Tune In Turn On
There was plenty to be excited about during Friday night’s Garden State Live blues showcase at Hard Rock Casino’s Sound Waves Theatre presented by Prudential North 2 Shore, featuring sets by Debra Devi, Twisted Livin’ and Billy Walton Band. For one, the non-seated show seemed more like a party for the 150 or so attendees, most of whom knew at least one or more of the three New Jersey-based bands personally.
Each band featured a stellar guitarist taking front and center, and each was terrific and memorable in their own right.
Leading off the evening was Debra Devi, who is more well-known in Central and North Jersey than down here in South Jersey. That should change after a tight set by the diminutive but mighty Devi, who scorched on her rendition of Jimi Hendrix’ “Crosstown Traffic” (the other songs she performed, all originals, were well-received, too). Given her talent it was easy to see why she and her band play so many shows.
Next up was fast-rising area blues/rock trio Twisted Livin’, whose guitarist, Denny Shiffler, has an arresting stage presence that might remind concertgoers seeing his band for the first time of the late, great, Stevie Ray Vaughan, if SRV had long dreads.
With eyes half-closed, almost in a dream state, Shiffler’s riffs command attention; his backing band is pretty darn good as well, with bassist/vocalist Will Keiter (who also doubles occasionally on sax) having made a seamless transition from the popular area band Plaid Salmon to Twisted Livin’. Bob Irwin on drums rounds out this up-and-coming band, who you can see Nov. 7 when they perform at the Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City for the very first time with the Billy Walton Band, who were the final band to perform that night.
Unless you’re living under a proverbial musical rock, most New Jersey music lovers are familiar with Billy Walton, one of the hardest-working, busiest groups in our region. On this night, Walton and band – longtime bassist William Paris, recent addition Toni Teschner on guitar and vocals, Dan Hogan on keyboards, Joe McGuth on drums, and guest horn player, Vaughn Stavropoulos – were in excellent form, but make no mistake, Billy Walton is the star, a stellar guitarist and showman with a laundry list of credits to his name including being lead guitarist for Asbury Park legends Southside Johnny and the Jukes, before forming BWB. Billy, as he usually does, had the crowd totally connected for such catchy originals as “Knife in My Back,” among others. He’s one of our favorite guitar players and shined on this night.
So it’s not only cool to see events like Garden State Live happening in Atlantic City, it’s also great to see how the South Jersey music community, small but mighty, came together to support these three worthy bands. The next Garden State Live show will be Friday, Oct. 3, featuring sets by Destinee Monroe, red and The Grip Weeds.
P.S. Thank you Hard Rock and Prudential North 2 Shore; please keep this going.
