Music by Matt Putnam, Massachusetts singer/songwriter
Vocals, guitar, harmonica
Open Mike Night
Open Mike takes place Wednesdays from 9:00 - 12:00 (sign up at 8:30) at Paddy Barry's in Quincy. Come on down and enjoy the famous Paddy's "vibe". People here love live music.
Email me with any questions, or call Paddy's at 617-770-3620.
December 2007
December 27
Return engagements: Bob McDermott • Chuck Whelan
Jim Keady
The gracious, first-class-flying Mr. Keady regaled us with some jazzy Christmas tunes in his impeccable style. Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song" was my own favorite. (Don't forget: it's legal, and morally correct, to sing Christmas songs until Epiphany.)
Brian Mahoney
Technically, Brian belongs in the "return engagements" area with Chuck Whelan and Bob McDermott, but I decided to give the girls a treat and throw in a brand new picture of Brian doing his thing. He deserves Extreme Honorable Mention™ for his never-ending pursuit of musical excellence.
Kevin Godbout
This was only the second time in a great while that Paddy's has been graced by Kevin's presence, and it was worth the wait. He kept the joint rockin'.
The Cowsills
Paddy's is frequented by famous musicians, but this celebrity sighting was extra special. From left to right, we see Bob Cowsill, Susan Cowsill, Drew Barrymore and Charlie Watts, who were in town preparing for an appearance at Mohegan Sun. Unfazed by the paparazzi, they dutifully waited for their turn on stage, then launched into a blistering medley of "The Rain, the Park, and Other Things" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
December 20
Jessi Fanuele
Most performers were spooked by the snow, apparently—but not Jessi. She came by to deliver some of her titanic vocals.
December 6
Doc Oakroot
Doc came all the way from Bear Creek, North Carolina just to play at Paddy's. Well, actually, he's in the area for a week or so, but he did take the Red Line from Braintree to get here. (Attention fellow guitar nerds: it may look like Doc's playing some kind of Bo Diddley custom Gretsch here, but it's one of the two "cigar-box" guitars that Doc brought with him. He makes them by hand.) Doc played some decidedly original original music—rooted in the past, but refreshingly new-sounding—with sophisticated, bluesy/jazzy backdrops and smoky vocals. As if that weren't enough, he made a kazoo sound like John Coltrane was playing it.
The Golden Parachutes
Jeff, Jim, and Kristen, The Golden Parachutes, have been appearing around the South Shore and Rhode Island for a while now, performing a wide range of covers and originals buoyed by Kristen's strong vocals and the thoughtful guitar interplay of Jeff and Jim. Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" was a standout—they also did an intense version of "Come Together."
Tom Sweeney
Everybody loves it when Tom comes down from Southie to rock the joint. I've never managed to learn Bad Company's "Wanted Dead or Alive," and I've come to realize it's because only certain people can pull it off—and Tom's one of them. And Tom's the only guy that could work it into a medley with the theme from "Sesame Street." You just don't see this kind of thing every day, folks.
Brian Mahoney
Brian laid down the law once again with a caseload of classic rock tunes—plus the eternal "Babylon," imbued with the legal limit of passion and pathos. (Attention fellow guitar nerds: I'm anxiously awaiting the next apperance of Brian's Breedlove. Apparently, it only leaves the house on Wednesday nights.)
Al Meida
Nobody sings Garth Brooks like Al, with the possible exception of Garth Brooks, and I've yet to A/B the two. Al is seen here with the famous Chuck Whelan, the "Mayor of Martha's Vineyard." Chuck is admiring the new Christmas decor, which was installed under the personal direction of Gerry Hanley—who never misses an issue of Martha Stewart Living.
Siobhán Forrell
It was that kind of night. Siobhán leapt up unannounced, grabbed the guitar off the wall and proceeded to sing along with anything I could throw at her. She did not like "Margaritaville," though, and neither do I. From now on, no more damn "Margaritaville," I swear.
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