*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
Two years ago I wrote a review on Mike Girard's Big Swinging Thing (MGBST) when they played the Palace Theater in Manchester, NH. It would be an understatement to say that I was blown away by the show. In the music world, musicians are fond of calling some of the best players "monsters" . Well MGBST is a Big Band of Monsters. No dead weight in this ensemble. Which by the way consists of a 12 piece horn section, alongside a guitar player, a bass player, a keyboardist, a drummer, two back up singers, two girls hurling hula hoops, and of course Mike himself.
Suffice it to say, they need a big stage to perform.
On Saturday
February 10th, 2018 they found the perfect venue. The CABOT THEATER in Beverly MA. Having grown up in Beverly the Cabot Cinema was a local icon on the North Shore. *The Cabot Theatre is a North Shore treasure, a legacy of the visionary showmanship of the Ware Brothers. The theatre opened on December 8, 1920 as a dream palace for vaudeville and silent movies and it was hailed as “the most impressive auditorium of its size east of New York.” Known then as The Ware Theater, it shared a distinguished architectural pedigree, designed by the architects of Boston’s Athenaeum and Olympia Theater and Dorchester’s Strand Theater. For its first 40 years, it served as a center of community life for downtown Beverly.
The venue was purchased in 1960 by movie chain giant E.M. Loews, who renamed it the Cabot Cinema. A unique and remarkable transformation began in 1976 when it was purchased by Le Grand David and His Own Spectacular Magic Company. For 37 years, The Cabot hosted Le Grand David’s long-running magic show that entertained local audiences, made seven White House appearances and won recognition in the Guinness Book of Records and the magazines of TIME, Smithsonian and National Geographic World.
No ordinary building, The Cabot is a rare survivor. Only about 250 similar movie palaces still exist out of an estimated 20,000 theaters built in the 1920s. But its future came into doubt when the Magic Company wound down and they placed the theater up for sale. Luckily the Theatre was purchased by Henry Bertolon in 2014 in order to save it from the bulldozers. A board of directors was formed.
In October 2015, the new Cabot board welcomed its first Executive Director, Casey Soward, a seasoned arts management executive, sound and lighting engineer, producer, all-around-great-guy and resident of Swampscott, Massachusetts. “The Cabot is the cultural center of the City of Beverly,” noted Casey. “With the recent launch of the Cabot as a performing arts presenting organization, we have the opportunity to do incredible work together as a community.”*
Fast forward to February 10th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
As always John Girard
was the MC. Never doing the same bit twice, John came out as a Irish brogue who's sole duty is to clean the brass section's horns. I wish I could see home movies of Mike and John growing up. It had to be a house of constant laughter. Is it any wonder that Mike would grow up to be the lead singer of the popular band The FOOLS? Hell no. It was meant to be. The FOOLS for those of you who might not know, and you'd have to be from Kansas not to know who the FOOLS are. They are (still) one of the BEST Rock and Roll bands to ever come out of the North Shore of Massachusetts. They still play today and they still fill every room and rock your socks off.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
This guy is according to Mike, his partner in crime and music.
Rich Bartlett is an original member of The FOOLS. And because I know a little bit about guitar players, I have the conviction to say, that Rich is one of the BEST guitarists in all of North America. He can play any style and play it like that's the only style he plays. Does that make sense? I hate him. He can play anything. And when he does the solos of the covers it's like they were his. Damn you Richie! It wouldn't be so bad, but the man is actually humble about it. Humble and good. How many Rock Stars can you say that about?
Rich and Mike have been making music together for over 40 years. I think they have a handle on it.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
One of the most talented vocalists I have ever had the pleasure to hear and watch is this man. Mike Girard. A fistful of talent. How he can go from a swooning Frank Sinatra to a snarling
Billy Idol and not skip a beat is incredible. He said to me after the show "I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by some amazing musicians....it brings the best out of you trying to stay on par with them." I'm sure the feelings are mutual Mike.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
On that back line next to Rich is Denis Cesare on the keyboards.
And then of course the baddest bassist I know. Mr Joe Holloday.
It was almost impossible to get a photo of the entire band. I had to get way back in the balcony to capture them.
