Concert Review —

Four-Plus Hours Of Woodstock In Newtown

By Ben Keeney

A $2 night at the movies is a bargain, and 4½ hours of live music for 20 bucks is too. On June 7, the second WPKN benefit to feature Woodstock, N.Y. area musicians, played Newtown’s Edmond Town Hall, in the auditorium where bargain movies are usually screened. Singer-songers all, each act made use of its extended family with guest appearances from each other.

The concert was something of a continuation of a show that took place in the same venue one year ago. In the 30-plus years since its first album was released, The Band’s line-up has had many revisions. Various members played a benefit for listener-supported radio station WPKN last year; many returned this year to continue the music.

Jeff Wignall, WPKN’s promoter of the event, kicked off the evening at 7:45 stating that unlike the ten different folks who took the stage last year, this time each would be given a full set. He started off by introducing two solo acts, Tom Pacheco and then Graham Parker.

Pacheco trotted out his first three selections, strong ballads he had performed last year, “All Because Of You,” “Blue Fields” and “There Was a Time.” He introduced the next song, “Shadow Of a Seagull,” with a story of his sister’s woes.

Here a member of one of the later acts appeared with an accordion, Professor Louie (nee Aaron Hurwitz), to accompany Pacheco on his first of two political songs, “Teddy Roosevelt Was a Fool.” Pacheco then played “I’ll Leave the Lights On,” his earnest tribute to his friendship with a fallen member of The Band.

“Julia Butterfly Hill,” a nod to the redwood activist, was followed by a fanciful criticism of the establishment’s treatment of culture, “The Last Rolling Stone.”

Pacheco has been on the road long enough to remember to end with strong material and his last number, “Down in Juarez,” showcased a powerful flamenco guitar.

The tempo of the concert shifted with Graham Parker’s appearance. Now on Razor and Tie records, this 70s songster was rapid-fire, both in his delivery and between-song patter. Parker has been busy touring and promoting both new material and re-releases of his earliest material.

Tunes from his first LP opened the set: “Watch The Moon,” “Come Down” and “Socks & Sandals.” Then, anticipating his next appearance at an outdoor Chicago venue, Parker covered the Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree.”

From a re-release of his first demo he selected “That’s When You Know,” from his upcoming Blue Horizon. A request was met with “Lady Doctor.” Another throw-away humorous tune, “Hard On Clothes (Easy On Me),” was followed by a cover of an early Fleetwood Mac, “World Turning.”

Parker kept up a frantic pace, fitting in four final selections, alternating between electric and acoustic guitars. Joining him for “Last Stop Is Nowhere” was again Professor Louie on accordion. An a cappella version of Sam Cooke’s “Cupid” was a show-stopper. Parker ended with “Heat Treatment,” the title track of his soon-to-be-released second album.

A short intermission was followed by the Honky Tonk Gurus, Jim Weider’s straightforward rock and roll band. Going straight into “You Got The Remedy,” The Gurus got down to business.

A distinction for this year was addition of a new harmonizing singer: Mary DeWitt. Remember Merry Clayton’s help on the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”? That was Mary DeWitt.

An instrumental, “Now We’re Talking,” was followed by “Look Out Kid” and a jerky version of Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues.” Weider’s signature “Deepest Cut” almost ruined his amp, which was quickly replaced by a fast-moving technician. (Does Weider often blow amps?)

The titles alone give an indication: this is electric blues. DeWitt reappeared for “Everyday Condition,” teaming with co-lead Micki Womack. “Love’s Like Rain,” an instrumental, was a build-up for a cover of Freddy King’s “Going Down.” “Hidden in Plain Sight” finished up: more clean, razor-strop urban blues. Look for Weider’s Gurus next in Danbury at the CityCenter Band Shell on July 27 for free.

While the Leslie amp spun some for the Honky Tonk Gurus keyboard, it was truly about to be tested by the appearance of the headlining act, The Crowmatix with Garth Hudson. The venerable original Band member doodled around on his Hammond organ until the night’s final extended jam when he made obvious his dexterity and prowess.

The Crowmatix carry the torch for the Woodstock of recording fame, the one that lasted, not the fabled mud splash of the late 60s. Leader Professor Louie keeps the fires stoked on stage and off; he produces many other bands. His discography reveals a gigantic history of behind-the-scenes work. The Crowmatix went into the studio after last year’s Edmond Town Hall appearance and cut their first BreezeHill album, Over the Edge.

Hurwitz’s co-writer, Miss Marie Spinoza, opened the set belting out the vocal on the first of two selections from their first recording: “The Great Beyond,” followed by the title track. “Take This Lonesome Body Home,” from the Crowmatix’s upcoming CD, followed.

Guitarist Mike Demicco stepped forward on mandolin for “Tear Of The Cloud,” and then Graham Parker re-emerged for the lead vocal on “If It Ever Stops Raining.” Mr Hudson then began to ease forward, strapping on an accordion for a solo introduction to Rick Danko’s mournful “Twilight.”

Ace drummer Gary Burke was given a showcase in “Mr Luck.” “Look What You’ve Done” was the Crowmatix’s last song by themselves. At that point the entire assemblage took the stage for several building jam sessions.

“Chest Fever” brought out Weider’s band, followed by Johnny Otis’ “Willie & The Hand Jive” and finally Chuck Berry’s “Rock and Roll.” This last medley built for a solid half hour, testing not only The Band’s Leslie amp but the town hall’s air conditioning. The whole shooting match broke camp at quarter to one.

If you wonder what’s become of the rest of the original Band: Robbie Robertson is in L.A. producing (the soundtrack to Shrek, for example), and Levon Helm played June 22 at the Towne Crier in Pawling, N.Y. with his new band, The Barn Burners.

If you missed the June 7 show in Newtown, the Web site that gives flavor to the present-day Woodstock music scene, complete with streaming audio, is nighteaglecafe.org. And almost the whole line-up will appear in Bearsville, N.Y. on August 24. Call 845-679-8900 for info.