ARL Roots Review 64 & 65

Oh man, we do have fun at American Roots Live!












But sometimes what happens is I'm forced to combine two weeks of roots reviews - for one reason or another - and such is the case this week for two reasons; busy and busy - AND for having to be out of town on personal business for a short stent - actually two.

I am grateful, however, the shows went on as they did during this busy time with lots of great players and loads of fun, but especially grateful for the show in my absence that went so smoothly due specifically to the spirit, dedication and team work of ARL All Stars JR Bradfield, John Powers, Len DePiano and Mimi Nowak. Thanks guys.

I've combined the ARL 64 and 65 playlists here and peppered a few cool pics through-out; thanks to photogs Win and Ed Pampani, but do have to close on a somewhat somber note, none-the-less.




With two shows per week at Orphan Annie's, Thursdays at 9 and Sundays at 8, ARL 64 and 65 covered a total of four shows. Some of the talented folks listed here came to more than one show, while some made it to all... BRAVO!

Why don't you come to American Roots Live with Nasty Ned and read your name in print here and maybe even see your picture on this page, too.

ARL 64 and 65's playlist included: JR Bradfield, Johnny Charles, Kim Brewer, Len DePiano, Ed Pampani, Roy Macnamara(pic 3), Ed Avilia, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Doug Diettman(pic 1), Fred Malley, Frank Cerulli, Dave Carta, Paul Obremski, Bob Giglio, Mimi Nowak, The Kaytells, Ron Siebert, Joshua Reyes, Phil Liebergall, Joe Salerno, John Powers, Bob DelRosso, Bones Sanford, Gavin Lawrence, Randy Marinelli (pic 2), Arnie Englund, Robert Zee, Carlo Trentacosta, Tony Bozza, John Bozza, Chaz, Carl Marcantonio, Rich Koerner, Gene Goodman, and Walter Foot.

Thanks to Orphan Annie's, Rick, Karin, Frank, Annie, Win, Ed, Big Nancy, Stevie, Elmore Magazine and The American Roots Live All Stars.

***As we remembered our fallen brother, guitar great and ARL All Star, Bernie Brausewetter with a grand memorial concert and final CD release party Sunday at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ - the music world mourned yet another true great this past week in Bill Perry. So sad. Such a loss.

In honor of Bill Perry and for sake of remembering his genius, I have posted a CD review here that I am proud to have written for Elmore Magazine a few months ago.

RIP brother.



Bill Perry
Don't Know Nothin' About Love
(Blind Pig)





Bill Perry may know nothin' about love, but he sure knows how to rock the blues. And that's exactly what the veteran bluesman from Chester, NY does on his fourth Blind Pig release in four years with one funky infectious groove after another.

Don't Know Nothin' About Love finds Perry at his artistic best as once again he is matched in the studio with producer and New York City blues legend, Popa Chubby. And Chubby seems to know something about Perry. He brings out the best in the artist capturing on disc the raw power and brilliant honesty Bill is known for in his live performances.

The album features eight new and vigorous Perry originals and three covers, including a remarkable remake of the Temptations classic, "Ball of Confusion" complete with a ferociously rocking guitar.

The title track pines traditional, while "My Baby Loves to Dance" makes you want to. "Can’t Afford to Die" is a smoldering tone-tender blues that Perry smokes way down low proving that phrasing and feel define an artist more than anything else.

To say Bill Perry's guitar talks is an understatement. It actually screams and cries and it preaches. It deeply communicates the blues. In fact on the self penned, socially relevant "Down in New Orleans" Perry brings us even deeper than the blues with a dark chill that will make you feel the flood waters rise.

I will not make a comparison here, but must say, I can't remember being spoken to so intimately by a guitar since Stevie Ray's.

Bill Perry's performances here are inspiring, fluid, soulful, biting, funky and as gritty as a gravel road. Don't Know Nothin' About Love is well worth your hard earned money. And if you like to dance, you'd better roll the rug back off the floor before pressing play.

Keeping it real,

Ned

ARL Roots Review 55 - BB's Royal Memorial

Thoughtfully, Arlene Schar, violinist and American Roots Live All-Star; Hellertown, PA, circulated a mother's day card among ARL 55 participants on the first of Bernie's Memorial nights Thursday at the Rail in Bound Brook, NJ.

Then, Friday, she "over-nighted" the mother's day card full of our signatures and well wishes to BB's mom with my phone number on the back.

As Arlene had hoped would happen, Bernie's mom got the card on Saturday and decided to come to 55 for the second night of the Royal Memorial for her son on Sunday.

Before the second show, as the Rail filled with players, friends and fans my cell phone rang.

Mrs. B arrived that night, driven by Bernie's good friend Dawn, just as the evening's music was starting. She appreciated all of the talented, dedicated players who showed up on both nights in her son's honor, and so do I.

They came from near and far.

Just off his tour of Holland and England, our friend Jake Walker came in from New York City on Thursday to join 28 other performers at the Royal Memorial.

On Sunday, it was our friend the King of the Rust Belt Blues; Mike Dugan from Allentown, PA with bass player and ARL All-Star Rob Fraser joining 21 others to play and pay tribute.

Yes, the hottest players in the area made it to our stage to honor BB. And though he has left the building and his stool sits empty on our stage, Bernie Brausewetter will remain in our hearts and our minds and our ears.

Many special thanks to all who took part in American Roots Live 55; John Powers, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Mimi Nowak, Johnny Charles, Jamo Flynn, Billy K, Nancy Coletti, Arlene Schar, Ed Pampani, Sonny Young, Jimmy Somma, Jake Walker, Mike Carrol, Jake Jar el, Bob Del Roso, Bones Sanford, Roy Macnamara, Snakeman Runyan, Chris Porto, Randy Marinelli, Carlo Trentacosta, Jack Powers, Mike Caruso, Dennis Macarone, Vern Mobley, Arne Englund, Robert Zee, Alan Rogoff, Metal Bob, Aaron, Ramir, Gavin Lawrence, Freddie Macarone, Ron Michaels, Rusty, Walter Foot, Bob Giglio, Mike Dugan, Rob Fraser, Tony Goncalves, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Cal Ritchie, Big Nancy, Richard Skelly, Russ Allison, Susan, Noah, Dawn and of course Mrs. Brausewetter. (Pic with Bernie below.)












Remember, it was on the morning of Bernie's passing, April 15th, that the sky started crying and flooded 7 feet of water into downtown Bound Brook. It rained for three days putting the Rail and hundreds of other businesses and residents out of commission, including American Roots Live for three weeks.

ARL wants to help the Bound Brook Area Chamber of Commerce to help those businesses and the historic Bound Brook Theater back on their feet. Please watch this page and your email inbox for information about upcoming fund raising events including an American Roots Live spear-headed Spirit Festival downtown in July.

It all starts with a Somerset Patriots baseball game Monday, May 21 at Commerce Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ.

Purchasing tickets for that game (and the fun activities prior to the game) from the Bound Brook Area Chamber of Commerce will assure the monies go to the downtown folks affected and will greatly help the efforts of restoration undertaken by so many.

To attend the game and festivities for the sake of the cause, please call Mafalda at Versatile Printing for tickets. Her phone number is 908 489-4753 and tell her Nasty Ned told you to call.

I'd like to see you at the ballpark on Monday as the Somerset Patriots celebrate their tenth season while helping Bound Brook, in a game against the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Thank you.

Keeping it real,

Ned