Submitted by Al Kanovsky 07/19/14
...to bring a smile to my old wrinkled lips? It's fairly
simple. Put a beautiful young vocalist on stage with an unusual and
talented rhythm section. Let her voice equal her beauty and her stage
presence be an inspiration. I am talking about Sarah Packiam who I had the
pleasure of seeing and listening to at Ed Bell's (WLRN91.3FM) Friday live
broadcast, South Florida Arts Beat. Sarah who also plays guitar had Steve Argy (bass), Arthur
Abney (cello) and Andy Russell on drums including cajon & 'hung'.
Cello, Hung? I did say unusual.
Sarah opened the program with a song "I
Believe". I was taken by her vocal talent but wondered at the genre. Not
rock, not BLUES, not JAZZ or pop. Hmmmm. When an artist doesn't announce a
song title, I am left to guess, so sometimes the titles I choose are just part
of the lyric. I couldn't put a name to her second song but it made no
difference. I was caught up in paying attention to that voice. She presses one
of the electronic tabs and her guitar produces the 'wah-wah' effect to a reggae
rhythm and "I Got Your Back".
When Sarah did "I Loved You
First" she invoked the memory of Janis Joplin and her impassioned
performances. She doesn't sound like Janis and is far prettier. It is the
emotion she puts into the presentation. They do the title track of their latest
CD, "Dreams". For the first time Andy utilizes the 'hung'. It is an
off-shoot of the Trinidad pan developed in Switzerland. It looks like a covered
round barbecue grill with dents in the cover. The sound it emits are haunting
and pleasant. "There's A Hole In the Middle" reinforces my comparing
her to the 'Pearl'. I didn't get the title of her final song but she had the
audience including Dr. Jules Oaklander, George Early and Ted Grossman tappin'
and clappin'.
I spoke with Andy who enlightened me with info on the 'hung'. Dr.
Jules, always the charmer had engaged Sarah in conversation and I joined them.
I asked her how she would identify her music. She said she couldn't typify it
in a particular genre although she felt strong 'Island' influence. A gentleman
nearby offered, "Americana". I think he hit the nail right on the head. A
little bit country with a beach flavor salted with the influence of BLUES and
the innovations of JAZZ.
Thank you Pollo Tropical for your sponsored lunch and your support of WLRN and live music.
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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