Roots Report

Okee dokee folks … Some of my favorite lines from a song are “Can you help me remember how to smile? Make it somehow all seem worthwhile. How on Earth did I get so jaded? Life’s mystery seems so faded” from “Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum. I have identified with those lyrics since I first heard the song in 1993. Yes, I am jaded about many things; that is what life does. Music is probably one of the things I am most jaded about. I guess when you spend your life in the music business, it eventually does that. Music is in my blood. It’s what keeps me going, but some days it can be frustrating. My brain drifts to thoughts of politics, social issues, animal rights, etc. I wonder if making music was the right path. I get frustrated by the lack of overall respect for the value of music. It makes music seem so trivial, but I know deep in my heart that music can change the world.

So I keep at it. I am not saying I will change the world with my music. I don’t have the hubris to even begin. I just plod along writing songs, playing them, and putting music out into the world, though not with the fervor I once did when I was younger. I used to use the stage to express my views, especially on environmental issues and animal rights. My stages and audiences have changed, so I now keep the overt opinions to myself while I play and express some of my views veiled in songs. Though one song I wrote, “Disaster” (about the felon), is not veiled, but rarely is performed. Though I am not a fan of Taylor Swift’s music, I applaud her for her philanthropic work and for taking a stand against the narcissistic nitwit who wants to be a dictator. If we do not speak out now, we may not be able to speak freely in the future. The influence of music may have caused a voting shift in a positive direction, thanks to Taylor Swift. Those folks who complain that artists should just make art and shut up obviously don’t understand art at all. Real art has always been about the message. “Born in the USA,” by Bruce Springsteen, is not the American anthem most think it is. Hopefully, music/art saves us this year and continues to “disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed” (Cesar A. Cruz). Maybe, eventually, I won’t be so jaded either. Read on…

Newport Live is celebrating the 30th anniversary of South African Freedom Day with pianist and composer Aaron Rimbui on Friday, Sep 20, at 7pm at Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth. Dubbed “the greatest pianist in East Africa” by the African newspaper Daily Nation, Kenyan multi-instrumentalist and composer Aaron Rimbui is a rising force on the international music scene. With a career spanning over two decades, Rimbui made significant contributions to the jazz scene in Africa and beyond. Known for his virtuosity and innovative style, he combines traditional jazz elements with Kenyan rhythms, creating a captivating and unique sound.

On Saturday, Oct 12, Newport Live presents the award-winning singer/songwriter and author Wesley Stace (formerly known as John Wesley Harding) in a solo acoustic show at The Jamestown Arts Center at 7pm. He released 17 albums under the name John Wesley Harding before switching back to his birth name for more recent recordings, including 2021’s Late Style. He has also published four novels. Stace has been joined onstage by Lou Reed, Rosanne Cash, Iggy Pop, John Prine, and Bruce Springsteen (with whom he recorded a duet on his album Awake), among many others. His songs have been featured in films (including High Fidelity) and TV (“Transparent”) and covered by many other artists, from Graham Parker and Josh Ritter to Kelly Hogan and Tanya Donelly. For more, island hop over to newportlive.org.

Sometimes we who live in PVD and beyond forget about the border city of Westerly, RI. Some RI’ers may even consider it greater Connecticut because you basically drive to the last RI exit on 95 to get there! Regardless, you don’t want to forget about the gem of a venue on Railroad Ave in Westerly, The Knickerbocker Music Center. There is ALWAYS great sound being made there, whether it’s the main room or the Tap Room. Check out what is coming up over the next few weeks and take that last exit in RI. The Troublemakers: A Tribute To The Allman Brothers – Sep 21, Wheelhouse – Sep 22, Shane Patrick – Sep 25, Mystic Dead – Sep 27, Robert Gervasini – Sep 26, The Hoolios – Sep 28, Casey Rivers – Sep 29, Al Copley Quintet – Oct 2 (Free Dance Lessons 7 – 7:30pm), Jake Harris – Oct 3, and Mdou Moctar on Oct 4. For more, choo-choo over to: knickmusic. com.

That’s it for now. BTW, I have a new solo project I am excited about. It is debuting at The Blue Room on October 5. It’s called “CatMoonShadow,” a tribute to the music of Cat Stevens. Splitting the evening with me, is Nicole Gauthier performing her Joni Mitchell tribute “Of Heart and Mind.” Nicole is incredible and receives standing ovations for her performances. We hope that folks will come check us out! •

Find us at TheJoniCatShow.com. You can listen to my podcasts at motifri. com/rootsreportpodcast and find my concert photographs at motifri.com/ fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening. johnfuzek.com