And one of the difficult things of writing a music review is, you can't hear what I'm writing. And I have to say this. MGBST is a powerhouse of sound and talent. At times it's almost like a three ring circus. And I mean that in a complimentary way. There's so much going on, that you could literally go from one member to the next, and be totally fixated on what you're hearing and seeing.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
The truth is, the talent in this band could very well be enough to make it on their own. Like Denise Caccione singing, no not singing "BELTING" out Goldfinger. Yes, Goldfinger, from the James Bond Movie. So to be able to see and listen to all of this talent in one band, is a treat for any music fan.
The songs are literally a soundtrack to our lives. Or rather the baby boomers lives. The set list is a treasure trove of gems from the 40's to today. To be able to take in all these incredible songs in one night, left the packed theater with such good feelings that only great music can provide. I feel blessed to have been there.
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Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
The Jewels are a pair of amazing singers. These women can belt out a song as good as anyone. Male or female. That's no BS. That's the truth. Alexandra Bianco killed it on Magic Man by Heart.
The Jewels each did two songs each. It was great.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
You need to trust me when I say, "Go and See This Band!" For the sheer talent alone it's worth the drive. Worth the price of admission. Worth the pain of that continued smile you'll have on your face. Oh and good luck trying to get at least a half dozen of their songs out of your head.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
Yes that's a hula hoop. And not just any kind of hula hoop. Those things did everything but catch on fire. Like I said, there's so much going on at once.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
That's right. A flute solo ala Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull's Locomotive Breath.
Great job Leo Foley on lead alto sax, and to Chris Hildebrand on the flute!
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
Brass master Stephen LeClaire writes all the charts for every song. It was Steve who called Mike a couple of years ago with this concept in mind. He told Mike he had a full horn section and he wanted Mike to front the band, and he wanted Rich Bartlett on guitar, Joe Holaday on bass, and Jim Taft ( who can sing his ass off!) on drums from the Fools to join him. According Mike last night "It's working out pretty good." Ya think Mike? I'd say it's more than working out. It's the best "New Old Band" around.
Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
OK it should be no surprise to anyone who is familiar with Mike and The Fools, that he would pull items from his bag of props.
Here he is as a Reverend of Soul.
And can I just say this without any trepidation? I think Mike Girard is on the same level as Peter Wolf. Maybe more. He is above all else, an entertainer. The man is funny, can sing and write his ass off and...he's a great guy. Loves being a local Northshore regular kind of guy. He loves all Boston Sports. He's one of us. Only way more talented. But you won't hear him say that. So I'll say it for him.
Here's a sampling of tunes from last night.
BOLERO by Jeff Beck
TIMEWARP from The Rocky Horror Picture Show
BEYOND THE SEA by Bobby Darin
DO YA by ELO,
NIGHT OUT by the Fools
IT'S A NIGHT by The Fools
GOLDFINGER from the movie Goldfinger (Denise sang this one) FRIDAY ON MY MIND by the Easy Beats
HOCUS POCUS sung by Jim Taft (incredible)
WHISKEY IN THE WELL by Lucky Melinda
SON OF A BITCH by Nathaniel Rateliff
THIS WHEELS ON FIRE by Bob Dylan
HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME by Sly and The Family Stone
MAGIC MAN by Heart sung by Alexandria
GOT MY MOJO WORKING by Muddy Waters
IT'S NOT UNUSUAL by Tom Jones
DIRTY DEEDS by AC DC
BLAZING SADDLES from the movie Blazing Saddles
SUMMER WIND by Frank Sinatra
WHITE RABBIT by Grace Slick
LOCOMOTIVE BREATH by Jethro Tull
HIGHWAY STAR by Deep Purple sung by Alexandria
REBEL YELL by Billy Idol
THE BEST by Tina Turner
ENCORE - KNIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN by Moody Blues
ROCKS OFF by the Rolling Stones
But the best thing about MGBST is, the songs they could play in the future are Endless. Just a library of great tunes await them and you and I. GO SEE THIS BAND!
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Photo by RALPH
*Click the photo above to see the entire gallery of photos.
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