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Poughkeepsie Chapter News
Volume 20, Issue 5: May & June 2000
Newsletter segments:
Kingston chapter news, Patterson chapter news, Poughkeepsie chapter news, and other articles.-by John Martucci
March's coffeehouse had a great turnout. Ed Leaver led off with twelve-string guitar and two folk songs, "Lark in the Morning" and "Long Train Ride". Our emcee, Mike Clarke, followed with, "House on Pooh Corner" and a song about the joys of the single life-- with an appropriate disclaimer, of course. Opinions expressed in songs are not necessarily those of the performer (or even the songwriter, for that matter). A warm welcome back to Peter Martin and Carol Hotte, who performed " I Dance & Dance". They will be doing some dancing at their September wedding. Ron Gluck sang "Mrs. McGrath" and did a solo guitar medley of Brazilian tunes.
We had a Patterson-style feature-- two "featurettes". Part One was ably filled by Kevin & Carol Becker, who always bring something new to their show. This time it was a long-awaited and loving tribute to their son David. They balanced the set with "Rickety Tickety Tin" and ended with their beautiful harmony in "Pass It On".
Part Two was no less ably filled by Denise Finley and Joe Murray. Their blend of guitar work and vocals was ideal. They did a haunting rendition of "What If God Was One of Us?", followed by "Indigo Blues", "At Seventeen" and "We Can Only Wonder Why". For the Grand Finale, Denise, Joe and the Beckersteamed up for a piano 8-hands version of "This Land Is Your Land". Putting the two parts together, one couldn't ask for a better feature.
Matt Finley and his digital orchestra played "Book's Bossa". A newcomer, Brian Hague, did two Alan McNett songs, with Peter Martin on bass. Barbara Mahon sang deeply felt renditions of "The Back Door" and "I Wish You Love". Judith Nass, who helps with the refreshments, took to the stage with Tom Walker and sang, "You Belong to Me" in a lovely voice. I hope she comes up more often. Kathy Walker sang a song called "Timer" with nimble, bluesy melismas. Joe Murray and his father (playing accordian) ended the evening with "Galway Hornpipe" and "Port of Kincorra".
April 15th was an evening of excellent music, with Denise Finley as our peerless MC and opening performer. She sang a haunting, soulful rendition of "Three Men on a Mountain," and an in-your-face version of "Hunger." Bonnie Richardson, gifted poet, read three short poems, the first about magnolias and the last about a parrot. Steve Otlowski flexed his vocal muscles on "The Dawning of the Day," "Dona Dona," and "The Wait".
Barbara Mahon brought up an important point in the introduction to her first original song; the Folk Guild awakens the songwriter in many of those who come regularly to our coffeehouses. She sang two original songs, the first a clever and amusing song that, after several mentions of her cat, assures us that it is not about the cat (it's about songwriting). The second was called, "Circle of Love." Chris DePalma followed with beautiful guitar playing on two cover songs.
Our feature was the walking folk library Lyn Burnstine, with the able assistance of the Folk Guild's top banana, Linda Breithaupt. Together, Library and Banana sang, a cappella, "Mother River." Lyn's set, containing many singalongs, included, "Never Turning Back," "In the Names of Our Children," "Waltzing With Bears," and her finale', "Love Will Guide Us." As usual, she brought out the harmonist in some of listeners as the audience sang along. It was an inspiring set.
After the feature, we had a round of encores from most of the night's performers. Yes, it was an excellent evening.
(Editor's Note: The Poughkeepsie Coffeehouse season ends with the May 13 edition)
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