Chuck Silverstein Returns to My Father’s Place for Live Album Session
The Roslyn musician performed with His Fertile Imagination on Oct. 15, sharing the bill with Kevin McGorry & The Achievements and recording a future release.
By Andrew Yang ·
The air in Roslyn remained charged with history as Chuck Silverstein took the stage at My Father’s Place on Oct. 15.
The local musician performed with his band, Chuck Silverstein & His Fertile Imagination, before a packed house. The four-piece group shared the evening with Kevin McGorry & The Achievements. Silverstein told the audience that the performance was being recorded for a future live album release. He urged attendees to behave as the cameras rolled.
The band described their style as a blend of storytelling, rapid-fire lyrics, and rhythm. They cited influences ranging from 1930s talking blues and Woody Guthrie to Lou Reed and Bob Dylan. The set began with the track “Paprika,” which drew comparisons to the food odes of poet Pablo Neruda. The audience reacted to the sharp lyrical humor, turning the concert into an interactive session.
Katherine Congdon joined the original trio of Silverstein, bassist Dave Ice, and drummer Mike Ringle to expand the group's sound. She took a solo vocal line during “Dystopia in Real Time,” weaving her voice over Ice's bass verses. The track highlighted the new dynamic added by Congdon's presence. The group then shifted into “Jive,” a song with a nostalgic groove reminiscent of Roger Miller’s “King of the Road.” Ice's stand-up bass provided a warm foundation that matched Ringle's percussion.
Silverstein paused to tell a story about his late Uncle Stuey before playing “11th Commandment.” He recounted how the uncle advised young relatives that the only rule that truly mattered was to not get caught. The song featured a verse where Silverstein pleaded with St. Peter to let him in. Congdon then performed “Stare,” a melody-driven piece that focused on life's absurdities. Ice provided backing vocals that balanced her lead. The group moved into “Capricorn,” which showcased Ice's bass lines and Ringle's drumming.
Special guests joined the band from the floor. Mitch Levitin played guitar on “None of the Above” and later returned for a cover of “Ace in the Hole.” The 1909 song by James Dempsey and George Mitchell had been performed by artists including Chick Bullock and Bobby Darin. Silverstein arranged the piece with a modern theatrical flair. Roslyn native Peter Berley joined the group for “Everybody’s Talkin’.” His guitar work added a breezy texture to the room.
Silverstein introduced “Rules Don’t Apply to Me” with a humorous anecdote about a dream in which he auditioned against multiple lookalikes. The set concluded with Levitin and Berley returning to the stage for “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.” The ensemble performed the Bob Dylan classic as a finale. The band announced that their next performance is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Riptides in Lindenhurst.
