Confessions of the Starving Artist - 1/21/08

There must be guitars
Life is there for us to live
Come in and live right

You’ve got to love a weekend like this. We had two of the best guitar players anywhere.

Friday night, January 18, at SAC&G, John Guth took the stage. From the first notes you knew this guy could play. John is a fine songwriter as well. He covered songs by the likes of Richard Farina. John played with Richard’s widow Mimi (Joan Baez’ sister) on a couple of tours. Look up Richard and Mimi Farina. John has played the Starving Artist as backup to his friends. This is the first of his solo engagements at the Artist. He played a rousing rendition of Johnny B. Goode, and he was.

So how do you follow a good guitar player? With another one. Saturday, January 19, the Lou Volpe Starving Artist Jazztet took the stage. First, it’s an honor to have this really hot jazz band use that name. If you’ve never heard Lou Volpe play guitar, get to CD Baby right now. Forget Clapton and those guys, Lou is pure guitar. Notes fly in a fluid flurry from his guitar like a beautiful fireworks show. Lou has played the Artist perhaps more than anyone. With the City Island Quartet, solo and with his Jazztet. He’s even played with me in my sets. I’ve covered him in these blogs numerous times. I think I like the Volpe Jazztet thing the most. James Rococa and John Clay, on bass and drums respectively, match him well and keep it all right in the pocket. Check out Lou’s originals; they’re great.

Bluesabilly. There I’ve said it. That’s what we had on Sunday afternoon, January 20 in the form of the NYC Blues Trio. Erica Johnson is someone who happens to work with my wife. I had no idea she played music at all. Well, here she was at SAC&G with two guys playing bluesabilly. I swear bandmate Richard Chambers channeled Johnny Cash. You guessed it. They played the blues in a purist style and rockabilly also with a purist sensibility. Erica even sang an original. She switched from bass to six string flat top to sing a song about the Bronx. Well, specifically Co-op City and the Starving Artist on City Island (two honors in one weekend!). This band of really nice people which also included Mark Freese (and their really nice guitars) sang the sun to sleep and as evening fell we all sat down to spaghetti and meatballs. Speaking of Italian food, next week I will be in Italy. There’ll be plenty to blog about then.

Do the right thing. Support live independent music. Click all the links to these awesome musicians. Click on Glick at the Neil Young Living With War web site - now #92 and #94. Keep warm, and come in, and live right.

Elliott Glick

Confessions of the Starving Artist - 1/14/08

Diversity rules
To know art is to know life
All in life is art

Holy blogasaurus, a week's gone by already.

Every now and then I get to meet someone else with a similar story to my own. Bob "Big Folkie" Kresse has been showing up at open mic night at the Artist for the last several months. He is a member of the Circle of Friends, singer-songwriters that meet in Pleasantville, New York. The story is he hasn't played out in some years and has been slowly getting back into it. So this big bear of a man shows up at SAC&G on Friday, January 11, and sings some of the sweetest lyrics, tenderly. It takes a fair amount of courage to get up in front of a room full of people and do your act for the first time. By the end, Bob had won over his audience and set himself back on track. I'm glad it took place at my cafe.

Liverpool, England, late 1961. In a small club called the Cavern, four lads are driving the packed house wild. City Island, New York, early 2008. In a small club called the Artist, four lads are driving the packed house wild. Three years ago, my friend Jorge Caraballo asked if his band, Rubber Soul, could play the Starving Artist. I didn't even know he played guitar. He said it was a Beatles tribute band. I usually ask for an audition, a CD, MP3 file, web site or short set at our open mic. But I asked him if they got close. He said pretty close and I said yes. After all, I knew the material. Well, from that first show, they have been a major event at the Artist. Yes, they do Beatles. Yes, they get close, but they do something more. The Beatles had great songs, great music, great production values and great growth, but they also had a magic, a chemistry. It was a certain charm. Rubber Soul captures that too. They have a magic and charm to them. (For proof, just take a look at my daughter's face when she posed with the band at the end of the night.) What comes through is that they love this music and performing it, and they love each other. These shows on Saturday, January 12, like all of their shows, had its surprises. I was blown away by "She's Leaving Home" while Uncle Bill loved "Dr. Robert." But, the big surprise of the night was side two of Abbey Road – complete. They brought backtracks of the strings and keyboards. They all took solos on "Love You," even nailing the great Ringo drum break. These guys even played "Her Majesty" – the song hidden in the old vinyl LP "windout" groove. The lineup is: Jorge Caraballo on rhythm guitar and "John" vocals, harmonica and tambourine; John Negron on bass guitar and "Paul" vocals; Peter Parrella on lead guitar and "George" vocals, and Jeff Mucciolo on drums and percussion in the "Ringo" spot. If "in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make," then all who were present are now Rubber Soulmates – for life.

