Craig Erickson - Sky Train Galaxy

2015 –Grooveyard Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 28, 2015

Sky Train Galaxy, the latest offering from the intergalactic guitar virtuoso Craig Erickson, is a tasty psychedelic brew of rock and blues.

Erickson hits the ground running with “The Comeback”, a driving blues-infused southern-style rocker about pushing setbacks aside and moving forward in life.  With John Hall’s monstrous bassline and Tim King’s thunderous drumming holding down the fort, Erickson breaks out a full-on assault on guitar, laying down exquisite riffs and killer licks.  This is how you open an album.

I like the vocal harmony between Erickson and Alicia Strong on “Mercy”, a funky rocking track with a big sound and a catchy melody.  This is one I often want to turn the volume up on, because it’s so full of energy.  Then there is “Morning Glory”, a wonderfully beautiful instrumental. I can’t help but think of the ascended blues guitar master Stevie Ray Vaughan when this one plays.       

   

There’s only one cover song on the album, and it’s Deep Purple’s “Getting’ Tighter/Ode to T”.  Erickson does not disappoint at all.  This one is fantastic and brings me pure joy to hear.  I could listen to this track all day.  Troy Harper does a phenomenal job handling the drums on this one.       

A catchy hook and southern-style slide set the mood for standout track, “Mojo in Memphis”.  Erickson sings about one of my favorite places on the planet, and makes me homesick in the process.  The dual guitar sounds so good and draws my full attention.  For the last track, Erickson throws in an acoustic version of this song.  Swampy and soulfully gooey as molasses, this makes me think immediately of the late, great bluesman R.L. Burnside.  It’s quite wonderful.   

What I like about Erickson, is how he constantly seems to stretch the boundaries of where his music goes.  I like the unpredictability in his songs. Sky Train Galaxy is yet another testament to that fascinating quality.  This album comes highly recommended.

For more info on Craig Erickson, visit his website :

 http://craig-erickson.com/

John Mayall - Find a Way to Care

2015 –Forty Below Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 22, 2015

It makes me happy to see John Mayall return to the studio and record another sensational blues album.  Find a Way to Care is masterfully written and exquisitely performed.  Returning to the studio with Mayall is guitarist Rocky Athas, bassist Greg Rzab, and drummer Jay Davenport, who were all present on his previous studio album A Special Life.  

Mayall breathes a new funky and soulful life into Percy Mayfield’s “The River’s Invitation”.  With Mayall manning the keyboard, and a terrific horn section at his side, this song takes on a sort of “Bar-Kays Soul Finger” vibe.  I dig this one a lot.  Riding this same wave of feel-good music, is the vibrant Lightning Hopkins cover, “I Feel So Bad”, which makes me feel so good when I give it a listen. 

There’s no shortage of traditional blues here either.  Mayall serves up nothing but the best of it as he splendidly tackles Junior Parker’s “Mother in Law Blues”,  Muddy Water’s “Long Distance Call”, and Charles Brown’s “Drifting Blues”.   

I’m quickly drawn in to the music on “War We Wage” a heady guitar blues track by acclaimed UK guitarist Matt Schofield.  It’s hard to beat the combination of Mayall’s keys alongside Athas on guitar.  They just sound so good together.  Mayall brings the album to a close, busting out some fabulous barrel house piano blues on “Crazy Lady”.

Mayall is known as the “Godfather of British Blues” for a good reason and his legacy continues with Find a Way to Care.      

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

For more info on John Mayall, visit his website http://www.johnmayall.com/

Rocky Athas The Essential Rocky Athas Volume 1

2015 – Cherryburst Records

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 15, 2015

My first exposure to the lush and bluesy sounds of Rocky Athas came about because of my deep appreciation for the band, Black Oak Arkansas, who Athas played with for a short while.  His work with the legendary John Mayall drew me in even further.  Regardless of whom he is playing with, it is always a joy to hear him play.  The Essential Rocky Athas Volume 1 focuses on Athas’ solo works, which he describes as “a labor of love years in the making”.  For the guitar aficionados, Athas notes fifteen different guitars used on the ten tracks in this fabulous collection.   It makes me happy to know he plans to release two more volumes later this year.  

