Dave Bailin, Steve Burke; Brodie’s Seaport Cafe, Salem, MA
Dave Bailin And The Bailouts performed another of their annual Thanksgiving Eve charity drives to support Lifebridge charitable organization in Salem, Massachusetts. Performing this event at Brodie’s Seaport Café in the witch city, Bailin and his Bailouts brought in donations of food and clothes while their music was drawing dancers onto the floor.
I arrived in time to catch Bailin & the Bailouts going into Tom Petty’s “Won’t Back Down,” a tightly knit number that this band managed to put across well with Bailin’s rasp and Eric Reardon’s anthem size lead guitar phrase over a solid rhythm section, drummer Steven Peabody and bass player Steve Burke. Next, Bailin lead his fellows into The Rolling Stones classic “Heart Of Stone.” Bailin’s soulful vocals worked well as did his brisk rhythm guitar, and, Burkes’ bulbous low end, and Peabody’s persistent, consistent skin smacks.
Bailin and his Bailouts captured the folksy feel to CCR’s “Out My Backdoor.” Its lilting melody and swaying groove likely brought back memories to each audience member who associate this song with a certain time and place in their lives. Reardon’s whistling melody was like a pretty cry inside the packed venue, the audience being particularly receptive to this group of players.
A grooving’ low end pulled the audience into Bailin original “Satisfactory,” a sophisticated rocking number from the groups first full length CD. Half way through this piece, the rhythm section got to showcase their skills. Burke’s bass solo was knobby and engaging and Peabody’s drum solo was packed with rolls and fills that one could dance to, if one can dance very swiftly for a long duration. The entire band jumped right back in with spring action, Reardon riffing away, playing a greasy, jumping phrase over a thumping rhythm section.
Going down tempo, Bailin lead the band through a tender rendition of oldies classic “Save The Last Dance.” An easeful groove made a good home for Reardon’s tasteful, emotive guitar lines. The effect was so soothing that many grabbed hold of a partner for some serious slow dancing. Jumping into an up tempo oldies, “Lucille,” the band presented a rumbling feel from the days when rock and roll was still very young.
While Bailin and his crew were in an oldies frame of mind, they played the rippling, twangy guitar driven rocker “Pretty Woman.” Sounding good inside a room like Brodie’s, which has a shape that aids acoustics, Bailin quaintly aped the Orbison growl. He and his band mates laid down an earthy, flinty version to this time honored favorite. It also was another infectious tune the Brodie’s audience couldn’t resist dancing to.
Bailin and Reardon played plenty of perky guitar notes for a rendition of Van Morrison’s “Wild Nights.” A bouncy twist in the bass line made a perfect home for Reardon to pay out a sweet melodic line. This group then played a tight version of The Band’s stomping piece “The Shape I’m In.” The entire band had to nail this number in one locked-in groove to continue its momentum, keeping the song colorful, tuneful, and hard hitting.
I had to head out of town at that point to continue with my holiday plans. Yet, it was worth driving several minutes out of my way to catch such a dynamic, fun band. These players are truly steeped in the traditions they favor, and they have the talent and vibe to pull it off each time with style and verve.
This Thanksgiving eve gig also proved a successful annual food and clothes drive for Bailin. Door keeper Staci Antonelli reported the good done by this event and the positive feeling it created.
“You should have seen all the stuff at the end of the night,” Antonelli exclaimed. “I took all the stuff at the door, the guys in band loaded my car, and I dropped it off Thanksgiving morning. To see how happy and appreciate everyone was was a great feeling. Even the cook came out and shook my hand and thanked me.”
