December 2, 2012 is a day that Dawn and I will remember for a very long time. It was on that day we finally got to go to, and write this review for our friend Geno, to the Lehigh Valley Music Awards that he has been inviting us to for years. We have attempted to get here for the last two years, but something has always come up to prevent us from attending. We are so glad that we made it this year.
Firstly, let me say that the event, sponsored by the Greater Lehigh Valley Music Association and ArtsQuest, could not have been held in a better location. After leaving Willow Grove PA and arriving at the Musikfest Cafe at Steelstacks in Bethlehem, PA, we knew we were in for a magical evening. The appearance of the location is an exact double of the Joker's lair in the first Batman movie. We could just see the Batmobile chasing the Joker through the remains of the famous steel mills of Bethlehem, that have been converted into a fantastic location of lodging, eatery and shopping, as well as a multi-media location, with concert locations, movies and more. The fact that there was a light show (it was for the holiday season) playing off the outside walls of the structures was an added bonus.
OK, now on to the actual review. Upon entering the building, we happened to run into Geno before things got too hectic. We discussed what I was going to do, where we could sit and the basics of the forthcoming evening. We then parted ways as Geno was being pulled in 600 directions at once, and Dawn and I took our places in the VIP lounge area in the balcony overlooking the stage. We got some drinks and settled in for a night of dazzling entertainment. Below is my review of the evenings events based on my opinion, that I hope many of you reading this that live in the area will take to heart and support all the acts in their local appearances.
The evening began with the singing of the National Anthem by Allie Santos, who has a voice that.
should be heard by all. Her range and control were perfect, and her performance belies that fact that she is only 18 years old. I see a long career in the music industry for her and wish her well in her journey
This was followed by Beyond Eden doing an acoustic set. This band is on its way out of the local scene and headed towards the national, as they dominated the nominations of the evening with 10. I was told they are currently in the studio recording their first album with the help of a Grammy nominated engineer/producer, David Ivory.
Next up was Mitch Nur who I must admit, that when he first began I was anything but impressed. Who knew that applying sponges to a giant gong would produce the tranquil and soulful sounds that Mitch proceeded to produce. After coming home and doing some research, I discovered why. Mitch is a true student of western philosophy and has been taught by the best and is versed in over 80 indigenous sound tools.
The Girls were up next and did a great job on the Beatles Here Comes the Sun, A trio, including Lori Donovan, Bev Conklin, and Sarah Ayers, the harmonies of this group were to die for. The girls individually are all accomplished artists, and have won numerous awards in their own right, and if they get one tonight as a band, it will certainly be well deserved. With a of blues backgrounds The Girls were a joy to listen to.
This award show ran the gamut of eclectic tastes as up next was "The Ball and A Chain Choir".. Hearing the emotion and energy that came out of this group, I was reminded of Kirk Franklin. Ian fuses a mixture of Gospel, pop, jazz and rock to achieve the sound this group made.
Dina Hall and the Backbeat were next, and they provided a blend of folk/rock for the crowds entertainment. Dina has won some awards in the past and her powerful vocals are a major reason why.
DeXperience fresh new Dance hall/Latin/Hip Hop-oriented style has given them major buzz at every stage was up next and got the crowd up on their feet for the first time. Again post research finds that they are enjoyed on the airways of not only Philadelphia area Top 40 market, but also over 20,000 downloads internationally.
The crowd was then WOWED by Craig Thatcher w/Nyke Can Wyk. Talk about unique, Craig is from a Blues background, and Nyke is classically trained on the violin. But to hear them do Led Zeppelin is astounding.
This next act is the one that made the night all worth it to me. The Whiskey Hickon Boys are here, and in my opinion, they are here to stay and only get bigger. A trio comprised of a cajon (drums), bass, and the bizarre combo of Uke, harmonica and kazoo, this trio kicked it. Singing with a roughness in his voice like the singer from AC/DC while dancing, scratching(if even possible) his Uke, and playing the harmonica, this band puts out nothing but some of the best music I have heard from a local band, E V E R.
Then came Maria Woodford and her band and she stole Dawn's vote with her version of a Bonnie Raitt song. She has used her blues styling to elevate her and the band to represent the Lehigh Valley blues community at the International Blues competition being held in Memphis in Jan 2013. We wish her well and hope she comes home with the gold.
John Carelli performed two opera songs to a rousing applause from the audience. I personally congratulated him later in the lobby while refreshing my drink. I would like to think I have an eclectic taste in music and while i don't really listen to opera, i do enjoy it when preformed to perfection as John was able to do.
Jazz was the next genre to be enjoyed by the Dan DeChellis trio. Dan is a Professor of Music at Moravian College and fuses classic rock, classical, jazz and improve for a uniqueness all to his own.
Pitch Black was the last act, and Geno and the board saved the funky soul for the end. Pitch Black got the crowd back on their feet, to a point that half of the previous artists joined the crowd on the dance floor. Playing classic soul music, this band nailed it with a combination of vocals, horns, bass and just plain funk.
The night ended then for us and it left us awaiting the return next year of the awards show so we can be entertained again by running the course of all but big band music, and wondering if that too will be included this time.
I have been corrected in two detail items and have reflected them below. Alonzo Gross also known as Zo. The name of the choir was called "The Ball and A Chain Choir".
