Today, Club 47® is a concert series organized by Tom Rush to keep that tradition alive.”
The Club 47® Tradition ..
There was a long hiatus in the Club 47 shows I used to do at Symphony Hall in Boston, Carnegie Hall in NYC, the Kennedy Center in DC and many other fine halls around the country.
But we’re at it again …
Club 47® shows in 2014, 2013 & 2012
Symphony Hall, Boston –– December 29, 2014
Celebrating the release of the Documentary film (available on DVD) “Tom Rush – No Regrets,” this years’ concert at Symphony Hall featured special guest artists Red Molly, a folk trio consisting of Laurie MacAllister (vocals, guitar, banjo), Abbie Gardner (vocals, guitar, Dobro, lap steel guitar), and Molly Venter (vocals, guitar); Grace Kelly, a musician, entertainer, songwriter and arranger, who became the youngest ever musician voted to the Down Beat Magazine‘s Critics Poll at age 16; and Monica Rizzio, an americana, bluegrass, country, folk, indie, songwriter artist from Cape Cod, MA. Tom’s house band featured Paul Guzzone, Joe Mennonna and Marshal Rosenberg.
Symphony Hall, Boston –– December 28, 2013
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band featuring Bill Keith, Geoff Muldaur, Maria Muldaur, were there along with Patty Larkin, Sarah Lee Guthrie (Woody’s granddaughter and Arlo’s kid) and Johnny Irion.
Here’s what David Wilson, former publisher ofBroadside, wrote in Berkshire Fine Arts:
“It was a magical night, not just because the music was wonderful, but because it really encapsulated and brought back in superb fidelity, a validation of our memories of how informal and intimate and honest the performances were back when. This was reinforced because every artist got a chance for their moment in the spotlight, and also participated in pairs and multiples with every other artist on the stage. There were comings and goings and no discernible blunders and one charming surprise after another. The jug band was, if not as tight, every-bit as together as ever they were and the gestalt was as artistically satisfying as I have ever heard them. The solos by Jim, Geoff, Maria, Bill Keith reminded us of how competent each of them were as individual artists before they had ever teamed up. We missed the insouciance of course but hardly forgotten were Fritz Richmond and Mel Lyman. Matt Glaser, Joe Walsh and David Landoni filled in for them with enthusiasm and technical brilliance. Patty Larkin had her fans enthralled and clearly Sarah Lee and Johnny Irion added droves to their fan base.
“It was an evening of warm memories, and if I had ever had a suspicion that I had over romanticized the artistry that had blossomed in that fragment of a decade, roughly called the ‘60s, all doubts were swept away.
“Kudos are due to producers Rob Stegman and Todd Kwait in this, their maiden voyage into concert production.”
Symphony Hall, Boston December 28, 2012
In December 2012, I celebrated my 50th year on stage and brought a gang to Symphony Hall Boston. On board were Jonathan Edwards, Buskin & Batteau, Eric Lilljequist, Dean Adrien, and Dom Flemons from the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Trevor Veitch, my guitar slinging buddy from the wild ’70s, and Dean Adrien and Joe Mennonna joined us. It was a party to remember! A DVD/CD 2-disc set from the show is available here.
Club 47 shows at Boston’s Symphony Hall, The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Carnegie Hall in New York and many other venues around the country, both large and small, have featured established acts like Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, Maria Muldaur, Richie Havens and Joan Baez, and have helped newcomers like Nanci Griffith, Alison Krauss, Mark O’Connor and Shawn Colvin to begin to build their own careers –– and the tradition continues.
Club 47 concerts demonstrate both that the music has a rich and resonant history, and that the future looks better than ever. “Looking forward, looking back,” says Rubordersh, “one generation introducing the next.” They are concepts the public and the media find easy to embrace. “Still,” he adds, “it all comes down to a really good excuse to throw a party.” And what a party!
“The Kennedy Center Concert Hall was packed and the stage crowded with musicians and friends Saturday night. Rush and his fellow performers not only celebrated the past and the traditions that link one generation of musicians to the next, but they also made the future for acoustic music look bright indeed. Evocative … sensitive … imaginative … gorgeous … breathtaking … compelling. The music cast an intimate spell.” – THE WASHINGTON POST
“A magical, precious night!” – BOSTON GLOBE