Small Town Dance Live: The Cd Release Concert

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Small Town Dance Live: The Cd Release Concert
the laments of a husband who succumbs to life with a newt computer
and the near widow status he gets
from his Internet addicted wife.
Set 2 opened with "Lulu Wall."
Engineer/producer and "really
good sound ,guy" Lyle Glidden wanAllen-Grant was added to the group
for this Bluegrass rouser.
ders 'around reviewing new CDs and
Carol Hausner, First Place winner
new venues. Here is his report on the
John Gibbons concert.
of the Merle Fest Bluegrass Song
writing competition, performed her
winning entry "Love Gone By" in
John Gibbons and his extremely
her solo spot. The song was co-writtalented group of friends and fellow
. musicians wowed the near capacityten by Colin McCaffrey who sang
crowd of family, 'friends and fans
harmonies and played fiddle on
at Champlain College on Saturday
the
number. Carol remained at the
Photo by Lyle Glidden
evening [November 21], The conmike and added her CD harmonies
fohn Gibbons
to "The Cowboy I Know," a song
cert kicked off with "Small Town
Karen were dead on in pitch and
Dance's" opening song, "Silence or
John wrote from a girl's perspecexecution.
tive. Andre Maquera of West Street
Tears," John's beautiful light tenor
Craig Anderson, localluthier, and
Digital Recorders .provided tasty Bvoice soared above the instrumenoutstanding acoustic guitarist took a
Bender guitar 'simulating a pedal
tal mix, Karen McFeeters and Craig
solo in the spotlight with a complex
steel on this gentle country tune.
Anderson's 'harmony vocals were
.original instrumental. Craig chose
Colin McCaffrey was featured on
stronger and even more impressive
to mike his hand made acoustic for
than on the CD itself. and remained
a solo number, the bluesy "Boys I'm
this song to show off the wonderful
Tired of Town."
that way through out the evening, It
timbre of his work as a guitar crafts"Hard Water," a wonderful song
was a CDrelease event; Joel Snyder's
about young love, break-up, and its
concert sound was true and faithful .man and artist. The CA acoustic is
as beautiful to the ear as it is to the
scars was a second set highlight.
to the sonic structure of the CD.
eye.
John and Craig next were featured .
John told of his inspiration for
. .Andy Green, who covered all banjo
on the classic instrumental "Windy
"220." A field trip with his son's
and Warm." Once again, these two
class set the pen to paper and a few parts on John's CD songs stepped up
accomplished guitarists impressed
years down the line, "220" was com- .next with a gorgeous rendition of
John Starling's "He Rode All The
the audience with their execution.
pleted to satisfaction. CD producer
Way To Texas." Andy has an expres"Season Song," a.Craig Anderson,
and multi-instrumentalist, .Colin
sive voice and his guitar playing was
McCaffrey added the low harmony
composition from "Small Town
the perfect backdrop for it.
Dance," was beautifully performed
along with Karen. The. blend was
Next the entire ensemble came
by the trio of Gibbons, Anderson
pure magic, making "220" an even
back to the stage for my second favor- and Mclreeters.
more enduring favorite of mine.
itesong on the CD, "The Kenworth
Next in line, an elderly couple in a
The CD closer, 'Another Shot of
of My Dreams." Colin McCaffrey's Rye Whiskey," rocked out the crowd
_ restaurant inspired "Pick your Place
Rigel Mandolin solo was outstand- for the fmal song of the second set.
Anne Made."
.
ing. Rigel's are made in Jeffersonville
Andre Maquera had a blast recreat"Roll Away" featured outstandarea by Pete Langdell. It was a spe- ing his ,CD crunch tone solos and
ing finger picking accompaniment
cial part of the show knowing that
CD electric bass player Justin Olds
by Craig Anderson. John and Craig
not only Vermont musicians were joined the band for this number,
executed octave harmonies and unibeing featured but also, acoustic gui- . All other upright bass tracks for
son through the use of capo-ed and
tars and mandolins by some of the
open string tuning.
the concert were handled by John's
Green Mountains best artisans were
neighbor, Neal Brown, who provided
Next' up was the first of many
played exclusively. .
a strong sonic underpinning for the
"friends showcase" songs from
"The Wall That Moves" the Viet concert.
members of the ensemble. Karen
Nam Memorial song received a
I hope John Gibbons will consider
McFeeters took the solo spot with
standing ovation. The live delivery
taking the "Small Town Dance" conher lovely "Ellen's Song" written for
her 2 year old niece. This joyful; exu- was extremely moving and power- cert on tour as more events are cerful with a perfect performance and
tainly in order for such a fme show..
berant song was delivered with poise
mix.
I was truly moved and blessed by my
and a twinkling eye. The three-part
Set 1 ended with' the hysterical
evening in his presence.
.
harmony chorus simulates laugh-·
"Oh ,'!VeIl,AOL~;~.c.1(he
song. tells of ;ter and the trio of. John, Q!,aig and
o. "'.)1\1
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By LYLE GUDDEN,
Special to tbe All Arts Council
and tbeSt. Albans Messenger
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