In this post, I want to review Summer Jam 2017 where the band volunteered their services to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at the home of your humble blog author in Croton-on-Hudson on August 19th.
The evening started when warm-up band Back Country Riders took the stage. The Riders were formed from the remnants of a prior band and added the talent of lead guitarist Chris Lenzi.
The Riders started Leonard Skynrd's "Call me the Breeze" and played a set of Southern Rock classics including Allman Brother's "Rambling Man". In mid-set the band went a slightly different direction with Bob Dylan's "Knocking on Heaven's Door" and the Grateful Dead's "Truckin." The was capped with Skynrd's classic "Freebird" which showcased Chris Lenzi's skills on the slide guitar.
After a break, Without a Net took the stage and led off with their original Clearwater which is a personal favorite. I was fortunate to have an influence on the set list which included the Stone's "Dead Flowers" and the Grateful Dead's "Cassidy".
At the core of set 1 was the Dead's "Help on the Way" into "Franklin's Tower" into "Eyes of the World" which - as well as any other Dead tune - conjures up the summer vacation state of mind. Next up were a few bluesy, introspective originals "Soundtrack of my Life" and "See Me" both autobiographical in nature. Set one wrapped with band original "Disco Cowboy" where Frank breaks into a rap and calls out each member of the band to take a bow.
Set two started with "Shakedown Street" which is a call to action "Don't tell this town ain't got no heart, you just gotta poke around" and then took a mellower turn with "Sugaree". Next up was "New Speedway Boogie" from "Workingman's Dead" which transitioned into "The Other One" then back into New Speedway. The Dead are well known for this technique where one song "pushes" into another then "pops" back.
The highlight of set 2 for me was "Half Step Mississippi Uptown Toodleoo" a plucky folk tune which the band learned just for this show. Late in the song it peaks and transitions into a different mode and comes in for a beautiful lyrical and musical landing which the band executed to perfection and I can only describe as a religious experience.
Next, the band then zigged then zagged between "Mister Charlie" and "West LA Fadeaway" into "He's Gone" which recounts how drummer Mickey Hart's father Lenny Hart (back in the 1970's) disappeared along with 150K of the band's profits. "Like I told you, what I said, Steal your face right off your head". The night ended with the crowd pleasing "China Cat Sunflower" into "I Know Your Rider" and brought the crowd to their feet to dance and rock out to the music.
Overall it was a perfect night, the weather was ideal, the band was on and the crowd was rocked. An addition to that we raised over $4,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the checks continue to come in. It would not have happened without the talents of the band who I would like to thank once again:
- Frank Primeggia, keyboards, vocals and Disco Cowboy rapper
- Jeff Thornton, lead/rhythm guitar and vocals
- Dan Howald, bass guitar and vocals
- Chris Oliver, drums
- Francesca Rose, vocals
and Special guest Chris Lenzi on lead guitar.
Take a bow guys, you earned it.
