140515a          Double Header with an Extra Inning             Part One- The Keilbasa Fest

Started the day with a double-dose of Jeff King.  This is a good thing!  He played an hour solo, then the ‘other’ stage played a polka band, and then Jeff and sister Melissa Carierra played another hour.  This is fun stuff.  A man of many talents, skills and abilities, when not playing bass if the Kings or with any of the many area jams and assemblages, Jeff picks up his acoustic six-string and takes on the persona of a country-tinged folk minstrel.  He has a profoundly capable voice, rooted in tradition and seemingly raised in the hills.  Adding his own treatments by way of timing and arrangements becomes pleasantly surprising with such a solid foundation as a starting place. 

Jeff sings a wide range of material from all eras, with his originals interspersed, and every now and then there’s an inflection of something older- something classic and classy.  The Kingston Trio comes to mind, especially the latter-day baritone of John Stewart.  If some of this were attempted by a kid who hadn’t quite learned to use his voice, it could get messy.  Not so here, though- this guy sings with ease and authority.  I’ve heard he studied music, even as he’s been playing for, like, ever; I’d guess he studied voice as well as theory and instruments like guitar and bass.

Speaking of voice, Sister Melissa has one- a beautiful voice with great abilities.  I’ve mentioned before that she and Jeff did a “White Rabbit” at the Tap Room that nailed it.  Really, I’m not usually too crazy about the acoustic-folk-duo thing,; it often gets all scraggly-sounding at grates on the ears; but these two put my fears to rest right quick.  In fact, the song “Wagon Wheel” is one I’m not too crazy about (so shoot me), but I now have a standard of reference to help me when I hear other people tear it up.  And, of course, Nobody does “Bobby McGee” like dear ol’ Lynne Barsalou, but if she ain’t around then Melissa runs a close second.

Melissa’s voice is so very sweet that it complements well and she steps out just as well.  And she throws in a little of this quirky but effective rap –ish vocalizing every once in a while, just to keep it that much more interesting.  Jeff is pretty good with the between-songs banter, too, suggesting years of experience beyond his youthful appearance and manner.  They make an entertaining show together, and they can tailor it to a family audience and throw in some real surprises- like a trio of songs from Grease (yes, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John)...  “Tell Me More;” well, OK.  “The One That I Need;” surprise, surprise- nicely done!  And so it goes, until they wrap it up with... get this:  Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” done acoustic.  He plays; she sings, and powerfully.  They really do look like they’re enjoying themselves.  And did I mention Irish music?  They do that too, and really well... especially at a Polish party!