Club Passim is located underground at 47 Palmer St.

If you’re taking “Sound, Noise, and Music” as your Expos class you have learned a little bit about Club Passim and the important role it has played in the history of American music.  If not, you may not be aware that one of folk’s most legendary venues is less than 200 yards from the Yard.  The club, opened in 1958, was first known as Club 47 and was located at 47 Mt. Auburn St. (currently Daedalus Restaurant).  It moved to its current location at 47 Palmer St. in 1963 and eventually changed its name to Club Passim.

In the 1960s, the venue was a starting point for many folk stars including Joan Baez who began playing the club as an unknown seventeen year-old singer.  She also convinced relatively unknown Bob Dylan to play shows at the club.  Dylan played songs between others’ sets, but never had his own headlining show.  Others who played at Club Passim, many of whom had their starts at club, include Muddy Waters, Tom Rush, Jackie Washington, Peter Wolf, Taj Mahal, Patty Larkin, Geoff & Maria Muldaur, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega, Nanci Griffith, and Judy Collins (though not Bruce Springsteen who was refused the opportunity to play at Club Passim).

Though the club rarely attracts artists of that level today, it still offers an opportunity to see some of folk’s greatest acts in an intimate environment.  When we say intimate, we mean intimate.  The club is a mere 30 feet by 40 feet and seats only 125 concertgoers.  Good luck finagling yourself into your chair.  You’ll be getting to know your neighbors very well, especially if you choose dining seating. Read the rest of this entry »

This place is legit. Granted, the bouncer is terrifying (at least when we’ve gone), and he makes sure you know that if you do anything the least bit suspicious you and every member of your family are in grave danger. It’s a great set-up though. First, you walk through the lounge if you want to chill out where it’s quieter before the band you’re really there to see starts their set. Then you go down some fluorescent hallways, buy a shirt (or maybe that’s just us), and then you enter the concert area itself. What we love about this place is that it’s general admission so if you bought tickets at a different time than your friends you’re not stuck sitting next to some random 40 year old trying to reclaim their youth and trying to dance with you. That is problematic. Also disturbing.

That marquee reads a bit like a slave auction.

So, you can basically push your way up and sit (We mean we were literally sitting) on the edge of the stage. The performances are really intimate, and the artists are aware of this–often cracking jokes that pertain to the occasional obnoxious concert-goer who yells the SAME THING EVERY 30 SECONDS. We’re looking at you annoying BU guy. We’re looking right at you. If you don’t want to stand for too long or want to take a break there are plenty of lounge corners and even an upstairs with couches and a view of the stage. Overall, it’s a great place, and they’re able to draw in a lot of really great acts. If you’re 21+ it looks like their bar is pretty well stocked. But, don’t try to pull anything under 21-ers. That bouncer…seriously, he’s scary.

4.5 ROCK STARZ out of 5 ROCK STARZ.

http://www.thedise.com/