| "BLUES WITH A FEELING 2003" CLUB 77 - HAMILTON, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 11, 2003 (CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE) |
 |
| Hamilton-born Skip Prokop (Lighthouse) and new Powerhouse recruit Steve Negus (Saga) took turns on drums on "One Fine Morning" and "Make Me Smile". Steve has added a vibrant new dimension to this long-running group of professionals, and their saxman, Glen Higgins, continues to thrill (and amuse) audiences with his astounding mimicry of Joe Cocker on "Unchain My Heart". Bassist Greg Smith, mourning the recent passing of his wife, Ruth, had a double reason for expressing his emotions through the healing power of music, and it showed. Although I didn't get a good earful on the brass section or vocals from my vantage point at stage-right, the rhythm-heavy guitar work, by original Lighthouse guitarist Ralph Cole, on "One Fine Morning" resounded perfectly! Equally talented regular Powerhouse guitarist Phil Kott took over on Chicago's "Make Me Smile". With Paul Vardy no longer on drums and vocals, Carlo DiBattista and John Willett shared lead vocals. Harmonica knight Mark "Bird" Stafford teamed up with the Toronto Blues Society contingent of Brian Blain on banjo and former Hamiltonian and concert co-organizer Lily Sazz on keyboards. Lily read out a touching salutary message from Jack de Keyzer, who was unable to attend and perform at the concert. Other musicians in attendance but not performing were Joe Rhodes, Jim Gillard, Randy Gallant, Lance Keirnan, Bryon Walpole, Bobby Hebert, Wayne McPhee, as well as blues DJ Eddy "B" Brake, whom I'd recently met at the Silver Dollar, where he was emceeing for the highly successful Winterfolk Fest, conceived and organized by Brian Gladstone. Mohawk College Radio (C101.5 FM) DJ Lou Molinaro, along with Dr. Disc and Rave Records, did an exceptionally good job at promoting this event, the proceeds of which will hopefully be used for some sort of serious commemoration for Richard Newell, whose playhouse sadly got done tore down, somewhere along the way. Rest in Peace in the Blues, Richard. I'd like to apologize for any musicians' names who got left out of the equation here. With the barest of note-taking, a lot of picture-taking (and a wee bit too much vodka), this is the best recollection I can offer. You did your city proud! Diane Wells N.B. A Coda from The Doctor "My personal highlight of the night (that sorta tells it all) ?? ... Kelly Jay coming in from Calgary, everyone in Hamilton waiting to hear him play his piano (it's been such a long while), and during the first song when they were trading leads, when it came to Kelly's turn, instead of playing, he grabbed the mic and talked about Richard for two verses. Now that's Blues with a Feeling". |
| TO READ THE REVIEW FOR "2004 BLUES WITH A FEELING", |
 |