Post by jptheprofessor on Jan 15, 2006 19:25:01 GMT -5
The undisputed, undefeated, uncrowned King of Pittsburgh Rock N Roll, Norman Nardini, lit up the house at Burgi's Roundhouse this past Saturday night! "The manful handful, the beauty on duty, the wop wit da bop, the guinea wit da skinny, the Pittsburglar, the high priest from the church of Rock N Roll" - and his supremely talented bandmates, Hollidaysburg's Whitey Cooper on drums and Clearfield product Harry Bottoms on bass - brought the party, with tasty rock'n'blues'n'soul original tunes and select favorites, excellent all-around musicianship, and Norman's trademark wit, sass and humor! Although Norman himself was a total show, he constantly allowed Whitey and Harry to enjoy some spotlight - I was especially blown away by Whitey's soulful higher-ranged voice!
Norman also welcomed a former bandmate, Gerry Stanek, to step up and play bass on two songs during the last set.
And the laughs! Norman's wit was alive and well. Some of the classic lines he delivered this night:
"Young and pretty like Conway Twitty..."
(to a lady celebrating her birthday) "May the Monkey of Love light up your evening..."
"If you're a man wearing the silken undershort, please leave the building."
(when two ladies enveloped a guy on the dance floor) "We have a Manwich on the dance floor!"
I spoke with a few fans who hadn't seen Norman perform since the 80's when he played at Cisco's and Coaches Inn (now City Limits), and they were amazed that he was still as talented, wild and crazy as they remember him from back then. It was also cool to see the reaction of new fans witnessing him for the first time.
Bottom line, an excellent evening! And watch for "Norman, Roosevelt, Aloysius, Nicodemus, Amadeus, Valentino, Giovanni, Romeo, Bruno, Raphael, Lucien Nardini" to return to Burgi's some time this spring!
A few pics...
Norman Nardini, working some of his guitar magic at Burgi's.
One of Norman's former bandmates, Gerry Stanek, sat in on bass for two songs.
Hollidaysburg native Mark "Whitey" Cooper. Whitey has been playing drums with Norman for 30 years.
Norman and his band, having fun at Burgi's.
Once again, Norman Nardini.
After the show, Ron Dalansky of Half Tempted and Norman Nardini.
Norman also welcomed a former bandmate, Gerry Stanek, to step up and play bass on two songs during the last set.
And the laughs! Norman's wit was alive and well. Some of the classic lines he delivered this night:
"Young and pretty like Conway Twitty..."
(to a lady celebrating her birthday) "May the Monkey of Love light up your evening..."
"If you're a man wearing the silken undershort, please leave the building."
(when two ladies enveloped a guy on the dance floor) "We have a Manwich on the dance floor!"
I spoke with a few fans who hadn't seen Norman perform since the 80's when he played at Cisco's and Coaches Inn (now City Limits), and they were amazed that he was still as talented, wild and crazy as they remember him from back then. It was also cool to see the reaction of new fans witnessing him for the first time.
Bottom line, an excellent evening! And watch for "Norman, Roosevelt, Aloysius, Nicodemus, Amadeus, Valentino, Giovanni, Romeo, Bruno, Raphael, Lucien Nardini" to return to Burgi's some time this spring!
A few pics...
Norman Nardini, working some of his guitar magic at Burgi's.
One of Norman's former bandmates, Gerry Stanek, sat in on bass for two songs.
Hollidaysburg native Mark "Whitey" Cooper. Whitey has been playing drums with Norman for 30 years.
Norman and his band, having fun at Burgi's.
Once again, Norman Nardini.
After the show, Ron Dalansky of Half Tempted and Norman Nardini.