PureVolume

Hey Friends: The saying goes, “Under every cloud, there a silver lining.” Well, the band overcame the weather to give an inspired performance for the ages at The Starving Artist Café & Gallery on Saturday, January 10th. It was the Walrus’ birthday and never had the phrase “long in the tooth” been so appropriate for the occasion. The fear-based weather media took its heavy toll on our steadfast fans as the first show had a sparse showing – save for a decent contingent from Westchester County among the local fans that braved the elements. The second show, much to our delight and surprise, was packed with rowdy revelers chomping at the bit for a good time. From the opening notes of “Two Of Us,” the band was in full swing. For the first time ever, we forayed into new territory: solo Beatles repertoire! The opening set featured “Photograph,” the Ringo Starr hit co-penned by George Harrison as well as Harrison’s Traveling Wilburys seminal offering “Handle With Care.” As the material varied from the familiar (“We Can Work It Out” and “Day Tripper”) to the obscure (“Cry Baby Cry” and “Wait”), there surely was something for everybody. When the set concluded with four consecutive Number One songs from 1963 (“Please Please Me,” “From Me To You,” “She Loves You,” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand”), the crowd couldn’t get enough Fab Four fare! Two solo Beatles songs, John Lennon’s “Instant Karma!” and Paul McCartney’s rocker “Jet,” kicked off the second set at a fever pitch. From there, the band played various selections from the ‘White Album” and “Abbey Road” before concluding the set with “The Long And Winding Road” and ALL five songs from the Beatles’ last live performance atop the roof of Apple Studios. That historic event, as well as the sessions from “Let It Be” occurred 40 years ago this month – so a tribute was certainly in store. The encore was a study in contrast: the soulful “Let It Be” followed by “I Saw Her Standing There.” The popular rocker didn’t bring the house down, rather the audience got UP and danced in the middle of the room or in any conceivable place. It was truly a sight to behold and it was fun to be a part of it! On behalf of the group, I’d like to thank the GREAT people at The Starving Artist: Uncle Bill, little Hannah (our BIGGEST fan), waitress extraordinaire Mariel Murphy, and of course Monica and Elliott Glick. And no fans are as rabid, as loyal, and as supportive as the ones who descend upon 249 City Island Avenue. We look forward to seeing many of you at our next performance! The Walrus