Real Good for Free: “Moonlight Jamboree” @ Bread & Jam Cafe, 5/1/10

The May edition of the monthly Moonlight Jamboree – hosted by Americana sweethearts Tern Rounders – returns to its usual schedule, promising a great evening of folk-rock, country and more at the Bread and Jam Café in Cohoes at 7:30pm on Saturday.

First up on Saturday’s bill is Dan Johnson of the band Three-Quarter North. Johnson is a songwriter and guitarist from Albany, who also rocks the mandolin in the bluegrass and country tradition. Describing himself as “a poet at heart,” his songs are “based in storytelling and rich imagery that describe the sweetness and irony of life in upstate New York.” Talk about your local interest. But Johnson also has ties to New England, splitting his time between Albany and downeast Maine.

And as always, Moonlight Jamboree host band Tern Rounders will be headlining the session. If last month’s set was any indicator, this is a very good band that has dramatically grown markedly better over a very short span time, concurrent with their new recording sessions. They are simply more cohesive live. And with Kim Noyes and Marc Clayton at the microphone, their very good vocals and harmonies are now pin-you-to-the-wall great!

Tern Rounders have given flight to their down-to-earth music. Drummer Jim Ketterer credits “the new batch of songs. They’re written in a style and direction that plays to our strengths as a band.” That – and the addition of Rick Morse on pedal steel guitar to the band’s permanent line-up – bodes nothing but good things to come. And you can bet that Tern Rounders will be delivering their A-game as they warm up for their Sunday afternoon performance at the Truck America Festival at the Full Moon Resort in Big Indian.

Catch a heaping helping of the Tern Rounders’ new material and a good cup of coffee this Saturday night in Cohoes. Admission is free.

Story and photograph by Matt Mac Haffie