September 2011 VOCAL Showcase #242

Despite a light turnout, this night’s VOCAL showcase was enthusiastically presented. A standout group of performers gave the audience what they came for, lots of great music and entertainment. The entertainers were eclectic, emotional and eccentric. A somewhat novel approach for showcase was used for the first set of performers, three songwriters doing a round robin of songs, alternating after each song. Though, it might have been better to have three stools and the singers on stage throughout the set, the result was still very successful. First up, was Eileen Edmonds, a songwriter of well honed material and voice. She presented an eclectic mix of music during her five song set. Standouts included “Don’t Forget Mississippi”, “Roaring Back” and “Pieces of Light” which received lots of applause. She is a well seasoned veteran and skilled artist in the Richmond music scene. Following her in the rotation was Pam McCarthy. Pam is a long time VOCAL member and well known performer in Central Virginia. Much of her material on the 12 string, was highly emotional, detailing failing relationships and heartfelt longing. Standouts included “The Good Years”, “Just a Kiss” and Empty Arms”. (titles intuited). Her voice was well suited to the material. Last in the round robin, but certainly not a subset, was Glenda Creamer, a lady of immense talent and story-telling ability. She wowed the audience with some humorous and eccentric country themed songs and musical longings such as the opener “Sailing September Winds”, Among the favorites and cheer getters were “Dumpling” and “Country Kids”. Much of her material was infused with high soprano voicings that added to the sort of homespun presentation. Overall: these three women ably demonstrated what a fine array of musical talent we have in VOCAL.
Featured artist of the evening was Bill Wellons. An apt title for him might be “Mr. Pianoman” as he demonstrated his highly versatile ability at the keyboard throughout his nine song set. Name a style, jazz, country, blues. pop and he can do it. “Lucky Old Guy” exhibited a Randy Newmanish quality of well composed pop. “Three Ring Circus” accompanied by Gary Shaver on sax, fell right into the novelty bag. “Penicillin” (John Ellis on guitar) provided some comic relief and showed off Bill’s great lyric sense. With vocal assistance from Steve Nuckolls, Bill next delighted the audience with his homage to Lady Gaga. And then there was the show stopper, “Gonna Take My Baby Dancing” a 1920’s style tune, which apparently was especially written for the singer of it, Norman Nortledorf who, in his best dress-up outfit, gave us a raucous animated performance of the song. Closing out the night, Bill played a couple of blues tinged songs to complete a well presented. pleasing night of musical variety and song stylings. Kudos also go out Steve Smithson for doing a fine job handling the sound board and mixing.

For anyone interested in how the music business works today I think listening to this guy desribe what you need to do to get your music heard today, is worthwhile. This is a series of ten minute videos Mynority put together. Gets tedious, but there is valuable info on here. The gist of this being you need to use the power of the cloud.

http://www.weshopsongs.com/cloud-music-business.html

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Bill Wellons

 

 Bill Wellons VOCAL Songwriters Showcase Podcast September 2011 [8:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Coming up on September 19, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• In-the-Round: Glenda Creamer, EIleen Edmonds, Sarah Kane
• Headliner: Bill Wellons
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Gary Shaver on VOCAL’s Celebrationof  20 years of continuous showcases.

 

 Celebtrating 20 Years! VOCAL Songwriters Showcase Podcast August 2011 [9:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Coming up on August 15, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• Larry Cody
• Matthew Costello
• Glenda Creamer
• Eileen Edmonds
• John Ellis
• Chuck Kerwaith
• Russell Lawson
• Steve Nuckolls
• Don Pinkleton
• Gary Shaver
• Jim Uzel
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!

Vocal Showcase: July 18, 2011

Tonight’s showcase featured two contrasting artists: Gerry Laverty, the smooth balladeer and Andrew Rohlk, the Emo singer/songwriter. Laverty was first up and kicked off his location oriented set with “Only Need”, a touching Irish folk song with echoes of military and skirling undertones provided by his strumming technique. The medium sized audience was very enthusiastic, and responded with a big round of applause. “Details of Catastrophe” Followed next and Gerry accompanied himself with mouth harp on this rockabilly tinged song about the post Katrina aftermath. A song written from the perspective of a house continued the set in what was a dylanesque folk style. Heading back to his Irish roots. Gerry next gave us “Don’t Want to Die” which was inspired, he says, by the tragic death of Glenn Miller, who disappeared during WWII, while flying over the Atlantic. The minor chorded “Blues In The Night” offered a change of pace in tone. “Jerusalem” picked up the tempo and outlined the conflicts going on in the Middle East, to the end that peace is a desired outcome. He next called up Valerie Rourke to provide harmony on “Lonesome Blue Eyes” which offered the audience a traditional sounding country song set in Montana. Closing out his set Laverty offered up his signature song “Zion Crossroads” about a lonely lover awaiting his never-to-show lady love. All in all, a trip around the world in song done to perfection by Gerry’s flawless picking and singing talents.
After a short intermission, the featured performer of the night, Andrew Rohlk took the stage. Andrew is a newer member of VOCAL and brings a refreshing youthful outlook to his music and the group. Most of his selections were in the emotional (EMO) category, detailing broken or unsettled relationships. “Not To Late” was first and immediately one could hear echoes of John Mayer or Dave Matthews in his performance style, using his guitar more as punctuation to the lyrics than melodic accompaniment. “stubbornly” Added falsetto singing to the chorus, which Rohlk continued injecting sporadically during his set. This was followed by “Only Friends” and “Fade Away” which continued in the free form style of song construction he uses. A work-in-progress song “Make a Decision” followed which seemed fairly well complete. “Too Much Input” was, perhaps, the most accessible song of the night as it had the most traditional form of song composition, a verse/chorus pattern. A new song “Everytime” had a blues quality to it and was enhanced by the falsetto singing. A cover of “Ring of Fire” was next. Andrew closed out his set with two more original songs. “Conversation About You” and a singalong closer “What This Will Be”, which heartily engaged the audience, Rohlk’s high energy was infectious throughout his set and he appears to be a star in the making and a great addition to the VOCAL family.

