Two great stories on the Narrows 10th anniversary

Here is a lnk to the story in the Standard Times
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20111103%2FENTERTAIN%2F111030303

Here's the text from Providence Journal story

If you build a solid venue, they’ll come      Patrick Norton had never promoted or produced any concerts before opening the Narrows Center for the Arts in November 2001. But as the venue celebrates its 10th anniversary this week with a slate of big-name shows, he says that the idea was to keep music in his life.

  By RICK MASSIMO JOURNAL POP MUSIC WRITER

  

   “I wasn’t good at playing music, so I figured if I could produce [shows], I could still be around music, says Norton, who had played in bands and promoted his own shows before taking on the Narrows. “I liked how you put on a party in your house and put on music and have people come over, so it seemed like a natural extension of things I thought I could do well.”

   Since then Norton and a small band of helpers have kept the Narrows open in a lovely third-floor industrial space on the Fall River waterfront, within sight of the ships of Battleship Cove, bringing in performers ranging from stars such as Los Lobos, Richard Thompson and Bettye LaVette to a host of lesser-known acts. 
  

   “There are two kinds of music: good music and bad music,” says Norton, who works as an aide to a congressman during the day. “We pick the good music, regardless of the genre that’s out there. And hopefully we make money, but we book shows that we know are gonna be marginal. But that’s OK, too.” And he adds that even he is surprised at some of the bigger acts that have dropped by the 280-seat Narrows over the years. “A lot of bigger groups are playing smaller places. The economics just aren’t there. Even the fan experience is not there. … A group like Los Lobos can play the Narrows and have a meet-and-greet afterward, and they can’t do that at a 1,000-seater; they’d never get out of there.”

   While the Narrows filled a need for a mid-size venue in the beginning, Norton says, challenges such as the opening of The Met, which has attracted a couple of the acts who have played the Narrows in the past, don’t faze him. “There always have been challenges, but we’ve just focused on making our venue better,” such as improvements to the sound system and seating and the installation of elevators for the third-floor space.

   One of the hallmarks of the Narrows is its alcohol policy: You can bring something to drink — or to eat, for that matter — but no alcohol is sold on the premises. “We’ve always been about the music rather than selling beer, and we’re a real alternative to clubs. We’re a listening room, and people come here to listen first. … People don’t talk during our shows. Other audience members appreciate it, and I know the musicians appreciate it.”

   They’ve had chances in the past to get a liquor license, “but we declined. We thought it would change what we do, and we really want to be committed to the music. And it’s about creating your own niche.”

   The Narrows, which also includes an art gallery and five studios for resident artists, survives solely on admissions, and Norton says they put on 20 shows their first year, 40 their second, and they’ll do 125 this year. “There were some lean times, but we’ve always been able to pay our rent on time. It was all volunteer for the first seven years, so we had low overhead. And we worked hard at it.”

   The Narrows Center for the Arts celebrates its 10th anniversary this week with performances by The David Wax Museum on Thursday, Jorma Kaukonen on Friday and Rosanne Cash on Saturday. The Narrows is at 16 Anawan St., Fall River; call (508) 324-1926 or go to  www.ncfta.org  .

Providence Phoenix feature on Narrows 10th Anniversary

http://providence.thephoenix.com/music/128939-interview-patrick-norton-has-a-knack-for-mixing-i/

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Recently, me and my fabulous wife Maggie had the great pleasure and opportunity to visit San Francisco. One of the highlights of the trip was attending the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass event in Golden Gate Park. HSB is a free event sponsored by venture capitalist Warren Hellman. Warren started the festival ten years ago to celebrate and promote bluegrass. Over the years, it has grown significantly. It started as a one day event with one stage and six bands, to this year's 3 days, 6 stages and over 90 acts. The event has also shifted from strictly bluegrass to all things Americana from Connor Oberst to Robert Plant. This year over 600,000 people attended the event. While, there was a mass of people, it never seemed overcrowded or unruly. In fact, as a veteran festival goer, it had to be one of the mellowest and attentive events I've attended. A big shout out to Brad Madison of Mongrel Booking agency for making us feel like VIP's.

