Shari Richardson, Paul Costley, Nate Comp; Tues nite Feature Artist Open Mic & Jam – KC’s Rib Shack, Manchester, NH photo; Hermine Basso
Shari Richardson was the featured artist at Nate and Paul’s open mic and jam at KC’s Rib Shack last Tuesday night. Hosted by guitarist Nate Comp and percussionist Paul Costley, the popular Tuesday night event features a popular, talented New England singer from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The next two hours allows musicians from all over
Opening with Foreigner’s “Double Vision,” Richardson’s rangy voice snapped out the words with an assertive projection, hitting the snappy groove and chugging guitar in just the right places. Comp’s brisk strum and Costley’s perfect feel for his percussion pieces kept the tune rocking and engaging.
Paul Costley on percussion, Shari Richardson on vocals
Comp and Costley captured the feeling of eternity in a rock song during Journey’s “Wheel In The Sky,” They hit and picked the right timbres in their instruments to nail the eerie vibe that hangs in the back drop. Richardson graced the surface with solid balance between technique and timbre during this contemplative song. One could feel the song’s internal drama in Comp’s lead guitar phrasing.
Richardson utilized her lighter, sweeter timbre, draping it over “A Little Bit Of This, A Little Bit Of That.” The mellow tune benefited also from Comp’s subtle melody moving alongside the voice, creating the sweet texture this piece is known for. They wove it like a warm wool blanket.
The hosts and their guests became a firm blues trio on a few numbers. Richard’s vocal swagger during Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Cold Shot” found a good home amid Nate’s mean grinding blues guitar work. Richardson understands the steely attitude of the songs and delivered it as all three built up the song’s dramatic tension. Richardson continued her down and dirty Delta courage with Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads.” She made a fearless effort leading the trio through Comp’s deep feel blues guitar and Costley’s brisk percussion pace and harmonica wail. It was so bluesy it made me want to order chili and cornbread. Richardson whipped out her harmonica for Led Zeppelin’s “Bring It On Home,” making a big, wide harp sound. The trio worked up the roots feel, rock muscular tension. Sharp licks from Comp’s guitar brought back the old Zeppelin magic, along with Richardson’s belt. Staying in a Led Zep frame of mind, the three dashed into “Ramble On,” with Richardson’s voice falling like a soft rain on the melodic intro before going on to a wilder, freewheeling belt after it erupted into a hard rock number. Bluesy rock classic “She Talks To Angle’s” was another this fearless threesome went into. Richardson carried the song beautifully through its desperate hopefulness. Solid Comp strums and sensitive Costley percussion slaps put solid grace behind the voice.
The trio moved into, at one point, the Fleetwood Mac tune “Say You Love Me,” working up its bouncy melodic joy. On “Valarie,” the three had a good feel for its jazzy vocal melody and the boys channeled the lounge underpinnings. They also packed a lot of groove into Earth Wind & Fire’s “September,” also featuring Costley’s well placed falsetto and Richardson’s higher register fleshing out the chorus.
Costley’s harmonica wail made the melodic grist on The Rolling Stone’s “Miss You.” Costley kept the main melody line wide and forceful. Comp’s nimble picking on the melodic line helped bring this dance rock classic to life..
Rich Parisi
After the featured artist stepped down for the evening, other guests helped turn the evening into a treat for the local music fans gathered specifically for this event. Local singer Rick Parisi sang the tender Billy Joel ballad “New York State Of Mine,” the blues rock ballad “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd with Comp playing a beauty of a guitar lead before Parisi became the percussionist so Costley could sing lead vocal on “Brick House.”
Local youth Dalton Sayball delivered a winsome rendition of “Alone Again, Naturally.” His tender vocal work was sensitive enough to inspire Comp’s heartfelt interpretation of the melody. Sayball next brought the roof down with his take on Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” More importantly, Sayball jumped into the Neil Diamond/Monkees tune “I’m A Believer,” his voice and Comp’s sweet lead guitar picking turning it into a reminder why we’ve all fallen in love with this song.
Next, local singer Michael Morin phrased “Black Bird” well. It did not hurt to have thoughtful accompaniment. Morin hit the high notes on “Fame” in between finessing the funk on “Superstition.”
Liz Rose Cantara
Liz Rose Cantara, from the band C-Rock, joined up with Comp and Costley for a soulfully expressive take on “You’re No Good” with Comp’s rugged guitar chord progression. Cantara belted fiercely on the Janis Joplin/Kris Kristofferson “Me And Bobby MaGee” before finishing up with Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” augmented by Comp’s swirling melodic phrase.
Nikki Jarek, lead singer of Mugshot Monday, joined the Comp-Costley escapades, her clear, pure voice ringing out with good tone on “Blue Bayou.” Jarek then displayed a powerful belt, soaring out over the haunting accompaniment to “Gold Dust Woman.” Comp’s detailed work on “White Rabbit” impressed while supporting Jarek’s large, arcing voice.
Final guest performer, Boston’s Sean Coleman, displayed his knack for variety. Coleman displayed a sweet vocal on “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind before he played a sweet lead guitar line for “Something.” Coleman’s voice traveled as smooth as a white glove on a wooden banister during the Foo Fighter’s “Learn To Fly,” rocking it on guitar as well as wringing energy out of his instrument.
Richardson proved a solid, entertaining, and talented feature for last Tuesday night’s extravaganza at Nate and Paul’s Open Mic & Jam at KC’s Rib Shack in Manchester. Not only were the guests talented, their abilities had room to breathe in the large wooden barn like structure. The venue generated a perfect vibe for such an event and it was one strong night in this ever growing popular Manchester Tuesday night event. If you’re ever in Manchester, New Hampshire on a Tuesday evening, KC’s Rib Shack is the place to be.
