I have not seen Kimberly Wolff play for a few years and when I just saw her, she has become a full-fledged pro. She's got a great band and a great vocalist she sings with. Everything about Kimberly is professional and she hopefully will go far. She is country with a great rock edge. I really like what they're doing and they all play very well together. It's great to see her coming back home and I'm real happy she could do Lakeside. That's what the Lakeside Fest should be all about ... homecomings.
https://www.facebook.com/kimberlywolffmusic
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Jori - Lakeside Festival, Crystal Lake. 7.6.13
Between sets of the band Common Ground at the Crystal Lake Lakeside Fest today, Jori sang a few songs. She apparently has just come out of Prairie Ride HS in 2012 and she sang and played several songs on her guitar. I was very impressed. She was singing some pretty hefty interval jumps and nailing the pitch and she had a very nice vibrato. She also had some great breath control. Although her voice wasn't real distinctive from many other singers, she obviously had a very good ear and good stage presence. She's been out in front people before. She definitely has something going here and I'm sure we will be hearing more of her in the future. It would be kind of like the way Kimberly Wolff started out and is now sounding like the real pro she's become. I'm hoping Jory hung around to see Kimberly Wolff, who was on after Common Ground. Keep going Jori. Give it a shot. http://www.jorimusic.com/
Common Ground - Lakeside Festival, Crystal Lake. 7.6.13
Common Ground performed in the afternoon at the Lakeside Fest. They're a good choice for a family-oriented afternoon. No too threatening. Not too hard rock. Not too fluffy. They're a good band. They're also a large band - 7 members; drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion, sax and singer. For the most part, the vocals were good. There were a few tense moments on some of the songs (the Bruno tune, for instance). It was a pleasure to hear a Sade song and a little Santana. I have always secretly hoped that Mustang Sally would fall to the side but CG did a version.It was a mixed variety of songs and there was certainly something there for everyone, except '80s metal fans.
Good job! http://commongroundjam.com/
Good job! http://commongroundjam.com/
High Infidelity - Crystal Lake Lakeside Fest. 07.5.13
It's been a while since I've seen this band and it was really good to reintroduce a band of this caliber to the general population at the Lakeside Fest again. The is a truly great pro outfit that plays as many dates as anyone in the area.
High Infidelity consists of two guitarists, a bassist, a drummer and a keyboardist. There are three guys singing lead on various songs which really lends some variety to what the audience is hearing ... and it's some really good singing on all their parts. The harmonies were tight and obviously very well rehearsed due to all the dates the continually play. They played Bon Jovi, Def Leopard, Journey, 38 special, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, etc. they also played my favorite Journey song, Stone in Love. And they did it very well.
The audience loved them and the song selection couldn't have been better. It's all classic covers but they're all covers that virtually everyone in the audience knew every word to. They were very professional. The playing was very good and their stage presence was impressive. They don't run all over the stage performing wacky antics. They get down to great musical business. I thoroughly enjoyed every amplified note and word. http://www.hiinfidelity.co/index.html
High Infidelity consists of two guitarists, a bassist, a drummer and a keyboardist. There are three guys singing lead on various songs which really lends some variety to what the audience is hearing ... and it's some really good singing on all their parts. The harmonies were tight and obviously very well rehearsed due to all the dates the continually play. They played Bon Jovi, Def Leopard, Journey, 38 special, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, etc. they also played my favorite Journey song, Stone in Love. And they did it very well.
The audience loved them and the song selection couldn't have been better. It's all classic covers but they're all covers that virtually everyone in the audience knew every word to. They were very professional. The playing was very good and their stage presence was impressive. They don't run all over the stage performing wacky antics. They get down to great musical business. I thoroughly enjoyed every amplified note and word. http://www.hiinfidelity.co/index.html
Saturday, April 21, 2012
VVX - Sideouts, Island Lake 4.20.12
Let's see. Checklist for a good band night.
