Owl Outings ~ Caught up in the blues
On August 19, 2018 we found ourselves, quite deliberately and delightfully, settled into the VIP seating area of The Geneseo Riviera for “An Evening of Blues,” featuring blues greats Joe Louis Walker and Johnny Rawls. Billed as “an unforgettable night of blues,” I couldn’t agree more. Rawls kicked off the evening with an upfront and personal approach that got the audience clapping and moving to the beat of songs such as “Lucy” from 2016’s Tiger In a Cage, “Red Cadillac” and “I say Yes.” Several times during his set, he went into the audience and mingled with the dancers on the dance floor. Music is deep down in Rawls’ soul, and in his past.
Born is 1951 in Mississippi, by the 1970s Rawls had toured with many different bands and was the band director for O.V. Wright. He went on to direct Little Johnny Taylor’s band before going solo in 1985. His 2013 album Remembering O.V. is a tribute to his time with Wright. Waiting for the Train (2017), his latest CD, was recognized as one of the top 50 blues albums of the year by Roots Music Report. Rawls’ extensive musical career was evident in his ease as a performer and in his ability to rile up the audience. The show was high energy from beginning to end and his back up band did not hold back a bit, helping to take everyone present along for the ride.
Extra special is a perfect way to describe the incredible talent that Joe Louis Walker brings up on stage. Everybody Wants a Piece (2015), earned Walker a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2016, and it was easy to see why with his rousing performance of “Young Girls Blues.” With a past rooted in gospel, the music is spiritual with edges of bluesy misbehavin’ evident with every note played. There were plenty of blues songs in the mix, but it is in the spiritual that Walker can truly move people. As I heard someone in the audience say during the show, after a particularly moving rendition of “Wade in the Water,” If anyone can convert me he can.” The band moves about musically from a rock sound to blues to jazz and back – always back – into that sweet and low gospel and soul. The guitar and bass were electric – and I don’t just mean plugged in. There were long, drifting rifts that just left me leaning back in my chair with my eyes closed, as I got pulled into the sounds, amazed at what a set of strings could offer.
Equally amazing is that this awesome music, and more to come, is available out here, in the warmer (well maybe not temperature wise) lake regions south of I 90. We have it all, the lakes, local beverages and food, wide-open spaces, arts of every persuasion, and live music from national and local musicians – thanks to all the great venues that keep us in the groove close to home.
The Geneseo Riviera fall music series which brought us “An Evening of Blues”, is sponsored by Fanatics Pub and this was just a hint of the great performers set to warm us up as summer morphs into autumn. October starts off with Sugar Mountain (Friday, October 12th at 8 P.M.), “Celebrating the Genius of Neil Young.” On October 20th at 7 P.M. is Mary Rawls – formerly of The October Project. Then on Friday, October 26th at 8 P.M. Albert Cummings will be up on stage at the Riviera, offering his unique brand of soulful and explosive blues and rock. There are two shows in November: Slambovian Circus of Dreams will perform on November 10th at 8 P.M. – Called everything from ‘hillbilly-Pink Floyd’ to ‘folk-pop’ to ‘surreal Americana’, New York’s Slambovian Circus of Dreams, described by Chronogram Magazine as “a riveting, mesmerizing, crazy, amazing machine of music.” John Németh will return on Saturday, November 17th – we caught his show at Fanatics on July 17th and it is definitely something worth getting out there for. If that isn’t enough, Papa Chubby will bring his hard rocking soulful sounds to the Geneseo Riviera stage on Saturday, December 15th, 2018 – just in time to help us chase away those winter blues.
One of my first, albeit unstated, goals after movingfrom the southern to the northern shores of the Finger Lakes was to scope out potential places nearby to catch music. Theaters, particularly older theaters have always attracted me due to their acoustic designs, comfortable seating and ornate decorations. There is just something about hearing and watching music in these kinds of settings that sets them apart. When the show offers not one but two incredible musical performers, as was the case with Johnny Rawls and Joe Louis Walker, it’s extra special. When you add to that a follow up lineup of musical entertainment that offers show after show after show worthy of going out to, one is left wondering how to find the time to fit in just one more show. Get your tickets now– and try out the VIP up front. For a few extra bucks you can add some fun and drink service to your listening pleasures.