We've got another concert review for you this morning as our frequent guest columnist Shelley Sweet-Tufano ... yes, our very own Show-Biz Shelley ... takes us thru the paces of Bowzer's latest Doo-Wop Concert.
Enjoy!
Remember the Peppermint Lounge?
Remember twisting?
Remember that
your ‘twist’ comes with a pain factor now?
Well, I DON’T CARE HOW MUCH IT
HURTS!
Joey Dee opens Bowzer’s Doo-Wop Concert and we HAVE to start twisting
and get back our happy groove. Joey has a high energy act while twisting in his
bright red suit. ‘Let’s Twist’, ‘What Kind of Love is This?’, and ‘Peppermint
Twist’ are the three numbers we hear in rapid succession with a little info banter
between. Since Bowzer’s shows run three and one-half hours in length, the
performers TRY to keep the talk to a minimum and fill the stage with music,
dance, and yes … sometimes unexpected mayhem.
The music of the 50’s and 60’s was
one of diversity, both through the artists involved and the styles they sang.
It was an all inclusive time, which is why my grade school students could
relate to it and embrace it. It is clear examples of what we teach and SHOULD
be living.
I am reaching for the time when we don’t need to look for the
diversity in life, because it is automatically there in some manner, with the
word ‘bigotry’ forgotten from unuse.
So fitting then that following Joey Dee,
is The Dubs, with original member Cleveland Still. ‘Please Don’t Ask Me To Be
Lonely’, ‘In The Chapel of Dreams’, and ‘Could This Be Magic?’ are their
selections and what smooooooooth vocals and synchronicity they have. As Bowzer
points out, those “young Dubs sing pretty good”. In blue brocade jackets (you
know I love my fashion reports, left over from modeling and costume design)
they sway, hold onto those harmonic tones, and give us back that slow dance you
had with your current crush.
Bowzer, alone on stage, at the piano, re-playing his classical
training at Juilliard and remembering his mother, Bessie. She was the push
behind his forward shove to success. The best mother doesn’t plot out your
life. She prepares you to live it fully ... and rejoices in ANY success.
“Jonathan, you made it!” Tears fill his eyes as he finishes. Maybe his best tribute
to her?
A first-timer, brand new to Bowzer’s circuit is Dennis Tufano.
Again, I hear from the stage about what a nice guy he is and how great a performer
we will see. True.
With a red stylish handkerchief peeking out of his jacket
pocket, he delivers a bold, strong vocal rendition of his songs, ‘Don’t You
Care?’, ‘Hey Baby’, ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy’, and ‘Kind of A Drag’. Rocky and the
Rollers Band is backing the majority of the acts today, and I notice they
follow Dennis’ lead and direction as if they know him well. Seeing Dennis twice
in consecutive months, I can attest that his touring days are at an all-time
high.
And my girls are here ... Shirley Alston Reeves and The Shirelles!
Man, I see them listed all over the country. They booked down to Florida after
this concert. Ok, my female friends … WHAT ARE THEY WEARING, YOU ASK?
Snow white
glitter, sparkles and chiffon give them sway and float them across the
stage. Shirley still wears platform shoes that increase her stage presence
mightily. I just heard her in Torrington, CT; but her voice is even stronger
here at the Mohegan Arena. ‘Mama Said’, ‘Baby It’s You’, ‘Tonight’s the Night’,
‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?’ and ‘Soldier Boy’.
Bowzer brings out The Stingrays and Sha-Na-Na special guest:
Johnny Contardo. They just have to start with ‘BLUE MOON’. Then Johnny sings
‘Runaway’. I notice how the years have melted away and the audience has grown
younger as we immerse ourselves in the music. ‘Those Magic Changes’ and ‘Lovers
Never Say Good-bye’ done as a duet between Johnny and Bowzer. AND
THEN … ’Twisting the Night Away’, ‘Hand Jive’ and ‘Shout’! OK, I am dancing and
feeling as though I could do the choreography I used to do in my dancing days.
Wait a minute! I COULD DO THAT CHOREOGRAPHY TODAY! I feel it! And then I could
feel the ride home with the EMT’s.
How to close the first act? DON’T STOP! Ok … unreasonable,
unfeasible, ridiculous. So, bringing out Jay Siegel and The Tokens is
brilliant. ‘Tonight I Fell In Love’, ‘Please Write’, and ‘PORTRAIT OF MY LOVE’
(oh yes!) A medley of ‘See You In September’ and ‘One Fine Day’ are sung to
honor two groups that The Tokens produced: The Happenings and The Chiffons.
Bill, Kurt and Joel end with a tickling rendition of ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’.
You know, singing that song is always just a whim away for me.
(grooooooooan … saaaaawwwwy)
INTERMISSION
THE ORIGINAL COMETS! YES! LET’S START AGAIN!
‘Baby Comet’ is
Bill Turner, who has been singing with The Comets on and off since 1987.
Originals are Dick Richards / Richard Boccelli (same person) former football
player, phys-ed teacher, actor and 93 year old STILL DRUMMING rocker; and Joe
Ambrosio, former Caesar’s Palace Floor Boss, 83 years old and STILL ROCKING
THAT ORIGINAL SAXOPHONE, from the Bill Haley records. They give me goose-bumps
still! They instill energy in me and easily convince me that the future is
bright and loooooong in front of me. Red jackets for the originals, blue for
the “baby”, they open with ‘Shake, Rattle, and Roll’! They could have done that
one number and rocked the Arena, BUT they continue with the 1956 hit ‘See You Later
Alligator’ which evolves into Dick’s many-minutes long drum solo. Joey is
featured in each of the songs, so Dick gives him a break during this solo time.
