New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu


?>

 

Works in Progress - October 2008


By Gary Wien

originally published: 10/20/2008


(OCTOBER 8, 2008 -- ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Rick Barry's "Works in Progress" series has been a favorite of mine since it first launched several months ago, but I think recent shows have taken the series to a new level. This latest show continued that trend. The lineup included Keith Monacchio (formerly of The Commons), Justin Hillman, Glen Burtnick, Brett Mosely, Tommy Strazza, Kelly Carvin, and, of course, Rick Barry.

The idea between "Works in Progress" is a unique one. Instead of the traditional singer-songwriter nights, artists are supposed to perform songs which were created just for the show ? generally written in the days before the show, sometimes written on the day of the show, and a few songs have reportedly even been written on the way to the show or in the back room while warming up.

This was the first time "Works in Progress" actually reminded me of the old "Writers in the Raw" shows back in the days of Harry's Roadhouse. Not only was the lineup absolutely filled with great musicians, but the club was packed with at least twice as many people as in previous shows of the series and included tons of musicians who simply came to hang out and support the scene. That's what used to happen during WITR as well. It helped bring about the same kind of atmosphere and spirit that made me fall in love with those WITR shows and made it a must see date on my calendar each month.

Some of the artists found in the crowd included Mimi Cross, Joshua Van Ness, Frankie and Kelly McGrath (of Maybe Pete), Anthony Fiumano, Joe Harvard, Ken Shane, and Lindsey Miller.

Keith Monacchio kicked off the night with a strong set that included his coffeehouse song, which I think is one of the best tunes he's ever written. It was very cool to see Glen Burtnick as part of the show ? especially now since he's moved to the area. His daughters were on hand as well and performed backup singing duties on one tune. Glen performed some of his newly written songs as well as one or two written along with his usual songwriting partner Bob Burger. Seeing Glen perform so many new songs in one set reminded me of a show he performed once while I was in college. I remember coming back home for a holiday and catching Glen at a Caf? Bene show billed as "a night of all new Glen Burtnick music." It was great seeing something like that again.

Rick Barry was? well, Rick Barry. The man could write brilliant new songs in his sleep. I still think this series is one of the best things to happen to Rick and his career. While he floats back and forth between band gigs and solo shows, between writing new songs and revisiting his regular songs in new versions ? this show FORCES him to keep writing. And, it's led to many great new songs including the series theme song, which is a wonderful take of Rick's life, the efforts of his musician friends, and the redevelopment of Asbury Park.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Justin Miller was a nice surprise and something else that reminded me of Writers in the Raw. From Massachusetts (I believe), Miller was an artist Rick Barry met on the road. This reminded me of the artists Gordon Brown met during his days on the road ? songwriters that were wonderful but rarely household names. Miller had a strong set and even managed to have a Jersey connection through summering in Cape May while growing up. It was nice to see Rick branching out and bringing in an artist whose name wouldn't be familiar to regular music fans in the area.

Bret Mosely and Tommy Strazza have both become regulars to Asbury Park in recent years and each showed that their songwriting abilities continue to shine. Kelly Carvin closed things out with a nice set, but it was really getting late for a work night so I didn't get to see it all. The Works in Progress shows usually end a half hour or more earlier than they did tonight and I think they may have put one too many artists on the bill. Nevertheless, it was a tremendous night of music and Rick Barry deserves a lot of credit for maintaining this series and the quality of musicians he brings to the stage each time out. "Works in Progress" is not only a treat for the music fan, but provides a wonderful glimpse into the songwriting process as a whole.


Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station The Penguin Rocks. He can be contacted at gary@newjerseystage.com.



New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info


FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Indigenous

Indigenous

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's Part 2

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bria

Bria Skonberg

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

KC

KC and the Sunshine Band

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info





 

EVENT PREVIEWS

City

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

(NEW YORK, NY) -- City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Join them for an immersive 8-glass wine tasting perfectly paired with the revolutionary sounds of Sly & The Family Stone—featuring special guest Vernon Reid, legendary guitarist and founder of Living Colour. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where rhythm meets the vine.



Blue

Blue Curtain presents Fabiola Méndez and Her Band on July 19th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Blue Curtain's free summer concert series continues on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 8:00pm with a performance by trailblazing Puerto Rican cuatrista, singer, and Emmy-nominated composer Fabiola Méndez at the Pettoranello Gardens Amphitheater in Princeton.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Hanson

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents Hanson on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 7:00pm. Over their first 28 years as the band Hanson, brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson have made a significant mark in music.



A

A Brother's Revival: Celebrating the Legendary Sound of the Allman Brothers Band Live at Drew University

(MADISON, NJ) -- Get ready to experience the timeless legacy of the Allman Brothers Band like never before, as A Brother's Revival takes the stage at Drew University Concert Hall on Thursday, September 19, 2025 at 8:00pm. This high-caliber tribute band honors the spirit and soul of one of America's most iconic rock groups with a performance brimming with power, precision, and heart.



Lizzie

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House

(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Griffin House on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7:30pm. Griffin is an American singer-songwriter and storyteller. Touring and making records for over 20 years, House has a discography that includes over 13 albums.