Athas delivers energized Texas blues at its finest in “Long Time Gone” and “Think About It”.  The later features special guest John Mayall.  Captivating grooves seasoned with delicious guitar licks bring these tracks to the forefront.   The soulfully performed “Last of the Blues” is about as perfect a blues song as one can get, with its poignant lyrics and beautiful melody.    It’s so fun to hear him let it all hang out on “Tearin’ Me Up”, another terrific track. 

The album closes out with an exquisite cover of Cream’s “White Room”, bringing the John Mayall connection full circle, as Athas pays homage to the earliest of Mayall’s collaborators, Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce.  This track is truly the pièce de résistance. 

I can’t wait to hear volumes 2 and 3.

For more info on Rocky Athas, visit his website http://www.rockyathas.com/

Slackjaw - It’s Always Something

2015 –Slackjaw

By Phillip Smith; Aug. 1, 2015

It’s Always Something, the second album from New Jersey blues rockers Slackjaw, rapidly grabbed my attention with its tight musicianship and devil-may-care lyrics.  This trio consists of singer/guitarist John Thompson, drummer/harmonicist Randy Marinelli, and bassist/backing vocalist Carl Capodice.   

Album opener “Carried By Six” is smothered in Texas blues and sounds great.  Not only is Thompson one hell of a guitar slinger, but Capodice and Marinelli hold the fort down quite nicely to boot.  When it comes to relationships, if it’s not one thing, it’s another.  That’s the message in the rocking title track, “It’s Always Something”.  Thompson seriously tears it up, and throws down the gauntlet when it comes to blasting out intense guitar licks. A funky bluesy rhythm with a Spin Doctors flair gives the light-hearted love song, “New Addiction” a feel-good groovy sound.  This one surely puts me in my happy place. Tempo shifts, and more outstanding hard-driving riffs, make the melodic “Whiskey Lane” one of my favorites.    

Slackjaw closes out with the carousing song, “Bottle of Whiskey”.  This partying track is the perfect closer, and gets stuck inside my head quite often now.  All in all, It’s Always Something is a rambunctiously good listen.

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Robin Barrett & Coyote Kings - Howl / JPBlues - Live at Darwins

Coyote Kings   

Howl

2015 –Robin Barrett

By Phillip Smith; July 18, 2015

I always look forward to hearing from Robin Barrett and the Coyote Kings from Walla Walla, Washington.  Howl, the fourth installment from this Pacific Northwest band, contains a cache of smokin’ electrified blues.  Kicking off with title track, “Howl”. Barrett throws down the gauntlet, blasting crafty riffs of swampy goodness.  This one digs in deep, and I like it.  “Waiting to be Free”, is on top of my list of favorites as well. This one slows it down a notch, and Barrett’s guitar wails so beautifully.  Another track that puts a smile on my face is the Chuck Berry influenced “Jackhammer Slow Jammer”. It really gets the blood pumping. The most interesting and coolest track though, is “Party”, wherein Barrett blends funk with swamp blues. At times it reminds me of ZZ Top. Other tracks that surely deserve a mention are the eerie “Dark Dark Night”, and “Crazy in the Head”, a track that takes me back to the Eighties, listening to Timbuk 3’s “Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”. 

