start | schedule | shows | scenes | story | setting | storytellers | spoken | send | sites
With the framed visage of Woody Guthrie looking on, the Joel Rafael Band brought his spirit directly into the house. With candid stories straight from Woody's hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma from where the band had just returned, Joel reminded us all of the roots that had brought us all into this particular living room on a hot July night. Performing Guthrie songs like "Minor Key" and the powerful ballad to Lauren Nelson, a lynching victim, as well as Joel Rafael Band originals, the crowd was drawn in from the first pull down the strings of Jamaica Rafael's violin. The four members of the band were the most performers on "stage" at once that we've had so far but they fit in perfectly. From the steady sound of Joel's voice and his incredible words to the effortless pluckings of Carl Johnson on lead guitar to Jeff Berkley's unique beat on djembe to Jamaica's stunning work on both violin and viola, no one missed a sound as they played and no one could help being caught up in the sensation they created.
The Joel Rafael Band played two full sets and sang songs ("China Basin Digs," "Beside You," "Mi Amigo") from their recently released album, "Hopper" from Inside Recordings, as well as songs from previous records like "Ballad of Bellingham" and "I'll Be Traveling" (from "Old Wood Barn"). Add Jamaica Rafael and Jeff Berkley for background vocals and you have an incredible evening of music, harmony and spirit.
As a special surprise for one of the Meeting Grace guests, Joel and the band asked people to sing along if they knew the next one and they broke into "Happy Birthday." Dave Irvine was incredibly surprised and the gesture totally exemplified the warmth that grows and grows with each show.
One guest summed it up perfectly when she said, "Thanks for a great show. These gatherings seem to restore my wavering faith in humanity." Thanks to her and to the Joel Rafael Band for another memorable evening at Meeting Grace.
