TexNash mashup
One thing Moonlight had going for it was its regional location—- Birmingham squatted like an armadillo in the middle of the highway, for boot-heeled Texas musicians headed out east to the Old Folk Fields along the Atlantic Seaboard. Just three hours north of us bubbled the stewpot of Music City itself, having grown past its cornpone country countenance to metastasize into a sort of songwriters’ Oz… with hot cornbread still on the table. Austin and Nashville were to provide us again with a robust and reliable supply of top-grade talent, most of whom had never before caught a scent of Central Alabama. We fit easily into a blank spot on an artist’s Deep Dixie run, adjacent to other standard stops in Memphis, Atlanta, and Knoxville.
It was reassuring to host that dapper Lone Star troubadour Jeff Talmadge again, who coincidentally graced one of our opening nights at the original Moonlight back in 2003. He’d spent time making us look good, both here and back home—- and in turn introduced us to the wonder that is Betty Soo, who in time would find her own good friends in the Magic City.
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May 20, 2010
Friends of The Moonlight:
We're still kinda finding our feet with this new location--- the room is beautiful, the vibe is friendly, the sound is where we want it--- we're just anxious to share the place with more people. As spring starts to radiate into summer, we offer some late season songwriters to help with the transition--- come have a listen...!
*****FRIDAY, May 21st, 7:30pm--- BETTY SOO and JEFF TALMADGE
The most remarkable thing about this co-bill is that they were pre-reviewed by slash-and-burn critic J.R. Taylor in the current issue of Black and White--- J.R. savages almost everyone who catches his notice, holding particular contempt for folk and roots songwriters. Somehow, though, he managed to compliment Betty and Jeff both, calling them (respectively) "hypeworthy--- an ambitious acoustic gal riding a ghost train into country rhythms," and "a rare talent--- truly smart without becoming ponderously literary." Many thanks, J.R.--- not just for giving up a positive nod, but also for saving me the task of having to craft my own glowing description. See for yourself--- only $12.
www.bettysoo.com
www.jefftalmadge.com
Betty Soo, May 21 2010, 26 present
Jeff Talmadge, May 21 2010
*****SATURDAY, May 22nd, 7:30pm--- NATASHA BORZILOVA and LOLLY LEE
Two widely-different artists tonight, one from these here parts, and another from the other side of the planet--- both strong, eloquent singers with plenty to say. Natasha came to the US from Obninsk, Russia, as frontwoman for the Grammy-nominated rock band Bering Strait, and soon found her home and heart in Nashville, as a solo player in the mold of Tori Amos, Jewel, and Joan Osbourne. Lolly made a name for herself over two decades of Birmingham's musical evolution, then pulled back for a few years reflection--- she's returned with some stunning new work, and would love to see some old friends turn out for her set in a smoke-free environment. $12
www.myspace.com/natashaborzilova
www.myspace.com/lollylee4free
Natasha Borzilova, May 22 2010, 10 present
Lolly Lee, May 21 2010
******SUNDAY, May 23rd, 7:30pm--- LINDA McRAE, with opener Arlene McCann
We talk a lot about "roots" music, and if you want a solid definition of what that stands for, here's someone who can clear it up for ya... Linda earned more than her share of gold and platinum records as a member of the Canadian group Spirit of the West, but since going solo, she's become a learned master of several traditional instruments, in support of her powerful 19th-century voice. A last-minute addition is one of Pennsylvania's contributions to new folk, opener Arlene McCann... she'll show us a few brief samples of her work as the evening begins. $15
www.lindamcrae.com
www.arlenemccann.com
Linda McRae, May 23 2010, 6 present
Maybe by now you all know the drill--- you bring your own eaties and drinkies, a folding chair in case we run out of solid ones, and cash money to gain admission and buy CDs. Early summer means you can catch the sunset off the crest up here, before stepping in for the show... this lovely spring has given us some incredible ones already... check our web Calendar for what's a little further out, give some thought to having a private event here on the premises, and support original independent music wherever you can!
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Just a note here to say--- the Small Stages show with ELIOT MORRIS on Thursday, May 20th has been SOLD OUT for almost a week now... way to go, guys! To explore the future plans of our town's most consistent house concert series, visit the website:
www.smallstages.com
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