Live music on Middle Street? A glimmer of hope for the rebirth of an original music scene in DTL? At the holy and sacred ground which housed two of the greatest music bars in the city, Smithwicks and Evos? Sure the Village Smokehouse will never capture the spirit of either (the bar is too slick and there's too many TVs) but maybe the timing is right; the twenty somethings are now thirty somethings and the owners have done a great job with the place. And if they're planning on booking live, original music, then kudos to them!
This Thursday night, from 9-12PM, Jen Kearney inaugurates the Smokehouse with her funky mix of latin rhythms, jazz harmonies and dynamic vocals. Jen has been in the studio recording songs for her much anticipated new album and she'll be performing some of those songs Thursday in what promises to be a great night of music.
So pick yourself up and come down to this infamous address and show the new owners what we already know; Lowell is a hotbed for talented songwriters and musicians who just need a place to play.
And a wonderful time it was indeed! I'd never seen the space the way it had been configured years ago, but the sound the way it's laid out now is very good, even with just a modest PA setup, which is a tribute to the both the room and the renovations. Well worth the trip out to see what they'll have cooking up on Thursdays from here.
As for JK&TLO, one can only imagine how good the band would have sounded with their full gear, because they sounded GREAT even with just their quick travel setup. (Maybe the Smokehouse will invest in a good sound system soon?) Pete was missed--which isn't to say that Mike Walsh didn't do a great job, because he did--but it's not the full Onion without Pete. (Or the horns, but we don't always get the full treatment and that's ok). Right before sailing into Let Love Rule (does Carl know how to play or WHAT) they pulled out something I'd not heard live before, (I'm pretty sure it was "I Don't Feel" off the pre-Onion disc, Bravery, though I was getting the star treatment from my favorite Smokehouse bartender all night, so I hope I can be forgiven if that's not exactly right), and I was marveling to myself that the whole rest of the house wasn't on its feet to hear it. It was something. Really something.
Speaking of which, it was interesting to experience the crowd energy over the course of the evening. The bar was packed before the band even got started, and it was great to see the downtown music fans all turned out to support the music. By the third set, the raw numbers had diminished somewhat, but was especially nice was to hear the warmth of the crowd dialing up with each successive number nonetheless. (Quality, not quantity!) By the end, the overwhelming feeling was of an intimate evening well-spent.
Thanks, Village Smokehouse, and thanks, Jen Kearney and Vinnie Viguglio and Carl Johnson and Mike Walsh for putting it all together.
Lowell Rocks!
At long last, music returns to the building. I hope there is a good music crowd to see her....I plan on stopping by.
I'm so excited to hear that the Smokehouse will be doing live music - and even more excited to hear that it will be Jen Kearney starting it off! Her live shows are always great - Maybe I'll have to show off some of my sweet dance moves!
Yeah, the show is in the bar. Jen will be performing with a trimmed down version of the Lost Onion: Carl Johnson, guitar; Vinny Briguglio, bass; and Mike Walsh, drums.
Wow! This is great news. Thanks audiofloss for breaking it. This will be in the bar we presume?