The Local Music Corner – December 2023  By Perry Persoff.

This just in –

Lisa Bastoni and Sean Staples have finished the recording phase of their upcoming album.  Don’t quote me on this, but I think it is the 3rd consecutive album of Lisa’s that Sean has produced.  It is expected out sometime this Spring (no, I don’t believe it will be called “Don’t Quote Me On This”).  There is already an album release show listed with Club Passim for March 9…

Lisa and Sean played a show with Reed Foehl on Sat Dec 2nd at The Burren in Somerville.  They played at least two of the new songs.  In my humble opinion, they sounded very good.  This only makes me more anxious to hear the new record.  What else makes me anxious for the new record?  Lisa and Sean sang together on many of the songs at the show, and they sounded really good together.  I hope they do a lot of co-vocals on the album.

As for Reed, he has plans in the works for his next album – once again to be made with the Band of Heathens down in Texas. And speaking of that December 2nd show, Reed played with only one musician.  That was Jeff Berlin, veteran drummer to many musicians in the Boston area.  Never have I seen and enjoyed a drummer/percussionist play so subtly for an entire set.  What a demonstration of the impact of finesse.

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As the weather is starting to head towards another gear of cold, we can think about Spring courtesy of an annual area music festival that has just been announced.  It is Signature Sounds’ 10th annual Back Porch Festival in Northampton, MA, with 50 bands playing ten venues in downtown Northampton.  The festival is slated for March 15-17.  Info at www.BackPorchFest.com

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The Boston Music Awards are coming – Dec 20th at Big Night Live in North Station (in that building where the old Boston Gahdin once stood).  The event started in 1987.  It continues to be more than a show, but a celebration of the musical talent in Greater Boston and Massachusetts that spoils us year after year.  Among the many musicians nominated are numerous artists you have heard on WUMB, and numerous musicians you have seen on stage backing them up.  Good luck and good tunes to them all.

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Congrat’s to the performers who have built what is now a local tradition.  It’s the annual “Under The Covers” show at Club Passim.  The show started in 2004 with Jake Armerding, Mark Erelli, and Lori McKenna.  Put your Math thinking caps on and yes…this year marks the 20th anniversary for “Under The Covers.”  The show has a reputation for spicing the set up with a few songs you might not expect for local singers of the Acoustic Folk side of life, from Michael Jackson to Duke Ellington songs.  Doing the honors for “Under The Covers” version 20 will be Mark Erelli, Rose Cousins, Jake Armerding, and Zachariah Hickman.  The shows will be Fri  Dec 8th at 7pm, with two performances on Sat Dec 8 and Sun Dec 9 at 5 and 8pm.  That’s at Club Passim in Cambridge.

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Two other live shows that have become a tradition will continue their run:

Jennifer Kimball has again assembled some of her musical friends for the annual “Wintry Songs in Eleventy Part Harmony” concerts, Dec 20 and 21 at Club Passim and Dec 22 at The Center For The Arts in Natick (aka TCAN).

And if New Year’s Eve is approaching, you know that Ellis Paul will be coming through Cambridge soon.  Look for him Dec 30th plus the annual New Year’s Eve appearance.  Two shows both days at Passim.  Laurie MacAllister opens.

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That’s all for now.  Thanks for your support of WUMB and for live local music.  Happy Holidays to you all.  Let’s put some peace, love, and mutual respect out there for the holidays – before and beyond.  We really need it.