Cinco de Mayo parties are fairly predictable. Most clients request some appropriately latin- inspired music for attendees to enjoy while snacking on nachos and mini-tacos and slurping down margaritas and Pacificos. After dinner, it's dance time, so break out the dance music, and be sure to include the classics.  La Bamba (of course,) Tequila (naturally,) Come a Little Bit Closer (okay) and El Paso (No. request all you want, but you can't dance to it.)

This last Cince de Mayo I made an interesting observation: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass are awesome! You MUST include their music at your next Cinco de Mayo party. Holy crap...they had a dozen huge hits, and even if you play the B-side songs, it is all pure gold. Trust me, Boomers in attendance will look up, smile and say "God, I love that song (I haven't heard it in years!") Seriously, you never hear Herb Alpert on radio...even those "oldies" stations (because "oldies these days means "80's and 90's.") 

The bouncy upbeat stuff is immediately recognizable to everyone over 50. You remember "The Lonely Bull" and "Tijuana Taxi." 
But do you remember "Green Peppers?"  ...or "Bittersweet Samba?" ...and what about "Peanuts?"  You will find yourself doing a goofy dance and snapping your fingers...like your parents probably did. Mine did. Jesus, it was embarrassing!

But the slow songs...madre de dios! These were MADE to dance to, so grab that someone and fall in love all over to "Ladyfingers." An achingly, hauntingly beautiful, solitary trumpet song,  so sweet, so romantic... it is making my eyes well up even as I type this. This is the trumpet sibling of Santana's "Samba pa Ti." Even on a crowded dance floor, it is an intimate, soulful song that sets it apart from other "slow songs."  I have added Ladyfingers to all of my playlists. 

By the way, someone will probably protest that Santana is the voice (well, guitar) of Baby Boomer music. Don't get me wrong, I worship Carlos Santana and his groundbreaking music from the 60's. The later stuff, with the Mahavishnu Orchestra...less so. Santana Abraxas...oh god yes!  Santana at Montreux 2004?  Um...no, a different Santana...a "Jazz" Santana. I don't really synch up with Santana again until "Supernatural."  He is a boomer era legend, like Clapton, McCartney, and the Stones. But the stuff they record now doesn't have that young, lean & hungry, ass-kicking quality that their early stuff showcased. And yes, I will admit that even Herb Alpert's recent work is too jazzy for me to warm too. Such is life...or to quote a George Harrison album title, "All Things Must Pass." 

Keep Dancing,

Rob

Caught the Contra Costa-based Damn Dirty Apes band at Handles Brew Pub in Pleasanton  on a recent saturday night. Handles is located in what used to be the bar of the Pleasanton Hotel & Restaurant on Main St. The new owners spent a chunk of money renovating the  building, and nowhere was the renovation more badly needed than the bar, which was a dark musty cave with too many tufted vinyl chairs. Trapped in the sixties...and not in a good way.

The DDA play straight-ahead rock and roll classics and have a great deal of fun doing it. This is the real deal, so if you are waiting for the usual wedding reception band blah blah blah, you're out of luck. This is good time party-rock. Jeans, tee-shirts and sneakers, and enough big heaping sets of AC/DC, Tom Petty, Grand Funk Railroad, to get your feet moving on the dance floor.

DDA is blessed with three strong guitars, an obvious asset for a band that plays this genre of music. No over-indulgent extended solos to slow things down. Steve Chapman's lead guitar work and strong vocals will resonate with baby boomers.  Craig Lyons'  (guitarist and lead vocals) is at his best on the Tom Petty tunes. His powerful, versatile voice on "American Girl" was a high-point of the night. 

Setting the DDA apart from other classic rock bands is keyboard player and vocalist Charlotte Stephens. Charlotte channels Pat Benetar and Joan Jett like she was born to it, and her background, or should I say "co-vocals" with lead guitarist Steve Chapman add a richness that takes the music up several notches. Did I mention she also plays a mean harmonica?

Enthroned behind the "wall of guitarists" is Charlotte's hub and my boss, Mike Stephens. His drumming style is punchy, precise, and energetic. You can tell he is having fun, and his energy and personality reach all the way to the far side of the dance floor. Mike and bass guitarist Dave Mercurio team up to pound out an infectious rythym from the first tune to the last.

From the opening bars of "We're an American Band" you will feel like you are back at that dive bar on First Street.  Without the cigarette smoke. They will be playing Handles in Pleasanton again on December 15th.

For great musicianship, a solid playlist of classic rock, and an overall good time, check out the Damn Dirty Apes.

Here is a link to their webpage:  http://www.damndirtyapesband.com/index.htm