The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Take a drive to Bijou Theatre for blues
There are plenty of options for some fun this week, with acts across the state and region.
One of the state’s gems is The Bijou Theatre. This Saturday, the Lucky Peterson Blues Band takes the stage.
What can one say again about Peterson? He is a multi-instrumentalist and a riveting performer. He puts together a searing lead guitar, a rich and powerful organist, and a first-rate vocalist, and it’s all done in a style that has you drawn in without even knowing it.
His musicianship effortlessly translates gospel, rock, and jazz into a 21st century blues. Many reminisce about the bygone days of the blues, but its flame still burns hot in the hands of Lucky Peterson.
And he is in demand. Friday, The Falcon has Lucky Peterson featuring Tamara Tramell, and Sunday, he is playing The Turning Point. Not all the promos list Tamara Tramell, but it is a good bet she will be there.
Peterson is celebrating his 50th Anniversary of performing professionally. Hanging out at his Father’s popular roadhouse club, a stop for some of the most famous bluesmen of the day, he learned very early in his life that his true calling was music, and in particular the Blues.
Saturday and Sunday, the Pequot Library will have Mark Naftalin and Friends. Among the friends will be Paul Gabriel and JD Seem and others. The playing will be simulcast on 89.5 FM WPKN.
The Space Ballroom has Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers on Friday. Helm is an American singersongwriter, daughter of The Band drummer Levon Helm and singer Libby Titus. She is a past and current member of the Levon Helm Band, the Dirt Farmer Band, the Midnight Ramble Band, Ollabelle, as well as her own touring band, Amy Helm & The Handsome Strangers. Her debut solo album, "Didn't It Rain," was released in July 2015.
Satisfaction, The World’s #1 Rolling Stones Tribute Band is at Infinity Music Hall Hartford on Saturday. Satisfaction” is the international touring tribute to the the band known as the World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band, The Rolling Stones. Now celebrating more than 10 years in production with over 1600 performances. It showcases the most authentic cast and costuming of its kind, providing the likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the entire band to bring a colorful performance to 50 years of classic hits. They have been tagged as the world’s greatest show honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy. (A number of tribute bands are on the scene this week, learn more at http://bluesbeat news.wordpress.com Black-Eyed Sally's has a nice double-header this weekend. On Friday, The Ice Fire Band with Leo Boogie hits the stage. The band performs a wide variety of original and cover songs in a number of styles. Ice Fire is unique in its dual language approach while performing.
Founder Leo Boogie has performed in Venezuela, Brasil, Germany, Holland, and NYC, including: a year as a vocalist in Caracas Venezuela at Juan Sebastian Bar along with The Venezuelan Consulate in NYC and Venezuelan Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
Ice Fire takes contemporary pop songs and performs them in their own unique way, making them a cross generational band. Ice Fire also performs in 2 languages, Spanish and English, a musically and culturally diverse musical concept.
Saturday, hear the Bobby Torello Band at Sally’s. He has had a long and storied career. The energy he puts into playing thr drums are matched by few. He played with Paper Steamboat, the precursor to the group, Thunderhead. Numerous big name artists also jammed with them when they were in town. One such legendary notable was Johnny Winter, who Torello was to play with.
In 1976, Bobby replaced Tommy Aldridge in Black Oak Arkansas. He also began the first of two stints with fellow New Haven native Michael Bolton. At the time, Michael’s career was exploding with two new RCA albums. He was also touring extensively with Johnny Winter. He recorded two albums with Johnny Winter and an album with Jefferson Starship’s Grace Slick.
When not on tour with Johnny Winter, he kept busy gigging with Michael Bolton, appearing in two MTV music videos. Bobby T’s All Stars features Bobby Torello on drums, Grammy award winning bass player Scott Spray, and Ryan Newman on guitar.
Connecticut Blues Society collaboration with the Maple Tree Café continues Saturday as they present The Redliners with Steve Hatch. In other Connecticut Blues Society news, The Blues Blizzard is set for March 2nd at the Hannon-Hatch VFW in West Hartford. The lineup is set, and the bands include Dave Robbins & The Amplifires; Cole Morson Band; Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts; Mike Crandall and Jake Kulak & LowDown. So mark your calendars for the state’s best dance party.
March is a busy month for the Connecticut Blues Society. The monthly jam continues with guest Paul Gabriel, and the Band Challenge starts at Black Eyed Sally's on March 10.