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The Jeff Healey Band
with Popa
Chubby &
Chubby Carrier and his Bayou Swamp Band
A Concert Review |
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The Dude on the Right
What a night to be flying solo! Yep, deserted by my partner (well,
this summer it's hit or miss sometimes - you know, with work and
all), but I was in for a treat. Three bands lasting till way past a
bunch o' people's bedtimes, on a gorgeous night in downtown Chicago.
Who you may ask? Well, the first day of June brought the likes of
Chubby Carrier and his Bayou Swamp Band, Popa Chubby (I'm seeing a
trend), and then The Jeff Healey Band featuring, well, Jeff Healey.
Alright, the trend hit a wall, but hey, I'm trying to be creative.
Alright, I'll stop and just tell you about the shows.
Opening for the opening act was Chubby Carrier and his Bayou
Swamp Band, all the way from Louisiana. Basically, they were a bayou
swamp band, with that kinda Cajun, kinda jazzy, kinda bluegrass,
kinda reggae, kinda a whole bunch of different things kinda put
together kind of band. Up front was Chubby, who really wasn't chubby
at all, but he sure could wail on that little accordion he had. He
said it was good partyin' music, and you know, he sure was right.
For a band I had never heard before, he sure brought a good time to
the Skyline Stage. I've never seen a guitar and accordion trading
licks before, but somehow these guys did it. From the guy with the
washboard, to the sounds of "Aiko, Aiko," from the, for no
better title, "Woo Woo Woo," song to the "Waitin' for
my Ya Ya" song, Chubby Carrier and his crew were a hell of a
lot of fun. They get TWO THUMBS UP!!
Then came the opening act in Popa Chubby and his bass player and
his drummer. Yup, that's it on the stage - three guys, basically
playing the blues.
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| Jeff Healey |
Most of this show was marred by technical problems and these two
assholes behind me who wouldn't shut up. But that didn't seem to
stop Popa. He rolled out his version of the blues and had the crowd
psyched up.
Sporting a cool top hat, in fact they all wore some pretty stylin'
hats, Popa spotlighted much of his new album called "Boogie and
the Beast." It was good down home blues, but the guy really
needs to quit hiding behind his monitors. You see, the monitors were
set back about ten feet from the front of the stage, and it left
this huge barrier between him and the crowd.
He wasn't bad, and I kinda liked the song "Sweet Goddess of
Love and Beer," but this show just didn't hit the level of the
previous act. Maybe he was frustrated by the monitor problems, but
he just seemed to lack the velocity of many blues guitarists who
don't even have major label backing. In time maybe he'll come
around, but this time it's only ONE THUMB UP!!
And then came the act everyone was waiting for - The Jeff Healey
Band.
A guitar virtuoso, Jeff Healey, unfortunately, is mostly know to
the general public from one song called "Angel Eyes" and
his cover of "Roadhouse Blues" from the movie Road House.
The problem with that is they really don't show just how talented a
guitarist Jeff Healey really is.
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| Jeff Healey |
He sports a different playing style, with the guitar usually
resting on a platform or in his lap, while both hands playing palms
down. It's hard to explain, but for him it works.
And he's got a new album out called "Cover to Cover,"
and I really hope I can scrounge some money up for it, because from
what I heard this night, it should be great. From what I can gather
is it's covers of other people's songs, but not just any other
people, people like John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix. Now, anyone can
play those songs, but it takes talent to play them well, and from
his live show, Jeff Healey nails it, and adds his own unique style
to them as well.
He played "Angel Eyes" acoustic, and even forgot the
words, but the crowd didn't care because his goof just opened up for
a great solo. He played a great solo blues jam, even jumping guitars
due to a broken string without missing a beat. He even played with
his teeth. He played, and everyone loved it, and I have no choice
but to give Jeff Healey and his band TWO BIG THUMBS UP!!! He was
great, he wailed, the crowd loved him, and even though it was one
o'clock in the morning he left the crowd energized and wanting more.
What a good ending!!!
Wow, this summer is really rolling along. What lies in store
next? Well, stay tuned because the summer is just starting to heat
up!!! Don't work too hard, Party Smart, and as always, Rellim Reeb,
Rellim Reeb!! |
