Fri 9/27 @ 7-8PM
Northeast Ohio is overflowing with veteran singer/songwriters, guys in their 50s, 60s and even older, who have been on the scene for decades, but still like to play out — occasionally or a lot — and still have something to say.
One of these is John McGrail, who marries his singer/songwriter craft with outstanding guitar-playing skills, eclectic musical tastes and a keen sense of social justice. He released his last album Songs for Troubled Times in 2004, in the heat of the progressive anti-Bush fervor of the 2004 election, and he was speaking out in a major way. The album features songs about environmental degradation, the anti-Iraq War sentiment and the Islamophobia that was even then rising on the right. Fifteen years later, the tunes and their themes sound depressingly contemporary.
But McGrail himself is not depressing, so it’s a pleasure to hear he’ll be performing on the balcony of Macs Backs books in Coventry Village. An online review of Songs for Troubled Times said you might be put off by the music if you are a “Republican fascist type.” There aren’t too many of those hanging around Coventry.
It’s free and open to all, even Republican fascist types as long as they listen respectfully. Ha ha! And since it’s free, buy a book and support a locally owned business.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44106
One Response to “Activist Singer/Songwriter John McGrail Plays at Mac’s Backs on Coventry”
John K McGrail
Thank you for the publicity but I would like to make a small correction that I have released 4 albums since Songs For Troubled Times. (Stained Bliss, Merchant of Sorrow, Dust and John McGrail Singles Volume One.) I’m on the cusp of releasing my 7th CD. Thanks again! “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes….” or something like that (Maggie Kuhn).