Okee dokee folks… Well, it’s a new year. People put way too much stock in that. Shit just carries over from the previous year. Time is a human-made construct. In the big picture it doesn’t really exist. Time is just a measurement. Regardless, none of us have time to waste and no matter what, you cannot buy more. There is an interesting film that I have enjoyed watching a few times called In Time (2011). It stars Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. In this movie you are paid in time credits and you use these like money. If you run out of time, you die. It exemplifies the haves and have nots. If you are poor, you die young, if you are rich you can live forever. In a way this already happens in our real world. So, live your lives to the fullest now. Enjoy a concert, learn to play an instrument, sing at an open mic, eat chocolate cake – just enjoy life as best you can. I know it’s pretty hard to do right now with all the crap that is going on in this country but that should give you even more reason to TRY to live life to the fullest. The lunatic in the WH has the nuclear codes. Read on…
At the Kingston Congregational Church, UCC, located near URI at 2610 Kingstown Road, The Tracy Chapman Chapel Vol. 2 will take place on Friday, Jan 23. It will be a musical and spiritual gathering featuring uplifting songs performed by musicians and vocalists such as: Kim Trusty, Paula Clare, Eden Casteel, Alexcia Christy, MWALIM Daphunkee Professor and The ZYG808, Joe Potenza, George Dussault, Eric Hastings, and others. Christy, MWALIM and The ZYG808 are all Native American musicians who celebrate their heritage in their music and performing. The evening will feature the songs of Grammy Award winner Tracy Chapman, such as: “Fast Car,” “Give Me One Reason,” “Talkin’ ’Bout a Revolution,” and “Say Hallelujah.” Chapman’s catalog touches on faith, social justice, and all matters of the heart. All proceeds benefit the Tomaquag Museum. For more, head “Across The Lines” to: tomaquagmuseum.org or kingstonucc.org
The Gathering Grounds Coffeehouse will host two duos (is that a duo of duos?) – Roots Run Wild and Barbara and Wyatt Lema – on Jan 23 at 7pm. Shows are held at Robert Rock Community Center, 610 Waterman Avenue in East Providence. For more info, reach out to Jan (not Marcia, Marcia, Marcia) at janluby.com
On Jan 24 Nicole Gauthier, Beth Killian, Avi Jacob and myself will present a show called Legends of Folk at the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich. Each will tribute a particular artist: Nicole – Joni Mitchell, Beth – Joan Baez, Avi – Bob Dylan, and I will play the music of Cat Stevens. Avi, Nicole and I have been playing our tributes for while now and we have gotten great responses to the interpretations of the music. Beth is phenomenal and I am sure what she does with Joan’s music will be nothing short of amazing! If you are a fan of great music you won’t want to miss this one – it’s going to be a fun night! For more, ride “The Wind” over to: greenwichodeum.com
In the protest song department I recently came across this song, surprisingly, by a country artist who sings about women’s rights. Now I am not a country music fan, but this song nails it. It’s called “Barefoot & Pregnant” by Gwen Levey and The Breakdown. There are many great lines like “What does she do with her college degree, throw it out the window with her IUD?” in the song. Check it out: youtube.com/watch?v=AS0rITluBDE&list=RDAS0rITluBDE&start_radio=1
Local singer-songwriter Katherine Quinn sent this one in. In “Love Song For My Country,” she sings, “Heart as heavy as a stone, all I value has been thrown away.” Give it a listen here: youtu.be/bWsVoJWjDfA
Another performer that has popped up in FB reels is Jodi Jones, a singer-songwriter from North Carolina who also plays in an old-timey style band called Sugaree String Society. Similarly to protest songwriter Jesse Welles she posts timely songs of social consciousness. She has written catchy compositions such as “We Don’t Want No War In Venezuela,” “The Market,” “I Owe My Soul To Capital One,” and more. Peruse her page of song reels, lots of great stuff there! fb.com/jodielizabethjones/reels/
Chicago-based progressive rock project, Refestramus just released the single, “Goodbye, America” where they sing, “Mothers left out on the street / Your sanctions left no food to eat. America, the things you do / I see now they’re coming back to you.” You can hear it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-JZ-twAkyU&list=RDn-JZ-twAkyU&start_radio=1
This morning I woke up to the news about the attack on Venezuela and like everything else the mango moron does, it really pissed me off! I immediately wrote out lyrics to a song called, “This Motherfucker has To Go!” I’m sorry (not sorry) but it’s the language this anger calls for. The chorus is: “Hey, Ho! This motherfucker has to go, he has pissed on everything, he thinks he is a king, this motherfucker has to go!” I still need to work on the music and refine it. But hopefully I will have it ready for next issue. I only tell you about this to inspire MORE OF YOU to write them — let’s get more protest songs written! I will keep putting contributions in my column. Speak your mind in song! Send a public link of the music, and a copy of the lyrics to: RISongwriters@yahoo.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.