Mardi Gras Comes Early to Reckless

20250131 Recklesssteamy Hphottakeoutband Bnr
Jan Recklesssteamynights

HP & His HOT Takeout Band brought the heat of New Orleans to the Anthony Reckless Estate.

A night of fantastic music and community celebrated the start of the Reckless Steamy Nights series.

On a cold and rainy last night of January, the Anthony Reckless Estate was alive with the sounds of New Orleans, courtesy of HP & His HOT Takeout Band. Led by guitarist/vocalist Howard Parker, with core band members Bruce Gassman on accordion, and Stevo on percussion, including the signature rub board he refers to as the “Spice Rack.” They were accompanied by drummer Duke Clement, who did a seamless job filling in for Bobby Boyd, who was out on the road, and Artie Bressler on sax and clarinet, adding just the right amount of spice to the gumbo. Also, during the evening, they were joined at various times by Jill Baskind on rub board, Mark Joan Lipman on tambourine, and Gary Neuwirth on harmonica. To say it was a fun night, in front of a packed house, would be an understatement. 

For me, it was great to see and hear my Asbury Park High School classmates, Bruce and Artie, who have been playing together for more than sixty years! Whether it was one of Howard’s originals, like “Every Time I Turn around (somebody’s ripping me off),” which was dedicated jokingly to his father, or John Lennon’s “Imagine,” which started slowly, but picked up steam as it grew to the climax, every tune was infused with that NOLA house party vibe. Classics like The Meters “Hey Pocky Way,” were fueled by the solid beat provided by Duke’s drums and Stevo’s vocals and spice rack, along with the down-home sounds that Bruce coaxed out of that squeeze box, coupled with Howard’s acoustic guitar and Artie’s clarinet soloing, added up to a winning combination. 

Gary joined them in the second set for the Robert Johnson classic “Crossroads,” and “Mr. Boseman,” to the delight of those in attendance. Another fun instrumental number, “Zydeco Cheesecake” included a reference to “Smoke on the Water,” with Jilly and Mark Joan supplying the added percussion. An extended version of Ray Charles’ “I Got A Woman,” which included a terrific sax solo by Artie, was such a rousing affair that Stevo lost his hat during the song! 

In the end, it was a great beginning to what is the series called Reckless Steamy Nights, which was started 25 years ago by our former president, Dennis Eschbach and Dr. Doris Lazur, and is still going strong after all these years. Please join us on February 28th  as we continue with blues guitar virtuoso Debra Devi.