Billy Price, Fred Chapellier at the Palisades

BlueNotes World Headquarters has just received a review of the Bliiy Price / Fred Chapellier concert Sunday night at the Palisades in McKeesport, courtesy of rd350c (Tim). It sounds just as good as I thought it would be -- wish I was there. But enjoy this post -- it also includes some fine memories of McKeesport. 

We went to the Palisades Ballroom last night to see Billy Price and Fred Chapellier play.  This review's a little longer than what I usually write, but hang on, and then, like Paul used to say, you'll know  "the rest of the story."
 
I used to go to the Palisades when I was a kid - when McKeesport was BIG and they would pack them in.  When I was very young, I remember seeing the posters for Studio Wrestling with Bruno Samartino, Haystacks Calhoun, Gorgeous George and many others.  And then, as a teenager, there were the acts that came there - Ray Charles, Savoy Brown, Roy Buchanan, Blue Oyster Cult  and many others.  Zambo Music was doing productions there and it was a GREAT place to see a show. 
 
I moved away for 12 years, and when I returned, McKeesport was on the skids and the Palisades was in danger of being torn down.  But the city got involved in cleaning it up, and when I attended a charity dinner there ten years ago, it was a little dusty and rough around the edges, but the wood floors were still beautiful, and the Déjà vu was so thick you could taste it.  Kath and I have attended numerous charity  functions and a half dozen shows there since, and the place just keeps getting better and better.  Its nightclub/ballroom setting has transformed it  into one of the finest places to see a show in the Pittsburgh area - big tables, a nice dance floor, great sound and cheap drinks.
 
So when we invited my sister to come along, she remarked that she "hadn't been in that place since we saw Roy Buchanan in 71".  Interestingly, I had just run into a high school classmate of mine who said the same (Roy Buchanan)  thing.  He couldn't believe the place still held events.
 
The show was phenomenal.  Billy is the consummate blues/soul singer, and Fred played some amazingly appropriate and competent licks.  I can't say enough about the horn section and the other guitarist, Steve Delach was VERY good.  Fred did some amzing stuff and had one extended song of his own that was spectacular, but it wasn't until the encore, when they  played an extended Roy Buchanan infused jam that I realized what Fred was all about.  We were absolutely FLOORED; Fred's love and respect for Roy was just  flowing out of his guitar, and Steve was playing inspired counterparts.  I was literally transformed back 38 years right then and there.  My camera battery had died much earlier, so the song is nothing but a visceral memory.   
 
It turns out that Fred Chapellier is an ardent Roy Buchanan disciple (Roy is still HUGE in Europe), and his association with Billy Price can be loosely tied to Billy's early touring with Roy as part of the Rhythm Kings, circa 1973.  So this morning when I'm posting my videos, I start doing some research and find all kinds of Fred/Roy Buchanan stuff. 
 
Check out this video of "Who You Workin' For" shot in the studio 9 months ago by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4icUP26wFiA
 
and then check out last night's version.  The sound quality's not quite as good (that's my camera's fault) but the energy of the live version just oozes out of every instrument, and Billy's voice is much more earnest:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h95alJVBNZk&feature=channel_page
 
This, folks is why live music is BEST!!
 
Here's a Billy standard from last night -- Al Green's Love and Happiness:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-bIcqgDNek&feature=channel
 
Yes, they were in FINE form last night.
 
Here's a nineteen-year-old clip of Fred doing his Roy Buchanan tribute:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLxREtu5pbY&feature=related
 
And here's Roy Buchanan doing The Messiah Will Come Again:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On5372UztI0&feature=related
 
and Marci, it was the Scorcese film "The Departed" that ended with Roy Buchanan's "Sweet Dreams" .  Kathy and I ALWAYS stay for the credits and this one had me smiling:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNyE1_a6ShE
 
key pawn walkin in daffy whirled