The BEe for November 12, 2015

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THE HIVE

PAGE 4 HUTCHBEE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015

JAZZ WARMED UP VENUE FOR WILD PACK OF ‘MULES’ The McPherson Opera House played host to two different acts this past weekend. On Friday, there was The Mike Steinel Jazz Quintet, and on Saturday the featured act was the Wrinkle Neck Mules. Friday night began with a performance by the McPherson College Jazz Ensemble. The opener continued with a performance by the Smoky Valley High School Jazz Band. Then it was time for The Mike Steinel Jazz Quintet. The quintet performed about nine different pieces. Many of the songs were

REVIEW original compositions written by the band members. There was “Broadway,” followed by “Beto Junction” (an original tune), “We Will Meet Again” and a favorite of the evening, an original Steinel tune titled “Mr. Hooper’s Find It in a Minute Book,” written by Rosana Eckert, who provided vocals throughout the show. Another standout, and a song that has always been a favorite of mine, was “The Windmills of Your Mind.” Eckert did a terrific job singing this song. I believe she did a better job than Dusty Springfield, who made this song famous. Eckert’s voice is so rich and warm, the audience could just sink into the song and wrap up in it like a warm blanket. This show had it all: the fast-flying fingers of Pat Coil on the piano, the cool, laid-back groove of bass player Jeff Eckels, a jazzy beat provided by Steve Barnes on the drums, Eckert’s smooth vocals and, last but not least, that groovy brass trumpet

Photos courtesy of Bob Hunter

Members of Wrinkle Neck Mules, a folk and bluegrass band from Virginia, play a song during their performance Saturday at the McPherson Opera House.

sound provided by Mike Steinel to round out the group. On Saturday, the quintet traveled to Wichita to play at The Roxy, and then it was off to Oklahoma for a show in a restored train station. Steinel, originally from Marion, is now an educator at the University of North Texas. He brought his jazz quintet to McPherson to participate in the second annual Jazz Festival at McPherson College. The festival featured 22 different high school bands as well as the McPherson College Jazz Ensemble. *** Back Porch Buddha – Bryan Masters and Dennis Hardin – kicked off the evening Saturday with original tunes that had the audience fired up from the first chord stroke of the guitar.

Every song was memorable and fun. However, the song that stole the show was the final one of their set, “Mona Rigby’s Houseboat.” Truly hilarious. We’ve all done crazy things, drunk or not, and those barely remembered times are so funny when you recall bits and pieces, then try to piece together the rest of the story. This song had all those elements and more. The audience was laughing so hard that many were in tears. Plus the fact that the beer and wine were flowing freely, and many in the audience already had a good buzz going, didn’t hurt a bit. As soon as Back Porch Buddha finished their set, they were off to another gig in Wichita. These guys had a busy Saturday night ahead of them, but the audience at the McPherson Opera House

thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the time they took to be there. Check out their website for upcoming performances at backporchbuddha.com. Then it was time for the night’s headliner, the Wrinkle Neck Mules. The group was mum on whether there was a story or not. In fact, during the evening’s interview, when the question was asked, they looked uncomfortable and changed the subject. Make of it what you will. The Black Cat Fireworks symbol was on the wall at the back of the stage. The first song they sang was “Fireworks Stand,” which paid homage to that staple of every childhood: Fourth of July and Black Cat firecrackers. This group was more than enthusiastic while they played and sang their

songs. However, I don’t know if they were standing too close to the mics or just weren’t enunciating their words or what was going on, but I could not understand a single lyric they sang. I wasn’t alone. I polled those around me and they also said they couldn’t understand what was said. Still, even without the lyrics, the music was great and the fellas played with gusto, as fans can attest to. The Wrinkle Neck Mules were headed home after this show and they don’t have any upcoming dates in the near future. Concert season is winding down at this time of the year. If you can’t get enough of the Wrinkle Neck Mules, check out their website here: www.wrinkleneckmules.com. LYDIA LOWE Hutchinson

NEXT ON ‘THE SCENE’

At 7 p.m. every Sunday, tune in to “The Scene” on KNZS 100.3 FM to hear the latest from area musical acts. This week is dedicated to folk/coungry/gospel. Here’s what’s coming up: 1. SoapBox Troubadors – “The Holler” 2. Bobulele – “Outhouse” 3. Brady Scott – “Wayfaring Stranger” 4. Calvary Echoes – “Jesus and John Wayne” 5. David Kelley – “Exchange Me” 6. Haven Alexandra – “Umbrella” 7. The McKinney Sisters – “Family Bible” 8. Scenic Roots – “In Tall Buildings” 9. Morgan Wilk – “Look at Me Now” 10. Road 23 – “Above the Noise” 11. Rusty Rierson – “A Smile Like That “ 12. Sanford – “Meo Mio” 13. ZeroSelf:Project – “Suddenly” 14. The Vogts Sisters – “Guitar Man” Back Porch Buddha performs Saturday at the McPherson Opera House. The Wichita duo opened for Wrinkle Neck Mules.

FRANKIE SHAYNE Hutchinson


















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