Blues On Stage - The Singer's Voice, Tribute to Sam Cooke & Otis Redding

The Singer's Voice
Tribute to Sam Cooke & Otis Redding
@ The Dakota, December 7, 1997

Bruce A. Henry, Dane Stauffer, Mark Lickteig
The Dakota, December 7, 1997
Photo © 1997 by Ray Stiles. All rights reserved.

This regular Sunday evening series at the Dakota featured a special tribute to Sam Cooke and Otis Redding on the anniversary of their deaths. They both died within a day of each other in 1964 and 1967, respectively. Joining pianist Dan Chouinard were local singers Bruce A. Henry, Mark Lickteig and Dane Stauffer.

Dan Chouinard, Henry
The Dakota, 12/7/97
Photo © 1997 by Ray Stiles.
All rights reserved

Though mostly unrehearsed, the 2 one hour sets came off as a light, fun evening of musical nostalgia. Mark Lickteig's voice is a dead ringer for Otis Redding and you could tell he has spent many long hours listening to his records and working on the right phrasing and vocal nuances. He had all the right feelings and emotion in his voice to pull it off. His version of the songs "These Arms Of Mine," "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and "Sad Song" were right on the mark.

Henry, Stauffer
The Dakota, 12/7/97
Photo © 1997 by Ray Stiles.
All rights reserved

Bruce Henry and Dane Stauffer sang some entertaining renditions of many of the Sam Cooke classics like "Chain Gang," "Another Saturday Night" and "Twisting the Night Away." Dan Chouinard provided many interesting comments on the songs and singers as he introduced each number. Bruce and Dane really got into the act during the second set when they were high stepping out some amusing dance steps just like the Temptations. And Bruce's whistle on "Sitting On The Dock of the Bay" was right on the money. There were a few other amusing moments like Dane's comment "yes, I know the song 'Cupid'," as he rapidly thumbs through the Sam Cooke song book. Or the improvised sound effects on the song "Chain Gang" with Dane pounding out the "hammer" sounds with a hammer on the mike stand.

Gwen Mathews, Henry, Stauffer
The Dakota, 12/7/97
Photo © 1997 by Ray Stiles.
All rights reserved

Towards the end of the show a few guests came up on stage to help out, Ginger Commodore with her strong gospel vocals and Gwen Mathews who sang "Summertime" and one other song. Boy what a voice she has - just like an angel. You might want to check out this fine series at the Dakota every Sunday night.

E-mail Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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Copyright © 1997 by Ray M. Stiles
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.