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Andrew Rohlk

 

 Andrew Rohlk VOCAL Songwriters Showcase Podcast July 2011 [11:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Coming up on July 18, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• Gerry Laverty
• Headliner: Andrew Rohlk
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!

VOCAL SONGWRITER SHOWCASE

May 16, 2011

Pete Seeger once sang “When these hands can strum no longer, pass the old guitar to a young one stronger.”

That was certainly not evident at the most recent Songwriter Showcase held at O’Toole’s Pub. None of the three performers appeared ready to vacate their status as masters of workers in song.

Bill Kaffenberger, originally from Northern Virginia commenced the evening’s festivities with  Maybe by Then, influenced by Gene Clark of the Byrds which plaintively stated “ She’ll know, she was meant for me.”

This was followed with a wistful tribute to his Dad, simply titled Dad.

The minor key She’s so Real was next with the frank admission “ Love that’s deeper than the deep blue sea.

The Byrds influence continued through Lonesome Rider and the closer What am I doing here, where the subject seems to be caught between interia and isolation.

Sitting on my hands and lamenting, No one listens to an outsider like me and the killer Beauty came from deep within his pain.

Bill’s songs come from his love of Philadelphia Soul and the aforementioned Byrds .  The songs seem to spring forth in chains of images. An excellent guitarist and singer to boot.

Next the  veteran and ever-growing Steve Nuckolls, one of the premier ballad writers on the scene today eased into his set with the beautiful open tuning piece Whole World Turning, performed on his vintage Martin D-35, featuring Gary Shaver on the flute. You know you’ve arrived when Gary sits in with you.

The open tunings continued with The Earth had been painted blue. A tender rememberance of the victims of the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001.  The song seems to travel through the steps of grief- I thought the earth had been painted red describing anger at the news, to I thought the earth had been painted white harkening back to the Martyrs bathed in light which was colored with a sad flute solo by Mr. Shaver. The song ended with I heard the world singing with one voice.

Anguish with a flickering flame of hope.

Trying to get you home seems to recall the sweetness of young love and stealing away for innocent intimacy.

Changing lanes, he debuted a new song which recalls the joys of the early days of learning the guitar as a youth. Nothing in this world I’d rather do, then spending Saturday morning sitting in with Emmy Lou.

Amen to that brother!

Steve then moved through his “glass is half full song,” My Prayer of thanks. He ended his set with Something about your love which if there were any justice in the world would be a chart topping hit.

Recalled for an encore he placed a giant exclamation point on  an absolutely stunning set with his  much loved Simynye ( spelling ?) loosely meaning ‘We are one.” about his travels in Africa.  In this writer’s opinion, one of the finest songs to ever emerge from VOCAL.

Steve himself just keeps getting better and better. One knack I hope he never loses.

The head liner, Darryl Ellyson emerged in a bright multicolored shirt and ‘60’s style fedora. Mr. Ellyson is a top notch performer with a wide array of influences. He sang so many great songs and space does not permit us to expound upon all, so we’ll provide a few of the many highlights.

The sweet soul of Daryl’s powerful singing voice was manifested immediately on the opener Love Refugees, a classic, beautiful love song.

Darryl then moved through You are the only one ( the strummin life is hard)  and I RememberYou, before the exuberant Down on the Point which describes the satisfaction and joys of fishing.

This was followed by the upbeat country of Rainy Days Ahead accompanied by fast guitar licks, and That’s just the way ( love goes) which harkens back to the style of Conway Twitty. This song allowed Darryl to demonstrate his wide vocal range.

What’s Gone Wrong which seemed to come blazing out of a film noir night with its minor key mood was followed by the imaginative News Man Blues.

He concluded with Blue Light District with its ‘50’s New Orleans feel and finally Done With You where the singer is resigned to Love has finally been defeated.

Hearing Darryl Ellyson is always a treat with his powerful vocals and guitar accompaniment that is just right.

