Swinging at The Bookhouse

When one encounters the word, “Cliché’,” one can’t help to note all of its undesirable connotations as it often implies to something that is done and redone until it’s so ever done it’s to be avoided like the plague. However, like everything else in life, clichés sometimes have a more inviting aspect to them as they can be utilized to inspire certain memories through their associations with the experience and/or feeling we’ve had in the past. The stereotypical nature of the word or the event it’s describing helps us to recognize it as part of the matrix that makes up the human community.

On Friday July 26th, The Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg, PA presented “Brad Roccanova: Singing the Best Standards of All Time” as part of their Bookhouse Series. Mr. Roccanova’s high powered Vegas-like performance reflected those given by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other icons of the mid 1960’s known as “The Rat Pack” and was filled with the clichés of the musical genre. From the smooth clothing to the gestures that frequently punctuated each song, the performance revived every memory one would have of catching a show at the Sands, Ceasar’s Palace, or any night club casino nestled along the Vegas Strip even if the closest one came to the Nevada town was Pittsburgh, PA.

The Edinger Community Room within the Eastern Monroe Public Library’s main branch (known as The Hughes Library) was filled to capacity as a multitude of denizens of the era eagerly awaited along with their children and grand children for the show to begin. A fanfare indicative of those associated with the great stage shows of the time announcing Mr. Roccanova’s imminent arrival was played. Mr. Roccanova entered and took control of the performance area belting out one song after another while building a rapport with the audience through his vocal talents as well as the personality he brought to each song. The thoroughly entertaining experience reminded many that, while there are shows, there are also SHOWS. It was a ring a ding ding night all the way from start to finish with Mr. Roccanova being accompanied by Brian Smith on drums and by DJ Geo Productions who provided orchestrated material for the performance.

Mr. Roccanova’s show also presented singer/songwriter Francesca Provitera whose gentle voice and guitar flowed through the audience with her straightforward and deftly written lyrics and melodies. Mr. Roccanova later joined Ms. Provitera in a duet in which they sung the song titled, “Fever” written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell (under the pseudonym of John Davenport) and was originally recorded by Little Willie John in 1956. The timeless classic has since been covered though it’s long existence by the likes of Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Suzi Quatro and many others each lending their own distinctive style and interpretation to the piece. Mr. Roccanova’s and Ms. Provitera’s rendition of the song reflected many of its earlier incarnations but added the right amount of what is scientifically referred to as “stuff” that made it their own.

As eluded throughout the article, The Brad Roccanova show was an entertaining evening and a very enjoyable one. It was a great time for those who nostalgically look back on the Rat Pack era as well as those who might have thought the clichés the times are associated with have no place in the times we live in but found that they do as having fun while being cool never goes out of style. You’ll find more photographs taken during the concert in the EMPL 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151585206515421.1073741827.636000420&type=1.

The Eastern Monroe Public Library (aka The Hughes Library) Bookhouse Concert Series take place in the Edinger Community Room which is located on N. 9th Street (aka route 611) in Stroudsburg, PA. The Hughes Library is the main branch of the Monroe County, PA library system which include their Pocono Township Branch in Tannersville, PA and their Smithfield’s Branch in Marshalls Creek, PA. The library offers access to numerous books, DVDs, Audio Recordings, and cultural programs free to the public. The library’s BookHouse series is part of its cultural programs designed to provide a venue for literary and musical events which are outside of the commercial and literary mainstream.

The next Bookhouse Concert will feature Folksinger and Songwriter Anne Hills on Friday September 20th beginning at 7:30pm with the doors opening at 7pm. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Refreshments will be available for a small charge. Please Contact Linnae Cintron at 570-421-0800 x28 or explore The Eastern Monroe Public Library Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/EasternMonroePublicLibrary?ref=ts&fref=ts to learn more information about the library, their Bookhouse series, and all the institution has to offer the community.