Darryl Purpose Latest in Railway Cafe Performances
NORTH ADAMS - Singer-songwriter Darryl Purpose spent much of his life on the road, first as a professional blackjack player and then for a decade as a musician.He's retired now and only performs a few shows here and there. He does it for friends, he said, and that's what drew him to Gallery 51 on a recent frigid Friday night.
A call from the Railway Cafe's director Laini Sporbert brought the folk musician to the intimate gallery space for a two-hour show. The audience was small but appreciative - lining up after the set was over to shake Purpose's hand.
In the audience was fiddle player and resident Eric Buddington, who performed with Purpose in Brattleboro, Vt., in 2001. As an attendant of numerous Railway Cafe shows, Buddington feels that Purpose's music is different from others he has heard because "his lyrics are well developed and he's a great storyteller."
Purpose is known for his narrative, often personal, style of song, and his finger-picking guitar playing. His CDs can be purchased online.
Before getting into music, Purpose was the world's top blackjack player, learning to play in his teens. After giving up gambling, Purpose became a full-time musician in 1996. He has toured across the nation, and numerous other countries, including England and Russia, where he and his band, Collective Vision, performed in a stadium rock concert featuring Bonnie Raitt, Santana and James Taylor. These days, Purpose is retired, and only performs occasional shows.
"As of last December, I hadn't done a show in a couple years. I bought a house in Colorado and retired to it," said Purpose.
One form of inspiration for Purpose is his daughter, for whom he wrote the song "Child of Hearts." Other sources of inspiration come from his past experiences as a gambler and nomadic folk musician.
This was the sixth show this season in the Railway Cafe series, held at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Gallery 51. The cafe runs once a month from September through May.
"This is a nice setting for his music with the handmade art in the background," said an audience member before the show. The gallery is currently exhibiting "Handmade: A Look at Contemporary Crafts."
"I love the intimate space, and how the artists are able to communicate with the audience," said Sporbert.
Refreshments are available during each Railway Cafe. The money from the cookies, coffee and tea goes to charity each year. This year, it will be given to MCLA in thanks for all the support it has given events such as this.
The next Railway Cafe is scheduled for March 14 with folk singer Greg Greenway as the possible artist.