X Great song list
X Great instrumentalists
X Great lead and backing singing
X Incredibly tight and well-rehearsed songs
X Excellent sound mix
X Boutique equipment
X Long sets and reasonable breaks
Got all that and quite a bit more at Sideout's in Island Lake last night when the band, VVX performed. I'll tell you right up front. I don't know most of the songs. I've been around a long while but I can honestly say I had never heard of the radio station named VVX either. However, as they say, "you don't need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." Likewise, you don't need to know all the songs to know you heard some great music last night and you also had a chance to see some superb playing by some obviously veteran players. Van Halen, Dio, Ratt, Thin Lizzie, Rush. This was very intense R&R, turned to 11. But what I mean by that is that the intensity of the music knocked you upside the head but the sound mix was not obnoxious, too loud or otherwise unbalanced. Everything was cooking on all cylinders for the two guitarists, bassist, lead vocalist, drummer extraordinaire last night and you need to go to see these guys next time they're in your area again. Every kick was there. Every break was flawless. The lead vocalist had an atmospheric voice that was perfectly in pitch virtually all the time, which is something you never hear. The backing harmonies were great as well. The drummer was a human metronome on steroids that drove the beat just enough with the bassist that the tunes cooked just that little bit hotter that they need to be to threaten to drive the audience's hearts into AFib. The two guitarists worked very well together and were real strong players.
VVX has a good following developing as many in the crowd were singing along with the band. VVX had a good showing last night and hopefully they'll get back into the area again very soon. Check them out on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/vvxlive
X Great song list
X Great instrumentalists
X Great lead and backing singing
X Incredibly tight and well-rehearsed songs
X Excellent sound mix
X Boutique equipment
X Long sets and reasonable breaks
Got all that and quite a bit more at Sideout's in Island Lake last night when the band, VVX performed. I'll tell you right up front. I don't know most of the songs. I've been around a long while but I can honestly say I had never heard of the radio station named VVX either. However, as they say, "you don't need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." Likewise, you don't need to know all the songs to know you heard some great music last night and you also had a chance to see some superb playing by some obviously veteran players. Van Halen, Dio, Ratt, Thin Lizzie, Rush. This was very intense R&R, turned to 11. But what I mean by that is that the intensity of the music knocked you upside the head but the sound mix was not obnoxious, too loud or otherwise unbalanced. Everything was cooking on all cylinders for the two guitarists, bassist, lead vocalist, drummer extraordinaire last night and you need to go to see these guys next time they're in your area again. Every kick was there. Every break was flawless. The lead vocalist had an atmospheric voice that was perfectly in pitch virtually all the time, which is something you never hear. The backing harmonies were great as well. The drummer was a human metronome on steroids that drove the beat just enough with the bassist that the tunes cooked just that little bit hotter that they need to be to threaten to drive the audience's hearts into AFib. The two guitarists worked very well together and were real strong players.
VVX has a good following developing as many in the crowd were singing along with the band. VVX had a good showing last night and hopefully they'll get back into the area again very soon. Check them out on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/vvxlive
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Cabdriver - Duke's Alehouse, Crystal Lake, 3.3.12
Cabdriver describes themselves as a reggae/funk/originals. They consist of a lead singer/sometimes guitarist, female backup/lead vocalist, bassist, guitarist and drums.
Right off the bat, they started too late. I have two pet peeves. One of them is bands taking 1/2 hour to 45 minute breaks. I wasn't around long enough to see if they committed that one. As for the second pet peeve? I got there at quarter after 10 and they're still unwinding cords and plugging in. It got to 10:30 and they all went outside for a smoke or band meeting or whatever. They didn't start until 10:45. This is Crystal Lake, not Chicago. The bars aren't open until 4AM. My point is , they should have started at 10PM. Just my opinion. Also, they took a little too much time between songs.
They are good players. The first few songs were a bit tough for me as I couldn't make out the chord changes very well due to the mix. After a few songs, they got the groove happening and the mix worked itself in. The main complaint I had was that the female vocalist was inserting her little flourishes and backing work just about all the time on every single song. It was just a little much. Most of what I heard were two-chord and three-chord progressions over and over again with some rapping over it and, for me, I started getting a little bored. However, I noticed that as the groove started getting established, I saw more people moving to the music, which is good.
