With Day Merrill and Myra McFarlane
So there we were, three Women of a Certain Age, out with our mates with the same dubious distinction, for a fun night in Pawling. Now, as a Pawling resident, I am very aware of what good times await us when we leave the quiet of our homes…but my Canadian guests had no idea. Off we went last Friday night when the Towne Crier presented “Back to the Garden 1969” – and WOW did we have a great evening!
After a great meal, we were transported back to the Age of Aquarius with a group of talented musicians, at least two of whom have been rocking since the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969. While there isn’t a bad seat in the house, we had the pleasure of sitting right in front of the stage and listening to the great 60’s sound of this funky and talented group of musicians.
Impressive were the vocal harmonics of the many Neil Young and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young songs that were sung with gusto by Gary Adamson, Bob Fonseca, Mike Garner, and Larry Kelly. The solo female performer, Annie Masciandro, also plays drums and channels Janice Joplin and Gracie Slick with impressive vocals that mix raw, gravelly rock and roll with a soulful bluesy vibe.
Their almost two hour set satisfied everyone, from the most technically savvy musician to the hippie hiding in all of us Boomers who just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere and imagine what it might have been like on those rainy days in August of ’69.
Among the six of us, there wasn’t a single tune that most of us didn’t know and a few in the audience seemed to remember every word and every note as we sang along with the driving guitar, bass, percussion, keyboard, and vocals of the talented six-piece group. Invited at times to clap or belt out the chorus, we all seemed to be transported back to a time when our younger selves lived in an age of innocence.
Three members of the band will be performing at thePawling Rec Center on December 8th as part of a holiday celebration, so take the time to stop by. Also remember to check out the Towne Crier’s schedule on PPR’s website to see what’s coming up. It’s a wonderful way to spend an evening.
Peace, out!
