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June 18, 2005
Rusty Zinn at Sweetwater 6/15/05
Last Wednesday, even though I was wiped from a 4am morning, a nine hour work day, and didn't get a great nap, I went to The Sweetwater Saloon for the Rusty Zinn CD release party of his "Zinfidelity Vol 1".
Yeah, I knew all about his changing directions and headin' towards reggae and such, but I just knew there would plenty of blues.
Walked in and lo & behold....there was Bob Welsh sittin' behind the keys!!
Exciting? Yes indeed!
Randy Bermudas on bass, some drummer I've never seen before and Robert Sidwell on guitar!!
Two back up singers one being Angela Witherspoon and the other's name I didn't catch.
Real fine singing from both but that Angela took the cake.
There was actually some three-part harmonies coming from Rusty and the ladies.
Rusty's singing is in real fine form. He put down the guitar lots and concentrated on his singing and it paid off. At least for him because I was wanting that guitar!!
Ok...I did enjoy his singing and Sidwell covered the guitar part ok but it sure wasn't Rusty's playing that I so love and remember.
After a short set of some reggae and soul, it was blues time baby!
"Give me a shuffle in F" and that was music to my ears. I hope my excitement wasn't too obvious.
"Treat You Just Like a Queen" was done at a faster pace than usual but it was cool.
Lots of blues and loads of new material. Very refreshing and real good. This band was so tight and in sync, I was amazed.
All the material was done beautifully even the "other-than-blues" stuff.
I wanted the CD but couldn't afford it at the time. $15 cover on a Wednesday night was a bit steep for that place but about twenty people didn't think so.
Don't get me wrong....it's not asking too much for a band such as this but I'm sure it kept some away.
I know it kept me from buying a CD at his Cd Release Party!
Seems a release Party should be reasonable if you want people to buy the CD. I couldn't swing both on this night.
The music awesome and Rusty did pick up the guitar a few times and really ripped some killer BLUES solos. It was way cool.
I almost forgot to add that Randy Bermudas was so awesome on this night. He was doing some amazing leads on that bass. It was really cool watching him play those reggae bass lines and you can tell he really enjoys it. This was a side of his playing I had never seen before. He and that drummer along with Bob's piano playing, together they made up one of the best rhythm sections I've heard in many moons.
It was steady and kept everything running on time.
Randy Bermudas....man of the hour!!
I can't wait to get that new CD because they did lots of stuff off of it on this night and it all sounded so good.
Rusty's singing is the highlite and featured instrument these days and listening to him..... you can hear why.
Later,
Mo
Posted by Mo at June 18, 2005 09:37 AM