Goodbye Old Friend: The Pittsboro General Store Cafe Closes

Was it the 64 bypass or that it’s time had come to pass?  While they are not saying, it is true that Joyce and Vance Remick have closed the General Store Café in the middle of Pittsboro on 64 business after ten years.  

Picture of Peak City Blues Project
 Plays the General Store Cafe from the Bar                                              

It is like the loss of a friend.  Anytime you lose a place that has live music, it is a great loss to me as a musician.  But the General Store was the heart of this funky downtown Pittsboro community.  The last time one of my bands played there I wrote this:

What is it about Pittsboro?  An artist community, local farmers, a rebuilding court house, and even a wonderful restaurant -The General Store Cafe.  If you have never been, this is your chance.  

Come early and enjoy a walk through old town Pittsboro.  Check out the court house that burned about one year ago and see how the renovations are coming.  Walk up the street and window shop.

After all that walking you will be ready for dinner at The General Store Cafe.  Fresh salads and vegetables that are locally sources and prepared.

And what we love is the music is locally sourced! 

A Dancing Night Makes for Another Wonderful Performance at the General Store Cafe

Unfortunately, if you have never been, you have lost your chance.  Here is the News and Observer article on the closing.

Peak City Blues Project promo photo taken at the General Store Cafe goes black and white to mourn the loss

We feel  a sense of loss and passing.  Hopefully there can be a resurrection of another great business place in the old building that was once a car dealership.  Where it was a joke to play Mercury Blues because in a time pass it was true, you could by a Mercury or two there.  Now you cannot buy anything.

Red Horse: Far Out, Boomers Folk Out

Who are these people?  That was my first question for the sellout audience that had come to hear Red Horse at the Fletcher Opera Theater in Raleigh on Saturday night, January 21.  I am not talking about the performers, but the audience.  Obviously this is a bunch of sensitive people that are touched by the realism of folk music and the beauty and clarity of these particular performers.  I wish I could know the audience better.  Use to be, wherever you went in Raleigh, you ran into many people you knew.  Now, not so much.

Fletcher Opera Theater.  I am lobbying right now to the change the name
to the Fletcher Folk Theater

The audience and the performers skewed to people of a certain age.  These were people of the last folk scare in music which happened largely due to NPR and recording label WindhamHill.  Windham Hill was strong in the new folk revival scare of 1988.  Its artist catalog included Liz Story, Pierce Pettis, Cliff Eberheart and John Gorka.  Most people in this audience must have owned a copy of the Windham Hill Folk Sampler – Legacy: A Collection of New FolkMusic (1989).  

Maybe they had subscribed to Fast Folk Music Magazine or just maybe they were fortunate to have hung out in Boston and New York during those years. That’s it! This audience was from out of town--all northern transplants to Raleigh.

This was an audience with a legacy and a hunger for music that was real.  The unique proposition was this was an audience that had come to this point on its own, not guided by Facebook postings or My Space tracks.  This was a "before the Internet was cool" audience. Back when only Al Gore knew about the Internet.

And this music was real.  Red Horse is composed of Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and and Lucy Kaplansky, all solo artist in their own right, who now are with Red House records out of St. Paul, Minnesota.  I am not sure what it is about Minnesota, but it must be that independent frozen spirit of the great northern plains state that causes this independent and defiant out post of folk music to remain viable.

It was a song swap evening.  Each performer would take turns playing one song written by the other member in the group, one of their own songs, and one by a favorite songwriter in the group.  Eliza Gilkyson opened with Neil Young’s “I am a Child.”  When a woman sings this song, it takes on a whole different meaning from when Mr. Young performed it.  It was a very touching and sincere rendition.  John Gorka’s voice was that strong and unique baritone that we have grown so accustom and Lucy’s voice was the clear and inviting sound we love on her recordings.  Together they sing with great harmony, Lucy often on high harmony and each hitting the third as clear and even as a wonderful acoustics of an opera venue.  The group knows how to sing together, as Gorka could have easily over powered the songs with his voice, but rather blended in perfectly.

This trio of a certain age all play guitars, but seldom all play guitars at the same time.  Occasionally one member would rap a percussive beat on their guitar while the other two played.   Or one member would just set the playing out.  The musical performance was well thought out.  Lucy even played piano on my favorite song of the evening, Eliza's "Sanctuary."

The evening was mellow.  If I had any complaint about the performance, it could have been too mellow.  Not slick, as John admitted he had worked all his life to overcome being slick (sarcastic humor).  But mellow it was.  The sound in Fletcher was perfection.  I love this venue for music.  It seats about 700, but no seat is more than 70 feet from the stage.  It is my favorite intimate venue in the Triangle.  Thanks to Pine Cone for this great evening and for their mission of presenting and preserving tradition music.  Even traditional music of the 1980's.  And if you are not a Pine Cone member, what are you waiting?  Join and come to one of their member only events.  I hope to meet you there.

