(Crawdaddys Redux: Joe Piper channels his inner Andrew Loog Oldham to write this eyewitness account of the Crawdaddys’ long-awaited return to the stage last Sunday.)
What was originally intended to be a “low-key warmup gig” for the reunited ’81-model Crawdaddys prior to their jetting off to Spain for a prestigious appearance alongside The Nashville Ramblers at a bullfight or somesuch (actually “Go Sinner Go!! 2011”), quickly turned into The Event Of The Summer one whole day before summer even officially kicked off.
A capacity crowd crammed into the Rhino Records pop-up store on Santa Monica Blvd. last Sunday evening to raise money for a most worthy cause (MusiCares, providing a safety net for music people in times of need — feel free to contribute any time) and get their Rave Up R&B groove thangs righteously refurbed.
More than once the ephemeral establishment’s proprietors were heard to marvel, “This is the biggest crowd we’ve ever had at one of these!” No surprise to the legion of loyal fans that motored up from San Diego and, along with an equal measure of their LA cohorts, all braved clear, blue skies and moderate temperatures to attend. Say what you will, pleasant weather is death to serious style, but style in spades was evident amongst the many tony attendees despite the hardship.
Arguably the version of the Crawdaddys to most enjoy the fruits of popular success (thanks to the precocious sensibilities of the burgeoning Mod movement and the venues that it spawned), these ‘Dads grandly delivered the goods in an exhaustive, career-spanning set (there’s that phrase again … ) that left us sweaty, satiated and ready for more after a cigarette.
Read “Let the Good Times Roll: The untold story of the Crawdaddys”!
From “Bald Headed Woman” to “Lolette” to “Groovin’,” the crew of Silva, Fisher, Miesner, Zadarnowski & Moss covered all the bases and then some although, for the sake of jounalistic integrity, I am compelled to report that “Come See Me” was conspicuously absent.
If you’re one of the poor, poor, pitiful fools who missed out, you’ve got another flashing chance at bliss coming Labor Day weekend in Dago. Be there.
— Joe Piper
Here’s a post that reports the Crawdaddys have extended their tour to Madrid for a gig tonight. If anyone’s in the neighborhood …
Wonderful review, Joe! “See you in September”!
(Peter and I sang that to each other after the Crawdaddys show, ha!)