Rick Koster
As seen in:
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and
Arts writer/columnist at The Day newspaper, New London, CT. Author. Husband. Dog enthusiast. Hanged at Salem Witch Trials in previous life.
Articles by Rick Koster
Album Review: Johnny Rawls & Dave Keller, ‘Tribute to Soul’
(Third Street Cigar Records, CD, digital) Johnny Rawls & Dave Keller, Tribute to Soul Jeez, summer’s creeping along with no relief from cruel gas prices. How many of you have had to alter or even cancel vacation plans because of this? I’m no travel agent, and I don’t have any boffo ideas about affordable destinations. But I do have one remarkable and inexpensive itinerary that’s well within your budget.
A (Murder) Tale of Two Cities
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Rick Koster talks about his new vampire novel that's also a human tale of a lonely kid | The Day
Rick Koster talks about his new vampire novel that's also a human tale of a lonely kid Rick Koster’s new novel is a brisk, engaging read about a 17-year-old blues guitar whiz named Wyatt Dumaine who also happens to have albinism. He lives in New Orleans and is infatuated with a 22-year-old woman named Allison Pernot. And Allison? She is a New Orleans Saints cheerleader — and a vampire.
Novelist John Kenney and the delicate balance between grief and punchlines
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Album Review: Dwight + Nicole, ‘Day or Night’
Dwight + Nicole, Day or Night WestWalk Records, CD, digital, vinyl You know those year-end best-of lists music writers are required to churn out each November? Failure to do so gets you moved to the ballet beat, which, as Timothée Chalamet points out, is a cultural wasteland. Editors like the lists because they attract views, but writers can be ambivalent.
Album Review: Dana Robinson, ‘The Sound of the Word’
Self-released, digital Through no fault of his own, Vermont folk singer and songwriter Dana Robinson has backed himself into a corner. A fine, thoughtful, lyrical and melodic craftsperson, Robinson, on his new album, The Sound of the Word, is nonetheless asking something almost unimaginable in the world today. He wants us to slow down and … listen. That is, listen to this complete, 10-song recording — and take it all in with a most unlikely premise: that to do so is a rich, rewarding exercise.
Album Review: Dana Robinson, ‘The Sound of the Word’
Dana Robinson, The Sound of the Word Self-released, digital Through no fault of his own, Vermont folk singer and songwriter Dana Robinson has backed himself into a corner. A fine, thoughtful, lyrical and melodic craftsperson, Robinson, on his new album, The Sound of the Word, is nonetheless asking something almost unimaginable in the world today. He wants us to slow down and … listen.
A 'Remarkable Batch of Superior Crime Stories' From Don Winslow
Forget concepts of time as laid out by Hawking, Einstein or Lemaître. Those are so… vague.
Album Review: Ben Patton, ‘Dinner’
(Self-released, digital) Ben Patton has established himself as a sort of musical molecular geneticist — working with a guitar instead of a microscope. A superb and prolific composer with roots in British Invasion and power pop, the Burlington songwriter is also an ever-curious and learned devotee of all sorts of styles, including jazz manouche, children’s songs, medicine show revivalism and playful folk.
Album Review: Leddy Moss, ‘Growing Pains’
Leddy Moss, ‘Growing Pains’ (Self-released, digital) Of history’s great confluences, highlights include the Yalta Conference, the meeting between Socrates and Plato that birthed Western philosophy, and a hyper-driven brainiac mission called the Manhattan Project. But don’t overlook a timely and fortuitously happy collision between Buddy Holly, a Fender Stratocaster and a girl named Peggy Sue.
Album Review: Tom Gershwin, ‘Wellspring’
(Self-released, CD, digital, vinyl) Despite jazz trumpet’s evolving innovations within the gleeful, flurry-fingered mathematics of Dixieland, bebop and fusion, many of its practitioners possess a tenderness that occasionally surfaces and, in mellow fashion, proves just as virtuosic. Think Miles Davis and Kind of Blue and Sketches of Spain. Chet Baker, of course.
Album Review, ‘To the Moon,’ Lizzy Mandell and Colin McCaffrey
(Self-released, digital) In the atlas of musical genres, the cartography of roots/Americana is fairly relaxed and casually expansive.
Rick Koster, Author at Seven Days
The central Vermont Americana duo’s new album is a lovingly nuanced effort that shows there is plenty of frontier left for them to explore.
A tribute to Louis Armstrong's Hot Five at the United
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The Lumineers will play Mohegan Sun
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A bloomin' great Rose Arts
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Every Rose has its arts fest
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Still catchin' those waves: The Beach Boys come to Foxwoods
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Forever and ever, Buddy-style
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The case of the missing Thad Jones/Harry James songs
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Shawn + Rodney = greatness
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Rick Koster: The joy of holiday food catalogs
Generate Key Takeaways Dec. 9—Once, long ago at holiday time, I ordered a turkey from an excellent smokehouse in east Texas. Another Christmas, I sent for some baby back ribs from a famous barbecue joint in Kansas City. By now, those two incidents have generated, through the fun of the magical "Who wants to sell their customer mailing list?" algorithm, an every-fall-into-winter onslaught of catalogs from folks who want me to order their designer foods for seasonal parties and meals.
The joy of holiday food catalogs
Once, long ago at holiday time, I ordered a turkey from an excellent smokehouse in east Texas. Another Christmas, I sent for some baby back ribs from a famous barbecue joint in Kansas City. By now, those two incidents have generated, through the fun of the magical “Who wants to sell their customer mailing list?” algorithm, an every-fall-into-winter onslaught of catalogs from folks who want me to order their designer foods for seasonal parties and meals.
Seinfeld: the wealthiest Everyman comic out there
Jerry Seinfeld became (probably) the most successful standup comic in history by his observations on the mundane idiocies of everyday life. That those reflections found a huge subsequent audience on the long-running sitcom “Seinfeld” obviously helped the cause — and also enabled his brand of “observational” comedy to expand and approach the border of surrealism. Or it would be surrealism if it wasn’t, well … REAL.
A fine shade of Indigo
Did you know the great mystery writer John D. McDonald authored a series of 20 uniformly excellent novels featuring a character named Travis McGee? And each book had a color in the title. “Pale Gray for Guilt.” “The Empty Copper Sea.” That sort of thing.
A true son of Zep
We’ve all seen Jason Bonham sit in with the surviving members of his late father John’s band, which was called Led Zeppelin, and the Young(er) Fellow more than clicked with Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Robert Plant. And since the Zeppers have no interest in reforming, then Jason will just have to carry on the legacy himself. In fact, he DOES — and in more than exhilarating fashion.
Charlie’s Place: (almost) the same as it ever was
There’s an argument to be made that those who are at once intellectually curious and devotedly epicurean could happily exist for a LONG time by simply ping-ponging back and forth between Charlie’s Place and the main Book Barn location. The two establishments are conveniently located kitty-corner from one another in Niantic, after all. Book, food. Food, book. Just don’t get hit by the lunatic speeding down Main Street/156 as you try to cross for more books/more food.
Make a Difference: Alliance for Living
Nov. 26—WHO — Mark, 40, and Victoria, 27. Agency: Alliance for Living, a nonprofit organization in New London that serves eastern Connecticut residents who are living with HIV, substance-use disorder or homelessness. Client situation: Mark is new to the area, homeless and on a wait listing for housing assistance. Victoria comes to Alliance for Living daily to access mental health, medical and wound care and referrals for other assistance.
Make a Difference: New London Homeless Hospitality Center
Nov. 25—WHO — Adult neighbors who find themselves experiencing homelessness during this holiday season. Agency: New London Homeless Hospitality Center, serving southeast Connecticut. Family Situation: Up to 40 nightly guests in New London County for whom the holidays are filled with discomfort and longing for a place to call home and have no place to go. Even the smallest gesture can make an incredible difference. A warm meal, a soft blanket, or a kind word can remind someone they are not forgotten.
Make a Difference: New London Homeless Hospitality Center
Who: Adult neighbors who find themselves experiencing homelessness during this holiday season Agency: New London Homeless Hospitality Center, serving southeast Connecticut. Family Situation: Up to 40 nightly guests in New London County for whom the holidays are filled with discomfort and longing for a place to call home and have no place to go. Even the smallest gesture can make an incredible difference. A warm meal, a soft blanket, or a kind word can remind someone they are not forgotten.
Make a Difference: Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center
Nov. 24—WHO — Janet, 34 years old Agency: Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. A nonprofit agency with a food pantry and senior center. Family situation: Janet is a wife and mother. Janet and her husband have four children. Janet was recently informed her cancer has returned. She has found herself unable to work due to her diagnosis and preceding treatments. This has left her husband as the sole provider. The emotional and financial toll weighs on the family as they work through this.
Make a Difference: Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center
Who: Janet, 34 years old Agency: Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. A nonprofit agency with a food pantry and senior center. Family situation: Janet is a wife and mother. Janet and her husband have four children. Janet was recently informed her cancer has returned. She has found herself unable to work due to her diagnosis and preceding treatments. This has left her husband as the sole provider. The emotional and financial toll weighs on the family as they work through this.
Rick Koster: Turkey Day in a high speed world
Nov. 22—Do you suppose anyone in America today actually utilizes the entire family to create a start-from-scratch Thanksgiving Feast Experience? I mean, the WHOLE DEAL? You awaken at dawn and gather the kiddos to help to execute the family turkey! "Little Caden, flip the turkey upside-down and shackle his feet into the conveyor belt. No, Caden, don't weep. This bird is NOT Dougie, the turkey you've raised since he was hatched.
Turkey Day in a high speed world
Do you suppose anyone in America today actually utilizes the entire family to create a start-from-scratch Thanksgiving Feast Experience? I mean, the WHOLE DEAL? You awaken at dawn and gather the kiddos to help to execute the family turkey! “Little Caden, flip the turkey upside-down and shackle his feet into the conveyor belt. No, Caden, don’t weep. This bird is NOT Dougie, the turkey you’ve raised since he was hatched.
A dramatically different poetic work: Margaret Gibson spreads her stylistic wings in new book
Folks who’ve met Margaret Gibson know she’s a wise, compassionate, thoughtful and gentle person. Those only familiar with her through her poetry also recognize these same traits through Gibson’s balletic, emotionally honeycombed and frankly gorgeous way with words and observations. A Preston resident, Gibson served as Connecticut Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2022. She’s also a professor emerita at the University of Connecticut and renowned climate activist.
ECSO performs Saturday at the Garde
The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra takes the Garde Arts Center stage Saturday in New London for the second concert of their 2024-25 season. This will be an epic presentation. In honor of World Children’s Day, which takes place three days before the concert, ECSO music director Toshiyuki Mishada will conduct Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony No. 3 — The Children’s Symphony.
Celebrating ‘The Last Waltz’ at the Garde
Here’s a bit of not-too-difficult trivia for you: Which of the original members of The Band is not dead? (Answer at the bottom of the bet.) If you said organist Garth Hudson, you’re right! I know: I said the answer would be at the bottom — but YOU were so excited by your knowledge of Band minutiae that you jumped the gun and shouted it out prematurely. It’s OK to be excited. The Band was one of the great, great acts of rock history.
Lucinda Williams in concert at the Garde
Even as someone truly and emotionally moved by music, a song or album can sometimes sneak up on me and club me in the head and heart. One of the tunes that can reliably mess me up — in a mostly good way — is “Crescent City” by Lucinda Williams. From her self-titled debut in 1988, “Crescent City” is about a young Gulf Coast woman who figures out early on, as so many have, that it’s time to leave home because New Orleans is a great destination if you want magic and liberation.
Show your support for Kevin James
I’m one of those fools who owns probably 30-plus rock band T-shirts or hoodies — and those are just the ones that still fit and aren’t in a box in the attic. And it occurs to me that, as far as I can remember, not once have I ever seen someone wearing a shirt purchased to display one’s affection for a stand-up comic. And yet … if you go onto the official websites for many comedians, they have a merch link where you can in fact buy T-shirts supporting your favorite laugh-provider.
Updated: And we’re off! Today is Election Day Original
Virginia Clarke, 6, looks on as her mother Kristin Clarke fills out her ballot as they vote with family members at the Stonington Fire House Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints Douglas Jastremski laughs with poll workers as he checks in to vote at the Stonington Fire House Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
Review: Monti’s brings grinder sorcery to New London
Half a meatball grinder from Monti’s Market (Rick Koster/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints Window front table inside Monti’s Market (Rick Koster/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints I’ve always admired folks that focus on one specific thing and work at it until they can do it really well. That description doesn’t apply to 71-year-old Steve Montineri, who over the course of his life as a native New Londoner has focused on SEVERAL things and done them well.
Luminously Local: A new art facility takes root in a familiar Bank Street spot
Rod Cornish, owner, and Susan MacKay, curator and gallery manager, in The Local art gallery in New London. (Dana Jensen/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints Susan MacKay works on a painting while Rod Cornish in The Local art gallery. (Dana Jensen/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints Yes, it’s possible that a visitor to The Local, the new art gallery on Bank Street in New London, might expect the tantalizing scent of hot wings sauce or possibly an Old Bay dry rub.
Rick Koster: I'm sad. Let's eat!
Oct. 25—For some reason, when I was growing up, we subscribed to a magazine called Southern Living. As a kid, I might leaf through a copy if there was NOTHING else to do, and that would include dropping by the dentist unannounced to see if he could try out innovative new drill bits on the roof of my mouth.
I’m sad. Let’s eat!
For some reason, when I was growing up, we subscribed to a magazine called Southern Living. As a kid, I might leaf through a copy if there was NOTHING else to do, and that would include dropping by the dentist unannounced to see if he could try out innovative new drill bits on the roof of my mouth.
Searching for sounds ‘Beyond the Great Divide’
Matt Gouette in his Groton home studio (Dana Jensen/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints In his charming, self-deprecating way, songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Matt Gouette regards growing up as an impediment to the creative process. He’s not sure if that’s good or bad; it just IS. During an incredibly prolific period in his 20s, Gouette, now 43, was a mainstay in the peak-of-its-powers New London music scene.
‘Front Page News’ - 100 years’ worth
John Ruddy, copy desk chief at The Day, works on the layout of a page in the New London newsroom Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints John Ruddy, copy desk chief at The Day, works on the layout of a page in the New London newsroom Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.
Rick Koster: More fun with cooking
Oct. 11—It's disturbing how incredibly competitive and cutthroat our entertainments have become. Everything is a game or a puzzle to be pursued with vigor. We blow through our retirement savings hoping the Browns will cover Sunday. People are going into narcotic-style withdrawal if they can't play Minecraft 12 hours a day. Christian Bale turned down a chance to portray Shylock on Broadway so he could appear on "Beat Bobby Flay." Hell, my own wife Eileen plays some of that Wordle thing.
More fun with cooking
It’s disturbing how incredibly competitive and cutthroat our entertainments have become. Everything is a game or a puzzle to be pursued with vigor. We blow through our retirement savings hoping the Browns will cover Sunday. People are going into narcotic-style withdrawal if they can’t play Minecraft 12 hours a day. Christian Bale turned down a chance to portray Shylock on Broadway so he could appear on “Beat Bobby Flay.” Hell, my own wife Eileen plays some of that Wordle thing.
Agreement signed for sale of Bank Square Books
Oct. 9—The new owners of Bank Square Books will be manager Douglas Riggs and bookkeeper Robert Lee, both longtime employees of the store, which moved last month to Stonington Road in Mystic from its original location downtown. Previous owner Annie Philbrick, who bought Bank Square Books in 2006 and recently moved to Washington state, announced in an email release that a sales agreement has been signed.
Agreement signed for sale of Bank Square Books
The new owners of Bank Square Books will be manager Douglas Riggs and bookkeeper Robert Lee, both longtime employees of the store, which was relocated last month to Stonington Road in Mystic from its original location downtown. Previous owner Annie Philbrick, who bought Bank Square Books in 2006 and recently moved to Washington State, announced in an email release that a sales agreement has been signed.
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