Tony Watts' 4th Tuesday Bluegrass Jam at Cantab Lounge

BLUEGRASS
4th Tuesday Jam
Cantab Lounge
Central Square

notloB has returned from the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. Is there a better way to settle back into the local music scene than to be with what I call the "Boston Bluegrass Mafia" at the Cantab?

Grey Fox educator and one heck of a guitar player Tony Watt has announced a new "4th Tuesday Jam" series at Cantab. The first is tonight with what, from me reading of his invitation, promises to be a star-studded lineup.

Hey Everybody,

For those of you in the greater Boston area, please consider coming out to The Cantab Lounge in Central Sq. in Cambridge tomorrow night (Tuesday, July 23rd) at 8 pm (please note the early start time). Many of you may remember the scene at The Cantab about a dozen years ago when on any given Tuesday you could expect to see members of Crooked Still, The Infamous Stringdusters and many more extremely talented young folks up on stage at The Cantab. Starting tomorrow night I will be helping to put together a monthly 4th Tuesday jam with the current crop of young Boston-based national-level touring musicians.

Although I don't want to say exactly who'll be there (just in case
their bus breaks down or whatever), I will routinely be asking
musicians from the area's top touring bands, including those on
Rounder Records, Signature Sounds, and more. Tomorrow night will be a special, special inaugural 4th Tuesday jam because we will be joined by both Boston-area and Nashville-based musicians... but you'll have to come down to The Cantab to see who'll be joining us!

The 4th Tuesday jam will run from 8 pm until 9:30 (please note we will not be starting at 10 pm as listed on The Cantab's calendar). Our jam will be followed by Jubilee Mule at 10 pm and Steve & Eric's Pickin' Party from 11 until closing. The Cantab Lounge is located at 738 Mass. Ave. in Central Sq. in Cambridge, MA 02139, and you can find more details at http://cantab-lounge.com/public_html/cantab_calendar.html.

If you're in the area, I hope you'll come down and catch the show!

Tony

website: www.theoriginaltonywatt.com
email: tonywatt@gmail.com

Photo by Avril Smith

The Cantab Monday Night Open Mic is in Trouble

Reported here Monday, April 8, 2013 in Geoff Bartley's Monday Night Open Mic at the Cantab Changing Format, here is the information again, from the man himself.

Dear friends and fans,

The Cantab Monday Night Open Mic is in trouble.

Monday night bar sales are too slow.

To keep the stage, we must pay our way better than we have been.

So I've come up with some evil schemes to keep more people in the bar longer.

First off I want you all to start drinking a lot more... a hell of a lot more.

I'm kidding I'm kidding.

But seriously... starting in May every open miker will be charged $3 to play two songs.

The money will go to the bar. 

I'm also going to make up the list as we go along, instead of making the whole thing up right before eight o'clock.

And no more feature acts.

Yup... after Paul Geremia on April 22 and Cosy Sheridan on April 29... no more feature acts.
Paul Geremia and Dakota Dave Hull are each playing a house concert this weekend thanks to Jeff Boudreau.  Go here: notloB Parlour Concerts  Dakota Dave Hull has threatened to come to the open mic on Monday to sass Paul Geremia, who goes on at 10:00.  Dave... hope you will squeeze in a visit... and I'd love to put you on for a couple three.

Starting in May, the evening will be devoted entirely to open mikers*.  We welcome with open arms their friends and fans, their wives and girlfriends, husbands and boyfriends, especially the heavy drinkers.  Kidding... kidding.
*Except for Memorial Day when the a cappella group The Mass Whole Notes will sing 10:00 to 10:40 and I'll pass the hat for them as usual.

I'm open to your thoughts comments reactions suggestions observations advice... but mostly I just want to see your faces.

Help us keep this stage.  I've taken a pay cut and will take another.  I'm feeling my way in the dark... nothing is set in stone... I don't want to charge... but the Cantab can't carry us.

I don't want to cancel features either... maybe the set could be shorter and earlier... 8:30 to 9:00 say.

My shifts have been hemorrhaging... the open mic is in triage...

Yes I know I'm being melodramatic... but it's for good cause.

