Norman Nardini Gig Updates!

Gig Updates

Friday, January 26-2007

Moondogs: Blanox, Pa.

Whitey, Harry and I opened the show with a short but very sweet 40 minute set. ONE and ONE, an IMP and an IRON, "Boilermaker" felt a bit strange, but came off well. "Somethin's Cookin" also felt a bit creepy, but also came down strong. Next up, batting third, the ole Pittsburgh rock n' roll classic "Nothin To Lose", now we're cooking with gas. Whitey's drums sounded like cannons, nice. Harry's bass rolled out da velvet carpet. Daddy Clean's guitar lifted his body and mind to places only the eagle and the turkey buzzard go. A rippin version of "Graceland" got a great audience response. "We Come A Long Way" went out to all the long time rockers in the joint, and it was good. A short break and we returned to the fabulous Moondog stage with ole buddy Vinny Q joining us on guitar. Vinny never looked better, in Rocky Lamonde's over sized white shirt. "Ready Freddy" and "Nightclub" set the table for Vinny,s banging solo on "Shackin Up". It was so much fun to play rythm guitar behind V.Q. "High Times", "Weekend", "You Go Your Way". The two guitar attack really helped "Son Of A Gun" realize the potential I heard in my head when I wrote it. "Who Dat Do Dat" was also upgraded by Vinny's guitar. Star time, V.Q. sings da ole Stone's standard "Dead Flowers" and brings down the house. I tried to get him to sing another tune but he got shy, if ya know Vinny, ya know what I mean. "Shake Your Money Maker" and that's exactly what I did, I took off my guitar and did da Pennsyltucky shake. We invited Ron "Moondog" Esser up to close out the first set singing "I Shall Be Released". Set two opened up the flood gates with "End Of The Line", and it was good. "Burnin Up" was another chance for V.Q. to rip. Good buddy, Shades joined us to sing "Tossin And Turnin". "Love Dog" was stupit just like daddy likes it. I think it would be a smashing idea for us to do some more dates with Vinny Q. Dis Connelsville native has a real fine feel for Norman music. It's also a wonderful opportunity for Daddy Clean to dance around like a chicken wit his head cut off. I'm paintin a picture here.

Saturday, January 20-2007

Excuses: Southside- Pittsburgh Pa.

Sometimes I really need to play. This was one of those evenings. What a pleasure it is to play music with Harry Bottoms and Whitey Cooper. They spoil me so much. My guitar sounded great rite from the first note. “Git By”, “Good Rockin Man”, then we took a few moments to talk a little crap. You know, loosen up the joint a bit. “Nightclub” smoked, somewhere between blues rock and surf a’ billy. Whitey sang the ole Arthur Conley classic “Sweet Soul Music” and rocked the soul out da joint. “Weekend” soared with the eagle, I love playing the solo at the end. The two hour first set was a gas. During the break, my friend Carol said she’d had a tough week and tonight’s show was helping her to feel better, I felt exactly the same. I kind of spazzed out in the second set and forgot the words to some of my own songs! I was glad that it didn’t turn into a train wreck. We all laughed it off and got on with the show. “When I Die And Go To Hell”, “Please Don’t Talk About Me”, “Easy Money” by request for some guy who looked like Travis Tritt, I smell T R O U B L E. We did a decent version of “Into the Mystic” the ole Van tune. Our beloved club owner George turned on the lights as we kicked into the last tune of the show “Ready Freddy”. I had a serious good time and I’m sure everyone else did too. Dat’s a warm feelin.

Wednesday, January 10-2007

Moondogs: Blanox, Pa.

Once again I got the chance to open the show for Jersey rocker John Eddy. Once again John's Guitar player, P.K. Lavengood was gracious enough to turn my solo acoustic set into a very interesting duo performance. A laid back, gentle version of "Night Riders" eased the room into the music after P.K. told a wonderful story about his family's personal Christmas miracle. Before you know it we're all riding down "Hell's Highway". We took a laid back approach to "You Go Your Way ", and played it in a lower key than I normally sing it in. It turned out a little creepy. I don't usually do two slow tunes in a row but this was a different kinda show. "The Morning After" quieted the room with it's simplicity, loved that. A sh*t kicking version of "Playin In A Rock n' Roll Band" got the house rocking hell billy style. "The Horse Your Ridin" was a shower of ole P.K. pouring melodies all overr the joint. It was kind of like a little miracle. The stark dynamics of "I Was Blind" got folks clapping, so we came back on for one more tune. Someone in the joint yelled let P.K. sing one. I hope it didn't show, but at that moment I felt stupid, cause I didn't think of that. That's just one of many reasons I've been called the dork boy. So ole P. sings a tune he and I wrote togather about 12 years ago, "Beyond The Point Of Caring". I had almost forgotten the song completly, but ole P.'s been playing it on acoustic shows for years. Ain't dat a thang. It was a lot of fun playing all the tunes tonight, cause I don't get to play them often enough. I think it was obvious I don't get to play with P.K. Lavengood often enough. This was the second time I watched John Eddy's new drummer, Rich work. This kid is a strong player. He, along with rock legend Kenny AAronson on bass, are a serious rythm section. I'll say it again, ain't too many bands gonna kick John Eddy's bands a**. Moondogs has been the site of a whole lotta magic moments, mighta been a few come tumblin down dis good rockin nite.

Saturday, January 6-2007

Wilberts: Cleveland, Ohio

I don't know what else was going on in Cleve, but I do know we had a ball at Wilberts. Ole buddies, The Back Up Band opened the show and got things rolling."Ole cow died wit a rag in ise a**...........",

"Hey bartender gimme a shot...........", "Somethin's Cookin", "Rock n' Roll City", "We Come A Long Way", special request for "Burnin Up" & I was feeling loose as a goose. Musta been da red beans n' rice, good lick.We hit a nice "You Go Your Way" then slapped around "End Of The Line". Whitey scored big on "Sick n' Tired". I got a chance to talk a little sh*t with the nice foks in attendance, and yes, we did have a few giggles. We brought Neon Don, guitar player of The Back Up Band, on stage for the slow burning blues, "Bow Leggrd Woman" and a rocking "Shake Your Money Maker". Tommy, the other axe man in The Back Up Band, got up and played "Work Togather" and "Shake Rattle and Roll" with us. Both of these long time Cleveland string benders sounded different but each one had a cool style, it's fun to play with ole friends. We slammed the door shut with a banging "Smoke Two Joints". Saw a bunch of folks I ain't seen in a while, cool. I talked about the Steelers n' the Browns, I didn't use the word Clowns cause I got respect and when it all comes down, we both really hate the Pigeons a whole lot more. I wanna play Wilberts for the tribes home opener, look for us there.

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