Post by jptheprofessor on Jul 29, 2006 12:51:57 GMT -5
I had heard much about Pittsburgh’s Tony Janflone, Jr., in recent years, but had never seen his live show or heard his music before. But with Burgi’s Roundhouse fast becoming the Altoona area’s new gateway to the Pittsburgh music scene, Tony Janflone, Jr. was on the schedule to perform at Burgi’s on Saturday night, July 1 - and I was there!
I thought I would arrive in time to see openers Rock & Rye, but they ended earlier than I expected, so I only got to see them do three songs - "Free Bird," Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" (Greg "Rock" Burley does a convincing Johnny), and Seven Mary Three's "Cumbersome."
I ate dinner while I watched Tony Janflone, Jr. and his band continue their set-up on the main stage. Eventually the group was ready to do their sound check. Even their sound check smoked! I knew that we were in for a good show.
Soon, Greg introduced Tony Janflone, Jr. and his band, and the show was ON! The group started off with a hot rendition of Booker T & the MG's "Green Onions," allowing all the band members - sax player Curtis Swift, keyboard man Richard Everett, bassist Jason Hollar and drummer Jack Mrozowski - to get warmed up. The party fully kicked into full gear as Tony and his band played a mixture of classic rock, blues, soul, country and more. As the group played Stealer's Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle with You," Tony - utilizing a wireless headphone mic and guitar set-up - began to work the Burgi's complex, playfully coaxing seated audience members to sing along in between his own bursts of guitar solo virtuosity and tasty solos from keyboard man Richard and sax man Curtis. The group segued through the Beatles' "Get Back" and into Stevie Ray Vaughan's "House Is A Rockin,'" before Richard sang lead on a stellar version of Pink Floyd's "Money." Tony then introduced some 70's soul in the form of Rufus'/Stevie Wonder's "Tell Me Something Good." After ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man," Tony and band delivered another quality instrumental workout with Santana's "Europa," before breaking out a funky read of Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin.'" Next was a version of Buddy Guy/Willie Dixon's "Let Me Love You Baby," before a Texas blues-flavored original song and Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally" to finish the set.
During the intermission, the Rock and Rye contingent and I got to speak with Tony and his bandmates. I learned that although this was Tony's first public gig in the Altoona area, he was no stranger to these parts, having played private functions at Lakemont Park and the Blair County Convention Center. We found Tony and his bandmates to be very down to earth and easy to speak with. Greg even got his guitar autographed by Tony.
The attendance this night was the typical trend for Burgi's. A healthy-sized dinner crowd was on hand early on, but began to diminish as diners finished their meals and exited the venue. The diehard music fans stuck around, though, and among the fans remaining, it was unanimous - Tony Janflone, Jr. was kicking ass and taking names so far!
Soon, Tony and his band returned to their instruments and reconvened the music, kicking off with the blues double-shot of Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago" and Elias McDaniel's "Before You Accuse Me," during which Tony invited "Rye" - Ryan Clark - onstage to jam some guitar. Bassist Jason then sang lead on a rendition of "Iko Iko," before Tony introduced another original number, a slow blues instrumental composed about his grandparents, entitled "I Wish You Didn't Have to Go." This turned into an incredible showcase for Tony's exemplary guitar skills; the man just let it rip! Tony and his band then picked the tempo back up with Billy Preston's "Will It Go Round in Circles," and continued with Cream's "Badge" and Santana's "Smooth." Keyboard player Richard again inherited lead mic duties to sing the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues," which segued directly into Stevie Ray's "Pride and Joy, as a frisky female audience member got up on the dance floor and then the stage, bumping and grinding with saxman Curtis, before chasing Tony around the dance floor as he played! After successfully outrunning the vixen, Tony started into a version of "Hey Joe," which turned into one of the most impressive live treatments of this song I have ever seen on a local stage - Tony's hands were virtually a blur as he masterfully drilled some scorching solowork through the song's nearly ten-minute duration, leaving audience members picking up their lower jaws off the floor! In-freaking-credible! Tony and his band then closed out the night with a bright and funky rendition of Average White Band's "Cut the Cake," with saxman Curtis' and drummer Jack's talents given the spotlight.
Needless to say at this point, Tony Janflone, Jr. put on a clinic at Burgi's this night! Not only was he an astonishing guitar player, but he was a showman and an entertainer as well. He knew how to work the crowd to make them part of the show, maintaining eye contact as he maneuvered about the Burgi's environs. Tony delivered it all with heart and enthusiasm, sealing the deal with a smile all the time he played. His band was excellent as well, and Tony frequently deferred the spotlight to his bandmates to let them shine.
At night's end, we stood around in amazement after the spectacle we had just witnessed! We again spoke with Tony, and it was the unanimous consensus among the remaining audience members and Burgi's management that not only did we want a return visit from Tony, but we were hellbent on getting the word out on the show we witnessed this night, to let people know so he would see a packed house when he does return. So I will serve notice right here, right now - Tony Janflone, Jr. is a must-see when he returns to Burgi's, and I highly recommend that you check out his next visit. You definitely will not be disappointed!
Rock and Rye opened up the evening for Tony Janflone, Jr. at Burgi's.
Ryan Clark of Rock & Rye sits in on guitar with Tony Janflone, Jr.'s band.
Again, Ryan Clark.
Ryan jams in front of Tony Janflone, Jr.
Ryan looks like he is having a good time!
Tony Janflone, Jr., firing off some hot solo work.
Tony Janflone, Jr. and his band.
Richard Everett of Tony Janflone, Jr.'s band.