Come visit me! 

Bring a friend!

FOOD
Food (but not drinks) may be brought into the Cantab... there are many good inexpensive restaurants on our block... African... Mexican... subs wraps pizza salads... Falafel Palace Middle Eastern... vegetarian vegan organic... good beef salmon turkey soy burgers... homemade sweet potato fries... a wide menu at the Tavern two doors down... and they all make orders =to go.

CANTAB PARKING
Drive around slowly and think pure thoughts.  The Parking Goddess Will Provide.

Geoff Bartley & Howie Tarnower MUSIC
~ Howie Tarnower and I play Phil Ochs Song Night Benefit for WAMC at the WAMC Performing Arts Studio, a beautiful restored bank building, in Albany on Saturday, May 11.  Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino of Magpie and Happy Traum will be there... also Sonny Ochs and my friend Wanda Fischer from the station.  Howie and I will sing one of my songs and two Phil Ochs songs, The Thresher and Gas Station Women.  We will be fabulous.

~ And on Friday, July 19, Howie and I play the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham, MA.  Tickets are $18 / $15 members.  Showtime is 8:00.  We'll be playing old blues and early jazz numbers, some traditional songs, a little bluegrass, and some of my songs.

~ I played two shows w/ Tom Paxton last weekend... one at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham, and the other in Schenectady NY for the 8th Step... at a theatre w/ 440 seats.  Coincidence?  Inquiring minds want to know.  Tom had stir fry w/ chicken.  I had spicy shrimp Pad Thai.  As usual, both shows were funny moving.

~ I plus a Special Guest... either Howie (mandolin, banjo, harmony singing) or Dave Rizzuti (Telecaster)... play EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT at Smoken' (sic) Joe's BBQ Restaurant in Brighton Center, Brighton MA ! ! ! FREE PARKING IN BACK AFTER 6:00 ! ! !

~ Chuck Brodsky was wonderful at the Cantab 4/15... story songs of high order.

Some people at the Cantab know the family of marathon bombing victim Krystal Campbell and knew her.  Be careful out there and be good to each other.

Geoff
Geoff Bartley (1948 - ?)
acoustic blues guitar etc
geoffbartley@pobox.com
www.geoffbartley.com 


Geoff's Cantab open mic is responsible for launching many successful artists, as well as giving a supportive environment to newcomers and regulars alike. I sincerely hope the community responds to his appeal. Please share this blog article and sister post in Cecilia's Choices via social media. Show Geoff's open mic some love.

-------------------

5/2/13
Here's the latest scoop, directly from Geoff.

Hello everyone,

THANK YOU ALL for the outpouring of support I have received from you.

I feel so loved!

I've gotten too many emails to respond to everyone individually, so here's another shotgun one to say THANK YOU and apprise Interested Parties about the Current State of Open Mic Affairs.

DELETE?  Don't give a flying fish about this open mic?  Want me to quit pestering you?  Say the word and it shall be done!

Until I settle on a winning formula, the Open Mic Situation is fluid.

With your good suggestions and my fabulous decision-making perspicacity, I believe the Open Mic will not only endure but will thrive.

The Latest Evolutions in the Formulation of a Winning Formula include the Following Elements:

1) Sign-up is now first come, first served, or in advance... email me at <geoffbartley@pobox.com>

2) Each open miker will now be charged $3 to play two songs... the money will go to the bar.  I chose this option as a way to help keep our stage.  The option I eschewed was the two-drink minimum. 

This issue would be moot if you'd all just start drinking like Don Draper on Madmen...

3) I have reinstated feature acts, but the set is now shorter and earlier... 20 minutes starting at 9:00PM.  I will pass the hat for features as before.  Bring money.

! ! ! This Monday Night May 5 the feature act will be GEOFF BARTLEY AND HOWIE TARNOWER  ! ! !

! ! ! Special Surprise Cash Prize for Some Lucky Open Miker ! ! !

! ! !  It Won't Be Much  ! ! !

4) I'll be choosing feature acts from the local/regional singer-songwriter community with more frequency.

5) I'll be encouraging more duos trios quartets and will encourage open mikers to accompany each other instrumentally and vocally.  I will attempt to lead by example.

