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This is not exactly about a house concert, but it is relevant to house concert venue operators seeking new talent to showcase.
Yesterday, after a week of above-average and even record-breaking temperatures, the weather in Raleigh turned decidedly chilly, a perfect excuse to spend an evening indoors listening to good music. Stephanie Corby and Kevin So were both making their debut appearance in the Triangle at the Six String Café and Music Hall, and they did not disappoint.
Eileen and I had been pleasantly surprised to discover these two wonderful singer/songwriters in our inaugural fling with the lunacy known as Folk Alliance last year in Vancouver. Somehow we'd never heard of either of them and might have missed them altogether had we not stopped in to see another performer showcasing with them. We heard Stephanie again at a house concert this past Spring, but in the flurry of getting our own house concert series going, both kinda slipped to our back burner. What a mistake!!
Stephanie appeared first on stage for an hour or so, but they each played a backup role for the other on several songs throughout the two sets, Kevin on guitar and keyboard, and Stephanie on guitar and backup vocals. Stephanie performed a number of original songs mixed in with a few excellent covers of instantly recognizable hits from the past. She sang equally passionately of love and loss, of fun times and low moments, all in a bluesy voice that at the appropriate times seemed to rise out of the depths of her soul. "Cornelius" still resonates in my head, as does her cover of one of my faves, "Since I Fell For You," Buddy Johnson's tune done so smoothly by Lenny Welch so many moons ago.
I believe that Kevin performed all original material (though I admit to no vast knowledge of his works). Between numbers he kept the audience's attention with comedic interludes interspersed with song intros. We learn that he is among a million or so Chinese-American songwriters - OK, only two - and he sings proudly of his Asian heritage, even if Mom did want him to "get a real job." The whole set was energetic and engaging, as he invoked the audience to sing along or clap in time with his awesome guitar and keyboard playing. He started off "Standing in the Shadow of Ellis Paul," and while I'm sad to admit that I lost track of the contents of his set list by the third or fourth song, the entire hour just kept getting better as he playfully rolled along (note to self: you've gotta start taking a notebook and pen to these shows - this is embarrassing!!). One number that stood out for me, though, was "Walter Lee," a song that's already destined for my personal all-time-favorite compilation box set (a Rhino CD production, for possible release just before my heart or my hearing give out :-) ).
Often I am disappointed to leave a high-energy show like this one with a handful of new CDs, only to get to the car and discover that the recorded versions of the songs I have just enjoyed so much don't even come close to matching the fervor of the show I have just seen. Not to worry, this will not happen with these two, at least for her "Fireworks in March" and his "That Oriental Guy" CDs. Though missing the audience energy that good live shows naturally evoke, the songs on these two discs are very-well arranged and produced and performed, making you want to jump up out of your chair and make a fool of yourself with your air band in the solace of your listening room.
Cheers
Mike Strohmeyer
Vocal Folkus House Concerts
Kevin So - that oriental guy (WingBone Records)
You may think of Kevin So as "that Oriental guy who opened for Ellis Paul," a line from his hysterically funny "Standing in the Shadow of Ellis Paul." This is exactly what he doesn't want.
So's sixth release is a compilation of old and new tracks that combine to break his label as the Asian folksinger. he experiments with various music styles, emerging out from under Ellis Paul's shadow to brighten the Boston music scene.
The tracks bounce from folk to r&b, blues, country and even a lounge singer, Harry Connick Jr. style track, "Walking Down The Avenue."
So showcases his diverse talents as a guitar player and a singer, but the moziac mix leaves the listeners wishing he would linger on the blues tinted numbers, like those on his previously released, live CD "Along The Way."
Notable new tracks "Cool Drink of H2O" and "Stay With Me Tonight" both co-written with Carl Cacho, are slow and seductive enough to make any woman swoon. So's appeal on these, and most of his songs, is his ability to pour raw emotions into his lyrics more honestly than most singer/songwriters.
-Kimberly Click, Boston Herald
"I listened to it today ... and I like it"
-Tiger Okoshi, famous jazz trumpet player (upon hearing that oriental guy)
Peggy Lim - Harvard University '01
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Roberta B. Schwartz
Artist Spotlight - by Neil Fagan
Daniel Gewertz - Boston Herald, Friday, November 5, 1999
"Riveting...a smooth, impeccable guitarist...fast developing...unusually talented... An Asian American bluesman who offers his articulate take on the blues."
-Steve Morse, The Boston Globe
"He's the Amy Tan of the singer/songwriter world"
-Steve Rapson, Metronome and Recording Magazine
"A sweet voice more tuneful than most of his peers...His songs tell tales of other lives and sketch graceful pictures of momentary city life...So is already a craftsman, and his gifts are burgeoning...Pendulum - a pleasing debut CD."
-Daniel Gewertz, The Boston Herald
"In person and on disc, Kevin So delivers songs that are by turns riotous, tender, and red hot, and he does it with humor and a sweet sincerity. A likeable newcomer just a few years ago, Kevin is quickly growing into one of the most exciting and powerful singer/songwriters on the national scene. His new CD Individual is the best album of 1997! This self-produced indie release works on every level - memorable songs, striking vocals, and outstanding instrumentation. Kevin hits every mood on Individual - there's haunting acoustic ballads, hard-hitting blues and pop, and joyous travelling music. But it's not just the great music I love about this album-Kevin So's love of people shines through everything he does."
-Jan Brick, WERS Boston
"The show-stopping set came from Kevin So of Boston, who could become the first Asian American blues star...minimalist guitar picking that put the holes back into the music...and much more than blues - Well-crafted original balladry and a silky Stevie Wonderish tenor held the audience entranced...The big discovery."
-Steve Brooks at the 1996 Kerrville Folk Festival, Austin Chronicle
"Stunning...an amazing grasp of songwriting...his voice has a startling quality that immediately gains your attention, and later, your respect...A spirited piece of work. Excellent."
-Douglas Sloan on Pendulum, Metronome Magazine
"You really inspired me."
-MARTIN SEXTON
"You're a real one"
-RICHIE HAVENS
"We had a musician here last night who got great feedback from the crowd. His name is Kevin So...kind of folk blues. He is technically quite good - has a great voice...worked well with the audience and a lot of them signed up for his mailing list and told us how much they enjoyed him. One woman stopped to say he was the best musician we ever had there. He was easy to work with... In the terms of the flick reviews - Two thumbs Way Up."
-Dottie MacKeen, Borders Books and Music
"I was taken to another world by his ability to connect with the crowd on an individual basis. The way he pulls the audience (sometimes kicking and screaming) into his music and makes them a part of it is a gift few performers possess...As he began to play, the chatter ceased and all eyes were riveted on the man in the hat...The crowd would not let him leave. They insisted he play more. Kevin had the whole place singing and moving...Catch him if you can."
-Dave Cambest, Broward Folk Club News, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
"Is America ready for a Chinese-American pop star ?"
-The Boston Globe June 11,1990
