THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607230136
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: 78 lines
Listening to the new ``Friends In Music - Back To The City'' CD is like taking a tour of Norfolk nightspots.
The disc features the familiar voice of longtime entertainer Lewis McGehee, tunes by the group ``Three Easy Pieces'' and several songs by the ``Starlight'' band, led by the CD's producer, Jack Armistead, who is also editor and publisher of The Downtowner newspaper.
The musicians featured on the CD will appear at a CD Release concert party Saturday at 4 p.m. at The Bait Shack in the Waterside. The concert is free, and Armistead says it will be a chance to get the $12 CD autographed by almost all of the artists on it.
The musical project is the culmination of a 33-year fascination with music for Armistead, who on the CD plays a Gibson tenor guitar his mother bought him in 1963. He put together the group ``Starlight'' and has played a number of clubs, including Stormy's at the Marriott and Cogan's Instant Art.
Armistead went outside his group to put together the music for the CD.
``I went around the area to take in the local music scene and hand-picked some of my favorite players who I thought would fit my project perfectly,'' he explained.
Two tunes written and sung by Lewis McGehee lead off the 12-song CD.
``The first time I heard Lewis play, I couldn't believe he hadn't made it big yet,'' Armistead said. ``Lewis is a gifted guitar player. I really wanted to showcase him on the CD.''
Tom Young, Jeff Runkle and Diana Berry make up the group ``Three Easy Pieces,'' and have been playing area clubs for more than 20 years. Three of their original ``harmony-filled ballads'' appear on the CD. Also featured is veteran chanteuse Amy Ferebee, who sings the lead on a version of ``Amazing Grace'' featuring newcomer Jennifer Scharle, a member of Armistead's ``Starlight.''
Armistead's group does a number called the ``Starlight Medley'' that opens with three tunes he penned, followed by country-folk arrangements of '60s tunes ``Bring It On Home To Me'' and ``Young Love.'' Other performers include Marsha McGehee, who sings background for her husband on ``Katie Don't Go,'' and percussionist Mike McCarthy, who appears on the same song.
The ``Starlight'' studio band includes Rob Morris on lead guitar, Robert Schley on sax and Dave Paton on bass. Anthony Mirabile Jr. is featured on drums with the Starlight musicians, and Bill Burke contributes piano instrumentals. The cover art is by Norfolk artist Martha C. Wilson.
``This CD project has been a dream come true to me,'' Armistead said. ``Some people might not think it's a big deal. For me it's the biggest deal ever. It would have been great if my mother could have lived to see that the guitar she bought for me was put to good use.''
If you're interested in seeing a dream come true while hearing some mellow music, check out the ``Friends In Music - Back To The City'' CD release this Saturday at 4 p.m. at The Bait Shack. The CD also can be found at Birdland Music Stores and Skinnie's Records in Ghent. For more on Saturday's concert and party, contact The Bait Shack at 625-5483 or 622-3654.
One of my longtime favorite groups is appearing next Thursday (July 31), at the Banque (1849 E. Little Creek Road, 480-3600.) ``Asleep At The Wheel'' has been doing its retro-Texas swing music since long before the term retro was fashionable. Ray Benson and his group does everything from Texas swing to zydeco.
If you aren't familiar with Texas swing, it's the kind of cowboy swing that you'll find in old Gene Autry movies, the B films that blended the Old West and the Depression era, where Gene and his sidekicks, riding white horses, chased bad bankers and land developers who drove Cadillac convertibles.
``Asleep At The Wheel'' has won six Grammy Awards over the past 25 years, including Best Country Instrumental in 1996 for a number it did with jazz banjoist Bela Fleck. In 1995, the band won a Grammy for ``Blues for Dixie'' featuring Lyle Lovett. The group plays country, swing, jazz, boogie, honky-tonk, Cajun, blues and rock 'n' roll, and it all sounds great.
Advance tickets for the 8 p.m. Wednesday show, which also features ``Dalton's Rain,'' are $12.50. Tickets are $15 the night of the show. The Banque will feature a special dinner menu. For information, call 480-3600. ILLUSTRATION: Artwork by MARTHA C. WILSON
The new ``Friends in Music - Back To The City'' CD features local
musicians who will come together again for a concert and party at 4
p.m Saturday at The Bait Shack in the Waterside. by CNB