Preview: Tom Chapin, and the Chapin Sisters, Saturday, March 21 at the Eighth Step in Proctors GE Theatre
As another misguided overseas war of choice drags on and magnifies troubles here, Tom Chapin and daughters Abigail and Lily sing much-needed “Songs of Hope” Saturday at the Eighth Step at Proctors GE Theatre.
Tom Chapin. Photo supplied
The show introduces a new album of that optimistic title, but it collects past tunes from Chapin’s 27-album career. Some protest persistent societal problems, hopeful lyrics standing strong in opposition or promoting solutions, while his love songs share a thoughtful, quiet romantic flavor. The music is also fun, too tuneful to feel pedantic. Much of it is aimed at youthful ears: Chapin’s three Grammy awards honor his spoken word albums for children.
Saturday, Chapin will sing his hopeful songs with support from the third Chapin musical generation. Tom Chapin is one of three singing brothers, all sons of jazz drummer Jim Chapin who often played with his troubadour sons Tom, Steve and the late folk-pop star Harry.
Tom has had no trouble working around the long shadow of his big-star brother; prolific, poetic and powerful in his own right, whether urging advocacy or nuzzling close in tender romantic musings. The New York Times has hailed his “Warm spirit, infectious humor, and sensitive satiric songs … one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music.”
The Chapin Sisters. Photo supplied
His music-making daughters have also combined voices in a distinctive flavor of contemporary acoustic folk-pop. Their nine albums reach back farther than their father or uncles to echo Appalachian bedrock styles at times, while paying tribute to the family sound, to Pete Seeger, and the Everly Brothers. Just as Tom has continued his late brother’s advocacy work supporting remedies for hunger and Seeger’s Clearwater environmental projects, the Chapin Sisters have performed often with their father and uncle Steve in an elastic family band, and recorded albums of their elders’ tunes.
Saturday, the three Chapins, father and two daughters, will sing of hope at the Eighth Step at Proctors GE Theatre (432 State St., Schenectady). 7:30 p.m. $34.51 general, $63.26 (gold circle, front and center) 518-346-6204 www.8thstep.org
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