Tune In, Turn On
With Doug Deutsch
As promised, this is the first installment in our occasional Rockin’ Road Trips series:
Ruf Records 30th Anniversary Tour: Shore Local was at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pa., on Nov. 21 for this much-ballyhooed tour featuring artists from the Germany-based indie label. Your intrepid columnist corralled SL Contributing Photographer John Loreaux into making the trip.
We joined approximately 1,300 other music lovers from all over (including people from the Jersey Shore) and treated to two-plus hours of “One-Woman Band,” Belgian artist Ghalia Volt; one of the greatest, most enduring rock groups around, Canned Heat; Chicago blues guitar great Bernard Allison; seminal rock hit-maker from yesteryear who still packs a vocal punch, Mitch Ryder; and the “Belle of the West,” someone who’s been written about in this column a bit in the last year, Samantha Fish.
While the other aforementioned artists all currently record for Ruf, Fish no longer does; she did, however, record four albums in the past for Thomas Ruf’s imprint.
The Kansas City native commanded the stage with a mesmerizing presence in her headlining role for more than an hour. Not only did Fish perform with her own band, but with all of the other artists as well, including a memorable duet with Ryder, who’s still capable of rocking hard at age 79.
This was one for the ages, an “instant classic” as the saying goes. Atlantic City/Jersey Shore fans will once again get to see Samantha Fish live during the ‘Experience Hendrix’ Tour coming to Ocean Casino next April.
Lucinda Williams/Ocean City Music Pier: Theoretically, bringing this revered Americana/roots musician to Ocean City had the makings of being one of the most memorable shows we’ve seen. Unfortunately Williams, still showing the effects of a stroke that temporarily halted her storied career in 2020, was clearly not herself, at times visibly struggling through her 16-song set (with a two-song encore).
The audience was packed with her adoring fans, who faithfully, lovingly, applauded Williams throughout the night. Every artist should be so lucky to have her fan base. Sadly, it might be time for one of rock’s most respected singer/songwriters to either severely limit her touring, or retire from touring altogether (Williams can still record music and write; she released albums both this year and last, and a book last year as well).
Amanda Fish/Lizzie Rose Music Room: It was my first time seeing this Kansas City musician, and she blew me away! Fish – yes, sister to Samantha – delivered a fiery, passionate, approximately two-hour set, playing tunes from her new album, “Kingdom,” and some choice covers, while interacting nicely with the audience (Amanda clearly wears her heart on her sleeve). Show me two more talented, music-playing sisters than Amanda and Samantha Fish; that’s right, you can’t.
Around Town This Weekend: After recuperating from Turkey Day, come out to The Claridge’s Celebrity Theatre this Friday, Nov. 29, for Paint It Black Friday, the annual and always fun Rolling Stones tribute performed by the Billy Walton Band.
This is also one of the last times to see Destinee Monroe perform with the BWB, as she has a new solo project in the works. You can also catch Billy and crew Saturday, Dec. 14 when they open for Philly’s popular cabaret-style rockers Low Cut Connie at Anchor Rock Club.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, see you next week.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
