by Bob Payne: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DAVRIK
posted July 31, 2008
 Bob Payne |
Back to Saturday. Getting to spend a half hour on the phone with the legendary Merle Haggard made me really appreciate my job as a music writer. Getting to see and hear the performance of Christabel And The Jons at the Barking Legs Theater Saturday made me appreciate my job as a music critic and lover of music.
I was there early and caught their sound check. I already had heard their CD and this opportunity reinforced the reason why this is one high quality recording. The sound check was interesting in that it gave me insight into the level of musical perfection these artists strive to achieve. The result was a perfect match of their particular sound and the studio quality sound system at Barking Legs Theater.
It’s a bit hard to put their music into a certain genre. I suppose one could call it a sultry, Southern swing sound. This Knoxville based band calls Chattanooga their second home, playing here often. Christa DeCicco fronts the band and plays acoustic guitar most of the time, but also played the banjo and the accordion. Seth Hopper plays mandolin, trumpet, accordion and Violin. John Whitlock plays drums, and Vince Ilagan plays the upright bass. DeCiccio does the lead vocals, with background vocals by Hopper and Whitlock.
When listening to this band, I could immediately transport my mind to another place and another time. I found myself in the 1930’s, maybe at a speakeasy in Chicago. This band dresses the part, too. The beautiful Christa DeCicco had a pretty dress on, with a string of pearls and a spray of baby’s breath and small pearls in her hair. The gentlemen wore suits and ties, with two of the guys wearing fedoras. I half expected Elliot Ness and Al Capone to be sitting in the room with me. DeCicco’s voice is crystal clear, sultry and with a hint of southern belle.
They performed mostly original tunes from their CD and upcoming new CD, but did do a few covers. My favorite was the George Gershwin song “Summertime”. Is it a coincidence that this song was originally done in 1935? I think not. St. James Infirmary was another cover, also made famous in 1928 by Louie Armstrong. This band masterfully covered both songs. I could go on and on, but your best bet is to listen to their music at click here. Or even better, go see them live! They will be at JJ’s Bohemia on September 11, so mark your calendar.
This weekend, I will be a judge in the “Chattanooga Idol” competition Saturday at The Colonnade in Fort Oglethorpe, right off Battlefield Parkway. The winner gets a guaranteed audition before the American Idol producers in Jacksonville on August 13. Contestants must be between 16 and 28 years of age. For more details, go to click here. You must bring legal ID to prove age, and if under 18, must be accompanied by a parental unit or legal guardian that has proof of guardianship. If you know anyone who can sing well, and they are in the target age group, tell them to come out and maybe they will be on the next American Idol!
Live! In Chattanooga
Thursday, July 31
Rhythm & Brews – Brad Passons, with Emily Grace
The Palms at Hamilton – Gentleman’s Jazz Quartet
Midtown Music Hall – Channing Wilson
T-Bones – Pee Wee Moore
Chattanooga Live on WAWL 91.5 with Host Bob Payne
Friday, August 1
Nightfall at Miller Park – Dumpstaphunk, River View Assault
Rhythm & Brews – Who’s Bad (Michael Jackson Tribute Band)
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio (Jazz)
Market Street Tavern – RiverView Assault
Buds – Roger Alan Wade
Blues Train Café Dalton – Buckner Brothers
T-Bones – Mudville Mafia
Deadwood Station – Austin Earl
Saturday, August 2
Barking Legs Theatre – Bruce Baldassari Benefit, with the Dismembered Tennesseans, Lou Wamp, and many more musicians! 8 p.m.
Charles & Myrtles – Ron Fetner
T-Bones – Bud Lightning
Riverfront Nights @ Ross’s Landing – Randy Pavlock
Rhythm & Brews – 8OZ Enuff
Blues Train Café Dalton – Cherry Vendetta
Midtown Music Hall – Behind the Sun (Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute)
Market Street Tavern – The Dirty Guv’nuhs
Deadwood Station – The Mudville Mafia
Snowhill Bluegrass Jamboree – Corner of Snow Hill Rd and Mahan Gap Rd. 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 3
Chattanooga Market – Kylie Harris, Jennifer Brantley, Dana Rogers
Deadwood Station – Shani Hedden Group
Tuesday, August 5
Table 2 – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio (Jazz)
Wednesday, August 6
Rhythm & Brews – AutoVaughn, with the Cringe and Traces ARC
Market Street Tavern – Live Jazz by the Ben Friberg Trio (Jazz)
Buds – Mudville Mafia
To have your venue’s live event listed, just email us at davrik@aol.com
See You There!
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