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A Message for all the Blatimore Songwriter Members (and potential members):

Teporah writes:
"Cafe Hon NOW ACCEPTING ARTISTS FOR ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE AND SOLO SHOWS
Hambden, Maryland

Please contact me via teporah11@hotmail.com if you are interested in playing: 1st Wednesdays: 2 20 min slots for original music 3rd Wednesdays: 2 hr slots for solo or duo original music. Some covers ok. These performances will be taped for play on the following Wednesday's show on UMBRELLA RADIO. Musicians do not pay for this service. It is offered in lieu of pay. In addition, there music can get looped into the regular lineup of music on Umbrella Streaming Radio. CD sales and tips can generate some cash as well. PLEASE NOTE: If interested, make sure that your membership with the Baltimore Songwriter's Association is active. This is a BSA sponsored event. Performance time is 8:00 to 10:00. Covers will be deleted from the recording to be aired for the purpose of avoiding ascap and bmi problems for Umbrella Radio. PA, and two mics provided. Please bring cables."

Teporah informs me that is you are not a BSA member you can join for only $25/year and enjoy up to 2 showcases per year at this site as well as many other benefits. JOIN AT: baltimoresongwriters.org

Static Chain Second Anniversary Concert Review:

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Luckily for me, I was able to get to the static chain 2nd anniversary show on ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />2/22/08 at Sonar earlier than expected- I walked in just as the show was starting and got to hear:

The Slow Learners:

They started off with a rap song that was just what the Dr. ordered- a stimulant to wake the place up a bit. They then broke into their set and I loved the vocals and the bluesy rock n' roll style, but my favorite part was the rock n' roll sax- a Clarence Clemons Clone (ok, he was a little paler than Clarence, but he did have the sound down) played some awesome tenor solos and lit up the room-I went around telling the other bands "I hope you guys got a sax player coming up because I want to hear some more of that" but alas, it was to no avail. I also enjoyed their last song about a crazy neighbor who gets naked all the time- I had one of those before- you guys been reading my mail? The bass player also did an awesome effects filled solo near the end of the set that, of course, stood out in my bass oriented head- what the hell were you playing through brother? Nice job boys.

next up:

Doug A'hern: He is forever renamed Doug "Lupe" A'hern in my mind! Unfortunately, technical difficulties prevented him from doing as many loops on his songs as he wanted, but it was very impressive nonetheless. He did the song "Love and a Reason" from the static chain cd and it was a blast watching him add guitar, then bass, then drums by banging on the guitar, etc. etc. in loop after loop after loop...I had already finished some beer by this point so I couldn't accurately calculate the number of loops he put down, but he sadly stopped short of the awesome guitar solo he does on the recording (i guess you'll have to buy cd sampler vol 2 to check it out). He also did 3 other songs that I hadn't heard before: Fall Line, Push the Flame, and Ms. Beautiful.  It's clear that this sognwriter can deliver live on what he writes-great songs and a great performance. I liked it so much I bought his cd and have played it about 7 times already. I wasn't sure if his airy vocals would translate well to a live performance in a rock club, but my fears were unfounded. It's not an easy thing to fill a rock club with just a guitar and a voice box, but he rose to the challenge (even when the loop machine didn't).

3rd act:

King Lewman: A wonderful folk rock vocally based duo with a nice husband wife blend of alto and tenor. Their harmonies held up even under the less than optimal singing conditions of such a club, and it was good to see an alto voice out in front for a change. Marvelous Marv Egolf pumped away deftly to provide his usual foundational bass while the mighty drums of Tony "Thor" Hammer thundered through the modern day mead hall (yes, I know this is terribly cliché, but with that handle I just couldn't resist), and the 2 electric guitar players (Kim King and Courtenay Moon II) added some well-nuanced color. Of course I loved that they had Teporah fill in on piano as she's a favorite of mine. It's nice to hear her in a band formation for once as I usually only hear her as a soloist (next static chain event is 3/7 at Tyson's and Tepi will be there as a soloist- check her out). Their set included Warm Blanket, She Gave me Something (the cut off the static chain cd sampler vol 2 which has the baddest groove on the whole cd!), Coming Home (a ballad of overdue reuniting where Kristan's voice resonated like a sigh of relief), Poplar Street, Going Somewhere, Blood Money, and After We're Gone/Don't Cry, Baby (a piano driven angst begun by Tepi with some searing guitar licks by Kim interspersed between Kristan's haunting lyrics. It weighed in heavy until Lance's acoustic guitar rescued it and the couples' harmonies transformed it into an empathic answer to the existential questions posed....)...Whoooa... maybe I shouldn't write these things so late at night...getting a little metaphysical on myself...but nonetheless, a very good job. Long live the King! (yes, another cliché, but at least I stopped the philosophical dribble...)

