A case for Case

(Peter Case packs his case after a Buttonwood Tree gig in Middletown).

I've been a Peter Case fan before I even knew I was a Peter Case fan. His group The Plimsouls had a hit (A Million Miles Away), during the early MTV era, which I loved, and since his first, amazing solo album, I was hooked.

A few months back Case suffered a heart attack and had bypass surgery. He's recovering quickly, but as with many people without health insurance in this country, he's buried in financial debt because of his medical bills.

Out where he lives in LA they held a three-day benefit at the well-loved guitar store and concert venue McCabes featuring a line-up of artists which looks like the playlist from one of my radio shows (Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III, T Bone Burnett, Van dyke Parks, Syd Straw, Sam Phillips, Phranc, Dave Alvin). The entire three-day benefit sold-out and raised a bunch of money for Case, but he's got a long way to go.

So the group formed Hidden Love, a benefit organization designed to help Case lift the burden of his debt. You can find out how to donate here.

Peter Case nominated for a Grammy

He pulled up to the Buttonwood Tree in a rented Mustang, and rumpled clothes. He played his heart out for 45 of us in the tiny venue on Main Street. And I'm happy to inform you that his latest album, Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John, was just nominated for a Grammy in the "Traditional Folk" category. Congratulations Peter.

Congrats also to our friends the Pine Leaf Boys, Racines and the Lost Bayou Ramblers, all of whom are nominated in the new Cajun/Zydeco catergory. And to Springsteen, Levon Helm, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin, Kathy Fink, and the many other great artists who have been recognized.

Another case for Case

Peter Case arrived at the Buttonwood Tree in a red 2007 Mustang, and left the same way. In between he told a long, long story about locking his keys in the trunk of that Mustang, and he sang his heart out for the 40 souls who braved a Monday night, abandoned the Red Sox, and spent a bit of time in Peter's world.

Case was marvelous playing everything from a barrelhouse Dylan blues (Black Crow Blues) on the Buttonwood Tree's grand piano, to several from his new album, and greats like "Poor Old Tom," "Beyond The Blues," "Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda" and "The Dreams We Hide." He also played the first song he ever wrote, "that anyone ever wanted me to play again."

He packed his trunk, holding the keys tightly, and set off for Buffalo, or some motel between Middletown and Buffalo.

Peter Case tonight

TONIGHT, MONDAY OCT. 15
Peter Case
Buttonwood Tree 605 Main Street, Middletown CT
Doors Open: 6:30 pm

When I booked this concert three months ago, I didn't think once about baseball playoffs. Those of you who know me understand why I wouldn't. So we're going up against the Red Sox and the Indians.

Still, we've sold a bunch of seats for tonight's show at the Buttonwood Tree, and have about a dozen open, as of this writing. Too late to make advanced reservations, but the doors open at 6:30, so show up early.

According to his blog, Case is out to make each night special on this tour, and I can attest to how powerful he is as a live performer. I'll review it later tonight.

Late breaking news, Chuck E. Costa, a Connectictut musician whose garnering some national attention will open the show with a short set

Concerts of the Week

Peter Case
Monday October 15, 7 pm
Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street, Middletown
860-344-9674

Well, okay, I'm a bit predjudiced here, since I'm producing this show, though I'm not making any money doing so. It's a benefit for Gilead Community Services which provides mental health services in Middlesex County. Though it would be a "best concert of the week" even if I weren't the promoter. Case is an interesting case. He dropped out of high school in Buffalo and ran away to San Francisco, where he was virtually homeless, and earned money by playing and singing on the streets. He had a punk band called The Nerves. And he had a taste of success with the single, "A Million Miles Away," with his band The Plimsouls. Back in the day, it got heavy rotation on MTV. When he went solo, Case drifted to the rootsier side of things, writing songs of struggle, love, tragedy and hope. He studied the blues masters, and has become one himself. He's released a near-dozen critically-acclaimed albums, and his most recent is Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John, on Yep Roc. He's one of the most accomplished live perfomers I've ever seen and heard.

The Eilen Jewell Band
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton Mass
Friday October 12, 7 and 10 pm respectively

Two young soulful, inventive singer-songwriters and their bands, in two separate shows, on a Friday night in Northampton Mass. Who could imagine a better time. Jewell is a revelation to all who see her for the first time. And Isbell is a talented refugee from the Drive-by Truckers.






Nerissa and Katryna Nields
The Iron Horse, Northampton, Mass
Saturday October 13, 7 pm

Nerissa and Katryna have a new one out, Sister Holler, on their own label, and it's a beautiful synthesis of old folk numbers, and new rootsy songs sung in their inimitable genetically-entwined harmonies. This is the CD release party, which promises surprise appearance from Pioneer Valley friends.

The case for Peter Case

Peter Case
Mon. October 15
Live In Concert
Buttonwood Tree
605 Main Street, Middletown CT
Tickets $20 to Benefit Gilead Community Services
TIX: 860-344-9674

Since I've moved into town, I've been itching to bring some of my favorite musicians here, and to begin to create another wrinkle in the town's music scene.

Our first concert with Michael Fracasso was a great success, and a lot of fun, so when the opportunity to host Peter Case became available, I jumped on it.

I've know Peter Case's music since his hit video/single A Million Miles Away, when he was fronting a band called the Plimsouls (who reunited for some West Coast gigs last year). A few years later he released a solo album which demonstrated that he was a young musician who could make an acoustic guitar rock, and who understood that rock and roll was born in the blues. The albums which followed were all notable, in particular The Man With the Blue Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar. The album's title may have spelt it's doom, but it is truly one of the great albums of the last twenty years, and as a result, out-of-print, for nearly a dozen years. Vanguard Records, which was discovering talented songwriters again, picked up on Peter and he created half a dozen fine albums for them, including a wonderous tribute to acoustic bluesman Mississippi John Hurt, called Avalon Blues for which Case was the executive producer. His latest, Let Us Know Praise Sleepy John, is not a set of blues covers, but a set of modern blues and laments by a man who has seen the world and knows its troubles well.

The Buttonwood Tree is a great and intimate way to see an artist up close. The money raised is split between the artist, the charity (Gilead Community Services - a mental health organization which serves Middlesex County), and the venue. Lucy and I take nothing from the gate but the joy of bringing this great music to town.

Join us, and help a good cause.