Write a commentThe Oswego Music Hall is excited to bring Ellis Paul – one of the folk circuit's most popular and dependable headliners – to its stage at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1.
With his literate, urbane and modern folk-pop sound, it surprises some fans that Paul has also bridged the gulf between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger more successfully than perhaps any of his songwriting peers.
Paul is one of the leading voices in American songwriting and one of the top songwriters to emerge out of rich Boston folk scene. In the 90s, he helped create a movement that revitalized the national acoustic circuit with an urban, folk rock style that helped renew interest in the genre. Paul remains one of the most pop-friendly of today's singer-songwriters, with his songs regularly appearing in hit movie and TV soundtracks.Yet he has also done a lot to revive interest in the Dust Bowl troubadour, Woody Guthrie.
Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie, has recognized Paul's deep respect for her folk-icon father and praised his artistry and message: "A singer songwriter is only as good as the times he reflects. In times like these. . . , it's comforting to know that Ellis Paul is actually holding our sanity on his own stage! Wise, tender, brilliant and biting, Ellis is one of our best human compasses, marking in melodies and poems where we've been and where we might go ... Personally Ellis, I'm goin' where you're goin'!
Paul displays a humble genius for putting the most divisive issues of our day into starkly personal and emotional terms. Bill Morrissey, perhaps the definitive New England ballad writer, was so impressed with Paul when he first started playing Boston's open mics in the early 1990s, that he produced Paul's first record, "Say Something," in 1993. While his style was highly introspective at that time, it was also informed by a probing humanism shaped in part by the five years he spent as a social worker.
Paul has won an unprecedented 14 Boston Music Awards, sung at Fenway Park for the Red Sox, The Boston Garden for the Celtics and even had the mayor of Boston, Thomas M. Menino, proclaim it "Ellis Paul Day in Boston" on July 9, 2010, when Ellis celebrated his 20th year in making music. His songs are heard in various commercials, documentaries, TV shows such as "Ed" and MTV's "Real World"; and in the soundtracks of blockbuster films, including three Farrelly Brothers films. Director Peter Farrelly has called Paul "a national treasure."
You can learn more about Ellis Paul and listen to songs from his many CDs at http://www.ellispaul.com/. Then come and enjoy one of his charismatic performances at the all-volunteer, family-friendly Music Hall – also known as the Ontario Center for Performing Arts.The venue is the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Homemade desserts, popcorn and beverages are available for purchase.
Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://oswegomusichall.org/ or in person at the River's End bookstore, 19 West Bridge Street in Oswego. Preferred seating is a benefit for season pass holders; advance sale ticket holders also get preferred seating on a first-come basis. After 1 p.m on the day of the performance, seating will be general admission. Ticket prices for this event are $14 if purchased in advance and $16 at the door. Children 12 and under are half-price; under 5 is free.
For the best deal – lowest ticket prices and prime seating – season passes for the winter and/or spring are available and may be purchased at any show. For information, go to the Music Hall's web page or contact membership secretary, Carol Forrest at 343-2988.
The Music Hall's next concert will be in the new year, Jan. 5, and will bring back one of the most exciting bluegrass bands in the country, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the NYS Council on the Arts. For more information, call 315-342-1733 or access the Music Hall website:http://oswegomusichall.org/.
