Infectious blend of funk, rock and blues shines at Strand

One can sometimes tell a lot about a band by its audience and Saturday night’s concert at the Strand Theatre was no exception to this critical theory.

Just as artists have “painters’ painters”, authors have “writers’ writers,” so to do musicians have “bands’ bands” and this became obvious as the crowd filled the Strand to listen to and enjoy “Nuff Said!,” a local band.

As the six members of this band opened the show with a rousing blues fury, it was readily apparent that there were more musicians and singers in the seats than there were on stage and that “Nuff Said!” is indeed a “band’s band.”

As the concert unfolded in rhythmic waves of melodious, yet at times raw, harmony it also became quite clear that this is a band with the energy, spirit, passion, talent and sheer lust for music that creates memorable performances . The 31-song, two-set show was like a feast of many varied courses that left one full, satiated and enjoyably spent.

Midway into the second set of their high octane music brimming with energy it also became crystal clear that “Nuff Said!” are masters of many schools and facets of blues, rock and funk.

Similarly, each song glistened gem-like with an often infectious energy that radiated from the stage as each individual band member shone like a diamond, sparkling with a deep-felt almost mystically hypnotic enthusiasm for music and musicianship.

Critically, this concert is difficult to asses other than to say that every song and musical style “Nuff Said!” endeavored to play became a raucous jam across the stage as each member of the band took flight in a synchronized frenzy.  Fingers danced across instruments, voices wailed, melted or swooned singular or in harmony as band members lost themselves repeatedly in the groove to revel in and within the music and performance.

So without further adieu and in no apparent order I shall briefly attempt to pick out the individual highlights of a concert entirely comprised of highlights.

Beginning with vocals, where everyone but bass player Jim “Biscuit” Wisker, sang leads, we shall proceed alphabetically and first peruse the variable, often eclectic singing styles of Aimee and Glen Yarwood, the primary vocalists.

On Aimee, suffice it to say, that she has voice filled with textural tempos and tones that on one particular swooning ballad oozed like a sweet sticky syrup into your soul. Of particular note, however was her rendition of “Black Velvet,” a song she seems to own. Her voice, on this tune, is a perfect fit as she alternately sounds like the feel of either smooth, black satin or like a drink of fine warm brandy: rich, robust and refreshingly resonate.

In regards to Glen’s exceptional range I will also just dwell on two songs in particular.  First, on “My Baby Wrote Me a Letter,” he not only seemed to visually channel Joe Cocker but to call forth his spirit through both vocal cadence and his raspy, guttural gargling rendition. In another song, “Sweet Home Chicago,” his rendition would have made John Belushi proud.

Beyond the blues, whether Memphis, Chicago or St. Louis styles, these twin lead vocalists  also soared into textual tempests on several 1980’s pop songs, southern and Detroit rock songs and even in a two song  tribute to Indiana’s own musical son, John Mellencamp.

Speaking of Mellencamp, it was on the twin Hoosier ballads that Joe Schipani switched gears rising from his hauntingly, sonorous keyboards to let his dexterous fingers cascade across an accordion. It was on his well-worked keys, however, that Schipani shined and hummed like an auditory laser, especially on the “House is a Rockin.”

This song also featured an exceptionally fluent riff by lead guitarist, Jeff Brunk, who also belted out a growling rendition of an alternative song by “7 Mary 3.” Throughout the evening and in repeated, rhythmic, raptures Brunk played off and with the funk-filled bass lines of Wisker in several extended, excitable riffs and jams.

Wisker, who sang not a lick, seemed at times to be the  primary musical inspiration of this band as his popping, thumping, ever funkified bass drove the musical assault of these gifted performers.

No rock and blues band, however, is complete without the real driving back beat of a drummer who initiates the rhythms, beats and tempo of a band and “Nuff Said!’ is blessed with just a such a staccato  percussionist in Kevin Austin. His sticks dictated, prodded and initiated the night’s often furious and always rhythmic interplay of music and vocals.

As I alluded to earlier, this 6-member maestro act is a “ bands’ band’ and it is more than enough said to see a veritable bevy of musicians and singers, a regular who’s who of local  talent, all  paying to watch another band. This alone is a testament to the passionate perfection of “Nuff Said!”