Sunday, January 13, two big shows the night before and very little sleep, the Giants were to play Dallas, and everyone said it would be a light day for me. Add to that the impending snowstorm (which never showed) and you've got a recipe for an easy, slow day. Well, guess again grasshopper. The City Island Jazz Quartet played to a packed Sunday afternoon crowd. The lineup this time was Roger Scala on sax, Gene on bass, Sal on drums and jazz great Lou Volpe on guitar. How hot is this band. They went through so many jazz standards and nailed everyone. Most of the time the audience (of all age groups) sat rapt listening to these guys cook with their own recipe. Particularly hot was when the band was "trading fours," each member getting to have his say musically in turns. One of the best ways to spend a Sunday afternoon is listening to the City Island Jazz Quartet in the comfort of the Starving Artist.

After the show, the band and their audience left. My son and daughters and their families sat down for dinner and a family jam session. Children and grandchildren around us, the weekend wound down to a beautiful conclusion.

If you missed the acts this weekend, do yourself a favor and check the schedule for the coming shows. Come in for a sandwich and coffee drink, tea or lime rickey, and play one of the games available. Further, my instructions are to support live independent music, click the links, click on Glick at Neil Young's Living With War web site - #81 and #84 this week – big leaps for the both songs, buy my CDs on CD Baby, and always come in, and live right!

Elliott Glick

Confessions of the Starving Artist - 1/07/08

This week in limbo
The weary ones seek rest
Artist life goes on

Hi ho, blogarinos.

It was that week that could only exist in the limbo of post Christmas / New Year. Of course, it’s been a whole series of parties with gifts too. How do you top that? Well, of course, you don’t – you rest. But it’s unfortunate because at Starving Artist, we had another great weekend lineup.

Friday night, January 4, we were treated to a show by the great Gary Paul Hermus. This guy is what coffeehouses were made for. He sang his original songs that were witty and charming, funny and poignant. The songs were musically diverse and tasty, and played with the skill of a fine musical craftsman. He’s about my age and his lyrics relate in a humorous way the things my generation faces and the road to here. This enchanting storyteller played two beautiful Taylor guitars, one tuned to DADGAD. He’s a really nice guy, and it shines through his entire act.

Frank Critelli, who played on Saturday, January 5, is also from the planet of really nice guys, although he says he’s from Connecticut. He’s a really fine singer / songwriter in the WFUV tradition. He is, in fact, every bit as good as any of those guys: John Gorka, Richard Shindel, etc. His songs cover the gamut of the human experience. He accompanied himself on guitar and harmonica, and was joined throughout by his bassist Don. Don played beautifully melodic bass lines on a Fender fretless bass. Frank treated us to his take on a couple of Beatles songs, too. We also celebrated the new soon-to-be-released CD, “Waltzing Through Quicksand.” Catch both of these guys the next time they play the ‘Artist.’ You’ll thank yourself later.

Sunday afternoon, January 6, we did the logical thing a week after New Year’s celebrations. We had a jam session. You never know what to expect when you call an open jam. It’s always a risk. It could be a dud. Well, the doors opened at 3 p.m. and, in rapid succession, in came six or seven guitar players, a singer, a keyboard player and our waitress Mariel on drums. The session opened with blues standard, “Stormy Monday,” and meandered thorugh everything from “Wooly Bully” to Sam Cook to the American Songbook tunes. Some of the highlights were Dave Ramirez singing, “Masquerade,” with Lou, and my wife, SAC&G’s own Monica Glick, singing “Hotel California.” The audience was given tambourines and maracas, and some dancing even broke out. I would say everyone had a good time. I’m looking forward to the next one. I might control it a little more, limiting guitars to three or four at a time, and everyone choosing a song. The best news of the day was that Mariel Murphy, our great new waitress, was able to keep the music “in the pocket,” as they say. We now have a house drummer. Wow.

