by Tom Baldino
The Burners, a group formed by long-time guitarist and JSJBF member Ron Rauso during the Pandemic, started as a tribute to the late great Charles Erland, but has become much more than that. With Dan Kostelnik on organ and David Sang on drums this tight knit trio of musicians put on a master class, with their unique interpretation of songs from the sixties and seventies that were at the heart of setlists from organ virtuosos like Charles Erland, Jimmy McGriff and Jimmy Smith. A small but very appreciative crowd was as attentive all evening, as any I have seen in this room.
The evening began with a Jimmy Smith tune “Sermon,” which while not well known, was certainly appreciated by the audience. The warm tone of Ron’s Gibson ES330 coupled with phrasing of Dan’s Hammond organ and David’s masterful timekeeping on drums brought this song to life. Next up was their excellent interpretation of Bobby Hebb’s well-known hit from the mid-sixties, “Sunny.” The ballad “Since I Fell for You” by Lenny Welch, a graduate of my alma mater, Asbury Park High School, was given a beautiful instrumental arrangement and sounded as fresh as the day I first heard it. “Stan’s Shuffle,” by Stanley Turrentine, picked up the pace and had the audience bopping along. They then switched gears for an exquisite version of Carol King’s classic “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” That was followed by one of Marvin Gaye’s lesser-known song’s, “Mercy, Mercy, Me,” which sounded fantastic in their hands. The set ended with Miles Davis “Milestones,” which while not as familiar to the average listener, really fit in well with the theme of the set.
At the break, I introduced artist and Vietnam veteran, Norman Salt, whose work adorned the walls of the Woman’ Club on this evening. Since we had just celebrated Memorial Day earlier in the week, it was nice to see the work of two veterans being displayed. The other, not in attendance, was Charlie Wuth, is a former board member, who is one of the organizers of a veterans benefit that the JSJBF partners with, supplying bands and volunteers for each November.
The second set kicked off with a song from another organ titan of the day, Shirley Scott, called“Blues Everywhere,” and it was another gem in this well curated evening of music. Eddie Harris cold Duck Time,” followed, and certainly kept the energy level high in the room. The night would not have been complete without a terrific version of George Gershwin’s song for the age’s, “Summertime.” How do you follow that up, but with one of “Old Blue Eyes” most memorable tunes, Bart Howard’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” Then came a song that everyone was waiting for from the band, Booker T & the M.G.’s “Green Onions,” and they did not disappoint with a fiery version of this classic. A song from one hit wonders, Spiral Staircase, “More Today Than Yesterday,” fit right into their wheelhouse, to the crowd’s delight. Next, an up tempo take on Ray Charles, “I Got a Woman,” had the crowd moving and shaking again. The final number, “All About My Girl,” paid tribute to its author, Jimmy McGriff, and was a fitting ending to this fine night of superb instrumentals.
If you missed them, The Burners currently have a Tuesday night residency from 6-9pm at the new Mossuto’s Market on Rt. 35 in Wall. Recently opened, their Italian food and specialty items are getting rave reviews.