Sal Baglio Extravaganza ~ 2007 April 14 ~ Sit 'n' Bull Pub, Maynard, MA
Featuring Ray Mason ~ Sal Baglio Band ~ Preacher Jack ~ The Vegas Valentinos
Ray Mason Set List
Castanets - Reverb & a Zip Code - I'm Not That Kind of Guy - I've Got a Good Dentist {inspired by Warren Zevon} - Cats - Got It Right - Water Off of a Duck - When I Meet You On the Moon
Review
Sal Baglio is best known as the front man for Boston band The Stompers, but that band is no longer the full-time project that it was back in the early 1980s, so it gives Sal plenty of time to work with other musicians. He's a frequent performer at the Sit 'n' Bull Pub in Maynard, Massachusetts (where Dave Davies of The Kinks performed twelve times between 1998 and 2003). Sal is also a good friend of the club manager, Ted Epstein, who along with his business partner Peter Bochner has made this unassuming barroom a real hotspot for live music in Boston's metrowest.
Sal loves to perform, but he loves to hear other musicians perform too, and so on occasion he puts together a Sal Baglio Extravaganza and invites other musicians to share the spotlight. Tonight's other acts (besides Sal's three piece band) were Ray Mason, Preacher Jack, and the Vegas Valentinos. I am very pleased to report that I was responsible for putting Sal in touch with Ray Mason, thinking that these two guys are basically peas in a pod. In fact, in conversation with Sal at a recent gig, when the name of Ray Mason was mentioned, and Sal asked "who?", my Concert Going Partner said: "You don't know Ray Mason? Why, he's the Sal Baglio of Western Massachusetts." I think the comparison is apt; they are both great songwriters who have a fierce love for rock 'n' roll music, both well-known and loved in their own geographical turf.
Ray opened the night with a half-hour set, accompanying himself on his trusty Silvertone. Ray's set list appears above. He was followed by Sal who played guitar and was accompanied by a drummer and stand-up bass.
The third performer was the real star of the night. Preacher Jack is a long-time Boston area favorite, but I had never heard him perform before. He was just incredible! Tall, spindly, bearded, twinkly-eyed. He played the electric keyboard expertly (too bad not a grand piano!), and sang superbly, with a deep, rich voice. His big, long-fingered hands on the keyboard were a blur, as he ripped through one boogie-woogie and honkytonk number after another, channeling the spirit of Jerry Lee Lewis with vigor and enthusiasm. His personality was very humble; he repeatedly thanked the audience, expressing his appreciation for our attendance, praised the songs that he was privileged to play, and thanked the Sit 'n' Bull for having us.
The night's entertainment was concluded by The Vegas Valentinos, a rock band spoof of a lounge act. To follow the incredible Preacher Jack would have been just impossible for anyone, and the poor Valentinos, while politely received by the sold-out audience, were simply out of their element.
More Sal
Interested in other content related to Sal Baglio and his band The Stompers? Here is a page with a handy list of links to all pages on this website with Sal Baglio content.
More Ray
Interested in other content related to Ray Mason? Here is a page with a handy list of links to all pages on this website with Ray Mason content.