act 4:

Gregory T. Scruggs: This was the hardest review for me to write- here was my first draft:

"This was my first time hearing GTS live and I also got to meet him personally (and his charming fiancé Jasika). He was impressive on both counts. What a nice down to earth aura, and what an introspective and affective singer . He played several songs that I knew from static chain (such as "Broken Cents" and "Otherwise Mist"- a rollin' little ragged time piece about urban longing - "...my quest for retrieving echoes like shrills in the city that's Believing...my believing you're the only thing in this city I'm keeping"- some wonderful lyrics, written by Jasika, with the poignantly sensual hook line of "And I wished it were you right now and not these cigarettes resting on my lips, tangled up in fingertips wish'n on stars i would have otherwise missed". Nice.), but on the Static Chain cuts GTS has a band backing him; his solo takes this night were approached slightly differently and I really appreciated that. Some people who come from a more pop/rock background like the song to sound exactly the same as the recording, but I cut my teeth on Jazz (primarily because in my rock bands I just could never play anything the same way twice), so I love improvisation. It lets the music breathe. His small changes in intonation, melody and rhythm during the performance showed me that these songs are still alive for him, and Gregory breathed life into his creations this night ...like Doug, he was also able to fill the stage despite being a solo performer. In fact, all Gregory really needed to fill the stage this night was his guitar, his voice, and his spacious soul.  He also played 2 new ones: Pinche's on the mend and Requiem - M Ward. Both are worth another listen, and Pinche is now on static chain for all to hear."

Now is all this true and accurate? Yes, I think it is, but something about it just didn't seem right. When I did a review of his song "Otherwise Mist" for the cd sampler I said "someone help me with finding the right words to describe his music....it's deep, it's true, it's real...it eludes my meager description, but maybe that's what makes it all so good...". The above paragraph was my attempt to find the right words and, well, i don't think I did. His music is grounded and salt of the earth, and I was making it into some kind of pie in the sky. The review needs to be as authentic, genuine, and sincere as the music. My first draft is too much... too saccharine, too artsy, too.....well, too "too".  Given that he describes himself as "a true hillbilly in denial", I thought it would be interesting for me to imagine what a real hillbilly (e.g. my Swiss grandfather who worked the same farm his whole life and died at 81 years old while he was slaughtering a turkey) would've said about GTS's music. If my Pappy had been at the second anniversary show, I imagine he would've said "He's right good". Despite my efforts, I can't say it any better. 'nuf said. Thanks Pap, and thank you Gregory T. Scruggs. (Pappy would've also said that night "why don't all you kids in this place get a haircut? don't you have barber shops in this town?", but I digress...:)

The Finale (at least for me):

Woody Lissauer: Some performers chose to fill the stage a different way...whereas Doug used his loop, and GTS used his soul (if we're to use my artsy fartsy first draft review), Woody decided to fill it with 20 soles! A big local talent with a very big band! I don't know what's more amazing, Woody's songwriting or the fact that he squeezed 10 band members on that stage. So, how do you convince 9 first call Baltimore Indie musicians to cram themselves on a stage with you that is built for only 5? That's the "POWER OF LISSAUER"! What a sight and what a sound! I think they drove the poor sound guy half insane. Nevertheless, Woody pulled it off with his usual professionalism and flair, treating the crowd to his perennial favorites Roses and Follow (with some very tasteful Mandolin work by Hank49 - himself one of the finest songwriters in these here parts and he's also featured on the static chain vol 2 sampler- that complimented Natasha Matveeva's always smooth violin) as well as some new tunes such as the not quite complimentary "Hampden in the Rain" ("Iza new Bahlud ah Balmer Hon") and "Bent but not Broken" (which featured a nice acoustic guitar solo by Dave Eske- local finger pickin' phenom and static chain vol 2 artist "Eskepades"). Woody's musical "troupe of ten" also did my absolutely favorite cover of "Somebody to Love" by Jefferson Airplane. This version is on static chain...if you have not heard it go immediately and check it out...talk about breathing life into a song! That is my favorite Jefferson Airplane song (if you remember the original bass line, you'll know why an old bottom feeder like me digs it), but Woody in no way disrespected it through this cover; indeed, he flattered it with a well managed rockin' renovation that replaces the original hypomanic bass line with a deliciously deep pocket. As always Woody, thanks for the show (oh, and thanks Natasha...and Mike Redding (Hank49)...and Dave Eske ...and Fred Tepper...and Bob Darlington...and Crash Kundrat...and Tom Edwards....and Tom Miller...and Gary Garvin....and good night John Boy...)

