Have you heard Peter Frazier and the Southernmost Jukebox Band? If not, why not? I purposely postponed my thoughts on this year's Songwriters Festival so that Pete's mom could read this review on Mother's Day. Well Mom, your son is one of the reasons I speak of Key West as having world class talent.
Peter and his cohorts, drummer Sammy Z., bassist Bud Moore, and guitarist Bo Fodor were joined by a special guest, keyboard man Kurt Gooch, who left us to move to Tampa a while back. Frazier is one of the best classic rock singers you'll ever hear. When he isn't playing guitar he's behind the drums. Pete played drums with Molly Hatchet. The Southernmost Jukebox Band began with the Eagle's "Take It Easy", their first hit, co-written with Jackson Brown. Bo, who plays outrageous lead sang, high harmony. This was fantastic over Sammy's solid beat and Bud's perfect bass.
Kurt is playing an 88 key Roland piano which has a wonderful sound. He says his playing has improved from playing at the stadium in Tampa, which will definitely make men out of boys. His technique is really fine. The next tune is "Keep Your Hands To Yourself". The SJBB serves up some of the tastiest classic rock you could want. Bo smokes a lead. He's no stranger to the big halls. His Minneapolis band opened for folks like Journey and Nazareth. Kurt takes a solo that is dead on. Mr. Fodor uses a long neck Corona bottle for a slide. This is fearsome! I think he and Peter are one of those 'made in Heaven' matches. Pete's rhythm and Bo's lead are a dynamite combination.
Bo sings "Taking Care Of Business" with great vocal interplay between him and Peter. Everybody is hot tonight. Pete has a killer falsetto I hadn't heard before. Then Bud sings an Allman Brothers tune. Bud played with Bo Diddley, and his singing is so good we now have great three part harmony going. Bo and Kurt are starting a conflagration. Bo gets up on the top of the neck for some screaming lead. Then the band begins the Stones' anthem "Honky Tonk Woman". Taz jumps up on stage to sing it with the guys. She's a powerhouse with great rock and roll moves.
The band is having a hell of a good time playing songs they and the audience love, and the fun on stage is infectious. A couple from Montgomery requests "Sweet Home Alabama". This one brings the dancers out. Everybody goes for it, and the harmony is wonderful. Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Taxman" from George Harrison's great album gets Taz out to show us how to dance.
"Brown Eyed Girl " gives Bud a bass showcase, and believe me, he's got chops! Bo sings another Stevie Ray tune. The difference between Bo and Stevie Ray can be summed up by one word. Fame pretty well covers it.
Peter Frazier sings my personal favorite, Bob Seger's "Turn the Page". If you weren't convinced Pete is a great singer before, you definitely are now. Bo's lead is divine, sensitive, original, and marvelous. The SJBB's version is even stronger than the original.
"Lil Sister" is pure mayhem (eat your heart out, Dwight Yoakum). Sammy puts it in overdrive. This is some serious rock and roll.
You can find Peter Frazier and the Southernmost Jukebox Band at the Bull Friday through Sunday.
Mom, you raised a star, happy Mother's Day! Stay cool!