Jason Hollar and Jack Mrozowski of Tony Janflone, Jr.'s band.
Again, Tony Janflone, Jr.
Curtis Swift of Tony's band and a female fan, busting some dance moves onstage.
I thought I would arrive in time to see openers Rock & Rye, but they ended earlier than I expected, so I only got to see them do three songs - "Free Bird," Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" (Greg "Rock" Burley does a convincing Johnny), and Seven Mary Three's "Cumbersome."
I ate dinner while I watched Tony Janflone, Jr. and his band continue their set-up on the main stage. Eventually the group was ready to do their sound check. Even their sound check smoked! I knew that we were in for a good show.
Soon, Greg introduced Tony Janflone, Jr. and his band, and the show was ON! The group started off with a hot rendition of Booker T & the MG's "Green Onions," allowing all the band members - sax player Curtis Swift, keyboard man Richard Everett, bassist Jason Hollar and drummer Jack Mrozowski - to get warmed up. The party fully kicked into full gear as Tony and his band played a mixture of classic rock, blues, soul, country and more. As the group played Stealer's Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle with You," Tony - utilizing a wireless headphone mic and guitar set-up - began to work the Burgi's complex, playfully coaxing seated audience members to sing along in between his own bursts of guitar solo virtuosity and tasty solos from keyboard man Richard and sax man Curtis. The group segued through the Beatles' "Get Back" and into Stevie Ray Vaughan's "House Is A Rockin,'" before Richard sang lead on a stellar version of Pink Floyd's "Money." Tony then introduced some 70's soul in the form of Rufus'/Stevie Wonder's "Tell Me Something Good." After ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man," Tony and band delivered another quality instrumental workout with Santana's "Europa," before breaking out a funky read of Hank Williams' "Hey Good Lookin.'" Next was a version of Buddy Guy/Willie Dixon's "Let Me Love You Baby," before a Texas blues-flavored original song and Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally" to finish the set.
During the intermission, the Rock and Rye contingent and I got to speak with Tony and his bandmates. I learned that although this was Tony's first public gig in the Altoona area, he was no stranger to these parts, having played private functions at Lakemont Park and the Blair County Convention Center. We found Tony and his bandmates to be very down to earth and easy to speak with. Greg even got his guitar autographed by Tony.
The attendance this night was the typical trend for Burgi's. A healthy-sized dinner crowd was on hand early on, but began to diminish as diners finished their meals and exited the venue. The diehard music fans stuck around, though, and among the fans remaining, it was unanimous - Tony Janflone, Jr. was kicking ass and taking names so far!
Soon, Tony and his band returned to their instruments and reconvened the music, kicking off with the blues double-shot of Robert Johnson's "Sweet Home Chicago" and Elias McDaniel's "Before You Accuse Me," during which Tony invited "Rye" - Ryan Clark - onstage to jam some guitar. Bassist Jason then sang lead on a rendition of "Iko Iko," before Tony introduced another original number, a slow blues instrumental composed about his grandparents, entitled "I Wish You Didn't Have to Go." This turned into an incredible showcase for Tony's exemplary guitar skills; the man just let it rip! Tony and his band then picked the tempo back up with Billy Preston's "Will It Go Round in Circles," and continued with Cream's "Badge" and Santana's "Smooth." Keyboard player Richard again inherited lead mic duties to sing the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues," which segued directly into Stevie Ray's "Pride and Joy, as a frisky female audience member got up on the dance floor and then the stage, bumping and grinding with saxman Curtis, before chasing Tony around the dance floor as he played! After successfully outrunning the vixen, Tony started into a version of "Hey Joe," which turned into one of the most impressive live treatments of this song I have ever seen on a local stage - Tony's hands were virtually a blur as he masterfully drilled some scorching solowork through the song's nearly ten-minute duration, leaving audience members picking up their lower jaws off the floor! In-freaking-credible! Tony and his band then closed out the night with a bright and funky rendition of Average White Band's "Cut the Cake," with saxman Curtis' and drummer Jack's talents given the spotlight.
Needless to say at this point, Tony Janflone, Jr. put on a clinic at Burgi's this night! Not only was he an astonishing guitar player, but he was a showman and an entertainer as well. He knew how to work the crowd to make them part of the show, maintaining eye contact as he maneuvered about the Burgi's environs. Tony delivered it all with heart and enthusiasm, sealing the deal with a smile all the time he played. His band was excellent as well, and Tony frequently deferred the spotlight to his bandmates to let them shine.
At night's end, we stood around in amazement after the spectacle we had just witnessed! We again spoke with Tony, and it was the unanimous consensus among the remaining audience members and Burgi's management that not only did we want a return visit from Tony, but we were hellbent on getting the word out on the show we witnessed this night, to let people know so he would see a packed house when he does return. So I will serve notice right here, right now - Tony Janflone, Jr. is a must-see when he returns to Burgi's, and I highly recommend that you check out his next visit. You definitely will not be disappointed!
Rock and Rye opened up the evening for Tony Janflone, Jr. at Burgi's.
Ryan Clark of Rock & Rye sits in on guitar with Tony Janflone, Jr.'s band.
Again, Ryan Clark.
Ryan jams in front of Tony Janflone, Jr.
Ryan looks like he is having a good time!
Tony Janflone, Jr., firing off some hot solo work.
Tony Janflone, Jr. and his band.
Richard Everett of Tony Janflone, Jr.'s band.
Jason Hollar and Jack Mrozowski of Tony Janflone, Jr.'s band.
Again, Tony Janflone, Jr.
Curtis Swift of Tony's band and a female fan, busting some dance moves onstage.