: A New Look
Various people have noticed and asked about my recent switch in stage garb. For those of you who haven’t seen me playing recently, I’ve taken to wearing a white dress shirt and a skinny black tie while performing. Here’s the story……
Many, many moons ago, let’s say 1979, I was playing with one of the top New Jersey Club bands – Smyle. This was the era of big hair and spandex. No, I never wore spandex, but I tried my best to fit in. However, New Wave was starting to creep in, so I decided to go for a different look. One day, i added a black tie to the usual glittery silver top that I wore. No one really noticed it. But then I went all the way and came in wearing a white silk dress shirt – along with the skinny black tie. At first, the guys in the band thought it was a little strange but they went along with it. I did however, get some, ummm, feedback from some of the club owners – they would actually get upset with me. “Hey you! What’s wid da tie?” (Imagine that being spoken with a thick North Jersey Italian accent). While I eventually left Smyle to try for bigger things – and Smyle folded up a year or two later, I’ve always had fond memories of those times.
Now, fast forward 30 years. Smyle has gotten got back together again – and last November their regular keyboard guy couldn’t make it, so I sub’d in. Vinnie (the band leader) asked me if I would wear that skinny black again and of course I agreed.
As I was leaving for the gig, my fashion consultants – I.e., my wife Lisa and daughter Hannah – both said (in so many words) “Hey, that’s your look!” I am fortunate to have not one, but two fashion consultants ready to advise me on a moments notice whenever I am committing any of my numerous sartorial faux pas, so when both of them say that I’m doing something right, I don’t have much choice in the matter. . . .
So that’s the story of my new look. I’ve attached some before and after pics for your amusement.
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July 8, Tuesday, 7-9:00 PM – Joe Taino, The Westfield Train Station, North Avenue (by the big Christmas tree), Westfield, NJ
I don’t give out complements lightly, but in my humble opinion, Joe Taino is the “top gun” amongst all the regular guitarists in the North Jersey blues scene. But to categorize Joe as a blues player does not do him true justice – his range is extraordinary going from Latin through jazz through every rock style imaginable. This is short notice, but if you’re in the area, stop by for some very special music. If you can’t make it, then go out on youtube and search for Joe Taino.
https://www.facebook.com/joetaino1?fref=ts
July 11, Friday, 9:30PM-1:30ish – Carlos Colina and Straight Up, Harvest Bistro in 252 Schraalenburgh Road, Closter, New Jersey 07624, 201-750-9966
These are my kind of guys, a bunch of aging grey beards who still kick out the jams. To give them credit, they’ve got a few years to go before they catch up to me in the aging department. But the energy level that these guys put out would put a bunch of these wimpy 20 year olds to shame.
http://www.harvestbistro.com/http://www.ccblues.com/
July 12, Saturday, 9:00PM-1:00AM – Better Off Dead at The Great Notch Inn, Route 46, Little Falls (973) 256-7742And finishing off a busy week for me, it’s back to one my musical ‘homes away from home’ yet close to home. Vrumm, vrummm. Sometimes we’ll be playing and the whole room will shake and I think it’s thundering outside, but it’s just the deep rumble of a hog pulling out onto the highway.
http://www.betteroffdead.com/
http://www.agreatertown.com/little_falls_nj/great_notch_inn_new_jerseys_rockin_roadhouse_00089580
July 25, Friday, 9:00PM-1:00AM – Shuffle, Jump, and Moan at Robin’s Nest, Robin’s Nest Rhythm and Blues, 3103 Tremley Point Road, Linden, NJ, 07036 (908) 290-3090
This is my first time back at “The Nest” in over a year, and it’s the first time ever for SJ&M. The Robin’s Nest is tucked away in a corner of Linden and is one of the most unpretentious yet comfortable rooms around. I believe there is a cover charge – and there is bar food available.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linden-NJ/Robins-Nest-Rhythm-and-Blues-RNRB/178750518562
http://www.robinsnestrhythmandblues.com/