More Memorable Music with Songs of Joy, Hope, and Freedom
The Linden Tree Coffeehouse of Wakefield, MA and The Ivy Chord Coffeehouse of Reading, MA invite you to a LIVE STREAMING CONCERT with the fabulous Reggie Harris and Pat Wictor. Both have been audience favorites who had planned to return to Wakefield live this season before Covid.
Here is how to view:
Youtube: https://youtu.be/HJ1Y7qg8zUg (works best)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindentreecoffeehouse/live_videos
“Well, it’s a plague on the nation / It’s all across the news / Splashed up in color for all the world to see.” Those are the opening lines Reggie Harris sings on his new album On Solid Ground. A veteran folk musician—recently the recipient of Folk Alliance International’s 2021 Spirit of Folk Award —Harris has sung songs like this his entire career, but the current political and social climate is drawing his personal voice out and into the present. “My story includes aspects of my journey as a Black male growing up in Philadelphia during the 50s and 60s; pushed into integrating schools and neighborhoods which forced me to learn to live between two worlds using music as a foil to become a bridge-builder.” Harris’s experiences led to a special dichotomy between the hard truths of the world and a focus on the love and togetherness that help soften the former, and fans and critics alike would be mistaken to overlook Harris’s complete-picture songwriting; genre-stretching tunes inspired by love, personal relationships, and everyday life.
On Solid Ground is just as much about healing and inspiration in the face of injustice and dissension. That first stanza closes with a perfect example of Harris’s honed duality: “Our leaders say they’re angry / The people are confused / So, I guess this just comes down to you and me.” In the end, it’s all about how we collectively move forward. Known for over 40 years as one-half of the eminently prominent duo, Kim & Reggie Harris, Reggie continues to crisscross the country, carrying the message of joy, unity, tolerance, and peace through the powerful medium of live music.
Pat Wictor, a longtime friend of Reggie Harris, is honored to have played on Reggie’s new CD. Pat first burst on the folk and acoustic music scene as an innovative slide guitarist known for fresh and memorable interpretations of traditional and contemporary songs. Since then, he has made his mark as a singer-songwriter penning lean and poetic songs that honor rural blues and gospel traditions. For seven years he toured as one-third of Brother Sun, the powerful harmonizing trio of with Joe Jencks and Greg Greenway. Their shows and two CDs garnered critical acclaim, with both reaching number one on the Folk DJ charts.
As a solo artist, Pat Wictor has won several awards such as the Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase, and was a finalist in the Kerrville New Folk songwriting contest. He was nominated for Gospel Song of the Year by the Independent Music Awards. Both of his CDs, This is Absolutely Real” and “Heaven is So High” reached high on the Folk DJ charts. The clarity of his voice is an interesting juxtaposition to his glorious musicianship. “He manages to creatively absorb the work of others, leaving their musical intentions beautifully intact, while adding his own sonic signature to the mix, “ Ellen Geisel, Dirty Linen. Some of Pat Wictor’s new songs will be previewed at the June concert. http://www.patwictor.com
The Linden Tree Coffeehouse‘s concert is being brought to the community with no set admission fee but the audience is encouraged to pay what they can. Recommended donation for these national performers is $20 payable online via Pay Pal or by check written to the Linden Tree Coffeehouse, 8 Dexter Lane, Wakefield, MA 01880. With a year of no live gigs, our performers still must pay their rent and other expenses. We thank the Mass Cultural Council, Wakefield Chapter, for their support in part for our season of shows. For more information call 781 246 2836
Linden Tree Coffeehouse 