Professor’s Live Reviews continued.... duties. The Lawn Darts had constant fun as they played their music, and the vibe became looser and more freewheeling as their performance continued. Highlights were frequent, including Greg and Perry’s percussion duel during James Gang’s “Funk #49,” a go-for-broke rendering of the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post” and more. The cancellation of the day’s next scheduled band cleared the way for The Lawn Darts to extend their party for the duration of the afternoon and early evening. Ebensburg celebrated the spud for the 22nd straight year with another edition of Potatofest in late September. Live music was again a big part of this year’s event, and I got to see four performances in between browsing art and craft vendor tables and savoring potato-based foodstuffs. The first band I encountered upon arriving was Pittsburgh favorites JD Eicher & the Goodnights at the main tent. Celebrating the recent release of their new CD, “Into Place” ; namesake/ singer/ guitarist J.D. Eicher, keyboardist Ben Portz, bassist Jim Merhaut and drummer Ryan Kirk mixed songs from the new album with past original songs, and their own distinctive spins on select classics. Original songs like “The Last Love Song” and “Lately Lady” were smooth yet punchy pop-rock; while the group made their cover song selection their own. They gave Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” a piano makeover, and provided a funkier Steely Dan-like lean in their version of “I Don’t Need No Doctor.” Next, I checked in with hometown Ebensburg rockers Never Enough at the Memorial Park tent stage. Singer Stacy Feighner displayed a clear and soaring voice up front as she led the group on upbeat favorites from Adele, Janis Joplin, Guns N’Roses, Queen, GoGos and more. Guitarist Tony Feighner, bassist Lou Nagy and drummer Christi Roddy also flexed their voices during the performance; with Tony fronting the group on Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” Lou singing lead on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps” and Alice Cooper’s “Be My Lover,” and Christi singing from behind the kit on Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally.” After Never Enough finished their performance, I divided time between Fuse at the main tent and The Highlites at the South
November, 2013
The Rik Golden Band Center Street tent. These days featuring the sibling rhythm section of lead singer/ drummer Nick George and bassist/ singer Rich George, guitarist/ singer Tom Buck and keyboardist/ singer John Stackhouse; Fuse rocked downtown Ebensburg with ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s rock favorites from Bryan Adams, Whitesnake, Billy Idol, another take on “Mustang Sally,” and their powerful and furious closing rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s epic “Free Bird,” with guitars a-blazing ‘til the final note! Featuring members from Cambria and Bedford Counties, The Highlites struck up the party with their showy brand of vintage ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s hits. Singer Dan Atwood, the dual keyboard tandem of Steve and Kathy Petrullo, bassist Troy Daugherty and drummer John Swat kept audience members cheering with their version of “Mustang Sally” (obviously a popular song this day!), Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll,” Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” and more, including their rousing singalong finale version of the Isley Brothers’ “Shout.” The 49th annual Fall Foliage Festival filled Bedford’s downtown streets with plentiful arts and crafts, food and music during the first two weekends of October. I attended three of the festival’s four days, and saw a different act each day on the Gazebo stage. On the first day, Oct. 5, Pittsburgh’s Etta Cox and her band performed a tasty selection of smooth jazz, R&B, pop and blues. Etta sang with a clear, bright voice that smoothly escalated in power and range during each song. Her bandmates were supremely talented; including trombonist Al
PENNSYLVANIA MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
Dowe and keyboardist John Burgh (of the Jimmy Adler Band). Etta and her group did a varied selection of songs; including George Benson’s “This Masquerade,” Lenny Welch’s “Since I Fell for You,” “Miss Celie’s Blues” from the movie The Color Purple, Etta James’ “At Last” and many more. The following day, Sunday the 6th, former Houserockers guitarist Bill Toms and his band Hard Rain brought Pittsburgh rock and soul to the Fall Foliage Festival. Armed with his guitar and a gritty singing voice, Bill led his Hard Rain cast on a selection of original R&B, rock and blues. Bill frequently gave background on his songs and the Pittsburgh personalities and settings that inspired them. The “Ballad of Jimmy Jones” was about an ill-fated Pittsburgh bank robber, “Payin’ These Dues” dealt with music scene reality, and “Misery” concerned married life (not his own). Bill’s Hard Rain cast was very talented as well, featuring energetic sax man Phil Brontz, former Cyclones bassist Tommy Valentine, guitarist Mark Cholewski and drummer Bernie Herr. Bill and Hard Rain lifted the mood of the Fall Foliage crowd and earned demands for an encore at show’s end. And rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowd on Fall Foliage Festival’s final day, Sunday the 13th, or put a damper on the Gazebo stage’s final act, western PA classic country practitioners Black Horse. A touring fair and festival band that was recently invited to join the world famous Wheeling Jamboree, Black Horse - singer/guitarist John Natale, upright continued on next page ...
Black Horse
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