Some great blues at Vizzi's
Tuesday, 2. May 2006, 14:41:27
Last Friday, I went out to see Mark Winsick play at Vizzi's in Kenmore. It was a last-minute decision, so no recording for a podcast was done. But due to a cancellation, I had a free evening and had to go see him and his band play. I was treated to some of the best blues in Buffalo.
Let me introduce the band. Besides Mark on guitar and vocals, is bassist Jim Whitford, another Buffalo legend. On drums was Rob Lynch, a highly-regarded musician in his own right. If someone had thrown a hand-grenade through the window at Vizzi's that night, the overall level of talent in the Buffalo area would have dropped noticably!
Watching these musicians play was an experience. While I've seen many good musicians lately, not very many made it look so effortless as this trio did. Whitford's bass playing was subtle and strong at the same time. Never showboating, just damn good playing. He sang on a song or two and added harmony on many others. Lynch's drum skills were impressive as well, again not for being showy, but for his ability to feel the music and always play the perfect rythms for the song.
Winsick, was of course the lead man of the group. His voice is good for the blues, not trying to follow some other artist's style, but his own unassuming style. His guitar work was impressive too. Effortlessly playing what most other musicians would struggle with, but always serving the music, not showing off. Journeyman is the term that comes to mind.
They played three sets, mostly covers of blues standards, to an appreciative audience. There was plenty of dancing going on and his fans were from all generations, from mid-20's to the senior citizen crowd.
Vizzi's is an interesting place. A neighborhood bar in a typical storefront building, it looks more like a restaraunt than a bar, and in fact does seem to have a decent menu. The decor is unlike many bars, light and colorful, not black and dark. It would be a good place to go catch a beer and sandwich and watch some sports.
I'll be getting with Mark in the future to put a podcast together. He has a good catalog of original songs as well and we hope to showcase some of them soon.
Let me introduce the band. Besides Mark on guitar and vocals, is bassist Jim Whitford, another Buffalo legend. On drums was Rob Lynch, a highly-regarded musician in his own right. If someone had thrown a hand-grenade through the window at Vizzi's that night, the overall level of talent in the Buffalo area would have dropped noticably!
Watching these musicians play was an experience. While I've seen many good musicians lately, not very many made it look so effortless as this trio did. Whitford's bass playing was subtle and strong at the same time. Never showboating, just damn good playing. He sang on a song or two and added harmony on many others. Lynch's drum skills were impressive as well, again not for being showy, but for his ability to feel the music and always play the perfect rythms for the song.
Winsick, was of course the lead man of the group. His voice is good for the blues, not trying to follow some other artist's style, but his own unassuming style. His guitar work was impressive too. Effortlessly playing what most other musicians would struggle with, but always serving the music, not showing off. Journeyman is the term that comes to mind.
They played three sets, mostly covers of blues standards, to an appreciative audience. There was plenty of dancing going on and his fans were from all generations, from mid-20's to the senior citizen crowd.
Vizzi's is an interesting place. A neighborhood bar in a typical storefront building, it looks more like a restaraunt than a bar, and in fact does seem to have a decent menu. The decor is unlike many bars, light and colorful, not black and dark. It would be a good place to go catch a beer and sandwich and watch some sports.
I'll be getting with Mark in the future to put a podcast together. He has a good catalog of original songs as well and we hope to showcase some of them soon.
WIDGETIZE