Bill Welch Band at Hi Fidelity

Okay, this photo is not from last night, but it is representative of three of the players in the Bill Welch Band--Bill Welch on the left, Bill Tiberio on the right and Gene Rogalski, center. I don't have a photo of Fred Welch or Mike Keefe--I'll get one next time. This is a band that, as I've said before, just keeps getting better and better. They played to a packed house for over two and a half hours without a break last night, and each tune was better than the one before. I love these guys and think they are one of the best bands in Rochester.

And this morning, very early, Bill Welch was performing more beautiful music at our church. Once a month he has a little group that provides the music for the 7:30am Mass. There's about eight of us or so, men and women, usually; but this month, it was "Guy Sunday" and the boys rocked the house with some beautiful harmonies and bluegrass a la O Brother Where Art Thou. Paul Harris, Paul Sanderson, Rich Russell, Chip Milligan, Dan Gilmartin and newcomer Mike Curry joined him. It was lovely.

That's all for now.

yours in music,
Tracy

Merchants Grill on a Thursday night.

I met my mom and dad at the Merchants Grill last night to have a drink for my dad's birthday. I picked that place (not my favorite, by the way) because it's very close to their house and because a woman I know through my work, Brenda Barber, was singing there. She invited me to come and hear her solo act. She also sings with a "party band" but this deal is just her singing to backing tracks.

She had a huge voice--rich, deep, bluesy--really beautiful. I'd prefer to hear her with a real band backing her, but that's me. I bet she'd sound great with a little jazz trio behind her--all torchy and seductive--but she'd be good with a hard rocking blues band, too.

The problem for me was that my parents actually wanted to converse! Brenda's voice alone was loud, but it was her backing tracks that were killing me. Too, too loud. If the music could have been turned down a few hundred decibels and I was alone, I would have enjoyed it very much. As I said, her voice was great, she had "stage presence" and she was giving her all on every tune. I'm sure she's a blast with the party band.

As usual people all around were yakking away. I know that I could not stand up in front of a bunch of people and sing my heart out knowing that no one was listening. Well, not no one. There were people here and there who, I believe, came specifically to hear her. And as the night went on, there were fewer dinner groups and fewer barflies and more people listening. I'd definitely go see her again.

I received an email from a local musician--a bassist--who is looking for a blues or jazz band to play with. I've mentioned it to one friend who may be interested, and I'm putting it out there for anyone to comment and let me know if they are looking.

The Bill Welch Band, one of my favorites, is playing from 7:00 to 9:00 this Saturday night at Hi Fidelity. I don't want to miss that show. They are an amazing group of musicians who just keep getting better and better. Hope to see you there!

yours in music,
Tracy

PA Road Trip

Well, another exciting adventure to Pennsylvania, home of the Amish, their quilts, their candles and a porn shop every 10 miles or so. In fact, you are not five minutes across the border before you come to the one that always has the best marquee signs out front. We look forward to them every trip. Adult Gift Shop, Adult Video Store (or Superstore as the case may be), Gentlemen's Club, Mustang Sally's (I kid you not.) - whatever they want to call them, they're all over. It does make us laugh. I thought I'd share. (Photos courtesy of Caroline.)

yours in music (and other stuff)

Here's what I sent to the D & C

Bet it doesn't get in.

"Saturday afternoon, I sat at the Eastman Theatre listening to high-school age students who sounded like professional musicians. Where were you?

These were students chosen for their superior talent from throughout all the school districts in our county. Much like the high school athletes who make it to the Section V playoffs or the high school cheerleaders who make it to the Section V cheer-off, these are the best of the best, the cream of the crop. Unlike the athletes or the cheerleaders, these kids performed their talents without benefit of any press coverage.


The guest conductor of the orchestra, Mr. Gerard Floriano of Mercury Opera, made a point of this when he first began their part of the program. This is a sad fact here in Rochester. Rochester print and television media is there to cover the athletes and cheerleaders, but no one bothers to give the students who excel in the music programs any recognition.

Any one (or more) of these young people may very well be the stars of the future whose brilliance would shine a bit on their hometown of Rochester. Too bad there won't be any newspaper clippings to show from where they came.

What a shame."

All-County Senior High Music Festival . . .

