Though things have been quite busy for old Todd and Tim over the past few months, we've had the time to soak in some good tunes at the local clubs as well as to check out some good stuff from regional folks on CD and MP3. As for what we've been up to, I had the pleasure of dressing up for ekoostik hookah's Hookahween celebration (Oct. 27th and 28th at the Newport Music Hall in Columbus, OH) as a Mullet, complete with an airbrushed Ohio State Fair t-shirt emblazoned with my and my "common-law" girlfriend's names on it. I walked around scaring the young hippies wherever I went. They did not think I was in costume; they feared me as an actual Mullet. It was comic genius, if I do say so myself. I screamed "Skynyrd" a couple times throughout the night and hit on innocent young girls with zest. As for the music--well of course, it kicked ass. If you don't know what a mullet is, go to http://www.mulletsgalore.com. Then you'll be caught up with the rest of us.

My take on the jamband scene? It's pretty damn cool lately. I've finally gotten my ass in gear and have listened to some great outfits like Rebecca's Statue out of Chicago, Donna the Buffalo from New York, Steppin' in It, Topaz, Blues is Blood, and also some promising acts like Early Grace, Color, Waxymonx, Mos Isley, and Danagas. So please keep sending us info, cuz we're lovin' it. And by the way, I apologize for the fact that we've teased you with those cool dates sections in the past, covering each state in the midwest each month and then slacking recently, but it takes so much time and we've been, you know, really busy...but I'm going to try to do better next month. Well, I'm gonna be rolling along now...I seeing George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars tonight! YA YAAA!! Tim and Todd

In Case you Missed It

Jazz Mandolin Project
The Odeon, Cleveland, OH October 5, 2000

Handsom B. Wonderful jfrank1013@hotmail.com

I went to see JMP this last week and I was very much impressed with what I saw. Thursday the 5th of October my compatriot and I ventured out to the wonderful Odeon in Cleveland, Ohio. I had very few complaints about the venue itself this time which is something new for me. They were lacking in good beer, they did have two imports- heini and corona, but had plenty of positive vibes.

We arrived too late to see Schleigho unfortunately. About 10 PM JMP took the stage with Danton Boller on bass, Arid "Spiderman" Hoenig on drums, and, of course, Jamie on mandolin. I had never seen a show with this lineup before, but I have been lucky enough to see all the incarnations of JMP leading up to this one. Oh hold it, I did see Danton and Ari at the CD release party in NOLA. I think he sat in for like three songs... The show started with a song I know so well I can sing it to you, but of course do not know the title. I have heard it in this position in the set before though if that helps. Right away I noticed a bit of kinship between Danton and Ari. I am not sure if this is due to them practicing or "clicking" or maybe knowing each other in a past life, but any way you slice it they were together. I know Jamie mentioned they were both Brooklyn boyeez, maybe that was it? They played a couple more regulars and then a new song. I think they played 4 new songs in the set. I was thinking three fast and one slow with a fat lead by Danton. I wish I took a notebook with me for these sorts of things. I know that the new tunes also took a bit of a new direction if that is the correct word. I find that the songs I have heard already remind me of riding in the country, or driving very fast on country backroads.

The new numbers I found more funky. Not in the purest George Clinton funk, but more in the eclectic funky genre. I was quite impressed to say the least, even inspired to write a review, if you will. Danton is an awesome soloist. He mores around the upright like a neighborhood he grew up in. He plays not flashy like some but with a classical style that goes funk *real funk* from time to time. He even busted out the bow for a number. I find one of the more pleasing things about Jazz Mandolin Project is its steady lead man. He allows the others to take solos, really long solos even, but somehow steals the show when it is his turn. Jamie was as usual burning up the neck with his fingers flying. They played a 2 hour set with no break * also a very gracious encore for the 150 or so fans* that did not fail to impress. I also wanted to note the song Big Wood (a new number) which was played for Big Jim and Big Andy (sorry ladies, they are both married) who are a couple of local boys. Shout out to the local JMP posse!! This review has gone a bit off course but hopefully I have encouraged you all to go check out the newest and tightest JMP to date. peas- Hanny B

Cryin' Souls @ Lakeview Links-Chicago, IL
Friday, October 13th, 2000

Jeff Trinco

Mike Tangorra-Guitar/Vocals
Jason Deutsch-Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals
Matt Tangorra-Drums/Percussion
Bobbi Clark-Lead/Backing Vocals

Well, the big day was finally here. The Cryin' Souls had their much anticipated full moon show on Friday the 13th at Lakeview Links in Chicago. If you've never heard of the Cryin' Souls, they're an up and coming Chicagoland Rock/Jam/Blues band...Imagine if Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Aretha Franklin, The Allman Brothers, and The Black Crowes all threw some licks into a pile...the result would be the Cryin' Souls.

Around 10pm Lakeview Links started to get packed...you could literally feel the energy in the crowd. They were anticipating a very hot set from Cryin' Souls. Well, that is exactly what they got!!

The Cryin' Souls took the stage around 10:20 and opened the show with a smoking version of Good Times Bad Times, much to the delight of the capacity crowd This was immediately followed by the hot original tune The Blues Ain't So Bad. This version could only be described as Chuck Berry on mushrooms! Then the band went into a jam and no one really knew what was coming...and all of a sudden...yep...Stevie Wonder's I Wish!! This featured some great jamming by the Cryin'Souls as well as some hilarious backing vocals by Jason. Next up came the opening drum beats of Hard To Handle...or was it? Just for fun Mike threw in a little Walk This Way tease, to see if the crowd was listening...and they were. Hard To Handle was followed by a blistering Cryin' Souls original called Long Time...every time I hear this tune it reminds me of Derek & the Dominoes! Next up came a little tribute to the late Allen Woody. Nate Wolverton joined the Cryin' Souls on stage for outstanding versions of Statesboro Blues & Blue Sky...RIP Allen...we'll miss you As Nate left the stage, the great Bobbi Clark came up. She gave a smile and a wave and the crowd responded with a huge roar...as the Jason ripped into the opening notes of White Rabbit. The Way You Do The Things You Do followed. Then just for fun they busted into the Jackson Five's I Want You Back...at this point everyone was on their feet dancing without a care in the world. The band ended this great night with The Black Crowes tune Jealous Again. They had filled their time slot with high energy tunes and the crowd was very pleased, but they screamed for more. "Unfortunately, we're out of time", Mike said..."but we'll be back and next time we'll be playing for a lot longer!!"

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