I always love going to Schooner Wharf. The waterfront old Key West atmosphere and the friendly staff make me feel at home. And then there's the music! Today it was the M&s, Mary Spear and Mark Hamza, a fantastically talented pair of performers. No one sings Joni Mitchell like Mary, who may actually do some of her hits better. You know you'll hear the biggies like "Big Yellow Taxi", but Mary also sings some of the great songs you long to hear again that didn't make number one, like "Carrie". This one alone makes a trip to hear the M&Ms worth it.
Mary follows it with a standard, "Dream a Little Dream Of Me", and it is beautiful. Mary has a spectacular voice with a big range that is smooth from top to bottom. Mark Hamza plays a huge accordion so well it could become a very popular instrument again. It has a fine, strong bass range, and Mark plays rhythm and lead over it.
Mary plays rhythm guitar, so the sound is complete. Joni's "All I Want To Do" sparkled. Mary is a marvelous recording studio back-up singer, able to give you harmony parts in most any range.
Next we hear a favorite from one of the best artist/writers on the planet, Sam Anderson, "A Fool In Love". Sam is out touring, opening for major acts. Mark gets a wonderful French sound on some tunes and sometimes a string section sound. This man really knows his instrument. It is not just for Cajun Music.
Mary Spear is also a fine song writer. Her beautiful "A Song For the Friends" had most of us close to tears. This one should be recorded by a major artist; it's a winner. Mark slips in a quote from "Whiter Shase Of Pale". The man has a sense of humor. But Mark writes too. "Zydeco Cheesecake" is hell raising instrumental fun.
The one that got to us all was the tune they did at the last Woodstock Festival. Country Joe opened for them, then they opened for Melanie. The song was the Youngblood's timeless "Get Together". There's something magical about the M&M's at Schooner Wharf. They did an abridged (over troubled water) version of CSN's "Suite Judy Blue Eyes". Mary Spear has vocal highs like Joni Mitchell's and lows like Karen Carpenter's, smooth and delicious. The M&M's are delicious. They're candy for the mind! Stay cool.