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VOCAL Songwriter Showcase – May, 2013

An intimate and attentive crowd gathered at O’Toole’s for an evening with Tom White, Drexel Rayford, and John Ellis.

Tom kicked off the evening with the seasonally-appropriate “The Kind of Man I Wish We All Could Be”, written in honor/memory of those who have served our country. “Caroline” was a tender ballad about being reunited with a spouse in the afterlife. “She’s in my Soul” was written about a friend from Texas who ran a diner with his wife. Sadly, she developed a tumor and passed away, so he had to close the diner – he’ll never forget her, never regret her, she’s always in his soul. “The Heartbreak Let’s Get Drunk Saloon” was a cool song about a watering hole where you drown your sorrows – while your success may have been in stocks, she’s now given you a life on the rocks. Tom left us with the lovely “I Want You to Follow Me Into My Heart Tonight”.

Drexel Rayford is a newcomer to the group, but certainly not to the business of songwriting and performing. “If I Could Be Bart Starr” was a really cool retrospective on the great quarterback of yesteryear many of us remember. Drexel wrote this from the perspective of a 12-year old. “Wanna See a Sunset in Santa Fe” evoked colorful and vivid images of that lovely part of the country, where everybody’s artsy, the air is crisp, and you can see the Milky Way! “I’m Gonna Move to Brazil” was inspired by a trip to Brazil, where the beaches of the Atlantic make you so romantic! I can hear the waves from here. He followed with a blues number written about a Scots fellow he met while traveling in Europe. Doubtful at first of a Scots’ ability to play the blues, he soon realized he had learned a thing or two! He now thinks of “Scottie” every time he plays the lick. “Corner Office” is Drexel’s newest song, and had some very cool images – working nights when the office fills with the city lights – sometimes when it’s bright and clear, I can almost see my home from here.  Drexel left us with a festive sailing song that had everyone singing along. Welcome to the group, Drexel!

John Ellis then took the stage as headliner, and delivered some stellar guitar work as only he can do. The first few songs were acoustic instrumentals. I thought I heard Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young at one point, then one song brought a sitar to mind with its underlying drone. “Walking With Sharon” was reminiscent of walking near a pond with a friend. A couple of really cool tunes are still in need of titles, so we need to let John know if we have one! “Winter Solstice” had a really cool groove, and is something you might hear on a Wyndham Hill collection. He then kicked off the electric set with “Blues # 1”, using backing tracks. Thought I heard Peter Frampton in the background there for a minute! “In My Place” is one of the crowd’s favorites, and delivers some scorching guitar playing. John left us with his signature tune “The Stranger”. Again, some stellar guitar-playing was present, and I thought Carlos Santana was in the room briefly. Keep up the good work, John!

A big thanks to John Lephardt and Matt Manion for helping out with sound for the evening!

Showcase: April 15, 2013 #261

Once again, O’Toole’s was the scene of VOCAL’S monthly showcase. Perhaps because of the looming tax deadline, or shock at the Boston marathon explosions/killings, the audience wasn’t as large as usual, though, the music they heard was thoroughly enjoyable. Tonight’s showcase featured Ray Brady, Bill Wellons and Steve Fisher. Ray started the program off playing his acoustic guitar solo in true troubador style, and mainly did a set of ballads. Most of his songs seemed to have a nostalgic quality to them, as the titles describe: “Where’d The Good Times Go” (self explanatory) “Before I Go” ( a song with a bucket list theme), “Turn Your Head” dealt with how fast the time goes by, and the closer “We Need a Hero”. His set was well received by the audience.
Bill Wellons followed Ray. Bill plays electronic keyboard. Most times when he does a showcase he’ll have pre-recorded tracks to play along to, but this night it was solo keys. One thing for sure, he has a wry sense of humor which permeates many of his songs. This was demonstrated right from the top, with “Better Stay In” which detailed all the pitfalls that can happen if one goes out. “Hurricane” a fairly new piece, had the feel of a Randy Newman song. Many of Wellon’s lyrics are conversational, the singer talking to an imaginary listener which draws you into the dialog, such as in
“A Long, Long Time Ago”. One observation that struck a chord and drew some audience reaction was in the closing song “It’s Been So Long” and that line about going to Nashville and “Writing songs nobody will hear” rang true with a lot of people. No question, though, if Bill goes to Nashville, his songs will definitely be heard.
After a short break, the featured performer of the night, Steve Fisher, took the stage. Using a resonator guitar and harmonica, in true folk fashion, Steve began with “Holding Back the Sea’ which was a song in keeping with the day’s tragic events, a little morose. But, not wanting to dwell on such sad things, Steve launched in an uptempo tune “Sweet Tea” which had a southern charm to it, then followed that with “Highway To Your Heart” more in the love vein. At this point, he switched to a standard guitar for the rest of his set, though detuning it for a couple of songs. After “Till Morning Comes” Steve tapped into his blues bag and Gave us his mandatory prison song “Joliet”, as if not to be outdone by The Man In Black. “Oh Susanna” borrowed it’s chorus riff from Steven Foster, but as Steve said: “He probably won’t be seeking any royalties”. “Muscle Shoals” about that legendary music town, followed, and somewhere in the distance one could hear the echo of Bob Dylan’s “Lay, Lady, Lay” filtering through the air. Last song in the set, a Fisher classic, was “Rollin’ ‘n Tumblin’ Back To You” which was done with great enthusiasm and energy.
All the performers were encouraged and by the audience, and if even, somewhat slim in number, they were generous in their appreciation of the music they heard.

