Fully Ukeladied Vinyl
Pocket Vinyl, if you look real close.Fully Celebrated Orchestra declines a definite article at Midway Cafe on Wednesday, 9 August 2023.
The Ukuladies and Pocket Vinyl sandwich the Hump Nights bill.
The UkuladiesThe Ukuladies performed in the opening slot of a triple-stack midweek bill at Midway Cafe. To lay the cards on the table, the band is a pair of ladies who play ukelele.
Think that band name is clever? You’re not alone! There are surprisingly numerous iterations of The Ukuladies moniker throughout the continent and across the waters.
Our local Ukuladies hail from Dedham, or Boston, depending on how deep you care to dive into local geography…
Where else?
There’s a tribe of Texan gals from Galveston who perform under the name.
There’s a swarm of senior strummers located in Wisconsin
There’s a twee-core duo based in London. That’s right, a trans-Atlantic pun job.
There’s a band that rolls at least ten-deep out of Ramona, California.
And there’s this lone wolf with her fucking terrifying website. Don’t click on this if you have clown issues.
So what’s in a name? Not much. Especially if you’re only planning to play local. If you’re the biggest Ukuladies act in town, that’s all you can really ask for.
Fully Celebrated Orchestra
Fully Celebrated Orchestra returned to the stage with most of their regular lineup intact. Except for the drummer Django Carranza, who missed the gig because his car broke down, or he got hit by a car, or something to that effect. The substitute behind the skins filled in admirably.
Otherwise it looked like the usual suspects, plus a guest saxophonist. Timo Shanko handles the standup bass with aplomb. Taylor Ho Bynum continues to prove a revelation at cornet, an instrument you didn’t know you needed in a jazz ensemble until you hear it. Ian Ayers brings a “god don’t make no junk” vibe to guitar work that cuts across the solar plexus of rhythm and blues. And Jim Hobbs on alto saxophone keeps it all locked down tight, or tightish, as the Orchestra sashays into its third decade of post modern honk adventurism.
Extra points for the recurring cover and classic “Pass The Dutchie”. Shout out to the comedian for passing the time between sets. And who didn’t notice Morphine on the in-house mix?
Pocket Vinyl
Pocket VinylHere’s something different. Pocket Vinyl. A solo musical act from Norwich, Connecticut.
A duo if you count the onsite painter wielding brushes at the side of the stage. That’s right – it’s a music-cum-painting extravaganza.
Eric Stevenson handles the music, seated behind a formidable set of synthesizer keys and microphone. Elizabeth Jancewicz handles the painting, with a medium-sized picture atop an easel, positioned to allow the audience to watch the visual creation unfold over the course of the set.
A duo, except on Wednesday night it was a quintet, as three more musicians hopped aboard the Pocket Vinyl Express to give the performance a fuller sound. Mission accomplished. There was a nice low end from the bassist, and you could lay the foundation to a brick church with the chord progressions cranked out of Stevenson’s synth.
Looks like this band is very goal-oriented.
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