Roots Review 26

Sonny Boy Williamson once said, "you better cut it while it's hot - if you let it cool it won't be worth a damn!" So that's exactly what we did at American Roots Live 26 down at the Crossroads Wednesday night.

Rob Paparozzi, harp player, blues rapper, Broadway performer, front man of the "Original Blues Brothers Band" with Steve Cropper, Matt Murphy, Lou Marini, et al, took time this week from his current gig as front man of the legendary "Blood, Sweat and Tears" to play Crossroads in Garwood - Friday night with his own band, "The Hudson River Rats" featuring Bernard Purdie, and Wednesday night with us at American Roots Live.

Accompanied by Ron Poppa on guitar, John Powers on drums and Robert Z playing bass, Rob Paparozzi honked and hollered through three hot steppers including Sonny Boy's "Pontiac Blues" then, with harmonica-and-mic-in-hand, jumped behind the piano to rock a right-handed solo, thrilling an already excited crowd.

We also welcomed two new acts at American Roots Live 26; a sparky, young, lefty-guitar slinger named Steve McIntyre and "Damned Jerry" an interesting, instrumental group.

We were also thankful to hear one of our favorite AR All Stars, Bernie BB Brauswetter buzz through a couple of funky stingers then pleasure us while his guitar gently wept, "c'mon people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try and love one another right now" with Copa playing bass and Rob on drums.

Other solid Crossroads performances were delivered by Josh Gebhardt, Ed Pampani, Bones Sanford, Screamin' Mimi Nowak, Len DePiano, Ray DiGiovanni, Walter Foot, Terry Hunter, Jimmy and more.

When Slim Harpo sang "Where the music's hot," he could have been singing about American Roots Live at the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA Thursday night, 'cause, man we were cookin' there, too.

With the rain pouring down in sheets and the weatherman screaming about tornados, we had more players in the house than non-players. Our audience being about 98% musicians proves an artist's passion can't be cooled by threats of a funnel cloud. With two birthday parties also in the house, the heat coming out of the Bluetone Thursday night was from more than just candles on cakes!

Johnny Charles smoked us all, right out of the box, then we were honored to accommodate renowned Philly jazz trumpeter Roger Prieto - a regular headliner at Ortlieb's. He brought us back to ol' New Orleans with his muted horn then brass balled serenading.

Mixing with a red hot band consisting of AR All Stars Johnny Charles on guitar, Gene Downin on bass and a little harmonica from my barstool, Roger Prieto smiled and shined with Sonny Young and Chris Hedges, also on guitars (Chris playing slide) and Brian "Bam Bam" Bridge on drums.

Many thanks to one jammin' Jaimo Flynn for his remarkable performance on drums and supreme efforts in guesthosting American Roots Live 26 with Johnny Charles, myself and the steady rollin' bass of Stroudsburg, PA's Chip Bush. Also great performances by Billy K, Vern Mobley of "Fusion Jazz Trio", Keith and more.

American Roots Live 26 marks 6 months of constant live celebration of the greatest music in the world - American Roots Music.

Many thanks to our venues, ownership and staffs, all of the talented, dedicated musicians and singers who grace our stage week after week, our sponsors, supporters and friends, and the American Roots volunteers and ambassadors.

Here's looking forward to the next six months of American Roots Live and beyond. We've got a lot in store for you. Please stay tuned and please tell your friends to tune into the American Roots Movement, too.

Keeping it real,

Ned