| "BLUES WITH A FEELING 2004" - TRIBUTE TO KING BISCUIT BOY ARNOLD'S - MOHAWK COLLEGE - HAMILTON, ONTARIO - MAY 15, 2004 |
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| Never having met the late Richard Newell (a.k.a. King Biscuit Boy) and only just missing his last live performance (at Hess Village�s soon-to-be-sold Mermaid�s Lounge), I don�t know if he ever realized how great an impact his untimely demise would have on his fans and musical peers alike, especially those who felt closest to him. The second annual concert held in homage to him (which has all the signs of becoming a long-term annual musical pilgrimage, not unlike a certain American musical �king� long since passed away) was held this year at the Arnold Centre at Mohawk College on Hamilton Mountain. I much preferred Arnie�s to Club 77, last year�s venue, in regard to the superior acoustics and photo opportunities. The slightly cool weather provided a perfect antidote (for socially-outcast smokers) to the musical heat generated onstage! The eight-member volunteer committee known as the Friends of Richard Newell (including Rob Platsko) did an excellent job of organizing the event, which was sponsored by Hamilton�s Y108 (and hosted by Jason Farr) and Labatt�s, with technical gear provided by Long & McQuade. Proceeds from the event were earmarked to provide a bursary, in Richard�s name, for budding musicians studying at Mohawk. Curiously, in that respect, the musicians in attendance were comprised mainly of Richard�s more experienced contemporaries. An outdoor concert in the mostly student-frequented Hess Village might have attracted these musicians-in-training as well as music fans interested in carrying on Richard�s passion for both Blues and rock�n�roll music. The roster of performers was severely pared down from the previous year�s concert, which had tried to accommodate Richard�s numerous comrades, but the quality and intimacy of the music heard this year actually improved because of this. Pretty well all of the five bands, and various reformations of same, were in full-tilt boogie mode, despite the absence of John Till, who had been scheduled to participate in the event. Hamilton�s The Breeze (featuring Brent Dawson on vocals, Lance Kiernan and Ronnie Copple on guitar, Ian Linton on bass, and Danny Lockwood on drums), opened the show with Richard�s �Corinna, Corinna� and �Mama Lucci�, the Oak Ridge Boys� �Elvira�, and a rockabilly-type tune that got some boogie-boys rockin� on the dance floor (and they never left, either!). This long-running band would be a perfect entertainment act on the Rochester-Toronto ferry of the same name (if it ever arrives from Down Under, that is!). Buffalo�s Zark and the Sharks are a top-drawer act of sophistication, featuring great vocal leads and instrumental licks by drummer Greg Zark, keyboardist Dan Sturner (on �It Feels Like Rain�), and bass-player/songwriter John Rose, who sang of �Well-Off, Upper-Middle-Class Blues�. Mike Eastman, a long-time guitarist in Ronnie Hawkins� musical camp, is the fourth member of the sterling quartet, which was accompanied by Calgary�s Dylan McDonald (a.k.a. �Medium Walter�), adding his well-honed chops on harmonica. (continued on next page) |