The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Tas Cru lights up Black-Eyed Sally’s
Friday, Black-Eyed Sally’s brings in Tas Cru. His songs are described as raucous, rowdy, gentle, sweet, eccentric, quirky, and outright irreverent. That gives rise to his reputation as a one of the most unique of bluesmen plying his trade today.
It’s not for nothing that Cru has received wide praise for his songwriting. As Downbeat magazine noted, “His songs are blues poetry — crafted with rare verbal flair and his ability to cast a memorable hook is magical!” Live, these songs are performed with power and passion. Cru is based out of upstate New York and performs in multiple formats ranging from solo acoustic to a 7 piece-backing band. He sings and plays a wide variety of guitars at home on either electric, acoustic, resonator or cigar box.
Cru is active in “Blues in the Schools,” often spending his free time in Memphis visiting schools or backing performers in the Women in Blues concert. His band like many bands has a drummer that adds to its character. Sonny Rock, holding the beat is also a DJ and motorcyclist. Worth a visit during the break.
Hartford’s Infinity Music Hall has The Devon Allman Project with Duane Betts on Wednesday. The Project is a six piece band featuring two percussionists and a Hammond B3 player. The shows feature a 30-minute opening set with Duane Betts and Allman’s rhythm section. After a minute break, the Devon Allman Project plays a set that will includes songs from Honeytribe, Royal Southern Brotherhood, The Devon Allman Band and a few covers. The night culminates with an encore featuring all eight musicians playing Allman Brothers tunes and other classics.
Infinity Music Hall Norfolk has Tab Benoit on Sunday. He’s is a Cajun from Houma, Louisiana. A guitar player since his teenage years, he hung out at the Blues Box, a ramshackle music club and cultural center in nearby Baton Rouge run by guitarist Tabby Thomas. Playing guitar alongside Thomas, Raful Neal, Henry Gray and other high-profile regulars at the club, Benoit learned the blues first-hand from a faculty of living blues legends. This led him assemble his own band just bass-and-drums, propelled by his solid guitar skills and Cajun-spiced vocal attack.
As the closing act at last week’s North Atlantic Blues Festival, he kept the crowd wanting more. Between his energetic guitar and audience rapport he provides unmatched entertainment.
An environmental activist as well, Benoit has made the preservation of the endangered delta wetlands his personal crusade. He serves as president of Voice of the Wetlands, an environmental organization he co-founded in 2003, and he appeared prominently in Hurricane on the Bayou, a 2006 documentary by filmmaker McGillivray Freeman that chronicles life in Louisiana after Katrina.
Thursday, Arlen Roth appears in Norfolk, bringing classic blues tones and beautiful slow rock & roll. Roth is just pure enjoyment on the , considered one of the top players by many.
On Monday, FTC Warehouse presents ZZ Ward. As a singer, she’s firmly grounded in tradition, a big, powerful belter in the vein of Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. There is a familiarity in Ward’s voice in that, at times, can be compared to Adele with a pinch of Demi Lovato and a dash of Elle King with an American-blues twist.
ZZ Ward packs a powerful set of pipes. She is more inclined toward the grit of classic Delta blues than Muscle Shoals sheen. Ward isn’t afraid to bend a distorted guitar note or collaborate with artists from other scenes. Known for her singular blend of “honey-smoked vocals,” country rock-inspired lyrics, and sizzling harmonica, she’s capable of walking the line between sweet, sexy and badass while jumping into modern and retro rock and soul — always performing with her audience in mind. Saturday, she will be at The Mohegan Sun Wolf Den.
The Ridgefield Playhouse has the Dickey Betts Band for a “BBQ, Bourbon & Beer” Summer Gala Event on Friday. After retiring from the music industry 4 years ago Betts is back for a limited number of special shows. For this event he will provide a full set of Allman Brothers classics: “Ramblin’ Man,” “Blue Sky,” “Melissa,” Midnight Rider,” “Whipping Post” and so many more.
Some other acts of note: G Love & Special Sauce is at The Jonathan Edwards Winery on Sunday. Saturday is Collinsville Hot Festival which includes Jr Krauss and the Shakes and The Amplifires with Dave Robbins.
The Second Chance plays at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Veteran’s Memorial Amphitheater, celebrating Rocky Hill’s 175th Anniversary.
Winsted has a free outdoor concert Thursday with Danny Draher at 6 p.m. Monday is Mark’s Cruise Night with the Rich Badowski Band from 5 to 8 p.m.
The Acoustic Café on Thursday has Soulshine: An Allman Brothers Experience. Over at Daryl’s House on Thursday is Walter Trout. Expect a return of the Daryl’s House TV show.
Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.wordpress.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.