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New Works nights turn
authors into performers
Storied Orleans
festival celebrates
21st offering
By Heather Wysocki
hywysocki@barnstablepatnot.com
BARRY A DONAHUE PHOTO
BE LIKE MIKE - Michael Lee and his
friends serve fresh fiction Friday and
Saturday at the Academy Playhouse
in Orleans.
One quotes Walt Whitman ,
one Woody Allen. One describes
his work as relentlessly revised ,
the other as never
on time.
X&& 0ne
calls himself a ham who writes
standoffishly,while one says
he's sublimely happy but writes
bleakly.
Despite their differences,to-
night and tomorrow friends Mi-
chael Lee and Dan McCullough
will just be two seasoned writers
spicing up the stage at Lee's 21st
annual New Works Weekend.
Lee, whose works include the
short story anthology Paradise
Dance and a column for The Cape
Cod Voice,will host the shows at
the Academy of Performing Arts
in Orleans. Audiences will hear
readings by local and well-known
authors, and also from "their
electrician,who happens to be a
poet as well," said Lee, director
of the program and an annual
presenter.
When the New Works perfor-
mances began 20 years ago, only
writers were on stage. Around the
15th year, said Lee, he added other
forms of entertainment, including
dance and song. Like the writers,
dancers and musicians present a
selection of new work.
"It has evolved into a literary
cabaret ,"said Lee. McCullough.a
professor at Cape Cod Community
College, agrees. "It's a theater of
CONTINUED ON PAGE C.2
Oil MusicBy Nicholas Smith
arts@barnstablepatriot.com
Spring is a good time for good music. With summerjust around
the corner, the days are getting longer, the sun a little hotter
but not quite hot,and the rains a' coming down. We could all
use a little boost from the CD player on a Sunday afternoon
when we're tending to the spring clean-up in the yard.
Not sure where to go for some new exciting music? Take a
look at these three artists who are all clearing a path toward
musical mastery. They are sure to put a swing in your step when
kicking around the yard
Ben Harper
Both Sides of the
Gun
Virgin Records
Ben Harper is at
the stage of his ca-
reer where listeners
expect something
legendary out of
him.
He's got a history
of strong records
that celebrate his
slide guitar play-
ing and his diverse
styles, ranging from
whisper-soft ballads with sensitive, compassionate lyrics to
angry forlorn cries with loud, crashing guitars.
In Both Sides of the Gun, Harper plays both sides of his per-
sonality on two discs - the first disc offering up the expected
softness and the second,more of that music with a loud and
urgent message. Both discs have a raw quality that summons
a live, almost scratchy 78-like feel that certainly wasn't the
ending decision of a high-powered record executive looking
to sell millions of records; clearly it's Harper trying to push
the envelope and the method works well. The album seems
old and worn like a pair of jeans,but he never compromises
integrity to make the songs thematically comfortable.
Harper 's album is political and impatient and sweet all at
once. He won't leave anybody looking for a driving acous-
tic sound with beautiful melodies and potent lyrics disap-
pointed.
Ryan Montbleau
One Fine Color
Montbleau Records
One Fine Color is a
fine example of a sing-
er-songwriter 's lyrical
playfulness being sup-
ported by a band that
isinterested in acoustic
jamming. The 13 songs
on the record offer up a
range of themes,from
the slow-moving ballad-
like emotions of "Boat
Song " to the sunny,
shake-your-hips-and-smile rhythms of "Inspired by No One."
It's obvious Montbleau has a touch of the poet kicking around
his noggin and the band is seemingly focused on delivering
acoustically-charged emotional sounds.
The music moves in unpredictable ways, inviting a dance or
a pensive meditation on what Ryan's driving at when he sings,
"Take me under and make me understand,block my lungs off
and make me appreciate the end." Hot damn,lyrics like that
have to start a fire. The title track of the album is more of the
same,
/ used to dream in One Fine Color,
sweet lazy sublime shade of red ,
but now it'sjust the black and white or some strange psyche-
delic nightmare ,
whole mess of colors swirling round instead.
Ryan, a Boston native, is making waves all over the Northeast.
He tours non-stop and is developing legions of dedicated fans
that have caught on to his intelligent lyrics, passionate voice,
and versatile finger-picking guitar style. This won't be the last
mention of Mr. Montbleau.
James Hunter
People Gonna
Talk
Go Records
How can you ig-
nore aguythat Van
the Man Morrison
has said "is one of
the best voices ,
and best kept se-
crets,in British
R 'n' B and Soul.
Check him out."
Simply put,you
can't ignore Van
or the new man,
James Hunter.
James Hunter is
a Colchester, England resident who has been wooing audiences
in Europe for quite a while. There 's no question that Hunter 's
musical style calls back to the days of classic '50s and early '60s
rhythm and blues. What's fascinating about Hunter 's music is
that the same timeless quality can exist in music that is being
written and recorded today as was 50 years ago.
Hunter 's voice is smooth,controlled and seasoned. Through
his infectious vocal and guitar performances,clever songwrit-
ing and tight horn arrangements,Hunter proves to be a man
of impeccable taste who has learned from his influences rather
than simply imitating them.
Confirming the Cape's consciousness
Poet Marge Piercy
brings poetry, awareness
to Cape Cod
By Heather Wysocki
hwysocki@barnstablepatnot.com
Seventeen novels,seventeen
books of poetry, and one memoir
have made Marge Piercy one of
Cape Cod'smost renowned writers.
But they have also made her one
of the busiest.
Since October. Piercy has trav-
eled across the United States
promotingher new novel.Se.rWars.
and other works during bookstore
appearances,poetry readings,and
benefits for organizations close to
her heart.After this necessary pub-
licity, Piercy willreturn to her home
on the Cape, where she lives with
her husband, writer Ira Wood.
"I wouldn't get any writing done
if I wasn't" at home. Piercy said.
On May 4. she will continue her
appearances with a reading at
the Cotuit Center for the Arts, in
conjunction with the Cape Cod
Writers ' Center. Piercy has made
numerous appearances for groups
on the Cape, but this is her first
with the center. And though Piercy
finds that her appearances on the
outer Cape garner more attention ,
she believes that everyone can find
something in her poetry.
"I write a wide variety. Nature ,
political,feminist, poems about
family, love liturgies," she said.
Her poetry does for its readers
"whatever they want it to do."
Piercy's poetry, which ranges a
wide variety of topics and emo-
tions, iswell known for its readable
style and usefulness. Eric Edwards,
poetry discussion facilitator for the
series of poetry discussions, said,
"That's what makes you want to
live in this poetry: the energy."
Piercy's appearance is part of a
series of poetry discussions and
readings sponsored by the Cape
Cod Writers ' Center for National
Poetry Month,and to bring poetry
awareness to the Cape. Discussions
of the poetry of Lamont Steptoe
and Ted Kooser. 2006 Poet Laure-
ate, and an appearance by Kooser
in August are also offered by the
center.
Not until recently have Kooser's
works appeared in Cape book-
stores, said Jacqueline Loring,
executive director of the center.
Poets and poetry enthusiasts
in the Barnstable area, including
those familiar with her work,may
find Piercy 's appearance here
unique.
CONTINUED ON PAGE C:2