JP Blues   

Live at Darwin’s

2015 –Midnight Circus Records

By Phillip Smith; July 18, 2015

One listen to his latest album, Live at Darwin’s is all it takes to understand why John “JP Blues” Pagano is rapidly rising up in the ranks of blues guitarists.  This sizzling guitar virtuoso is joined by bassist Tony Hossri and drummer Shiloh Bloodworth to make one killer blues trio.  I love the gritty and swampy “Old Man Joe”.  This quick paced track reminds me so much of my favorite Southern Rock band, Black Oak Arkansas, down to the Jim Dandy-styled vocals. I had to stop and think a while the first time I heard JP’s rendition of Jay Z’s “99 Problems”.  It was so interesting and quite the unexpected treat to hear this rap song played so bluesy. JP pours his soul out in “Another Time, Another Place”.  From a calming and beautiful beginning, the song builds traction, gaining speed until an explosive battleground of pure guitar expressionism is reached.  But wait, there’s more.  The finale “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” dishes out nearly ten minutes of unadulterated blues and ferocious jams.  JP’s guitar playing on this track is simply amazing.  It doesn’t matter who moved your cheese, this is where it’s at.     

Victor Wainwright and the WildRoots - Boom Town

2015 –Blind Pig Records

By Phillip Smith; July 4, 2015

Boom Town, the latest release from Victor Wainwright and the Wildroots, is chockfull of boogie-laced blues and tasty jams.  Wainwright, who rightfully claimed the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year for 2013 and 2014, leads this fantastic eight person band called, the Wildroots through thirteen spirited New Orleans flavored selections. Hearing him rip into the piano while laying down a truck load of boogie woogie on “Two Lane Blacktop Revisited” will leave no doubt why he pulled down that award twice already.  

It’s amazing to hear the different directions to which Wainwright can take his voice.  From a comforting tone, in the spiritually moving “When the Day is Done”, to being bad-ass and sinister, in “Reapers on the Prowl”, where he goes all “Wolfman Jack” in his conversation with the Grim Reaper.  Guitarist JP Soars, fellow Southern Hospitality collaborator with Wainwright is a guest performer on “The Devils Bite”, a Cab Calloway influenced tune.  This dark and rootsy track brings to mind Nick Cave’s Murder Ballads album.

The slow and easy “WildRoot Farm” makes for a cool little duet featuring Patricia Ann Dees.  This one will have you on the front porch sipping iced tea on a hot summer day, taking in the aromas of a freshly prepared southern style dinner. Stephen Kampa rolls out a sweet harmonica accompaniment which totally sets that laid-back mood.     

BoomTown culminates into an amazing instrumental jam at the end with “WildRoot Rumble”.  This is my favorite track on the album, and I play it loud.  Stephen Dees and Nick Black bring it on with rambling guitars, Kampa kills it on harmonica, Billy Dean keeps the furious beat going on drums, and Wainwright pounds the hell out of the piano. This is what it’s all about!     

For more information about Victor Wainwright visit his website at http://victorwainwright.com/

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

Saun & Starr - Look Closer

2015 – Daptone Records

By Phillip Smith; May 9, 2015

If you’ve listened to the music of Sharon Jones, you most likely have heard Saun & Starr.  Last year, I was fortunate enough to catch Jones in concert, and remember being bowled over by the exquisite harmonies of backing vocalists, Saundra Williams and Starr Duncan- Lowe , aka Saun & Starr.   They made quite the impression then, and they make a tremendous impression now with their stellar performances on their debut album, Look Closer. To top it all off, the Dap-Kings perform on this new record, drizzling their familiar funky soul on every song, in the Daptone style, and I love it. 

Title track, “Look Closer (Can’t You See the Signs?) ushers the listener in with an up-beat dance-friendly rhythm guided by a buttery bassline served up by Bosco Mann. When I hear the bouncy beats and soulful vocals on “Hot Shot”, I’m immediately taken back to the early music of the Jackson 5.  I just love the way this song was written and performed.  Whereas “Another Love Like Mine”, with is restless funk and echo-laced guitar effects, seems to draw in a little more inspiration from the late great Isaac Hayes.    

