A PRIL MAY BE THE KINDEST MONTH
FOR THE ME&THEE, for it brings Scott Alarik and his friends worthy of greater recognition to the coffeehouse. An astute observer of the acoustic music scene lo these many years and a singer-songwriter himself, Scott can be counted on to bring interesting — not to say, prodigiously talented — comrades for what may be an acoustic jam session, individual performances, or a combination of both.
The album of our headlining guest (both named Jake Armerding) was the #2 favorite on WUMB in 2003. In his mid-twenties, the newgrass virtuoso is a veteran of many stages, having started with his father's group, Northern Lights, when he was 13. We are happy to welcome him in his own right.
Scott’s been dead on with fiddlers, and we expect Hanneke Cassel to be no exception — a reasonable expectation for a girl who won the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship at the age of 18. These days, Hanneke performs solo, plays fiddle for the Cathie Ryan Band, and is a member of Boston-based fiddle bands Childsplay and Halali, as well as making guest appearances with Cherish the Ladies, Alasdair Fraser, Matt Glaser and the Wayfaring Strangers, and many other groups.
Anyone who likes fiddles, guitars, mandolins, traditional and original acoustic music, not to mention Scott’s brand of stand-up commentary, will want a place on the pews this Friday!
$15
I have rarely seen an audience in such a good mood as when [Scott Alarik’s] just been there.
Garrison Keillor
[On his CD, Jake Armerding] steps out front, vocally as well as instrumentally, with a pleasant high, airy tenor voice. He proves to be a particularly literate songwriter, whose own stylistic influences extend well beyond bluegrass, or for that matter beyond the expected in the singer-songwriter genre. In addition to Armerding's own picking and fiddling, he can also move into the territory of more conventional singer-songwriter fare with a prominent piano and a band that generally includes drums. His lyrics can run from love-songs, to a song based on classical Greek legend, as well as some philosophical reflections. It's all nicely done, and generally quite attractive in sound.
George Graham >
A great debut album [“My Joy”] by one of the most talented and fun-loving young fiddlers you could ever hope to meet! This is fiddle music played with great stylistic integrity and personal flair — definitely a joy to listen to! Go Hanneke, and
gie it laldie! Alasdair Fraser
