Noel Paul Stookey
There was Peter, Paul and Mary … singing at rallies, singing in coffee houses, singing for peace, singing for change. We lost Mary Travers, and I wondered if this was it. Is it over? No. Peter and Paul continued with concerts even when Peter became ill and the concerts needed to be lessened. Then we lost Peter Yarrow. Is my enjoyment of their live music over? Is that feeling of coming together and love for the future done? NO WAY! Noel Paul Stookey came to the beautiful Katherine Hepburn Theatre to a full house on July 27th. I was so surprised and pleased to see all these people together and smiling, waiting for him to lead them in song again.
We did an advertisement for Old Saybrook before the show began. The camera was turned on and we yelled, "Visit Old Saybrook". Please do. It is a beautiful seaside town. And then Noel Paul steps onstage to a rousing round of applause.
He is so laid back. He says he is nervous, but it does not show at all. I am reminded of Chad Stuart, who always seemed as if he were performing in his living room while we were all having coffee. The whole performance flows. A cellphone ringing, a bad note, waiting for the manulenjo to be tuned ... somehow it all fit and just made sense.
An usher gives me her phone that has a picture of the set list on it. GREAT! I copy it and only need to be aware of last minute changes. There was only one. One song was deleted, but the show was still almost two hours long. Song and memories. Tributes and songs written and/or recorded by Noel Paul. I spent an afternoon marveling at what I have been witness to in my life thus far and wondering what is coming forward.
1. In These Times
2. Not That Kind of Music
3. Weave Me the Sunshine - by Peter Yarrow and used as the motto by Paul's charity, Music To Life
Weave me the hope of a new tomorrow ... Fill my cup again
4. My Turn Now - this was a tribute to Peter. The title tells it all, but some of the lyrics have been changed so that they refer specifically to Peter.
5. Puff the Magic Dragon - Peter would have stopped the show and yelled, "Who said you could sing?" Oh wait! Paul gave another tribute to him. He stopped the show and laughingly asked us who said we could sing?
6. Love In The Upper Case
7. Playing Right Field - I love this song. A memory for anyone who is not the best at an activity but ends up being the star at least once. It happened to me, my brothers and my children.
8. One and Many
Intermission
9. How Can I Keep From Singing
10. Dance to the Manulenjo - an instrument that is a combination of mandolin, banjo and guitar.
11. Asparagus - an ode poem
12. Garden Song
13. Cue The Moon
14. Wedding Song - lyrics exactly as he sang them at Peter's wedding.
15. For the Love Of It All
16. Revolution
17. Blowin' In The Wind / If I Had A Hammer
Standing ovation but of course an encore.
18. America the Beautiful - YES! The America you learned in school, with a couple stanzas updated to make the song as relevant today as it was "for heroes proved in liberating strife."
Not knowing the new lyrics, we sang along on the choruses and all walked out of the theatre smiling on a cloudy Sunday afternoon.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
******
Boy, I needed that!
In retrospect, I am sure I WANTED it, but the aftermath helped me realize that I truly NEEDED it.
Yes, I went to see the Happy Together Tour for the second time. My original plan was to attend a show at the beginning of the tour and then see what, if anything had changed by the end. It is actually not the end of this year's tour, but it is the end for me. They will be traveling out of my driving area.
So, Shelley, tell us. Did anything change? Absolutely! And not at all! Let's me take you through this with my captions added to their performance at The Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT on August 2, 2025.
The line-up did not change this year as far as the groups advertised. There had been changes in previous years. The line-up of people was slightly altered, but it had been advertised as such. The musical numbers did not change. The videos and the video timings did not change. Music interludes were added between acts as there was only one stage roadie changing the set-ups between them. Let me revisit my night for you.
The Cowsills are still running on Ever Ready batteries. Even if they have switched to Duracell, the energy is still on high. Kudos to Bob, Paul and Susan.
The Rain, The Park and Other Things
We Can Fly
Indian Lake
Love American Style
Hair
Is it the sound at this theatre or some other quality that has made their harmonies stronger and clearer? Maybe the band? They have always been a together group, but they are snappy, clean and tight tonight. Whatever it is, the audience is enamored. "That's the Cowsills?" "Wow, listen to them."
The audience listens to the recorded introduction and start clapping as soon as they realize The Vogues are coming out. Troy Elich, Sean Moran and Royce Taylor.
