Local Spin: Jose Feliciano, Aaron Audet, Duane Carleton and Carnival Hill

by George Nostrand

So, what do you buy for that musician in your life that seems to have everything? Never fear, I have a list that is guaranteed to make them drop to one knee, bust into their favorite air-guitar riff and shout “Excellent, dude!”

First, a failsafe hit for any band — a fog machine. Really, I don’t care if they are country, rap or bluegrass; there is nothing cooler than a fog machine.

Second, anything that makes them louder. This includes microphones, amps, pedals and speakers. Every musician wants to be heard, so give them something that gets them up to 11.

Last, but not least, clothes from the Salvation Army. The uglier the better. It’s all about being so uncool that you are cool, so pick out something so atrocious that would make you refuse to be seen with them if they were wearing it, and they will love you.

Now that I’ve ruined your holiday, let’s talk about this week.

Tonight at 8 p.m., the Paramount Theatre presents Jose Feliciano. While everyone knows Feliciano for his famous/infamous, “Feliz Navidad,” I figured I’d Google and listen a bit to try to give a more learned opinion.

I highly recommend checking out his Web site, if nothing than for the cool intro. (www.josefeliciano.com). According to the Web site, “Jose Feliciano is recognized as the first Latin artist to cross over into the English music market, opening the doors to others who now play an important part in the American music industry.” It goes on to say, “He’s been awarded over forty-five Gold and Platinum records; has won sixteen Grammy nominations, earning him six Grammy Awards and is in receipt of countless prestigious awards the world over.”

I also learned that in the fall of 1968 on the heels of the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, Feliciano played a restyled and controversial version of the National Anthem that “captured the attention of the country.” While on his Web site, I listened to “Killing is not the Answer,” which was not what I imagined from this artist.

Dipping into the e-mail bag this week, I have some dates from Aaron Audet, Duane Carleton and Carnival Hill. Kinda surprised that more people aren’t taking advantage of the free ink in the paper. Am I scaring them away?

Aaron has some big news. In addition to his gig at the Lake House in Bomoseen at 7:30 p.m. Friday, he’s also pulling a double on Saturday, playing with “Primo” Poremski and then the now famous, returning from college and basic training, Proctor Connection.

This will all happen at the Outback in Killington, starting with the Jeff and Aaron Happy Hour around 5ish, and then the Connection coming on around 9:30 p.m. Make the trek up the hill — you won’t be disappointed.

The “Small Town Hero” himself, Duane Carleton, will be hitting some familiar turf this weekend, starting tonight at Jax in Killington at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday he will be in the clear at The Clear River Tavern in Pittsfield, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And then on Sunday he’ll be at Stratton Mountain at Grizzly’s, playing guitar in a bear suit with skis from 2 to 5 p.m. Take a picture!

Ain’t nothing like a carnival, and Carnival Hill will be at the Grist Mill, back-to-back nights this weekend for happy hour. For a thrill catch the Hill on your way off the hill.

Wrapping up with one more real holiday shopping tip — support your local musicians. Visit their Web sites, CDBaby or wherever local music is sold and pick up a copy of a local CD for someone on your list this year. You’ll be doing a doubly good deed by making someone happy and supporting the local scene.

… and by George, keep supporting live, local music!

George Nostrand is a musical columnist de facto, charged with informing you on what’s shaking on the local beat.

Give me some Spin! What’s going on with your band, your venue, or your cousin’s uncle’s brother’s band? If it’s musical and it’s happening in the Rutland area I want to hear about it. Send me an e-mail at localspin@gmail.com.