by Tom Baldino
Matt and Eryn O’Ree, or as I like to refer to them, “The First Couple of the Jersey Shore Music Scene,” made a stop at the Woman’s Club this past Friday night, fresh off their latest Virgin Voyages cruise line gig, to regale those assembled with an evening of acoustic numbers and some interesting stories in this intimate setting. This event grew out of their online home “Concerts on the Couch” during the pandemic, when it was the only way you could play in front of an audience, and bring in some donations. Post pandemic, their trips to the Sunshine state to visit Eryn’s family and play in and around the Daytona area, led me to suggest they try some home concerts. This resulted in hooking them up with my brother in Tallahassee, where they have since played for his family and friends several times, as well as at other homes in the area. I know Matt enjoys the trip, since he’s a Pontiac guy who has a restored 1978 Trans Am, and when there, he gets to take the wheel of my brothers 1968 GTO convertible, which I bought new while in college, and sold to him in the early seventies!
Armed only with their acoustic guitars, they proceeded, to create on of the most special evenings we have had in the twenty-seven years of this venerable event. The opening instrumental number, “Song for Bernie,” played by Matt, was his heartfelt tribute to bluesman Bernie Brausewetter, his guitar teacher and mentor up until his passing in 2007. This ever-changing song mirrors Matt’s growth as a musician, and person over the years, reflecting the depth of their relationship. The pair then launched into a soulful version of Ben E. Kings classic “Stand by Me,” which reinforced that feeling. Next up was the Sam Cooke song of the same era, “Bring It on Home to Me,” which Matt said was used an excuse to get Eryn over to his condo to record, when they began dating.
“Before You accuse Me,” a Bo Diddley tune done in the style of the later Eric Clapton version, wonderfully filled the room with their powerful voices and Matt’s strong soloing. “He Loves Me Anyway,” an original tune from their “Hand in Glove” collection was a great choice with the two trading verses, preceded by Matt’s comment that “many of our marriage issues are worked out on stage.” This brought me back my introduction, recalling that Christmas time show nine years ago at the Wonder Bar that Joanne and I were fortunate to attend. During Eryn’s singing of the tune “Santa Baby,” when she sang the line” Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a ring,” Matt Wade handed Matt a box and he proceeded to get down on one knee, took the ring out, and proposed. She of course said yes, the audience went crazy with applause, and the rest is history.
“Crying in the Rain,” a song made famous by the Everly Brothers, was prefaced by Matt’s comment that it took him back to his childhood, and in their capable hands, they made it sound like something you would definately remember after all these years. “Everyday I Sing the Blues,” a song made famous by B.B. King early in his career, was given the powerful treatment it requires, and the crowd showed their appreciation at its conclusion. In contrast, Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” a B side to the single “Blowin’ in the Wind,” was given a beautiful interpretation via Eryn’s vocals and Matt’s accompanying guitar solo. Another great rendering by Eryn of the Tom Waits song “Temptation,” included some classical sounding guitar from Matt which took it to another level. They ended the set with the Jimi Hendrix tune “Axis: bold as Love,” with Matt recounting the story of the 2001 Red Bank Festival, where in honor of one of his biggest influences, he decided to light his guitar on fire, as Jimi did in Monterey! When he mentioned his idea to then JSJBF President, Nickey Coppola, his response was “you never told me about it”! The guitar was given to him by a friend, who to this day still doesn’t know it happened. Matt recently pulled it out, still covered in the foam left from the fire extinguisher, and has vowed to restore it as a “spring project.”
The second set kicked off with a spirited version of Eric Clapton’s “Forever Man,” followed by a terrific rendition of the Allman Brothers “Midnight Rider.” “Neon Nights,” a song destined for their forth coming MOB album, was introduced by Eryn, saying the band has been playing it live, but this was the first time they were doing it as a duo, and it’s a keeper. Matt then reached back into the Elmore James catalogue for one of his most famous numbers “The Sky Is Crying,” with Eryn showing her vocal range, and why she is one of the most distinctive singers around.
Another new song “When Freebird Comes on the Radio,” started as an ode by Matt to those days in the 1970’s riding in the back of the family station wagon when the Lynyrd Skynyrd tune came on the radio. Then something which could only happen now came into play, they decide to let AI see what it would come up with, and while we didn’t hear that version, which they couldn’t agree was better or worse, what we heard sounded great, with Matt exclaiming at the end, “take that AI”! This was followed by Eryn’s hauntingly beautiful rendition of Stevie Nick’s “Gold Dust Woman,” with Matt supplying the Lindsey Buckingham guitar in fine fashion.
The night ended with Gary Neuwirth taking the stage to play harp with them on the Junior Wells song “Little by Little.” With Eryn and Gary trading off vocals and harp over Matt’s guitar, the evening couldn’t have come to a better close.