Buskin and Batteau return to Marblehead

The me&theewelcomes back folk-rock act Buskin & Batteau (with the amazing Marshal Rosenberg on percussion) on Friday, September 20 at 8 pm. Singer/songwriter Sophie Buskinopens for them. The me&thee is located at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

David Buskin & Robin Batteau have been winning hearts and minds with their soulful acoustic balladry and fun-filled performances for more years than they care to remember. "We're not from the Cambridge, came-over-on-the-Mayflower first wave of folkies [Joan Baez, Tom Rush, Eric Von Schmidt]," says Buskin, "but we'd like to think we've stolen many of their licks."

The Washington Post called their work "an irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit, and killer wit. And while their humor runs the gamut from topical irony ("Second Homeless") to terminal silliness ("Jews Don't Camp"), it's their unique combination of instrumental virtuosity (piano and violin, primarily, though both play other instruments as well), soaring vocal harmonies and unparalleled lyric-writing that prompts the standing ovations and rhapsodic reviews: "The most musically sophisticated act in folk" The New York Times; "Acoustic Heaven" The Boston Globe. And with the help of uber-percussionist Marshal Rosenberg, they manage to kick the rhythm pretty hard for a couple of seasoned troubadours. Their songs "Guinevere," "The Boy with the Violin" and "When I Need You Most of All" are part of the contemporary folk canon.

Famous in the eighties as superstar jingle writers --Batteau's "Heartbeat of America" and Buskin’s work for Amtrak (with Richie Havens on vocals) heads a long list of a hundred or more -- they've also divided their time between writing songs for other artists -- e.g., Judy Collins, Tom Rush, Astrud Gilberto, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Bette Midler; helping a diverse group of non-profits -- Paul Newman's Hole-In-The-Wall Camps, Harry Chapin's Why Hunger, Roger Payne's Ocean Alliance, among others; and hosting their quirky, unpredictable Radio B&B show on WPKN-FM and WPKN.org. Their latest CD, Love Remembered, Love Forgot, features many memorable songs and guest performances.

Opening for Buskin & Batteau is singer-songwriter Sophie Buskin. Raised in the heart of New York City by two accomplished musical parents, singer-songwriter Sophie started studying piano at age three and first set foot in the studio at four. Her parents recall she was undaunted by the adult singers as she sat on the tallest stool to be close enough to the microphone: the headphones were bigger than her head! She caught the harmony bug and began working extensively as a child jingle singer. At Berklee College of Music, Sophie fully embraced her musical side, joining the school’s celebrated Gospel Choir and their Motown ensemble, falling in love with collaboration. She wrote her first song in 2009 and began steadily writing and performing, often alongside her father, David Buskin. Her first solo CD, Sweet Creature, is a testament to her ongoing journey of artistic self-discovery.

Tickets for Buskin & Batteau are $30 in advance and $33 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. As at all me & thee events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus.

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic listening rooms in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

Next concert: September 27: Cheryl Wheeler and John Gorka