Saturday afternoon, I sat at the Eastman Theatre listening to high-school age students who sounded like professional musicians. They were students chosen for their superior talent from throughout all the school districts in our county. Much like the high school athletes who make it to the Section V playoffs or the high school cheerleaders who make it to the Section V cheer-off, these are the best of the best, the cream of the crop. Unlike the athletes or the cheerleaders, these kids performed their talents without benefit of any press coverage.

The guest conductor of the orchestra, Mr. Gerard Floriano of Mercury Opera, made a point of this when he first began their part of the program. This is a sad fact here in Rochester. The athletes and cheerleaders get the press and the students who excel in the music programs do not get recognized.

What a shame.

Yours in music,
Tracy

And now, back to the music . . .

Friday night at the Village Rock Cafe in beautiful, downtown East Rochester, and there was a bar fight even before the band got started! I figured it was going to be an interesting night. It turned into a night in which each of the "boys" was totally on his game. Jimmy was great on vocals and played that sax for all he was worth; Todd was, as always, soulful and fun on the keyboards, Dave authoritatively set the tone on the drumset; Ralph Ortiz was even more phenomenal on Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone then he was the first time I heard him play it--the beautiful Bo Leopard bass became a percussive force to be reckoned with; and Joe, well what he was making that guitar do all night long was sweet, sexy, and smokin'!

The crowd got bigger and was very appreciative. The good news was that the crowd wasn't all "the usual suspects" drinking, talking, and not listening. This crowd included musicians from several different bands--some I know, and some I don't. Dave and John from Northside Johnny were there, Emmet, Chris and Tina from Me & the Boyz were there, and a few assorted others--all of whom were blown away by Hot Sweets. This is a band that needs more gigs and better venues!

I think Joe and I are going to go to see Northside Johnny at JW Quimby's tonight. I'm looking forward to it.

There, is that better Uncle Wally . . . all music today!

yours in music,
Tracy

Vantage Point

If you love movies with car chases, simple betrayal, a little bait and switch, explosions, gunshots in crowded areas--and did I say car chases--you'll love Vantage Point! It was some good escapist fun.

yours in music (and other stuff)
Tracy

So I'm thinking about adding new content . . .

Just wondering about whether or not I should add other types of writing to this blog. Since I'm not seeing live music seven nights a week to be able to constantly report back on that (I'm hardly seeing it once a week regularly right now), I'm wondering if it's time to just write about other things as well.

I don't mean, necessarily, personal rantings and ramblings (like the one I posted about forwards) all the time, either. I just think it would be an obvious complement to Rochester Music Scene (And Heard) to talk about the "Rochester Scene in General" every once in a while. Perhaps some restaurant reviews--I eat in the city much of the time for all meals; talk about city revitalization; talk about activities in the city.

I need to start checking out some of the resources we have here, and then I can talk about them. For instance, I haven't been on the First Fridays Art Gallery Bus Tour; haven't been to the Public Market in ages; haven't ever been to Artisan Works or Second Saturdays at Anderson Alley. I was recently at the MAG to see the quilt exhibit because Joe's sister has a piece in it; and I enjoyed poking through much of the art on the second floor - especially the medieval and renaissance pieces. We listened to a classical choral concert accompanied by a cellist and the 700-year-old organ.

So, maybe I should start writing about these treasures of Rochester (there'll always be a rant here or there, too) when I actually participate in them. What do you think?

yours in music (primarily),
Tracy

Met Dave Spinner last night

Dave was playing with Maggie Mullens at Brio; we stopped in for a late dinner and only caught the short last set. He's a good keyboardist--I'd like to hear him again sometime. I think he's going to be there with a quartet, maybe next weekend. We'll check it out if we can.

The Bill Welch Band, one of my faves, is playing at Hi Fidelity on Saturday the 29th of March from 7:00 - 9:00; hopefully, we'll be able to make that show. They never fail to please. Also, on the 14th, the spring series of Friday Jazz at Immanuel kicks off with Mambo Kings. I'd like to make that show; I haven't seen them for a few years, and Dick Delaney is my daughter's piano teacher.

Joe and I went to see "In Bruges" on Friday night; I'm sure he wishes we'd gone to hear music. It was slow, but kind of a "thinking man's movie" about two hit men who are holed up "waiting for instructions" in this beautiful medieval city. It would be better as a rental, I think, because then you could nap in the comfort of your own home during the slower parts!

That's all for now.

yours in music,
Tracy