Subject: PhillyFolk: Review of John Flynn House Concert
Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2002 10:48:02 -0500

Message from PhillyFolk Mailing List
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Last night a very special group of friends came together at my home to
hear John Flynn do his best performance I have ever seen and followed it
up with hours of group singing and camaraderie. I have not heard music
like this outside of a festival environment and was even more tickled to
have it be in my home. But, don't take my word for it, go see the
pictures at www.fortissimo.org/pictures. View the "John Flynn - 2002"
album.

Opening for John was my old friend Stu Frederick. Stu is back on track
with his music and will soon to be releasing a CD of his songs. Stu and
I go back 20 years and I have always enjoyed his music but now brings a
newfound a bittersweet joy to those of us that know him well and know of
his personal challenges the last few years. We're very happy to see Stu
out and about and writing new material. Stu did a short set that left
the crowd wanting more.

John Flynn (and the rest of us) was surprised to find quite a few small
kids in the audience. Our house concerts have always been family fare
with kids of all ages finding their place in the house to play while the
adults hear music but these kids where here to see John Flynn play. So,
being the consummate professional, John did a set of music for the young
ones, ending just as their short attention spans took them on to new
horizons and then went on to do two sets of his music for the rest of us
"kids". He wowed us with his songs and stories and was really part of
the Fortissimo and Philly Folk families. He made us laugh and made many
of us cry, warming our hearts and souls. John has improved as a
performer from the first day that I met him. John is the "real deal".
His music is always with me when I travel (along with Stan Rogers,
Garnet Rogers and Charlie Zahm). I personally cannot wait until I can
again enjoy his music in such a live and personal venue.

Fortissimo house concerts are nearly always followed by a group sing.
We spent many hours singing songs, swapping stories and raising glasses
to good causes. Full Frontal Folk wowed us again with their harmonies
and musicianship. Bob Beach filled in the gaps with his harmonica and
flute making everyone sound better and killed us with his blues. Esther
Halpern showed us all why she is a true legend in all of our minds!
John Lionarons (sp?) showed us how a hammered dulcimer should be played.
Jim Klingler, Bill Dolton and the other Fortissimos and Fortissimama
(terms coined by Christine Lavin) where in good voice and high spirits
(especially myself) all evening. If you missed this concert then you
missed more than just a concert, it was an event.

If you missed John Flynn here at our concert, or just can't get enough
of him, check his web site for his tour schedule. He is also scheduled
to play the Musical Lairs house concert series later this year. Both
web sites are available by links at www.fortissimo.org. Check out the pictures of
the event at www.fortissimo.org/pictures/. All the best and GO EAGLES!

John (@Fortissimo.org) ========================================================================