Schmen Reviews
Temple Hatikvah's 10th Annual Chanukah Dinner Dance: Saturday December 10th, 2005
Jay Vidockler's Annual Schmens Review
Jay's Overall Review:
Theme for the night --- Great show and you guys have come a long way from when I first saw
you 5 or 6 years ago. -- The band is not as theatric (don't have to be, as the music speaks
for itself), and you are taking much more liberties with cover songs then you did in past
years. When I first came to one of your shows, cover songs were exact copies of the original
but now you improvise much more and it almost always works (more on that later). Surprise
of the night was the obvious absence of Mick Jagger and the Stones. Another note -- The sound
was great! I basically stayed in the back of the room and it really was a professionally
sounding and mixed show.--I have mentioned this before; you need to do a better job of introducing
the band members, maybe giving everyone a riff and a chance to solo!
FIRST SET
Chanukah Star --
Good song and catchy beat. A little bluesy, but was hard to appreciate as
people were talking too much.
Rock and Roll Chanukah --
Very cool song! I was thinking how wonderful the sound was.
Glass Onion --
Sammy was rockin but the band was too low. Band should have been a little louder
during this one.
Breakup Song --
I did not know this song. Seth drum break was wonderful.
These Boots Are Made For Walking --
Here you guys put a little country in the song which I do not remember being in the
original -- It worked very well! -- I had not heard that song in 15 years!
Lonely On The Stage --
Is that a Larry original? Was difficult for me as there was this young kid next to
me making noise with his balloon. (I understand it is a show and people can make
noise). The musical break in the song was excellent!
Roadhouse Blues --- Great great beginning --- Worked real well delaying the
famous opening lines (one of the best opening lines in rock history). Somewhere in
the song Sam said bring it down but that was unnecessary. I love when you guys rocked
that song. When Sam sang "Save Our City", the band brought it back and it
was a great rocker! -- One of the Highlights of the evening!!
Who'll Stop The Rain --
The Kohn man as the guest -- A great version with some small
changes from the original version -- Great song.
Money Changes Everything --
How true and a great song!
SECOND SET
Chanukah Celebration --
Nice song, a good way to start the second half of the night.
No Matter What -- Good harmonies!
Passionate Kisses --
I happened to come upon that song on the radio a few weeks ago
and I can honestly say that your version is better then the original -- much better! One of
the highlights of the evening!
Travelin Man --
Band singing chorus together at the end was very tight! Really good song.
Prof Dave Bishop! --
Route 66 --
Beginning of song was really terrific -- Good song.
Charlie Brown --
What a fun song! Loved it, even the kid screaming "Why is everybody always pickin on
me!"
My Baby Thinks He Is A Train --
Where and how did you find that one? What a great song!
Sweet Little 16 --
Best song of the night! Scmendricks should do more upbeat flat out rock songs like that!
Thanks for a great evening of Rock & Roll! Jay Vidockler