Brookdale 9-11 Benefit Wrap-up
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 New Family band makes her sound as if she’s being backed by the Allman Brothers. Combining a scorching harmonica (Tom Connoloy) & searing guitar solos (Rickma) her band completely compliments her voice, a great fit.

   Steve Conte is what some would define as a ‘musician’s musician’ with the look, chops and the background performing with none other than Glen Burtnik, Phoebe Snow, John Waite, Peter Wolfe, Maceo Parker & the Paul Simon. But more than that he is also quite an accomplished songwriter who has had many of his tunes used in T.V. shows (Smallville, Providence, The Guardian, Jag, The Winter X-Games on ESPN) and in movies (Wirey Spindell, The Two Ninas, The Stand-In). Playing solo with his electric guitar he launched into songs, ‘So Much For Love’, ‘Bosa Nova Sunday’, ‘Lovers On Earth’ and a song to be included on a new album being made with his brother, John, called ‘Bleed Together’.

   Closing out the night was Marshall Crenshaw who was recognizable to me from his first single ‘Someday, Someway’ from his 1982 debut album ‘Marshall Crenshaw’ and from his turn as Buddy Holly in the 1987 film, ‘LaBamba’, a true story based on the life of Richie Valens. Crenshaw opened his set with the Eddie Cochran song, ‘Nervous Breakdown’ and then continued to roll on through with his great works including songs from his first record, ‘Not For Me’, ‘There She Goes Again’, ‘Cynical Girl’ and ‘Someday, Someway’. He also threw in another cover song, ‘Some Kind Of Wonderful’ along with a new original song that he wrote about his hometown of Detroit called, ‘Where Home Used To Be’.

   Even with great sets of music the connection to September 11th was strong with some of the performers. Mike Berger’s brother perished in one of the Twin Towers while trying to assist others to safety and Crown Jewels member Steve Conte’s cousin Ritchie was one of the only members of his ladder company to survive. With so many talents on the stage the one thing to not lose sight of is why these great performers and performances were taking place to begin with… a September 11th benefit.

By Gerard Masella
mailto:gman1258@yahoo.com

Kasim Sulton
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and enjoy themselves.
   Three musicians opened for Sulton, all excellent in their own right. John Charney, from the instrumental (no vocals) band “Wine of Nails” began the evening. An intense guy, he seemed utterly absorbed in his music. Unfortunately, he’s from Pennsylvania and doesn’t play many New Jersey shows. His band also, sadly, has a hard time booking shows because most venues aren’t interested in booking instrumental acts.
John Taglieri played next. I don’t usually like labels, but I think Taglieri is best described as “Jersey Rock,” close to an early Bon Jovi. He’ll be heard a lot this month because of his new song, “Angels Among Us”. It’s a September 11 tribute, and he and his band will be playing at numerous benefits in New Jersey.
Finally, there was Chris Moore, a Brooklyn-based musician. He plays mostly in New York City and was featured on a CD put out by the Living Room, a small venue in the city (and my new favorite CD). To give you an idea of how good this guy is, the now-famous Norah Jones was also featured on the CD.
Quid Pro Quo is out now in stores, or can be purchased through his Web site, http://www.kasimsulton.com . He is currently touring to promote the album and has performed at the benefit for local hunger agencies at the Bloomfield Avenue Café and Stage in Montclair
by Kim Predham