California Honeydrops Put on Full Court Press at Papa Mojo's

The rankings are in. The best music of the week came from the band deep in the rankings and I am NOT talking about my band. Ok, we wanted the California Honeydrops to win, but they took it with a slam dunk performance in Durham at Papa Mojo’s Thursday January 19. So while Duke was routing Wake Forest, the Honeydrops were dropping some 3 pointers of their own on the rest of the Triangle music scene.

The California Honey Drops had a couple of tall defenses to overcome. First the name. It is too close to an area favorite band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Kind of like the Red Stick Ramblers and the Red Clay Ramblers are too closely named. Second, the Honeydrops are a West Coast band trying to develop a national following. So no one around here knows these Drops.

Like the Carolina Chocolate Drops, the California Honeydrops trace their musical roots back to early Negro music. While the Carolina Chocolate Drops mine the traditional African-American string band music, the CA Honeydrops don't go as far back, but offer the soul of early jazz-blues. The Honeydrops are not only a string band, but include keys, sax, trumpet, drums in addition to acoustic bass and arch topped guitar. They are a band that can play zone or man-to-man as the proved when they came out from behind the microphones and played in the audience.

California Honeydrops from Table Side at Papa Mojo's 

While the Honeydrops “ain’t from ‘round here,” that don't mean they don't have cred. The Honeydrops have been voted the best band in Oakland, CA. Now they are working on becoming the best band from Oakland, CA. Or maybe the best from California.

We saw the Honeydrops bring down the house or better described as bringing down the street at last year's San Francisco Fillmore Street Jazz Festival. We were ready for an upbeat and exciting show. We arrived at Papa Mojo's about 7:00 PM for the 8:00 PM show. We told T.T., our accommodations guide for the evening, that we were here to see the band and that we did not have a reservation. She knew where to set us and we had a great seat without a reservation, although they would have preferred a reservation, and we could have saved a few dollars if we had bought tickets in advance. I need to read the website closer as I missed those details.

The Honeydrops at the Fillmore Street
Jazz Festival in San Francisco

The California Honeydrops did not disappoint. Their MVP, Lech Wierzynski and the guys arrived about 7:45 and Lech stopped by our table with a "hello, I'm Lech." We told him how excited we were to see the band in North Carolina and looked forward to the evening. Lech thought they were starting at 9:00 instead of 8:00, so he also needs to read the website closer. The band set up in a hurry and Lech started things off with some solo guitar at 8:05. The band kicked in at 8:08 and the rout was on. Turns out it was Lech's last day of being 29. And his band mates made a big deal about the fact he would be thirty tomorrow. There was great music, dancing and an all around evening of fun. I believe the California Honeydrops are like my band--better live than recorded. Maybe that is why their next record is a live recording.

It had been a fun week, but the week was not over. We had seen Sarah Jarosz play to over 700 at the Haw River Ball Room and now we enjoyed the California Honeydrops as they played to over 47 (a real crime more people were not there) at Papa Mojo's, two new venues for us and we are people who get out and listen to live music. Next blog up is Red Horse who played Saturday Night at Fletcher Theater in Raleigh.

BTW, the food at Papa Mojo's was as good as the music and and the vibe. Look for a food blog for this week later. Look for a larger crowd for the California Honeydrops the next time they come to town. We hope Lech will still be in his thirties when they do.

Everybody Knows Sarah Jarosz (is going to be big, really big)

Sarah Jarosz jumps to number 1 on the Americana Music Charts with her just released album, Build Me Up From Bones ending Jason Isbell's rein at number one with his great effort, Southeastern. Just wanted to say I told you so. Here is a re-post of my review of Sarah's concerts I have seen.  I missed Jason Isbell when he was in Raleigh, but I surly won't next time.  Both artists are at the top of their game and the top of the charts. http://www.americanaradio.org/ama/displaychart_beforetracks.asp?mode=lw&dtkey=

Sarah Jarosz’s first album received great reviews by No Depression magazine.  I downloaded and fell in love with the voice and the music.  http://sarahjarosz.com/

In 2010 we attended a sold out concert at Jammin’ Java coffee.  Sold out at Jammin’ Java means about 60 people.  The ticket surcharge fees almost cost as much as the tickets.   A wonderful evening unfolded at this venerable venue in Vienna Virginia (how’s that for alliteration, my 10^th grade English teacher would be impressed, thank you Mr. Shaw).  http://jamminjava.com/

Sarah Jarosz on Austin Stage, Merlefest 2011

At Merlefest 2011 I made it mission to at least see one of Sarah Jarosz’s performances.  Since I volunteer Merlefest, I had to slip away from my post and catch her at the Austin stage.  A good crowd also had heard the buzz and was there.  Sarah seemed a little intimidated.  She was not as powerful as her recorded music or as her Jamin’ Java Performance.  So I say a young artist who will become a big artist as she grows to play to large audiences was my take on the Merlefest performance.  Sarah, who is only 20, was growing and learning at Merlefest.

