Cavalcade Fruita; Concerts, Open Mic, Poetry, Downtown Events

August 12th @ 7:30pm: Cavalcade's Monthly Variety Show!

8/6/2017

8/13/2017 04:13:05 pm

August 12 (2017) CAVALCADE MONTHLY VARIETY SHOW

We haven’t attended the/a C M V S these past few months but this month’s show was, innawerd:

SOO-PURB ! Pretty much top-notch all-around, including the event facilitation  Jeannine the ticket-counter lady; Sam B @ the sound board (verrry good job, sir!); Ken K the moderator/M.C. who seemingly seamlessly keeps things rolling, especially when things aren’t rolling; and of course the able-bodied/able-minded? all-around helpers Jared and Thad. Yes, I missed somebody, I’m sure …

JOSH MATTHEWS never fails to entertain – perform – & surprise – yes, every time he starts singing I am re-re-minded just how good he is! I’d say his singing is “soul-ful” but there’s an earnestness and the ability to CONVEY. “The difference between whiskey and you…”

Followed by the eclectic quartet of Julian, Rudy, Raquel, and Jay Wells*. Julian, though at stage left (from audience view) took center-stage, so to speak, as singer, which he also does with an unmistakable earnestness as well. Backed capably by Rudy (on bass, if memory serves), “Rocky” on drums – which she does quite well – *and Jay on … his iPhone! I thought he had a (moog) synthesizer !

“Trouvaille” (¿ ‘travail’ ?) brought a lot of the audience with them – being a 5-some of up-&-coming newcomers who demonstrated that they will get tighter and, being young, better and better. Hope you keep it up girls ~
The sound man had a challenge (overcome relatively quickly) in getting five performers sorted and managed at the master sound-board. I’ll bet Sam might have worried a little, but that’s what the Cavalcade pays him – with accolades and appreciation (not $$$) for.

Thad (V’Soske) graces the audience with a demonstration of instrumental (guitar) mastery – intricate, melodic, complex stuff.

In keeping up with the high-energy and qualitative stuff so far, Eddie Emerson (“2015”) took the stage with powerful vocals accompanied by his skillful guitar.

JIM MORAN, a staple of the Cavalcade scene, masterfully provided us with the country/cowboy music we had been missing. Poor old “Texas Red” … (shot down by the Texas Ranger, I think).

SOFIA (Benham) sang “1st day of my life” (by Bright Eyes) and in a word, her singing is SUBLIME. She ain’t bad on guitar, either. Assisted by Levi as percussionist.

After the INTERMISSION we watched a Cullen Purser video – based on what the Guatemalan Worry Dolls must feel after being the recipient of all those worries. Really funny stuff !

We were then treated to an original instrumental (composed by Levi) performed by Sofia (on drums, the versatile kid), with Rudy on bass. Quirky, energetic, tight.

“Trouvaille” stepped back on stage with practically no sound-system concerns, and were able to get down to the music, to the delight of all.

I had to take a work phone-call (and stepped outside for, yes, a smoke) while Debbie & Jay did their number. When I came back in the audience was applauding and few, if any, vegetables were being thrown so presumably whatever they did was alright.

Erika (Beland) – not on the set list – was a pleasant surprise as she sang a SULTRY number, quite capably rounding out the sound with her guitar. Always enjoy hearing her sing.

Eddie Emerson was back with another rousing ballad – seems like
he “doesn’t hold back.”

What a surprise: JOSH again – this one not about whiskey (and/or you). He reminded me of Ethan Archer (whom I hope frequents the ‘Cade when he’s back in town and not fighting forest fires – his summer job).

And this critic/author apologizes for the plethora of over-the-top accolades … but I bequeath the last act of the evening – “Librarian” performed by CULLEN, Erica (Erika?) again, Rudy (again!), and Jared – SIX STARS out of five. Really. Like Josh, Cullen makes one sit up and listen … and marvel at his ethereal vocals. Erica was great on harmony too. Okay – this was a fun, moving, mesmerizing song – and Jared’s playing on (his grandfather’s antique?) “lap-top steel (mini) guitar” sealed the deal.

August 12th @ 7:30pm: Cavalcade's Monthly Variety Show!

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