Every time I hear the infectious grooves of “Big Wheel”, I can’t help but get a big ol’ smile on my face.  Like Jean Knight’s “Mr. Big Stuff”, this track takes a soulful approach to calling out tricksters and scoundrels in wolves clothing.  Another fun little track, “Dear Mr. Teddy”, happens to take awkward situations to a new level. This is the kind of song that sounds best on a rainy day.  Saun & Starr close the album out with a light-hearted ditty about communication breakdown, “Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah”. I like the cool little jabs Victor Axelrod lays down on the organ and the Steve Cropper-flavored guitar riffs from Binky Griptite.  This is such a smooth song.

Look Closer is a sheer delight.  It’s the best soul album I've heard this year.

The Boxmasters live at The Surf Ballroom 4/24/15

Clear Lake, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; April 25, 2015

There’s just not that many places left that capture the history and sanctity of Rock and Roll as much as the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.  That’s why watching the Boxmasters, play live in this chapel of rock, made for an absolutely perfect night for soaking up the wonderful music and the fantastic stories that go with them, as sung and told by front man Billy Bob “Bud” Thornton.  The Boxmasters are: Thornton, co-founder/guitarist J.D. Andrew, guitarist Brad Davis, and keyboardist extraordinaire Teddy 'Zig Zag' Andreadis.

The band, all sporting Liverpool Beatles suits, took the stage, kicking the evening off with a rocking performance of “Emily” off Thornton’s 2003 Solo album, The Edge of the World.  I love that classic western sound Davis squeezes out of his guitar on “Providence”.  Davis grabs my full attention again in “Beautiful”.  He’s such a fantastic guitarist.

Thornton, in a really down-to-earth and heartfelt moment, discussed how much of an honor it was to be playing at the Surf.  His honesty and sincerity was felt by everyone.  The band then tore through nine consecutive songs off their latest release, Somewhere Down the Road.  It was so cool to hear the new tracks “Sometimes There’s a Reason”, “This Game is Over”, and “Kathy Don’t Share”.  Immediately following a brief spoken-word introduction from Thornton explaining how religion is a good thing, unless it gets in the hands of the wrong people, Andreadis starts “Piece of the Sky” on his Hammond in a performance fit for Sunday morning church.

After asking the audience about their thoughts on political correctness and profanity, Thornton indeed got their blessing to play an explicit song or two.  It was so fun to hear the rarely played tongue-in-cheek song, “I’ll Give You a Ring” (when you give me back my balls), from their self-titled album.

A request from the audience for a song from the late great Warren Zevon prompted Thornton to reminisce about his good friend.  He explained they had met each other at the mail box, while living in the same apartment building.  They ironically got to talking about a common trait they both suffer from, obsessive compulsive disorder.  The Boxmasters then broke into a Zevon-esque written song, “I Shot Him Down”.  “Island Avenue”, a song off the album, The Edge of the World, and written by Thornton’s brother Jimmy was a jam-filled treat.  After an intense and funky keyboard solo from Andreadis on the Hammond, the band played tight as hell.  This was rock and roll at its finest.  “Hope and Glory”, the last song of the set was dedicated to everyone who was in the military or had lost someone in war.  From Thornton’s vocals to Davis’s killer guitar, the band in general just gels so nicely.               

For an encore, the Boxmasters returned to stage in a slightly different configuration, featuring Andreadis this time, on harmonica, and Thornton sporting a tambourine. With a beat similar to the Ramone’s “Blitzkrieg Bop”, they kick in “Love is Real Tonight”, followed by a rendition of “That Mountain” which was so good, it sent chills up my spine. In a cutting heads fashion Andreadis and Davis went toe to toe, harp vs. guitar. It was such an amazing performance to end this stellar show with.   

For almost two solid hours, I hung on every note played and every word sung. This show will certainly go down in my history book as one of my favorite concerts.

Setlist

Emily

Japanese Girl

She Looks Like Betty Page

Middle of the Night

Providence

Beautiful

Sometimes There’s a Reason

You’ll Be Lonely Tonight

This Game is Over

Dead Inside

A Piece of the Sky

Kathy Won’t Share

What Did You Do Today

Away Away

Desperation Parade

I’ll Give You a Ring

I Shot Him down

Island Ave.

