Crooning Love Tunes: a FREE concert by The Fabulous Heftones

Saturday , June 12, 2004
12:00 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
in-store performance (free)

How long since you've heard an authentic rendition of "By the Light of the Silvery Moon," "For Me and My Gal," "When You Wore a Tulip," "Shine On Harvest Moon," "Paper Moon"? "In my Merry Oldsmobile," "Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight," or "I Want a Girl"?

The Fabulous Heftones are a real treat, and we're glad they're offering an Elderly concert. Together, Brian and Lynn croon the tunes from 1900-1930. These are feel-good pieces, optimistic songs of love gone right. The familiar and well-loved melodies soar with the husband/wife team's voices in harmony, accompanied by ukulele and bass.

Brian plays various ukuleles and banjos, including banjo-ukes, banjo-mandolins, and occasionally one of Lynn's handmade kazoos. Brian's artful and unique ukulele playing style betrays his first stringed instrument--the banjo. when he works his way around the tiny fretboard you realize there are more notes to be had from the ukulele than seem possible. Brian sometimes sings in a scat-like voice commonly called "eefing" in the 1920s.

Lynn plays a unique Heftone upright five-string bass, invented and built by Brian's father. Lynn's voice reveals a lifetime love of song--and singing. Trained as a classical singer, Lynn has found her niche in the popular music of the '20s. She particularly favors songs once performed by flapper and early jazz singer Annette Hanshaw. Lynn whistles, too.

The Fabulous Heftones are much more than talented musicians; they also exhibit considerable appreciation for the period with their authentic dress; they're a captivating couple who are preserving a popular piece of the past. Hearing these century-old songs sung and played with such great respect for authentic sound and style will bring back memories for many of us.

Recently referred to as "the instrument of the 21st Century" and even "the instrument of the New Milennium," the ukulele was also very popular in the early 20th century, helped along by Arthur Godfrey and other urban performers. If turn-of-the-century songs like these oldies--from The Gay Nineties through The Roaring Twenties--aren't your cup of tea, bring Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Aunt Nellie, the sweet neighbor who bakes you cookies...it'll truly be a treat for them.

In addition to The Fabulous Heftones' newly-released love-songs CD titled Moon June Spoon, Brian has released several CDs, including Music Box Rag, Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay, and Mother, I'm Wild, containing a variety of early twentieth-century tunes that'll fill you with nostalgia.

Stop in June 12 at noon and see the talented Heftones croon love tunes. They'll bring out the best in all those sweet, poppy, refreshing songs with their excellent "urban old-time" harmonies--we promise.

You can also enjoy The Fabulous Heftones at Altu's {1312 Michigan Avenue) Saturday evening, June 12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and again on Saturday, June 26. And Lansing residents Brian and Lynn will delight you with their authentic renditions of these happy, snappy, sweet love songs for your party or celebration.

Check out merchandise we carry featuring The Fabulous Heftones