Robert's Review of Skeeter Brandon & Highway 62, Lightnin' Wells at Artscenter , 02/19/99

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The Artscenter held a CD release and dance party for Skeeter Brandon and Highway 61 on a cold rainy night but the band quickly heated up the room and the dance floor. The band was tight and solid with a great rhythm section, a hot guitarist, and the soulful voice of Mr. Brandon. Skeeter has a world class voice that ranges from deep blues shouting, soulful crooning, a surprisingly emotionally strong falsetto. Opening was piedmont guitarist Lightnin' Wells.

The first set was one of the strongest I've ever seen by the band - or any band lately. Skeeter was in top form and the band had new members Russ Wilson and Max Drake well integrated. The last time I saw them they had just joined and were trying to hard but now they are a band. Russ drumming was dramatic and he sang well on a number of tunes. Max's guitar work is strong and solid without been overpowering. He added several tasty solos that were right on target. Long time band member Chris Grant continued to hold the band together with his bass playing. Skeeter's keyboards were fine but I would have to liked to have heard more. The band was pumped up on many numbers by Wally West on saxophone and Jay Meachum on trumpet. They fit in well and filled out the sound perfectly. There were a lot players on the floor but the sound was clear for all of them, so a special thanks to the sound crew. It would be nice to have a recording of the first set.

Skeeter has always had one of the best voices around but for the first set he was absolutely great. Think Ray Charles and Jackie Wilson - that's the class we talking about. Maybe it's because Russ shares vocal duties, but what ever it is keep it up. When the set ended with Skeeter singing about the truth in love he stepped away from the keyboard as he sometimes does and began testifying to the audience without his microphone. He went on in both his regular voice and a falsetto that carried across the room - a stunning performance.

Regular piedmont blues player Lighten Wells opened the evening with a typically strong set of old standards, quirky songs, and occasional originals. Lighten sings with a strong voice and has a nice guitar style. He's well known for his Piedmont style guitar by himself and supporting other old time players. Songs included his original instrumental "Bull City Rag", the title cut from his well reviewed new album "Ragtime Millionaire" , a nice harmonica added to the Jimmy Rodgers "Baby What You Want Me to Do", the classics "Bullfrog Blues", and "Salty Dog".

Skeeter's second set didn't live up to the same standards - how could it. The crowd was up and dancing in the first set but they grew tired and some left (this is the Artscenter not a club and some of the audience was pass their or their baby sitters bed times. The band should've shortened the second set to keep the focus going. However they did get going on a hot medley of Sam & Dave songs.

Highway 61 has 3 previous CDs and they played a number of songs from "Hi-Test Blues" including crowd favorite "Chickadee" with it's trademark chicken scratching guitar work, "True Love", and the dramatic "The Truth". They also did a fun version of "No Finance, No Romance" from their last album "License to Thrill". The band added a covers including BB King and some swing numbers.

But, most of the evening they concentrated on songs from the new album - "I'm a Man of My Word." From my first listen this sounds like the strongest album yet with old one weak song spoiling the flow of blues and soul numbers. The album features the horn players and swings more than the previous albums. A trendy move but one that fits them well. Skeeter hit his usual song topics that highlight truth, sex, and fun - not necessarily in that order. Max's guitar playing lit up the big band blues "I'm a Man of my Word", the swinging "Sugar Mama", and the soulful "I'm a man of my word".

They got the audience jumping with the old Jackie Wilson song "Baby Work Out", and the sexy Chicago blues style "Stop that Grinnin'" with its Elmore James licks, Skeeter sang his slow blues "Drug Avenue" as his message song of the evening, and they rocked out with producer Randy Friel's "It ain't right", Max's funny "Your mama always on my mind", and a funky version of an Leiber Stoller song "I'm a Hog for You".

When I saw that Skeeter had recorded "When a man loves a woman" I thought wow that should be great - what a perfect song for him. I couldn't wait to hear it. The strength of his voice together to its soaring range into falsetto seems like a perfect match. But he over did it when he used it to close the second set. He stretched the song too long with too many vocal dynamics. However the album version is great. Maybe next time he'll hit it. When he does it'll be worth the wait.



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