Saturday night gave me a chance to wander around Manchester, New Hampshire’s roots music club scene. Starting out at Penuche’s Ale on Hanover Street in the Queen city, I checked out Ron Noyes Band. Noyes and his three other players rocked Penuche’s Ale with their Americana roots rock.Noyes has power in his voice and his stellar backing musicians rock. In fact, the three with him are not really a “backing band.” This band is really a full four-piece band, each a cornerstone holding up the expansive, fulsome sound. These guys are definitely onto something special. They’ve just released their fourth album Dust Bowl Diary to critical acclaim. “Waiting” allowed Noyes to show off his husky drawl. His gritty, sandpapery voice sounded something akin to Rob Thomas and Adam Duritz, and Noyes was in good form Saturday night.
Noyes had a wealth of songs to choose from after releasing four albums, and the good tunes just kept coming and coming last Saturday night at Penuche’s. These guys are purely pro with a lot of heart in the spaces between the notes. “Voices” sounded like something that should be on the radio. Its sweet flow of lead guitar notes and the rhythm section’s control of dynamics and colors made this a band to watch.
Noyes has presence without even trying. He is what he is. This outfit could become as big as Dave Matthews Band and Phish with the right promotion.
Making my way over to the Strange Brew Tavern I arrived in time to catch Ryan Hartt and Blue Hearts performing with guest guitarist Rick Holmstrom. It was a great assemblage of talent on the Strange Brew Tavern’s stage, and the band had a following in the Market Street side of the room. It was good to see more blues fans and a mix of age groups hanging out at the Brew and having a good time.
Next up, I drove over to the charming Village Trestle in neighboring Goffstown, New Hampshire. I know. I know. The Wan-Tu Blues Jams take place on Sunday afternoons. But, the Village Trestle often offers blues bands, horn bands, funk bands, R&B bands, and even band far removed from the roots thing on Friday nights and Saturday nights. This Saturday night a great example of what can happen at the Trestle.
The Village Trestle was hosting the debut of a new line up called Just Us. Saxophone player Gary Calderone with musicians Wayne Howell and Mike Cloutier. As I said in the above paragraph, the Village Trestle has a fondness for jams, so by the time I arrived, Jerry Ray Basnar was up there with the trio on guitar, and Jerry Paige had joined in with his tenor sax. Luke Moss had been sitting in on the drums set. I’m not sure on where Gary Calderone wants to take his trio, Just Us. But, it should go over well in a variety of rooms.
Bill,
Thanks for stopping by and writing about the band. I appreciate the compliments.
We’ll be back at the Strange Brew soon.
Ryan Hartt