Live Review: Talent shines as Wantu Blues Jams hosts Ladies Of Blues at Fratello’s in Manchester, NH
By Bill Copeland
BillCopelandMusicNews
This was a masterstroke on the part of the Wantu Blues Jams. The popular rise of women singers and musicians are becoming a new trend in national and local music scenes. Last night’s Ladies Of Blues featured some of the best talent on the greater-Boston scene. Yukiko Fujii, bassist and co-lead singer of The Tokyo Tramps from Boston, was a true showgirl last night, her commanding presence at the microphone made her the focal point of a very talented tri. great form last night.
Other women to make this show come alive were Saxophonist Kat-Lee Newton and vocalist Grace Curran. Newton blew her own wall of sound and there was true meaning in her phrases. Even before she started playing, Newton looked too cool not to be good. She lived in Louisiana for 20 years and her music has a stamp of authenticity. Curran belted into a vintage microphone and her voice may have made people think they were listening to an old record from Etta James or Bessie Smith.
Guitarist Michele Rockwell from the Boston blues band Splash Of Blues was also on hand to deliver her over the top interpretation of rockabilly idioms.
The house band for the evening was drummer Rick King, guitarists Scot Gibbs and Tim O’Connor, bassist Dave Guilmette, with “Slutty” Pete Zona on harp and sound. The dual guitar magic of Gibbs and O’Connor was a special treat. It would have been good enough to have one clean guitar line on “Rock Me” but two was a mesh of cool blues guitar melodies.
A lady named June went up to do a few solo acoustic country blues that provided a rest between the electric acts before and after her.
An all-chick line-up soon followed: Bassist Fran Calo, drummer Carol Chaplin, singer Amberly Gibbs, guitarist Michele Rockwell, and saxophonist Kat-Lee Newton played together with a natural chemistry that resulted in several tasty nuggets like “Walking On My Baby” and “Tina New.” Michele Rockwell’s guitar phrases rocked like a pro with her crunchy, full of good taste, rockabilly influences. Carol Chaplin’s drumming was understated enough to let the music simmer and Chaplin seemed to be enjoying the event, as she was looking happier than she’s ever. The five women showed good ensemble strength during “Chain Of Fools” with Gibbs serving up the soulful goods at the microphone.
The house band reformed later, with saxophonist Joe Cunningham, and singer Kat Blanchard. Blanchard fronted with wild woman charisma, knocking over a microphone stand which made a really cool sound when it hit the floor. On Led Zeppelin’s “Rock And Roll” Blanchard belted liked she had a pair and they’re bigger than Robert Plant’s, showing a chick can be vocally massive in front.
A later lineup included singer-guitarist Karen Grenier, bassist LauraJean Graham, guitarist Jerry Ray Basnar, and drummer Lee Sevigny. Grenier belted out a heart-felt rendition of “Don’t Let Me Down” while Basnar was in rare form last night, his southern rock influences making the perfect accompaniment to The Beatle’s R&B flavored number.
Gracie Curran, from Boston’s south shore, was in the house and she got to front Basnar, and harmonica player Downtown Dave Glannon. Curran must have made new fans last night as she performed “Stormy Monday,” with all of its demanding vocal phrases, into her vintage microphone. Her plaintive vocal wail made this mid-20s crooner sound like a singer with twice her life experience. Her voice is quite rangy and she sings with a smooth flow.
The Tokyo Tramps came on near the end and was highlighted by their accompaniment from Newton on sax and during Satoru Nakagawa’s slide guitar work on “Shake Your Money Maker.”
The final highlight was a big blues number with Downtown Dave Glannon singing true meaningful blues, with four guitarists, Rockwell, Gibbs, O’Connor, and Jesse TwarJan, each doing their special style around the groove, and with Newton blaring on saxophone. There is nothing like closing out with a huge ensemble number kicking it during a monster size song.
There were many configurations of bands last night, an all-chick line up, a mix of men and women in another, a female fronted blues trio from Japan, and the large ensemble at the end. It just goes to show that blues can be one person emoting with an acoustic or several players sharing a groove. Most importantly, you don’t have to be a guy to play an instrument with precision, and, you don’t have to be a guy to play with powerhouse energy and presence. Just ask anyone who saw Kat Blanchard last night.
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