MusicViews - Music as a Bloodstream

Miss Tess is a one of a kind act that eludes classification. In fact, her genre might be defined by one of her album titles; “Modern Vintage.” She has a great voice, clear and flexible, with wonderful intonation, range and power. Her compositions are unique and her song choices differ far and wide. more

That night, One Longfellow Square was packed to the gills, and the two men came out and began to play. The darkened house and the lilting tunes (why is it that Irish tunes are always lilting, and yet they are--) thrummed along until the whole bunch of us were on a hypnotic journey with Martin and Dennis. more

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My first impression of the album, without zeroing in on any particular song, was the feeling of how each cut built upon the next, with each song expanding the listening experience. It affected me in a way similar to the way I feel when I read a Paramahansa Yogananda meditation. I get a sense of emotional expansiveness. more

Kenny White, wearing a fedora and glasses, opened for Cheryl Wheeler with his song, "Out of My Element". He plays the piano with a flourish like Elton John and turns an elegant phrase like Randy Newman; "I'm trying to walk straight but the sidewalk is nervous, / my tears need a curfew, my steps need a purpose." more

Cheryl Wheeler is a laid back woman. She came out on stage full of bonhomie and wearing an outfit that looked just like my pajamas. Cheryl is a born storyteller and has a mind like Mark Twain. She can make ordinary events seem funny by the way she relates them, but behind the wit is a deep and sensitive heart. more

I was honored to be in the midst of great musicians last night. Four masters of their genres, Ragtime Jack Radcliffe; folk song hunter Dale Robin Goodman; bluesman Sherman Lee Dillon; and "sea chanty man" Jim McGrath, from the Wepecket Island record label, were in Portland sharing their talents. When I see musicians of this caliber I'm struck by their skill, love of music and the fun and goodwill that they share with listeners. more

National Fiddle Champion brother and sister duo, Tristan, (who also plays cello) and Tashina Clarridge, hammered dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman and banjo master Wes Corbett, play together like a flock of birds, changing directions and weaving in and out with flawless patterns of coordination and grace. more

Yowee, it is hard to categorize cellist, singer-songwriter Mike Block! He opened a show for the Bee Eaters and dazzled the audience with his energetic and humorous style. A wiry guy with bright eyes and quick fingers, he began with some Appalachian folk tunes, a Bach piece and then... more

As my daughter, Grace, pointed out (who attended the show with me), it was interesting seeing both bands synthesize in and out of each other. It made the whole evening feel like the music came from the same gene pool. more