Getting together The cream of the local crop shines on Collaborations BY BOB GULLA

It’s not exactly Live Aid, but, well, yeah, I guess it’s similar in a way — a luminous cadre of local music talent bands together to exchange ideas and spontaneously work out some quickie compositions in the studio. Songwriter/guitarist Steve Pellegrino is the main man behind this unusual project, titled, conveniently, Collaborations. It features high-level music-makers such as Mark Cutler, Becky Chace, Bob Giusti, Dan Lilley, John Mac, and Tom Demeter, among others, popping out some engagingly loose performances. "I wanted everyone to create some new original songs that reflected our collective music heritage," says Pellegrino. "I thought we had a chance to create something unique."

The project came about last summer when Pellegrino ran into Chace and accompanist Brian Minisce at a private party. "I sat in with them and was inspired by Becky, who I thought wasn’t being represented to her fullest. When I approached her with the idea of a short demo with my friends she was into it." Pellegrino got on the horn with Cutler and Mac to fill the pipeline with music. Weaving in and out of schedules andworking with a shoestring budget (with the aid of Tony Caramadre at Phatones Studios), the project took about nine months to button up. Chace sings on four of the tracks, while Giusti drums on a half-dozen; Cutler, Lilley, Mac, Pellegrino, and Caramadre are among the songwriters. Their work is a collaboration in every sense of the word, underscoring not only the natural ability of these fine artists but the fact that there are many musicians and songwriters in this city who can absolutely get the job done. "I hoped if I could get these people to perform outside of their well-rehearsed elements they would be more prone to improvise," he says. "The muse is creative and creation is spiritual. My hope was that these people would leave behind characters of themselves in their performances." All involved agreed that this did indeed happen, and you can hear it all throughout the record.

"It was an inspirational project to be a part of," says Pellegrino. "What a trip to see all these people in the room at the same time!"

"I think we need to get back to doing more things like this," says Giusti. "It’s good to be among kindred spirits, even if it doesn’t pay the rent."

The Collaborations CD release party is on Saturday, October 22 at 9 pm at Tazza Caffe, 250 Westminster Street, Providence. Call 401.421.3300.

BLACK & WHITE TURN 15

When Black & White started 15 years ago, drummer Don DiMuccio, bassist Kevin Martin, and guitarist Mike Bastien, with original lead singer Erik "Narwhal" Marzocchi, were fresh out of high school, "not yet old enough to legally drink in the clubs we were working, but full of piss and vinegar nonetheless," says DiMuccio. "There was no doubt that we’d be a national phenomenon. Our image would don lunch boxes on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line."

From the get-go, they parlayed their high-energy roots-rock into something enduring and worthwhile. "With Erik," says Don, "we mixed his quirky stage talent with our teenage rock energy." They were sharing club space with James Montgomery, Young Neal, and Roomful, and had asserted themselves quickly on the local and regional scene. But Erik left three years in and the band fractured. There were arguments over money and song selection and general mutiny in the ranks. Only a smooth and suave frontman/guitarist Mark Wagner, recruited on the suggestion of Dave Howard, steadied the ship. When Bastien left in 1995, after being diagnosed with MS, Wagner stepped up to the mike, a space he occupied for a decade until departing last year to be with his family.

A few temporary fill-ins later, B&W finds itself in the daunting yet enviable position of choosing a new frontman. Many local favorites have stepped up to the plate, including Dave Howard, Professor Harp, and even Narwhal as temps. "We’ve been really happy with our discovery of a Worcester kid named Jason James," offers DiMuccio. "He’s the embodiment of all our former frontmen in one rockabilly cat." Stay tuned.

Black & White | Saturday, October 22 | Red Rock Tavern, North Kingstown | 401.884.1800

MUSIC FOR RELIEF

The hurricane benefits keep rolling in, which is certainly a good thing. When you head to Stepping Stone Ranch in Escoheag this Sunday (the 23rd), you’ll receive some fine tuneage in exchange for your charitable dollars. The event, which runs from 2 to 8 pm, stars the Zydecats, Magnolia, Slippery Sneakers, the Superchief Trio, and Li’l Anne &Hot Cayenne, regional bands that actually have genuine musical connections to Louisiana. Plus, as an added incentive, the organizers will be charging just $25 a carload. That’s a good deal, especially if you have one of those clown-carrying Volkswagen bugs. Call 401.392.0212

WANDERING EYE

Funkatronic is beginning a residency at the Brass Lounge in Johnston. The first show is on Friday (the 21st) and on Saturday, November 5. Also on Friday at the Nirvana Lounge on Main Street in Warren above India, it’s the Providence Wholebellies, an eclectic roots and folk ensemble. The show starts at 8:30 and costs only $5. Bluegrass roots stompers Northern Lights throw down at Stone Soup on Saturday. The band is raging tight and detours frequently on its way to that high lonesome Kentucky sound. The show is at the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket Arts Center (210 Main Street) at 8 pm and tickets are $12. Call 401.457.7147.

And now for the bad news. The Custom House Tavern closed its doors last Friday, for reasons known only to a few. We’ll miss the cozy atmosphere of the place, and those special Fridays with the Thee Wyld Card DJs. There is no word as to what will become of the now empty space.

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