Here's who we saw; We arrived around noon and got a great spot on the hill in front of the Star stage. The first act we saw was Jason Isbell (formerly of Drive By Truckers). He was ok, songs sounded pretty much the same and the stand outs were Truckers songs. I wish he would get back with his old  band, they miss him and he misses them. Next up was Ruthie Foster(one of many Narrows alums), she kicked it up with some great soul singing and grooving. The crowd really dug her. We then headed back to our spot to see Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson. Definitely one of the Festival's highlights, two legends singing some of the greatest songs of the 20th Century. Very inspiring to see two old coots, ragged and rocking through a great set of music. Another fest highlight was the brilliant duo of Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. There had to  be over 100,000 people listening to the hushed and intricate stylings of the duo. Next up someone me and Maggie have seen numerous times dating back to our first Jazz Fest, soul legend Irma Thomas. Irma led her crisp band through N'Awlins standards as well her brilliant take of  "Time is On My Side" It was a great day of music, people watching and a good day for humanity as whole. Live music still has an uncanny way of bringing people together to celebrate life and the pursuit of happiness.

We got an early start on Sunday as our gracious host Brad picked us up around 9 a.m. for what would be a joyous day of music and friendship. We started with breakfast in the Haight which has lost most of its charm but we found an old school breakfast joint that still maintained it's charm. We arrived at the Fest at 11 caught newbie Jessica Lea Mayfield, kinda liked her record, thought the show was very boring. I just don't get the angst indie rock thing. We headed over to the small Porch stage to catch Dive Bar Dukes who actually won a contest to play at the event. Playing drums for this bluegrassy outfit was Ollabelle's Tony Leone. They sounded fun with some very good fiddle playing. We then made the long walk back to the other end of the event where the incomparable Dr. John was about to hit the stage Our guide Brad had hooked us up with backstage passes so we watched the show up close and personal with the likes of Wavy Gravy, Bonnie Raitt and Steve Earle. The Doctor was smoking and had the whole field dancing.  Justin Townes Earle played a solid set with his daddy watching him intently. JTE will be playing the Narrows December 4, he is not to be missed. The real surprise act of the day for me was Devotchka. It was a gypsy thing meets The Clash, real fun with lotsa foot stomping tunes and great showmanship.We then headed out of the masses with the sounds of Dark Star Orchestra playing in the background . A fitting way to end the day. I highly recommend Hardly Strictly Bluegrass to all the music geeks and freaks. Definitely one of the best music festivals in the US

San Francisco is a great city with plenty of culture and great restaurants. If you go, make sure you bike the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalitio and into Tiburon. A truly magical ride.

You Tube: A Treasure Trove of Great Perfomances

The internet has made some much great music available. You Tube in particular has some great perfomances that have been thankfully archived for all us music geeks to revel in. Here's a smattering of some very cool stuff. Enjoy and don't be afraid to share some of your favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWfYew3s_Nw-An Animated Jerry with Reuben Blades. Who knew, not me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApO1B5l9qPc&feature=fvwrel Small Faces

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYPTX12L5Uw&feature=related Ronnie Lane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YXCwTIM9rs&feature=related Keith interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmHhB9zV_rQ Pistols promo video for Pretty Vacant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3coSfks4rQ  Patti at the top of game

Narrows Does Newport Folk Festival

It was idyllic summer's day, as 40 of the Narrows crew boarded a bus headed to the Newport Folk Festival. The day was a celebration of all things Narrows. The event was a big thank you to all the volunteers who make the Narrows such a special place. Over the course of ten years, the Narrows has gone from  a good idea into one of the best places in the country to see live music. It was all accomplished with a tremendous group of smart, hardworking and dedicated volunteers. What a concept. It's amazing but not shocking that a great group of people focused on all things good can make great things happen. Newport Folk's warm friendly vibe combined with a great line -up of music made it a great choice to celebrate all we have accomplished together.

Here's what I saw on Sunday July 31, 2011 Newport Folk Festival

We arrived on site around 12:45. I wanted to see David Wax Museum but their set had just ended. I heard they ripped it up. No surprise, we had David and company at the Narrows in February and they were great. They have just been added to our 10th Anniversary weekend on November 3.  Next up on the main stage, was Carolina Chocolate Drops. They have added a member and changed another since their Narrows show last September. CCD does a great job of bringing contemporary elements to old timey music. They really got the crowd going with lotsa young people dancing upfront. That's not easy to accomplish for an acoustic band on a big stage.

