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The Fractals playing at the benefit for Marv Pomeroy. Photos by Jill Fisher.

In the LISTEN column a few weeks ago I wondered whether music could heal our society. After two events  this past week, I realized that a dedicated community of musicians clearly has the ability to bring help, comfort and healing energy to people in need. 

Recalling Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid concerts and Bono’s activism, this should come as no surprise. It was heartening to see the local music community’s demonstrated caring responses to needs right here in the Twin Ports.

One was a benefit concert at Clyde Iron on Sunday, Nov. 24. The purpose was to raise funds to offset medical expenses incurred by local drummer Marvin Pomeroy when he experienced an aortic aneurysm back in October that required emergency heart surgery. 

On this day, from noon to 6 pm, there was an outpouring of support for this fellow musician. Seven acts contributed their talents, time and efforts for the enjoyment of the folks who turned out to support Marv—many of them musicians who’ve played with Pomeroy in various bands through the past decades. 

The acts were John and Andy, Soulhead, Tommy Wotruba, Atomic Mushroom Revolt, Gina Lee, The Fractals and The Centerville All-Stars, plus Todd Eckart as emcee entertained us with songs and stories between acts. 

And what acts they were! Starting off promptly at noon, the duo John Seguin and Andy Hauswirth performed a number of well-sung ballads, among them several by Simon & Garfunkel. 

At 1 pm Soulhead took over the stage to blow folks away with their super-charged rock and roll covers (Bachman–Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business” is a favorite of mine). It should be noted that three of the four members of Magic Bus for which Marvin plays drums, make up Soulhead: Daron Helmer (electric guitar), Daron’s son Layton (electric guitar) and Bella Hanson (keys). 

Obviously with Pomeroy still healing from his open heart surgery, that band was not performing. What distinguishes Soulhead from Magic Bus is its two additional outstanding players – Manny Eisen (bass) and Ian Hopp (drums). 

From the comments by folks in attendance and postings on Facebook afterwards, this band was highly regarded, some even indicating it was their latest favorite band!

The ever-popular Tommy Wotruba was next up. He is particularly good on covers of classic blues tunes such as “Deep River Blues.” That was a treat, as was his renditions of “Don’t Think Twice” by Dylan, “Ice Cream Man” and “Get Rhythm.” 

When Eckart took the stage during the first set change, he sang Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” and the crowd sang along. 

The heavy rock band, Atomic Mushroom Revolt led by Israel Malachi, performed fourth with the previously mentioned Soulhead and Magic Bus members Layton and Bella plus Scott Hughes on drums. They were loud—the first of a few equally loud bands. I didn’t recognize any of the numbers because they were almost all originals. And they were great to dance to! 

Gina Lee

Providing something of an audio respite was solo performer Gina Lee, Marvin’s beloved. She sang several love songs directed at an enraptured Pomeroy. 

The Fractals got back together or came out of hiding to support Pomeroy, who has been their drummer for years. The band is known for its surf and rock repertoire. Fronted by wild Barry Pirkola and Jimi Cooper, both on electric guitars, they came on like gangbusters, starting with “Mule Skinner Blues” and moving on to “Secret Agent Man,” “Surf City” and Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place To Go,” etc. 

Wow, those who especially wanted to see them weren’t disappointed! 

The afternoon wound up with the Centerville All-Stars taking it to the limit. All and all, a very enjoyable afternoon to help Marvin Pomeroy, who himself has been a supporter of others during his 50 or so years on the local music scene. 

For those who were unable to attend this community event, you can still help reach the goal of $15,000 by contributing at https://gofund.me/4e5a4dbd.

The second benefit concert, held on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 26, at Sacred Heart Music Center was titled “Stepping Up for CHUM.” 

CHUM is a coalition of 44 faith communities that provides emergency food, shelter, advocacy, support and outreach throughout Duluth. It was organized by 19-year-old singer-songwriter Jon Edwards, an acolyte of Charlie Parr. Parr was a particularly apt headliner for this event, with his songs that shine a light on society’s less fortunate folks. 

Sacred Heart donated the venue and its regular volunteers were also on hand to assist, including expert soundman Eric Swanson. About 140 people bought tickets to hear six acts – local musicians who donated their talents for this worthy cause. Not only did they perform for free but several also donated proceeds from sales of their CDs and other merchandise.

