On the eve of a major coastal storm moving towards the Jersey Shore, blues lovers converged at the Red Bank Woman’s Club to support IBC band winners, the Shadetree Mechanics, before their journey to Memphis next month as the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation’s representatives. The Get Outta Town party hosted by the Foundation and run by board member John Dammacco raised much-needed funds for their trip and helped to keep spirits high during this holiday season.
The band members who played were Michael “The Reverend” Rochelle on vocals and rub board, John “Elmo” Lawson on bass, Mark “Redman” Schmalzried on guitar, Fred Lind on the keyboard, and Brad Lewis on Drums. Sax player Steve Gotleib, who will be with the band in Memphis, was unable to make this event. They kicked off the afternoon with the rousing “Get Out on the Floor,” which featured “Redman” playing some tasty slide, with a nice drum solo by Brad. They then slowed things down with “Time Stands Still,” featuring some soulful vocals by “The Rev,” as he is affectionately known. Next up was a spirited rendition of the classic Sam & Dave tune “Soul Man.” Mike then put on the rub board and talked about a musician’s life on the road, which was his inspiration for the song “Comin’ Home.” Another original, “Reverend’s House of Blues,” led off with an almost military beat but worked into a rave up which had the crowd clapping along at a feverish pace till the end. Also an original and my favorite of theirs, “Double Dealer,” spoke of watching out for those who would do you wrong. At that point, two women entered from the hall and sat down in front. Michael stopped and introduced them to the crowd. They were the wife, Helene, and daughter, Robin, of drummer Ray Gwiazdowski who was a longtime member of band before passing several years ago. In a touching moment, they presented him with a personalized tee shirt. The band then proceeded to play one of Ray’s favorite tunes, “Rock This Place,” and they surely did. Next, they launched into the seminal blues standard by Willie Dixon, “Hoochie Coochie Man,” giving it their own twist, with an excellent solo by “Redman” showing that less can be more. The “Rev” then donned the rub board for “Come Dance With Me,” which Foundation members Ned and Carol were doing in the hallway. The set ended with the James Brown classic, “I Feel Good,” which the crowd surely was going into the break.
After a short intermission, the band returned with Jimmy Reed’s “Big Boss Man,” which included a fine piano solo by Fred. “Rev” said he liked to croon, even liked the word croon, and croon he did on a slow blues number by Buddy Guy, “Leave My Girl Alone.” Louis Jordan’s mid-century classic “Caldonia” was done in a real swing style which sounded fresh and vibrant. Michael then said he was asked if he liked Z.Z. Hill. Well, the punchline was that the band was named after one of his songs which they proceeded to play, ”Shadetree Mechanic.” This was followed by another classic Stax records recording, Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood.” The day ended with what is probably the most notable blues song of them all, Muddy Waters “Got My Mojo Working.” Michael donned the rub board once more and took it into a much appreciative crowd. It was a terrific way to end, and to send the audience home happy and the band on to strut their stuff in Memphis.