This was an incredible night of the convergence of different genres of music
in the Wilson Auditorium on the campus of Fairleigh Dickerson University.
Studio Chatter Enterprises produced the event. Christine Vitale who
hosted the concert picked an exceptional group of performers to demonstrate
the compatibility of different styles of music.
Christine Vitale, Producer & MC
Philadelphia acappella
group Quiet Storm opened the show wearing suave black tuxes with red bow
ties. They wowed the crowd with “Never Let Me Go” and “She is Mine”.
The "storm chasers", fans of Quiet Storm who traveled from Philly, cheered
wildly.
Quiet Storm
Quiet Storm
The second act of the night was Tony Smith and The Crew. Tony and the group
takes traditional gospel songs does them in a jazz style. Tony is an exciting
sax player and doubly exciting when he’s playing two saxes. Tony and
his Crew performed
“Wade in the Water” and the Edwin Hawkins' song “Oh Happy Day”.
Tony Smith & Crew
Tony Smith with alto and tenor saxophones
The acappella "battle
of the groups" was next between Philly's Quiet Storm and Jersey City's Choice.
WFDU's Christine Vitale and WVLT's Dennis Burgey (The Doo Wop Cop) started
the "rumble" with some friendly verbal jousting.
Christine Vitale and Dennis Burgey
Choice came out wearing white zoot suits with gold stripes and began the battle with bass led songs.
They sang the Dominoes'
“Chicken Blues”. Quiet Storm followed with the Spaniels' “People Will
Say Were in Love”.
Quiet Storm and Choice square off
Choice
Quiet Storm
Next it was the battle of tenor-led songs with Choice leading with “The
Girl’s Alright With Me” from the Temptations' songbook. Quiet Storm answered
with the Skip Mahoaney & The Casuals' tune “Where Ever You Go.” Choice came
back, saying that Quiet Storm did a song from the 1970’s so they would
answer with a Mills Brothers' song from the 1930’s called ” Lucy Brown”
complete with scat singing.
Choice awaiting their turn
Choice
The battle finale featured both groups singing the Spaniels'
“Everyone’s Laughing”. This was an exciting battle of the groups. Choice
displayed some great acting abilities while waiting for their turn to sing.
Quiet Storm was not quite as animated but looked very gentlemanly. In
Classic Urban Harmony's opinion, both these talented vocal groups sang to a
tie.
Everyone was waiting for the living legend, Joe Bataan and Group. Actually
his group was an orchestra consisting of 12 pieces. A native of East
Harlem, Joe Bataan gained fame in the late 1960's by developing a musical
program that contained the best of Latin rhythms and doo wop and sweet soul
ballads. In the early 1970's Joe helped coin the phrase "Salsoul" to
describe his musical genre. Joe Bataan began by talking about growing
up in the barrio around 104th Street and being influenced by artists like
Johnny Ace, the Flamingos, the Heartbeats and Teenagers. He also liked
Gershwin, Cole Porter and of course Latin soul. Joe Bataan closed the
first half of the show with a jam ("The Good Old Days"), "When Sunny Gets
Blue" and his fabulous rendition of "Sad Girl." He performed his first
recorded song, "Gypsy Woman," which he explained he was not even originally
scheduled to sing on (1965) and the "I Wish You Love."
Joe Bataan and Group
Joe Bataan and Group
Joe Bataan
After a short intermission,
Joe Bataan and his band were back on to do his big hit "Ordinary Guy,"
"Prayer," and "My Cloud," which he noted is one of the most popular songs in
Southern California. It was certainly a treat to see someone of Joe
Bataan's stature perform. We also had the pleasure of meeting him and
having him sign our copy of one of his albums.
Joe Bataan with Charlie & Pam
Our autographed Joe Bataan Album
Charlie talking about Classic Urban Harmony
Angel Rissoff, whom we had last seen perform in South Carolina at the
Carolina Shag
Festival, was next. He appeared with Choice and alone while being backed by
his band. Angel has a very varied program. He sang “Let the Good
Times
Roll” a Louis Jordan song. He also did Percy Mayfield’s “Sad and Lonely."
Choice joined him on stage and backed him as they sang the Five Royales “Think” and
the Tempts' “I Want A
Love I Can See” which is a big beach music hit. We
loved the gospel influenced “Tears of Joy”. He then sang two duets with
special guest Little Isidore. They sang “Give It Up” and “Nothing But
Love”.
Angel Rissoff letting the "good times roll"
Angel Rissoff & Choice
Little Isidore and Angel Rissoff
Angel Rissoff, Little Isidore and Choice
All the entertainers sang a finale of “Boogie Down Bronx.”
While this show was not your standard doo wop show, it was a great mind
expanding concept. It was very enjoyable and a marvelous learning
experience for the audience.
Charlie, Joe Bataan & Angelo Pompeo at the artist Meet &
Greet
Angel Rissoff with Pam & Charlie
Charlie, Quiet Storm's Smitty, Pam & Angelo Pompeo
Little Isidore & Pam
Little Isidore & Charlie
Matt G., Little Isidore, Billy Kane
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