Okee dokee folks… I am not at all a fan of Marshall Mathers’ (aka, Eminem) music, but I do have to give him a LOT of credit for his Trump-bashing rap! I am GLAD that SOMEONE had the cojones to do something like this! While I do not find rap particularly poetic or profound, Mathers does plainly say what NEEDS to be said. Lines such as “‘Cause what we got in office now’s a kamikaze, that’ll probably cause a nuclear holocaust” and “Racism’s the only thing he’s fantastic for” cut right to the quick. He twists the knife with the last line, “We love our military, and we love our country, but we f—ing hate Trump!” Perfect. Now we need some way to get this lunatic out of the White House, and fast. He should be bounced from there like an obnoxious drunk from a bar — thrown right out on his ass. The doomsday clock is ticking. Woody Guthrie, we need you and your fascist-killing guitar! Read on…
One of my all-time favorite performers, Michelle Malone, will be in Rhode Island this month. Michelle Malone may not be a household name, but she has collaborated with many folks who are: Greg Allman, John Mayer and most notably, the Indigo Girls. She was also a member of the Indigo Girls. She is an award-winning rock/folk/blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. If you are fan of Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams or Sheryl Crow, you will love Malone! Her songs have appeared in such films as Bam Bam and Celeste, All Over Me and Shotgun Jesus and in TV’s “True Blood,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Felicity” and “Brooklyn South.” They have been recorded by Indigo Girls (for which she received both gold and platinum records), Antigone Rising and many others. Malone is currently recording her 15th album. I have been a fan of Malone’s music for more than 20 years and every time I see her perform I am left speechless. Not only are her songs great, she is a kick ass guitar player! This Georgia gal doesn’t get up north very often, so seize the opportunity to see her live. She will be making a stop at the Route 44 Music Series on October 26. The series is held at the Harmony Lodge in Harmony, just 25 minutes from Providence and an easy drive up Route 295 North to exit 7B and just 4.1 miles on Route 44 West. Don’t miss this show. Once you see her live you will be a fan for life! Opening the show will be Rhode Island’s own Malyssa Bellarosa. For more, “Chicken Lickin’ Boogie” to HearInRhodeIsland.com or MichelleMalone.com
For 14 years, Wildstock has been rocking to support The Wildlife Clinic of RI! If you don’t already know, I am a BIG supporter and lover of animals. I have saved and raised all kinds of critters over the years. The Wildlife Clinic of RI has helped along the way. Wildstock is a fundraiser/Halloween party that provides some necessary support for this organization and it’s a LOT of fun. Come dressed in a costume, lots of folks do, or just come as you are. The musical line-up includes Trinity, Rendition, Band of Brothers, Crushed Velvet and Repercussions. Trinity, Band of Brothers and Crushed Velvet are three of my favorite local bands. Tickets include all entertainment and a dinner and dessert buffet provided by Jacky’s Galaxie. They also have lots of raffle prizes. Wildstock is Saturday, October 28 at Jacky’s Galaxie, 383 Metacom Ave in Bristol. Animals really do need our help and this is a fun way of doing so. For more, squirrel over to RIWildlifeRehab.org
Common Fence Music has a double dose weekend in store for you! Laura Cortese and The Dance Cards with Haunt The House will be at Hope & Main in Warren on Friday, October 20 and The Honey Dewdrops will be at the Common Fence Point Hall in Portsmouth on October 21. Cortese has served as an instrumentalist with Band of Horses, Pete Seeger, Rose Cousins, Jocie Adams (of the Low Anthem) and Uncle Earl. They can go from folk to Cajun to rock with sophisticated string arrangements and rich vocal harmonies that augment Cortese’s poignant and powerful singing. The Honey Dewdrops are an Americana duo — married in life and music. They have been compared to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Each share vocals and guitars, sweetened occasionally by Parrish’s mandolin and Wortman’s work on banjo and harmonica. For more, “Fly Away Free” to CommonFenceMusic.org
In the late ’90s, you probably heard these lyrics repeatedly on the radio, “I’ll be your cryin’ shoulder, I’ll be love suicide, I’ll be better when I’m older, I’ll be the greatest fan of your life.” Can you name that song? It’s “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain and if you missed it you didn’t have a radio on. His recording of “I Could Not Ask For More” was also in heavy rotation and was included in the film Message in a Bottle. McCain will be crooning these tunes in Woonsocket on October 27 at the Stadium Theatre. Opening the show will be Jeffery Gaines. He is best known for his solo acoustic cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” The next night, October 28, the legendary Art Garfunkel, half of the iconic Simon & Garfunkel duo, will perform at the Stadium. For more, get tuned in and turned on to StadiumTheatre.com
Scottish folk troubadour Archie Fisher makes a rare appearance and brings his songs, stories and the very best of Scottish folk music to the Music in the Gallery concert series on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30pm in the James Arnold Mansion/Wamsutta Club in New Bedford. For almost five decades, Fisher has been a figure in the Scottish folk music scene and his achievements as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer make his place in the annals of folk music secure. As a guitarist, Fisher was among the earliest steel-string players in British folk music, devising a mix of new tunings and inventive picking that has influenced generations of successors. For tix, charge over to brownpapertickets.com/
Musician and activist Holly Near will be performing a concert for Girls Rock! Rhode Island and Communisong on Thursday, November 2 at Lincoln School in Providence. For over 40 years and 30 recordings, Holly Near has been recognized around the world for her music, activism, peace, justice and feminism. Near’s career began in the 1960s and she has worked with artists such as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and more. She has received honors from the ACLU, the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Ms. Magazine. Communisong, convenors of song, and Girls Rock! Rhode Island, a local non-profit whose mission is to help girls, women, trans and gender non-conforming individuals express themselves through music, have partnered to produce this event. The concert is open to all ages. For more, go to GirlsRockRI.org or CommuniSongRIHolly.
Last week we lost a friend, a music fan, supporter of the arts, event producer and more when the wonderful Kate Vivian passed away. Kate, or “Kakie” as I would call her, was the driving force behind things that happened at the Towers in Narragansett. She dealt with brides and bands. She had weekly concerts/dances at the Towers every summer, all summer long. Often the bands would stay at her house. She loved music and the people involved in it. Kate’s passing has left a hole in the soul of musicians from Narragansett to New Orleans. RIP, Kate.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com