Small Potatoes Returns to Tok for Concert!
The Illinois-based folk-duo Small Potatoes will be appearing in concert at Fast Eddy’s in Tok on Friday, April 3rd at 7:30 pm. Small Potatoes first performed in Tok in 2003 and left behind a new contingent of enthusiastic fans.
One of their songs was even featured in a concert by the Tok Choral Society. The duo of Rich Prezioso (vocals, mandolin, guitar) and Jaquie Manning (vocals, guitar, percussion, whistles) have released four albums, including two on Wind River Records: “Time Flies”, and “Waltz of the Wallflowers.”
Small Potatoes draws upon a wide musical vocabulary, including elements of Celtic, cowboy, folk, Irish, country, Cajun, jazz and Latin music, to create a sound that is uniquely their own. They call themselves eclecto-maniacs. They describe their music as ““Celtic to Cowboy”” and say it has taken them ““years of careful indecision”” to come up with a mix of music that ranges from country, blues, and swing to Irish, with songwriting that touches on all of those styles and more.
They both sing, they both play guitars and an array of other instruments. They even yodel. Dirty Linen Magazine called them ““one of the most polished, inventive, and entertaining shows on the circuit.”” Sing Out Magazine called “Time Flies a ‘wonderful, wonderfully eclectic’ album and said ‘Small Potatoes might well be leading mainstays on the folk scene for years to come.’
When you see Small Potatoes perform, you hear two great voices, some fine guitar playing, and a touch of tin whistle, flute, mandolin, bodhran, and other percussion toys. Together they present a truly rare blend of vocal and instrumental abilities, award-winning songwriting, and arranging talents.
They have the unique ability to adapt to the style of music they happen to be playing. They seem comfortably at home whether playing an upbeat cowboy swing tune or a tender, traditional ballad–though there are no rules here either, sometimes the traditional sounds contemporary, sometimes the contemporary sounds traditional. And they also pay attention to the little things, the warmth, the humor and a rapport with the audience that makes for a memorable performance.
The concert is presented by Spin Monkey Productions and sponsored by Duct Tape Radio and Humanities Forum (DTRHF). Tickets are $14 in advance and $16 at the door and will be available starting March 23 at A & J Variety. Additional information can be obtained by phone at 883-3664 or email at info AT acousticaccents DOT net.
Check out a video of Small Potatoes here on YouTube.
One Response to “Small Potatoes Returns to Tok for Concert!”
Leave a Reply
I hope to hear good reviews of this event from those who attend. i’d love to come, but am not even on the continental Americas, so i’ll just have to dream of a burger at Fast Eddy’s while watching the show.
good to see you back and blogging, Aliza.