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Can you believe that S.U. got their asses beat last night by U. Conn? Quite a change from last Monday night when they beat age old rival Georgetown at the carrier dome—and that reminds me, I haven’t sent in this month’s story yet! Last Monday night I was bar hopping and watching the Orangemen play Georgetown on TV at Bennigan’s. It was a truly great game and to celebrate, I thought I would have a truly great meal. Not that Bennigan’s doesn’t have great food mind you--but I was in the mood for barbeque, and that only means one place—the When I got to the Dinosaur, I got a shot of tequila and a bottle of beer and placed my order for chicken and ribs to go. I decided to check out the Monday nite open mic blues jam but lo and behold there wasn’t a jam at all. Instead there was a group of acoustic musicians setting up to perform. Upon further investigation (I asked my waitress) I was informed that this was a special nite that would feature the musical talents of Colin Aberdeen and friends and they would play acoustic blues. It seemed common knowledge to just about everyone but me that several of the musicians onstage were regular members of the Westcott Jug Suckers—a group I am sad to say I have heard of but have never seen. (are they still together???) Regardless, this band was great! Colin played old style finger pick acoustic and sang great but what really caught my interest in this combo were two performers—Shirley Woodcock-Kolb and Rodney Zajac. Shirley played what I would later learn was a four string tenor guitar. It kinda’ looked like a giant ukelele. She also played the mandolin. And she played them both quite well. Rodney Zajac- of the Jug Suckers- played a nice baritone sax. Now I would hardly call myself an extremely informed musical critic, but I really must say that these instruments one hardly ever hears and the fact that they were played on a stage where electric instruments rule was in itself a feat. This was good stuff. I don’t mean to slight the other band members (most notably the harmonica player and the Latin percussionist who I haven’t even mentioned and am unsure of their names) because everyone played well and I found the band entertaining as a whole. It was a great combination of unique instruments. When a club has a special night of entertainment, it’s great to actually see something special. If you haven’t seen Colin Aberdeen and friends, check them out--even if you are stuck on electric music. I say, put these five musicians on the carrier dome basketball court with a packed house—now that would be real entertainment! And a winning combination! Ed.: Zoe didn't know it at the time but Colin Aberdeen is also a member of Syracuse's Los Blancos. Rodney Zajac and Shirley Woodcock-Kolb are also members of The Westcott Jug Suckers. I'm not sure if it is the Westcott of South Catherine Street Jug Suckers who have retired, I guess I get my jug suckers mixed up :) |