A random configuration of the New England-based quartet Finest Kind will be assisting the quaffing and mastication at Lenny's Lobster Shack in Branford, CT. Instrumentation will be fiddle, banjo, whistle, concertina, guitar, baritone ukulele and tuba. And every year Barbara gets up and sings her three songs: Danny Boy, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, and God Bless America. We see the same folks year after year -- it's sorta like a big family reunion, with little kids dancing in front of the band and old folks sitting and enjoying.

A comment on "Black Velvet Band" -- try playing it andante, with a lilt and a whistful sensibility: you'll discover that it's lasted all these years 'cause it's a fine song.

Jerry