he club Jalopy offers a unique line-up of musical performances over the next week. Unless otherwise noted, shows are at 9 p.m.
June 12 brings Baby Gramps with a completely original musical concoction that is easily the most intriguing synthesis to come out of the roots revival of the late 20th century. The performer can scat the blues three notes at once, and has invented his own guitar technique he calls “scribbling.”
Gramps does amazing tricks with timing, timbre, tempo and pitch and reinvents himself nightly, never performing a song the same way twice.
On June 13, the stage belongs to The Moonlighters who play a rare two set evening, with Hawaiian swing. Based around a core of harmonized vocal duets backed by warm acoustic instruments including Hawaiian lap steel guitar, ukulele, guitar and bass, they explore traditional and classic tunes with a unique, romantic approach that is appealing to listeners of all ages.
The band members include Bliss Blood, vocalist and ukulele player; Cindy Ball, vocalist and guitarist, Peter Maness on bass and Mark Deffenbaugh on steel guitar.
June 14 brings folk music favorites Peter Stampfel and Devilish Merry with an evening of enchanting music. Stampfel was a founding member of both the Fugs and the Holy Model Rounders. He is the only person ever to play music with musical legends Bob Dylan, Sam Shepard, Mississippi John Hurt and Buckminster Fuller.
Stampfel will reunite with Holy Model Rounder’s drummer Jeff Berman. The two will be joined on stage by friends and fellow musicians that they have met through the years.
Devilish Merry makes music that is mellow and edgy, ethereal and intense, enchanting and nefarious. Their sound is driven beyond its Appalachian roots by banjo, fiddle, hammer dulcimer, percussion, and bass.
Devilish Merry is known for its lively old-time fiddle tunes, Irish jigs and reels, American folk and industrial ballads, and new songs from the musicians’ own experiences.
Lastly, on June 15, re-inventing gospel standards, exploring the range of ragtime and hokum, and delving into southern fiddle tunes, the Mill Pond Nine brings new life to traditional old time music.
Bringing together three unique voices to form one sound, their tight three-part harmonies add textured layers on top of tightly interwoven instrumental melody lines.
Also on the bill is La Tuza, a dynamic acoustic trio that performs Mexican roots music. Their repertoire includes pieces from African-influenced son jarocho of southern Veracruz, the swinging son calentano of the Mexican Hotlands, and the fiery son huasteco of central Mexico. The diverse instrumentation of La Tuza includes jarana jarocha, jarana huasteca (both small guitar-like instruments native to Mexico) plus guitar, violin, cajon, pandero, and the quijada (donkey jawbone).
Jalopy is at 315 Columbia Street between Hamilton and Woodhull avenues in Red Hook. For more, call 718-395-3214 or visit www.jalopy.biz. Shows carry an $8-$10 cover charge.