Next me and my beautiful wife Maggie made our way to the Quad stage where The Secret Sisters were playing. They were very captivating with their beautiful harmonies and high quality songs. It was a very stripped down approach with the "sisters" switching off on a single guitar. They were kinda country but they had a very cinematic approach to their music. Look for a Narrows date in the fall. We then headed back to the main stage where rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson was about to take the stage. Wanda didn't just take the stage, she owned it. With a crack 5 piece band, Wanda at 74 prowled and gyrated and got the whole crowd moving. She did a great version of Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel. She told a great story of how Elvis had encouraged her to sing rock and roll. Up to that point she had only sung country and didn't have the confidence to sing rock. Thank you to Elvis for giving Wanda the push to rock and roll. One of the Festival highlights for me was her smoking version of "Shakin All Over"

We headed back to the Quad stage, where our old friend Justin Townes Earle was about to play. Ably backed by the beautiful Bryn Davis on Bass and a smoking pedal steel player, JTE enraptured the crowd with his brilliant song writing and soulful vocal delivery. Highlights for me were a haunting Christ Church Woman, Slippin and Sliding and rousing finale of Harlem River Blues. It was beginning to get real hot so we headed back to our fun bus for a little break in the action. Our bus driver brilliantly parked our bus next to all the bands tour bus's which was right outside the gates so it was a short walk back to the bus for a cool beverage or two, Many other members of our crew had the same idea. Let the Good times Roll.

Next up for me and Maggie was one of my all time faves Elvis Costello. This was billed as a solo show but I was pleased to see a band set -up. What a band it is, Steve Nieve on Keys, Pete Thomas on drums and Davey Faarraghar on Bass. They rearranged a few of his older tunes mixed in some of his newer countryish numbers and invited three guest performers up to help him. First up, the Secret Sisters added some beautiful harmonies to a couple of tunes. He then had Chris Thile come up and play some scorching mandolin. Emmylou then entered to add beautiful harmonies to a tune. Elvis ended his set with a rousing version of  "What's So Funny Bout Peace Love and Understanding" I hate to be overly hippie but this tune really carried the spirit of the day.

With sail boats floating in the water and the sun beginning to subside,the stage was set for another one of my longtime faves, Emmylou Harris. I have seen Emmylou many times in different configurations. I thought her new band at the Festival had great flexibility moving from quiet ballads to rocking full out. The mando/fiddle player was outstanding. She mixed some older songs with a few new gems. Highlights for me were great renditions of Pancho and Lefty, Leaving Louisiana, Sin City and Luxury Liner. The show ended with Pete Seeger and many of the days performers serenading the crowd with Turn, Turn Turn.  Lotsa people singing and a perfect way to cap off a great day of music.

Kudos to the Festival's organizer's for a great event. The event promoter's did a splendid job of mixing older and newer acts. All high quality acts but varied in style and approach. The mix of younger acts also brought out alot of young people which was great to see. My only suggestion would be to vary the set times more, so more acts could be seen.

As great as the music was, what made the day so special to me was the camaraderie and friendship amongst the crew. Viva Narrows -onward and upward

Narrows Festival line up annouced

The 10th Annual Narrows Festival of the Arts will be held on Sunday September 11 from 11-7. The Annual Arts Fest is a celebration and showcase for what we do all year long at the Narrows. The event features fine art, music and food. We have a great children's area that is run by the Fall River Children's Museum. It's all free. The only reason it is free is because of our fine sponsors.  Our lead sponsor for the past two years has been Mechanics Cooperative Bank. Other sponsors include: the Fall River Cultural Council, Dominion Power, Citizens Union Savings Bank, Borden and Remington Corp.,Whaling City Sound, Colonial Wholesale Beverage and our good friends at WMVY radio. I always say vote with your feet, meaning that if you like what someone is supporting, support them back. It's the only way it works.

Drum roll please

This year's musical lineup maybe our finest yet. We have two co-headliners on our outside stage, Roomful of Blues and New Riders of the Purple Sage. Both acts have played to sold out shows at the Narrows. Roomful has seen sort of a rebirth lately with their hot new album "Hook, Line and Sinker". They blew the roof off the Narrows in May and we expect more of the same on Sept 11. New Riders have played many great shows at the Narrows since they reformed in 2006. Here's a  old clip with Jerry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SynF5nOqudk. Here's a new clip with the new line-up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqzli5CqdFY . They are still going strong and waving the Freak Flag high. God bless em for keeping the music alive and well. Also on the main stage is Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun. Bill cut his teeth with Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen. His signature tune is Hot Rod Lincoln. Here's a clip where he rips through just about every rock and roll lick on the planet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKXCLCZBYrg&feature=related Opening on the main stage is a new group we have hosted a few times Girls, Guns, and Glory. You can check them out at www.girlsgunsandglory.com. They are a fun band that will really get the party started.

