Local music whiz David Smash promises a high-energy New Year's Eve performance at the foot of the pineapple drop at the corner of Lemon Avenue and Main Street in downtown Sarasota. Backing him up will be his band, enhanced for the night with a stellar horn section.
The David Smash band is scheduled to play from 10:30 to 11:30 PM on Monday night, December 31st, in downtown Sarasota, between the Gator Club and Mattison's City Grille. Plan to park several blocks away and push your way through a densely packed New Year's Eve crowd. This will be a memorable night made even more so by Smash's signature band leading and lead guitar and vocals
Always danceable and full of good cheer and fun, Smash's shows are well worth showing up for.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tapert Sparling Reunion Concert in Grosse Pointe Park MI
What always stops me in my tracks is the sound of unique voices and passionate musical performance. What gets me writing tonight is the surprise of finding Don Tapert and Tim Sparling performing in a reunion concert last July in Grosse Pointe MI.
It's been 25 years since I heard Tapert play live -- in New York, Michigan and Nashville -- and the sound of "Errol Flynn", one of his soulful original compositions, brought me right back to those prolific songwriting years.
With deep roots in Detroit blues and later adventures in country music, Tapert's style is uniquely his own. Adept at everything from beautifully rendered folk classics to original story songs to hard-driving rockin' dance tunes, he's a deft band leader who knows how to deliver a good show.
I hope this reunion is only the beginning of a new chapter for Tapert and his band. Too much mojo here to keep hidden from deserving fans.
It's been 25 years since I heard Tapert play live -- in New York, Michigan and Nashville -- and the sound of "Errol Flynn", one of his soulful original compositions, brought me right back to those prolific songwriting years.
With deep roots in Detroit blues and later adventures in country music, Tapert's style is uniquely his own. Adept at everything from beautifully rendered folk classics to original story songs to hard-driving rockin' dance tunes, he's a deft band leader who knows how to deliver a good show.
I hope this reunion is only the beginning of a new chapter for Tapert and his band. Too much mojo here to keep hidden from deserving fans.
Monday, May 21, 2012
David Smash in the News
David Smash is finding a place at the musical table in the Sarasota live music scene. Local media is taking notice with recent articles in The Observer and SRQ Magazine. His candor, positive outlook and appreciation for the opportunities he's finding here are inspiring.
Oh, yeah, and his music rocks. Go listen and dance at Ocean Blues Monday night. Can't help but smile.
Oh, yeah, and his music rocks. Go listen and dance at Ocean Blues Monday night. Can't help but smile.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
David Smash at WSLR Concert
Tomorrow, Friday May 4th, David Smash will open for the Dirty River band from Louisiana at WSLR community radio station auditorium (525 Kumquat Ct.(at Orange Avenue and 6th Street in Sarasota).
He'll perform from 8 - 8:30PM. If you can make it, you'll enjoy a solid half hour of interesting music well-played and enthusiastically presented by David Smash.
He'll perform from 8 - 8:30PM. If you can make it, you'll enjoy a solid half hour of interesting music well-played and enthusiastically presented by David Smash.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Bain Beakley at the 5 O'Clock Club
Was intrigued to see Bain Beakley onstage tonight at the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club in Sarasota. Having seen him perform in several venues around the Sarasota live music scene for the past year, as a solo act and backing up various bands, I thought I knew his "sounds", both instrumental and vocal.
But when he stepped out front for a few lead breaks tonight, I was blown away to hear him wail on that guitar. Did not know about the screamin' bluesman he's been hiding away. Looking forward to more of that soulful sound.
Bain Beakley can be seen playing at Sarasota Vineyard and Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota, at SKOB on Siesta Key, and various other music spots in this amazingly musical town.
But when he stepped out front for a few lead breaks tonight, I was blown away to hear him wail on that guitar. Did not know about the screamin' bluesman he's been hiding away. Looking forward to more of that soulful sound.
Bain Beakley can be seen playing at Sarasota Vineyard and Mattison's City Grille in downtown Sarasota, at SKOB on Siesta Key, and various other music spots in this amazingly musical town.
Monday, April 23, 2012
David Smash at Ocean Blues
I'll cut to the chase: You absolutely must make it over to Ocean Blues on Hillview Street in Southside Village, Sarasota, on Monday night to hear David Smash and his band.
Here's a look and a listen. But video cannot convey the magic and the fun of seeing this talented young entertainer perform in person. He engages the whole room and has fun with the band, too.
David Smash's glib mastery of a soulful and dextrous electric guitar, punchy and throaty vocals reminiscent of Elvis and other iconic American blues singers, and stage presence of someone much more seasoned . . . well, he's quite the phenom in a town already full of amazing musicians.
On a related note, it's so great to finally have an alternative to the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club next door. Ocean Blues is blissfully smoke-free, with a classy interior and shiny dance floor that fills up with people of all ages who simply love to dance. Service at the bar is attentive and friendly. What a welcome addition to the neighborhood and to the Sarasota live music scene.
Here's a look and a listen. But video cannot convey the magic and the fun of seeing this talented young entertainer perform in person. He engages the whole room and has fun with the band, too.
David Smash's glib mastery of a soulful and dextrous electric guitar, punchy and throaty vocals reminiscent of Elvis and other iconic American blues singers, and stage presence of someone much more seasoned . . . well, he's quite the phenom in a town already full of amazing musicians.
On a related note, it's so great to finally have an alternative to the Monday night blues jam at the 5 O'Clock Club next door. Ocean Blues is blissfully smoke-free, with a classy interior and shiny dance floor that fills up with people of all ages who simply love to dance. Service at the bar is attentive and friendly. What a welcome addition to the neighborhood and to the Sarasota live music scene.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Kettle of Fish at SKOB with Jimmie Fadden
Yet another unique feature of the Sarasota live music scene is the seamless collaboration of musicians from different generations, along with audiences of all ages enjoying the same show.
Case in point: Kettle of Fish offering up yet another evening of masterful bluesy rock at SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar) on Siesta Key. Each player is master of his domain instrumentally -- base, lead, rhythm guitars, drums, harmonica -- and all four offer up a nice blend of harmonies, with each also taking turns on lead vocals.
Jimmie Fadden, of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, is just one of the bandmates here, and I get a kick out of seeing the group perform 60s rock tunes -- a live memory no doubt for Jimmie and fresh classics for the other, younger players.
There are so many incredible, world-class (yes, I've said it before here) musicians in Sarasota -- like Jimmie Fadden -- and it's great that they can simply keep playing . . . on and on and on. And that we get to see, listen, and dance to them. What a special music town Sarasota continues to be. And all you have to do is walk around with your ears and your soul tuned to the magical sounds all around us.
Case in point: Kettle of Fish offering up yet another evening of masterful bluesy rock at SKOB (Siesta Key Oyster Bar) on Siesta Key. Each player is master of his domain instrumentally -- base, lead, rhythm guitars, drums, harmonica -- and all four offer up a nice blend of harmonies, with each also taking turns on lead vocals.
Jimmie Fadden, of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, is just one of the bandmates here, and I get a kick out of seeing the group perform 60s rock tunes -- a live memory no doubt for Jimmie and fresh classics for the other, younger players.
There are so many incredible, world-class (yes, I've said it before here) musicians in Sarasota -- like Jimmie Fadden -- and it's great that they can simply keep playing . . . on and on and on. And that we get to see, listen, and dance to them. What a special music town Sarasota continues to be. And all you have to do is walk around with your ears and your soul tuned to the magical sounds all around us.
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