On Saturday night, the NCBS-sponsored Aromas Community Grange concert series featured the first concert by the Aromas-based Vocal Yocals (led by NCBS and Grange concert organizer Bill Hunter), and concert veteran Carol Denney’s first appearance in Aromas. Both maiden ventures were well-received by the enthusiastic Grange Hall audience.

The Vocal Yocals (Photo: Rich Saxe)

Denney is a talented songwriter and entertaining performer, and a veteran of the Berkeley social and political protest scene. She serves up pointed attack lyrics that challenge powerful institutions in the society, but ONLY after profusely apologizing to the audience for singing each song, lest some wandering banking industry titan or random tobacco lobbyist in the Aromas audience be offended. (Berkeley in the 60s was never this polite!)

Carol Denney with Jim Nelson (Photo: Rich Saxe)

Unlike most singer-songwriters who perform alone, Denney was backed by banjoist/harpist/ guitarist Jim Nelson, making the evening’s performance a tasty ensemble affair.

This was a fun evening of both original and traditional folk music from both bands. The historic Grange Hall is a fine place for acoustic music and the light dinner served by the Grange volunteers was excellent. Most of the crowd was from the local area, but attendees came from both Las Vegas and London. The next NCBS/Grange show will be held sometime this fall.

Posted May 16th, 2010 by Michael Hall in Events |