OUT OF THE DARKNESS A few months ago we traversed the highways to “The land of Oz”, commonly known as Fur Peace Ranch. The allure was to mingle and watch one of the five greatest voices in the history of recorded music, one Marty Balin. The evening evolved into a potpourri of sixties psychedelia meets neoteric classic rock n’ roll. Members of any band that revolves around the aura of a Hall of Fame singer are always relegated to “Just another random musician” but Marty would never explore into the world of mediocrity. Avoiding the faint nuances of marginal players, the band exuded the animated spirit of The Fillmores, The Avalon Ballroom and others of legendary footnotes. Redemption is not needed for Marty as his voice echoes but the inclusion of a virtuoso on bass (Lloyd Goldstein, i.e. “Goldie”) are a dynamic tandem suited for an icon of Marty’s stature. The deftly handled lead guitar playing of Charles Morrongiello signaled an awakening of glory past & present. The songs of yesteryear were no longer the tattered regalia of the glory days but ebullient & evocative predicated on what could feasibly be the greatest unknown guitarist on the planet. Charles appears to be an original, his dexterity and innovative style seem to expand beyond the parameters of just a member of “A Rock n’ Roll band. Considering the passage of time and the storied life of Marty, it becomes a testimony of greatness to be noticed amidst the whirlwind of grandeur that is synonymous with one of the great voices of all time. The ghosts of Avalon are turning their collective heads if they can hear this resonating from the venues of 2014. A class act that is not merely in support of Marty Balin but an artist with a flair for greatness amidst the clandestine survivors of The Golden Age. Perhaps a paradox, when playing with Marty, there is always that to consider, but Charles has apparently become more of the paradigm during his tenure with the band. The cache of known ballads are easily dealt with and a rapid assessment as to why he was chosen to play in the band come from the recesses of our minds. The halcyon “daze” are now redirected and aptly played by The Marty Balin Band & now augmented with a player who truly fits the mold of these legendary tunes................Obviously there are others out there in the wilds of contemporary music but few have reached accolades of this magnitude in quite some time. All that is missing is Bill Graham playing “Greensleeves” and we are instantly digressing to the euphoria of northern California during the apex of Hippiedom ........Flaxen haired beauties, bare feet, Golden Gate Park & Hippie Hill and Charles & The Marty Balin Band............. History does indeed repeat itself on occasion... Cheers Don Aters - 2014
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 00:42:36 +0000
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