STANDING OVATION!! ENTIRE ARENA STANDING OVATION! Three milliion people says
Bowzer! Even though the truth is almost 10,000 people are here (practically
full house), it is ROARING! Can we quiet down to hear their final contribution?
Yes, ‘Rock Around The Clock’ is clearly heard, jumped to, and clapped to around
the Arena with another rousing good-bye send-off to the amazing musicians of
the birth of rock-and-roll.
AH! Time to sit down and calm down and STILL enjoy the greatness
of Charlie Thomas and The Drifters. Blue Frock Coat Suits, red ties and
matching stylish kerchiefs these professionals put us in the palms of their
hands and romance us with ‘On Broadway’, ‘Sweets For My Sweet’, ‘Save The Last
Dance For Me’, and ‘Would You Stay?’. A young girl playing percussion (Tori?)
is a welcome new addition to their performance, and I believe, is a niece of
Charlie Thomas’. Then we go ‘Up On The Roof’, ‘Rock and Roll Is Here To Stay’
and lastly ‘Under The Boardwalk’. Showmanship! Dancing! More Showmanship! More
Dancing! And The Drifters drift off-stage as if floating away in a dream.
I am having such fun with my friends, the music, and meeting
concert newbies that it is only now that I remember … this is the RETURN OF
KENNY VANCE AND THE PLANOTONES! Four years later, Kenny returns to the concert
stage. Hey, Scott Shannon!! YOU WANTED ME TO BE THERE, but you weren’t sure it
would ever happen again. MUSIC RULES! MUSIC OVERCOMES! MUSIC HEALS!
There is no
way to express the impact of this moment as Kenny and Johnny Gale begin with an
acoustic presentation of ‘For Your Precious Love’. Kenny, still in hat and
sunglasses, sings as though nothing to challenge his life has happened.
Bringing out his son, Ladd Vance, Kenny joins in duet for ‘Let It Be Me’. And
then, to honor the original New Haven, CT, recording of The Five Satins, sings ‘In
The Still Of The Night’. Fred Parris, of The Satins was actually in the
audience here at The Mohegan Arena. Jimmy Bense, Chip Degaard and Tony Galina
all return to the stage with Kenny and Johnny and, of course, we are still
‘Looking For An Echo’. Ending with ‘This Is The Night For Love’, I tell you
that it certainly was.
There is only one more thing to sing … ’Goodnight Sweetheart’ ... featuring Bowzer and The Stingrays with Johnny Contardo.
Good Night indeed. I feel this is just a beginning.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
Thank you, Shelley, for another great review.
And FH Reader Tom Cuddy tells us about another amazing up-coming show (if you happen to live up in that area) ... if so, I'm sure this is one you'll want to check out pronto ... especially if you missed the show Show-Biz Shelley just told us about ... as you'll find many of the same acts onboard for this event!
Kent:
“A Weekend of Doo Wop and Rock & Roll” returns
to Long Island , New York in April for its 20th Anniversary. It’s a two
day event, unlike any other one I’ve seen on the east coast in recent
years. Most acts are backed up by the same band, so the tempo of the show
moves along quite quickly. Each act does their hits.
Among the chart toppers featured this year are
Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, Kenny Vance of the Planotones and Jay & the
Americans, Brian Hyland, the Happenings featuring Bob Miranda, Jay Siegel’s
Tokens, Gary U.S. Bonds, Charlie Gracie, Joey Dee and many more!
Freddy Cannon
Brian Hyland
Gary U.S. Bonds
One of the aspects of this show that fans love is that
every artist interacts with their fans. Either at intermission or at the
end of the show, every act is invited to their own table in the lobby to chat
with fans, autograph and take pictures, and sell merchandise.
It’s held at Hauppauge High School in Hauppauge , NY. The auditorium is above most high school facilities. It’s a huge
stage and the sound and lights are better than many professional club settings.
The memorable weekend of music is put together
magnificently every year by LAR Enterprises of Long Island.
Tickets are available in advance by calling
888-718-4253.
- Tom Cuddy
New York, NY
Saturday // April 21, 2018
Showtime 5:00pm
Kenny Vance - Looking For an Echo
The Coasters - Charlie Brown
Willie Winfield & The Harptones - Life is But a Dream
The Fleetwoods - Mr. Blue
The Chantels - Maybe
Kid Kyle - The Diary
Jimmy Gilmer - Sugar Shack
Tony Middleton & The Willows - Church Bells May Ring
Lenny Dell & The Demensions - Over The Rainbow
Jimmy Gallagher &
The Passions - Just To Be With You
Cleveland Still & The Dubs - Could This Be Magic
Maurice Newton (original lead singer of The Fidelities) - These Are The Things I Love
Cleveland Still & The Dubs - Could This Be Magic
Maurice Newton (original lead singer of The Fidelities) - These Are The Things I Love
Sunday // April 22, 2018
Showtime: 3:00pm
Freddy "Boom
Boom" Cannon - Palisades Park
Kenny Vance - Looking
For an Echo
Gary US Bonds - A
Quarter To Three
Joey Dee -
The Peppermint Twist
The Capris -
There's a Moon Out Tonight
Brian Hyland -
Sealed With a Kiss
The Happenings -
See You In September
Charlie Gracie -
Butterfly
Jay Siegel's Tokens -
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Larry Chance and The
Earls - I Believe
La La Brooks (original lead singer of The Crystals)
- Da Do Ron Ron
The 5th Estate -
Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead
The Quotations -
Imagination
Sounds like one heck of a show, Tom!
(We
can't wait to see Freddy when he comes to The Arcada Theatre in July.
Jay Siegel's Tokens, Larry Chance and the Earls and Ladd Vance will also
be on hand for this one ... as Doo-Wop comes to The Arcada! (kk)
