Awake at the Wheel
by S.M. Griffin - University of Alaska Anchorage
Patty Larkin and Peter Mulvey are back in Alaska and they’re pulling no punches. Thanks to Whistling Swan Productions, the two Wisconsin born musicians came together on Saturday night for an evening of relaxing urban folk music.
Mulvey starts off the night with a laugh and his lively yet thoughtful love song, “If Love is Not Enough”. Throughout the show, his reminiscing humor keeps the room laughing and engaged, including stories about his childhood, college education (at the hands of Jesuit priests), and early performing years.
His stories also highlight the influences on his music. From his days as a subway musician, Mulvey incorporates a hint of urban jazz to his vocals and his guitar work is tinged with the blues. On the other hand his tours through Ireland add an authentic folk aspect to the mix, creating a truly eclectic sound.
Patty Larkin takes the stage after intermission, warming up the crowd with a few of her classic hits such as “The Book I’m Not Reading”. Urban folk to the core, Larkin displays her outstanding guitar abilities on both acoustic and electric guitar. While her new material lacks the soul of her previous work, the ingenious techniques she applies to the music are unique. One such method is the use of a child’s violin bow on the electric guitar.
Larkin recently recorded a CD with eleven other female guitarists, naming the project “La Guitara”. It is an attempt to show the world the many great female guitarists in modern music. A portion of the profits will be donated to ‘Guitars in the Classroom’ – a program which teaches music in elementary and junior high classrooms across the nation.
Both performances leave the crowd begging for an encore and Larkin and Mulvey respond with an extra number. Whistling Swan Productions deserves a round of applause for this event. As Patty Larkin teased, the show was very much, ‘Awake at the Wheel.’
Patty Larkin and Peter Mulvey
Patty Larkin and Peter Mulvey
Whistling Swan Productions
Saturday, November 1 at 7pm
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Sydney Laurence Theatre
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