The Liza Colby Sound and Berlin
Thursday night made it over to Berlin. Berlin is a new place on Avenue A. It is celebrating a year now and I think it will be around for awhile. Very low key and nondescript. At least the entrance. I went to the address and walked in the the door of the address, 25 Avenue A and was pondering where do they put a band in here. Very small and simply not the place. Berlin is downstairs in the basement, and you in fact go around the corner on 2nd Street to get there. No sign I don’t believe. A guy at the door asking hat I am looking for and promising if I recall that “it will be everything and more” as he checks my ID.
And once down the steps and around the bend you are there, a long, well the length of the room on the left, and the band and stage to the right. That is it. Between those two points is the space for the crowd. Intimate. Then you start to take in the niceties. The woodwork, The ceilings, the chandeliers over the bar. It kind of reminded me of an old speakeasy. A certain class, hidden from prying eyes, but there.
But I came in and an act was already on. No idea who they were, but a nice vibe. Funky blues is how I described it. A bass player with a big afro and a mustache reminding me of Phil Lynott. Of course he did. A guitarist hidden behind a roman pillar but the fuzz of his guitar heard. A black chick with a nice voice and a blouse revealing perky nipples. They were enjoying themselves. It just was just a very cool scene to walk into. And they were feet away, and yes a lively crowd between me and them.
It turns out the band was Revel In Dimes. Do check out their website and tunes. I was impressed. And anyone in the Netherlands, or Spain, it appears they will be headed your way soon enough. Neat act!
Sadly I caught only one tune from them. I will look for them again. That said I turned to the bar. I basically turned around and got a rum and cock. and even did manage to grab a seat.
Next up was Johnny Burgos. Him and his band were doing some really nice R&B type stuff. I may not know a whole lot about this space but I was enjoying the set. It was especially cool to see Liza Colby join in for one song. I believe that was Wild About You, which I found a little slice of up on his Soundcloud Page. It must be. (I will find I hope some complete tunes shortly!) So they did a few others and it was cool just taking in the scene, sipping my rum and coke, and them up on stage doing their thing.
Lastly, The Liza Colby Sound took the stage. I caught two tunes. I have seen them a range of times and will see them again no doubt. The second was the classic Humble Pie tune, Four Day Creep. I have yet to see her on a bad night. This was the second time I seen her with the new guitarist, Robbie Mangano. He is stepping into big shoes and has handled the task well. Had always been loved Adam Roth’s playing. He is truly missed. All that said, I was thrilled when she announced at the Iridium a few months back that they had the Berlin residency. And glad I made it there to Berlin for that last Thursday night.
Sadly I was beat and departed for Grand Central at 10:30 – two songs into what I am sure was a good set. No doubt, not right, but life. Was still a good night.
