Bygone Shows

July 9, we have a special folky treat for you.

Expect some lovely harmonizing from Paddy and Jenny, some excellent
songwriting and singing from Sharon Van Etten, spookiness probably
from everybody, and a trip in a beautiful time machine woven from
vines and garlands of flowers from Noa Babayof.  Seriously, it's going
to be a sweet evening!  The Monkey will be at its most acoustically
casual, with seating for all!  The Winooski River will glimmer in the
moonlight!

Much is made about the lack of originality in music. “Everything has been done,
and done to death” people decry. This is a very modern attitude, and perhaps
more than a bit flawed. Music has always been a continuum. Styles and traditions
are passed from one generation to the next to be cherished, replicated,
altered or reinvented. Just as one individual looks to another for identity and
support, so one song looks to the last for meaning; a place in the grand structure.
Noa Babayof does what many before her have done. She is a folk musician
in the singer-songwriter tradition. She pays homage here, stretches boundaries
there, and most often plays within the structures formed by the greats that
preceded her. This in itself is not an easy task. Very few have what it takes to
make it on a stage where what separates the weak from the strong is neither
record sales nor charisma, but the greatness of the songs. This is something, I’m
sure, Noa is reminded of each time she picks up her guitar to meet the
challenge.

Beautiful!