Photography by Vernon Webb

2008 Grammy Award nominee David Bromberg known for his humorus lyrics is a multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, many styles of acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel guitar and Dobro), singer and songwriter. His musical style ranges from bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, country and western, and rock & roll equally well. He’s studied guitar with Reverend Gary and has played with Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, Jorma Kaukonen, Jerry Garcia, Rusty Evans/The Deep, Bob Dylan and George Harrison.

David Bromberg and his Big Band visited us in the small little town of Red Bank, New Jersey at the Count Basie Theatre, an elegant little venue named after Red Bank native William “Count” Basie that accommodates a little over 1500 people. The opening act, Angel Band, who’s lead singer and writer of most songs is Nancy Josephson, came on stage and spent about an hour with us along with David Bromberg for a couple of tunes. David Bromberg’s Big Band wasted very little time hitting the stage and spent another hour and half or so with us. I have to say that David Bromberg honestly puts on a show like no one else.

A few of the songs that were played this evening were Sloppy Drunk, As the Years Go Passing By, Girl for Every Day of the Week, Dark Holler, a medley of fiddle tunes Whiskey Before Breakfast, Bill Cheatem and Turkey in the Straw on 3 guitars, Mitch Corbin, Mark Cosgrove sitting in on guitar and Dave Bromberg and Nate Grower playing fiddle. As is pretty well none David Bromberg refuses to take requests and he will go so far as to not even play songs that he’s heard called out in the audience. At one point during the show he tells people that if they keep it up they won’t have anything left to play and then states that he’s about to play something that no one would ever expect them to play and as they launch into a wildly smoking instrumental version of Judy Garland’s Over The Rainbow. Shortly thereafter everyone leaves the stage and armed with an acoustic guitar, Mr. Bromberg, approaches the end of the stage to play Drown in My Own Tears written by Henry Glover, recorded & made famous by Ray Charles. Midway through the song, seemingly a member of the audience standing off to side in an aisle starts to respond to his questions, of course this is his wife along with the 2 other ladies from Angle Band; Aly Paige and Kathleen Weber. As always, it was an interesting evening that felt like being with old friends, friends to whom this reviewers wishes to be with again very soon.

Nearly 38 years after the famed Watkins Glen Grand Prix Raceway, New York show 3 of the New York area’s best known cover bands got together to honor this historic show. The original was believed to have been the largest gathering of people in the history of the United States and on this hot summer day, July 28, 1973, an estimated 600,000 people bottlenecked the small country roads of upstate New York. People had to abandon their vehicles and were said to have walked between 5 and 8 miles to reach the venue. The show only sold 150,000 tickets at $10 each which featured The Grateful Dead, The Band & The Allman Brothers Band. What was supposed to have been only one day of music turned into a two day event, starting a day earlier as sound checks turned into shows including an entire 2 set show from The Grateful Dead.

Unlike the original show the temperatures outside the BB King Blues Club in New York City this cold winter’s night was  nearing the 0 degree mark. The Band Band, Peach Project and Reflections were turning up the heat with their tribute to this infamous show. First to take the stage was The Band Band started the evening off with a rocking version of Up On Cripple Creek doing The Band proud. Highlights of the evening were W.S. Walcott Medicine Show, Makes No Difference, Don’t Do It and of course the crowd pleaser, The Weight. The band was very tight and with the many smiles and cheers from the crowd some very magical moments indeed.

Next to take the stage was the Peach Project and they made no  bones about being there to prove they were going to make some serious music. This guys were on fire and as tight as a band could get. I honestly felt like I was at an Allman Brothers show. Some of the jams were simply stunning and there was seriously not one rocking soul in the place. Personal favorites were Statesboro Blues, Come and Go Blues and the purely magical jams of In Memory of Elizabeth Reed & Jessica.

Last, but certainly not least was Reflections breaking out with a Shakedown Street that simply put everyone on their feet and that is where everyone remained until the end of the show. Halfway into the set Ray Longchamp, from Peach Project joined them for Cassidy & Brown-Eyed Women which seemed to put some fire into these guys as they took these songs to heights I’m sure they’ve never taken them to before.

All in all this was a fun and memorable night in New York City and an excellent way to spend the evening. In spite of the fact the New York Jets/Pittsburgh Steelers championship game was on (and one can certainly hear the disgusted complaints of many a Jets fans as news of their loss trickled in) the place had a real nice crowd. These fine bands are going to do it again at the Warwick Valley Winery, Warwick, NY on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, be sure to not miss it as it is a worthwhile treat.

Set lists and Band Members:
The Band Band – Up On Cripple Creek, The Shape I’m In, Long Black Veil, This Wheel’s On Fire, We Can Talk, Jawbone, King Harvest (Has Surely Come), I Shall Be Released, Across The Great Divide, Life Is A Carnival, W.S. Walcott Medicine Show, Stage Fright, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Chest Fever, It Makes No Difference, The Weight, Don’t Do It (encore) Members: Gary Solomon on bass, drums, fiddle & vocals, Jack Kraft on keyboards, accordion & vocals, Vinny Nicosia on drums, guitar & vocals, Mike Corbin on guitar & vocals, Josh Radin on guitar, mandolin, bass & vocals

Peach Project - Statesboro Blues,  Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More, Revival, Midnight Rider, Come and Go Blues, Southbound, Blue Sky, In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, Soulshine, Good Clean Fun, Jessica, Whipping Post Encore: Melissa Members: Ray Longchamp in guitar, Gregg D. Hollister on bass guitar and vocals, Tom Hammer on keyboards and vocals, Jim Perrini on guitar & vocals, Glenn MacDermott on keyboards and vocals, Frank Colonnato on drums

Reflections - Shakedown > Bertha, Ship of Fools, Mr Charlie, They Love Each Other, Cassidy*, Brown-eyed Women*, Scarlet > Uncle John’s > Eyes of the World> Uncle John Reprise> Morning Dew> Franklins encore: Sing Me Back Home—– TORE UP *with Ray from the Peach Project Members: Bob Guerra on guitar and vocals, Paul Kates on keyboards and vocals, Lizzy Friel on vocals, Josh Kates on drums, John Cassano on bass guitar