I've said it before and will again, Bobby Donaldson has to be one of the best guitarists on this earth. Having lived in Nashville and worked with the best, I am definitely qualified to say that. Talent goes far beyond technique and tone quality. It's a mind thing that makes the distinctions. Some people are so creative, they can play you something in a song that no one else has ever heard that makes it a hit record. They can play your emotions and make you feel what they are feeling. Bobby is one of those sacred few. Every-thing he plays is fresh and new. And what about Scott?
Our Mr. Kirby is as good a singer as anyone on the charts, and is a spectacular song writer. He does covers, but rarely, and only the best. Scott plays acoustic guitar. His new Cody is one of five hand made by a friend in New England. Peter Mayer, another who should be a major star has two of them. The sound is gorgeous, and Scott is also a fine player. Put Scott and Bobby together on a stage and you'll never want them to quit, or even take a break.
We caught up with them at the Hog's Breath Saloon.
"Please Come To Boston" is one of those great songs you want to hear again and again. One of our close friends fromNashville, Billy Sanford played lead on the record. Bobby gives it his own interpretation. Billy would love it. Scott sings it wonderfully. But can these two play all kinds of music, like for instance, blues? A Kirby original, "That's What I Like" says "If you're gonna love me, you're gonna have to hurt me tonight". Bobby plays blues lead like you wish you could.
Michael Smith's wonderful song "The Dutchman" is next. Bobby plays staccatos on the intro on this mysterious ballad as Scott sings "Let us go to the banks of the ocean" (the Zuyder Zee). Next comes a great Kirby tune, "Four Good Dogs". Scott claims that's all you need to get you through life. You'll hear no cliche songs from Mr. Kirby! Bobby plays everything from octaves to chordal melodies with ease. Thrilling! Another cover, James Taylor's "Steamroller Blues" rolls over us, always a crowd favorite. The after sunset folks are overwhelmed.
"Once You've Slept On An Island" is a Kirby/Donaldson co-write. it is delightful. I love the title cut to one of Scott's CDs, "Walking On Thin Ice", which says if you do so, you might as well dance. Scott plays a nifty harp ending. My favorite Scott Kirby song is titled "Free Range Institution", a paen to our town. It says, "We ain't got no bars on our windows. We ain't got no windows on our bars". After more description of our lives it suggests that if you are one of us, "Check yourself right into Key West", which many of us have truly done. A beautiful instrumental original, "Rosewood and Cedar" ends the set.
If you want to know why I so frequently claim that we have world class music on our island, go hear Scott Kirby and Boby Donaldson. If that doesn't prove it to you beyond doubt you probably are still grooving to Tony Orlando and Dawn. Stay cool.