Broad Ripple Gazette vol 6, no. 18

first published in the Broad Ripple Gazette

Previews:


Malcolm Holcombe + Cliff Snyder
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Radio Radio
1119 Prospect St
(317) 955-0995
9:00 pm, non-smoking, 21+, $8 advance, $10 at the door

Malcolm Holcombe played the very last show at CATH coffeehouse at 54th and College (the site of Fresh Market) almost exactly five years ago. The show where all of the furniture and fixtures were gone. The show that was lit by a lone lamp and fifty votive candles. The show where you had to bring your own chair and drinks (my refreshment might have come from a Jameson bottle in the back of the truck, if I remember correctly). I’d wanted Malcolm to play for so long that I hated to cancel the show, so I had him play even though the coffeehouse was officially closed.

I was afraid the whole experience scared him away because he hasn’t been back since. I saw Malcolm in a parking lot in Nashville, TN a couple of years later. I was so excited that I babbled the story of CATH and the last show he played in Indianapolis. Malcolm very sensibly got in a car, waved a polite goodbye and his wife pulled away – I’m guessing they drove straight back to North Carolina. I was sure I’d never see him again – with good reason.

I’m happy to report that Malcolm Holcombe is going to play at Radio Radio. Cliff Snyder was able to work his Indianapolis Songwriter Café magic and bring him to town. Malcolm’s last record, “Gamblin' House” was in the top twenty of the Americana Music Association chart for nine straight weeks. He has a new record, “For The Mission Baby,” coming out this fall. I’m looking forward to the show; I’ll be the one standing in the back, trying to look inconspicuous.

Rolling Stone Magazine described Malcolm as "Not quite country, somewhere beyond folk, Holcombe's music is a kind of blues in motion, mapping backwoods corners of the heart."

tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/76254 or Future Shock (Broad Ripple)
venue: www.futureshock.net
www.malcolmholcombe.com
www.indianapolissongwriterscafe.com


danny flanigan
Locals Only
Friday, September 10, 2009
2449 East 56th Street
(317) 255-4013
8:30, non-smoking, 21+

When it rains it seriously pours! danny flanigan was the first person to ever play at CATH coffeehouse. I’m a huge danny fan and when he suggested a show at the coffeehouse I jumped on the idea and the rest is history. danny will be playing a solo set and is scheduled to play first. Catching danny solo is a real treat. Based in Louisville, danny has a well-deserved local following. He’s an amazing songwriter – often they’ll be a song dancing around in my head and I realize it’s a danny tune. He makes everyday things in to celebratory songs. Breakfast in Iowa turns in to a raucous family love song. The story of two sisters starting an organic farm makes in good rocking dance-y tune with danny’s expert crafting.

The rest of the lineup was not available when I was writing this, but it promises to be a great night. My plan is to try to make it to see both danny and Malcolm – my personal CATH history bookends.

www.dannyflanigan.com
www.localsonlyindy.com


Operapalooza
Friday, September 11 (6-11pm)
Saturday, September 12 (11 am – 11 pm)
Rain or shine
Basile Opera Center
4011 N. Pennsylvania (former site of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and Greek Fest) $5 advance, $8 at the door (children under 10 free)

The Indianapolis Opera folks decided to take advantage of the fact that people are used to coming to 40th and Pennsylvania the second weekend in September for Greek Fest to throw a party of their own. The inaugural Operapalooza festival will benefit Indianapolis’ new opera center.

Just in case you were wondering – or worried, the music is not all operatic. The lineup includes Frank Glover and Khilo, Stereo Deluxe, and Forty Percent Steve, along with other classical and community musical groups. Food will be provided by Judge’s BBQ.

Advance tickets and more information are available online at www.operapalooza.org.


Reviews:


Edwin McCain
September 13, 2009
Vogue

I knew that Edwin was coming to the Vogue, but I was so immersed at in the State Fair – it was SPAM contest day after all, that I had not planned on going to the show. Then I heard him play on the Bob & Tom show that morning and remembered how much I loved him. It was a marathon day at the Fair and I raced to the Vogue only to realize that I didn’t have my wallet. I sent Jeannie (who got to drive Edwin to his radio interview that morning) a text and she came out and rescued me.

Edwin cut his trademark long hair – and I hate to admit that I like his music better; maybe I have a long hair bias. He donated his hair to Locks of Love, but admitted that was not the reason for the haircut. He walked in to his young son’s room with his wife, his son called them both ‘mommy’ and Edwin decided it was time for a change. Anyway, he and his band sounded great.

Edwin played a beautiful new song, “Walk With You,” he wrote for a friend’s daughter wedding. It will be available on iTunes September 8th. I predict it will be the new wedding song, knocking Edwin’s other wedding favorite, “I Could Not Ask For More,” aside.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show – Edwin music is a great blend of folk, rock and soul. His voice is amazing and he kept the show moving. I can’t tell you how important that is from the audience perspective and I think a lot of bands drop the ball in this area. Edwin told fun stories and introduced his long-time band members but didn’t stop the music. All and all a good show – amazing songs, Edwin’s great voice and personality, wonderful harmonizing from the band and an attentive crowd. Good stuff.

www.edwin.com
www.thevogue.ws
www.bobandtom.com