Since 1996 |
  
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
|
Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
| Home
Subscribe About Us Features News Album
Reviews
|
Barry Mcguire Reclaims His Legacy At Russ And Julie's House Concert Barry McGuire is not just a singer and performer. He's an artist. His vocal ability goes beyond technique into the land of soul where few artists in this genre dare tread. He doesn't just sing a song, he embodies it. The show he's been touring for the last year, Trippin' the 60's, is living proof that this lion-in-this-winter is not about to go quietly into any dark night. If Johnny Cash, during his American Recording days, maintained his Man In Black persona, Barry McGuire is coming on as the Man in Light. With an exciting new show, an innovative remake of his most famous hit, "Eve of Destruction," recorded with Mick Fleetwood and Roger McGuinn and a new stripped down acoustic album in the works, McGuire is poised, not so much to make a comeback as he is to reclaim his legacy as the loner icon and influential folk-rock performer who helped launch The Mamas and Papas and was known to perform his heart out. He could have been called the crown prince of the late 60's Sunset Strip. Saturday night Barry McGuire and his new partner, John York formerly of The Byrds, brought some of the major folk-rock memories of the ‘60's to life in a way that brought passion and artful interpretations to the songs. And this all happened at the warm, friendly venue called Russ and Julie's House Concert in Oak Park, California. The sold out show gave one hundred people the opportunity to take the journey through story and song with these charismatic performers. With close to 100 years of experience between them, the life in the songs was heightened by the enthusiastic participation of the audience who took McGuire's suggestion to become a choir. As they sang along on songs like "Mr Tambourine Man," and "Turn, Turn, Turn," they became part of the show. Trippin' was reviewed six months ago when
McGuire began with his former partner, Terry Talbot, to work out the show
at The Coffee Gallery Backstage. With the addition of John
York, McGuire has found a kindred soul who allows him to work out with
an improvisational feel within the structure of the song. The two
musicians generate a chemistry that is inclusive and dynamic. York follows
McGuire's lead and gives him support that brings an interpretative life
to each song. York works the songs with the feel of a blues player that
frequently resulted in spontaneous applause from the audience. Whereas
with Talbot, the show replicated the songs of the era, now, McGuire and
York re-create and interpret the songs into the moment with uncommon urgency.
This show has gone from entertainment to art. The show still includes the
stories and songs of The Mamas and Papas, The Byrds, John Sebastian, and
Bob Dylan. But a new dimension has been added with special tributes
to Hoyt Axton, Fred Neil, and Tim Hardin. The rarely heard, "Dolphin"
by Fred Neil is interpreted with care and compassion. McGuire also
sets the audience straight on just who wrote "Everybody's Talking," Fred
Neil's most famous song often credited to Harry Nilsson.
For the encore McGuire pulled out an original song, "Callin' Me Home." It perfectly punctuated the theme of presence and the peace it brings to be alive in he envisions with dolphins and newborn babes. When he says that "Eve of Destruction" has no answers, "Callin' Me Home" certainly comes close. Barry and John York will be at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, California on July 13th before they leave for a European tour in August. They will be in Virginia during October. To see the Internet extension of Trippin'
the 60's visit the link:
Terry Roland |
|
|
|
