THE TWO RIVER TIMES
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Asbury Comes Alive For Wave Gathering
By Uncle Mike

ASBURY PARK - The Fourth of July came early for the Jersey Shore music community in the guise of the third annual Wave Gathering. The emerging music festival more than lived up to its name. For two days and three nights the city came alive with a cacophony of sights and sounds the likes of which have never been seen or heard on the Jersey Shore. Talk about a cultural and music explosion, this year's festival featured over 175 artists performing in 24 venues as well as over half a dozen music industry panels and workshops. I was fortunate enough to spend all day Sunday at the festival, and with the exception of a few sprinkles here and there and a late afternoon shower, Mother Nature smiled on the once forgotten city by the sea as the Wave Gathering wrapped up its third day of festivities.

My first stop was the Twisted Tree Cafe on Cookman Avenue to check out a solo acoustic performance by singer/songwriter Lisa Bouchelle. Splitting her time between Pennsylvania and Jersey, more recently Lisa has been on the road touring in support of her highly acclaimed debut CD, Paint Your Dreams. In the past Lisa has made a big impression on the local scene through her work with Bob Bandiera's Jersey Shore Rock 'N' Soul Revue and her performance at the Twisted Tree didn't disappoint. With acoustic guitar in hand, Lisa kicked off her 10-song set with a high energy rendition of "Jump In" (came out blasting), followed by such originals as "Where You Are" (soaring vocal/a touch of Kristofferson/a most moving effort/written for her mom who past three years ago), "Insane" (loosened up a bit with first single from latest), "Man In The Moon" (belts it out on this rocker/nice acoustic guitar/one of her strongest #), "Snapshot Of St. Louis" (fine change of pace on this heartfelt ode to love lost), "Holding On To Air" (one for all the laughing little girls/best of set) and "Even My Problems R Good" (lightened up and it served her well). Look. Lisa Bouchelle is an artist to keep an eye on. The only thing bigger than this lady's smile is her talent.

Next up, I beat feet over to Main Street to catch up with Arlan Feiles who was performing outside of Carmine's. Pound for pound, Arlan Feiles is this area's top singer/songwriter and this latest performance only enhanced that fact. Arlan stripped down to the basics, acoustic guitar, harp and keys, and offered up an inspired 14 song set featuring killer renditions of "All Because Of You" (came out smokin' on guitar with a hint of Elvis in his voice), "Ride" (way cool keys), "Impossibly Lonely" (waiting & wasted/ right to the heart of the matter/one of his very best), "Out Of The Dirt" (ol' time, big time/dust bowl ethics & consciousness), "Come Sunday Morning" (outstanding title cut from latest), "Tomorrow's Going To Be A Better Day" (hot new song), "Love You Madly" (ole!/ another new gem), "Viola" (from ocean to ocean/the big commotion/ monster keys & crystal clear vocal), "Katie Truly" (a very cool little number), "And I Need You" (a forlorn plea of love/masterful ballad), "The Best I Have" (wonderful vocal accompanied by terrific piano play), "The Truth About You" (the man is on a roll), "Hope" (simply put, a great new song) and "Catch Me Now" (down in the flood as the rains came). Hey, I've said this time and time again, Arlan Feiles is a master craftsman. He is the most visual singer/songwriter to come down the pike in a very long time. Arlan does not just write a song, he paints a visual masterpiece each and every time out. He is an old soul with a new vision. I think it's more than fair to say that Arlan doesn't have a bad song in him. As a matter of fact, I'd go as far as to say that Arlan Feiles wouldn't know a bad song if it came up to him and hit smack dab in the middle of his face. Yes, he is that good!

Now, after a short dinner break it was off to The Saint to look in on the pride of Trenton, New Jersey, and one of the best damn bands in this or any other state, The Commons. It was a bittersweet moment as Keith Monacchio (lead vocals/ acoustic guitar), Sean Glonek (electric guitar/lap steel guitar), Tom McDonald (bass) and Tom Kale (drums) took to the stage for their final appearance at The Saint. After 10 years and five CDs one of New Jersey's treasures is calling it a career.

Opening up with "What I've Learned" (truth & honesty in songwriting), the guys made their way through an all too short eight song set featuring such gems as "Fast Food Parking Lot" (the C's get all revved up), "China" (moody & atmospheric/in a word - driven/big crowd favorite), "The Greenhorn" (most haunting #), "Big, Big World" (fine lap steel/one tight band), "The Van Rolls On" (life on the long, hard road to survival/ big time band #), "Break Up The Band" (the long slide on down the road of no return) and "The Best Is Yet To Come" (boys go out rockin' and go down swingin'). Any music fan worth his salt will tell you we are losing one of our best bands. However, I will say this, The Commons played it the way they've always played it, with no apologies and no regrets. We should all be so lucky! In a business that chews up bands and spits them out at an unbelievable rate, it's no accident that The Commons have survived for over 10 years. When you remain true to yourself and true to your music you will survive. It's a lesson we should have all learned from The Commons. Vaya con Dios boys! You will be missed! The Commons very last performance will be held on August 16 at McGuinns Place, 1781 Brunswick Ave. in Lawrence.

My last stop of the day was at the legendary Stone Pony for a set by N.Y.C. based rock and roller L.P. and her four-piece band. And while I still liked everything she did, it just wasn't the same as when she tore the roof off of The Saint back in '04. This year's version of the rocker with the take-no-prisoners attitude was a bit kinder and gentler. I don't know if it was the fact that the band's performance was being broadcasted live by 105.7 The Hawk, but her Wave Gathering performance was more rock-pop than the mind-blowing over the top rock I witnessed at The Saint. However, that being said, L.P. could do no wrong with her fans as she led the band through an interesting mix of new songs and material from her 2004 release, Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol. Some of L.P.'s and the band's better moments came on songs like "When It's Over" (small of stature, but big time voice), "Wasted" (terrific electric guitar intro/huge crowd favorite), "Standing Where You Left Me" (L.P. belts this one out), "Too Much" (soaring lead vocal), "Last Star" (very Buckleyesque and yes that is a compliment/most dramatic #), "Good With You" (big-hearted effort on latest single), "Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol" (spontaneous sing-along) and "The Darkside" (L.P. and the band go out rockin'). By no means was this a bad performance. As a matter of fact it was a very good effort. It just wasn't the recklessly high- spirited attention grabbing performance I expected.

In closing I'd just like to say congratulations to the entire Wave Gathering staff, all the musicians and the fans that came out to support them. In terms of the local music community the future bodes well for the city by the sea. Great job everybody!