(p.s I met a woman from the Baltimore Live Music Meet-up, http://livemusic.meetup.com/59/ (of which I am the new organizer so sign up already!) at the show- her name is Lois- check out her site www.loislife.com, episode 5 "Hangin' with the Hampden Artrats" for a video of Woody playing "Hampden in the Rain" as well as some funny reflections on interactions with Woody)

It was getting late and, as in any rock show, it was running way behind schedule so I had to get on home (besides, just watching Woody's band try to clear the stage was exhausting...).I didn't get to hear Gene Gregory (sorry i missed him-need to hear him live soon as his static chain stuff is very good) and Lookout Point (heard them at the cd release party- very good rock band- sorry i couldn't hang)- I'll leave it to someone else to fill us in about their sets.

The Baltimore Live Music Meet-up Group  http://livemusic.meetup.com/59/ I have recently become organizer for the Baltimore Live Music Meet-up group- check it out and sign-up if interested- it's free and it's designed to allow fans of live music to meet-up at shows and enjoy the music together. If you are a fan of local music, join up and then suggest that we all go check out your favorite bands with you- a great way to support your favorites (as well as get to hear the favorites of others). If you are a band, feel free to encourage your fans to sign-up and ask for a meet-up at one of your shows, but bands can not request a meet-up at their own show- has to come from the fans (so there is someone to meet up with). But, if differnent bands go out to hear each other, then you become fans, so musicians can sign-up too.

details on the 5/12/07 Fallston Acoustic Music Fest to be held from 3-7pm at the Unitarian Universalists of Fallston (1127 Old Fallston Rd, Fallston, MD 21047)- right across 152 from Fallston High School. It turns out my first attempt at being a festival promoter left something to be desired so bear with me while I clarify some things:

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• THE FESTIVAL IS FREE (we are accepting freewill donations to benefit needy children in Harford County, but if you can't give anything don't worry about it- we want you to come anyway) Raising $ for charity is only one of the goals of this festival- other goals include building community and supporting local artists.

• THE FESTIVAL IS OUTSIDE (unless it rains, then we will move it inside)- we have a natural amphitheatre in the back of our property where we have a stage set up so musicians can play to an audience seated on the hill. Bring blanket/chair, hat, beach umbrella or whatever would make you more comfortable.

• THERE WILL BE FOOD AVAILABLE (a bake sale will be held to benefit the needy children of Harford County, and we will also have grilled hot dogs, chips and soda for sale at a minimal price-this may even be a freewill donation – haven't decided yet because I don't know how much help I'm going to have)

• THIS IS A FAMILY/COMMUNITY ORIENTED EVENT (i.e. we are not selling alcohol)

• Here are some extended bios on the performers in the order that they are scheduled to play(3pm- Dave Eske, 4pm: Uncle John Sawbriar, 5pm:Woody Lissauer, 6pm: Kip Martin):

1)      Dave Eske:

Dave Eske is the founder of Eskepades. After traveling afar in the pursuit of his music goals he now endeavors to share his exploits with his first solo CD, Eskepades-Train to ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Nashville. Coming from the hard rock stages of the 80's and 90's, Dave is combining concept with experience, and no boundaries apply. All instruments are played by Dave except percussion on Borderline which is played by Donna DiStefano. Dave started writing acoustic guitar material about 3 years ago. He hopes to add to the collection of Eskepades material with more CDs and like minded unbridled musicians.

