Submitted by Al Kanovsky 05/20/14
...three letter word. The real
spelling starts with R(ita) then T(ony) followed by M(itch) and ending in
D(anny). Rita Wilburn, Tony Niccolosi, Mitch Goldstein and Danny Burger. Not
only did the audience at BJB's have fun, so did the band members. It was a
joyful sound and a happy party from the first played note to the very last. They
opened with a Wes Montgomery instrumental "Road Song" with Tony taking the lead
guitar solos. Mitch provided the bass line and Danny, as usual, was driving the
bus. They started "C Jam BLUES" and Rita morphed it into "Everyday". Now it was
a full swing bash. Sista Mary Beth walked into the middle of this and was
tappin' and clappin' immediately. Tony does a great guitar intro to Rita's BLUES
song "You Better Make Me Change My Mind". I said fun---all you need is a tall
black gal with a body that's a challenge to any strong willed man and a voice to
match. A grey haired guitarist with a 3 million dollar smile, a 'pick' and an
'axe'. A guy who shleps around the latest electronic B3 and uses all 4 limbs to
play it and a drummer who played "Tunisia" with Dizzy, back in the day. Rita is
tugging at heart strings when she sings "The First To Say Goodbye". Ron
Anonymous is in the house with his girlfriend and cousin Michelle. Michelle is a
published author of a book
titled "You Are The Father". It tells the story of a man with 13 children with a
number of different mothers. I had no idea Michelle knew any of my friends.
When
Rita sings "Unchain My Heart" Tony adds a memorable guitar solo. They give Tony
a chance to pipe one and he does Brook Benton's "Rainy Night In Georgia". I take
the opportunity to dance a little with Rita. I say little, 'cause we do the
"Fish" which requires little movement outside of your hips. Of course I did not
hesitate to lay my head on her bos --- I mean shoulder --- I mean bosom. It just
so happens that I am more the height for bosom laying than shoulder laying. They
do "My Baby Just Cares For Me" with Mitch 'swinging' it. Dale Minnicio and Holly
Carroroll do an innovative 'Lindy' to the music. I got up and did a few steps
with Sista Mary Beth. Do you think I was having fun? Tony opens with a vocal
version of "The Thrill Is Gone" with Rita doing the 2d chorus. Ron and Michelle
are on the dance floor showing off some of that Detroit Shake 'n Bake. They
close the first set with "You Make Me Feel So Good". It looks like every couple
is on the dance floor. During the break, on the music channel, they are playing
Erskine Hawkins' "After Hours". Avery Parrish does what is probably the most
unforgettable piano solo ever heard on that recording. One of my all-time
favorites.
Tony opens the 2d set with Boz
Skaggs "I Wonder Who". Rita sets the joint on fire with "Fever" which has the
Detroit 4 on the floor showing us all how they do it in "Motown". "Blue Moon"
has Dale and Carroll dancing again. They are nice to watch. Stevie Ray Vaughn's
"Pride and Joy" has become a BLUES standard and for good reason. Tony and Rita
do it justice. When Rita shouts the BLUES to "Since I Fell For You" my 'happy
face' is full on. Tony does an unknown titled song doing real nice stuff with
the vocal and guitar. Uh-oh! Here it comes. Grab a seat belt and a heart attack
pill. "Rock Me Baby". Oh yeah! ''til my back ain't got no bone'. Rita sings,
Tony, Mitch and Danny play. Ron Anonymous has every part of his body 'moving to
the music'. Every band member takes a solo ride. Rita's voice rises above it
all. "Roll me baby---just like a wagon wheel". All I can say to all of this is 'Holy s--t!. They close the
set with FUNK. "A Long Way".
The last set opens with an
instrumental, Jimmy Smith's "Organ Grinder Swing" which gives Mitch a chance to
show off. Orlando Machado is in the house and sits in for Danny to do "Night in
Tunisia". Rita returns to the stage to do a hear felt "Georgia" followed by my
Mothers lullaby to her grandchildren, "Summertime". They close the show with
everyone tappin' and clappin' to "Chain of Fools". It is my sincere wish that
everyone reading this has learned how to spell FUN.
Al's Disclaimer:
A short note: The reason I write this is because I love music and words. I do not book acts. I do not promote acts. I do not accept invitations to review artists. I go to venues of my own choice. When and where is not influenced by anything other than who I would like to hear that night or day. If I don't like what I hear, I won't write about it. When I like it I let you all know. I never mention a name without asking permission. "Pardon me, Miss. Would you like to dance?"
~ ~ ~
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