Okee dokee folks… This issue is the Motif Gift Guide. If you have read this column for any of the past twenty years, you surely know that I don’t do Christmas but I WILL comment on gift giving!
I quit the holidays in the mid-eighties for many, many reasons but mostly I just had had enough of it. It was initially a hard process to completely liberate myself from Christmas but now it’s just another day of the week. Honestly I find more folks envious of the fact that I eschew the holidays. You should try it.
If you insist on participating in the mayhem, then at least keep your spending in check and only buy reasonable and smart gifts. If you are gifting a Chia Pet to anyone, you have failed. Musical instruments are always good gifts to give. You don’t have to buy new, either. There are plenty of nice, used instruments on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace (or local music powerhouses like Empire Guitar (PVD) or Wakefield Music). Used is especially good if you are giving an instrument to a kid. Young folks might not take the best care of something new, or may lose interest and not follow through learning how to play it.
I would say buy local CDs, but no one has a CD player anymore so I guess it’s back to vinyl, if there’s an available turntable. You can buy local musicians’ merch, too. T-shirts and other swag are always fun gifts to give.
Then, of course, you could always buy a concert ticket for someone. There are always great shows coming up at PPAC, The Narrows, The Odeum, The Park, The Uptown, The United, Vets, The Garde, and of course the festivals — Rhythm and Roots, and Grey Fox. Live music always makes folks happy.
Just so you know, I have seen many posts about a national strike against Black Friday through the first week of December, to disrupt the economy and to show those in power who really has the power. Sometimes these kinds of protests come to fruition, sometimes not. We do NEED this type of national disruption to wake everyone up and bring sanity back to this country. We shall see. Either way, be frugal with your funds this season, the economy is getting tough. Read on…
The other day I had a chat with Randy Jackson of the band, Zebra. The band had the singles “Tell Me What You Want,” and “Who’s Behind The Door?” on the charts in the early ’80s. Randy Jackson will be the guest vocalist for Windborne’s The Music of Pink Floyd, which will be performed by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor/arranger Brent Havens. The orchestra will play Dark Side Of The Moon in its entirety, as well as other Floyd favorites. Concert lighting will enhance the experience. Listen to my Roots Report Podcast to hear about the show and what Jackson has been up to. For more about the show, “Eclipse” over to PPACRI.org
This time for the Roots Report protest song collection we have Adam Sherman and his song “Everyday Dangers.” This past August, Adam performed with Robin Lane at The RI Folk Festival. Sherman just released a new single that is getting buzz and was featured on “Little Steven’s Underground Garage.” He sings, “The world is spinning round, it’s turning upside down, and everything is falling, there’s no place to hide, you’ve got to choose a side, the wolves are calling.” Give it a listen! adamsherman.bandcamp.com/track/everyday-dangers. Send songs to risongwriters@yahoo.com
Mental Health has been a tough subject for folks to talk about for generations. Only recently has it become something that is more openly discussed. I received an e-mail from reader Paul Piwko, a co-developer of the National Museum of Mental Health Project (nmmhproject.org). They curated a virtual exhibition that includes new music from local legend, Mark Cutler. The exhibit is Patriot, Hero, Distracted Person: James Otis, Jr. and Mental Health in the Eighteenth Century, and discusses how Otis helped to start the American Revolution with his 1761 court case against the Writs of Assistance, but was pushed into an early retirement after a traumatic brain injury in 1769. Mark Cutler wrote the song “Fanning The Flame — James Otis,” about the man. Give the song a listen here-youtube.com/watch?v=pF7oSKGPJyo and check out the exhibition website: revolutionaryspaces.org/explore/exhibits/james-otis-jr-exhibit
Gathering Grounds Coffeehouse in East Providence has a feature show on Nov 21 with Dan Lilley and Scatman, and Anderson-Gram, as well as an Open Mic on Nov 24. All ages are welcome! Doors are at 6:30pm and the show/open mic happens from 7 – 9pm. It’s located within the Robert Rock Center at 610 Waterman Avenue. Drive to the rear of the building for plenty of free parking and the entrance. Admission is also free.
Since so many venues are now announcing shows a year in advance, I don’t feel bad telling you about these 2026 concerts so early! Mark your calendars now! On Jan 24 Nicole Gauthier, Beth Killian, Avi Jacob and I will present a show called Legends of Folk where we each tribute a particular performer. Nicole – Joni Mitchell, Beth – Joan Baez, Avi – Bob Dylan, and I will play the music of Cat Stevens. We will play 30 minute sets of each artist. Later in the year, on May 17, The RI Folk Festival will once again produce a Pete Seeger Tribute, because the response to last year’s show was so positive. Stay tuned for the line-up. Both of these events will take place at the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich. You can catch other acts such as John Waite/Jeffery Gaines, James Montgomery, The Smithereens, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Todd Barry, The Irish Tenors, Aimee Mann/Ted Leo, Hell’s Belles, Judy Collins, Billy Gilman, Tab Benoit, Joan Osbourne, Almost Queen, and Christmas with The Celts – all happening before the end of 2025! For more about these shows and what’s coming up next year at the Odeum, Yodelayheehoo over to greenwichodeum.com
That’s it for now. You can listen to my podcasts at motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast and find my concert photographs at motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening.