Bowerman brings laid-back solo act for charity to Cup & Cork

Lindsay Bowerman has been playing music in the Cape area for more than 35 years. He does it quietly, proficiently and with a sense of passion for music -- both his own, and the songs he plays by other artists. He is truly a child of the '60s.

"Your influences stay with you all your life.", says Bowerman, and his performance Nov. 12 at the Cup & Cork, a coffee/wine bistro recently opened in downtown, reflected that.

In true '60s fashion, he was not playing to line his own wallet, but for his friends Reggie and Dee Ann Vargas, who recently lost their home in a fire. A metal bucket sat atop a glass case holding a Sheryl Crow autographed guitar with a sign soliciting donations. In addition, he donated his playing fee to the effort. The Vargases were there, along with their two children, Joshua and Abby, and even got up with Bowerman to play during the set, as they also play with him in his band Junipur Wind.

The set, which included original songs from the Junipur Wind CD, "Sojourners And Strangers," as well as covers by Ryan Adams, The Jayhawks, and Uncle Tupelo, came off very well, and it was hard to differentiate between which songs were covers and which were originals. Bowerman explained that it was because of his playing style.

"My playing style has been called quirky, but I think that comes from playing the bass guitar for years. There's a certain style of syncopation you get from playing bass, and that has translated into my guitar playing."

That, combined with vocals that evoke, at least to this writer, an early Marty Balin of Jefferson Airplane, bring a warmth and a definite laid-back feel that in a venue such as this provided a great vibe.

Ironically, the guitar Lindsay was playing for most of the set, a Martin DM, was actually in, and survived, the fire.

"It smells like smoke, but the electronics still work, and it still sounds great," Bowerman said.

The Cup & Cork itself also added to the atmosphere. With more than 10 varieties of coffee, 100 different wines, both domestic and import, good food and great desserts (try the chocolate cobbler), they bring a different kind of clientele to downtown. People who aren't into the bar scene, who just want to relax and enjoy a quieter kind of entertainment and camaraderie, may want to check it out.

Bowerman said that he is also trying to organize another benefit for the Vargases with his other band, the Roving Gigolos. The time and place for this are yet to be determined.