Carrying on the grand pub tradition of
folk music and song, Port City is proud
to play host to regional and
international performers and local
session musicians.
folk music and song, Port City is proud
to play host to regional and
international performers and local
session musicians.
Jack Hardy is "a more literate Celtic Townes Van Zandt, grave in his tone and generous in
his ideals, as rooted in the present soil and sky of Ireland and America as he is
fascinated by the legends of the past" (Roy Kasten, St. Louis Riverfront Times, February 3,
1999).
It is a strange mix of themes ranging from the American West to the ballads and jigs of
Celtic ancestors that somehow seems to make sense in the musical world Jack Hardy
has created. And it is a separate world to which the listener is transported; a timeless
place inhabited by tinkers and cowboys, saints and sinners, elves, virgins and crones.
From his extensive travels and reading he has forged an endearing non-academic
approach to literature, one that is more at home in the pub than in the classroom. "He
clearly seems to enjoy making his listeners think. He may dare his audience to figure out
what he is saying, but he also credits them with the intelligence to do so" (Tom Nelligan,
Dirty Linen, 1998).
In Europe, where Hardy has toured extensively for over 20 years, he is accepted as an
ambassador for American music. In an Italian encyclopedia of rock Jack has a larger entry
than many prominent rock stars.
his ideals, as rooted in the present soil and sky of Ireland and America as he is
fascinated by the legends of the past" (Roy Kasten, St. Louis Riverfront Times, February 3,
1999).
It is a strange mix of themes ranging from the American West to the ballads and jigs of
Celtic ancestors that somehow seems to make sense in the musical world Jack Hardy
has created. And it is a separate world to which the listener is transported; a timeless
place inhabited by tinkers and cowboys, saints and sinners, elves, virgins and crones.
From his extensive travels and reading he has forged an endearing non-academic
approach to literature, one that is more at home in the pub than in the classroom. "He
clearly seems to enjoy making his listeners think. He may dare his audience to figure out
what he is saying, but he also credits them with the intelligence to do so" (Tom Nelligan,
Dirty Linen, 1998).
In Europe, where Hardy has toured extensively for over 20 years, he is accepted as an
ambassador for American music. In an Italian encyclopedia of rock Jack has a larger entry
than many prominent rock stars.
As distinctive a performer as he is a writer, David Massengill accompanies himself
mainly on the Appalachian dulcimer, which he slings over his shoulder like an electric
guitar. The sound of the dulcimer has an intimate, detailed quality that complements
the easy graciousness of Massengill's stage presence. He has achieved a virtuousity
on the traditional instrument that enables him to wring from its few strings music of a
complexity and richness far beyond anything it was ever meant to produce, drawing the
listener in to his lyrical imagery and the close-up focus on human foibles and
experience that is the substance of his best songs.
mainly on the Appalachian dulcimer, which he slings over his shoulder like an electric
guitar. The sound of the dulcimer has an intimate, detailed quality that complements
the easy graciousness of Massengill's stage presence. He has achieved a virtuousity
on the traditional instrument that enables him to wring from its few strings music of a
complexity and richness far beyond anything it was ever meant to produce, drawing the
listener in to his lyrical imagery and the close-up focus on human foibles and
experience that is the substance of his best songs.
 |
Our community's home-grown singer/songwriter, recently
achieving international musical attention, Steve Free has
performed on our stage.
Music is an emotion that each of us can experience. The
mood of times. . . thoughts unspoken . . .
Steve Free writes music that evokes imagery, reflects life,
its simplicity and to reveal something about ourselves that
is hidden.
Steve's music covers the gamut of folk, rock and country.
achieving international musical attention, Steve Free has
performed on our stage.
Music is an emotion that each of us can experience. The
mood of times. . . thoughts unspoken . . .
Steve Free writes music that evokes imagery, reflects life,
its simplicity and to reveal something about ourselves that
is hidden.
Steve's music covers the gamut of folk, rock and country.
 |
| Sarah Conley's incredible vocals have been a welcome part of Port City's music scene for as long as we can remember. Here, accompanied by Shawn Schneider, are some photos from her first official performance on our stage. Sarah and Shawn now perform their unique brand of contemporary acoustics under the name PORTSMOUTH PROPER. |
