Were it not for the marking of a certain sonic milestone, The Lonesome Brothers’ appearance at the Iron Horse this weekend couldn’t be more business as usual. Another weekend, some original tunes from their catalog of more than 100, another venue.
“Basically, the gist of this band is going out every week and playing our songs the best we can with no bullshit or gimmicks,” Lonesome Brothers’ bassist Ray Mason explains. “So this Saturday’s 30th anniversary show, in my opinion, is really just a chance to honor both this straight ahead plan we’ve had from day one …and the fact that we’ve never veered off course.”
“I honestly can’t remember a bad time through it all,” adds singer/six-stringer Jim Armenti of the ride thus far. “And even if the general grind of driving or playing to 20 people sometimes did start to bother me, it’s quickly overcome by the actual playing and communing with people.” Speaking of people, The Lonesomes are expecting some company for this weekend’s anniversary show. Show opener Toney Sea (Miranda Brown) and DC-based banjo player/friend of the band Phillips Saylor Wisor are already slated to sit in for a couple tunes. “Other special possibilities as available,” Mason can only offer with a smile beyond that.
Tix are $12 in advance, $15 night of show and available at iheg.com Doors open at 7 p.m.
∎ A Faithful Reproduction: Also on Saturday, Oct. 17, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra launches its annual Pops Series with Faithfully — a sonic Journey (get it?) into the catalog of one of rock’s most enduring acts. Adult tickets start at $22, children aged 4-17 and full-time college students pay only $10. Future Pops productions include Home for the Follidays on Dec. 5, Centennial Sinatra on Feb. 13, 2016 and Blockbuster Movie Scores on April 23, 2016.
∎ ‘Sun’ Spotting: Fresh off an opening engagement with pop-rock ensemble up-and-comers Dr. Dog, Noho’s own Sun Parade set a course for Gateway City Live in Holyoke this Saturday to lend sonic support to headliner Xenia Rubinos. The local trio has also scored two sweet residencies for November — holding court at The Lizard Lounge in Cambridge on Fridays and Burlington’s Radio Bean on Saturdays. Their latest single, “Hearts Out,” is also presently being featured on NPR’s “Songs We Love,” series. Tix for this weekend’s show are $15 with a beer garden and BBQ also available on premises.
Last, but not least, after the auspicious announcement of a new Thursday night Jazz series — followed by a mildly suspicious announcement that the planned kick-off show with Gerry Beaudoin Trio was being postponed due to “unexpected circumstances” — Springfield’s City Stage has now pulled the plug on the entire event with the same rationale cited. Refunds will be issued to all ticketholders. For more information on how to obtain yours — or check out any of the great shows and productions that definitely will be occurring soon — visit symphonyhall.com.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
