A kind of carnival of music, happiness, joy and very dancable tunes with host Toni Basanta. www.cubanbridge.wordpress.com. Featuring Vermont Heart and Led Zeppelin inspired cover band Heartless.
From Toni: I discovered Heartless when looking for information about Mike Maslack, the leader of All That Band, as I found his name associated to a band named Radio Fly, where one of the singers was Jasmine White. I didn't know her, and had never heard her singing, but felt really interested when she proposed me other bands from her GiggingVt. Productions catalogue/ Now renamed as Vynil Spell. Since I am always interested in reviewing and writing about vocalists in the first place, there was something about her persuasive manner that led me to check out some links. The reward couldn't be better, as we have been discovering bands like Rehab Roadhouse, Cynthia Sullivan and Son of a Gun, and a re-encounter with Country Music guitarist singer and songwriter Tim Brick and his New Band, whom I knew since his days with Jimmy T.
Frankly, I felt out of the blue, when I first heard Heartless via a smashing Concert on YouTube from Tunbridge World Fair, in Tunbridge, Vermont. Finally, we had Heartless in the LCATV studio in Colchester, Vt. in 2017. They delivered 8 combined tunes of Canadian-American Heart and the iconic English Hard Rock Band Led Zeppelin with the inherent soulfulness and shrewd sense of interpretation that mark all Great Rock Artists ! Jasmine's phrasing exudes a relaxed confidence and musicality that conjures up such classic singers as Grace Slick (Jefferson Starship), Pat Benatar, Blondie and The Wilson Sisters, of course. She simply hit me with her best shots !
The name of Heartless: New England's Tribute Band to Ann Wilson of Heart and Led Zeppelin is clever for many reasons. It shifts moods from unforgettable moments in their lives. Songs and Bands they grew up with, while revealing the ability to bring new breathe to Classics like "Magic Man", "Immigrant Song", "Alone", "Ramble on", "All I wanna do" and "Stairway to heaven". Boys and Girls, the whole band demonstrates a genuine feel for the entire repertoire. Their haunting emotional reading of Dog and Butterfly represents Jasmine's background as a Theater Actress. For the auspicious debut on our TV show, Jasmine surrounds herself with 5 of The Best Rock Players in the US, as Heartless lists a crew of top-shelf musicians. Guitarists Jeff James and Scott Campbell throw down scintillating riffs in every Song, while Scott shines on STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN in the acoustic and the electric.
This Stairway ... is Scott's solo affair, and although he said he had never gone to a Music School and is a self-taught guitarist, inspired by his father, I later discovered his abilities to play the violin. Because of his playing the violin, he'll probably bring it in for a new TV show in 2022. I found a lot more about his chops as a multi-instrumentalist, recording and engineering in his own Studio in Barre, Vermont. Jeff James impressed me from the first minute exchanging riffs with bassist Mike Stridesberg during the sound check. James gets to stretch in every Song except STAIRWAY ...while Mike stays his rock-solid course throughout this entire show.
There was a myth after the death of Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham who died on September 25,1980, but there's no doubt that Heartless drummer Bob Defeo's energy is indicative of discerning Rock musicians whose artistic progression is evident and inevitable. Heartless Keyboardist Kevin McEnerney is prominently featured throughout, and himself contributes to the Rock Magic and music arrangements with harmony vocals as well. Catch the quote he digs in Stairway to Heaven, Ramble On, and Dog and Butterfly. McEnerney is a follower of most Rock Piano Masters and Singers: Elton John, Billy Joel, Steve Porcaro and David Paich of Toto, and countless others.
Diehard fans remain eternally hopeful for a reunion of Led Zeppelin, while contenting themselves in the meantime, with the efforts of guitarist Jimmy Page to digitalize all their essential collection and a steady stream of best-selling re-issues. Robert Plaint has created his own band and covers his Super Hits with younger players shifting new harmonic effects, while keeping collaborations with Allison Krauss. Bassist John Paul Jones has been recognized by his many collaborations with musicians across a variety of genres, including Josh Homme, and Dave Grohl with the Super Group Them Crooked Vultures, and has participated in 7 films. The 3 members Page, Plaint and Jones, were honored at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on December 2, 2012. It was televised on Dec. 26, 2012.
In my opinion, it was probably one the best Tributes I have ever seen ! Jack Black introduced the band and the performers included The Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, and Heart. All rendering amazing performances. They were also lauded by President Barrack Obama. Heart singers could probably get back together sooner. By now this Tribute is for Ann Wilson, who has been collaborating with Portuguese Heavy Metal guitarist Nuno Bettencourt during the CoVid 19 seclusion. Like Brit Floyd, pushing the Rock Art of Pink Floyd, Heartless, could continue filling the void, with newer stunning versions of Heart and Led Zeppelin.
Point is, the synergy created by Jeff, Scott, Bob, Mike, Kevin and Jasmine, who were already well established in the music business before they ever came together as a Group in Vermont, The Green Mountain State. I don't think I'm wrong, when I heartily affirm that Vermont Heartless provided our audience a highly satisfying first outing; and hopefully, the first of many to come. Their episode was successfully replayed in December 2020, and March 2021. The background music used for acknowledgements is Road Song composed by Guitar Master John L. "Wes" Montgomery, played by guitarist Graham Dechter and his Quartet feat. renowned jazz players John Clayton (bass), Tamir Hendelman (piano) and Jeff Hamilton (drums). CD "Takin' it there" Capri Records, 2012 grahamdechter.com & caprirecords.com. Peace I All We Need
