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JOHN SOLINSKI & KEN KARLHEIM @ THE HITCHING POST, ALTOONA 5/20/04 My weekend commenced with what turned into a Thursday night doubleheader. I first headed to the Hitching Post to see what John Solinski and Kenny Karlheim were up to. Upon entering the Hitching Post, I discovered the duo had a guest, Kevin Siegel, providing conga accompaniment. This trio of musicians was obviously having a good time, as they finished their in-progress set with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Down on the Corner" and Neil Diamond’s "Cherry Baby." It was a lighthearted mood as the group commenced their final set of the evening, opening with Jimmy Buffett’s "Why Don’t We Get Drunk." Kevin again joined John and Kenny during this set, providing percussion on congas and shakers. The trio mixed it up, performing favorites from J.Frank Wilson/Pearl Jam, Bob Seger, Nirvana, Doors, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Eagles and more. Highlights included the pairing of Sublime’s "What I Got" segueing into Stealer’s Wheel’s "Stuck In The Middle with You;" and the finale, a rendition of Don McLean’s "American Pie," sent out to the Hitching Post’s kitchen matron, ‘Mom.’ As expected, John and Kenny were in good form, both on voices and guitars. The pair again demonstrated the knack of offering up dazzling guitarwork on their acoustics, while keeping their presentation lighthearted and fun. Kevin, aside from fleshing out the sound with his percussion contributions, provided the catalyst for extra joking, banter and chicanery during the course of the set, resulting in an even more playful vibe. Kevin would be retained by the duo for their following night’s show in the Johnstown area. The mid-sized Hitching Post audience appreciated John, Kenny and Kevin’s jovial presentation this night. With the Hitching Post festivities completed shortly after midnight, the musicians and this writer decided that there was still time left for some Thursday Hurricaning to be done... |
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Incredible band!! @ PETER C’S, ALTOONA 5/20/04 A decent-sized crowd of Hurricaniacs and Peter C’s patrons was already assembled as the ‘Canes were into their final set of the night. With dancers populating the dance floor, bassist Jeff Clapper was fronting the Hurricanes on a smoking version of Ted Nugent’s "Stranglehold." Out of that, the trio instantly segued into Pat Travers’ "Snortin’ Whiskey." The Hurricanes continued with tunes from Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers; and also included two originals from their first album, The Feeling - the upbeat "Keep On Rockin’" and by request, Jeff Clapper’s 50’s-flavored "Summertime Love." The Hurricanes built things up towards a strong finish, with the Allmans’ "Whipping Post" segueing into the Outlaws’ "Green Grass and High Tides" to finish the night. In a moment of ‘Canes levity, lead ‘Cane Felix Kos started to tell a joke onstage, but said he couldn’t finish it because the clock had hit 2 AM. The law is the law! The Hurricanes were in good form as always, having fun as they pushed and challenged each other on their respective instruments, resulting in constant highlights throughout the set. Arriving from the Hitching Post, drummer Kevin Siegel staffed the Hurricanes’ drum kit on Skynyrd’s "Ballad of Curtis Lowe," and the Allman Brothers’ "Celebration" and "No One to Run With." Banditos guitarist Phil Wagner also made a cameo appearance on this last song, which featured Felix, Jeff and Kevin trading off hot licks on their respective instruments in the closing moments. The Hurricanes won at least one new fan this night, John Solinski of John and Kenny fame, who remarked that this was his first time seeing the Hurricanes after all of these years, "Where have I been?" For new fans and old fans alike, it was another impressive Thursday Hurricaning good time. |
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