Stephanie Marshall of Greenfield and Jenny Goodspeed of Ashfield, who perform together as The Boxcar Lilies, haven’t shared a stage in almost three years. The duo last played together in December of 2019 at a special reunion show with Katie Clarke of Conway, an original member of the Americana group, to celebrate their tenth anniversary performing together. “We played that reunion show, and soon after the world exploded,” said Marshall in a recent phone conversation. Since that time, except for an appearance at the Ashfield Fall Festival in October, The Boxcar Lilies have been silent.
The good news is that The Boxcar Lilies are back and will play a show at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 7:00 p.m. They will share the evening with Danielle Miraglia of Boston who was named the New England Music Award Blues Act of the Year in 2021.
Marshall agrees that it’s been a long time, but the pandemic and family commitments have put music on the back burner for the band. That said, she and Goodspeed are excited to be back and playing a hometown show at Hawks & Reed.
The show came about when she and Goodspeed were visiting the eastern part of the state and had a chance encounter with old friend, Danielle Miraglia.
“Danielle said to us, ‘Hey, I’m going to be playing in Greenfield, and we said we should combine forces,’” said Marshall. “We love Danielle and Hawks and Reed is a home base for us, so that’s how this show came to be a co-bill.”
Singer-songwriter Danielle Miraglia plays folk-blues acoustic music, described as the fine line where roots music meets the blues. A longtime favorite on the Boston music scene, she is known for writing heartfelt and socially conscious material and singing in a voice that ranges from a raspy purr to a powerhouse roar. Her last album, “Bright Shining Stars,” debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Her music will perfectly complement that of The Boxcar Lilies.
The Lilies have been Valley favorites since forming in 2009. The three women, Goodspeed (electric bass and guitar), Marshall (washboard and guitar), and Clarke (guitar and banjo) met through the Franklin Country Musician’s Cooperative (COOP concerts.) They pooled their various influences and came up with a sound that blends folk, country and Americana with a blues edge.
The striking harmonies The Boxcar Lilies create also became a trademark of their music. Clarke left the band in 2015, but not before the trio released three albums. Susan Cattaneo replaced her but later left in 2018. At that point in time, Marshall and Goodspeed decided to forge on as a duo.
For this show, they will be joined by backing musicians Dave Chalfant (of The Nields) on guitar and bass and Michael Duffey on pedal steel.
Currently, The Lilies have no plans to record, but they have worked on some new material they plan to play at this show.
“We are bringing a couple of new songs into the mix,” said Marshall. “We’ve ‘Lilified’ a cover or two and we will be playing with Danielle when she opens. She will also join us for some of our music, so it will be a nice back and forth.”
This is the only show The Boxcar Lilies have scheduled at this time, so you should be sure to head to Hawks & Reed on Sunday to welcome their return to the stage.
Please note the show starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 the day of the show and can be purchased by phone at 413-774-0150 or online at www.hawksandreed.com.
The band Upstate will take the stage at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls on Friday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. You might know them as Upstate Rubdown, the name they used before dropping “Rubdown” a few years ago. The group, which hails from the Hudson River Valley in New York, has also experienced significant lineup changes, going from seven members to four. However, their commitment to not sticking to any single style of music remains, and you will find them performing everything from folk and jazz to gospel, rhythm and blues, as well as rock and roll.
Also, those smooth harmonies that have always been a big part of Upstate’s sound are still there. Upstate’s last album, “Healing,” was released in 2019, and they continue to tour in support of that release. They are currently working on new material for an album they hope to release in 2023 and have already dropped a few singles, so expect to hear some new tunes at this show. And get there early because local progressive bluegrass band Mamma’s Marmalade will be opening. They have a new EP out called “Fakin’ It: Covers Deserving Coverage,” that features bluegrass takes on 1970s tunes like “Just the Two of Us” which was recorded by Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers, and “This Song Has No Title” by Elton John. It’s a fun recording, and hearing the songs performed live is even better.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $27 at the door. Tickets are available at sheatheater.org or the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Carrie and Michael Kline spent 26 years living in West Virginia where they soaked up the sounds and history of Appalachian music. The couple, who met while living in the Valley, now call Sunderland home and when they perform at the Mount Toby Friends Meetinghouse in Leverett on Saturday, November 19, at 7 p.m., they will bring a slice of Appalachia with them. Folklorists, oral historians and musicians, the Klines accompany themselves on guitar and perform country harmony duets ranging from coal mining songs to gospel, family songs and front porch music.
They will be joined by Jim Armenti (Lonesome Brothers, Klezamir) on mandolin and Joe Blumenthal on bass for this show. This promises to be a night of stories and songs that are both educational and entertaining.
A suggested donation of $15 to $25 (or pay as you are able) and reservations are available by emailing diacrowe@yahoo.com or calling 423-336-2589.
Lexi Wedge will be playing at the Shutesbury Athletic Club on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. She will be playing with a new band called the Marks Boy’s Rent Party Band that includes guitarist/bassist JJ Slater, guitarist George Condon and drummer Henry Condon. Slater works as a solo singer-songwriter and has played with Organ Transplant. The Condon brothers just came off a successful tour with Izzy Heltai. They will be performing funk, soul and blues classics. No cover charge.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.