By: Rachael Vella-Garrido
Patty Flaherty is the person everyone waits for to start the party. That's the impression I got when I arrived on the lawn of the Albright Knox on Sunday for the penultimate show. She's a storyteller by nature, as evidenced in the way she sings her songs, the commentary between songs, and in the photos she takes during the show. While her comrades jammed, she sauntered around with an impressive looking camera and took shots of them in action. Then she'd pick up the microphone again and it was back to the party. On her break, she went straight for the crowd to say hello.
She has a dazzling voice, kind of low and strong, able to move into "bluesy" at a moment's notice. Flaherty told it best when she compared herself to Dinah Washington, who she said sounded like "someone woke her up and took her to the studio to record before she was fully awake." She proceeded to perform a Washington hit, "Where Are You", with an even more sultry voice and sophisticated back-up from drummer Dan Hull, guitarist Chuck Buffamonte, and organist Craig Kastelnik. This is the second Sunday we've seen Dan Hull and his talent and versatility were made obvious again. Flaherty referred to him as "the keeper of the flame." Chuck Buffamonte packed his funk this week, but unfortunately the sound system couldn't handle it. The band continued to jam through the speaker faux pas, and the crowd accepted it and moved along with it because of the group's energy and their new way of handling old favorites, like their very cool version of "On Broadway."
Flaherty was especially proud to show off her husband, Craig Kastelnik, on the Hammond organ, and rightfully so. She told us of a recent Hammond revival, the electric organs that were primarily sold to churches because they were cheaper than massive pipe organs. Not just for gospel, they later became a big part of the blues and rock movements. Flaherty noted their comeback in many of the bands showcased on late night talk shows. She said, "they can't play like this," indicating her husband, "but at least they have the Hammond." Kastelnik is renowned for his piano and organ playing, but also worked as a TV and film composer for the History Channel, PBS, and A&E's Biography. He's worked with Eddie Rabbitt, Anne Murray and Bob Hope--to name a few. It was clear Sunday that he was one of the best on the organ with its fuller, richer and more vibrant chords.
The highlight for me was the group's rendition of Tracy Chapman's "Gimme One Reason", which seemed to pick up speed and passion as it went. Flaherty introduced it as a bluesy song, but quickly took it up a notch on the line, "...rock me through the night" by holding the note, making it very long and sultry. She showed her power, some emotion, and then took to the bongos adding to the funk element of the song.
It was another great day of music on the lawn of the Albright Knox with the Jazz Series. Again the skies were a stunning blue and the crowd content. Try to catch next Sunday's show on August 8th--the last of the series--with singer Laurie Bordonaro and friends. You can also find Patty Flaherty & Craig Kastelnik on Tuesday, August 3rd at Bobby McGee's.
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Rachael Vella-Garrido has just returned to the city after a brief hiatus in the suburbs. She is a teacher who will be spending the summer getting reacquainted with Buffalo.
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Patty Flaherty is the person everyone waits for to start the party. That's the impression I got when I arrived on the lawn of the Albright Knox on Sunday for the penultimate show. She's a storyteller by nature, as evidenced in the way she sings her songs, the commentary between songs, and in the photos she takes during the show. While her comrades jammed, she sauntered around with an impressive looking camera and took shots of them in action. Then she'd pick up the microphone again and it was back to the party. On her break, she went straight for the crowd to say hello.
She has a dazzling voice, kind of low and strong, able to move into "bluesy" at a moment's notice. Flaherty told it best when she compared herself to Dinah Washington, who she said sounded like "someone woke her up and took her to the studio to record before she was fully awake." She proceeded to perform a Washington hit, "Where Are You", with an even more sultry voice and sophisticated back-up from drummer Dan Hull, guitarist Chuck Buffamonte, and organist Craig Kastelnik. This is the second Sunday we've seen Dan Hull and his talent and versatility were made obvious again. Flaherty referred to him as "the keeper of the flame." Chuck Buffamonte packed his funk this week, but unfortunately the sound system couldn't handle it. The band continued to jam through the speaker faux pas, and the crowd accepted it and moved along with it because of the group's energy and their new way of handling old favorites, like their very cool version of "On Broadway."
Flaherty was especially proud to show off her husband, Craig Kastelnik, on the Hammond organ, and rightfully so. She told us of a recent Hammond revival, the electric organs that were primarily sold to churches because they were cheaper than massive pipe organs. Not just for gospel, they later became a big part of the blues and rock movements. Flaherty noted their comeback in many of the bands showcased on late night talk shows. She said, "they can't play like this," indicating her husband, "but at least they have the Hammond." Kastelnik is renowned for his piano and organ playing, but also worked as a TV and film composer for the History Channel, PBS, and A&E's Biography. He's worked with Eddie Rabbitt, Anne Murray and Bob Hope--to name a few. It was clear Sunday that he was one of the best on the organ with its fuller, richer and more vibrant chords.
The highlight for me was the group's rendition of Tracy Chapman's "Gimme One Reason", which seemed to pick up speed and passion as it went. Flaherty introduced it as a bluesy song, but quickly took it up a notch on the line, "...rock me through the night" by holding the note, making it very long and sultry. She showed her power, some emotion, and then took to the bongos adding to the funk element of the song.
It was another great day of music on the lawn of the Albright Knox with the Jazz Series. Again the skies were a stunning blue and the crowd content. Try to catch next Sunday's show on August 8th--the last of the series--with singer Laurie Bordonaro and friends. You can also find Patty Flaherty & Craig Kastelnik on Tuesday, August 3rd at Bobby McGee's.
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Rachael Vella-Garrido has just returned to the city after a brief hiatus in the suburbs. She is a teacher who will be spending the summer getting reacquainted with Buffalo.
The phrase "...making it a very long and sultry" should read "making it a very long and sultry one".