Kate Campbell
"Possessed of the lyrical grasp of Lucinda WIlliams and the eloquent vocal timbre of Emmylou Harris, Kate Campbell is a major talent." Timeout London "Kate Campbell belongs in the company of literati like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith and Lucinda Williams." New Country Highly respected Nashville songwriter-guitarist Kate Campbell tours in support of her stellar 2011 live concert release, Two Nights in Texas. She draws from a deep well of experience for her art. Now 50, she played ukulele at age 4, piano at age 6 and she's been writing since she was a young girl. Raised in Mississippi, she attended college in Alabama before finding her home in Nashville and on the road to California, Europe, UK and Ireland. Critics compare her ability to capture settings, depict characters and tell a full story within the limits of the song form to novelists and short story writers. Drawing from her 12 recordings, she'll entertain and inspire you with powerful, evocative and humorous songs about pop culture and prehistory, peace, racial equality, religious faith, political change and nostalgic views of American Life. Highlights include, "Miles of Blues," "Crazy in Alabama," "New South," "Galaxy 500," "Jesus and Tomatoes" and "Visions of Plenty."
|
Cornelius "Con" Dowd
Opening tonight's show is creative Wethersfield singer-songwriter guitarist, Cornelius "Con" Dowd. He'll perform songs from his debut CD "Crumbs In Bed". One of Kate Campbell's students at Sam W Music Camp, he'll favor us with originals, "Santa Fe," "Bitter Well," and "When My Wheel Gets Round." |
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Harvey Reid
Master of steel-stringed instruments, Harvey Reid blends technology and tradition gracefully. His 21st century marketing offers his 20 CDs, DVD and 7 books for purchase or download from at least 20 internet sites besides his web and snail-mail addresses. Still the best way to enjoy his music is to see him live at Roaring Brook! In 2012 this fine singer-songwriter and National Fingerstyle Guitar and Autoharp Champion will be touring and teaching at Steve Kaufman's Guitar Camp in Tennessee and at the California Autoharp Gathering. Inspired early on by the music of Doc Watson, Woody Guthrie, The Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Leo Kottke and Robert Johnson, he honors his roots proudly in concert. Enjoy his rich repertoire of original and traditional tunes that may include your requests, "Hard Times Come Again No More," "Matchbox Blues," "Dreamer or Believer," "Racing The Storm," Wildwood Flower" and "Star Island Jig."
$18.00 Adv / $20.00 door |
Sunday, May 13 , 2012
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Roaring Brook is proud to present living legend and five-time Grammy Nominee and two-time Grammy Winner, Ramblin' Jack Elliott. Long a favorite of Roaring Brook Concerts and Hartland Festival audiences we are honored to host him in his only 2012 Connecticut performance. Before he was a major influence on Bob Dylan, Keith Richards and Bruce Springsteen, he was part of a circle that included Beat writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg and folk icon Woody Guthrie with whom he travelled the country collecting stories and songs. Jack won the Best Traditional Folk Grammy for his 1995 release South Coast and the Best Traditional Blues Grammy for his 2009 recording A Stranger Here. In 1998, Jack received the Presidential Medal of the Arts from President Clinton at The White House. He was part of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue, Woody Guthrie's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction and Pete Seeger's 90th Birthday Party at Madison Square Garden! This living legend's cowboy songs, ballads, blues and travelogue-style yarn spinning are priceless. We look forward to Jack's amazing renditions of songs, "South Coast," "Death Don't Have No Mercy," "Buffalo Skinners," "Pastures of Plenty," "If I Were a Carpenter," "Talkin' Dust Bowl" and "San Francisco Bay Blues".
$25.00 Advance / $30.00 Door
Doors open at 6:30 PM, Show starts at 7:00 PM |
|
|
|
