TONIGHT’S INCREDIBLE SHOW AT PASSIM IN CAMBRIDGE….
“Gloucester’s own Barbara Koen, [of DressCode fame) brought the venerable Passim, the 50-year old icon of folk music magic, to its knees, in a thirty minute set, opening for folk singing comic headliner Don White. It was a gathering for the release of his new , and might I add, hilarious DVD called The Family Man. Having never even heard Barbara sing, but taking it on my word, after a sell-out performance he gave at yours truly’ own Union Hall Coffeehouse in Carlisle, back in June of `08, he came up onto the stage, after her performance, and with a stunned look on his face, gave her a boisterous and heartfelt pat on the back, to thunderous applause, and shouts of encore, encore.
Now, this is a voice, and a woman to be reckoned with. She stood with her feet planted firm on the stage, where the sandals, scuffed sneakers, and even the bare soles of so many greats have stood before her; their strength of conviction, and ability to tell their many stories, could not only be felt, but seen rising up like a phoenix in her passionate voice. In one particular song, she appears to be meandering with a bit of nonchalance on the subject of domestic violence, all the while weaving in the victims and their perpetrators by literally locking stares with individuals in the audience. However, the twinkle in her eyes, the nod of her head and the bit of a smile on her face, as she poured over her story, left you believing that there was nowhere you could run and hide with your secrets. She knew who you were, and where you were. Unsettling? Yes, It’s gift.
From the likes of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez ,Woody Gutherie, and all who graced that tiny stage before her, you could almost hear their big shout-outs of welcome to this woman from Gloucester, whose gorgeous voice and dynamic guitar playing, danced across the room, creating waves of wonder and amazement emanating from strangers, who are strangers no more.
Last night you could actually hear pins dropping…such was the golden sounds of silence when her voice began to ring.”
Good Morning Gloucester 