Joseph Vincent Riggio has consistently put together some terrific band pairings over the past few years for his Blue Collar Blues series, and this past Friday night, he did it again.
Host band, The Incinerators, opened with a great mix of tunes we know and love, like their excellent rendition of Robben Ford’s “Prison of Love,” several originals from their (soon I hope) to be released CD, including “Discarded,” with Miss Kimmie on vocals, and a couple that were new to us. Lucky Peterson’s “Nothing but Smoke,” featured John Fernandez’s stinging guitar licks, while on ZZ Top’s “Tube Snake Boogie,” the band’s groove had the dancers shakin’ their thing until the “surprise ending!” My favorite was their soulful take on Foghat’s version of the Howlin Wolf classic, “How Many More Years.” Gary’s harp coupled with vocals from Rich and Steve, really allows the band to vary their sound on what was a seventeen-song set.
After a break in the action, Joe Zook & Blues Deluxe hit the stage. The full band made the trip up from the Trenton area and included Joe on guitar and vocals, Billy Holt on bass and vocals, Steve Kaplan on saxes and clarinet, Bob “Mose” Marsley on drums, Don Ober on keyboards, and Dom DeFranco on sax. Together this powerhouse launched into an instrumental workout Joe called “Last Nite – Down the Line.” After a well- earned round of applause, they performed their 2012 composition,” All I Hear is the Blues,” with Joe on vocals. They followed that up with the horns introducing a rollicking version of Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson’s “Kidney Stew.” From there they did an original, from their 2019 release, Good Mornin’ Blues, the blues ballad, “Where Did It Go?,” a question many of us at this stage of life have asked. Another original tune, the up-tempo number, “One Good Morning,” followed, with the band cooking on all six cylinders. They then proceeded to do a killer version (pun intended) of Howlin’ Wolf’s classic “Killin’ Floor,” and no matter how many times I hear it, it reenforces how great blues music can be. “I Got Nothin’ to Say,” also from Good Mornin’ Blues, started with a great opening riff and was highlighted by Don’s piano solo. The Louis Jorden penned “Caldonia,” was a real crowd pleaser with Joe ramping up this spirited take on his trusty ES345. Another cut from Good Mornin’ Blues, “It Ain’t What You Do,” featured Joe on slide and Don again with a sparkling solo on the keys. The 1939 Big Joe Turner song “Cherry Red,” was given a great take by the band featuring some stellar horn by Steve and Dom. For the penultimate number, they reached back into the Louis Jordan songbook for what he is most famously known for, “Let the Good Times Roll,” and the audience loved it. The closer was another crowd pleaser from that era, Cab Calloway’s “Minnie the Moocher,” including the famous call and response with everyone joining in, as Steve gave it that authentic sound on clarinet. What a fun way to end a great night of music. Look for the band and links to their music on joezookblues.com.