Concert Review—Jerry Holsopple

(Photo: Matt Styer)

The hurdy gurdy man has had his EMU debut. Jerry Holsopple, EMU communications professor, gave his traditional yearly concert in Common Grounds last Thursday night. Playing guitar, bouzouki, and the much-anticipated hurdy gurdy (French for wheeled fiddle), Holsopple shared a number of his classic tunes as well as a few new ones. As in the past, his music style was completely within the folk genre. If one expected this, the concert was enjoyable, funny, and full of the usual standup comedy from Holsopple. The highlight of the night was the debut of Holsopple’s hurdy gurdy, a renaissance instrument that can only be explained fully by hearing it (youtube.com/watch?v=oZKQf-JIvRU).

Though it was obvious that Holsopple had only been playing the difficult instrument for a few months, it was quite entertaining. It was also refreshing to hear some of Holsopple’s older songs from last year’s “Songs of Love and Murder” concert. The songs include great storytelling, which is what the folk tradition is truly best at doing. Although Holsopple’s yearly concerts are not the most musically adept events to grace Common Grounds’ small stage, they are always a unique treat. Clearly a renaissance man, this documentarian, photographer, professor, musician, and man of faith is a great asset to the arts at EMU.