Robert's Review of Billy C. Wirtz at Artscenter, 01/29/99

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Rev. Billie C. Wirtz lead the House of Polyester into worship of southern culture including rasslin', double wides, waffle houses, and right wing polictics. All to a barrelhouse blues beat that can't be beat. He returned to his former home, the Triangle for 2 shows at the Artscenter in Carrboro. He joked a number of times that he enjoyed playing in Chapel Hill where they got both levels of the songs. Wirtz is a hyperactive child who is now writing songs about middle age. He plays the piano well enough to carry a show on the musical merits only but I can't imagine settling for just that. He jumps up preaching southern style to the audience, laying his hands on the front row, and then lying down on the stage, all the while spouting trash. Stephen Ide of Music Wire may have said he best when he likens Wirtz to Randy Newman turned tasteless.

New songs included a song about growing from rebellion to suburbia - 'Get off of my Lawn' with the verses stolen from classic rock songs of the sixties. Funny word games in the verses and a crowd pleasing chorus that had everybody shouting. 'Conspiracy Boogie' is a fast paced piano boogie with lyrics that make the x-files seem censorsed. Other songs dealt with relationships including 'Everybody's Lips but Mine', and the lonely boy's ode to the sears catalog 'The women on Page 63'. Another song of aging is the double entree 'What I used to do all night' and its rejoinder - now takes all night to do.

Some of the other highlights were the simple ballad about 'The visitor' which is the mysterious story of a hospital visit that fulfills a waffle house waitress last wish to see Elvis and of course his ode to North Carolina's senior senator 'Big Jess.' Another crowd pleaser was the story of 'Grandma Vs the Crusher' - the preported story about his Grandma's "crush" on a wrestler. And yes he did one song about Monica and Starr. Other songs included 'Roberta - get your big legs off of me', 'Mennonite Surf Party', 'Stick out your can', 'There is something on your mind', and 'Polyester suit.'

Wirtz is a very good blues piano player playing honkey tonky blues and a mean barrelhouse piano. He started and ended the set with his band but the middle of the set where he soloed on piano was the highlight, because you could hear both the lyrics and the piano clearly. The band included Wade King on guitar, a drummer, and a bass player from Root Boy Slim band. The audience was very enthusiastic, cheering, laughing, and singing along. They were glad to have him back in town. A wild fun night with great blues piano playing and fun lyrics



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