Lonie's on a friday night...
Caught the solo act's last song, grand piano pushing out chords and stellar vocals. (Nothing but covers, paying tribute to her favorites.) Followed by an awesome goodtime dance band. Rockin' out the beats and getting the butts to shake... ...mostly covers, paying tributes to the lead singer's favs. They closed super strong with an original, introducing every member of the group. The crowd encouraged 'one more song' and they bust into a Billie Jean cover that had all the right parts being played, but the jam wasn't in it. They left the stage in turmoil for the sound guy to work out for us. Let's just say i'm continually amazed at this band, Barrett's Hidden Agenda, in this case it was the ability to overcome. To hurry up and wait, to be patient, kind professionals, and once given the green light - to BRING IT. "Blood in the River" shook the room. The bobbing heads, the stomping feet, the hands clapping all in the gravel time that is the bed in the track raised the band up for the rest of the set. We pushed the boundaries in Jon Rogers' cut "Catch Afire," and anytime Andrew Doney gets to play a grand piano is well, grand! Cheryl's feature cuts where just downright awesome. Her vocal prowess and stage presence can be such a needed anchor for the group.
After we finished, Lonie was getting her Big Baddass Band to sound check. She did her thing, and came back down while sound was being dialed in on the other instruments.
"I can't believe you guys, Barrett. You did your full set without monitors?!? The vocals were so well blended, in pitch, and the band was so freakin' TIGHT." She said to me. I think she was more excited then i was over our set. She is such an appreciator and facilitator of art as a whole. She knows the craftmanship that goes into each song, let alone the effort and time it takes to put it all into one set.
Most of us hung out into the wee hours of the morning listening to Lonie and Co. jam it out. From jazz to NOLA funk, that band's got it. Lot of inspiration and perspiration in each tune they play, and it all seems so effortless.
Can't wait to bring BHA back to Lonie's for a couple of sets, hopefully regularly. Keep ya posted.