Playing on the Narrows stage inside is a new discovery of ours Amy Black. Amy just opened the Joe Ely show and impressed all in attendance. It's got a little twang to it but in the end it's a real soulful and believable. She has agreat new record out "One/Time" produced by my good friend Lorne Entress who has produced records by Lori McKenna and others. He is also the drummer for Ronnie Earl who plays the Narrows on August 12. There is a great video on her website www.amyblack.com of her recent appearance at Club Passim. For jazz lovers we have Dino Govoni and his Organ trio. Dino has played our festival a few times. He is from the Whaling City Sound  www.whalingcitysounds.com roster whose owner Neal Weiss is the godfather of Jazz in southern New England. Neil has put out well over 75 releases of some of the finest regional and national jazz acts. He is also one of the finest people I know. Also playing inside is folk chantuese Liz Longley.Liz is a fabulous new talent who recently opened for Joan Osborne.  Liz received first prize in the BMI John Lennon Scholarship competition, grand prize in the International Acoustic Music Award contest (among 9,000 entries). Here's a great clip of her doing Moondance/Summertime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCGPpmlAZiM. Opening the days festivities is Rocky Roberts and Friends. Rocky is from Western Mass, he has been Neil Young's guitar tech for over 30 years. We met while he was working for David Lindley. He gave me a copy of his record which was great. He will be bringing some of Western Mass's finest Americana players with him

Here's the full schedule:

2011 Narrows Festival Schedule

Main Stage

12:00-1:00 Girls Guns and Glory

1:30-2:45 Bill Kirchen

3:15-4:45 New Riders of the Purple Sage

5:15-7:00 Roomful of Blues

Narrows Stage

11:30-12:15 Rocky Roberts and Friends

1:15-2:00 Liz Longley

3:00-4:00 Dino Govoni Organ Trio plus One

5:00-5:45 Amy Black

Ian McLagan: Rock and Roll Royalty

The name McLagan doesn't have the star power of  a Jagger, Lennon, Townsend etc but Mr. McLagan has been at the forefront of the British rock scene since 1965. Ian will be making a  rare local appearance at the Narrows on Wednesday June 15. He has toured or recorded with the likes of:The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, Taj Mahal, John Hiatt, David Lindley, Paul Westerberg, Billy Bragg and Patty Griffin.

It all started in 1966, when he joined a scruffy group from East London called The Small Faces. The Small Faces consisted of Steve Marriot on Guitar and Vocals, Kenny Jones(Keith Moon's replacement in The Who) on Drums, Ronnie Lane on Bass and  Vocals and Ian McLagan Keyboards and Vocals. The group was heavily influenced by American R&B but fused psychedelia into the mix creating their own unique sound. They hit it big in "67" with "Itchycoo Park". Here's a classic clip of that tune http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJzcF0v1eOE The real tour de force for the group was the concept album Ogden's Nut Gone Flake. It was distinctively packaged in a round tin mimicking a brand of tobacco sold in Liverpool. With a heavy psychedelic element, I am sure the group was suggesting more than tobacco be housed in the tin. Here's a clip from a French TV show Surprise Partie circa 1969.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyhuuxJ6ss&feature=related. It's great to see how in in just 2 years, the group transformed into this really heavy band. If you don't own this record, go out and get it. It is a must for any serious fan of rock and roll.

The group's leader Steve Marriot quit on New Year's Eve 69 after a gig. The remaining members then joined forces with former Jeff Beck group members Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. They became The Faces and were one of the all time great British Rock bands. Ian was a co-writer on such classics as Cindy Incidentally, You're So Rude and Three Button Hand Me Down. Here's a great clip form the Dutch Television Pop Gala 73 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3P_re8R3Y8.

The group disbanded in 1975 and McLagan went on to played on a slew of great records. His trademark B-3 playing can be heard on Rod Stewart's Maggie May. He played keys on the Stones classic Miss You as well as touring with the band. He toured with Dylan and played on our old friend Tom Russell's Borderland. In 1994, he moved to Austin and formed The Bump Band.  In December of 2007, McLagan and Glyn Johns, his old pal from Small Faces and Faces days, met at Sphere Studios in London to mix and master Ian McLagan's beautiful and emotionally raw CD, Never Say Never. Here's a clip from the David Letterman show with Patti Griffin on Backing vocals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKhjOPlpuGo. This clip shows that Ian is still on top of  his game.

So while Ian McLagan might not be a household name,  he is true rock and roll royalty. At his upcoming show at the Narrows on June 15 expect a healty dose of Small Faces, Faces, solo stuff and a few surprises