Screamin' B's & Joey D @ the Iron Horse 6/1/96

[SalAzz@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-06-02 12:25:14 EDT, Al Goff writes:

>
>A "screamin" HAMMOND and Leslie can be almost priceless to many people,
>myself included, regardless of  the business side of the equation. Hearing
>Joey D play such an organ last night made me remember what I do this for. 

Al Goff was observed DANCING in place near the stage while Joey burned the
place playing McGriffs "All About My Girl".  Al wasn't the only one having a
great time and unable to sit or stand still. 

Did the crowd love Joey?  YES, written in letters the size of the granite
title frames from the movie "El Cid".   If you experienced Groove back in his
heyday, this is deja` vu and more:  Look around and you'll see vigorous head
shaking, foot patting, fingers popping and snapping; those standing boogalate
in place, and everyone is paying attention and smiling.  Then Joey will put
on a burst of speed that would make you believe Don Patterson rose from his
grave, and then drip some soul that would make even Jimmy McGriff sweat.
 Joey can sound like any of the great organ masters in their prime when he
wants to, or sound like himself in a seamless combination of all the greats
where the final sound is somehow greater than all the parts.  
 
>Other board members (Sal, Will, and others) who made the show will agree,
>Joey just simply kicked ass.  Smith has good reason to be concerned. Joey
has
>earned the crown and he clearly intends to keep it.  

All I can say is "Watt a night"!  

We drove 734 miles round trip from Buffalo NY, 11 hours total travel time to
see a 2 hour show at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA (left home
at 1:00 PM Saturday and returned 4:30 AM Sunday).  We rendezvoused with
friends from Long Island NY, who also drove up just for this show and then
turned around and went home. We would do it again tomorrow, especially with
the guarantee of a good room and a fine organ.

Fellow Hammond lovers, do yourselves a favor and get out and hear Joey play,
especially with his own trio if you want to hear what has to be the finest
traditional organ trio ever.  They have been working together for 5 years and
just keep getting better.  Joey's playing is simply astounding, and Paul
Bollenback (guitar) is a delight.  Talk about eclectic, the trio played
Jobim's "Quiet Nights" with Bollenback playing an acoustic 12 string!
 Another possibility is to see Joey with John McLaughlin and Dennis Chambers,
but that is something else beyond the good time "meat and potatoes" music
you'll hear from Joey's trio.   

You simply have to see and hear him live to appreciate it; his playing has
eclipsed the level of those before him.  His eyes roll up into his head, and
he looks like he's having the time of his life while playing with taste
always and restraint when appropriate, and all the while swinging like crazy.
 When playing on a proper screaming/singing Hammond, the effect is
shattering.  Offstage he is an absolute gentleman with no offensive attitude.
Clearly he has learned well from his father, Jack McDuff and others who
helped groom all sides of his career.

If you have the opportunity, don't miss him, even if you have to travel.

Sal