Cool Disposition, another hard working Twin Cities' blues band opened the evening with an hour and a half set of down home Chicago style blues featuring Harold Tremblay on harmonica and Mickey Bauer on lead vocals (with Greg Beach on bass and Dwight Christensen on drums). The band has been around for a few years now and deserve their reputation as a solid traditional blues band - traditional meaning rooted in the 1950's Chicago electric blues school with some forays into West Coast jump blues. Sitting in tonight in the band's rotating blues guitar spot was Moses Oakland, long time jam leader at the Blues Saloon and now Famous Dave's. Moses had his remote guitar microphone on and, playing the role of the wandering guitar player, spent as much time out in the crowd as he did on stage. He was having a blast roaming around and dancing with various fans while playing his guitar. Harold at one point commented, in jest, that Moses should have had a long guitar chord so he could reel him in. The band performed a good selection of instrumentals and vocals and offered us one very strong set of satisfying blues.
Local Twin Cities Blues New editor Kurt Koehler offers an insightful observation from the liner notes of Steve's new CD:
Steve V is indeed a fun loving guy who enjoys having a good time both on and off stage. One of his original songs found on the CD and performed tonight called "Party," and the standard "Flip, Flop, Fly" seemed to sum up the loose, fun-loving, good-time spirit for the night. Steve V and band kept the joint jumping right up until closing time.
Steve's backing band for tonight's show were former band mate's The Soulmates featuring Johnny 'O' on guitar, Wilbur Cole on keyboards and backing vocals, Bill Pelletier on bass and Tom Donnahue on drums (with guest sax player Steve Clark and vocalist Mary Rancone). A pumped up Steve V jump-started the final two sets of the night with a biting harp solo and moved through a varied song list that included blues harp standards by Little Walter and Junior Wells, among others, and original compositions showcasing Steve's songwriting, vocals and strong harp playing.
Some Friday's get long especially if you were up at 5:30 in the morning for work like I was that day, but I found it easy to stay until the final song of the evening simply because the music was good and the atmosphere was fun. It was a party.
You can order "Boom Boom" Steve V's new CD for just $12.50 (includes shipping) at his website: www.bluesonstage.com/stevev
Or, send $12.50 to: Steve Vonderharr, PO Box 1104, Burnsville, MN 55337
Simply click on the CD cover at left to order this CD NOW!
This review is copyright © 2002 by Ray Stiles, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
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Its always great to see a local blues musician get some well deserved recognition. The recognition in this case was the ample turn out for Steve V's CD release party at Whiskey Junction.
The spotlight for the night, however, belonged on harmonica player Steve Vonderharr or "Boom Boom" Steve V as he likes to be called. This night was a celebration of the release of his first solo CD, From The Shadows.
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