The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series

Songwriter DAVID MASSENGILL's rural Tennesee roots are still evident in his speech even after 30+ years in the heart of the Greenwich Village NYC folk scene. Both of these environments shape his performances. They show up in the gritty and touching reality of his classic "My Name Joe" and "Great American Dream", and in the homespun stories of his country upbringing. David plays guitar and dulcimer as well as your heartstrings.

Opening for David is Honor Finnegan. Honor has been making a splash on the regional folk scene with her original songs, which employ elements of musical theatre, humor, traditional folk, and poetry. She accompanies herself on ukulele, with her husband Carl Money playing lead guitar.

Fans of the late lamented Tanglefoot will recognize Al Parrish as their burly red-haired red-bearded wildman bass player. Well, turns out he's a pretty damn good guitarist as well, which serves him better as a solo performer. Solo, he still sings out that full-thoated Tanglefoot sound, performing some of their songs he's written, as well as others from contemporary Canadian songwriters and even some Scots Gaelic ballads. Between songs he spins great yarns, and can charm the shoes off a clog dancer. Oh, and he still brings his bass along for old time's sake.

Start with a healthy serving of Ramblin' Jack Elliot, add a couple of spoonfuls of Woodie Guthrie and early Bob Dylan, throw in a healthy dollop of Will Rogers, and stir in a stock of hot Texas chili-peppers, and you'll come up with tonight's opener, Michael Prysock. It's songs with great stories behind them, solid country-blues fingerstyle guitar and harmonica, and a great Southwestern gift of gab to tie it all together.

A Folk Project Member show with 24 songs by 24 Projectiles and it’s all about LOVE! Rock songs are accompanied by our 10-piece Loving Hearts Club Big Boogie Band. Jazz standards are accompanied by our Valentines Love Trio, under the direction of Frank Sole. Folk singers will accompany themselves in the traditional folk guitar fashion. A FUN-raiser for the Project.

(No Open Stage this month.)

Master guitarist, singer and songwriter Archie Fisher is Scotland’s foremost troubadour. Revered in his own country, Archie, along with his sisters Ray and Cilla took the US by storm in the 70's. Heavily influenced by his Gaelic-speaking mother, his writing sounds centuries old. He is a pioneer and master of the DADGAD guitar tuning. And his arrangements, while not flashy, make exquisite use of the sonorities of that tuning to deliver the perfect accompaniment to his singing.

Opening tonight will be Mree, who was first introduced to Minstrel regulars at our "Young Project" show in November. She is a 18-year old high school student and new Folk Project member that captured everyone there with her pure and unornamented vocals, original songs surprisingly insightful for her years, and engaging stage presence.

Rich Deans is a most fascinating songwriter, writing songs that are more like novellas set to haunting melodies evocative of days past. They are story and character-driven, and often find their settings in historical fiction. A perfect example of that, and probably his most widely-known song is "Don't Dig My Grave Too Deep", as recorded by Pat Wictor.

Opening tonight are The Folk Goddesses, a band that John Platt of WFUV referred to as "Modern Man on Estrogen". All veterans of other collaborations, Hillary Foxsong (Gathering Time), Martha Trachtenberg (Buffalo Gals), and Judith Zweiman (Strike the Bell) combine great voices, good songwriting, and a wicked sense of humor in this new combination.

Nuala Kennedy has been steeped in Celtic music since the age of 7. Born and raised in County Louth, Ireland, and educated in Edinborough, Scotland, she has been winning music competitions in both countries since she was 13. Now in her early 20's, she is in residency in New York under a fellowship founded by renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. She tours as a trio along with guitarist Kyle Sanna and fiddler Dana Lynn to complement her flute, whistle, and vocals. There is a palpable joy in this band immediately obvious to anyone who sees them and listens. The Minstrel was fortunate to be included in their schedule.

Our opener is a spin-off of the late lamented Dugan's Hooligans family band that gave its farewell performance on our stage back in December. Sharlys Dugan is a gifted 18-year old harper / whistle-player / singer / stepdancer heading off on her own musical career of Celtic music. She'll be playing with accompaniment from her friends, undoubtedly including some former Hooligans. But this will be Sharlys' show.

Please note a change in our Open Stage procedures: Starting in 2012 we are moving the start of the signup for our Open Stage from midnight to noon of the Saturday before the date of the Open Stage.

