Post by jptheprofessor on Mar 20, 2006 16:59:16 GMT -5
An excellent night of maximum rhythm and blues and scorching classic rock took place this past Saturday night at Burgi's Roundhouse in Greenwood, featuring the legendary Billy Price and Felix & the Hurricanes.
Felix & the Hurricanes, with special guest Barney Sledge on harmonica, opened up the evening. I've seen many excellent Hurricanes performances over the years, and this one would have to rank among the best. Singer/guitarist Felix Kos, singer/bassist Jeff Clapper, drummer Bob Watters and Barney on harp were as fiery and tight as I have ever seen them; you could tell these guys were fired up to be leading off before Billy Price! Felix and Barney were making their respective instruments sing, proud and glorious, while Jeff's bass playing was strong and feisty, and Bob's drumbeats were snappy and steady. Inspired and charged up, the Hurricanes soon had folks on the dance floor cutting the rug to their blend of original tunes and classic rock favorites. Highlights were numerous, including the Grateful Dead's "Alabama Getaway" into Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," the group's four-way 'round-robin' ending on the Allman Brothers' "No One to Run With," Barney's scorching harmonica playing on Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," the happy vibes and packed dance floor during Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven," and Barney displaying soulful voice and savvy on Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally!"
The Hurricanes nicely charged up the house for Pittsburgh rhythm and blues legend Billy Price and his band. Billy and his band picked up the ball and ran with it, playing two sets of spirited soul, funk and R&B. Billy's voice was in top form, belting out with gusto on the faster numbers and smoothly crooning on the slower ones. His horn section, with trumpet and two sax players, was killer, as was his longtime guitarist, Lenny Smith. Billy and his band mixed it up between original R&B and tasty reworkings of classics; a few of the titles performed included "Forget About You," "Further On Up the Road," "Bump and Grind," "Lickin' Stick," the funky "Mother In Law Blues," and for the encore, "Aretha, Play One For Me." The Billy Price Band had Burgi's huge dance floor busy throughout the night, and knocked the packed house dead with their lively, spirited performance. It was also cool to hear Billy, during the lyrics of one song, referencing his visits to Altoona in the early 80's, mentioning "1984 at the Coaches Inn!"
It was an excellent show start to finish - kick yourself if you missed it!
Some photos from Saturday night:
Opening the festivities with a scorching set, Felix & the Hurricanes with guest harmonica player Barney Sledge.
Hot horns! Billy Price's smokin' horn section.
Billy Price's guitar player, Lenny Smith.
The legendary Billy Price.
Let's hear it again for Billy Price's horn section!
Jimmy Britton of the Billy Price Band.
The Billy Price Band.
Once again, Billy Price.
Felix & the Hurricanes, with special guest Barney Sledge on harmonica, opened up the evening. I've seen many excellent Hurricanes performances over the years, and this one would have to rank among the best. Singer/guitarist Felix Kos, singer/bassist Jeff Clapper, drummer Bob Watters and Barney on harp were as fiery and tight as I have ever seen them; you could tell these guys were fired up to be leading off before Billy Price! Felix and Barney were making their respective instruments sing, proud and glorious, while Jeff's bass playing was strong and feisty, and Bob's drumbeats were snappy and steady. Inspired and charged up, the Hurricanes soon had folks on the dance floor cutting the rug to their blend of original tunes and classic rock favorites. Highlights were numerous, including the Grateful Dead's "Alabama Getaway" into Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," the group's four-way 'round-robin' ending on the Allman Brothers' "No One to Run With," Barney's scorching harmonica playing on Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," the happy vibes and packed dance floor during Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven," and Barney displaying soulful voice and savvy on Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally!"
The Hurricanes nicely charged up the house for Pittsburgh rhythm and blues legend Billy Price and his band. Billy and his band picked up the ball and ran with it, playing two sets of spirited soul, funk and R&B. Billy's voice was in top form, belting out with gusto on the faster numbers and smoothly crooning on the slower ones. His horn section, with trumpet and two sax players, was killer, as was his longtime guitarist, Lenny Smith. Billy and his band mixed it up between original R&B and tasty reworkings of classics; a few of the titles performed included "Forget About You," "Further On Up the Road," "Bump and Grind," "Lickin' Stick," the funky "Mother In Law Blues," and for the encore, "Aretha, Play One For Me." The Billy Price Band had Burgi's huge dance floor busy throughout the night, and knocked the packed house dead with their lively, spirited performance. It was also cool to hear Billy, during the lyrics of one song, referencing his visits to Altoona in the early 80's, mentioning "1984 at the Coaches Inn!"
It was an excellent show start to finish - kick yourself if you missed it!
Some photos from Saturday night:
Opening the festivities with a scorching set, Felix & the Hurricanes with guest harmonica player Barney Sledge.
Hot horns! Billy Price's smokin' horn section.
Billy Price's guitar player, Lenny Smith.
The legendary Billy Price.
Let's hear it again for Billy Price's horn section!
Jimmy Britton of the Billy Price Band.
The Billy Price Band.
Once again, Billy Price.