Okee dokee folks… The other night I headed up to Plymouth to catch the Larry Burnett/Rick Roberts’ show at The Spire Center for the Performing Arts. Roberts and Burnett were the main voices and the songwriters behind the band Firefall (“Strange Way,” Your Are The Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You”). A couple of months ago I interviewed two of the remaining original members in Firefall’s current line-up in advance of their show at Twin River, which I also attended. To have finally seen all of the original members of this band was a delight. Roberts and Burnett had some VERY serious health issues that kept them away from performing for quite a while. Though they are performing again, it is not without difficulty. They represent an organization called The Invisible Disabilities Association, which is about the invisible nature of some illnesses and pain that may lead to others’ disbelief about that illness or pain. This disbelief can lead to misunderstandings, rejection by friends, family and heath care providers. I commend these two for speaking up and for still being out there playing great music! For more, see through to invisibledisabilities.org
One of the biggest legends in the songwriting world is coming to the Greenwich Odeum on October 25. Civilians may not know the name Jimmy Webb, but we songwriters sure do! Webb is responsible for some of the greatest and most memorable songs of ALL TIME including “Up, Up and Away,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “MacArthur Park.” A Jimmy Webb show is extremely entertaining. He performs many of his classic hits (on piano and vocals) and tells great stories about his music and experiences with other artists. Glen Campbell was one of his good friends and he also talks a lot about collaborations with others such as Linda Rondstat, Art Garfunkel and Carly Simon. I spoke with Webb recently. You can read that new interview at motifri.com/jimmywebb2019. For more about the show, “drive the main road” to greenwichodeum.com
RI has great songwriters and if you want to hear a few, then hit the Brooklyn Coffeehouse on Saturday, October 19 when the Rhode island Songwriters Association (RISA) presents a Songwriter Showcase. This month will feature Joanne Lurgio, Jan Luby and Ant Savino. These showcases happen every third Saturday of the month at the Brooklyn Coffee Tea & Guest House on Douglas Ave in PVD. For more, get write over to: RISongwriters.com Also at the Brooklyn Coffeehouse, on October 26, is singer-songwriter Roger Salloom. His musical style crosses many genres and he has been called “America’s best unknown songwriter.” For more, “La Ti Da” to rogersalloom.com
Like most people my age, I watched the moon landing from my floor, eyes glued to our black and white TV. From that point on I wanted to be an astronaut. As I got older that goal changed from astronaut to rock star, but I always had a love for space travel until I went to the Kennedy Space Center and saw the equipment. Bowie was right when he wrote the lyrics “Am I sitting in a tin can, Far above the world” for his song “Space Oddity.” As with everything I write about, it’s a giant leap to connect the dots to the main purpose and this is no exception. Small Step, Giant Leap: A Lunar Fantasy is a work in honor of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School hosts Music Without Borders: Judith Lynn Stillman and Friends from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. Pianist Stillman performs with orchestra members Katherine Winterstein, violin, Abigail Cross, viola, and Steven Laven, cello, in a variety of works celebrating cultures across the globe and beyond! Former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Carolyn Huntoon (and first ever woman to have held such a position), and WaterFire’s Barnaby Evans narrate Stillman’s Small Step, Giant Leap: A Lunar Fantasy, commissioned in 2019 in honor of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon landing. This performance will take place on Saturday, November 2 at the Carter Center for Music Education & Performance, 667 Waterman Ave, East Providence. For more, tickle, twinkle to judithlynnstillman.com
“Come down from heaven, BB King, come down” is a line from a song by Anthony Gomes that has a Black Crowes/Stevie Ray feel. Gomes is not someone I have heard of before, but after checking out his videos in advance of for his Peace, Love and Loud Guitars show at The Met on November 1 I felt that you all should check him out as well. Gomes released his first recording in 1988 and 13 albums and many awards later, he is still going strong. He is offering a Free Compilation Album Digital Download with hit songs from his latest release and back catalogue at FreeGomesAlbum.com. For more, Electric Field Holler to themetri.com
The ReJubilation Foundation serves the community by providing specialized interactive musical programs for seniors, veterans, children, those with disabilities and other underserved populations. The Bourbon Street Jubilee is their all-ages, all inclusive main fundraising event and will be held at The Greenwich Odeum on October 31 at 8pm. This vaudevillian interactive traveling stage show features NOLA-style jazz/street musicians, singers, aerial artists, accordion players and tap dancers. The roster of talent includes Beth Silvia, singer/musical theater actress (organization co-founder with sister, Cynthia Stanton), Mike Silvia, Talia Good, The Scruffy Aristocrats, Suzanne Michelle, Larissa Bailey, Elizabeth Silvia, Tom Persinos, Eric Peterson and Elizabeth Peterson. For more, juggle over to rejubilationfoundation.org
Please check out my review of Escape to Margaritaville at motifri.com/margaritaville and Indigo Girls with the RI Philharmonic at motifri.com/indigogirls. I also posted photos from Indigo Girls show on the Motif Facebook page. I have interviews with the band America and comedian Tammy Pescatelli coming up as well! That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com
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