Feb 19 – 25

By 1970 Gaye had hit the highest highs and was rebounding from his lowest lows when he started writing and recording the record he was driven to make. Shocked and dismayed by the world around him, the death of Tammi Terrell to a brain tumor, and his brother Frankie’s experiences in Vietnam, Marvin was shocked into awareness of his own discontent. Marvin began asking questions, the first of which was, “What’s going on?” The result is a protest album for the ages. Marvin takes us to the heart of the issues we are still trying to make sense of over 50 years later.

A Rochmon Record Club Listening Party is meant to inform and deepen our understanding of the history of the individual performers, songs, and the stories that went into the making of this classic album. By listening together, we hear the music again for the first time.

“Heather is like two great acts in one, sliding from sweet acoustic Appalachian old-timey vibe with Patty Griffinesque lyrics to brassy New Orleans blues piano with a bone thrown to Bessie Smith.” (Lone Star Music Magazine) With Shawn Nadeau on bass/vocals and Craig Bryan on percussion/vocals, the trio plays pianist Pierson’s originals, jazz and blues standards, and unique re-workings of familiar classics with brilliant musicianship, stirring three-part vocal harmonies and heartfelt joy.

Her mother was a backup vocalist for Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Harry Belafonte, Mavis Staples and Dionne Warwick. Alexis burst into the spotlight with her blues, gospel, and rock via Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble. She’s a vocalist with a gale force bass/baritone voice. Now she’s a fixture on the festival circuit with a repertoire ranging from old-time Delta blues (“John the Revelator”) to classic electric blues (“Got My Mojo Working”) to vintage soul (“Take Me to the River”).

Expressive, emotional singer/songwriter with “a voice for the gods” (Boston Globe) who first achieved fame as lead singer and co-founder of chamber-pop group October Project. Fahl’s earthy contralto is perfect for her new project, “Can’t Get It Out of My Head,” her effort to find some light and comfort during these challenging times by hearkening back to her greatest inspirations: Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Moody Blues, ELO, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others.