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Ed Gerhard
Ed Gerhard
January 4, 1998 @ Club Passim
 Despite an unfortunate lack of publicity for this 'record release,' a
respectable group gathered at Cambridge's Club Passim to witness the
stringed wonder of luthier Ed Gerhard. Casual and loquacious, Mr. Gerhard
took his listeners through selections from his most recent holiday
recording, On A Cold Winter's Night , and the album which was supposed to
have been 'released' at this show, Counting The Ways (Love Songs) (see
review), as well as other requests and favorites. Playing his prepared
signature 6- and 12-string sets as well as a buzzy and scratchy Hawaiian
lap steel, Gerhard presented tributes to the Beatles and the late Michael
Hedges along with an array of enthralling arrangements which ranged from
gentle and graceful to eye-poppingly intricate. Highlights included a
stirring rendition of "The Water Is Wide" and an amazing but as yet
unnamed piece soon to be titled and taped. Near as entertaining were
Gerhard's impressions and insights on such varied topics as Nyquil and
Jewel (both of whom Mr. Gerhard would rather do without!). Despite
respiratory problems, which not only made his voice sound like local radio
personality Robert J. Lurtsema but which also forced him to cut his
performance a bit short, most of Gerhard's performance was tuneful,
lyrical and fun!
- Matthew S. Robinson
© 1998 M. S. Robinson, ARR
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