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Hungrytown 4/19/08 Notlob Series, Jamaica Plain MA

Source: http://groups.google.com/group/strangeheads/browse_thread/thread/96dd12b2e0b756d6

This was my second time to the Notlob Parlor Concert series in the
historic Loring-Greenough House -- the other time was the Dave Carter
Tribute 8/11/07 featuring Chris Thompson Lively, Adam Sweeney, Eric
McDonald, Beth DeSombre, Ryan Fitzsimmons, and Dana Price.

This was a perfect room to see Hungrytown -- the "old-timey-ness" of
the music fit the antique surroundings to a "t," and the intimacy of
the venue was just right for Rebecca & Ken's songs. Having Molly
Pinto-Madigan of Jaded Mandolin open for Hungrytown was an inspired
bit of programming as well.

I joined R&K as their "singalong specialist" on 3 songs, "Rose or the
Briar," "On the Other Side," and "Hungrytown Road."

Molly Pinto-Madigan --

Twa Corbies
Silver Dagger
Now I Can See
I Am Weary, Let Me Rest
Spancil Hill
Naturally

Hungrytown --

Hello Stranger
Rose or the Briar (w/ Bruce P)
If I Needed You
Going North
On the Other Side (w/ Bruce P)
Solid Ground
Darkest Hour
Long Black Shore
Sculptor's Song
Hard Way to Learn
California

Come Around
One Morning in May
Rosemary Lane
O Lord
Pretty Polly
Every Day
Weep Not For Me
Hungrytown Road (w/ Bruce P)
Lucille Lucille

With Tomorrow (encore)

R&K's touring camper, the Blue Meanie, is Hungrytown World
Headquarters whenever Rebecca & Ken are on the road. Seeing the Blue
Meanie outside the venues when I arrive makes me feel lucky -- lucky
to be there -- and I got to enjoy that lucky feeling 3 times in the
past month (3/29 Titusville, 4/11 Montclair, 4/19 Jamaica Plain) which
is unusual.

I used to look forward to seeing the Nields' tour van too (first white
Moby and later green Nessie), when the Full Band Nields made the road
their home. Moby -- Nessie -- Blue Meanie. 3 legendary touring vans
with their very own names! :-)

3 has been a lucky number for me before. When I once saw Gandalf
Murphy 3 nights in a row (Passim 6/12/03 w/ TK, PACE 6/13/03, Grey
Goose 6/14/03), a picture I took of them at that third show
inexplicably wound up in the packaging for Flapjacks From the Sky
under the name "mad baggins" !

So when I went up to sing the first of 3 songs with R&K tonight and
they introduced me as Hungrytown's #1 fan, I knew that the 3rd time
was the charm for me once again. Titusville -- Montclair -- Jamaica
Plain!

Several people asked me after the show how I knew Rebecca & Ken. And
without any hesitation, I said it was because of the Kennedys, who
founded the Strangelings!

Is it any wonder I'm digging this new Kennedys song so much? -- "I
found a road that leads to you! Hey! Hey! Hey!"

From Beth Fridinger, Photographer

"I had the pleasure of attending a great concert of the Notlob Acoustic Music Series put n by Jeff Boudreau, held at the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain. This was an incredible experience hearing these artists, Marylou Ferrante and Dennis Brennan on October 6, perform close up with no microphones and no amplifiers, utilizing the natural acoustic qualities of the room. The experience was nothing like I have experienced listening to them in a bar environment or even a coffeehouse. The historical house is a beautiful and unique environment, and it makes for a very intimate experience with the artists close up. The sound quality is incredible here, and I could hear every nuance. I could not have imagined how different this experience would be. As an avid music fan I highly recommend the Notlob Acoustic Music Series." - Beth Fridinger, Photographer, October 8, 2007

Bruce Palmatier's review of Dave Carter Tribute (8/11/07)

Dave Carter Tribute 8/11/07 Notlob Series, Jamaica Plain MA

This Dave Carter Tribute was a round robin affair featuring 6 talented musicians who all happen to be gifted interpreters of Dave Carter's music -- Chris Thompson, Adam Sweeney, Eric McDonald, Beth DeSombre, Ryan Fitzsimmons & Dana Price.

The show took place under the auspices of the Notlob Acoustic Music Series at the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain. I've scarcely ever had so much fun in an acoustic setting like this one. First, it was an intimate room in a Colonial Era mansion. Second, the round robin format was conducive to workshop-style collaboration and spontaneous singalongs. Third, all 6 of the musicians were in tune to their muse, to the audience, and with one another, a really exceptional good vibe in the room. And fourth and foremost, the evening showcased wonderful performances of Dave Carter songs, both well-known classics and lesser-known gems.