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

David Buskin (guitar, keyboard) and Robin Batteau (fiddle, guitar) along with percussionist Marshal Rosenberg first played together as Tom Rush's backup band. The combination was too good to remain in the background. Not only were they brilliant musicians and singers, they both were superb songwriters. (David Buskin is well known as one third of the hilarious Modern Man). They toured into the 90s to great acclaim before going their separate ways, and their loyal fans still remember. They're now back together and coming to the Minstrel.

Opener Beau Borrero is a new Folk Project member recently arrived from the state of Washington. One of his great musical influences is his mom, Gretchen Gubelman, who will be flying out to visit. Together they make a charming pair, singing their own original songs. Their music is characterized by skillful wordy lyrics, genetically matched voices in harmony, and occasional vaudevillesque humor.

Spuyten Duyvil [SPITE-en DIVE-el] might be thought of as Big Band Folk Music. This 8-member group explodes off the stage with infectious energy. Their music is Americana roots, and some originals that sound like Americana roots. They "...roll like an old time tent show, but instead of selling worthless snake oil, they deliver a package of gems, well crafted tunes and stories that are pure fun to listen to." Ron Olesko

Long Time Courting is a new combination of what reads like a Who's Who of contempory Celtic musicians. Bringing together the talents of Sarah Blair on fiddle/vocals, Liz Simmons on guitar/vocals, Shannon Heaton on flute/vocals, and Ariel Friedman on cello/vocals, this Boston-based band shares a love of traditional Irish, Scottish and American folk music as well as contemporary material. They bring elements of these various genres to their repertoire in a way that is seamlessly innovative, inventively arranged, and skillfully rendered.

Keeping in the Celtic theme, Edinburgh born harper and singer-songwriter Maeve Gilchrist will open tonight's show. She is widely recognized in the Celtic harp world as an innovator on the instrument because of her uniquely chromatic and improvisatory style of playing. Even so, her early immersion in traditional Scottish music shows through, grounding her original songs and tunes with ancient roots.

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

Tonight a pair of brilliant Nashville songwriters share our stage:

Years as a successful Nashville songwriter have honed Don Henry into a powerful master of his craft. He is heartfelt, literate, and funny, and manages to defy convention and still achieve commercial success. His own Puckish character creates even more wonderful characters for his songs. "Harley", Mr. God". "Beautiful Fool "(Stopped show at the Philadelphia Folk Festival), etc.

As a Nashville songwirter, Craig Bickhardt has written over 800 songs for such luminaries as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Tony Rice. He is also a strong performer of these songs, with powerful guitar work and emotional delivery.

Both men are also accomplished instrumentalists and vocalists as well as great writers. They will be sharing the stage, swapping songs, and backing each other up as appropriate.

The Accidentals are an 8-voice contemporary acapella group known for their sophisticated harmonies, off-beat sense of humor, and an eclectic repertoire of original songs and distinctive arrangements. Their many awards include MAC and Back Stage Bistro Awards for Best Vocal Group. They have appeared at Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, and the NJ Performaing Arts Center. And their voices have graced Boston Public, JAG, and other major broadcast TV shows.

Our opener tonight is Fibonacci. The Folk Project has always been a fertile breeding ground for bands, and this one combines some of our best musicians: Christine DeLeon (vocals) Kathy Haynie (keyboard) Andy Koenig (bass & wind-synthesizer) and Pat Hickey on lead guitar. The band is essentially a top-of-the-line bar band, performing the hit music of the members' youths. "House of the Rising Smoke on the Stairway to Free Bird".

The Minstrel will be presenting a special screening of the documentary film "Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune". Directed by Ken Bowser, the film gives a biography of the iconic singer and songwriter of the '60's with interviews and commentaries by Joan Baez, Billy Bragg, Tom Hayden and others. The film will be introduced by Phil's sister, Sonny Ochs, who will be available after the viewing for a Q&A session, and back stories and details not covered in the film.

An all-star cast consisting of Kim & Reggie Harris, Magpie, John Flynn, Joe Jencks, Greg Greenway & Pat Wictor will perform THE SONGS OF PHIL OCHS. Phil was one of the seminal figures of the 60's Folk movement and penned dozens of classics that live today in the hearts of fans and performers alike. The evening will be hosted by Phil's sister, Sonny Ochs, who is still an active figure in the folk community. The performers will also include some of their own songs, and Sonny will add historical and biographical notes to put these songs in the context of the era and the times.

