The 2008 - 2009 Season



All events are at 8 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month except for the Christmas concert (Sun., Dec. 21, at 4 p.m.)


All except the Dec. 21, Jan. 17, and May 16 concerts begin with an Open Microphone.


Admission is $10 at the door except for the Bill Morrissey concert, which is $12. Net proceeds benefit the Unitarian-Universalist Service Committee.


Old Ship Church’s handicapped-accessible Parish Hall, 107 Main St., Hingham, is just up from the Loring Hall Theatre and on the MBTA’s 220 bus from Quincy and a scenic long walk from the West Hingham commuter rail station.


For more information, call (781) 749-1767 and visit www.hinghambroadcastnews.com for coffeehouse updates.
2008 Performances

Sept. 20

Billy Novick & Guy Van Duser ~ Guy and Billy are back by popular demand. For a spirited beginning to the season, nothing can beat this “Two Man Band” (G. Keillor). Guy’s strong, playful jazz guitar and Billy’s sweet/spicy clarinet and unique vocals cover an ever-growing range of classic jazz and pop material. After hearing them on recordings or in films, you can experience this inimitable duo in person.
www.billynovick.com 		Billy & Guy

Oct. 18

Bob Franke

 Bob Franke ~ Best known as a singer’s songwriter, Franke’s songs have great words and nice tunes; many feature his sly humor or a touch of the divine (if not both). “A standard of songs that most writers can only dream about and admire in drop-jawed silence” is the way England’s Folk Roots magazine describes Bob’s music. Come hear beautiful, truthful songs from the author of “Hard Love” and “In a Kind of Sacred Way.”
www.bobfranke.com

Bill Morrissey

Nov. 15

Bill Morrissey ~ The songs of this highly literate singer-songwriter/novelist are often evocative, heart-rending short stories. They have led to two Grammy nominations and ever-growing admirers reflecting his album, “Something I saw or thought I saw.” As others have said: “When his fertile literary imagination meets his soulful voice and spare, supple instrumentation he effortlessly achieves what so few songwriters can - to take the profound and make it profoundly musical.”
www.billmorrissey.net


Dec. 21 (Sunday, 4 p.m.)


Aine Minogue Christmas Concert ~ Aine’s renowned harp playing, her beautiful, nearly ethereal voice, and her oft-times enchanting guests have made this sell-out event the high point of five recent seasons. From her time as a harpist in residence at Ireland’s Bunratty Castle to her playing and teaching here, Aine only gets better.
www.minogue.com 		Aine Minogue

2009 Performances

Jan. 17

RichardBerman Becky Chace

Richard Berman ~ “This man has a gift” is the way legendary American folk music figure Utah Phillips described Richard after hearing him in 1992, and those words still ring true. WUMB’s Dave Palmater calls him “one of our finest storytelling songwriters.”
www.richardberman.com

Becky Chace ~ Together with longtime friend and guitarist Brian Minisce, Becky writes, performs, and records genre-defying, soulful music that twists and turns through the varied paths of life, leaving listeners feeling connected to the bigger picture through the window of Becky and Brian’s work. Becky is a five-time winner of the Best Female Vocalist Award in the Providence Phoenix Best Music Poll.
www.beckychace.com

Feb. 21 Memphis Rockabilly Band

 Memphis Rockabilly Band ~ The MRB, formed in 1978, quickly became popular in Boston and throughout New England. The band traveled to Europe in 1981 and 1982. They went to England again recently after a 23-year absence as a new incarnation of the original MRB, establishing themselves at the forefront of the American roots music scene in Europe. Their repertoire includes original and cover songs drawn from rockabilly, surf instrumentals, blues, rock & roll, hillbilly, and rhythm and blues. They’re also a great dance band.
www.memphisrockabillyband.com

March 21


Robbie O'Connell ~ A delightful, playful presence, this marvelous, mellow, but provocative Irish-born singer-songwriter presents lilting songs of humor, drama, conscience, romance, and hope just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. Though often heard in the past with his uncles the Clancy Bros., and the group Aengus, his diverse talents and evolving perspectives on Ireland, America, and the world more than fill an evening as a solo. A treat in any season.
www.robbieoconnell.com 		Robbie O'Connell
Brooks Williams

April 18


Brooks Williams ~ With bluesy, finger-picking, soaring bottleneck slide and swinging flat-picking, Brooks’ music is rooted in the blues and is as fresh and original as any music you will ever hear. Dirty Linen magazine calls him one of America’s “musical treasures.” From coast-to-coast, country-to-country, Williams and his guitars roll and tumble like nobody’s business. Now this long-term host of the Cantab Lounge’s legendary open mike makes a South Shore appearance.
www.brookswilliams.com

May 16


Neap Tide ~ As the opening act for Greg Greenway, Neap Tide brings rich harmony arrangements to folk, bluegrass, and contemporary acoustic music. The Neap Tide family ensemble includes Susan and Ken Read-Brown and Lynn and Roger Read and features guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, and fretless banjo. Susan and Ken, Old Ship’s minister, live in Hingham, and Roger and Lynn live in Belmont. The four have been playing together informally for many years and have also played at other coffeehouses.

Neap Tide
Greg Greenway
Greg Greenway ~ Audiences are blown away by this dynamic, energetic, imaginative performer. His foot-stomping passion, pungent populism, and underlying personal lyrical intimacy are delivered with “one of the strongest and finest voices in folk music.” He draws from gospel, blues, rock, and world music, but his basic appeal is his humanity and his soulful affinity for the audience. Don’t miss Greg as he returns for a lively close to our season.
www.GregGreenway.com