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Kingston Chapter News
Volume 20, Issue 3: January & February 2000
Newsletter segments:
Kingston chapter news, Patterson chapter news, Poughkeepsie chapter news, and other articles.Kingston November/December 1999
by Cheryl A. Rice
The November 6 Open Stage was an experiment-- Kingston Unplugged! Giving MC Vince Sauter and soundman Joe Murray the night off, the 33 or so who attended were seated in a wide circle, lights up, instruments bare and wireless. The cool but pleasant weather had persisted through the day, and the night was clear for stars in all directions.
Vince started the night off with a familiar favorite, "Mr. Bojangles", his warm, unpretentious style enhanced by the round-robin format. Next was HVFG President Linda Breithaupt in a rare but welcome appearance, singing "something else everyone can sing along to...", Joni Mitchell's "Circle Game". The wry, dry poems of Bob Wright cam next, always with a fresh view on family themes. Yours Truly followed with two more poems, and was followed in turn by a Kingston newcomer, Eileen, making her "professional debut" with a Stevie Nicks tune.
Another old timer made an appearance next, "Doc" Howell, with a terrific 'whistle-along', "Grandma Whistlin' What a Friend We Have in Jesus". Scott Morrison followed with an energetic instrumental ("You know the words..." he quipped to friend Bob Hall). The round-robin setup was quite conducive to singalongs (in most instances!)
Joe Murray was next with his Celtic band, consisting of son Steven and father-in-law Pat Lyons, with some traditional ballads, including an authentic Irish polka! Continuing with the father/son act portion of the evening were Kevin and David Becker (the latter, age 6, making his second appearance at Kingston as a performer!). The Beckers did a rousing original, "Captain Kidd".
Chris DePalma, usually amped to the max, borrowed an acoustic guitar and doubled his poignancy output on "Someday I'll Know", one of his own. Bruce Ackerman followed with another instrumental, "Love Letters in the Sand". Cheryl Wheeler, accompanied by MC Sauter, did the inspirational "Water and Spirit," her own work.
After the break, Vince read a lengthy intro for Joe Murray, penned by Murray ("Thanks for those kind words, Vince..."), which set the tone for the first half of the evening's featured performances. With an ease that belies his formidable talents, Joe strummed a couple of elegant ditties, including a favorite medley, "All Of Me/Write Myself a Letter". After his set, Joe introduced our second featured performer, Chapter Prez Denise Jordan Finley. Denise took the spotlight for a couple of ballads and was rejoined after by Joe, in severely upgraded attire ("Didn't you get my E-mail?" lamented Denise at first sight of raggedy Joe.). Their Bono-like banter was charming; it was good to see these two performing together again. Their songs together included a cover of Hoyt Axton's "Bony Fingers", and the rollicking "Acousticville". Denise took a snooze while Joe did Denver's "Annie's Song", only to be awakened by his 'horn section' (you had to be there...). "Traffic Jam" was an a capella performance piece, something a little different for these two. The highlight of this feature may have been Joe's 'honk-along'! Bravo!
Meanwhile, back at the round-robin afterwards, Vince and Linda got together for "Take My Hand". Cheryl Wheeler came back with a lovely piano piece, "Be Still and Know". Bob Wright did another pithy poem, as did Yours Truly. Eileen covered "Guitar Man", and "Doc" came back with the mighty "Missouri". Scott M. countered with "The Funky Avocado", followed close behind by the clan Murray with a couple of hornpipes. Mr. Becker returned with his seasonally appropriate, "A Pilgrim's Thanksgiving Song", and managed to lure lovely Carol up for "The Apple Tree Song". Chris crooned another of his own, "I Want You". Bruce Ackerman came back around the bend with "Chattenooga Choo-Choo" and Ms. Breithaupt sent the crowd home with the mother of all singalongs, "Good Night Irene".
It was back to folk biz as usual on December 4. Vince opened with "Make Me an Angel". He was followed by Dave and Kathy Gordon with "Union Miner", a Civil War ballad, and "Waltzing Matilda". Young Steven Murray (all of 12 years) returned as a solo act, with two classic tunes on the pennywhistle. 'The apple don't fall far from the tree', as they say. John Martucci was next with "a song about perseverance", Janis Ian's "This Old Town". He also gave us his version of the Beatles' "Lonely Lifetime".
Patricia Bradaigh rejoined us after an extended absence. "One of the sweetest voices in Kingston" (so dubbed by Vince) did two a capella numbers, "Tillago Lake" and the ubiquitous "Kumbaya", in the spirit of "warmth, light and love". Newcomer Ethan Campbell presented two introductory tunes, "Running On Faith" and an original, "This Moment". Welcome Ethan!
Ackerman returned with a jazzed up "Sleigh Ride", among others. Blair Shepard served up some "Hot Buttered Rum" and I myself countered with two new poems. Michael Stark continued the invasion of the versifiers with two poems as well, including "Lucy": "...angels came, armed to the teeth....". Very effective stuff. Denise and Joe did a snappy a capella version of "White Christmas" ("We learned it in the parking lot...) and Denise soloed, by request of Les Herring, on her song for all mothers, in this season of the newborn, "How Fair Is My Baby".
Lisa Dudley, refugee from Vince Sauter's Clinton coffeehouse (due to resume in February) closed the first half of the evening with more sweet seasonal fare, "Santa Bring My Daddy Home" and "Angel Named Gabriel".
After the break, one of the members of our featured group won a FREE HVFG t-shirt-- Pat LaManna! Congratulations, Pat! Raggedy Crew, the aforementioned group, consists of the aforementioned Pat, Amy Strom, and Tom Walker. They opened with a song to celebrate Hanukah, followed by a traditional Scottish air and "Thomas the Cat", a clever tune the group first heard as performed by Alien Folklife. A Civil War-era epistle provided the lyrics for their next song, "Sullivan Ballou's Last Letter Home", a touching message sweetly sung. "Paint 'Em Pink" is Pat's musical solution to unrest on all levels. The mournful "Rossi Bay" shows off Amy's skills as both a singer and actress. Next was the song that gave name to the group, "I Don't Mind Failing", penned by Unitarian activist/folksinger Malvina Reynolds, an exciting close to an impressive set by a group that entertains, inspires and delights!
Vince ended the evening with a Christmas song he wrote four years ago, "with no refrain or peppy melody". Just the way we like it, Vince; straight from the heart. January and February are both totally open stages, so come on out (unless it's blizzarding! Check local radio for last minute info!)
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