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| Although
the audience witnessed the performances of Noel Paul Stookey of Peter,Paul
& Mary on stage with another seminal artist in folk/folk rock
music, Eric Andersen, this was a concert that was supposedly cancelled
3 days before the performance. The theater that has been ‘home’ for
the Concerts I and II experienced an accident, causing the management
to CANCEL the show. With some adroit juggling, and the cooperation
of the performers, as well as the Lawrence School District, the show
was switched to the Lawrence High School Theater. Despite it being
a holiday weekend, with news in the community that the advertised
theater was closed, over 400 people joined Friends of OOW
to celebrate Early Intervention, educational and clinical intervention
for children suspected with delays at that critical point in development,
i.e the earlier the better.
Sharing emcee honors with OOW Executive Director, Barry Nisman, was John Platt, Director of Development and Marketing at WFUV-FM and host of the City Folk Sunday Breakfast show. Mr. Nisman was again assisted by Sue Leventhal, Director of World Hunger Year’s Hungerthon and Artists Against Hunger and Poverty, serving as co-producer and concert stage director. The show opened with acoustic versions by Joe D’Urso of songs from his popular rock cd, Rock and Roll Station, recorded with his band, the Stone Caravan Band. Joe was about to embark on an international tour but was kind enough to donate his time and talents. |
| Noel Stookey was introduced and was greeted with a warm and familiar welcome as being one third of the popular trio, Peter Paul & Mary in addition to a solo performer of high standing. Noel treated the audience with his classics “The Wedding Song” and “Right Field”, in addition to new songs he has added to his repertoire, which appear on his solo CDs. Noel was accompanied by bassist Dick Kniss who has worked with Peter, Paul & Mary for many years, in addition to renowned artists such as John Denver and Herbie Hancock. After a compelling 40 minute set, Noel introduced singer/composer Eric Andersen, a colleague for nearly 40 years. The two had not shared the stage for that length of time, even though Peter, Paul & Mary had recorded a marvelous rendition of Andersen’s “Rolling Home.” This historic reunion made Concert III a special musical event. |  |
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Although Eric Andersen has called Norway home for many years, the audience was very responsive to songs made well known in the 60’s, such as “Violets of Dawn” and “Close the Door Lightly.” Eric has returned to the US more frequently now, and has a wonderful library of cd’s available. He gave a haunting rendition of “Rain Falls Down in Amsterdam” from the Memory of the Future cd, in addition to several other songs from his recent recordings. |
| The highlight of each of the concerts continues to be the finale where the performers join together for an additional set. Eric, Noel, Joe, and Dick collaborated on a thrilling rendition of Eric’s “Thirsty Boots” as the ensemble performed 3 additional songs to the delight of the audience. |  |