6) I'm going to play four songs quick at 8:00.

7) If these measures do not resuscitate the Open Mic, I will begin booking Young Acoustic Bands and will present them in a Format that Encourages Group Music.

As everyone knows, the Cantab Monday Night Open Mic (December 1991 - ?) is the finest in the land. 

However, there are many other fine open mics around.  Neal Braverman runs one on Monday nights... but not every Monday night... in Roslindale called ROM (for Roslindale Open Mic).  Their website is www.roslindaleopenmike.org and Neal's email is neal@roslindaleopenmike.org.

Also on Monday nights, Tom Bianchi runs a contest style open mic at the Lizard Lounge on Mass Ave four blocks north of Harvard Square on the right.  Contact Tom at <tom@24hourtom.com>.

Thanks to Neal and Tom for their support.

If neither of these open mics is within your reach (you poor soul), visit http://www.openmikes.org and type in your Postal Zip Code... you'll get a list of Open Mics in your area.

Open Mics are a forum we use to express ourselves about anything and everything.

Novice? 

Come on down!

Polished veteran? 

Come on down!

Long live Open Mics!

Sincerely,
Your Host,
Geoff Bartley (1948 - ?)

The "World Famous" Cantab Lounge
738 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02139
617 354-2685
http://www.cantab-lounge.com
In Scenic Square, Psychic Vortex of the Great Northeast
 

Nick DiSebastian Launches Country Wednesdays at The Cantab Lounge

Nick DiSebastian Launches Country Wednesdays at The Cantab Lounge, making it "Boston's hot spot for classic country music." 

Actually, the Cantab Lounge, is located in Central Square, Cambridge, and is the long-time home of Geoff Bartley's Monday night singer-songwriter and Tuesday night bluegrass jam. Now it is also home of a new country music series, hosted by Nick Di Sebastian.

Series description from its Facebook page:

Wednesday nights at the Cantab Lounge bring about that classic country sound. Fiddle, Tele, Pedal Steel and more, you'll know what's hot as you walk in the door!

First Act 8:30-9:45Second Act 10:15-11:30Third Jam Set 11:45-1 

There is no cover charge. Instead there is a $7 suggested donation for both the first and second act that will go straight to the bands. 

The Cantab is a 21+ establishment, specializing in adult beverages of all sorts and various unique odors. The country music will be taking place in the upstairs room. We hope to see you there all saddled up and ready to let loose!

Note to bands: Currently booking! This is a great spot to play on a Wednesday night. There is a built in crowd with the potential to make a few bucks. Full sound system and back-line provided. If interested, please contact Nick DiSebastian via email nickdisebastian@comcast.net

Good luck with the series, Nick! And remember, you have only 20 years to catch up to Geoff.

========

About Nick:

“Nick’s fluid musical imagination is matched by a wonderfully solid and authentic grounding in traditional American music.”
-John McGann

“Nick’s playing is solid and full of great texture and variety.”
-Dan Miller, FPG Magazine

Geoff Bartley's Monday Night Open Mic at the Cantab Celebrates 20 Years

Geoff Bartley may or may not be a national treasure, yet, but he has been instrumental to the careers of many "FOLKSINGERS, singer-songwriters, finger-style guitar players, flatpickers, bluesmen, blueswomen, traveling minstrels, balladeers, acoustic rockers, touring and recording artists, traditional and contemporary solos, duos and trios, a cappella singers, musicians and instrumentalists of all styles!" over the years.  On Monday, December 12 Geoff Bartley's Monday Night Open Mic at the Cantab will enter into its third decade, celebrating (with cake, I hear) 20 years!!! Congratulations, Geoff!



