Marty Stonely has put together yet another incarnation of Overnight Sensation, and this one he couldn't improve on. This band features Marty on sax, guitarists Carl Wagner and Jim Ward, Bassist Wayne Hammond, and drummer Johnny G. Reo. That gives him four singers and some of the best players you'll ever hear. You know Carl, our answer to Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, or Stevie Ray (your choice), Carl has more untapped potential than the law allows. Jim Ward is marvelous as well, and the two trade off lead and rhythm seamlessly. I defy you to find a better drummer than Johnny G., which leaves Mr. Stonely's blazing sax and Wayne Hammond's sizzling bass. There's a stagefull of virtuosity here that is expressive and artistic.
Overnight Sensation swings Tommy Castro's "San Francisco", which fills the dance floor at the Turtle Kraals. Carl sings it, and everybody solos. The dancers are doing Eastern swing, Western swing, the lindy, and even some shagging and loving every step. Mr. Reo lays down a solid beat. Jim plays some hot lead. Wayne lays the bottom under it as only he can. Marty and Carl solo. This is really, really good! How do you follow that? With a Cajun tune, of course. Marty sings "Brother John Is Gone" .No one can sit still to a zydeco beat. This one is infectious and delicious. Johnny G. has that swamp thang down! The energy is through the roof and there's some great vocal harmony.
Next Wayne sings "I Feel So Bad". This is just too funky. All four singers are excellent, and the guitar power is exceeding all limits. Carl's guitar screams. Wayne gets into some heavy scat. The next number defines the band's 'church'. "Treat Me Right, Sweet Jesus' is smoking. Johnny G. plays a solo you hope will never end. Unison guitars and bass lay under the sax. Marty wails while the rest cook. You'll hear influences from the Delta, New Orleans, Memphis, and Muscle Shoals, but the sound is pure Key West, blending all those great musical ideas into an irresistable mixture. Now Carl sings us some blues. Marty finds a hot groove. This band feeds off each other the way you want them to. They are so tight.
Musicians begin to show up in the audience. I spot Joe Pepper, Johnny Ray, and Captain Blues checking it out.Jim sings "Mama Don't Take No Lip". Carl shows us how fast fingers can move. He reminds me of the late Jimmy Colvard of Barefoot Jerry in a jam situation. Then Wayne sings "One Nation Under a Groove, We're On the Move " (a funky little thing down in New Orleans). The irrepressible Mr. Hammond sings "Rubber Band Man" while Johnny G. repairs his bass drum pedal (with rubber bands).
My favorite for the evening was Billy Preston's "Will It Go Round In Circles' Wayne sings it and plays an incredible riff. Don't request this one, beg for it! It's a real show stopper. The talent in this band is fearsome. Watch Now Playing and go see them this weekend. You'll thank me. Stay cool!