Then Friday happened.  About 700 people had heard the buzz and it standing room only in Saxapahaw.  The show opened with Lizzy Ross doing a solo performance.  She sang her heart out and won the crowd over.  “Hi, I’m Lizzy Ross from Chapel Hill, I usually perform with the Lizzy Ross Band.”  (Make a mental note, find time to see the Lizzy Ross Band).  http://lizzy.net/

Sarah Jarosz at Hall
River Ball Room

Sarah followed and only had her violinist with her as the cello player was playing a gig in SC.  He missed out big, but was not missed.  Sarah had a great show, although in this venue I think some raucous foot-stomping music would have made many in the crowd more pleased on a Friday night in the country.  Tom Legard has built a great performance hall.  It has beautiful floors, acoustics and lights.  But the music of the evening really called for something less distracting than a standing crowd.  I hope to see Sarah again when I can pay a little more and enjoy a seated listening of her intimate Americana music and voice.  I hope to go back to the Haw River Ball Room to see a big loud band, or play in a big loud band there.  http://www.hawriverballroom.com/

There two other great venues in Saxapahaw that should not be missed- the Saxapahaw General Store and the Eddy Bar.  I will plan to post on these later.

Enjoy Local Wine & Local Music in Apex Saturday Nov 19 2:00-4:00 PM at Cloer Family Vineyards

Fall often comes late to Apex, North Carolina. And those wonderful fall days are precious and special as we prepare for the oncoming winter and give up the freedom of summer.

What better way to celebrate a rare fall Saturday afternoon than visiting with friends, drinking North Carolina Wine and enjoying live music.

Join Long Time Gone Band as they play the music of the late 60's and early 70's and celebrate a time of peace love and happiness at Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex. With the holidays just around the corner, there will also be a Stella and Dot jewelry show.

DETAILS: Cloer Family Vineyards will be having Toast & Tunes concert series with Long Time Gone Band Saturday November 19 2:00-4:00 PM. Wine tastings for $5 (5 different wines) and wine by the glass for just $3. Appetizers will be served as well.

 

Bring the family and enjoy a day at the vineyard with live music by Long Time Gone playing the music of Crosby Stills Nash & Young and their time. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch and lawn chairs. Cloer Family Vineyards wines sold by the glass and by the bottle. No outside alcohol permitted. Cost is $5.00 per car

www.reverbnation.com/ltgrocks

http://www.cloerfamilyvineyards.com/index.php

Why Does Obama Visit the Peak of Good Republicans Town?

One has to wonder why President Obama selected such a Republican area to visit in North Carolina when he selected Apex, NC for a private fly by.

Apex has been an enclave of Republicans every since they removed Larry Jordan from office more than twenty years ago.  Heck, Apex cannot even get a Democratic candidate for Mayor.  Instead they have two Republicans for Mayor fighting it out.  What do they fight about?  Hey, I'm more conservative than you?  I am still trying to figure out what Bryan Gossage's platform is and how it differs from Weatherly's.

It will be real interesting to see if Republican Mayor Keith Weatherly shows up for the meet and greet with President Obama in Apex.  After all it is an closed event.  Did he even get an invite?  Or will he just say he was stuck in traffic or too busy campaigning for the Defense of Marriage Amendment?

I Will Put Keith Weatherly's Picture
over here on the Right

Loudon Wainwright III Coming to American Tobacco Center this Friday, Sep 16

Grammy award artist Loudon Wainwright III comes to the American Tobacco Campus this Friday at 6:00 PM for free.  Free!  Unbelievable.  Wainwright won a Grammy by mining the work of North Carolina old time troubadour Charlie Poole with his 2009 album, High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project.

Steve Earle says it is real hard to be good at performing solo and accompanying yourself.  “Steve Goodman was an incredible solo performer.  Loudon Wainwright III still is.” 

Wainwright’s latest work is called Songs for the New Depression.  So come this Friday I expect to hear some quirky songs from a great solo performer, a few tales about how Charlie Poole quit the textile mills of Burlington to play music, because music was a lot more fun, and how to beat the  upcoming depression by taking up ukulele.

Let’s hope for good weather at this outdoor concert on the grounds of the American Tobacco Campus.  I want to catch a great solo performer in North Carolina playing songs from North Carolina, about North Carolina. Before the next depression.

Loudon Wainwright website

http://www.lw3.com/home.php

American Tobacco Campus Concerts from WUNC

http://wunc.org/events/back-porch-music-concert-series