Glen Burtnik’s 7th Annual Xmas Xtravaganza
December 19, 1997 – The Bottom Line, NYC - Two Shows
Tony Shanahan couldn’t make the show this year (as he was on the road). We needed a strong bassist...
ENTER KASIM SULTON
An exceptional player, I’ve known about Kasim since he became Todd Rundgren’s bassist in Utopia back in the 70’s. In addition to his solo albums, he’s played with a long list of artists including Meat Loaf and Hall and Oates. Kasim alternated onstage at the Xtravaganza playing mostly bass, occasional guitar and vocals. He’s one helluva musician and a good friend of mine.
The early show began with Vince Guaraldi’s CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE (from the Peanuts Christmas TV show soundtrack) sung by the little girls and followed by the CHIPMUNK SONG (Beau Burtnick on bass, Arthur Scammacca drums, me on piano). Then Jill Sobule appeared to sing her version MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAMILY.
I’m fairly sure we performed our instrumental arrangement of CAROL OF THE BELLS next followed by THE GRINCH by Don Dazzo and the other members of Everlounge.
ENTER SEAN ALTMAN
Sean Altman, originally a singer in Rockapella, was kind enough to perform at the ‘97 shows. He currently is working on and has a solo career.
This year Jules Shear performed THE CHRISTMAS SONG with just his acoustic guitar and Leif Orensen on muted trumpet. It was a great reading of the classic Mel Torme song.
Christine Ohlman once again sang ROCK N' ROLL SANTA (featuring Pat Petrillo’s N’awlins’ groove). Chuck Buck’s annual Santa appearance this year was in the guise of ‘Buddy Butafuoco’ who sang Elvis’ BLUE CHRISTMAS. The band next played our TOYLAND instrumental.
Mila Drumke returned for a second year to perform her A PLAY OF ST NICHOLAS with her violinist Lyris and Mark Sacco on drums. ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH by the Brothers Stigers (Curtis & Jake) followed.
ENTER PATTI ROTHBERG
Patti Rothberg, it is said, was discovered playing her acoustic folk for do-re-mi in the NYC subway, which led to her being signed to a solo record deal with EMI Records. She came to the XX to perform a song she wrote, SNOW IS MY DOWNFALL. As I recall, Mark Sacco played drums, Beau Burtnick (16 at the time) played bass and I played guitar.
Freedy Johnston once again performed HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS accompanied by Mark Spencer on second guitar.
Next I sang a pretty cool arrangement of DO U HEAR WHAT I HEAR? in a medley with a lyrical rewrite of The Kinks’ YOU REALLY GOT ME (brought to my attention by Mike Cleary as a record by Bobby Lloyd and the Skeletons).
Mary Lee Kortes (at this point gaining in critical accolades for her solo work with her band Mary Lee’s Corvette) sang I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS followed by XX regular guitarist Bernie ‘BB’ Brausewetter fronting the band on BOOGIE WOOGIE SANTA and then James Mastro with Dave DeCastro did the Band’s CHRISTMAS MUST BE TONIGHT.
ENTER MARK EITZEL
Mark Eitzel is a tremendous singer/songwriter and former frontman of the acclaimed American Music Club. By 1997, he had released 3 solo albums. This evening, Mark sang CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.
ENTER THE CAROLING CAROLERS
Years ago a group of friends (including the Roche sisters) began a tradition of getting together to sing Christmas carols and seasonal songs to the people of New York, naming themselves The Caroling Carolers. As Vin Scelsa wrote, they'd "wander the streets of the city, looking and sounding like something from an O. Henry or Charles Dickens story". At some point they also began to perform an annual Christmas Show at the Bottom Line. After years of keeping up the tradition, they decided to take a break (a few years before I showed up at the club with my show). To my great pleasure, most of the original singers reunited in 1997 and appeared at the Xtravaganza. The Caroling Carolers sang 2 songs and I wish I could tell you what they were, but regardless, it was an enjoyable honor.
Chuck Buck appeared, once again, doing another Santa Claus parody character. For the first time, Chanukah Harry made his debut singing Adam Sandler’s Chanukah song.
Following that performance was Willie Nile who sang his rocking OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL. Phoebe Snow returned for the second year, this time to sing MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY. Up next, Richard Barone did CHRISTMAS (Baby Please Come Home), I sang MUST BE SANTA, Jigs enacted his 12 DAYS OF XMAS and we closed the early show with HAPPY XMAS (War Is Over).
The ‘97 late show was fairly similar, with a few and for the most part, minor changes.
Most notably was the inclusion of two singer/songwriter/guitarists. Mike Errico sang his song GOD. (my friend Foye Johnson suggested Mike for the show, much to his credit. We all really dug his performance). Buy Errico’s CD and especially try to catch him live. The other performer added to the show was Mary Ann Farley, who sang SILENT NIGHT. Mary Ann has a solo album (or two) out on Deko Records worth checking out.
Another memorable moment during the late set was when Mark Eitzel got into a hysterical argument from the stage with a heckler in the audience.
Ahh…there’s never a dull moment.
|
