N. Kingstown Musician Brings Bluegrass To Narragansett

Who needs beach front property with a porch when you have George’s of Galilee?

You don’t need to cook, and you are treated like a king or queen by the waitstaff while getting to listen to live music on a gorgeous deck that overlooks Salty Brine State Beach. George’s of Galilee has been a Rhode Island staple since 1948, and was featured on a piece CNN did about Narragansett. They have great food and live music every weekend.

This past Friday, North Kingstown local Buddy Cavaleri – known aroun these parts for his hosting gig at the Thursday nights for open mic – played bluegrass, and at times with an amusing twist.

Cavaleri told a story to the crowd about how he rented a vacation home, and his distant family got wind of it. They started showing up, and he wrote the song “I’m Going Crazy (You Can Go Home).”

The song tells the tale of his doctor telling him to go on vacation to relax and instead his family shows up, and now he feels like he is going to be put in an institution. It almost reminds a listener of the great novelty song, “Hello Muddah, Hello Fuddah (A Tale From Camp),” by Alan Sherman.

Cavaleri also plays covers. A group of young kids danced and fist pumped to a perfect rendition of Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Deck of the Bay.” A group of kids wanted to hear a fast song, and Buddy said he would play The Ramones. The kids left, but I wanted to hear a blues musician’s cover of “I Wanna Be Sedated,” which came across just as fun on acoustic guitar as it does with electric.

Cavaleri’s take on covers is interesting, as he takes his style of music and blends it so well, at times you can’t even tell its a cover.

Cavaleri’s musical background is quite interesting. He is originally is from Boston, where he trained at the Berklee College of Music and now is a full-time musician. He teaches music at a private music school in Pawtucket, and owns the independent label, Little Red Hen Records.

Cavaleri moved to Rhode Island to join the band Steve Smith and the Nakeds in the late 1980s. He is no longer with the band and plays solo.

Buddy played the Newport Folk Festival in 1999. He recently released his third solo album, Same Train... New Tracks.

Buddy Cavaleri also has a sensitive and more serious side to his music. He has traditional blues lyrics, and they are a personal explosion of compelling tales, that in times he refers to as his outlaw songs.

Toward the end of the evening, Cavaleri was joined by fellow open mic friend Chris Deacutis. Deacutis says he is an amateur to the music scene, and is a scientist during the day. When it comes to talent though, Deacutis is definitely not an amateur, and if he is, he is fooling everyone.

Occasionally, Calaveri plays with a full band that goes by the name of the South County Boys. Calaveri’s music will put a smile on your face, and emotionally moves you. His performance, solo or full band is truly worth seeing.