The drummer was solid. The bassist was solid. The guitar player was good. The vocals were good. I think the addition of a keyboardist would be great and add a hell of a lot to the sound. The songs just started sounding alike to me. As a HUGE compliment, I really admire bands playing originals. I absolutely applaud groups that do. It's a hard route to take but I really admire you all for doing it.
All in all, Cabdriver was a good band. I really wanted to see them as I LOVE reggae music. I didn't get exactly what I hoped I was going to get, but I wasn't disappointed either. I'll wager they played more varied material later on, but I was losing interest. Maybe I'll check them out another time. Check them out at http://www.cabdrivermusic.com/
Right off the bat, they started too late. I have two pet peeves. One of them is bands taking 1/2 hour to 45 minute breaks. I wasn't around long enough to see if they committed that one. As for the second pet peeve? I got there at quarter after 10 and they're still unwinding cords and plugging in. It got to 10:30 and they all went outside for a smoke or band meeting or whatever. They didn't start until 10:45. This is Crystal Lake, not Chicago. The bars aren't open until 4AM. My point is , they should have started at 10PM. Just my opinion. Also, they took a little too much time between songs.
They are good players. The first few songs were a bit tough for me as I couldn't make out the chord changes very well due to the mix. After a few songs, they got the groove happening and the mix worked itself in. The main complaint I had was that the female vocalist was inserting her little flourishes and backing work just about all the time on every single song. It was just a little much. Most of what I heard were two-chord and three-chord progressions over and over again with some rapping over it and, for me, I started getting a little bored. However, I noticed that as the groove started getting established, I saw more people moving to the music, which is good.
The drummer was solid. The bassist was solid. The guitar player was good. The vocals were good. I think the addition of a keyboardist would be great and add a hell of a lot to the sound. The songs just started sounding alike to me. As a HUGE compliment, I really admire bands playing originals. I absolutely applaud groups that do. It's a hard route to take but I really admire you all for doing it.
All in all, Cabdriver was a good band. I really wanted to see them as I LOVE reggae music. I didn't get exactly what I hoped I was going to get, but I wasn't disappointed either. I'll wager they played more varied material later on, but I was losing interest. Maybe I'll check them out another time. Check them out at http://www.cabdrivermusic.com/
Black Cat Bone - Duke's Alehouse, Crystal Lake 2.24.12
I stopped by Duke's Alehouse in Crystal Lake and listened to a good set by a 3-piece blues group, Black Cat Bone. They consisted of a lead guitar/vocalist, bassist and drummer. This is a local band and they appear like they're out getting their act together and they're doing a great job of it. The audience consisted of the usual contingent of parents and relatives and friends that newer bands usually bring with them and there's absolutely nothing wrong about that. They all drink and eat, too.
The singer was very good. He had a good voice and he had some great licks. It's too bad there were not backing vocals as well. The drummer and bass player were good. The drums sure could have used a mic on the bass drum to drive the beat a bit and to compliment the bass guitar. In a 3-piece group, the bass and drums have to be locked into each other to drive the beat and to get people moving and hopefully, dancing. Getting people moving is really the rhythm section's job, not the guitarist's. I also have to compliment the bass player's tone. which was excellent.
I really did enjoy these guys and hopefully, they'll hang together and get more confident with each other and bring a little "show" to the act. Good job!
http://blackcatbone.webs.com/
The singer was very good. He had a good voice and he had some great licks. It's too bad there were not backing vocals as well. The drummer and bass player were good. The drums sure could have used a mic on the bass drum to drive the beat a bit and to compliment the bass guitar. In a 3-piece group, the bass and drums have to be locked into each other to drive the beat and to get people moving and hopefully, dancing. Getting people moving is really the rhythm section's job, not the guitarist's. I also have to compliment the bass player's tone. which was excellent.
I really did enjoy these guys and hopefully, they'll hang together and get more confident with each other and bring a little "show" to the act. Good job!
http://blackcatbone.webs.com/
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