2)      Uncle John Sawbriar:

Many people have said "I've never seen anyone play the guitar like that before!", or "I didn't know you could do that with a guitar!", or have made similar statements in regard to the music of Uncle John Sawbriar. Possibly because not that many people outside of real guitar enthusiasts have heard or seen this type of playing on a lone instrument.

Within the mainstream of the music industry, there exists no real category for instrumental acoustic guitar--with such eclectic styles as those of Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Tommy Emmanuel and other such players being filed under "New Age" or "Folk" because their innovative styles of playing defy description by genre. Uncle John is just that type of guitarist. He moves through elements of rock, jazz, ragtime, blues, folk, bluegrass, classical, and totally experimental sounds as easily as you might change radio stations. His compositions may be extremely tranquil and melodic, or frenetically percussive--but always with harmonic and rhythmic qualities that appeal to anyone's musical sensibilities.

As stated by Uncle John, "For me, any sort of music worth playing, is worth playing my own way. I can't just be satisfied with doing what everyone else does, so I look for methods and means for making new sounds."

Listen, and you may just find yourself immersed in something completely captivating, completely original, somewhat enigmatic, and possibly different from any guitar music that you might've ever heard before.

3)      Woody Lissauer:

Over night sensation? Not if you have been listening to Multiplex, Strangelove, The Gordon Michael's Band, Cinematrix, U. S. Bang, Crack the Sky, Living Colour or countless other popular bands. His original band, Cubic Feet (Warner Bros. Pub.) has charted songs from their 4 CDs.

 "My father played wonderful old folk songs for us & at age six I made him teach me how & I've never stopped." He played with Steppenwolf while still a teenager. Then a BA in music comp at T U & post grad with the late, great guitarist Larry Wooldridge (Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald etc.), graduating into a full-time life on the road, Jazz, New Wave, Prog-rock, Folk, Fusion and more featured his dazzling guitar playing.

 Out of TU Woody immediately joined the popular Gordon Michael's band (A&M records) where his sophisticated musicianship, multiple instruments & stage presence made him an instant favorite with the crowds. He played in various bands and styles during the years like Cinematrix w/Laura Hunter (Chrysalis Records), Crack the Sky (Lifesong Records), U.S. Bang (teaming up with Aerosmith's Joe Perry, Kix etc.), Multiplex - the first band to take the 'New Wave' music full-time in the Mid Atlantic. Touring up and down the East US and Caribbean continued with Strangelove, Zanzibar, & even Maryland's 1988 ..1 country band The Alamo Band, on keyboards with Pebbles & the Bam Bam Boys in front of 80,000 people.

 All the while he was writing and working on the CDs of his original group, Cubic Feet. Produced by the famous Peter Solley (The Romantics, Peter Frampton, Oingo Boingo etc.), and engineered by Shelly Yakus (Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks etc.) they've received international airplay, cracked the top 100 at a mainstream radio station, reached the top ten on several college stations, even to number one! As a producer, Woody has made recordings for dozens of artists in many styles and learned to work the intricate modern studio like an instrument.

 All that experience taught him how to express himself on almost every instrument & on his solo CDs he puts it much of it on display. In 1998 he teamed up with English folk recording artist (& sister) Kate Lissauer, folk singer Chris Noyes, opera singer Julia McCabe & others to infuse a female and Celtic component into his sound. This, combined with the futuristic drum tracks, exotic instruments, sophisticated production, and strange chords creates fascinating, emotional recordings that change from song to song! A must-hear! 

 Woody's voice is also like many instruments, sometimes growling sometimes soaring, always emotional. Woody has been compared to Joseph Arthur, David Grey, Beck, Bowie, Peter Gabriel and Radiohead. Find out why this CD has been called "Music you must hear" by Music Monthly Mag!

4)      Kip Marin: a fingerstyle guitarist who is well known from the coffee house circuit in Maryland- has recently been living in Florida but we were able to catch him on a promotional trip back to Maryland for his new CD "Chasing Hedges". Kip plays in the style of the late great acoustic guitarist Michael Hedges and has been known to wow audiences with his Harp Guitar playing. (Kip is the 4^th musician playing on the myspace site)