One Enchanted Evening...

Just back from just over 48 hours in the most invigorating city on the planet ostensibly to ready my brother-in-law's upper east side apartment for his return from 2 years in Mumbai, with a few reflections of the musical impressions we savored....some by plan, some by accident.  The latter came in the depths of the NYC Subway where we heard everything from Andean string music, to perhaps Nashville's next big thing filming her first video, to six African-American siblings from six to sixteen singing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" in six-part harmony to the accompaniment of the clattering E train at Penn Station.  That was just the free stuff, although we put a few bucks in the bucket.  Later Thursday night, we took the F train to Washington Square and found the Cornelia Street Cafe in the West Village, where we had a simple but superb meal before moving downstairs to the packed but perfect (think 60 or so max, including Charlottesville's Greg Liszt) music hall, to catch the NY CD release party for Sometymes Why.  This trio of friendly femmes fatale, each a luminary in her own right, took us through two spare and honest sets of engaging lyrics and ethereal harmony.  Led by the pure and plaintive voice of Aoife O'Donovan, already acknowledged here for her work with Crooked Still and guesting with the Punch Brothers, the ladies cast the faithful and new ears alike in their spell.  They're all most known for their "regular" gigs...Ruth Ungar Merenda with the Mammals and Kristin Andreassen with Uncle Earl.  But vocally, this four-year-old, part-time mutual admiration society finds new and compelling chords yet unheard, scoring a dreamy spring night in the world's most stimulating urban setting.  New York is an inspiring place to plug into, knowing that its impossible complexity, fostering the very best and very worst that human civilization has to offer, including everything in between, is a high that requires no chemical enhancement.  New York is a breathtaking marvel of what energy and creativity can accomplish.  We could all do well with a fix from time to time.  The night before, we caught a taping of Jimmy Fallon's new Late Night show on NBC at 30 Rock, in studio 6B where Jack Paar hosted the Tonight Show back in the 50's to be followed by king Johnny Carson before his departure to beautiful downtown Burbank in 1972.  Fallon's success on Saturday Night Live may or may not follow him into Conan O'Brien's former timeslot, but one thing's for sure, his house band, Philadelphia's legendary The Roots gives the wee-hours variety fest, a full-throated funky consistency that might be Jimmy's strongest suit.  It was a treat to hear them live and not though the little speakers on the TV.  They would absolutely kill if we could get them at the National or maybe even a future Folk Festival.  Too hot!

We're well on our way to another sell-out situation at In Your Ear Studio A on Saturday, May 2nd with Skaggs Family recording artists Cadillac Sky.  This is gonna be a night the fortunate few (80 seats) will be talking about for some time, so if you're on the fence, get off it and make your reservations now!  Don't say I didn't warn ya.

And for an uplifting and powerful evening of music from the heart, you'll not want to miss the incomparable Isaacs, the world-renowned gospel family band, on Friday, May 8th at WEAG.  Another joint presentation of JAMinc and 88.9 WCVE-FM.

Also on the horizon is the fifth annual Music For Massey concert on the tracks at the Science Museum with the Sam Bush Band and the Waybacks on Thursday, June 11th.  Just imagine the possibilities for an outrageous jam!  Tickets and info here.  The bar has officially been raised.

One more reminder that Groovin' In The Garden is back at Lewis Ginter on Lakeside Avenue on Thursday nights this May and June.  A big-time lineup in Richmond's most beautiful outdoor concert setting.  Check the schedule and get tickets here.

I think there are still a few tickets left to catch the Infamous Stringdusters at the Modlin Center this coming Monday.  Profound and polished new grass at its finest.  Tickets.

And of course, the last weekend in April fast approaches, which for the past twenty-some years has meant MerleFest, starting Thursday in the foothills of North Carolina, a sprawling but very personal gathering of the world's best acoustic musicians and those who love them.  Stay tuned.

And finally, a significant turning of the page on our local live music scene...our beloved Ashland Coffee and Tea is officially changing hands, with the promise of maintaining the things that have drawn us up 95 so many meaningful times.  Here's the notice from former co-owner Mary Leffler:

 Dear Customers of Ashland Coffee & Tea,

We want to welcome our new friends Moya and Truman to Ashland Coffee & Tea. This lovely couple has just purchased the shop from Jim, Mary and Kay. We are delighted to let you know that they come with a love of music and an appreciation of this great good place.

We want to offer humble thanks to our loyal customers that have been with us these many years. We didn't really think we'd still be in the coffee business this long when we opened our doors in 1996. We have been blessed. We are ready to start a new chapter in our lives but want all of our customers to know how much we care.

You will still see Kay behind the counters some. Jim and Mary you'll see too....as patrons. Their kids will probably still work there once in awhile (at least the two still at home).

Thanks to all our staff. You are the best!

We want to wish Truman and Moya the best of luck. Please give them your support.

love to all,

Jim and Mary Leffler

 

Thanks for the memories you guys...let's make more!

TT

(To my new friend Gordon Nash...we enjoyed the conversation and your photos of Sometymes Why at Cornelia Street Cafe, seen above.  Except for the Merlefest sand sculpture, all other shots are from artist Websites)