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September 29, 2007- Saturday
P.D.’s Pub:
Pittsburgh, Pa.
“Lazybones”, “Till the Cows Come Home”, we were all
playing real well tonight, that makes it fun. A crushing
version of “T-Bird” stood out, as did “Shackin Up”.
“Steeler Nation” got a strong response. A special
request for “King of the Road” gave Harry a chance to
shine. A special request for Whitey to sing “Shama Lama
Ding Dong” gave me a chance to start the song in the
wrong key, which I did. After an abrupt stop we kicked
into the right key and Whitey kicked it’s a**. Set two
was also a gas. Katey Ramone up got to sing “Chain of
Fools” the ole Aretha tune, and kicked it’s a**. “Ain’t
It Amazin”, “That Ain’t Gonna Happen” and “I Seen Too
Much” all hit the mark. “Son Of A Gun” was my favorite
of the night. We shut er’ down wit a smokin “Smoke Two
Joints”.
September 28, 2007- Friday
Moondogs: Blanox,
Pa.
This Paul Shook memorial show was a roaring success on
all levels. I’ve never seen Moondogs more crowded. Da
joint was a sardine can. Da parking lot had a crowd of
folks that couldn’t take the heat. I didn’t get to see
the opening bands, but I did get great reports on all of
them. Kevin K from New York City fronted the first band,
which included drummer Ricky Rat of Detroit’s Trash
Brats. Pittsburgh’s Five*Dive, former members of Torn n’
Frayed, went on second and rocked the house. Pittsburgh
guitarist Frank Soriano’s one time project, Shook,
Rattle and Roll did a set of cover tunes that Paul
would’ve enjoyed. By the time we went on, the walls were
sweatin. Vinny Q played guitar with us and was kickin it
strong. Folks went nuts when we busted “Ready Freddy”.
“Rock n’ Roll City” took off. I talked briefly to
introduce the song I wrote “When God Took Paul”, I could
see tears in people’s eyes as we banged out this tribute
to an ole dear friend. A couple Tiger standards, “High
Times” and “That Girl” made us all remember the 80’s
like it was yesterday. At this point, Vinny left the
stage and Glenn Pavone took over on guitar with Kenny
Blake on saxophone. “Burnin’ Up” was just as hot as it
could be. “Somethin’s Cookin” and “Little Things” gave
both Glenn and Kenny a chance to take the audience to
places that only the angels go, extremely powerful.
Let’s get goofy; “Lovedog” did just that. Everybody was
dancing & smiling. Kenny and I left the stage as Warren
King took over to sing and play with tons of heart.
After a couple tunes with Whitey, Harry, and Glenn they
stepped down to make room for Scott Wilson on drums,
Rocky LaMonde on bass, and Frank Soriano on guitar, to
back WK as he closed out this incredible show. Tonight
was living proof that folks loved Paul Shook. I happen
to be one of those folks. PAUL SHOOK, paid in full.
Saturday-September 15, 2007
Excuses:
Southside- Pittsburgh, Pa.
The two hour first set was quite a ride. “Git By” warmed
us up, and then we got goofy doing “Steeler Nation”. Now
was the time to start firing on all cylinders.
“Yesterdays Gone”, “People Takin Care”, “ Last Night I
Had A Dream”. I could feel the power and glory running
thru my body. “Amazin Grace”, “You Go Your Way”, “Shakin
Up”. The new song “When God Took Paul” came off well,
but I missed Vinny’s high vocal part. I just remembered
that we did “Walkin The Dog” right after “Git By”,
sorry bout dat. Harry did a strong take of “Pot’s n’
Pans”. “Pittsburgh, Pa.” felt just right. Dodo, Shelly,
and Artie came in towards the end of the set and brought
some life to the room. Have I mentioned how much I
appreciate the wild people. Set one ended with “T- Bird”
and a reprise of “Steeler Nation”. Set two opened wit
the ole George Jones tune “She Thinks I Still Care”,
“Graceland” kicked some *ss. “Somethin’s Cookin” soared
like da eagle. We ended this totally rocked out show wit
two distasteful numbers. The last few shows we’ve done
at Excuses have been outstanding. Ya outta come down and
let me touch you in a manful way.
Friday- September 14, 2007
Moondogs:
Blawnox, Pa.
I was not permitted to speak on this special, one time
performance. My good friend Ron (Moondog) Esser came up
with the idea. Vinny Q played with us on this show.
“Nightclub”, “Reddy Freddy”, “Rock n’ Roll City”. I
taught Vinny “When God Took Paul” this week, but Whitey
and Harry had never heard it. Before we went on stage,
down in Moondogs basement I talked to Whitey and Harry
about the arrangement, and wouldn’t you know they nailed
it. “Amazin Grace”, “You Go Your Way”, “End Of The
Line”. I love the way Vinny tunes into the rhythm
section when we play together. “Weekend” made me high,
luv dat. Two ole Pittsburgh rock n’ roll tunes; “Heat of
the Night” and “Burn’in Up” reminded us all where we
came from. Whitey shouted out “Shama Lama Ding Dong”.
Vinny ripped da lead on “T-Bird” while the Ratman danced
onstage in a girl’s cheerleader out fit. Singer Andrea
Pearle, then joined us for “Minimum Wage”, which set the
stage for Warren King’s bone chillin take on “Goin Down
Slow”. After a short break we came back with “Boiler
Maker” and a crushing “Son Of A Gun”, a song we hadn’t
played in a while. “I Seen Too Much”, Vinny singing “You
Better Move On”, Andrea getting back on stage and
shouting “Little Things” was a turn on. “Graceland”,
“Nothin To Lose”, we then did a trumpet fueled “Tequila”
that featured Bob Adelman on the horn and the Ratman
dancing, complete with a strip tease. I took a breather
as W.K. played his *ss off with Dave Pellow on bass,
Whitey on drums and Harry singing “Little Wing”, this
lineup then blew thru a feel good shuffle. I got back on
guitar with Dave on bass, Bob on the horn, and Whitey
sang “Knock On Wood”, I screwed up the bridge section.
Shades, of The Offenders, sang “Tossin n’ Turnin” which
rocked the house. “Bob Adelman sang “Runaround Sue”, he
really sounded great. Young Katie Ramone sang “Be My
Baby” with all her heart. Ron “Moondog” Esser then sang
“I Shall Be Released” with Andrea & Bob joining in on
the fun. Folks wasn’t ready to go home so we came back
out and did “Shake Your Moneymaker” after we got rolling
I handed my slide guitar to W.K. then him and Vinny
ripped sh*t up. I couldn’t fall asleep after all da
action. Too much, is not enough…………………..
Saturday, September 1-2007
Billy’s Roadhouse: Wexford, Pa.
The place started filling up just
about the time we started to play. Our regular sound guy
Skibo was on vacation. So we had ole buddy Chuck mixing
sound, he did a great job. Harry had his bass amp newly
re-vamped and it was smoking. Glitter, Artie, and Ro was
in the house on this beautiful eve. How bout we just
start throwin from da git. When da soul is in da rock n’
roll, well, dat’s what we like. “Yesterday’s Gone”,
“People Takin Care”, back to back, belly to belly, nice.
Shelly had to hear some Elvis, so we did “Are You
Lonesome Tonight”, “Suspicious Minds”. That ole Jerry
Butler tune, “Let It Be Me” is starting to sound good.
“I Seen Too Much” was sent out to Patty. We did “Bring
It on Home” as requested, and for the first time I think
I played the chords right. “High Times” and “T-Bird”
both kicked a**. On this precious eve we brought da good
lick to da burbs, and it was goooood…………… |
