Confessions of the Starving Artist - 2/14/08

Super Bowl, Super Tuesday, Super Blog.

Rooted trees stand still
Movement only sets you free
Once upon a bird.

January 25, Open Mic - I always look forward to open mic night. Of course, I got to see old friends and hear them work new material. A lot of new songs have their debut this way. But, one of the most interesting things about the last Friday of each month is the new acts that appear. We've had everything from polished professionals to the diamond in the rough. Now maybe all of this sounds like something you'd like to see and hear or maybe you're a performer polished or rough, or maybe you don't believe a thing like this can be so great. Well, you need to come to see for yourself - last Friday of every month. Comedy, poetry, music and performance art.

I am really proud of the quality of musicians that play the Starving Artist. Saturday night, January 26, Two Guitars took the stage. Brian Conigliaro and Gus Wieland are music business veterans. They've played all over the country and with various "name" acts. These guys play a great acoustic mix of blues and jazz fusion, and original tunes. Their guitars weave an intricate story around the lyrics. Add to all this vocal harmonies and Brian's virtuoso harmonica playing, and you've got one evening of great live music. I love when they play my club.

Sundays at the Artist can be mellow. Mellow like a cello. And that's exactly how it was. Cellar took the stage on Sunday, January 27. Elizabeth Glushko is the force behind Cellar. She plays cello and is accompanied by a guitarist; this time, Peter. They play everything from Beatles to blues, jazz to classical. A mellow, cello Sunday - if you don't count the New 12 The Bronx TV crew who was there to capture it all on video and feature SAC&G as the hot spot for live, independent music.

Monday, January 28, I hit the friendly skies for Italy. Rome, Assisi, Lucca, Pisa, Orvieto and Firenze. Wine, food, art, history and a papal blessing. Did I mention wine and food? Oh yeah and shopping. Well, back in New York, 10 days later, we hit the ground running. Guitar lessons to teach, shopping to do. Friday night, February 8, we re-opened to a newcomer to Starving Artist. Michael Magella has a style all his own, born of past musical experiences. His vocals are at once theatrical and intensely personal in the way Brian Ferry's are. He sang all original songs, all very romantic. I think he increased his fan base that night.

Saturday night, February 9, marked the return of two old friends of SAC&G. Fred Gillen Jr. and Matt Turk have played the Artist both as a duo and as solo artists. Each is a great singer, songwriter, musician in his own right, and together they're another thing. A powerhouse act that has it all covered. Beautiful harmonies and arrangements. They incorporate harmonica and percussion instruments such as washboard and rainstick. Pretty cool, huh? Starving Artist's own sweetheart, singer-songwriter Theresa Sareo even stopped by after a gig nearby to catch the end of their second set and to hear about our trip to Italy. Keep your eye on these guys.

Sweet Sunday again. If the Starving Artist is home to any band, it's the City Island Jazz Quartet. I think they've played here more times than anyone. Their guitarist, the amazing Lou Volpe I think has the all time record. These guys cooked up a Sunday afternoon on February 10 that saw sunshine, snow and then sunshine and then snow again. The house was packed, and the mood was right. They simmered, boiled, and baked all the old standards. Their solos were hot, and they served up the song in their own way. Drummer Sal, bassist Gene, guitarist Volpe and bandleader and saxman Roger Scala filled the cafe with the sound of good recipes. At the end of the last set, friend and pianist "Cowboy" Dave offered dessert - a rollicking, stomping blues set. Well, needless to say, they left the room hungry for more.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. Enjoy a little romance and click the links - "CLICK ON GLICK" (#150 and #157 this week on Neil Young's Living With War Web Site. If you are on MySpace and not on my friend list at my MySpace, make a request. March 8 at 8 p.m., I am playing the Starving Artist myself with some surprises, so save the date and make a reservation.

Also, on Thursday, February 21, at 8 p.m., Fish Altieri of the Shells fame will be giving a one-hour free seminar on "making it" and the four streams of income in the business.

The blog will go back to its normal weekly schedule. Peace, love, music and art - and come in, and live right.



Elliott Glick