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Transperformance returns in all its colorful glory
from: reformer.com
by Dave Madeloni
Thursday, August 23NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- This Tuesday's Transperformance at The Pines Theater promises to be the most colorful one yet.
The whacky and wonderfully irreverent concert is always one where it is nearly impossible to tell who is having a better time -- the audience or the performers. Now in its 17th year, "Transpo" brings together Pioneer Valley-based musicians who assume the personas of well-known artists.
The 2007 version of the fun fundraiser for the arts in local schools is called "Color by Numbers," with locals covering everyone from Al Green (Leah Randazzo) to Green Day (Serum 114), Blue Oyster Cult (Haunt featuring Winterpills & Mark Mulcahy) to The Moody Blues (Aloha Steamtrain), Pink Floyd (Primate Fiasco) to Pink (the honorable Mayor Clare Higgins).
According to The Fawn's lead guitarist and long-time Transperformer Henning Ohlenbusch, the benefit has become an annual rite of passage.
"Each year, the audience and the performers are equally having a wonderful time. I don't even remember how many years I have been doing it now, but it is enough so that this annual tradition has turned into an official season closer for me. After each show, when I'm packing up my stuff backstage in the dark, amidst the chaos of all the performers, I swear that the first hint of cool, crisp air blows by, and I know summer is on its way out. It happens every year. I love Transperformance on almost every level I can think of," Ohlenbusch said.
His band is unabashedly excited to take flight as JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS. "We picked The BLACKHEARTS for a couple of reasons -- we love rock and roll and we don't give a damn about our reputations. Seriously, JOAN JETT's music fits the Fawns snugly. I can't wait to remind people how much they like these JOAN JETT songs."
King Radio's front man Frank Padellaro also chose to go Black for this year's showcase. "In the past, King Radio has usually explored more main stream pop acts from the '70s, (Steely Dan, Wings, The Bee Gees) because that suits our band's sound. However, our band is spectacular fans of the Pixies and Frank Black, and we saw this as a great opportunity to do something outside of our usual sound."
He cited the camaraderie with a touch of friendly competition amongst the community of area musicians as something that makes the Transpo so special.
"We've always tried really hard to make a spectacle out of ourselves; to really deliver another level of excitement, because it's such a great cause, and a really excellent opportunity to show off for our friends. The music community of the valley is so tight knit, but we seldom get to all be in the same place at the same time, except for Transperformance. You consistently see friends go out there and try to one up one another We'd go out and think we did a great job, and then I'll get a huge charge out of watching my friends go out and completely nail some hard act like the Carpenters or Pink Floyd."
Speaking of Pink Floyd, they will be transperformed this year by first timers, Primate Fiasco, who specialize in Dixieland jazz. "We chose Pink Floyd because they tend to have albums which string many songs into each other in a medley sort of way, often reprising songs later in the album -- we like to do the same in our performances," explained singer/banjoist Dave DelloRusso. "We've decided to choose one specific Floyd album and turn it into one funky and swingin' 15-minute sonata. As for their sound, we're almost the exact opposite of Pink Floyd, which was part of the appeal."
This Transpo will be also be a first for R&B belter Leah Randazzo, who will channel Al Green. "His signature sound of soulful grooves, warm brass sounds, and unmistakable falsetto make him my pick for this year's theme," she said via e-mail. "I considered Macy Gray, but once Al Green popped in my head, there was no turning back! I hope to successfully embody his sexy, soulful ways."
The event has special meaning for Group Deville's keyboardist Steve Hinks, who teaches in the local school system and will be participating for the first time covering Jackson Browne. "It's fun to see musicians that you know in one context doing something very different from what they usually do. One act I remember very clearly was these guys doing a spot-on re-creation of the Beatles' Abby Road album. That was cool! And very impressive."
Lord Russ, Aloha Steamtrain's charismatic singer, stole the show a few years back when he channeled Jim Morrison of the Doors. This year he will get the chance to cover one of his all-time favorite bands. "The Moody Blues was the only choice for the Aloha Steamtrain," he said. "Apart from the Beatles they have always been my favorite band. In fact, I pretty much learned how to play and sing by mimicking the Moody Blues. 'Nights in White Satin' is my all time favorite song. They were the obvious choice."
Less obvious was Jim Armenti's choice to meld Quicksilver Messenger Service with The New Riders of The Purple Sage. "Quicksilver had many bombastic songs about politics and the environment which sound even more incisive and pertinent today," explained the guitarist of The Lonesome Brothers. "New Riders wrote songs about drugs and criminals and one song in particular 'Glendale Train' seems to be a metaphor involving the Bush administration -- very prescient. Anyway we like the color combination."
The Pines Theater is located at Look Park off Route 9 in Florence, Mass. Showtime on Tuesday, Aug. 28, is 4 to 9:30 p.m. Contact Bob Cilman or Sondra Peron at 413-587-1269 or 413-587-1247 for information.
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