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Potato
Battery - Scotty's Jazz & Cigars
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Saturday
night marked the release party for Potato
Battery's self-titled debut CD. The collection of 10 charts
was recorded at drummer Matt Ferguson's Elk Creek Studio.
The popular jazz-fusion quartet played to a packed house at
Scotty's during the first set, with the majority of the crowd
sticking around for the second. While one aim of the show
was to showcase tunes from the CD, the group also debuted
several new works. One of these new charts, Fatty Acids, kicked
off the first set. More familiar pieces included the funky
Crinkle Cut and the wa-wa inspired Old School.
Having attended several Potato Battery gigs over the past
two years, I'd have to say that the guys did better than ever
last night at featuring each individual player. Perhaps the
strongest attribute of this band is the ability to blend four
distinct styles together into a cohesive whole, while still
maintaining the individuality of each musician. For example,
Mike Ohm's legato lines contrasted with Sheldon Peterson's
more compact phrasing makes clear why two guitarists are indeed
better than one. Dave Blaetz got to shine with a great walking
bass line on Spy Music, and Matt Ferguson shifted effortlessly
between old school progressive rock and modern jazz fusion.
While each of the members is involved in additional projects,
they really seem to be comfortable in each other's space in
Potato Battery, creating all of their music as a sum total
equaling greater than its parts. For those who didn't get
a chance to pick up the new CD at this performance, it is
available through Catwalk Music and Lynch Music. - photo
by Gary Tomporowski
, review by Karen
& Jeff Williams
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Basil
Ronzitti & Friends
Saturday, February 7th
Papermoon
Saturday
nights at Papermoon belong to Basil Ronzitti, and this Saturday
was no exception. As part of the Erie Winter Blues Festival,
Basil rounded up most of the usual suspects, along with a
few special guests, to offer a tribute to the late local blues
singer Bobby Grant. Joining Basil for the first set were Tony
Stefanelli (bass), Frank Singer (guitar), and Joe Dorris (drums
& vocals). Basil's brother Nick sat in on drums for the
second set, allowing Joe to take center stage to better feature
his vocals, perhaps best described as a combination of Armstrong
& Waits. The group normally plays a balance of jazz &
blues, but this set was more geared towards blues in honor
of Grant. Listeners were treated to standards such as "Blue
Monk", "All Blue", & "Killer Joe".
Frank & Basil experimented a bit with some synth sounds,
creating the illusion of the added textures of brass, saxophone,
harmonica & organ.
Regarding Bobby Grant, Basil had this to say, "Bobby
was an intuitive, sensitive blues singer. He never had to
have anyone teach him anything, he just had 'the feel.' It
came from inside of him." Basil especially praised the
always positive attitude that Grant had in dealing with his
terminal illness, quipping that he was "probably listening
someplace in the crowd right now."
While this particular show was arranged as a tribute to Grant,
Basil can be found settling in to play at the Papermoon each
Saturday around 8:30 PM, with his group joining him around
9:30. The restaurant, priding itself on offering "an
illuminating experience in the arts and international cuisine,"
will be celebrating its third anniversary on March 23. The
bar side offers various types of local music each night, almost
always free of charge. The atmosphere is warm & welcoming,
the food is outstanding, and the service is always excellent.
Owners Don & Ginny can usually be found either working
or making sure patrons are comfortable. Look for updated information
on the Papermoon website in the near future.
Also watch for Basil & Friends around town as they perform
in various combinations. Basil often joins Frank, Joe, Tony,
and Phil Papotnik as Cat's
A Bear. Frank Singer has two new CDs out, available from
his website at www.franksinger.com.
You can also catch Frank and Tony on Monday, Feb. 16, for
a free gig with J.D.
& The Sons of Rhythm at Forward Hall.
- photo & review by Karen
C. Williams
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An
Evening With Hank Williams
Saturday, January 31th
Roadhouse Theater
"An
Evening With Hank Williams" featuring Brian Hunt
as Hank Sr. plays on Friday & Saturday at 8:00 P.M.
through March 6. Another Roadhouse Theatre production
dealing with country music icons. The first. "Always
Patsy Cline" with Amanda "Daggett" Post
was a local phenomenom. The Patsy Cline show was a drama/musical.
This production is different in that it portrays Hank
Sr. on the last night he was alive, doing a gig in Alabama.