5 O'Clock World
You Are My Special Angel
Turn Around, Look at Me
You're the One
The audience acts as if each of these songs has been written for them. They start holding hands, smiles breaking across faces and holding hands. Maybe it's the audience that is the reason the show is so good tonight?
There are a couple sons who brought their mothers around me and when Gary Puckett emerges, I hear "Wow, I didn't know HE was going to be here!" from the sons and "He is my favorite!" from the mothers. Gary's voice is strong; no shakiness and he is full of self-confidence. He turns to the band at least three times and says, "You guys are great tonight." or "Boy, you guys are really great tonight." He is absolutely correct. It IS as if they are wired together so they cannot be anything but tight in performance. Is the band the reason the show is so good tonight?
Lady Willpower
Over You
This Girl is a Woman Now
Woman, Woman - OK Gary, I know this is your favorite, but why does a song about cheating rank highly? Is it the musicality? Someday please explain.
Young Girl
He closes the first act, and the audience has been up and down in standing ovations so far. Show-offs! So proud that they can still get up and down so easily. Audience, I apologize. Whether it was easy for you to stand or not, they all deserved it.
Gary has dedicated his performance to our Veterans and declares his faith as he leaves the stage. Is this the reason the show is so good tonight?
After intermission I run back to my seat so as not to miss anything. This is a hot night. (Actually, the temperature is cool outside) But inside this theatre, heat is emanating from musical instruments and vocal cords.
Again, as soon as the audience realizes who is being introduced, they applaud and Little Anthony, Johnny Britt and Dale Herr stroll onto the stage. I am well aware that the musical styles change tonight with the varying artists, and that was the 60s! You were not limited to one genre or style. Is this why the show tonight is so good?
Tears On My Pillow - more "Awwwwwwws" from the audience
Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop - the "stupid" song that sold millions. As stupid as Anthony says this song is, he still does a mean Shimmy Bop dance.
Is this why the show is so good tonight?
Hurts So Bad
Going Out of My Head
Sandy Deanne is back! So good to see him along with Darren Dowler, Jay Reincke, and Lenie Colacino as Jay and the Americans enter from both sides of the stage. Is Sandy being back the reason the show is so good tonight?
Only In America
Let's Lock the Door
Cara Mia
Come a Little Bit Closer
This Magic Moment
Sandy talks about the thrill of being 84 and still standing on stage with all the talent that is here. He calls the show "a party." Jay Reincke thrills the people around me as he proves he is able to sing 'Cara Mia' with its ridiculous vocal range.
Is seeing original performers, no matter how old, back on stage that is making this show so good tonight?
Is the camaraderie of these units instilling "party atmosphere" the reason this show is so good tonight?
All of the songs have been performed in A+ fashion. Is this the reason the show is so good tonight?
We know Mark Volman is not able to tour this year, and I will be very surprised if he is able to do so in the future. What will happen to the sponsorship of the Happy Together Tour I do not know, but tonight Ron Dante and Godfrey Townsend give the crowd a run for their Turtles with the closing act.
She'd Rather Be With Me
You Baby
It Ain't Me Babe
Sugar Sugar
Elenore
Happy Together
Both Ron and Godfrey tell us of their musical affiliations with other groups, however they both have histories with The Turtles so is the fact that they both know what they are doing as "Turtles" the reason the show tonight is so good?
Manny Focarazzo, Greg Smith, and Chris Camillari join Godfrey Townsend in bringing all the acts back on stage to a rousing standing sing-along finale.
The finale can't be the reason the show is so good tonight! WHAT IS THE REASON THAT THE SHOW IS SO GOOD TONIGHT?
Here it is:
The band, the acts, the audience, the sound and lighting crew, EACH and ALL were in top form TOGETHER. Why? I DON'T CARE WHY OR HOW! People stopped me in the theatre and as I was walking to my car to tell me about their music memories, to smile at me, to tell me how much they loved the show, and to tell me how many more times they want to see this show. And not one person already knew me. The air was just that sweet.
Yes, I needed that!
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
And this from Sandy Deanne of Jay and the Americans:
This is me, Sandy, going on record to address all the concerns and misconceptions about my health and touring info.
I am well and merely being intelligent about doing 60 shows in 90 days. Like last year, I am only doing the amount of shows that will allow me to continue the rest of our busy touring schedule for many more years. So, in the Brooklyn way of putting it, “ I ain’t goin’ anywhere, folks, and thanks for your concern.”
Sandy Deanne
