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Roughly Hewn adds a Celtic flair to Tunes on Tuesday |
| By Nicole
Clark, Newberg Graphic intern |
Sunshine and moderate
temperatures brought more than 200 music fans to Rotary Centennial
Park to take in the sounds of Celtic band Roughly Hewn at the
seventh installment of Tunes on Tuesday.
Children ran around on the playground and in the grass, many
playing with beach balls provided by event sponsor The Kelly Group.
The real estate agency also gave away foam sun visors, balloons and
water bottles. Pogy’s Subs, Coyote Joe’s Coffee and Chumley’s shave
ice returned to the park to sell their wares, and J’s Restaurant
once again offered a variety of local wines for tasting.
While many in the crowd had attended previous installments of Tunes
on Tuesday, there were a few new faces in the crowd. Mary Lou
German, one of the newcomers, said she had once taken music classes
from band member and flutist Sally Mehler. “I wouldn’t have missed
this one for anything,” she said.
Beth Muthiah enjoyed the change from the concert series’ typical
lineup of folk or rock music. “I like the Irish flavor,” she said.
“It’s great that they have something like this in town.”
Roughly Hewn, true to its name, got its start in Newberg as a
roughly assembled band providing music for a Habitat for Humanity
benefit. Since that time, the group has matured into a polished
ensemble and plays for private parties, benefit events and Ceílís,
social events featuring Celtic music and high energy dancing. The
group has also appeared at community events such as the Old
Fashioned Festival.
Each of the band’s four members plays at least two different
instruments: violinist Gordon Hall also plays viola, mandolin and
guitar; guitarist Seán Boyle doubles on string bass; Mehler plays
tin whistle and Appalachian dulcimer in addition to flute; and
percussionist Bill Nippoldt also plays mandolin. Mehler, Nippoldt
and Boyle add vocals to the band’s unique take on traditional Irish
music.
Boyle said that the band’s Celtic sound is influenced by rock and
roll and jazz. “That’s kind of the heart and soul of folk music,” he
said.
Playing at Tunes on Tuesday was enjoyable for the band because of
the community atmosphere, Boyle added.
“It felt like a little bit of home, with so many friends and
neighbors,” he said. “It was almost like having the world’s largest
living room, and good craic (good times).”
Five Guys Named Moe will return Wednesday to Newberg for the final
installment of Tunes on Tuesday. Described as a “high-energy party
band” by one of its members, the 12-piece Portland group covers
jazz, rock, pop and R&B tunes spanning nearly five decades.
|
Published
Aug. 25, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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