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

Jay Ungar and Molly Mason confirmed as headline act. Watch this space for more details.

BEPPE GAMBETTA, the Italian bluegrass flatpicking champion. Sounds like an ethnic joke, but Beppe is no joke. Early in life he was captured by the music of such greats as Doc Watson and Tony Rice, and soon got to the point where he was sharing festival stages as an equal with his heroes. Equally adroit on mandolin, he can blaze through a hot bluegrass tune or croon a lovely Italian traditional ballad. And all with an elegant continental charm that is a joy to witness.

Appropriately opening for Beppe this evening is AcquAria, an Italian-American duet that specializes in the traditional music of Sicily. With the sounds of traditional whistles, frame drum, Jews harp, and mandolin, they present songs of the old seafaring and fishing life and dance music of the real Sicily.

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

JACK WILLIAMS comes to us from a rock background. It shows in the drive of his guitar work, which is clean, exciting, and endlessly full of beautiful and appropriate licks. His songwriting has an unpreposessing understated poetry to it, kind of like a South Carolina version of an acoustic Bruce Springsteen with Jerry Garcia on acoustic lead guitar. And if he holds true to form, catch his astionishing finale of a15-minute free-association medely of every song from every genre ever written, and never the same as previously.

Naomi Sunshine is a phenomenon. In her youth she was a professional singer. With people like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holliday, Mel Torme, and Nat King Cole, who only worked with the best. Now at age 87, she's still a singer who can still belt it out with the best, and a showwoman beyond compare. Accompanied by jazz guitar virtuoso Grover Kemble, she still does admirable credit to the repertoire of the great American Songbook. The lady is a pistol!

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

For most of it's 37 years of existence the Minstrel has celebrated its anniversary with a show put on by its member musicians. Back on our July 4th Picnic, we combined anywhere from 40 to 50 musicians into randomly grouped duos and trios. And each group then put together one song to perform for the show. It's an unending surprise what people will come up with, and there have been some memorable moments over the years.

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

For just about as long as anyone currently involved in folk music can remember, BILL STAINES is the archetypical contemporary folk singer. People have been singing his songs on stage, in recording studios, and around campfires for over 30 years. He is responsible for such classics as "Roseville Fair", "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir", and "River", all with choruses that beg to be sung with. Come and see a true living legend.

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

LOU AND PETER BERRYMAN rank with such geniuses as Flanders & Swan, Tom Lehrer, and Alan Sherman as masters of the art of comedic song. Peter especially, who does most of the lyrics has an uncanny sense of the English language to put the perfect words to music that bring a smile, irrespective of the subject matter. The subject matter can range from flights of fancy, to carrying an unlikely concept to its even less likely conclusion, to simultaneous interlocking dialogue by two people about entirely different subjects that somehow seem to connect to each other. Peter plays 12-string guitar and Lou plays a seeing-eye accordion. (You'll see what we mean.)

This is an opportunity for all acoustic musicians to perform a 15-minute set on our stage, and for the audience to be treated to a diverse collection of acoustic musicians. We’ve often seen previews of our regular scheduled acts for the first time at Open Stage. For information on how to secure a performance slot, call 973-335-9489, or visit the Open Stage page.

SMALL POTATOES is the duo of Rich Prezioso and Jacquie Manning. They call themselves "Eclecto-Maniacs", which is pretty apt, as their musical tastes run from Celtic to cowboy with a large dose of their own writing. What helps them pull all this off is the fact that they are monster musicians; Rich can make the guitar talk, and Jacquie is a great whistle and percussion player. They both sing and their voices blend with the smoothness of years of singing together.

The whole of Brother Sun is greater than the sum of its parts. And those individual parts weren't none too shabby to begin with. Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor, and Joe Jencks are individually well known as strong and successful singers, songwriters, and performers. But together, they blossom and explode, putting terrific vocal harmonies and solid guitar and piano arrangements to their already powerful songs. Think of them as a male counterpart to Red Molly. This group merits the "Agranoff Imperative" rating. Not to be missed.