| Wednesday, June 8, 2005 |
Review
Southern Bent shows how it should be
done
Vince Savaglio
Special to the Times
El Paso should be celebrating to have in its midst a true
classic country band, Southern Bent, which performed last
weekend at Billy Crews Restaurant and Lounge.
From the band's first song through its audience- requested
encores, we were transported back to the era when Johnny Cash,
Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and so many others ruled the
airwaves, only to realize their music is truly timeless.
Southern Bent's renditions of these vintage hits weaved a spell
on the entire audience. No one could keep from dancing, tapping
feet to the beat or singing along. The older members of the
audience relived a time when everything seemed safer with the
world, while the younger members finally knew what they had
missed.
What was amazing was that the audience, ranging in age from late
teens to, let's just say, well into retirement age, kept growing
larger as Southern Bent played into each night.
No one wanted to leave, even after Southern Bent sang its last
song of the evening. I didn't have to ask for anyone's opinion
of the performance. I just had to look at their faces.
During every song, all I had to do was look at the dance floor,
crowded with couples of all ages dancing to the music; listen to
people clapping to the beat of these songs; hear the applause
after each song ended to know the audience's reaction to
Southern Bent's music. Billy Crews' staffers could not remember
when they had as big a crowd or a more fun crowd for both
nights.
The main transporter into this eternal music time capsule was
lead vocalist and guitarist Marty Smith. His easy singing style,
range and raspy voice filled the air with emotions that induced
an immediate response. His ease on stage placed everyone into a
comfort zone, knowing we were in for two entertaining and
fun-filled evenings.
Vocalist and bass guitarist Sharon Verlander added another vocal
dimension, singing backup to Smith. Her voice complemented
Smith's while adding a depth to each song the writers just had
to have intended. Verlander also took the vocal lead for a few
songs each night while perfectly harmonizing with the lead
guitarist, Laura Ann Smith.
Verlander proved that a pure, powerful and emotionally ridden
voice is capable of stirring up a sensitivity level in a live
audience that we all sometimes forget we possess.
Musically, the stage was filled by so few and yet the sound was
of so many. At times, we all wondered where the sound of the
lead guitar was coming from, only to realize those sweet and
solid notes were from Smith's picking. She played so
effortlessly and beautifully that most thought there had to be
another lead guitar player somewhere. The few songs in which she
played her slide guitar prompted an outburst of applause from
the audience. The rhythm section, John Waring on drums and
Verlander on bass, controlled the tempo and beat to each of
these difficult and different songs while never being
overbearing. Smith's rhythm guitar playing took on almost a life
of its own while bridging each element of the musical
composition together like a fine woven thread that only a true
professional can do.
It will be a long time until this writer will forget Southern
Bent's adaptations of such songs as "Amazing Grace,"
"He Stopped Loving Her Today," "I'm Not
Lisa," "Ring Of Fire" and so many others the
musicians sang. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long to
hear the band perform again.
Southern Bent set the standard to a new high, and many in the
audience asking where and when the band would appear again.
Our many thanks to Billy Crews for bringing us two of the most
enjoyable evenings we have had in a long time.
Vince Savaglio is a longtime country music fan.
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