"When I Go" (Adam Sweeney, lead vocal and banjo; Dana Price, fiddle; Chris Thompson, vocal harmony. Adam & Dana ended with the fast duo ending).
"Disappearing Man" (Dana Price, lead vocal and fiddle; Ryan Fitzsimmons, guitar and vocal harmony. Dana was actually singing and playing fiddle at the same time in some parts).
"The Mountain" (Chris Thompson, lead vocal and guitar; general singalong).
"Red (Elegy)" (Beth DeSombre, lead vocal and guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, guitar solo; Adam Sweeney, vocal harmony).
"Song For Dave" (Eric McDonald, lead vocal and mandolin. This was an Eric McDonald original, a tribute to Dave Carter sprinkled with song references).
"Tillman Co." (Ryan Fitzsimmons, lead vocal and guitar) .
"Hard to Make It" (Adam Sweeney, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, mandolin) .
"Gentle Soldier of My Soul" (Dana Price, lead vocal; Ryan Fitzsimmons,guitar and vocal harmony) .
"Tanglewood Tree" (Chris Thompson, lead vocal and guitar; Beth DeSombre, vocal countermelody; Eric McDonald,mandolin solo; general singalong).
"Calvary Hill" (Beth DeSombre, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, mandolin. Beth said that this is an unrecorded Dave Carter song). "Elvis Presley" (Eric McDonald, lead vocal and guitar; Dana Price, fiddle) .
"Cat-Eye Willie Claims His Lover" (Ryan Fitzsimmons, lead vocal and guitar; Dana Price, second lead vocal, fiddle, and vocal harmony. This brought down the house. Ryan & Dana worked magic with this difficult yet captivating story-song).
"41 Thunderer" (Adam Sweeney, lead vocal and guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, vocal harmony; Dana Price, fiddle)
"I Go Like the Raven" (Dana Price, lead vocal and fiddle; Eric McDonald, guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, vocalharmony. Dana was a portrait of perfection on both the difficult lead vocal and the difficult fiddle part).
"Gypsy Rose" (Chris Thompson, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, vocal harmony and mandolin).
”Any Way I Do" (Beth DeSombre, lead vocal and guitar; Eric McDonald, mandolin; general singalong).
"Little Liza Jane" (Eric McDonald, lead vocal and guitar; Ryan Fitzsimmons, second guitar; Dana Price, fiddle. This was another one that brought down the house. Eric was just smoking on this rampaging narrative about a runaway truck on a mountain road).
"Crocodile Man" (Ryan Fitzsimmons leading the whole ensemble, with some of them taking turns on instrumental solos).
"Gentle Arms of Eden" (tutti; Chris Thompson sang v. 1; Adam Sweeney sang v. 2; Beth DeSombre & Eric McDonald sang v. 3; Ryan Fitzsimmons sang v. 4; general singalong on the choruses).

What a good time! Incredible, terrific. I can't remember ever being at a show like this one. It really defies comparison for me.
The true flame of Dave Carter music is very much alive!

Credits follow --
Notlob Parlor Concerts

Chris Thompson Adam Sweeney Eric McDonald Beth DeSombre Ryan Fitzsimmons Dana Price

Bruce

Nov 27 2007 6:14 PM

hello jeff
thanks for your comment a way back...I hope your concerts are going great! Rose and I loved the concert you hosted for us...
all the best
Sharon
:-)

Nov 27, 2007 9:06 PM

what a wonderful venue jeff! it was a pleasure to meet you and an absolute joy to perform there.

i'm finally off the road and home again - hope i get back down your way soon!
cheers,
lenore

Home sweet home

Rose Polenzani and Sharon Lewis, Loring-Greenough House, June 20, 2007

By: MICAH C. BELLIEU

6/25/2007 2:07:05 PM

HOME-STYLE FOLK: Rose Polenzani and Sharon Lewis serve it up at the Loring-Greenough House.

It’s sweaty, there are drinks (as long as you like Sprite), and 40 loyal fans of two singer-songwriters — local favorite Rose Polenzani and the UK’s Sharon Lewis — are in place. This is no club show, however, but the third sellout for the Notlob House Concert music series at the 18th-century Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain. With its low kitchen counters, narrow hallways, and squeaky wooden floors, the Loring-Greenough is far from your typical concert venue. And Jeff Boudreau, Notlob’s de facto MC and booking agent, seems both stressed and first-day-of-kindergarten excited as the evening begins and the crowd stroll into what might at one time have been the house’s “cocktail hour” room. Even before the show begins, you realize how intimate the space is: front row means you can reach out and kick the performer without even standing. You have to sit in the second row to get any perspective.

This is the last gig of Rose and Sharon’s “Kings and Queens” tour, so it’s with sweet sorrow that they greet the crowd. They trade off singing lead, but both stay in the spotlight throughout, with Rose playing guitar and Sharon piano. Rose’s airy yet grounded delivery blends nicely with Sharon’s graceful voice, which takes on something of a Victorian sensibility. The sole amplification comes from the small Crate amp tucked behind the two performers; it enhances the rawness of their folksy storytelling, and the room’s high ceiling creates a warm, natural reverb. For the encore, they snap their way through a song they wrote on the road together. It’s hard to play guitar in a car, they explain.

Boudreau intends to continue booking singer-songwriters in the roots, newgrass, and Americana veins through April of 2008. And beyond that? He gives a big smile: “As long as there are musicians who are interested and fans to support them.” For information about the Notlob House Concerts, visit www.myspace.com/notlobhouseconcerts.

http://www.bostonphoenixadult.com/article_ektid42382.aspx