{"id":2183,"date":"2012-05-24T14:55:35","date_gmt":"2012-05-24T18:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/?p=2183"},"modified":"2013-12-09T14:19:50","modified_gmt":"2013-12-09T19:19:50","slug":"listening-post-where-the-music-plays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/allin\/2012\/05\/24\/listening-post-where-the-music-plays\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening Post: Where the music plays"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every time I get the chance to hear a live music performance (or almost every time), I ask myself “And why<\/em> do you bother listening to recordings?” The best answer is that you have to listen to something between performances. It’s better than a poke with a sharp stick. But all my best, most-exciting, deeply-moving musical experiences happen when I go to someplace where someone is making it up fresh on the spot.<\/p>\n

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The Fraser Clan on stage at the Edwards Opera House<\/p><\/div>\n

Not everywhere is well-suited to the task. Electric Hot Tuna should probably not be cranked up to ten inside a small cinder-block hockey arena. And a shy singer-songwriter should not have to compete with the frappacino ice grinder back at the counter. But the North Country does have a great variety of venues, both inside and outdoor, that were made to play music in.<\/p>\n

One of my favorites is the lovingly-restored Edwards Opera House–great historic building, decent acoustics, intimate and comfortable, and soft-serve ice cream just across the street for intermission. It doesn’t have to be a made-to-order locale either–old North Country churches are among my favorites. And roadhouses that beg to have a blues band down past the bar, bandshells on the village green, gazebos in the park by the river.<\/p>\n

As we did for belly-food last week<\/a>, I’d like to do for “soul food” this week–and have you send in your favorite music venues around the region<\/strong>. What\/who did you hear? What was the venue like? What made it a great experience? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Make your comments below the map. I’ll add them to the map as they come in.<\/p>\n

Live Music Venues in the North Country (in progress)<\/h2>\n