Hope for Glory

Encore

Love is Real Tonight

That Mountain

The Boxmasters - Somewhere Down the Road

2015 – 101 Ranch Records

By Phillip Smith; April 18, 2015

The fourth studio album, Somewhere Down the Road from the Boxmasters (Bud Thornton, J.D. Andrew, Teddy Andreadis, & Brad Davis), presents twenty-two brand new songs marinated in the styles of early rock and classic western music.  Brandishing a musicianship second to none, and songs written with blunt honesty and conviction, Somewhere Down the Road is a stand-out album.

Breakup song, “This Game is Over Now”, puts a big ol’ smile on my face as the Roy Orbison influences shine through the vocals and instrumentation. Another track that puts a grin on my face is “Kathy Won’t Share”, a catchy song with an REM vibe, about a self-indulgent stay-at-home husband with a desire to bring another woman into the bedroom.

Like the fatherly advice one would expect to get from someone who’s received the short end of the stick for the biggest part of their life, “Always Lie” hits heavily.  Thornton’s deep vocals are perfectly suited for this dark melody.  The darkness seem to linger a little longer on “Away Away”, as it is projected onto anonymous travelers making their way to an unknown destination with hollow eyes and what seems to be their whole life strapped down to the bed of an old beat up pickup truck.  Perfectly suited to land on a Quentin Tarantino motion picture soundtrack, “Don’t Follow Me Down”, a love song with elements of mystery and danger, delivers deliciously haunting and twangy surf guitar. The “cool factor” rides high on this one.  The heartfelt “Getting Past the Lullaby”, is a beautiful ode to mothers that will make one almost tear up.

Like the songs of John Hiatt or John Prine, the selections on Somewhere Down the Road tell stories bound to resonate with the listener.  Delivering their tunes with gusto and grit, The Boxmasters aren’t afraid to dig deep, and go down the road less traveled in order to makes sure the listener gets something worth listening to.  That’s what makes this album such a treasure. 

For more info on The Boxmasters visit their website theboxmasters.com/

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

Slam Allen - Feel These Blues

2015 – American Showplace Music

By Phillip Smith; April 4, 2015

Step inside, Slam Allen’s latest album, Feel These Blues, and allow yourself to soak up all the soulful house-rockin’ goodness you can.  Don’t worry about being greedy, there’s plenty for everyone.  Listening to the blues being performed at the level Allen plays is such a joy.  Having worked his way up through the ranks by being lead guitarist and lead singer for James Cotton for nine years, Allen’s years of experience is felt in every song.  With a band composed of bassist Jeff Anderson, drummer Dan Fadel, and organist/pianist extraordinaire John Ginty, Allen delivers eleven delightful original tracks, and a surprising cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain”.

Allen jump-starts things with title track “Feel These Blues”, a high-energy boogie with fantastic, bluesy guitar licks.  It’s a perfect song to set the album in motion with.  Keeping the blues bus a rolling is “All Because of You”.  This stand-out track, topped with Ginty’s B3 is slathered with Allen’s soulful guitar and vocals.  There’s an undeniable Memphis Stax influence on “Can’t Break Away From That Girl”.  Allen seeming channels Otis Redding, while throwing in little Steve Cropper-ish licks on guitar.  I love the funky, feel-good groove built around Anderson’s bassline.  All this, along with a little church added via Ginty on organ, makes the track a bona fide favorite.  For a feel-good song which exudes positive energy, nothing beats “That’s Where You Are”.  From the opening bassline to the closing organ outro, this luscious track puts a smile on my face every time.   

Slam Allen keeps the writing real and the performances fresh. Feel the Blues is “Top-Shelf” blues at its best.

