The Town Observer
August 12, 2004
by Sandra Churchill

Watson Reid & Americana has been a quintessential favorite at West Bridgewater's Monday evening summer gazebo concerts, and this year's performance did not disappoint. The group shed its patriotic sequined vests of past years, in favor of more relaxed, "country neighbor" attire, but its music comprised the familiar folk melodies audiences love and expect.

Attended by toddlers to octogenarians (and everywhere in between), the Watson Reid & Americana concert was enjoyed by a number of West Bridgewater residents, plus others from surrounding communities. A large and cheerful group from the Emmanuel House assisted-living facility also attended the performance.

In keeping with the band's blend of folk and patriotic style, Watson Reid & Americana performed such memory-lane favorites as "King of the Road", "Brown-Eyed Girl", and the popular story-ballad "Charlie and the MTA".

From vocals and percussion to woodwinds and strings, the band has a talent for mixing the mellow with the lively. A soothing rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was balanced by a snappy performance of "Mack the Knife". Local flair was added with the group's version of "Boston Tea Party" and the entertaining "Big Dig". One vocalist (with equally strong back up) charmed the audience with a perfect Satchmo impression in the lovely song "What a Wonderful World".

In keeping with the daylight shift of August, it was fully dark by the concert's close at 9:00pm, a noticeable change from the sunset endings of performances earlier in the season. Winding down the 2004 concert season, the Watson Reid performance leaves only one concert left in the series, to be held on August 23 by the John Penny Band and the Chisholm Brothers. Amidst the bittersweet acknowledgement of summer's shifting sands and imminent autumn, the group entertained and charmed its audience with a mellow evening, truly worthy of summer vacation.

© 2004 The Town Observer