Before I begin the review, what you are about to read will for the most part only mention 3 people---The three lead singers in the band. I am totally 100% aware that without the other 3 musicians (drummer and 2 guitars) I would not be writing this review because I probably would not have gone to the show!---The background musicians are great and it is what makes the show so much fun!
I am at the show with a virgin to the Schmendricks! My wife Marcia is hearing you live for the first time! The last two rock shows Marcia has been to have both been Springsteen. (You have a lot to live up to.)
First very important observation!---Next year you guys should play at the local church instead of the temple.--Potato Pancakes should be eaten with sour cream--Not the same with Apple Sauce.

Song By Song:
First set.

8 Candles Gone---
Good beat, harmony, I love this song and my wife is very impressed that Larry wrote this. I look forward to hearing it every year.

Don't Stop---
New Stones song which I have not heard very much on the radio and I like it. I think you should consider playing Start Me Up as your first song. Obviously "Start" and a good song for Larry to do his Mick imitation.

Takin Care Of Business---
First song with the full sound and power of the band. Great piano work.

Eight Days A Week---H.O.N.---(I will be abbreviating through this review, it means one of the highlights of the night.)
This song just blew me away; the band was so together, and the harmonies sounded like the Beatles!

Your So Vain---
Audrey sings this really well, and the vocals from Larry are very impressive, really adds to the song. Did Jagger sing on the original record?

Back In The USA---H.O.N.---
Wonderful song and the band is on fire, Audrey sounds great! I am really into it now with music jumping from my head! I remember this being one of the best songs from the last time I saw you, so I had high expectations...I was not disappointed!

Lay Down Sally---H.O.N.---
From the first note, the long introduction, etc etc absolutely  loved this song!

Hard Woman---H.O.N.---
I heard you guys do this song before but it was absolutely incredible tonight. Larry sounded great and the band was really tight.--Great great Song!!

Juniors Farm---H.O.N.---
Left me speechless! Fantastic song--Loved it! (nothing more to say)

You May Be Right---H.O.N.---
It was during this song that Marcia whispers to me (get ready for this) "How much do these guys get paid?" She really is totally impressed with the Schmendricks!--I asked her what she was thinking about, and she said how about them playing Andy's (my senior in H.S.) graduation party? I tell her that the band would have to learn rap music and would have a hard time practicing the lyrics in front of the crowd (If you have teenagers, you know what I mean) She said the Schmendricks would be perfect for a 50th birthday party band and she is correct!!


Second set.

Rock And Roll Hanukah---
My favorite of your original Hanukah Songs. The band comes off their break very strong, and sounding really tight.

When The Whip Comes Down---
I remember Larry and Sam coming off the stage and dancing with people in the audience, who were really into this song. The crowd is dancing, rocking, and playing air guitar!

Slow Down---H.O.N.---
Phenomenal number! Sammy's vocals are terrific and so is the band--Perfectly played I am totally into it!!--Early Beatle stuff is absolutely amazing!

Before You Accuse Me---H.O.N.---
Very well done by the band, Obviously I love all of the Clapton's blues. Your lead guitarist is really into it, and like Sam said in the introduction to the song, it really seems to be his thing.

Soak Up The Sun---H.O.N.---
This was AMAZING--a great performance--WOW--Best Audrey has ever sounded and the band was so together!--Great Great Song!--

Significant Other---
Very Beautiful Song! Everybody was out there dancing. This is just a great song that I think I might have heard before at coffee house? Is that correct?

Your Momma Don't Dance---
Great piano and the band just rocks.

Born To Be Wild---Triple H.O.N.---
I had told Sammy previously that I was never that big on that song (even when the movie came out). Your version of it was fabulous. Much Better then the original.---What a great song for the band!

Gimmie Gelt---
Still another great Hanukah Song. I don't know how Larry comes up with them! As it is my tradition I leave right after the last song to avoid the traffic. (I do the same when Springsteen plays, head for the aisle during his last encore song)---

One thing--I think you should do a better job of band introductions--Maybe introducing band members during a break in a song and then getting back into the song might be more fun.--Larry should be introduced as the guy Jagger will be imitating in two weeks on HBO!

Please note--Music is very personal and the above is just one mans opinion. I will say that this was your best show ever (I've been coming to see you for years!), and even though Sam told me that the band was sounding hot, I was totally unprepared for what I witnessed; a great rock show from a band that was totally prepared and knocked out the audience. Everybody I spoke to at the show agreed.

Excellent!
Jay

Jay's Final Comment:
"last night I saw Rock and Roll Future and its name is the Schmendricks!"


Review number 2:

The video arrived in the mail today. I put it in the VCR as soon as I got in the house. Both the sound and the video are great. And a solid performance all around from the opening notes of Eight Candles Gone right through to Gimme Gelt. Every song is a keeper. My two year old, Brook, loved "Takin' Care of Business" and was dancing around the living room through out the whole song. My five year old, Ari, loves all of Larry's Hanukkah songs. Me, I loved "Eight Days a Week", I think the best Beatles cover the Schmendricks have done. I also liked "When the Whip Comes Down" (from one of my favorite Stones Albums). Oh, and Larry singing a non-Stones song, and blowing some harp!! The only disappointment was no song from Seth. Next year you should install a drum cam so we can see Seth. Also "Lay Down Sally" could have used some harmonica fills :-) otherwise an outstanding performance. Thank you so much for sending the video. Marjorie and I will definitely be watching this one over and over again. Actually Marjorie got a little home sick watching the tape but it was great to see every one even if it's on video tape. We look forward to the next Schmendricks show, and hopefully we can be there to see it live.

Alan Heyd