Roots Review 4

4/27/2006

What a night! What a great turn out! What a great bunch of musicians and eager fans.

In case you haven't noticed, we have started an American Roots movement here. Can I get a wittness?!

You saw another passionate performance and incredible effort last night by our causes' biggest supporter, Duane Chez.

We only have two more weeks to enjoy Duane as guest host because he and his lovely wife are moving to Puerto Rico. Man we're going to miss you bro - but at least I know I'll have a cool place in paradise to go and hang out with my brother D Wayne.

Let's say we break out the guitar and harps and pass the hat around for the tourists when I get there...

American Roots open mic 4 had an all-star line up of some of the finest players around. And some really interesting combinations of players of all ages: Duane Chez, Mike Caruso (Doughboys) playing bass, sharing the stage with youngsters Scott and Brett from Daisy Haze and 26 year old John Powers playing guitar and singing.

Then Brett played guitar on stage for the first time with his guitar teacher and mentor, Johnny Charles.

This was a Kodak moment. Passing the roots-torch to the younger generation - the epitome of what our American Roots movement is all about!

Then it was time for John Powers & the Arturos to play a few of their own. JP & A's laid down an original sound that fused alternative with roots - very refreshing - very good.

Later Charles, Caruso, Chez and Powers (on drums again) backed an awesome new talent, named Kelly Caruso, yes Mike's 19 year old daughter who belted out "Wild Thing" then asked me to join on harp as she convincingly delivered "Got my mojo workin" - very cool - lots of flash bulbs going off for this one!

Then Big Boy Kenny Nerbak (Filthy Rich) plugged-in his four string with his friend, the incredibly talented blues guitarist and singer, Arne Englund, Cadillac Johnny again on guitar and some new drummer named, um, Ned.

After Chez, Weber on guitars, Pampani on drums, Dr Greg playing keys, and Kate Weber doing that thing that she does so well... it was on to Jr Bradfield and his solo acoustic thing,

Bradfield and his acoustic thing is happening every Tuesday night at The Rail starting 6 pm. With the new menu and the open air thing going on at The Rail this is a great early night out for some great food and great entertainment - and on a nice spring night, you can't beat it.

Bernie Brauswetter owned the stage for awhile with his guitar mastery backed by an awesome rhythm section and then, oh man was I happy to see my old pal and bandmate Dennis Macarone at American Roots.

I had a thrill playing with him again. See, Dennis and I were fourteen years old and in a band together called Carnival of Soul. Our second gig ever was on Zacherely's Disco Teen UHF television show, channel 47 I think, way before cable when channels didn't go higher than 13 unless you had the special UHF tuner and antenna.

It was the fall of '66 when we did that show from the Mosque Theater in Newark. Our parents let us skip school as seven of us, with all of our equipment, piled into a '59 Ford station wagon and headed for Newark to be on TV with the Chiffons: One fine day, Sweet talkin guy, He's so fine doo wang doo wang doo wang. Oh man, such memories. Thanks Dennis.

Special thanks to Rail ownership, management and staff, Amanda, Sarah, Mike, especially Nick. Ed Pampani, Eddie Ray of Computown, Jessica, Byron, Greg and Bob From High Grade for all of your support and interest.

My heart swells with gratitude knowing we are able to celebrate this music each week and that I am surrounded by the most incredibly talented friends in the world - players and fans alike. Thank you.

Keeping it real,

Ned