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Kingston Chapter News
Volume 21, Issue 1: September & October 2000
Newsletter segments:
Kingston chapter news, Patterson chapter news, Poughkeepsie chapter news, and other articles.May Report by Cheryl A. Rice
Bruce Blair pinch-hit for regular MC Vince Sauter at the May 6 coffeehouse, the sultry spring weather having provided the Hudson Valley with its first fair day. First up to the mic was Michael Aguirre with two originals, "Blue Oasis" and "The Blues Slipped On Some Shades Last Night". Welcome, Michael! (Why do the blues make you feel so good?)
Next up was Kathy Donovan, another open mic novice! "Lord Take Me On To You" was her first song,a gospel original done a capella. Her tribute to Jack Kerouac, another original, was equally moving. Some pipes! Steve & Terry Massardo returned, as 'Yankee Rose' rode into town again, on the wings of two angels, "The Angels Rejoiced" and "In the Arms of the Angels".
Norman & Nathan Brohm, members for several years now, did what Norman described as their, "favorite folk song of all time," "Shenandoah." (Banjos always welcome!) With strong, clear voices and that undeniable family vocal harmony, the Brohms were a real treat. MC Blair took a turn at the mic next. Despite a wild wedding celebration, Bruce chose two suitable tunes, "No Regrets," a Tom Rush song, and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?", most recently recorded by that other famous Scot, Rod Stewart.
Bob Wright offered up his usual fare of pithy poetry. John & Rebekah Martucci, most often found at the Poughkeepsie coffeehouse, could be found here in Kingston this evening. "Across the Great Divide" was, according to Rebekah, Kate Wolf's last composition. "Give It Back" is by Carmel, New York's own Michael Baruch. Blair Shepard, now in real estate, did the seasonally challenging, "Thanksgiving Eve", followed by "For Real," both Bob Franke tunes.
After the break veteran guitar man and featured performer Bob Lusk took center stage. "Bonny, Bonny Broom" set the tone. Bob is best known for his interpretations of classic traditional and folk tunes from around the world. Based on a classical guitar piece, "This Game That We play" spoke of forbidden love. "Monday Morning" spole of that cursed day and the alarms's consequences. An old Blues Project song, "Love Will Endure", followed, followed in turn by "Ordinary Love" and "Soldier's Joy," on an authentic Irish tenor banjo no less. Two originals closed Bob's hearty set, "The Music Will Follow" and "Smoke Goes Everywhere". Thanks, Bob. It's a pleasure to hear a performer so at ease before an audience.
Kevin Becker continued the open stage portion of the eveining with yet another obscure Bob Dylan tune. He was joined by the lovely Carol on "We Are Grateful", as we all were for this beautiful evening. Poet Number Two for the evening was Michael Stark, with a plethora of pieces. Lisa Dudley did two of her own songs, before now never performed in public, "With My Beloved" and "Karma's Comin' Down". Melanie Crawford was next (a night of newcomers!) with a John Prine song, "Angel from Montgomery", and a lovely original from the vaults. Finley & Murray closed the evening, that is, Denise & Soundman Joe, with "What If God Was One of Us?" Nice job, kids! Nice haircut, Denise!
June Report by Les Herring
The 1999--2000 season's last Kingston coffeehouse on June 3 was a unique combination of words and music, as for the first time a poet, Kingston's Cheryl A. Rice, was a coffeehouse feature. Vince Sauter, our emcee, started off the festivities with his own "Magic of a Summer Night." Esther Frances, joined by friends Mike Aguirre and Ethan Campbell, performed two originals, "Oh, Yeah" and "Mother Earth Blues". Mike Aguirre took over the microphone with "Triple Zen" and "Wanna be a Guitar Singer."
Cheryl then performed the first set of her feature, concentrating on poems observing her surroundings, expressing thoughts on anarchists, coins, turtles, nieces, macaroni, mothers, weddings, and dancing, all framed in concise and compelling words.
Ethan Campbell followed Cheryl with two original songs-- "Too Long Alone" and "Another World". Poet Bob Wright followed Ethan with his own sharp observations on summer nights, slipping convictions, and relationships. Bruce Blair was next up to the mic with Kathy Mattea's "Life as we Knew It" and Rod Stewart's hit "Gasoline Alley".
Andy Ferraro was back! Bearing a new Yamaha guitar, Andy brought the good news that he will probably be returning to this area, and performed "Walking in Your Daydreams" and "Good Shepherd." Phil Miller finished the first half of the coffeehouse with two of his renowned compositions, "Long Days Ago" and "Breeze."
After the break, Cheryl read a set of poems dealing with more personal topics--"The Color of Sod", "The Bridge". "Trust in the Diner", first snow, seafood, heartbreak, and the sounds of human ships passing in the night. Her words proved often as moving as any song.
Ed Kenny was back! Ed hasn't been seen in this venue since the days of the late lamented Folkloric Music Association. He performed John Prine's "Paradise" and Green Day's "Time of Your Life". Bill Wemmerus broke up the guitar monopoly by playing banjo on Lee Hayes' "Get Up and Go", and was joined by Stephen Rhodes for Leadbelly's "Goodnight Irene". Steve hung around to do Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush" and his own "Cheyenne Girl." Denise Jordan Finley was up next,doing "Forgotten Blues" and Joan Osborne's hit "Saint Teresa". Blair Shepard also broke the guitar mold by doing an a capella set--"Grey Funnel Line" and "Evolution". Vince Sauter returned with Joe Murray to finish out an outstanding evening with Merle Haggard's "Good Times Over for Good". A fitting end to another fine Kingston season.
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