Don't believe me, read the words of Tom Paxton and Brad Paul:


"So you've been looking for real. You like it with the bark still on it, doncha? Look no further: Geoff Bartley's Put the Big Stone Down is right in the middle of the tradition (and) classy all the way. I love it." 
~ Tom Paxton (January 26, 2010)
“Geoff is an amazing player, he writes wonderful songs that speak to the heart and if that weren’t enough, he is a great person who really cares about folk and roots music and the people who make it.” 
Brad Paul – Former Producer/Host "Folk on WGBH"

...and specific to the 20th anniversary:

"Wow! Congratulations. The same job for 20 years, some 500 shows, around 2,000 opening songs. Heroic!"
~David Fishken


....all this reminds me I need to settle with the Republic of Cambridge for a parking ticket I got the night I brought David Massengill to the Cantab as the Monday night featured artist and the back lot had just been converted from parking meters to a computerized zone system. As Bob Dylan had warned, "don't follow leaders, watch your parking meters." How true.

If you want to see what makes Geoff the real deal, get to the CanTab about 4pm. That's the time Geoff arrives to load in and set up his personal sound equipment used for not only the Monday night open mic, but also the Tuesday night pickin' party, now in its 18th(?) year. But don't get in his way, he has his methods, carefully refined over 20 years. 

And remember, watch the parking meters!

-------------------------

This is the notloB Music Blog, I would be remiss to remind the reader that Geoff has graced notloB stages not once, not twice but thrice:
August 18, 2007 Loring-Greenough House (Eliza Blue opened)
November 15, 2008   Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church  (co-feature with Mary McCaslin)
March 10, 2010   Jackson Homestead   (solo Feature)

Maybe it's time to ask for another performance before his booking calendar is filled by venues just catching on to this national secret (and his fees go up), a wonderful artist and man.

Put the Big Stone Down

I have yet to hear "Put the Big Stone Down", but if it is half as good as "Blackbirds in the Pie", buy it on blind faith!

Geoff will be appearing solo and without amplification in notloB's "kitchen" series at at the Jackson Homestead on Sunday, March 7. Capacity is limited to 30, so reservations are recommended*.

More information at

http://notlobmusic.googlepages.com

&

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38565709718&ref=ts

This will be Geoff's third notloB appearance

8/18/07 at the Loring-Greenough House (Eliza Blue opened)

&

11/15/08 at the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church (co-feature with Mary McCaslin) - CD release party for "Blackbirds in the Pie"

*Please note the new notloB Folk Concerts reservation address is notlobreservations@gmail.com

=======================

From Geoff Bartley

Dear friends, fans, and everyone else with no idea how they ever ended up on this scurrilous list,

My new CD Put the Big Stone Down is here! To receive one by mail, send $20 check or money order made payable to me to Cantab Lounge, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge MA 02139, attn Geoff Bartley. Remember to include your mailing address. I'll sign your copy(s) upon request. Signing activates the CD so it plays in its Full Stereo-Phonic Splendor. All my CDs come with an Unconditional Money-Back Guarantee.

Song titles for Put the Big Stone Down are:

1) Put the Big Stone Down (Bartley) w/ Howie Tarnower on mandolin
2) Blue Moon on New Years Eve (Bartley) w/ harmony vocal by Miss Tess
3) Occam's Razor (Bartley / guitar instrumental)
4) Muscle for the Wing (Bartley)
5) Song to a Hawk (Bartley / instrumental w/ Jeff Stout on trumpet and Paul Lenart on electric guitar, electric bass guitar, and percussion)
6) Good-Bye Father (Bartley)
7) The Losing Part (Tom Paxton)
8) The Cat Song (Bartley)
9) Trickle-Down Theory (Bartley / instrumental)
10) Money is King (The growling Tiger) w/ Hiro Arita on 2nd guitar
11) Nobody Cares (Ed White)
12) Look Down the Road (Skip James)
13) Look Down outro (Bartley / instrumental)

Put the Big Stone Down will shortly be available as downloads. 250 physical copies will also be available shortly with a download card that you can give to a friend for a FREE DOWNLOAD of a song I have yet to choose. Each card contains wildflower seeds. After it's been used to get a FREE DOWNLOAD, each card can be planted. The paper will bio-degrade and wildflowers will grow. Cool idea from Nimbit www.nimbit.com!

This CD (and all my others) are available at the Cantab every Monday and Tuesday night and at all my live shows.

THANK YOU everyone for your encouragement and support.

Geoff
www.geoffbartley.com
www.myspace.com/geoffbartley