Now-a-days when thousands of people line up for hours to buy tickets for a concert at a huge arena, Moon and River Café is a welcome alternative. You won’t need to watch the entertainers on a video screen; this venue is up-close and personal.
Last Thursday, patrons were treated to a concert of original music by two local bands, Rob Jonas, and Summer of Doug, a personal favorite. The music, a combination of rock, country, and blues, is mellow and energizing; the lyrics are mournful yet hopeful. Although the two lead singer-songwriters both write about their personal lives and even shared a few musicians on this particular night, (bass guitarist and drummer), their performance styles are very different.
Rob Jonas sat on a stool at the microphone, strumming his guitar and singing in a soulful edgy voice. A memorable song, “Livin’ the Dream,” voices the persona’s doubts over what exactly the American dream is all about. It appears on his CD, Take Me Anywhere, copies of which he had available at the concert. You can check out a video of Rob singing live in downtown Albany: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCKzHESuvQ0
Doug Bergen is fairly new to the local music scene, but he is definitely an up-and-coming musician you want to keep an eye (and an ear) on. He is a lively performer, jumping in rhythm to his playful tunes and strumming his guitar with a passion that is obvious in the smile on his face. Doug says he sings for “family, friends, and fun!” His music is contagious! He is currently recording a CD with his band. You can check out a video of him live at the Moon and River, on a previous date, singing “Double Yellow Line:” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvaTCQ7XREE
You can see Summer of Doug perform at Pinhead Susan’s, in Schenectady, on Friday, April 1st. In the meantime, look at a schedule of future entertainment at the Moon and River Café: www.moonandrivercafe.com
Supporting local musicians is a good thing!
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