music

After hearing two outstanding concerts this weekend, I'm struck by how long it takes me get around to finding good music sometimes. Sunday night I made my first trip to Framingham to hear John Gorka play (Dan Coutier opening - nice job Dan), which gave me the chance to get better aqcuainted with someone I knew from his great cover of Dylan's "Girl From the North Country" on the Nod to Bob album. On Sunday night we heard the Mystic Chorale peform a concert of South African music in the historic Tremont Temple in downtown Boston, which got me back in touch with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, whom I knew from Paul Simon's Graceland.

And how is it that I've lived without Miriam Makebe's “Pata Pata” to get me going on a Monday morning. It now has a permanent place in my “Happy, Funky, Soul” playlist.

It's nice to know there are some new things under the sun--at least new to me--if I take time to come out from under my rock once in a while.

Last night Cathy, Edward, and I took in a great show by our new friend Geni from St. James's at Ryles in Inman Square. In addition to being an accomplished flutist, Geni distinguishes himself by playing jazz with a shakuhachi, a Japanese bamboo flute, and the shakulute, a traditional flute with a bamboo headpiece. Throughout the evening, he treated us to his own tunes as well as fresh versions of songs by Sting, Theolonious Monk, and Violent Femmes. He also brought up a vocalist for a few Brazilian tunes and his instructor from Berkeley for some tag-team flute virtuosity. Looking forward to your new album, Geni.