Local Bluegrass group to give rare Vermont show
|
|
The Bluegrass Gospel Project will perform Sunday evening at the Unitarian Church in Montpelier. TIMES ARGUS FILE PHOTO |
Toolbox
By Art Edelstein Arts Correspondent - Published: December 18, 2009
Bluegrass music isn't usually associated with Christmas holiday concerts. But in the case of Vermont's Bluegrass Gospel Project, it's a perfect fit. Yes, gospel music generally has Christian connotations, but BGP guitarist-singer Paul Miller prefers to refer to gospel simply as "good news." And, good news for listeners this sextet is.
The band has been performing for nearly a decade, and has long been associated with the Old Meeting House in East Montpelier. However, in recent years they've performed primarily outside of Vermont, in southern New England.
"We don't play in this area all that much," says Miller, "and we wanted to offer something in our area of central Vermont. We are trying to make it a family friendly concert because it starts at 6 p.m."
The band is giving the concert as a way to stay in touch with local fans, says Miller.
If you haven't been to a BGP concert in the past 18 months then you haven't heard its new singer Colby Crehan, who replaced Patti Casey. Crehan is a country-bluegrass singer with a Southern upbringing to back up her style. For bluegrass music a bit of a drawl and a Southern sensibility don't hurt, and Crehan gives the band a fine country-flavored voice.
Miller is unabashed in his praise for Crehan.
"She's phenomenal," she says. "A great singer, hard worker, her voice is really wonderful – it's a very natural and genuine sound that reaches out to people."
The band has three primary singers in mandolinist Taylor Armerding as well as Crehan and Miller but multi-instrumentalist Steve Light and fiddler Gene White Jr. both sing. Bassist Kirk Lord, also a new addition, is from Barre.
Miller said the band's repertoire is changing.
"We are currently adding a few songs that lean toward the rhythm and blues side of gospel," he says.
Expect to hear some call-and-answer style of singing. The band has even taken an arrangement from the Swan Silvertones and made it its own.
You will also find a bit more percussion in the act with snare drum and bongos played brush style.
"We also like to mix up the instruments; our musicians have a variety of talents," says Miller. "We keep the set fresh and the sound changes with the changing instrumentation."
For Sunday's concert expect music from the usual repertoire and songs of the holiday season, including one from The Band, "Christmas Must Be Tonight," as well as a few other holiday-specific songs.
"Our repertoire includes a lot of songs with a spiritual overtone as 'gospel' is part of our name," says Miller. But, he notes, the band does not see gospel as strictly one religion. "We are not generally religious specific," he acknowledges.
"We're really looking to playing for folks in this area. It always has a nice family feel to it," says Miller. "We connect well and are glad we have the opportunity to play here. We encourage people to bring family members. When young folks come they really like it. They really get into the music when they hear it."
Bluegrass Gospel Project concerts in the area are generally sold out so I suggest getting to the Unitarian Church early.