With the Chubby Pickle hosting Blue Collar Blues, the Jazz Café and a monthly blues and jazz jam, it sometimes feels like my second home. So, what do I do on a free night, go to see board member Jeff Bavaro’s band, Fish Eyed Blues there! Jeff was joined by his long-time cohort and vocalist, Paul Iannizzotto, drummer Pete Giordano, and filling in on bass Tim Paddack. Since Tim had limited time to rehearse with the band, they were confined to playing mostly covers, with only two originals of the thirty songs they played in their two sets this night.
Some great blues covers opened the night with Freddy King’s “I’m Tore Down,” Bo Diddley’s “Before You Accuse Me,” and Muddy Water’s “Hoochie Coochie Man.” It wasn’t until a little later in the set that they played their first original of the night, “The Run Around,” which fit in nicely with the set. Jeff alternated between his 69’ Gibson Sunburst and the Goldtop. From my perspective, I preferred the tone of the Goldtop, and I’m not sure if it’s the guitar itself or the difference in effects. The crowd really enjoyed the set, with dancers up front the whole time, as they did fine takes on several Allman Brothers tunes, with some Stevie Ray Vaughn and even the Doors “Roadhouse Blues,” included, which ended the set.
The second set opened with the Joe Walsh tune “Rocky Mountain Way,” but in lieu of the talk box, Greg Berger joined the band with some great harp to give us a new take on this classic. On the Allman Brothers “Whipping Post,” Jeff displayed some of his most inspired playing of the evening, with the rhythm section in lock step behind him and Paul delivering some of his grittiest vocals. Board member, Gary Neuwirth then joined the band on harp for some down-home Texas blues on ZZ Top’s “Le Grange.” “No More Wasted Days,” the other original tune that Tim was able to learn before the gig, was dedicated by Paul to his wife Mary and his vocals reflected the passion that went into writing the song. It was then on to Paul and Tim sharing vocals on the band’s versions of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb,” and “The Wall,” a show I had the good fortune to see in 1980, when they only did fourteen dates in the U.S., seven in New Yorkand seven in Los Angeles. I wonder how many people know that the band got their name from two early blues men, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, both who were gone before that 1980 show. More great covers ensued, including a shout out to the staff, with Floyd Dixon’s “Hey Bartender,” Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Gimmie Three Steps,” and “The Breeze,” as well as the quintessential Rock n’ Roll song, Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” The evening ended with an outstanding rendition of the Jimi Hendrix classic, “Purple Haze.” It was a fun night, and I was told that the band is working on new material for a CD which they hope to have out later this year. I’m sure once Tim becomes familiar with the original music, the script will flip and we will hear mostly originals, with a few well-chosen covers in the mix.