March 2013 VOCAL Showcase

What could be better than a big dose of Irish musical charm on the day after St.

Patrick’s day? That’s what was delivered at this month’s VOCAL showcase #260 at

O’Toole’s, with three pickers who’s ancestry probably goes back to the Auld Sod.

The cool and rainy weather didn’t deter a large group of enthusiasts from

showing up to enjoy the program.
First up was the aptly named Doug Patrick who wowed the audience with his set of

finely honed, well constructed folk and bluesy songs, including a new tune

Donegal, demonstrating why he is greatly admired by musicians all over, with his

great guitar picking and excellent vocals. after a short break, Pam McCarthy

took center stage to deliver a fine set of her folk styled songs, old and new,

which pleased the crowd immensely and even garnered her an encore or two. The

main attraction of the evening was Gerry Laverty, the featured performer. Gerry

also introduced a couple of new tunes, while mixing in his tried and true old

favorites. He was joined by Valerie (O’)Rourke on Lonesome Blue Eyes and then

accompanied her on her own song Torn In Two which was well received, as well.

Zion Crossroads closed out his 45 minute set.
Overall: It was a highly entertaining night and was well appreciated by all

those in attendance, with many shouts of enthusiasm and more, more.

OCTOBER 2012 VOCAL Showcase Review

Before what can only be called a “Full House” all seats filled, and standing room only, the October 2012 VOCAL showcase kicked off with the vocal stylings of Frank Lucas. Lucas, who has not done a showcase in recent memory, began his four song set with “Styrofoam” a song dedicated to his wife, comparing the undestructable property of the substance to their love. He was accompanied by Louis Millhose on trumpet and Gary Shaver on clarinet, giving the song a decidedly dixieland quality. the next tune, “Winter Rose” had a definite Gordon Lightfoot “Edmund Fitzgerald” quality to it, wth fellow guitarist Rick Good adding some somber strumming. On “Ghost” Lucas switched to mandolin for some fine picking and then closed out his set with “Baseball Blues’ in which he invited the audience to participate by shouting out prompts at the designate time. All in all, his set was very well received by the lively audience.
After a short break, The next act, Louis Millhouse, with daughter Nancy on bass, set up and launched into a calypso-ish “Marauder” which got the crowd back into the music. “I Promise I Will Love You” (assumed title) was a uptempo duet with Robin Kim that comtained some heart-felt lyrics to which the audience could relate. Taking some cues from Jimmy Buffett, Millhouse next gave us a lively tune “Marathon” which described life on the Florida Key of that name and had us all wishing we could be there. Rounding out the “island” set, Millhouse performed one of his classic Jamaica tinged songs, “Kara’s Mom Is Hot”, which had the audience singing along. A very upbeat and enjoyable set.
Gary Shaver is a long time VOCAL member going back to group’s origins and, as such, he has had an opportunity to work with many fellow writers and singers over the years. Calling on that experience, Shaver prepared a retrospective of his music career by inviting many of those collaborators to assist him this night on a series of duets from his catalog of material. As the featured performer of the evening, he did not disappoint. with songs in different styles, country, pop and jazz, Shaver manned the keyboard and mike with authority. Sharing vocals With Carol Covel on the jazz tune “How Could Love”, Wendy Lael on two songs, Carolyn Crohn, on “Love You More Each Day”(his very first composed song), Frank Lucas on “Better Than This”, Marilyn Miller on “We Don’t Matter, Anymore” and a reprise with Louis Millhouse and Robin Kim on “We’d Better Leave It Alone”, the audience heard a wide array of music. Shaver’s ten song set, included a couple of solos, sent the crowd home completely satisfied and enthused for the talent that VOCAL counts in its ranks of excellent singers and songwriters.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2012/04/11/150444697/new-royalty-agreement-promises-more-money-for-musicians-and-labels

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

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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.

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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

[display_podcast]

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!