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Darryl Ellyson

 

 Darryl Ellyson VOCAL Songwriters Showcase Podcast May 2011 [10:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Coming up on May 16, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• Bill Kaffenberger
• Steve Nuckolls
• Headliner: Darryl Ellyson
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!

An intimate and attentive crowd gathered at O’Toole’s for the April, 2011 showcase. James Lester opened the show with his fine bluesman-ship. I Like Your Love is an uptempo bluesy number – I’m usually kinda shy, but you have a way of bringing me out of my shell every time you hug me. Circus Blues is a “near-bluegrass” song – something hasn’t been right since the circus came to town – she’s been going out alone and hanging out with the clowns. Now the clown is knocking at our door – should I stay or should I go? Coatesville Blues is a drinking song searching for four-leaf clovers and other things to turn your life around. It only takes a buck and a little luck to get by in this town, but I need the doctor to give me something to take these blues away. Generation Blues is a contrast of life from yesterday and that of today – my dad told me to save for a rainy day, but I pray for a sunny day. There’s plenty of sex, drugs, and rock and roll, but Jesus is nowhere to be found. Satisfried is the story of a man with a great wife who has a good job and knows how to cook. She makes me feel like a king on my throne – I’m satisfied, satisfried. Blues Sky Blue was co-written with Steve Yates. This tender love song tells how his woman makes all his blues go away – I love my odds with you, in a formation of two, you turn my blues sky blue. Why I Sing the Blues was in an alternate tuning that sounded really cool. I get so depressed watching the news – everyone’ fighting ‘cause God is on their side. Whatever happened to a positive vibe? The “addiction” song Lame Pony told us I don’t want no woman don’t know right from wrong – she tried to hold me under her ball and chain – the tears came down like pouring rain – I gave her a lot of money, but it was not enough – I’m gonna take off walkin’, the pony’s going lame. James’ next tune was an instrumental called “E Thang”. Drinking Again was a sad tale about a woman walking out on her man – the last time I saw you was when you walked out the door – you don’t love me anymore – I can’t win – here I am drinking again. It’s All About Money says there ain’t a damn thing funny about the sad situation I’m in – my congressman doesn’t care about me, so my campaign contribution is in the mail. Deva (short for deviant?) is about a bad cat that’s always trying to kill things. Why can’t you just get along – why do you have to be jealous of all the other cats? James ended his set with the country-flavored Make My Day. As I watch you pack your bags, I wonder if we could have a last lusty fling. One more roll in the hay sure would make my day!

Matt Manion then took the stage, opening with a couple of numbers reminiscent of the 70’s. Don’t Remember Thinkin’ took him back to when I don’t remember thinking of the hassles we’d been through – in my state of loneliness, things seemed to be brand new. The Crossroads travelled back to the early days of the Crossroads Coffeehouse in the basement of St. James’s Church – the wooden chairs, coffee and cookies, and guitar players. Going to the Crossroads – I wanna play, I wanna sing, just put me down for anything. Nesmith and he grew up together but apart along parallel paths – raised in the country, but off to Richmond you roamed – I’m sure glad I reached you. God’s Rhythm asks God to help me find my rhythm, find my beat, shake this clumsy body, move these wooden feet – I can feel you in the floorboards – let him work things out.

Matt then invited Valerie Rourke onto the stage, and she performed two lovely a cappella numbers. If You Should Go is reminiscent of Patsy Cline – if you should go, I won’t come after you, or try to hurt you – now you have gone, but I’ll never know why you decided to leave, and I only torture myself when I believe you still think of me. Valerie left us with Torn in Two, which tells of one who is undecided on whether to stay or leave – one side of me loves you so, the other hates you because of how you treat me. My friends all say I should leave you, because you will never change – my heart thinks different, so what am I to do?

Matt returned to the stage with two fellow Vocal-onians, John Ellis (guitar) and Norm Roscher (“sin” thesiser). The thoughtful and dreamy Old Rolling Sea was inspired by body surfing (Norm was surfing his keyboard) and told of the power, depth, and age of the sea. You can feel and taste the salt spray just thinking about it! Don’t Need to be Perfect states that I don’t need to be right, macho, or bright, I just need to be me. Man’s Man is a call for a man who’s not afraid to take me by the hand and be a loyal friend to the very end – don’t care if he’s shy, don’t care what people say – if they talk, I don’t give a damn! John Ellis joined in with his smoking electric guitar on this number. Matt ended the set with Sit Down for Standby, an all-too-familiar story about trying to get home on a standby flight. John & Norm joined in again for this tune. We’re all just travelers stuck in the same boat – if I don’t get a flight, I don’t get home.

Submitted by Steve Nuckolls

Give a listen to this month’s VOCAL podcast featuring Matt Manion

 

 Matt Manion VOCAL Songwriters Showcase Podcast April 2011 [12:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Coming up on April 18, 2011

• The VOCAL Songwriters Showcase at O’Toole’s.
• James Lester
• Headliner: Matt Manion
• 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
• Click here for directions

See you there!