By guest contributor, Dai Bando
Molly Tuttle @ Groton Hill Music Center, Groton, CT
Good Golly Miss Molly! A few weeks after Molly Tuttle took home a Grammy for her Crooked Tree album, she and her band Golden Highway visited the new Groton Hill Music Center, which is as awesome a music venue as you will find. Molly Tuttle might be the most talented flat picker I’ve ever seen perform live, and I’ve seen Doc Watson and Tony Rice. A great night of music and pre-concert fun with dear friends Katie and Tony.
Rosanne Cash @ Payomet Barn in Truro, MA
My favorite outdoor music venue is Payomet Performing Arts Center in Truro, MA. Rosanne Cash, accompanied by guitarist/husband John Leventhal, was absolutely wonderful and the Cape Cod weather, sharks and mosquitos fully cooperated. I first saw Rosanne in concert 40 years ago. She’s a stronger singer and more polished performer today than when she recorded Seven Year Ache in 1981.
Steve Forbert & Freedy Johnson at Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
I sat close enough to rest my beer at the edge of the stage at Club Passim (formerly Club 47 where Tom Rush, Joni, Bonnie, Joan Baez and even The Complete Unknown boy once played. Stevie included a tribute to the legendary Jimmie Rodgers (both he and The Blue Yodeler were born in Meridian, Mississippi),and Freedy opening for Stevie, sang my favorites of his, “Evie’s Tears” and “Bad Reputation.” I LOVE attending shows at Passims, a venue where I can choose my seat on their website, enjoy a delicious burger and draft beer, and avoid Ticketmaster in the process!
Sierra Ferrell @ State Theater, Portland, Maine
Using my recently downloaded AI-driven MLB Pitcher-to-Honkytonk Singer converter-tool, I can now say this sassy lil’ gal throws five different pitches for strikes and has a 101 mph fastball! Linda and I sat in the balcony, which turned out to be the best seat in the house, as a bunch of tattooed love boys started a fight on the floor in front of the stage. We love Portland’s restaurants, especially Street and Co Bistro on old Wharf Street, where we ate before the show. A great night with Sierra, a unique talent in Alt-Country.
Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper, Bristol, RI
Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko joined acclaimed South African guitarist Gripper playing a most unique show in Bristol, RI. The audience was transported by the duo’s gorgeously improvised exchanges. We were joined by our dear friends Kevin & Michele.
Pomme @ The Sinclair, Cambridge, MA
Claire Pommet, aka “Pomme”, sang in both her native French as well as a few songs in English. Many French students and Québécois were in the audience and beautifully sang along choruses en français. A really good show, but Linda and I decided our days of “standing room only” venues “est finie!” Sorry Sinclair.
Jon Langford and Sally Timms @ The Myrtle, East Providence, RI
Such a treat to have these two legends from the seminal punk band The Mekons perform a free show at our favorite new music venue in Rhode Island, The Myrtle. Sally and Jon were at the top of their game. Linda couldn’t attend (“Where were YOU?”), yet it was an evening I won’t soon forget.
Joan Baez @ Jane Pickens Theater, Newport, RI
Joan spent her formative artistic years in Boston, playing her first gig at Club 47 (now Passim) and singing at The Newport Folk Festival. Tonight, at wonderful Jane Pickens Theater she read poetry from her latest collection When You See My Mother, Ask Her to Dance. Linda and I had recently watched Joan’s amazing documentary I am a Noise, which added to the experience. Did Joan sing at the evening’s end? She did. Beautifully.
There were also fine offerings from the Blackstone River Theatre (looking forward to Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman’s return in March!); Fall River’s Narrows Center; Irish sessions at The Burren in Somerville, jazz at the Blue Room in Pawtuxet Village; and Saturday afternoons at Nick-A-Nee’s with The Whelks.
Thanks to all who bring live music to these great venues.
Just Between You and Me 
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