Jan Krist & Jim Bizer CD Release Concert
REVIEW – JAN KRIST & JIM BIZER CD RELEASE CONCERT AT MAMA’S COFFEEHOUSE – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2009
Rochelle and John at Mama's Coffeehouse
For some time, Rochelle and I have been looking for a way to separate ourselves from the crowd. A way to make our mark in the local music scene that would take us over the top. We came up with a plan which involved a secret weapon that would be sure to put us in rarefied air and jump start our musical journey. More about that in a moment…
Jan Krist and Jim Bizer have been making and playing great music for a long time. Both are songwriting heroes of Rochelle and I. So, it was a great opportunity when Jim Bizer asked us to open for him and Jan at their CD release party last week. The new CD is called Influence and has some amazing tracks. Getting to hear them all live for the first time was a real treat! Some of my favorites are Utterly Fine, Still in Love with You, Any One Thing and Charcoal Sky.
Saturday night started off with the open mic portion of the show. I had the pleasure of being an open mic participant a few months ago and had a great time. This time it was a band that I’m very familiar with (after being the drummer for about five years), Seven Bridges. They did four originals, including one that was brand new. Next up was Angel Brock and the Badmen. Well, except for the Badmen did not show, so Angel and one of her buddies got up there and did great when put on the spot.
Rochelle, Jan, John
Rochelle and I took the stage at 8pm and did a half hour set, starting with a brand new cover – I Want to Sing that Rock and Roll, by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Next was Sweetest Waste of Time by Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson. The highlight of the evening, for me, was the next song, but not for the reasons you may think. Nothin’ All Day went as usual until we got to the “whistle solo”. Instead of me whistling my way through the solo, Rochelle pulled out her secret weapon and laid down a sweet kazoo solo that brought the house down. It was 50/50 whether she was going to be able to do it or not. She had not been able to get through more than a measure or two without cracking up during rehearsals. She made it a bit further this time! We expect to be playing Pine Knob and The Palace any day now! ;o)
We finished up with Brandi Carlile’s What Can I Say, another original, Pleasureville, and then got the crowd involved during Seth and Daisy’s Shine On. Before Shine On I had asked the crowd to sing along on the chorus, thinking they would help us out with the last acapella chorus. Well, they rose to the occasion and sang us every single chorus, finishing up loud and proud during the last one. What a great experience! Once finished, it was time to clear the stage and let the real show begin!
Jan and Jim were amazing. Their set was put together well and featured songs off the new CD for the first half and then delving into their other material as well as a few covers from influential artist. These two have so much talent and experience and were a joy to watch and listen to for the rest of the evening.
Letting the freak flag fly!
After the show, I picked up their new CD, but forgot to have them sign it! Rochelle and I were asked to sign the MAMA’s Coffeehouse quilt! I didn’t notice, but Rochelle mentioned to me that we signed right next to Ralston Bowles! How cool is THAT? Big thank you to Jan Krist and Jim Bizer for inviting us to open for their event. Also to Dennis Kingsbury for the great sound we heard on stage and in our seats all night. And finally, thanks to our friends who came out to support Rochelle and I on this awesome evening of music!
See you soon,
John
September 26, 2009
NEXT SHOW – CHAMBERLIN’S INN, CURTIS, MICHIGAN (THE UP!) – FRIDAY & SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2-3
UPCOMING SHOW – SANDHILL CRANE VINEYARD, JACKSON, MICHIGAN – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
UPCOMING SHOW – JACKSON COFFEE COMPANY, JACKSON, MICHIGAN – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
NEW SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT – LIVE FROM THE LIVING ROOM, THE OAKLAND ARTS CENTER, PONTIAC, MICHIGAN – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11