Jen Krussow, Ross Thorn and Clifton Nesseth

First up was Ross Thorn and his amazing band, which included Jen Krussow on standup bass and Clifton Nesseth on fiddle. Both contributed harmonies to Ross’s lead vocals. He has a wonderful tenor voice and has written some great songs, a few of which he performed this evening. (Recall that Thorn received the Palomino award from Trampled By Turtles in 2023). But his first selection was “Go Dig My Grave,” a traditional folk song. Then it was on to his own “Mariner’s Lament,” “Saturday Mourning” and “Jesus Wouldn’t Drug Test the Poor” – several rather dark songs, but appropriate for this event. He finished with a much more upbeat original that includes whistling: “Baby, That’s All I Need.” This set alone was well worth the ticket price.

Then it was on to some gender-bending, cutting edge material by Campfire Tranarchists, a duo. Both guitarists and vocalists, Bee and Moriah (no last names, please) gave us all the what for with regards to being victims of the system, landlords who don’t care and “transphobia.” One lyric expressed being “sick and tired of being tired and sick.” Talk about angry protest songs! They laid it on the line noting they were “just being real” at several points during their set. The song titles I caught were “Sky Is Falling” and “St. Cloud.” This trans couple is engaged and ended their set with a kiss. Loved it!

Singer-songwriter Kaylee Matusek was third on the bill. She accompanied herself on electric guitar, playing mostly original compositions off her latest album Leading Lady, plus one new untitled tune. She has a soaring, robust voice with good enunciation that allowed us to understand her intricate lyrics. She also sang “Stirring Skies” from her first album, which she recorded at age 15 on the Sacred Heart stage. These were very personal songs; one line was “…when you betray yourself do it with a kiss.”

Fourth to perform was another young female singer-songwriter, Sophie Hiroko. She also played electric guitar, was accompanied by bassist Tommy Kishida and drummer Ned Netzel and performed seven of her own compositions: “Ashes,” “Dripping on the Floor,” “Friends With Your Demons,” “Burn Up,” “Close to Me,” “Survivor Has Survived” and “Goodbye.” The “Survivor” song reveals great compassion for people who have been abused and pled for them to be believed and supported rather than questioned. Her voice is sweet and clear; it will be interesting to follow her development in the years ahead.

Then it was Charlie’s turn. He started off with his timeless song “817 Oakland Avenue” with its admonition to “spread it around.” So apropos for this concert. He was his usual humble self and chose to sing covers of Spider John Koerner’s songs as well as “See That My Grave’s Kept Clean” by Blind Lemon Jefferson. 

As far as his own songs, which always bring tears to my eyes, their lyrics often contain hard truths and are written from the perspective of the unhoused people among us. He relinquished his headliner position on the bill to organizer Jon Edwards, who wrapped up the concert.

Jon Edwards

Edwards played a dobro guitar with slide and pleased us with both originals and covers His compositions included “Age,” “Heavier” and a lovely instrumental “Crow Wing County,” written for his grandparents. 

Covers included Son House’s “Death Letter,” the blues standard “St. James Infirmary” (brought to prominence by Louis Armstrong in 1928) and, to end the concert, John Prine’s “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore.” Many of us sang along to that one! 

Edwards sounds better each time I hear him perform. He deserves massive kudos for pulling this event together to benefit the good work being done by CHUM.

Sandwiched between these two benefits was the highly hyped and sold out show Gregorian Pure Chants World Tour at the West Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 24. 

I will admit that my expectation for this concert was low since it was advertised as having a major light show component. Was there ever! Generally I find lights and fog and other special effect distracting, but in this case it added to the overall interest of the concert. The group consisted of eight classically trained English male vocalists who have toured worldwide for 20 years. A female vocalist, Amelia Brightman, was an addition on this Pure Chants tour, as was Narcis who is known for his “rare male pure soprano voice.” 

Gregorian Pure Chants

Their voices were gorgeous and Narcis’s was particularly spectacular. But there wasn’t nearly enough Gregorian chanting, though they did begin the show with “Non Nobis Domine.” 

Mostly they sang relatively contemporary songs such as “In My Life” by the Beatles, “Both Sides Now” and the anticipated “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel, complete with attendees waving their phone flashlights throughout. 

Overall it came off as pretty sentimental. (The Curmudgeon opined they seemed like a male glee club in robes!) I sort of cringed when they began singing the ubiquitous “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen with audience participation on the chorus; actually, though, it was quite nice. 

For me, the highlight of the evening was when the eight members came down from the stage, stood with lanterns and sang what I think was “Kyrie Victoria” a cappella. Is this a show I’d recommend? Not necessarily but, as is often said around here, it wasn’t half bad!