May the fourth be with you

Posted 8/21/12

And what a fabulous fourth it was! There was so much happening throughout the Upper Delaware River region that it was difficult to decide where the pup (www.facebook.com/DharmaTheWonderDog) and I …

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May the fourth be with you

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And what a fabulous fourth it was! There was so much happening throughout the Upper Delaware River region that it was difficult to decide where the pup (www.facebook.com/DharmaTheWonderDog) and I would end up, but we cruised through the Catskills at a good pace, attempting to cram in as much fun as the rest of you. Although there was plenty of precipitation, the weather did nothing to dampen our spirits, and we managed to hit some of the hot spots in Sullivan County, saving PA for next week.

The theatre beckoned once again (www.fbplayhouse.org) and the Forestburgh Playhouse’s newest production, “Young Frankenstein,” was frighteningly good. I have no reservations (but strongly urge you to make one) about recommending this musical adaptation of Mel Brooks’ incredibly funny film, and my full review can be read at www.riverreporter.com. Suffice it to say that the show is (IMHO) a monster hit.

The following night, I spent a few hours on-air (www.thunder102.com) waxing rhapsodic about the multi-talented Robert James Ritchie, AKA Kid Rock, who careened into town along with opening act Foreigner, to greet a sold-out mob of fans ready to party. While my appreciation of Kid Rock has only recently developed, I’ve become a rabid fan after seeing him perform here (www.bethelwoodscenter.org) in seasons past, and I still marvel at his musicianship, his connection with the audience and his ever-evolving style. Having begun his career as a rapper, Rock’s style has morphed repeatedly. From rap to hip hop to rock, country and blues, this guy is a consummate entertainer, and his show last weekend was no exception.

Before Kid hit the Pavilion stage, opening act Foreigner performed, sans most of the original members, but still led by founder and lead guitarist Mick Jones. Lead vocalist Kelly Hansen, who has been touring with the group for six years, strutted his stuff with great style, and sparks flew while he belted out solid hits like “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and the band’s anthem “I Want to Know What Love Is,” as the appreciative audience showed the group plenty of love. “There was a time when the band suffered in reputation,” Hansen has said, “and we’ve spent a good part of the last six years re-establishing that Foreigner is still relevant and full of great songs.”

On tour all summer long with Kid Rock’s “Cheap Date Tour,” Foreigner still packs ‘em in. As for the Kid himself? Flawless. Smash hits like ‘Wasting Time,” Lay it on Me,” and “3 Sheets to the Wind” (not to mention the four-letter titles) were just the tip of the iceberg at Bethel Woods that night, and in between addressing the crowd and playing a multitude of instruments, Kid (impressively) busted a move or two. This guy still has tricks up his sleeve, and I remain a loyal follower.

Naturally, the holiday weekend would not have been complete without a parade or two, and Dharma and I managed to take in the annual cavalcade in Narrowsburg, NY, where she played with the little ones, shook paws with local dignitaries and enjoyed the floats. Of course, I snapped some pics of the festivities, and you can view them, tag your pals and share the photos at www.facebook.com/theriverreporter. From there, we took our seats (I mean danced the night away) in Bethel, NY (www.catskilldistillingcompany.com) along with scads of admirers of the local-boys-made-good Somerville Brothers whose fans were out in force to celebrate the release of the band’s (www.somervillebrothers.com) newest CD, “Somerville—20 Years.”

Before the guys hit the stage, home-grown star-in-the-making Shlomo Franklin and his band performed a few songs, including their newest single, “Funny Boy,” which has debuted as a video, filmed in South Fallsburg, NY, close to where Franklin grew up here in the Catskills. I’ve said it before: This young man is going places and the video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1jP3mgZs5c) proves it. He and his band-mates warmed up the crowd for Ken and Barry Somerville, who lit up the place with original band members Jeff Miller, Jim Santoro and Fred Rolff, all of whom are highly accomplished musicians and have jammed with the brothers for decades. In between sets I was among the first in line to pick up the new CD, (the guys signed it for me; never mind that it says “For Dharma” on the disc), while I raved on and on about their great sound. “Thanks to our extended family band for 20 years together,” Barry shouted out to the crowd. “It’s been a helluva ride! Here’s to 20 more.” These guys are firecrackers, sparkling whenever they hit town, and their holiday party proved that the fourth is strong with these two. Wait… what?

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