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

Gregg Allman live at Riverside Casino 3/28/15

Riverside, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Mar 29, 2015

Walking on stage to a standing ovation from a sold out crowd is something only a few people get to experience.  Gregg Allman is one of them.   Allman, along with the rest of his nine man ensemble took the stage at Riverside Casino in Riverside, Iowa.  With Allman on the B3 and Scott Sharrard on guitar, front and center, the band tore into a ripping rendition of “Stateboro Blues”.  The audience was happy, and so was I.  Without missing a beat, they then slid right into a sweet sounding “I’m No Angel” followed up with the mellow grooves of “Come and Go Blues”.  Dipping into his Playin’ Up a Storm album for a two-fer, Allman performs a refreshingly “Brightest Smile in Town”.  The intro was beautifully played, and Allman’s vocals were soulful.  The sax solo was a standout as well. I absolutely loved hearing the crowd pleasing Muddy Waters classic, “Trouble No More”. Initiated with a fantastic drum intro, this one was played tight as hell. This is where it sets in, just how cohesive this band is.  It’s so enjoyable to hear Sharrard tear it up on guitar. For “Melissa”, Allman switched over from the B3, to acoustic guitar. This song hit the spot, and drew people to their feet. 

The second set was quite strong too.  Allman picks up his electric guitar for an exquisite “Ain’t Wasting Time No More”. It sounded so good.  Returning to acoustic guitar, Allman and the band got a little help from the crowd singing “Midnight Rider”.  This song culminates with a really interesting trumpet performance from Marc Franklin and a standing ovation.  The fast and furious “Love Like Kerosene” was phenomenally played. Ron Johnson was dishing out some awe-inspiring groove on the bass while we got yet another smoking performance from Sharrard.  After the first few notes of “Whippin’ Post” were played, it was apparent the audience would not be able to sit still.  Greg remained on electric, while Peter Leven took over the B3.  Groovy beats from Steve Potts and Marc Quinones and blasts from the brass make this an interestingly funky treat.  This was one everyone had undoubtedly been waiting for, as it drew a huge standing ovation.  With that closing out the last set, the band returned once more with Allman back at the B3 for a riveting extended version of “Southbound”.  Needless to say, the show was outstanding.

SetList

Statesboro Blues

I’m No Angel

Come and Go Blues

Brightest Smile In Town

Trouble No More

The Same Thing

Melissa

-Instrumental Break-

Cradle of Civilization

Hot Lanta

Ain’t Wasting Time No More

Midnight Rider

Love Like Kerosene

Whipping Post

Encore

Southbound

Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar - Send the Nightingale

2015 – Samantha Martin Music

By Phillip Smith; Feb 28, 2015

The new album from Toronto-based recording artists Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar is sure to draw a lot of attention and adoration.  Boasting a clever mix of blues, roots, country and gospel music, Send the Nightingale is absolutely compelling.  With vocals that fall into the same wheelhouse as Janis Joplin, Martin takes command of each song.  Guitarist Mikey McCallum, along with backing vocalists Sherie Marshall and Stacie Tabb, form Delta Sugar.    

Martin’s influences are also nicely rooted in Sixties soul music as well.  Kicking off with a light rhythm reminiscent of Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man”, is “Addicted”, a proclaiming song of love, and a soulful joyous treat.  The mood suddenly drops on “When You Walk Away”, a heart wrenching song about splitting up.  McCallum on guitar, brings to mind Steve Cropper’s playing on ”(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay”.    

Martin performs “One More Day” with the energy and unbridled exuberance of a gospel band in a southern tent revival.  Complete with obligatory stomps and clap, it’s cloaked in a rootsy and rustic vibe.  To this song, I say “Amen brothers and sisters!”  The song that sticks with me the most though is “Don’t Shoot”.  I absolutely love it.  Martin, like Lucinda Williams, just has an uncanny knack for writing great story-telling songs that rock with a country/western flair.

Excellent songwriting, powerful vocals, fantastic harmonies, and expert musicianship, make Send the Nightingale the wonderful album it is.

