Bone Jelli Revue - Center For The Arts, Sept. 2nd, 2006
By Lil Angel B., Blues broadcaster / KVMR-FM radio
Ladies and gentlemen, on the evening of Sept. 2nd, in Grass Valley I had the pleasure of being the emcee of a blues extravaganza at the Center For The Arts.
The show was slated for a 6 pm start, and was opened by a monster blues band from Sacramento........................... Bone Jelli ..............................
Present were "T-Bone" Thomas Baggett, John "Bones" Noxon, Donnie "The Velvet Dinosaur" Baker, Darlene "Kitten" Taylor, Greg Smith, Ken "Obie Dee" Van Cromphaut, Franco "Kid Calico" Giovanni, Stan Alves, Kurt Schultz, "Root Beer" and Marty Deradoorian.
Along with them was the exciting Paulette... the woman that brought the crowd to their feet and brought down the house with her exciting voice and abilities to energize the Bone Jelli band.
The band was indeed exciting in their first opening and notes from "The Letter" [sung by L. Thomas Baggett A.K.A. "T-Bone"], an instant crowd pleaser powering into "Riding With the King" [also sung by T-Bone] with the distinctive sounds of Obie Dee Stan and Alves bringing that ride into vivid view with their artistry and energy.
T-Bone holding down the stage presence with his vocals to lead the band were indeed a powerhouse of pure joy and enthusiasm.
The combined vocals in "Shaky Ground" [sung by Darlene "Kitten" Taylor] were a definite tribute to Etta James at her best -- we could see and hear her...................... and felt her spirit fill the room.
The mixture of Kurt Schultz, Marty Deradoorian and Root Beer were the rhythm setters for those on the dance floor........... they were electrifying.
The hidden power source John "Bones" Noxon on the organ provided the face of mystery and fun for the crowd Saturday night.
I know wherever Coco Montoya was Saturday night, the rousing rendition of "Got A Mind To Travel" [sung by Ken "Obie Dee" Van Cromphaut] was a flattering statement of raw blues that shook the house.
My favorite piece from a perspective of the blues was "Party 'til The Cows Come Home" [as sung by Donnie "The Velvet Dinosaur" Baker] an old Elvin Bishop cover that was the cry of a lot of blues fans dating back a few years, especially where I first learned to really appreciate the blues, in Berkeley, California.
Giving a lesson in blues was provided to the backdrop of a rendition of Johnny Lang's "Lie To Me" [sung by L. Thomas Baggett A.K.A. "T-Bone"] the band just giving way to a feeling that just powered the entire Center For The Arts and the other blues musicians in the wings waiting to come on stage, all looking at each other and asking "How do you follow that? Of course, that was said while we were all dancing backstage.
To help set a mood the band went into "Knock On Wood [sung by Darlene "Kitten" Taylor], a remembered piece of R&B that everyone knew and loved, Bone Jelli scored again. They set the mood for a great audience response and had the audience just begging for more.
While having a cold drink, the band broke into "The Boys Are Back In Town" [sung by Donnie "The Velvet Dinosaur" Baker] and that was my cue to come to the side of the stage and yell for more, what a piece of music and artistry that just couldn't have been met by a better response by the audience, what a show, Bone Jelli owned the Center for the night, the crowds dancing spirits, the admiration of the other musicians there that night, and the god's of R&B were definitely smiling on Bone Jelli.
Not to leave the crowd yelling for more, Bone Jelli broke into their signature song of "Feeling Alright " T-Bone's mastery of the old Joe Cocker tune was displayed at his best..............you see, the crowd was definitely "Feeling Alright" with the rockin, moving, Bone Jelli rendition...................................
Ladies and gentlemen, my words to describe my evening with Bone Jelli was "what a show, what a show "yeah, Bone Jelli has arrived and they have some grateful, loyal fans here.
Blues broadcaster / KVMR-FM radio, Nevada City - The host and proprietor of The Blues Cafe