Of course, if you missed any of the performers who play the ‘Artist,’ or I’ve peaked your interest with the Blog, or you really like what you did hear, you can and should buy their CDs. You not only satisfy your need for great music, but also get to be in on their rise, not to mention financially support independent music.

I would like to thank Channel 7 (WABC-TV) for promoting the jam session on the air. I would also like to thank everyone involved in the jam. Thanks also to “Uncle Bill” Yehle for taking over chef duties while I played – and for taking photographs too. What a guy.


As always, click the links, click on Glick at Neil Young's Living With War web site - #94 and #96 this week – buy my CDs on CD Baby, check out the calendar for this weekend’s music lineup, and come in, and live right!

Elliott Glick

Confessions of the Starving Artist - New Year's Message - 1/1/08

So, Happy New Blog.
Old year ends and new begins.
A circle to fill.

This week, we ended a year and began a year - all set to music.

Friday night, December 28, we celebrated the legendary Starving Artist open mic. The anticipation of New Year's Eve and SAC&G decked out for Christmas added an edge to the evening. First up was the razor-edged poetry of Justin Rodstrom. J-Rod is a fine singer and songwriter as well. Anthony C. and Davey B. of Love, Mara Jade performed individually this time. Marian Mastrorilli of Project Mercury fame was joined by a percussionist this time, friend Peter. She charmed us through a three-song set of her thoughtful songs (I'm a fan). Magic Alex is a fine poet with a sharp wit and intellect. Many more acts followed, the comedy of Al Wagner and the crowd-pleaser, Jenn "Angel Wings" Santise. Last, but not least, the emcee of the evening, Josh Glick, took the stage singing his own "Fixation" and "Stickything." He does a great job hosting the proceedings. I say that not because he is my son, but because it's true. Thanks Josh.

"Mister Saturday Night" came to SAC&G on Saturday, December 29, and what a night it was. Freddie "Flip" Lando can and does sing anything. You name it - Bobby Darin's "Artificial Flowers" to opera. He did something I've never seen anyone attempt. He sang Roy Orbison's "Crying." Think it's easy? Try it next open mic. Freddie had a surprise guest too. Theresa Sareo showed up and joined Freddie on the showstopper from "Phantom of the Opera" and several other songs. Impromptu as it was they nailed every song and all the beautiful harmony cold. I tell you the hair on my arm stood up. Freddie is as generous a performer as he is talented. A gifted singer, not to be missed.

Sunday, December 30 we closed in preparation for New Year's Eve.

Monday night, December 31, the cafe was dressed in all its New Year's finery. The noise makers sat like a box of explosives and the air was filled with the aroma of a feast. A full house of seasoned partiers were grooving to the guitar wizardry of jazz great Lou Volpe. Lou has played every New Year's Eve of the cafe's history and other times too numerous to tally - and I'm always blown away by this man's talent. His skill at his instrument is matched by his brilliant arrangements of cover songs and his downright tasty originals. He was worth the price of admission all on his own. A testament to him was the fact that the audience, there to celebrate New Year's Eve, was filled with musicians. Lou Volpe or Ryan Seacrest? I think the choice is obvious. The clock struck twelve. We kissed the girls. We drank champagne. We kissed a year goodbye. We kissed a year hello. We gathered for the customary SAC&G New Year's Group Photo. The bound copy of photos of the 2008 celebration will be available for those who cherish such moments.

I wish to thank "Uncle Bill" Yehle, my beautiful wife, Monica, and Hannah and Joshua for their help this New Year's Eve. Peace and love and happiness in this New Year.

Click the links. Click on Glick at the Neil Young Living With War web site - now #95 and #99, ending the year in the top 100! Support live, independent music. And come in, and live right!