A) The 55th Anniversary of The Ides Of March
B) The CD Release Party for The Ides Of March's brand new CD "Play On"
C) The live, video shoot for the very first single from the brand new CD, "Friends Like You" and
D) The first-ever, live performance by The Brooklyn Charmers, Colin Peterik's Steely Dan Tribute Band
And what a completely fun-filled, exciting day it turned out to be.
First up, the video shoot.
The new Ides single is phenomenal ... give this thing a shot with a little bit of airplay and they've got a hit on their hands.
Featuring the incredible Mindi Abair wailing away on saxophone, this things rocks along at a real, feel-good pace ... great vocals and great instrumentation throughout. (I'd love to play it for you right now but since the CD doesn't officially get released until August 16th, I hesitate to do so.) However, the moment the video is released, you can be guaranteed seeing it here in Forgotten Hits. (In fact, depending on the final edit, you may even see me and Frannie IN the video!!!)
It was done as a live-action shoot, with the full band playing along live to the pre-recorded track, with lots of groove dancing by Mindi and Jim ... as well as the entire group of spectators surrounding the stage.
As you can see, Jim is in full metal jacket (or would that be full silver metallic attire, from head to toe) ... we were at the ELO concert the night before and didn't see this much glare and glitter in their entire laser light show!
After a second run through (Jim asked for a bottle of water between takes ... and I half expected to hear him squeak "Oil Can") ... the crowd broke up a bit to enjoy a beautiful spread of tacos and margaritas, during which time Jim's son Colin's band set up on stage for their first-ever, live performance as a band, The Brooklyn Charmers.
The band, consisting of Colin Peterik (keyboards and vocals), Kevin Campbell (bass and vocals), Frank Minella (guitar and vocals), Sean Briskey (guitar and vocals) and Alex Zeravica (drums and percussion) have got the Steely Dan sound down. (Look out, Deacon Blues ... there's a NEW band in town!) They played a solid hour set of some of the most intricate jazz-infused rock you're ever going to hear. (I've gotta say that it is just SO amazing to see this youthful group of like-minded musicians, so skilled in their craft and tackling ... and appreciating ... music of this caliper ... and then executing it with such precision. Their first official gig will be October 12th at the Q Bar in Glendale Heights ... it's sure to be a sell-out so get your tickets early if you live in the area!)
At the end of the night, all of the guests were presented with a copy of the brand new Ides Of March 55th Anniversary CD ... and let me tell you, it's HOT!!!
In addition to Mindi Abair (who, I must say, is not bad for a girl!), other guests include Cathy Richardson (current lead vocalist of Jefferson Starship), Bo Bice (current lead vocalist of Blood, Sweat and Tears ... and former American Idol Runner-Up), Tom Doody of The Cryan' Shames, Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad) and David Pack (former lead singer of Ambrosia.) This one's a keeper!!!
And, as yet ANOTHER Forgotten Hits Exclusive, Jim has given us a few copies to give away to our loyal readers.
That's right, friends ... you can
WIN IT BEFORE YOU CAN BUY IT!!!
(Yes, that's us ... hawking CD's as usual ... but this one would be a real prize to add to your collection ... so get your entries in today!)
[Special Photo Thanks to Kristie Schram as credited, Chris May for the shots of me, Frannie and Jim, and Frannie Kotal for the shot of me and Jim, both dressed in our Sunday bests]
