Buffalo City Groove - 44
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Welcome to Buffalo and the nation's leading Internet newsletter dealing with music. Check out our Website at www.buffalocitygroove.tripod.com
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Years ago, the University of Buffalo's Spring and Fall Fests were major events uniting the school with the community. Gradually, however, you see more and more students living on the remote campus - distancing themselves from the populated areas. As a result, you have two cities, or, a population isolated from the mainstream. The music Fests now exist for the students only. Outside papers are given no information; the events come and go enjoyed only by those affiliated with the university.
This is a shame. BCG writers remember enjoying these events along pretty Lake LaSalle. There was always a good mix of folk, rock, and college music for the students ( Robert Cray, Lou Reed, Cyndi Lauper, Hot Tuna, Jimmy Cliff ), and it was great exposure for the University.
In all fairness, though, these events and decisions are made by kids who don't know any better. They've been given large funding and really are green when it comes to marketing and proper spending. Actually, one of BCG's own went to UB some years back and was one of their tennis club reps. He had an amazing time allocating "important" monies for essentials such as tennis balls and beer. One can't help wondering: if these state students are from NYCity, do they really care about uniting the community with the college? Recently, BCG tried to obtain credentials to attend a 10,000 Maniacs performance at the Amherst Campus which was produced through UUAB. The tickets for the show, by the way, were free to students. Our UUAB dealings for this concert were with a boy named Jeremiah who seemed confused by the request. The fact that Jeremiah never got back to us clearly demonstrated his election to not even venture a measure from his own "city."
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After having lunch with the Buffalo Philharmonic marketing director, we're forced to retract some playful words we recently used in describing conductor and Music Director, Joann Falletta. Our piece referred to her as "the ever vacationing" which was written in light of the appearance of frequent guest conductors. Falletta is currently completing conducting duties in Long Beach and Virginia. It was then explained to BCG that, as a musical director, you just can't pick up and leave. Instead, it's more of a "fade out,"…….sort of like a Partridge Family song.
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A recent visit to Savannah, Ga. reminds us that every town has that special jazz singer who is legendary to that area. Emma Kelly plays that role in Savannah. She carries the title given to her by native Johnny Mercer, "Woman of 600 Songs." At her weekly gig, tourists are convinced of her fame, appreciate every note, photograph her, and buy her CD! BCG reporters arrived home on time for Easter dinner with Buffalo State pop music professor, Chuck Mancuso. Mancuso, an authority on jazz, had never heard of her. But, who cares? It didn't diminish Kelly in any way. Who needs national fame when you're trying to bond with particular cities and what those cities see as important.
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Buffalo's "Kelly" is DoDo Greene. Greene has a weekend gig at the Anchor Bar every Friday and Saturday night. The Anchor Bar, originator of the chicken wing, gets snubbed by local music enthusiasts because it's usually packed with tourists. It doesn't matter; the jazz and the old time atmosphere can't be beat. Greene, who has recorded albums with the Blue Note label, fits the scene perfectly. With her lipstick stained microphone and white handkerchief, she gives full effort - no matter what the size of the crowd. As an aside to Buffalo visitors……the Anchor Bar hardly rates at the top of the list for good wings. However, their seldom ordered pizza is most distinctive and is the true bargain on the menu.
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The response to our recent blurb questioning band volumes was staggering, and we tried to respond to as many as possible. The most memorable commentary came from a reader in Wilmington, NC. He first mentioned amps must be set along with the loudest un-amplified instrument on the bandstand. "This is usually the drums, but horns and banjos are always contenders for the title." he wrote. Our Wilmington reader also gave advice on avoiding loud situations: "Noticing brushes near the drum set entering the venue is a good sign, whereas seeing microphones on the drums is bad." He concluded by sharing that he's been playing gigs professionally for 21 years, and he's never seen anyone leave a show because the band was "too quiet." "If people have to have it louder than we want it to be," he stated, "they're always welcome to come up front and put their heads in the speakers, the bass drum, or the bell of the saxophone or trumpet."
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The Lion King opened with great fanfare in Toronto last week, and Buffalo City Groove was there for an evaluation. As it turned out, the music was somewhat disappointing - and not just because Graham Nash's masterpiece, "Mama Lion" wasn't included. As one writer said, "Elton John is no Gershwin..."
The truth is, the songs are for kids; the performance is for the adults. Kids shouldn't be allowed to see such a spectacle. They'll never settle for "Sesame Street on Ice," Ringling Brothers, or "Annie" once they've attended this. It really is a spectacle. However, start them on "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" or "Chow Down" and watch their tastes grow more sophisticated. By the way, the sugary, "Hakuna Matata" ( "no worries" ) makes any do-gooder from the East Coast to the Ivory Coast wince.
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O.K., you've coughed up a wedding gift, attended church on Saturday, been patient and hungry through tacky wedding party introductions ( "Let's Get Ready to Rumble" ). What's more fun than settling down for a nice slow dance with your date following a hectic day? You can live the moment regularly without the stress or expense. Four BCG reporters stopped in to the famous reception hall, Salvatore's Italian Garden, for late night drinks. No weddings were taking place, but the atmosphere was intact. The venue was its usual immaculate self with lovely chandeliers, carpets, and statues. A two-man lounge act, Free Fall, was sounding great. After, two hours of dancing and entertainment, BCG exited. No hangovers, no exhaustion, no great expense. Quite nice. Feel free to dress up to enhance the experience.
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Similar to the art deco diner or the drive-in movie, there is a need to preserve the nightclubs which end their names in "z" or "xx." It's late century Americana. These clubs usually exist near airports or in the depths of the suburbs. You'd swear the clientele, trying to recreate past decades, comes out in costume, but it's the real thing. One such venue is Runwayz ( near the airport, of course ). Runwayz has been under different management over the years but frequently keeps "z" or "x''s, and it carries on the tradition we mentioned. Recently, BCG was at Runwayz attending a Square Pegs concert. Square Pegs specialize in dance numbers, retro hits, and an outrageous appearance….. actually, they're quite good. The music and partying continued into the wee hours of a Friday night, and ghosts from Impaxx, Kixx, the Oz were very proud.
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CD REVIEW
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The Nields, who specialize in harmonies and off beat topics, play Buffalo fairly frequently. While they come and go with little attention they do, however, have fans among high-schoolers and festival-goers. The Nields are a nifty pop outfit. Their new release, "If You Lived Here, You'd Be Home Now," ( Zoe ) is typical of their work which is made up of catchy tunes with thought provoking lyrics and ideas.
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An exceptional pop effort can be found on Terry Radigan's "Radigan" ( Vanguard ). Radigan has lurked in the shadows while writing for the likes of Trish Yearwood and Patty Loveless. So often, a terrific talent is found hidden behind others. Radigan teams with Justin Niebank ( produced some Blues Traveller ) to feature a number of unique pop sounds which include a mandolin, banjo, piano, and autoharp that all well enhance the musicians' efforts.