   

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

Kubek & King - Fat Man's Shine Parlor

2015 – Blind Pig Records

By Phillip Smith; Feb 21, 2015

Dynamic Blues duo Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King have teamed up again, to record and produce an album of the best down-home blues one can hear.  The title itself, Fat Man’s Shine Parlor, conjures up visions of seasoned bluesmen congregating in the neighborhood barbershop on a Saturday afternoon, exchanging stories of days gone by.

“Got My Heart Broken” is an excellent track to start off with its high energy and driving rhythm.  Eerie growls resembling the snores of a sleeping dragon emit from Kubek’s guitar and make this one even more fascinating.  Keeping that initial energy flowing, they dive into another favorite, “Cornbread”, a heavy blues ode to country cooking and soul food.  I love the groove on “Diamond Eyes”.  Heavily steeped in Seventies blues/rock, my mind wanders to artists like Robin Trower and Pat Travers when immersed in this song.      

As soon as I hear the beginning Zeppelin’esque riff from “Brown Bomba Mojo”, I get excited.  This is phenomenally played and hits on all cylinders. It really doesn’t get much better than this.  Kubek and King certainly deliver the goods once again, proving tasty guitar blues is their specialty.     

http://phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com/

The B-52’s live at Riverside Casino 2/14/15

Riverside, Iowa

By Phillip Smith; Feb 15, 2015

One of my all-time favorite bands, The B-52’s descended upon the Riverside Casino in Riverside, Iowa last night and gave a stellar Valentine’s Day performance in front of a packed house. It was a special night, as the evening marked the 38^th anniversary of their first concert performing together.  Original founding members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson were joined onstage by guitarist Greg Suran, bassist Tracy Wormworth, drummer/percussionist Sterling Campbell, and guitarist/keyboardist Paul Gordon.    

The band kicked things off with “Pump”, off their most recent studio album, Funplex.  This one got the crowd excited and the energy flowing.  The only other track from this album, was “Love in the Year 3000”, introduced by Kate who acknowledged Riverside, Iowa as being the future birthplace of Captain Kirk while pondering the details of how his parents hooked up.    

Deeper cuts played, included the songs, “Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland” from Bouncing Off the Satellites and “Is That You Mo-dean?” from Good Stuff. Cindy gave a touching introduction to “Girl…” reminding us it was off the last album her brother Rickie played on before he passed in 1985.  This one was Cindy’s song to sing.

For a short while, Kate and Cindy held down the fort with “Roam” and “Legal Tender”, which quickly filled the aisles with dancers and revelers.  As soon as those songs finished, Fred mysteriously returned to stage donning a red ‘Kate-like’ wig.  Stating it was party time, the band tore into “Party Out of Bounds”. Afterwards, Fred exclaimed “It’s fun being a red-head!”     

The set is ended with crowd-favorite “Love Shack”, which brings the entire audience to their feet.  As the B-52’s return for their encore, the familiar spacy beeps from “Planet Claire” fill the air.  It’s still amazing to hear Kate’s enchanting siren-like vocals on this one. I remember thinking; this must have been what the siren songs which called out to Odysseus sounded like.  It was so captivating.  To wrap things up, the audience was treated to an extended dance version of “Rock Lobster”, a true classic off their first album. With red lobster-color lights shining upon the stage, Kate danced her heart out, and never seemed to break a sweat. 

This was hands down, a fantastic show, and a fun concert.

* all photos by Phillip Smith

Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider

Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider & Kate Pierson

Cindy Wilson

Kate Pierson

Greg Suran

Fred and Kate

Cindy, Fred & Kate

Kate Pierson

Fred Schneider

Cindy , Kate, & Fred

Cindy Wilson

Cindy, Fred, & Kate

Fred Schneider

Cindy Wilson

Fred & Tracy Wormworth

Fred Schneider

Kate Pierson

SetList

Pump

Mesopotamia

Private Idaho

Lava

Dance This Mess Around

Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland

Roam

Legal Tender

Party Out of Bounds

Love in the Year 3000

Is That You Mo-dean?

6060-842

Whammy

Love Shack

Encore

Planet Claire

Rock Lobster