Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Doug Patrick
Coming up on August 16, 2010
See you there!
July 2010 Showcase
The July 2010 VOCAL showcase was held at O’Toole’s Irish Pub as it has been for the past few months now. Like the weather, there was a hot and steamy crowd in attendance, perhaps, the largest crowd yet to show up for one of these events. James Lester, on solo guitar, opened up the night with a set of blues tinged songs. As a member of The Richmond Blues Society, James demonstrated his adroitness with the genre deftly picking out various forms of blues, from standard 12 bar based tunes to some atonal blues. A lot of his material focused on contemporary issues, such as his first number which described becoming a baby boomer. “Golden Rule” his final song featured references to Palin, Rev. Wright and Obama. Overall, a fine set from James, well received by the audience. After a short break the next performer up was Sarah Kane with back up help from Leigh Giza. Sarah, beautifully decked out in a black gown and stunning necklace, started off her folk leaning set with “Polka in the Parking Lot” and picked her way through a few more songs, until inviting Leigh up to accompany her on vocals and rhythm instruments. Among the stand out songs were “Coffee” and “Crimson Sky”. The enjoyable set ended with an a’Capella reading, backed by the somber drumming of Leigh, of “A Gun” a solemn and haunting recitation on the devastation a gun can cause. Sarah is one of the newer members of VOCAL, and a welcome addition to the showcase. Another short break ensued while the featured performers of the evening set up. Final act of the evening, Norman Roscher and the Clackwells (Known as AL Sal and Blinky), a novelty act of gigantic proportions, came on. If you haven’t heard or attended a performance by these folks, you are sorely missing one of the most enjoyable groups in town. Norman kicked it off with a couple of solo tunes on his funky sounding piano, paying homage in one, to his daughters, with “My Little Girl”. Switching to guitar and joined by the Clackwells( really Evan, Liza and Deanna) Norman and the group romped through a series of uplifting and funny tunes, highlighted by “The Train” which featured onomatopoeiac guitar strumming and (Al) Evan’s thumping stand up bass accompaniment. “I Don’t Play Doctor, Anymore” featured visual aids held up at various times by Blinky (Deanna) and some deft washboard playing by Sal(Liza), Audience participation was encouraged for “Bip Bop On The Top” (pat your head). Urged on by the wildly enthusiastic crowd, The performers launched into a couple of closing novelty tunes “The Hat” and “Mr. McCall’s Pink Balls” leading to a vigorous demand for an encore, which was gladly granted. Norman and The Clackwells end the riotous night with the ever popular “Boobs” singalong. It was a fitting close to a great evening of varied and professional entertainment.
Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Norman Roscher:
Coming up on July 19, 2010
See you there!
The 227th Vocal Showcase at O’Tooles Restaurant on June 21st saw another full house, listening to the fine talents of three of Vocal’s premiere songwriters.
First off was the always entertaining Bill Wellons, with his Randy Newmanish piano tunes both topical and humorous. Bill started off his set with “Champions of the World”, in this reviewers opinion a masterpiece of exotic keyboard settings and melody and timing changes that kept you wanting more. His “Just for the Fun of It” was a playful instrumental one could imagine playing behind a silent movie. “Oh Hurricane”, was a touching tale about the woes of New Orleans following Katrina, with lyrics both biting and tender. “426″ was titled such because “that’s when I wrote the song, and couldn’t think of anything else to call it”, was another instrumental portrait for whatever thought the listener might have while appreciating this heart felt melody. Next, “Doggone Blues” was a morous look at dog ownership to which many in the audience could relate. Lastly, Bill played a new tune called “Man That’s Good Eatin”, which was about as close to Rap that I’ve ever heard Bill come, set to a bouncy country/ polka beat, and sung the celebration of food. It was a tasty and solid set of tunes.
