John McCauley made another appearance at the Newport Folk Festival; in recent years, he's been there in some configuration or another. This year, he came and did his thing solo. He took the stage looking all Leave It To Beaver, clean cut, boy next door...well, as clean cut, boy next door as a man can get with random looking stuff inked on his arms and low level facial hair.
As it poured down rain outside, McCauley played about 15 songs under the tented Quad Stage. This was probably the most controlled I've personally heard him vocally. He was joined by Vanessa Carlton on "In Our Time", a song they duet on from the upcoming Deer Tick album Negativity. And, in a move that was met with roaring approval from the audience, his mother, Marge McCauley, sporting a tee-shirt with "Mama Deer Tick" across the back, joined him for a cover of "Margaritaville". It was a fun set. My only complaint, no "Baltimore Blues No. 1" ... guess he didn't pick up on my silent plea to play that! For those that missed it or want to re-live it, the good folks at NPR are streaming it HERE.
As it poured down rain outside, McCauley played about 15 songs under the tented Quad Stage. This was probably the most controlled I've personally heard him vocally. He was joined by Vanessa Carlton on "In Our Time", a song they duet on from the upcoming Deer Tick album Negativity. And, in a move that was met with roaring approval from the audience, his mother, Marge McCauley, sporting a tee-shirt with "Mama Deer Tick" across the back, joined him for a cover of "Margaritaville". It was a fun set. My only complaint, no "Baltimore Blues No. 1" ... guess he didn't pick up on my silent plea to play that! For those that missed it or want to re-live it, the good folks at NPR are streaming it HERE.
Oh, and New York, McCauley along with the rest of Deer Tick will be at Webster Hall on Thursday, November 7. Doors are at 6PM, it'll cost you $20 and they've got Robert Ellis on the bill with them.
