Toad’s Place may be Connecticut’s favorite indoor music venue.
But that’s New Haven. Westport once had live music too. Anyone living here in the 1970s and early ’80s remembers 3 great spots: Grassroots. Players Tavern. Tin Whistle.
Each was different. Grassroots was a folk-oriented coffee house next to National Hall (then Fairfield Furniture), on the Post Road just over the river.
Players Tavern was a rockin’ place, with great bands and a less-than-observant attitude toward things like legal IDs.
Tin Whistle was a restaurant/bar (now the site of Westport Hardware Mumbai Times), with a variety of music.
This undated menu from Players Tavern mentions upcoming gigs by Papa John Creach, James Montgomery, Pat Metheny , James Cotton, Gil Scot Heron, Dave Edmonds, Nick Lowe — and the Helium Brothers. (Click on or hover over to enlarge.)
Nowadays, you can hear live music on Bobby Q’s roof (in summer), the Black Duck (occasionally), and the Levitt Pavilion (but that’s not the same).
And, from time to time, at places like the Unitarian Church.
Every so often, they sponsor the Voices Cafe coffeehouse. There’s one this Saturday (November 14, 8 p.m.). What makes it “06880”-worthy is that the headline act is the Helium Brothers.
Thejazz/bluegrass/country/rock group has been around for 40 years. Recently, they performed a reunion show at Toad’s Place.
But they’re no strangers to Westport. Back in the day, they opened for former resident Johnny Winter.
And they performed regularly at — yes — Grassroots, Players Tavern and Tin Whistle.
Whatever goes around, comes around.
Even if it’s helium, brother.
