MISbHAVIN' entertained an afternoon crowd with their unique style featuring great guitar leads, outstanding keyboards, and songwriting, along with a wonderful rhythm section. The band, well versed in the blues, was well received by the crowd. Pat Hunter and Danny Kean led the band with outstanding vocals and creative music, while Donny Celenza's guitar enhanced the set with his strong instrumental prowess.
Hunter, a robust vocalist, teased the audience throughout the set with her passionate and soulful lyrics. The band as a whole performs well with each other and utilizes their skills to be able to play as individuals as well as a band. From the opening note to the last, they handle the material very well, and intensify the songs with strong use of their instruments. They know how to grab an audience's attention, and provoke emotion with their deep-rooted feel for the blues.
Another blues diva on the bill was Sweet Suzi, who fronted The Blues Experience. Known some years ago as a strong vocalist in rock, Suzi was asked if she could sing the blues, and she's been doing exactly that ever since. For blues fans at this performance, this was a treat as Suzi offered excellent vocals and a strong stage presence, singing the blues with passion and feeling. Backed by a solid band, the way Suzi is able to capture the essence of the blues is fascinating and captivating.
Both of these bands played originals from current and past albums, and added
to a fantastic weekend.
– Text & photos by Louis Abbatepaolo
Nicole Hart & The NRG Band whipped up some of the most soulful tunes of the evening on the second stage, with Hart's impervious vocals supported by a few of the most critically accredited musicians around, including the Grammy nominated guitarist Gil Parris and the quick paced harmonica solos of Stanley Behrens.
The mind-contorting opening of Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile got the crowd's bodies moving in vivid directions as Bernard Allison slowly took control of the festival. In his purple cowboy boots and black cowboy hat with gold ribbon, Allison and his band played riff after to riff with astounding perfection, with deep mind ripping guitar, bass, and drum solos. He even took a gambit out into the crowd, which yielded great fanfare and sent shockwaves through the swaying molten core of the audience.
The opening day of the festival was finished off with the classic and timeless
folk songs of Richie Havens. This veteran artist played at Woodstock in 1969
after he emerged from the Greenwich Village folk scene, and his lyrics, which
inspire brotherhood and unity among all people, have never lost touch with
the masses. It was a welcome change of pace from the mostly electric acts,
allowing the audience members to relax and have a seat on the ground, to reflect
upon a perfect summer evening.
– Joe Vetter
The band delivered spirited renditions of tracks from their new modestly titled CD, Va Va Voom, and Grey lived up to her persona of “Mae West on a Harley,” occasionally channeling Janis in the process. Songs such as “Tears of Blue” captured that experience, singing about names misspelled on marquees, and drinks that are free like a “fleeting glimpse of fame.” Along the same theme, the hilarious but honest “Dayshift Bartender” told of the struggle of a waitress aspiring to do something creative, but stuck in the dead zone job of the song title.
Raunchily cheerful was the “Va Va Voom” title track to the new CD, the crowd gathered around, took lots of photos, and obviously loved Grey’s theatrics. Grey brings new meaning to the words enthusiasm and burlesque chic, with her torn red stockings, and red, white, and blue feather boas that she worked during her patriotic anthem “Wave The Flag.”
Another highlight cover was a playful response to the crowd, a scorching rendition of “Ball And Chain.” She joked, “I was asked to do a Janis song – I won’t do that, but I will do a Ma Rainey song for you.” She then drove crowds wild, channeling both blues goddesses in her performance.
This band is a regular act at Paula Jean’s Supper Club in Setauket
and other regional venues. Follow their future gigs and music at lexgreymusic.com
and CDBaby.com.
– Jon Wettingfeld
*James Faith and Jen Chapin
