Acoustic Brew Spring 2009 Schedule

September	October		November
7 Rustical Quality String Band	3 Beth Patterson	31 Paul Rishell & Annie Raines	13 Crowfoot	21 DALA

Sep 07 Rustical Quality String Band at the CWB 4:00 p.m. F R E E

Come celebrate Labor Day and our special season kickoff with the energetic, old timey sounds of longtime Brew favorites Rustical Quality String Band. The afternoon will start off with a potluck picnic 3:00 p.m. The concert will start at 4:00 p.m., and bring your instrument(s) to jam with RQSB after the show (and finish up the leftovers!). If you'd like to join in the picnic, please bring a covered main dish, side dish, or salad.

Oct 03 Beth Patterson at the CWB 7:30 p.m. $14/$16
with Ancient Echoes

She was born in a swamp. Okay, more accurately, she was born in a hospital near a swamp, but that's close enough to romanticize the origin of this Lafayette, Louisiana native. Described by viewers as "a cross between a cobra and a puppy," multi-instrumentalist Beth Patterson is foremost a player of the eight- and ten-stringed Irish bouzoukis (adaptations of a traditional Greek instrument). Known for her razor wit and musical versatility, her performances are chock-full of drive, savage energy, and passion, laced with humor and rapport with her listeners, dishing out an eclectic repertoire of original and traditional songs. She integrates her quirky, progressive sound with Celtic music and other ethnic styles, resulting in her own sound she dubs "SWAP" (Songwriter/World/Acoustic/Progressive).

"She is fearless in her attack of the instrument, playing with strength, power and virtuosic mastery. Her singing too is 'dead on,' clear and strong, though somehow imbued with certain vulnerability." — Steve Chess, The Weekly Recorder

Ancient Echoes is Holly Foy and Lisa McDivitt on recorder, Irish harp, guitar, bodhran and hammered dulcimer, playing a mix of Old English dance tunes, celtic tunes, medieval and renaissance tunes.

Oct 31 Paul Rishell & Annie Raines at the CWB 7:30 p.m. $14/$16
with Phil (Blues Boy) Minissale

Annie Raines picked up the blues harp at 17 and made her stage debut at the 1369 Jazz Club in Cambridge a few months before her high school graduation, and became a fixture at Boston area blues jams. One of the few female blues harmonica players in the country, Annie played the New England club circuit with local bands, and traveled to Chicago where she met and played with many of her musical idols including Pinetop Perkins, Louis Myers, and James Cotton.

At the age of ten, Paul Rishell discovered that he could keep time on the drums, though his feet didn’t reach the pedals. He started a band a few years later, playing surf music and rock ‘n roll, until a friend turned him on to the country blues records of Son House, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and Blind Lemon Jefferson. He immediately took up the guitar and had the chance to play with many of the first and second generation of blues masters including Son House, Johnny Shines, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Howlin' Wolf. His early recordings established Paul as a masterful, versatile blues player and as well as a deeply soulful singer and songwriter.

Although they have become known for their close attention to prewar acoustic blues styles, Paul and Annie first found their musical common ground in a Chicago/Texas-style blues band. Over the years, they have been privileged to share the stage and the studio with many fine backing musicians , including Troy Gonyea, Marty Richards, Chris Rival, Jesse Williams, Damian Purro, "Sax" Gordon Beadle, Scott Shetler, Billy MacGillivray, and Reed Butler.

"Rishell is a master of country/blues styles, particularly slide played on a National steel guitar. Raines, a rare female ace blues harmonica blower, shows that she is as strong an acoustic country harp accompanist as she is a harder-edged, electrified Chicago-style lead player à la the great Little Walter" — Billboard

Nostalgic sounds from the Piedmont with contemporary singer/songwriter edge. Influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Toby Walker, John Hammond and Chris Smith, Phil Minissale (Min-ee-sally) is on a crusade to introduce the Blues to younger audiences.

Nov 13 Crowfoot at the CWB 7:30 p.m. $14/$16

Crowfoot weaves musical influences from England, Ireland, Quebec, and the Appalachian Mountains into a captivating fusion that delights dancers and listeners alike. Into this meeting ground of traditions, they incorporate their own distinctive original compositions and songs.

Crowfoot originated in 2003, after a fortuitous meeting at a festival in Boston. They have gained a reputation both on the concert stage and on the contra dance circuit for their trance-like grooves, subtle interplay, and unstoppable energy.

Their rich vocal harmonies, haunting songs, finely crafted instrumental arrangements, and diversity of instrumentation creates a wide palette of sound.

"Crowfoot brings together three major 'roots systems' of traditional music, and the result is electrifying......if this trio is playing at a dance or festival anywhere near you, be there!"— Sing Out! Magazine

Nov 21 DALA at the CWB 7:30 p.m. $14/$16
with Maria DuBiel

Darlings of the Canadian music scene, Dala are poised to bring their harmonies and fresh brand of acoustic pop to the world. Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala ( the duo's name was formed by combining the two last letters of each artist's name) have come a long way in a short time. The two best friends, who met in their high school music class and wrote their first song together in 2002, have since performed at Toronto's legendary Massey Hall a total of six times.

Drawing upon influences like The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Bob Dylan, Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Amanda's ethereal soprano voice blends seamlessly with Sheila's velvety alto, creating the lush harmonies that have become their trademark.

"Dala can sing! What beautiful flights of melody and harmony, reminiscent of the Everly Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, Emmylou Harris and associates; though Dala can trade a melody line and leave one wondering who is taking the lead and simply leave one behind when the harmonies kick in." — Peterborough Examiner

Armed with a dynamic voice and percussive guitar style, Maria DuBiel's songs combine a mix of pop, folk, and sometimes a hint of country.