Second up, Steve Nuckolls, treated the audience to a set of his sensitive ballads. Steve has more tenderness in his guitar pick than I have in my whole body! His ballads span the topic map, from leaving the hectic life in “Making My Get-a-way” to his heartstrings tugging love song, “Something About Your Love”. Then he sings about his mountain roots in “Back Home in the Backroads” where he hits some high notes that I was sure was due to a tugging pixie in his tighty-whities, Whew! His next tunes, ”Alleyman” and ” When the Flags Half-Mast” spoke of homelessness, and death with melodies that carried the message straight to your heart. “Much Obliged” was about the stories of a hitch-hiker during one of his rides, and the closer, ” Simunye” summed up emotions from a trip to Africa. Steve as always, kept us in touch with our hearts.
The headliner, was Triad, which is comprised of Dave Pollard, and Dale and Vickie Payne. Dave and Dale played acoustic guitars, while Vickie kept the percussive beat. Their sound, which I could best describe as “country folk pop” was uplifting and tight. The harmonies brought many of the tunes to a professional peak that never let you down. The first number, ”Leaving Town” was an instrumental with some punchy guitar licks provided by Dale. “Goodbye”, was a heartfelt tune about an ended love affair, and showcased the background vocal harmonies these three have mastered. “Anne Marie”, a tune written and sung by Dale, was a country-folk ballad also about failed love, and was sung with passion and flair. “Downtown Side of the Street”, a Dave Pollard song that reminded me of Dan Fogelberg, was an uplifting number that just made you want to smile. ”Reach Out Your Hand” was written by Dave to his sister, who was having difficulties at the time. I’m sure this tune helped bring her out of her funk just for the sheer positive vibe of the message and melody. ”Devil’s Den” was a Dale song that sounded like a bit of Steve Earle influence was evident. Sung by Vickie, it was a touching number about the woman left behind by her military husband who was eventually lost to war. A chilling tune made tender by the close harmonies of Dave and Dale. ”Church of the Mind” as Dave said, “is a tune about Ocracoke. Spoke of hanging out at this mental place for a bit of escape “every Wednesday at 10!” The next number, “Rock Me in the Cradle (Roll me in your arms)” was a love song that had a Jimmy Buffet meets Jim Croce feel. The great guitar licks took this tune to the next musical level. The closing song was one written by Dale called “Bull Pasture River”. This county tinged tune was about a beloved mountain get a way which was beautifully painted by the tight backing vocals of Dave and Vickie.
As Triad were singing about “heaven in the hills” on this final number, I was thinking..”heaven is right here, right now with all of this great music”.
Thanks to all for a thoroughly engrossing show!
-Norman Roscher
Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Dave Pollard, Dale Payne and Vickie Payne:
Coming up on June 21, 2010
See you there!
VOCAL May 2010 Showcase Review
Not even a steady downpour could deter the small but enthusiastic crowd that gathered at O’Toole’s pub for the VOCAL, 2010 May showcase. The bill consisted of three performers. First up was John Ellis, who entertained the audience with a set of original acoustic material that included two instrumentals, one, titled “Just What You Were Looking For” was expressly composed for his brother’s wedding. Another “A Time Piece” featured some well executed arpeggio runs. As an encore, John covered “Crying Shame” a song written by VOCAL member Gary Shaver and gave it a good country feel. After a short break, Richard Hinman took the mike. This was Richard’s debut showcase performance for VOCAL. Once wired up, he started his nine song set off with a boogie tune “On The Levee” which, as you might guess was about love down by the Mississippi river. Richard demonstrated a great command of various musical styles as he moved through his set list. Folk (”Lonnie Mae”) bossa nova (”Oh Rio”), reggae (”Reggae Band”) which featured a solo break that imitated the sound of a steel drum, and some more jazzier pieces (”Crazy For You”, “Purple Passage”). All-in-all it was an auspicious start for Richard in his first VOCAL performance. Last, but certainly not third rate, by any means, was the featured performer of the evening, Darryl Ellyson. Accompanied by Josh Wortham on electric keyboards, Darryl wowed the crowd with a set of old and new tunes. Mostly thematic in nature, songs of broken hearts and love gone awry, he used his big booming voice to mesmerize the audience wih blues riffs and minor accents. Kicking off the set was “Newsman Blues” a self explanatory saga of unfulfilled love. “I’m Still In Love With You” was highighted by a great musical fill from Josh. Among the new tunes, “When I Close My Eyes” stood out for its soulful bluesy quality. Another new one “Comes a Better Way” also stood out. As a closer, Darryl gave us “When I Get Home” which got a large round of applause from the appreciative gathering. This was the 226th consecutive VOCAL showcase, and the performing artists demonstrated the breadth and scope of the talent that exists within it’s members. OUr next showcase, again at O’Tooles, will be on June 21st. Make plans to be there.