Brian
Hunt is accompanied by Don "Medicine Man" Dombroski
on pedal steel, John Dauber on upright bass, Carl Hultman
on guitar and Stan Barton on fiddle. The sound created
by this ensemble is close to picture perfect. No fancy
effects - just raw talent. Exactly how it would have
sounded in 1952.
Hank
Sr. was the first songwriter 'allowed' to record his
own songs. Way back when there were 3 divisions in the
music industry that were considered "separate but
equal" . 1) Performers, 2) Songwriters, 3) Record
companies & publishers.
Hank
ultimitely died from substance abuse at 29 years old.
Sound familiar? Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin
. . . In fairness to Hank, a large part of the drug intake
was due to back surgery that never gave him any peace.
"An
Evening With Hank Williams" is a Must See! Not just for
lovers of country music but for everybody. After you experience
this show you will realize that Hank started it all. The 1st
Rock Star. Without Hank there would be no Elvis. Without Elvis
there would be no Beatles. And without the Beatles......well,
we might all be singing doo-wop tunes until oblivion. -
photo & review by Rick
DiBello
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Freudian
Slip - Fireside Lounge
Saturday, January 31st
Together
now for 5 years, Freudian Slip just keeps rocking with
the perfect recipe: great vocals, set lists, sound
and some of the best musician's ever to set foot on a
stage.
With Anna holding down most of the lead vocal and keys, and her better
half Chuck on bass, they have been able to keep their band going strong for
a while now. A true accomplishment for a cover band, but when you
have all the right ingredients it can't help but keep growing. Rounding
out the band are the newest members for almost one year now, the
mighty Steve McConell on drums and the great Keith Veshecco on guitar & vocals
who reminds me of a fine wine... he keep's getting better with age.
How can it get any better? ...easy, they have Buster as their
sound guy, one of the best!!!! It doesn't get any better than this, like
I said the perfect recipe!! - photo & review
by Gary Tomporowski
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Bo-Roth
- The Doghouse
Friday, January 30th
Bo-Roth
who hails from Titusville, played their first gig ever
at the Doghouse last night. I was surprised they even
made it in this weather, but they said no matter what
they'll never miss a gig.
New to the Erie scene they have only played the SST one time in the past,
but they have a huge following around their home town and I can see why!
Playing mostly covers, which is a good thing in the Dogpound - that's
what seems to go over best, and which helped them land more gig's
in the upcoming future by the end of the night!
The band has been a long time favorite around their home town for many
years, says Cindy Stockwell, the band's drummer. She
went on to say, with 30 years under her belt it's hard to hang up the
sticks. At one time she did for about 6 years, only to come out of retirement
to form a new version of the band a few years ago. This time around
she got some young blood to help her out, with Mike ''The Man" on
bass/vocals and drums for a few songs, while Rob the band's lead singer,
a very powerful voice with great stage experience, doubled on bass
and guitar for a few songs, the cool Bob Philips holding down rhythm
guitar, and last but not least, Cindy's 15 year old son Danny aka "Little
Eddie" as his nickname applies on lead guitar and vocals.
The band ripped through some great classic covers from Free to the Doors,
Alice in Chains, ZZ Top and of course Van Halen, where Danny just
exploded... I have never and I'll repeat NEVER, seen a kid this talented!!!! An
out-right born prodigy, his mom said he started out playing keyboards
at age 4, then switched to the drums at 6, only to find his true calling
with the guitar at age 8. He played his first gig at 10 which brought
down the house... "it's in the blood" says Cindy, "he's
been around music and great players since an early age, which has amazed
everybody to see how quickly he is able to learn. He's never even taken
a lesson but actually gives them."
He was the reason why mom came out of retirement, to reform the band
so Danny would have the chance to get the much needed experience in performing
live, and perform he did. Being in this business for 30 years myself it's
easy to spot a born natural, he was so fluid and moved with so much emotion
you could tell instantly he was born to play guitar. I would have to
rank him up there with some of the best in the business. He was one of
the most down to earth kid's I've every met in my life and sooo polite,
with this much talent and his great attitude he will go far, needless
to say I stayed the whole night... you couldn't drag me out of there!!!!!
If you want to be TOTALLY blown away, don't miss the next gig from
Danny and Bo-Roth!!!!!!!!!!!!! - photo & review
by Gary Tomporowski
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