It was a perfect summer’s eve. In the great room of
the new senior center, the tables were clothed and candle lit,
stage lights illuminated the signature brick back-dropped stage,
and the Channel 17 cameras were ready to roll. The room smelled
of freshly prepared finger food and brewed coffee. But what
was truly to be the entertainment for the eighty plus who chose
to check out the new venue for the Groovin’ in New Fairfield
Coffee House were the trio of acts that provided two and a half
hours of musical bliss.
Kicking off the night was singer/songwriter/naturalist and Groovin’
President, Jeff Main. Opening with a bluesy cover of John Forgerty’s
Fortunate Son, he treated us to a medley of originals including
his Hudson River Serenade that got the entire room enthusiastically
singing along on its chorus.
The showcase performer of the night was the lovely Laura Vecchione
a singer /songwriter out of Boston, Mass.
Accompanying herself on guitar, her vibrant emoting vocals filled
the room with songs of optimism, passion and introspection.
There were times when even this author was given chills by her
impressive delivery. So enamored were we by her performance,
that the talent committee is seeking a return engagement with
her full band in tow in our featured spot.
As if folks hadn’t already gotten their money money’s
worth, our featured act of the night, Robert Hill and his band
mates just blew us away. Accompanied by the superb journeyman
bassist Mark Murphy and the talented Joanne (what a set of pipes)
Lediger lending supporting vocals, Bob mesmerized us with his
unique slide guitar technique and baritone voice, slipping flawlessly
from steamroller blues to acoustic ballad and back again. The
author was particularly impressed by his intermingling of what
were almost ethereal instrumentals (his stand up bassist employing
a bow to enhance the effect).. In contrast were the barrelhouse
blues numbers where Ms. Lediger’s vocals were a standout.
It seemed that each number literally brought the house down.
So once again, the Groovin’ in New Fairfield Coffee House
Committee and its cadre of volunteers pulled off another of
what has to be the best night of acoustic music the region has
to offer. And still only five bucks (No way!). But if reading
this review is not convincing enough, check your local listings
for the airing of this very edition of the New Fairfield Coffee
House on Channel 17 (thanks, Ray). It just might have you marking
your calendar (October 24) so that you’re not missing
out on what many are saying is the (no longer) best kept secret
in Town.
Note: check your local listings for the channel 17 airing of
the April Coffee House to see what you’ve been missing
