Session Americana
Lizard Lounge, Cambridge, MA
April 8, 2008
Ry Cavanaugh - guitar, mandocello, vocals
Dinty Child - mandocello, fiddle, banjo, guitar, accordion, keyboards, vocals
Billy Beard - drums, vocals
Sean Staples - mandolin, mandolincello, fiddle, guitar, vocals
Kimon Kirk - bass, vocals
Jim Fitting - harmonica, vocals
A bloom of oriental rugs, a few ancient church pews and assorted tiny tables and high backed chairs trademark the rouge-illuminated basement of the Lizard Lounge, the place that is a Petri dish for some of the most talented acts germinating in Boston.
The first thing you noticed tonight as you peered into the middle of this little hideaway was the teeny wooden table surrounded by a several chairs in tight formation and a collection of well-used instruments: guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, accordion, mandocello (ok, I had to ask someone about that one) and harmonica. On the perimeter were a no-frills drum set, a dowdy looking piano and an electric keyboard sitting on a case that appeared to have been
carted over mountains by mules.
Once again, the Liz has pulled a rabbit from the hat. Actually six rabbits, veteran musicians all, who stumbled upon a concept quite by accident 3 years ago and have become a cult favorite in the area. This would be Session Americana, currently in weekly residence on Tuesday nights.
The six guys crowded around the teeny round wooden table occasionally passed instruments around like chips with the beer. One by one they leaned into the omnidirectional mike to take their solos while the others sat back and sang choruses. For all the world it looked like six friends at their Wednesday night poker game, pints of beer perched precariously on the shared table.
The set list seemed spontaneous. “Let’s do ‘Sometimes I Forget,’” says Ry Cavanaugh. A cascade of banter ensues, then Cavanaugh leans into the mike and sets off, blazing the trail for tempo and feel of the arrangement he wants to try out tonight.
I have no idea of the titles of most of the songs they sang, save one or two like a catchy rendition of Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That A Shame”, and a sweet Mills Brothers classic “You Always Hurt The One You Love.” The songs were plucked from some Great American Songbook In The Sky full of lesser known ballads, folk, gospel, and bluegrass titles.
What I do know is that the music was by turns rousing, uplifting, infectious, mournful, lilting, churchlike and profane. And the audience, some of them casually sitting around the floor near the musician’s table, apparently a custom at the Sessions concerts, was eating it up. Lurking somewhere in the intimate cellar was the spirit of the Grateful Dead. I wouldn’t be surprised to smell patchouli and see love beads for sale outside at some future concert. But I digress.
The audience became witnesses at a jam session between guys with prodigious memories, pumped-up musical abilities, and a profound ability to enjoy the hell out of each other’s singing and bonhomie.
They are singing from their hearts and from the seats of their respective pants. The hoohaaas and smiles are genuine as they end a song on the same beat with the same emphasis. Intuition and faith are running rampant here. The singers go for it, stretch lyrics, improvise, and feed on the creativity jangling all around the table. No one’s afraid of making a mistake. It would surely be greeted with a friendly guffaw, then turned into something beautiful or outrageously funny.
Three years ago, Cavanaugh, Beard, and Staples finished a set at a nearby Cambridge club. The next act was a no-show. Cavanaugh unpacked his mikes, set them on a little table, and the three of them, like Joplin’s Bobby McGee, sang every song they knew. Weeks later Session Americana was formed. They were nominated for ‘Best Live Act” in this year’s Boston Music Awards. Their website is http://www.sessionamericana.com/
These guys rock. Their catalog has amazing breadth. They are virtuosos on their instruments, and damn! - they know how to have a good time.
Next time they’re in town, check them out.
I wish i had known you were going to see these guys, and I do want to see them! Dinty Child is our friend of 8 years at three mile island camp and his camp band has backed up Hannah for three years now while she has performed one of her songs in their jam sessions in the main lodge!
Two years they backed her up while she sang Folsom prison Blues! if you have any reason to write them tell them you know us!
Posted by: Susan L | April 10, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Hey Paul,
Love getting the 411 on what's happening around
town... Do they do this every Sunday? Sounds great! I think our three
year old would love it (not to mention me :)!
Posted by: Lucia | April 14, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Hey Paul
Just a quick thanks for the nice write ups on Session Americana and The Dennis Brennan Bnd- both of whom I have the distinct pleasure of playing with. Also for the gracious comments on The Lizard itself. Hard to believe I'm going on my 13th year booking that club and 15 years booking Toad. Where does the time go? Are you on the email list for scheduled shows. If not send me your email address and I'll make sure you get advance notice.
Best,
Billy
Billy Beard
Booking: The Lizard Lounge and Toad
www.lizardloungeclub.com
www.toadcambridge.com
Drumming: recorded and toured with Patty Griffin, Lori McKenna, Melissa Ferrick, Kris Delmhorst, Mark Sandman and others. Presently can be seen with Session Americana, Dennis Brennan, Jimmy Ryan & Hayride!, Jennifer Kimball, The Heygoods and others.
Posted by: Billy Beard | April 18, 2008 at 03:43 PM