Meritorius Moon
The Moonlight shone like silver on the weekend recorded below, five consecutive nights presenting some of the best-known and most accomplished artists working the trade at that time—- I felt like we’d ridden the elevator to the top floors once we succeeded in attracting players of this caliber. Word of the room’s resurrection had put Birmingham back on the routes traveled by singer-songwriters from hither ‘n yon, now all’s we hadda do is get them the audience they sought.
The first set with Austin/Okie legend Jimmy LaFave plodded along, stiff and careful, reserved as a preacher’s eulogy, at a volume typical to a listening room. It wasn’t quite what I expected from an amplified Texas Red Dirt four-piece band, though the audience seemed right appreciative. During the break, guitarist John Inmon buttonholed me at the soundboard, a bit agitated. “You gotta let us turn UP, man— we ain’t gettin’ nowhere at this level, it’s like playin’ under a blanket!” I happily agreed, said “Your foot’s on the pedal, sir” and after notifying the audience that things was about to escalate, I sat back to watch some fireworks. Jimmy told me after the show how much fun it had been: “If we hadn’t driven in so late from Shreveport, we’d have gone back and done ‘nat first set all over again!” You know, I wish they had.
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November 3, 2010
Friends of The Moonlight---
There's two solid-gold months of the year, May and October--- which we celebrate maybe overmuch, perhaps in hopeful postponement of the seasons they each introduce. In accordance with the short squirt of relatively perfect weather that blesses these closing months of Spring and Fall, the activity calendar is crammed with a frantic scheduling of banquets, bashes, fetes, and festivities--- too many from which to pick. The month we've just completed has the added complication of mandatory football contests, anchoring the weekends like so many concrete posts set into a dead-serious slalom course... how's a little listening room, offering non-compulsory live music, supposed to collect its crowd in a tournament of such formidable contenders?
The only thing we know to do is to book performers that make us proud of ourselves, and bring them to you relentlessly--- as you come to realize that every time you drop in here for a show, you're reminded it's worth double your time and money. Our strategy is particularly evident in the next five performers on our schedule, a truly impressive string of extraordinary artists---
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS WEEK--->
Thursday the 4th--- HARPETH RISING, $12
Ah, youth--- especially these four, who bolted from their classical training to experiment and have fun with a more down-home music we ALL can enjoy. Jordana, Rebecca, Ruth, and Chris bring their very impressive symphonic skills together in a fetching new style of vocal and instrumental alchemy--- the combination of violin, banjo, cello, and hand drums reaches into some brand new territory, the likes of which we have not yet heard. It's a little grassy, kinda jazzy, a bit rootsy, with touches of Celtic, Appalachian, and country church choir--- the finest flavors of each. Tonight we get a glimpse into the future of original string music--- blue jeans and pearls! 7:30pm
www.harpethrising.net
Friday the 5th-- CLIFF EBERHARDT, $12
Cliff was our choice for the very first opening performance at the original Moonlight, back in 2003--- and we brought him back proudly for an anniversary show a couple of years later. Two things to know about him: (1) He's one of modern folk's most respected and acclaimed contemporary acoustic singers and songwriters, by universal acknowledgement of his peers, for nearly fifteen years now, and-- (2) He don't come south very often at all, so this is a rare chance to catch him playing anywhere in this region.
Oh, and a third thing--- Cliff suffered chronic back pain because of a bad car wreck long ago, and was known to be kinda grumpy as a result--- but he got that FIXED, and now he's more fun than Uncle Stevie at your thirtieth birthday. A man whose words can so easily reach into your heart and head, he will now make you laugh while he's doing it.... it's damn certain he"ll become one of your favorites.
7:30pm
www.cliffeberhardt.com
Cliff Eberhardt, November 5 2010, 14 present
Saturday the 6th--- THE WAYMORES, $15
Since their first appearance here in July, we have been peppered with requests to bring this superhero trio back for another show--- though each of them could carry their own night as solo performers (as each has done for many years), something comes out of their cheerful merger that supersedes the sum of its parts. Tom Kimmel is from South Alabama, a UA grad who's sold dozens of tunes to famous names and moviemakers, now he's an author on the side--- Sally Barris has had several well-known hits through other artists who picked up her songs, though nobody does 'em quite like she can-- and Don Henry balances his class-clown persona with a box full of clever, nostalgic, even soulful little numbers.
The night progresses easily, with the players bantering back and forth among themselves and the audience, like lost cousins at a family reunion... come say hello, because Pops, Sister, and Willy Waymore are hoping to see ya! 7:30pm
www.waymores.net
The Waymores, November 6 2010, 35 present
Tom Kimmel, The Waymores
Don Henry, The Waymores
Sally Barris, The Waymores
Sunday the 7th-- JIMMY LaFAVE, $15
He's spent twenty-five years becoming an icon--- the serious guy with the van Dyke beard and a reversed Ivy cap covering his head--- from his formative years in Oklahoma, through the last two decades leading the folk/roots scene in Austin TX, LaFave may eventually attain the status of his two long-time heroes, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan. His "red dirt" music echoes the Midwesterner's view of his homeland and America at large, by way of his deeply affecting voice and straightforward lyrics.
"LaFave is one of those rare guys who could sing selected passages from the Sears catalog and bring a grateful tear to your eye. His crystalline tenor conveys so much transparent emotion that it grants poignancy to sentiments that might ring trite or hackneyed otherwise. Likewise, the songwriter/guitarist has a knack for crafting simple, melodic jewels of pure feeling that don’t need to rely on fancy word play to dial in crisp and clear." - Mike Thomas
We expect a full house for this show--- please click "Reply" and let us know if you plan to come, we'll add your name to our list of those to be admitted first... doors open at 6:45pm, show is at 7:30.
www.jimmylafave.com
Jimmy LaFave, November 7 2010, 31 present
Monday the 8th-- SARAH McQUAID, $15
Just as Jimmy LaFave is a product of two states, Sarah McQuaid distills the essence of two continents-- born in Spain, raised in Chicago, educated in France, had children in Ireland, now a resident of England... she's back stateside for a nearly nonstop tour of the East Coast and Texas, before heading back home for the next two dozen shows.
The reason she's so busy is because her audiences insist that she come back soon as possible--- Sarah's eclectic set includes Appalachian chestnuts, early jazz pieces, old country ballads, delicious instrumentals, and her own accomplished originals. She relates to her audience as if she was sitting at your kitchen table, anxious to swap a story for one of your own--- surely one of the most remarkable and lovely women you'll ever meet. 7:30pm
www.sarahmcquaid.com
Sarah McQuaid, November 8 2010, 12 present
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A SNEEK PEEK AT NEXT WEEK--->
Thursday 11th-- MARIAN McKAY-- Birmingham's favorite vintage songbird, jazz and swing standards in true speakeasy style
Friday 12th-- BARBARA BAILEY HUTCHISON-- world traveler, Grammy-winning songwriter shows how it's done
Saturday 13th-- SWEETWATER ROAD-- premier jazz/bluegrass local favorites, two girl singers, three pickers, and drums!
A look at the Calendar page on The Moonlight website will surprise and delight you--- and give you more hope for the future!
Remember also that we are available as a location for your own private event, family gathering, or showcase concert... we'll be happy to talk to you about making our space your own. Thanks for your support!
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