All VOCAL members and others interested in writing good songs should attend the Paul Reisler workshop. I’ve attended a workshop of his in the past, and I can assure you he’s quite professional, talented, and a good teacher, who can benefit your efforts in writing or just learning to better enjoy music. VOCAL exists, in part, to improve the writing of its members and others who do original music, so this is a must-attend workshop. We VOCAL members are never satisfied with mediocre songs anyone could dash out on the kitchen table. We want to write solid, enjoyable songs. And we love having an event like the Paul Reisler workshop to help us do that.
Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Darryl Ellyson:
Coming up on May 17, 2010
See you there!
The 225th consecutive edition of VOCAL’s live music Showcase was presented at O’Toole’s Restaurant & Pub on April 19, 2010. A fine turnout of VOCAL members and others were treated to an evening of original songs that covered a lot of musical ground.
To get his the first set rolling, Louie Millhouse did an introductory song. What better way to introduce a songwriters’ show than to do it with an original song? It was a witty number that let us all know that “your mother will still love you, no matter how bad you suck.” Then, Louie got a little more serious and did a pop-sounding song followed by a nice latin-rhythm offering. Next, he was joined onstage by his daughter, Nancy Millhouse, on bass, and VOCAL-member Gary Shaver on flute for a song called “Lonely Waters”, which had a Van Morrison kind of feel. Gary Shaver moved over to keyboard and did a solid country love song, “Trading the Present for the Past,” as a tribute to a now-deceased, loyal and beloved Richmond music fan, Big Al. Gary was accompanied by singer Robyn Kim and Nancy Millhouse on bass. The same group stayed onstage for the next number, a pleasing latin-rhythm song, with solo singing by Robyn Kim, and followed that with an up-tempo latin sound featuring harmony singing by Louie, Gary, and Robyn. Then Gary Shaver was joined in a duet with Robyn Kim to do a country song, “Let’s Leave It Alone,” portraying a couple of reluctant lovers. Gary went on with the last number in the set, a country song written by VOCAL’s founder, Cham Laughlin, with Nancy Walker, telling about the ending of a love affair recognized by “the little things that you don’t do.” A very nice set of well-performed and entertaining songs.
Gerry Laverty came on to do the closing set. Gerry did a set of his trademark, densely poetic, thought-provoking folk songs, with a couple of style variations which provided a nice entertaining contrast. He started with “the details of the catastrophe” and moved into a bluesy song about the effect of insomnia on those “blues in the night.” Gerry followed this by a nice, folky song expressed from the point of view of an old house, with its reminiscences, and accompanied himself with harmonica. He went on with a very poetic song referring to the “blood of the Nazarene,” and then did the big crowd favorite, “Lonesome Blue Eyes,” a song that has been covered by several VOCAL members. Gerry went on with the powerful song of social commentary, “This Lethal World,” then closed with another trademark song about love out of reach at “Zion Crossroads.” As always, a strong set of heartfelt and emotional songs by Gerry Laverty.
Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Gerry Laverty:
Coming up on April 19, 2010
See you there!
Doug Patrick VOCAL Songwriters Showcase Podcast August 2010: