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Kevin So
Kevin So & Midnight Snack
November 6, 2005 @ Brookline Rocks!
 As
part of their continuing tricentennial festivities, the town of
Brookline, MA brought native neighbor (So is from nearby Brighton) back
to the area for a special musical celebration. So, in turn, brought his
latest musical creation - a trio made up of local students from Berklee
College of Music. Together, they presented a career-spanning collection
of So's spiritual, and sharp-witted songs to a multi-generational
audience of appreciative listeners. From the beautiful and provocative
high school not-so-confidential "Abacus" to a rule-breaking encore, So
showed a propensity to do things his way and to make others think about
how they did theirs. In the process, he demonstrated a command of a
variety of musical genres, all laced together with his thoughtful
lyrics, expert mic sense, and engaging and entertaining presentation.
"Wake Up Son" revealed paternally-supportive Soul while "New York City"
offered a late-night R&B dream with an appropriately dirty underbelly.
While "Still Got a Crush" was washed with Anita Baker-y grooves, the new
"Caroline" was a simple devotional that inspired an impromptu squeal
along with some younger members of the audience. As time ran down, the
crowd clapped for more and, ever mindful of his audience, So delivered,
leading them in a final participatory rendition of "Brighter Day" that
sent everyone looking forward to the next 300years.
- Matthew S. Robinson
c. 2005, M. S. Robinson, ARR
Kevin So and Michael Jullian
October 18, 2002 @ The Me & Thee Coffeehouse, Marblehead, MA
 After some time away, Michael Jullian(nee Carreras) has returned to the
performance arena to rediscover his musical soul. And though the sacred
confines of this UU church may have constrained him at first, by set’s
end, he had reached holy heights once more. The opener, “She Shines,” was
buzzy and uncertain. “Shameless” added a bit of edge, but was still dulled
compared to Jullian’s past work (and incarnation). A cover of Nikka
Consta’s “Mr. Nothin’” had soul, but it was borrowed. The Marley tribute
“Remember What BobSaid” was irie, but foreign. A guest shot by Kevin So
got the heart of a electric pop-washed version of “Lifeline” beating, and
Jullian was able to keep the heart going on his own with the ever-lovely
“Eyes of Wisdom” and a “funky” “Weight of the World,” in which Jullian
truly opened up and showed what he was made of. When So returned, it was
Jullian who knocked the cover off of Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s In Need of
Love Today,” shaking the rafters with his unleashed voice and the applause
that followed.
Jumping right into his hand-clapping sing-alongs, So combined Keb Mo and
Chin Ho with his Asian-specific songs of identity and identification.
Though “Stanley Chin” was reminiscent of Bob Seeger and Carole King,
“Different” was beautifully new, even though not for So. Though his
tribute to Mary J. Blige was lost in Marblehead, the Me & Thee appreciated
the backhanded tribute to one of their favorite sons though So’s clever
song “Standing in the Shadow of Ellis Paul.” Though “Abacus” was a bit
calculated, So later let loose again for a timely duet with Jullian on
“There’s a War Goin’ On.” Before this returned favor guest spot, however,
So introduced his newest musical friend, Denmark’s Matts Moritz, who
offered the slender “Shine” and the bouncy “Love Nothing,” both of which
recalled John Anderson of Yes. After a few more duets with Jullian, So
closed the night with a pianistic encore that sent everyone gently from a
good night of music.
- Matthew S. Robinson
c. 2002, M. S. Robinson, ARR
4
Kevin So
February 3, 2001 @ The Middle East
 After a soulful sojourn to Chi-town, the world’s best Asian folk singer
was back…and in a big way!
With the undying support for bassist Tom Bianchi and trap-master Jason
Gardner, So focused on what was to come while keeping his fans into the
scene with familiar favorites. Never one to shy away from controversy (or
comedy), So ripped into his side-handed tribute to Boston’s resident
folk-master with his cheeky tune “In the Shadow of Ellis Paul.” Eager to
get the audience into the act, So enlisted the full house for “War Going
On,” a song of similarly insightful humor with a drastically different
topic and a new funky electrified groove. So’s solo shots were reminiscent
of James Taylor’s “Steamroller Blues” and “Song for You.” “’Til the
Morning Comes” retained its Spanish beauty (even with a bit of chorizo).
After tributes to D’Angelo, Sugar Ray, “Sesame Street” and fellow writing
phenom Carl Cacho, So closed the set with the title track to his last CD.
And while this final song was “Different,” it was enough the same to make
the undulating assemblage hungry for more.
Watch for Kevin’s forthcoming CD, That Oriental Guy, coming soon.
- Matthew S. Robinson
c. 2001, M. S. Robinson, ARR
3
Kevin So w/ Michael Carreras
May 1, 1998 @ Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
 Making my way past the down-the-block line awaiting seating for Kevin So's
sold-out collaboration, I was confronted with a stage congested with
instruments, including a large handful of guitars and two full drum sets.
Despite the arsenal of musical tools, however, opener Michael Carreras (no
relation) opted to go it alone, armed with only his guitar and a set of
Leepress-on picks which were near worn down to the nub by the end of his
abbreviated set. From jazzy blues to gently pulsing ballads, Carreras
shared a brief selection of chorused storytellings which mixed his rich
yet restrained vocals with intricate picking patterns and well-metered
strumming. A highlight was his pleasurably long closer "Lifeline," which
is scheduled to appear on Carreras's upcoming CD. Despite a rousing
ovation, Carreras decided to quit while he was ahead and let his musical
friend and host take the stage.
The packed house, voluntary word-for-word sing-alongs and well-résuméd
backing personnel all made it abundantly clear that Kevin So has made an
impression on the Boston music scene. With the capable assistance of
backing vocalist, mandolinist and wild djembe player Eric Gerber,
seven-string guitarist Paul Ehrlich, bassist Jeff Song and the four-fisted
percussion of Gonzalo Silva drummer Jason Gardner and spiritual
touch-master/percussion guru Bob Moses, So grabbed his audience and
refused to let go. Firmly cognizant of the people and places which have
gotten him where he is, So shared tributes both to his parents and to his
musical heroes, including Paul Simon (through the very "Boxer"-esque "Five
Days in Memphis") and the late Donny Hathaway and mixed the eastern tones
of "Great Wall of China" with the victrola-d southern swing number
"Cadillac Queen" (complete with Satchmo scat). Though there were some
missed harmonies, a few tuning problems and perhaps a bit too much hammy
humor, when So added the vocal powers of Joanne Cassidy (who had recently
opened for Livingston Taylor at Scullers Jazz Club) and opener Michael
Carreras, the musical force was undeniable. So had everyone working
together for the rambling closer "Til the Morning Comes," and though the
extended rhythm break became disjointed at points and made it difficult to
return to the main melody, So's musical and coordinative skills warranted
the standing ovation which closed the show.
- Matthew S. Robinson
© 1998 M. S. Robinson, ARR
2
Vance Gilbert CD Release with Kevin So and Bernice
Williamson
March 2, 1998 @ The Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA
 Though the introduction to the first selection was a bit uncertain and
squeaky, the string duet of Kevin So's guitar and Eric Gerber's mandolin
soon became more coherent and comfortable as the crowd was won-over by
So's personable nature. In fact, So only took one song before inducing the
full house (which he considered a "'Kumbaya' kind of crowd") into a
complex sing-along. Not only was Gerber's string work a nice support, but
his echoey backing vocals filled-out So's occasionally strained leads.
However, it was So's intellectual and emotional understanding of his songs
and their subjects which truly made his connection with the audience
complete. In return, the crowd supplied Kevin with energetic harmonies
during the second(!) sing-along which closed the set.
Admitting one offering to be a "schmaltzy" number, Bernice Lewis's
frankness was admirable. However, despite a number of selections about
everyday topics such as death, marriage and procrastination, Lewis's
connection to the crowd was diluted by her nasal vibrato, her insistent
short pride and her more outlandish offerings such as a bouncy, scatty(?)
Steve Martin-esque tribute to Tutankhamun and a song which was "channeled"
during a holistic workshop. Her attempt at collaborative performance was
also a bit hard to stick to as the sing-along element of the song was a
long and not well prepared.
After an intermission, Vance Gilbert took the stage, joined by Loomer
Everett Pendleton, who supplied spare and quick backing guitar work and a
few notable attempts at a mandolin which he had only started playing the
previous Tuesday! Mixing heart-felt emotion with street sensibility and
A.D.D.-fed thought processes, Gilbert also mixed new and old originals
with soulful standards like "Just My Imagination," "Everybody Plays the
Fool" and a slow and soulful "Jimmy Mack." From gentle ballads to raucous
Folk-Rock and Gospelly a cappella, Gilbert drew from a wide array of
styles and painted beautifully with each. Along the way, Gilbert also
shared personal anecdotes and views which further enhanced his musical
observations and stories. As he is a devoted member of the AMA (that's
Academy of Model Aeronautics), it was no surprise that many of Vance's
musical tales dealt with flight and the wonders and mysteries of aerial
freedom. However, even on those selections which had nothing to do with
flight, Gilbert's voice carried his listeners right along on lyrical
wings.
As the first of a new concert series at The Regent, Vance Gilbert's
official release of his new album "Shaking Off Gravity" was a great start!
Be sure to watch for future performances. Call Watch City Arts at 781 647
1075 for information.
- Matt Robinson
© 1998 M. S. Robinson, ARR
1
Kevin So
February 25, 1998 @ Tallulah's Tap & Grille, Somerville
 Making his first appearance with the combined talents of Gonzalo Silva
drummer Jason Gardner, seven-string guitarist Paul Ehrlich and mandolin
player Eric Gerber, Kevin So played a fun and loose set of his diverse and
well-constructed tunes. Stroking and chopping at his antique f-hole, Kevin
added intermittent blues harp and even a bit of well-placed choreography
to his soulful, slightly scratchy voice. Along the way, the quartet was
enhanced by guest vocalist Michael Carreras and beat poet Michael Kennedy.
In addition to these talented Michaels, Kevin donated an insightful
tribute "Dear Michael" (as in Jordan, NOT Jackson!). Despite many tuning
breaks, Kevin kept the night going, only stopping for an interview about
his past and his plans (see interview) and a quick pint of beer with the
boys. Other than that, the concert was filled with Simon and Garfunkel/James
Taylor lines and Doobie-esque layers of steady and interesting trap-work,
bold mandolin and electric guitar work which was effected to mimic
pedal-steel, bass and even synthesizers. There was even a tinge or two of
Latin influences, including a gorgeous Spanish-versed tune called "'Til
The Morning Comes." Throughout the performance, Kevin was fully cognizant
of and into his musical message which he visibly strained to share with an
attentive and appreciative crowd.
- Matthew S. Robinson
© 1998 M. S. Robinson, ARR
CD Review...
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