Roots Review 12

Anyone who has attended an American Roots open mic - player or fan - knows that our little roots music celebration has raised the bar for open mics everywhere. But last night, at American Roots 12, we raised the bar again. In fact we exceeded our own standards by featuring the finest performances anywhere - one after another, after another, after another and there was not one low point in the evening - it was all a high!

American Roots 12 was a show not to be missed.

First up was the awesomely talented John Powers & the Arturos, a group who brings excitement and originality to a stage. Changing things up a little Powers kicked off the set playing his acoustic guitar while running through a number of crafty original songs, then picking up his electric and inviting our friend and guitar wizard Jeff Page to join the Arturos on stage, they burned through some incredible rockin' blues pieces.

Next was Kelly Caruso, another brilliant young talent with a big voice, who joined by her father Mike Caruso on bass, Jeff Page (guitar), John Powers (playing drums), Alan Rogoff on keyboards and guitar master Johnny Charles, Kelly really got the place rockin'!

Then with Alan Rogoff staying in place, Ed Pampani sitting in on drums and Eric Plotkin playing bass, it was time for another sensational youngster named Johnny "the Flame" Thompson. The Flame may only be 21 years old but he plays like a seasoned veteran, scatting and dishing out heartfelt solos.

A memorable performance by the Mamma Luke band featuring Mike Flynn on guitar and vocals followed then on to the extraordinary vocals of Lori V, JR Bradfield on "dog house" bass, Rob Fraser on electric bass, Bones Sanders with his harmonica, Robert checked in with a solo acoustic performance, David Mason on harmonica, rockin' Walter Foot on drums and Tommy Hayes playing his ass off on that hot pink strat and our American Roots 12 celebration was indeed a show not to have been missed.

The lucky thing for all of us is that we get to do it again next Thursday night at 8 o'clock - I can't wait. I hope to see you there...

Thanks to The Rail and all the regular support folks like Win and Pampani, the American Roots movement is here to stay and gaining momentum each and every week - and we haven't even aired our first American Roots television show yet.

See you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 10 & 11

I'm combining reviews 10 and 11 as I have been on the road and away from a computer for the first time in a long time.

I spent six incredible nights in El Yenque rainforest National Park, high atop a mountain in Puerto Rico with our American Roots compadre "Don Diego" Duane Chez. Time well spent with no television, no cell phone, no text messaging, email or internet - no news at all from the outside world - not even a mirror to check my face. In fact, the only outside stimulation had was the sound of our music which, after all, comes from within.

I have grown, musically, spiritually and individually.

What I recall of American Roots 10, just before I flew down, was John Powers & the Arturos with another fabulous effort and performance, JR Bradfield's Star Spangled Banner and an all star jam at the end of the night that included myself, John Powers, Walter Foot, Mike Caruso, Todd Lanka, Jim Somma, Tommy Hayes, Ed Pampani and JR Bradfield.

Many thanks again to Rail ownership, management and staff. To Eddie Ray of Computown Technologies in South Bound Brook, Ed Pampani, Win, Nick, Amanda, Sarah, Evan, Mike, Jessica and Byron.

American Roots 11 was another success, thanks in large part to John Powers and JR Bradfield who kicked off the night without me as I arrived late from travel, but it's all good!

Thanks here go to Johnny Charles, Tom Plotkin, Eric Plotkin, Liz Moody, Rob on drums, Robert on guitar, Chris O'Sullivan, Bones Sanders, Tommy Hayes, Rotten Robert, Bernie Brauswetter and of course the incredible John Powers and JR Bradfield and a number of other great palyers.

I look forward to seeing you all down at the station this Thursday at 8pm for another American Roots Open Mic celebration.

Til then - Vaya con Dios!

Keepin' it real,
Nasty Ned

Roots Review 9

American Roots 9 was another exciting musical celebration with stand out performances by many of the biggest names on this area's music scene.

Special mentions have to go to JR Bradfield for his solo entertainment to kick the night off, then his inspiring rendition of the Star Spangeled Banner played on a guitar he built himself from an old tree stump in his back yard. JR Bradfield's dedication and enthusiasm for our roots movement is inspiring in itself.

John Powers, the young standout guitarst, vocalist and drummer was amazing and, I'm happy to say he will be my American Roots guest host partner again next week. John Powers is someone you need to make an effort to come out and see folks so you can at least say, "you knew him when" because I'm telling you, JP is going somewhere. Many thanks to him and his band the Arturos for their huge efforts in helping keep the roots alive.

We also celebrated Tommy Fuller's 60th birthday at roots 9 with a cake and song and although he only came out that night to listen and enjoy the music he could not ignore the pleas from the crowd of fans for him to play so he took the stage like the professional entertainer that he is and put on the performance of his life. If you've ever seen this consumate performer do his thing before - you can imagine how GREAT Tommy Fuller was this night.

So many awesome players did their thing that night I would like to thank them (in no particular order) and hope I don't leave anybody out: Johnny Charles, Ed Pampani, Mike Caruso, Snakeman Runyan, Rotten Robert, Pat Mullen, Jim Somma, Tommy Haze, Brad Sicotte, Kate Weber, Bones Sandford, Alan Rogoff, Len De Piano, Sal Cheech, Todd Lanka and good 'ol BB; Bernie Brauswetter - all awesome people - thank you.

Many special thanks again go to The Rail ownership, management and staff, Mike, Lynn, Sarah, Amanda, Jessica, Byron, and especially my American Roots compadre Nick Wasco for bending over backwards for our American Roots movement. Nick is a visionary and sees the big picture - for this and more - we all love him.

And don't forget the American Roots BB King Steak dinner special at The Rail. It's a 20 oz. porterhouse steak with baby field green salad and skewered red potatoes seasoned just right, and it's only available on Roots night.

So folks please make sure you come early and get a great seat, enjoy the awesome food - then the awesome music.

Very special thanks to Eddie Ray of Computown Technologies in South Bound Brook for his tireless efforts and Ed Pampani and Win.

Please continue to help keep American Roots music alive for the next generations. I thank you.

See you Thursday at American Roots 10 - then I'm off for a few days of blues in the rainforest with our good friend Duane Chez in Puerto Rico (so posting Roots Review 10 may be delayed a bit) but I'll be back for American Roots 11 for another night of our exciting, ongoing American Roots celebration.

And remember, you never know who you're going to meet down at the station.

Keeping it real,

Ned