Legends Of Rock & Blues Invade Keene, NH's Colonial Theatre

Jim Belushi: all photos by Joe MillikenTo be published in Goldmine Magazine A storm swept through Keene, NH last Saturday night and we're not talking more snow, folks. We're talkin' the blues, as in the Legends of Rock-N-Blues road show, which recently rolled into town with a truly monster line up starting with The James Montgomery Blues Band as the house band, if you will, that also featured David Hull (Joe Perry Project/Farrenheit) and the infamous Uptown Horns.
The stellar line up of special guests performing on this night included Rock-and-Roll Hall of fame guitarist Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, guitarist Barry Goudreau of the band Boston, Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame percussionist Michael Carabello of Santana and guitarist wizard Johnny A. Even Whitford's budding-guitarist son Graham came along for the ride and needless to say, this wonderful group of artists made for an extraordinary night of rockin' rhythm-and-blues.
The House Band: All photos by Joe MillikenThe legendary front man Montgomery (who also doubled as MC and storyteller for the night) and his blues cohorts kicked things off with a few good-time, bluesy numbers including "Junior’s Jump" "Goodtime Charlie’s Got The Blues," "Sweet 16" and their own "Intoxicated," before first guest Johnny A. hit the stage and really got things cookin' while tearing up a couple of distinctive solos that combine blues and jazz elements, all over the top of the thick, five-string bass bottom end of Hull.
Barry Goudreau stepped out next, displaying his tight, instantly recognizable tone before Carabello, currently the lone percussionist in the Hall of Fame, wove his David Hull, Johnny A. and Brad Whitfordirrepressible groove into the proceedings with rhythmic style and grace. Next it was the heavy-hitting Whitford, who proceeded to rip through a couple of his own blues-infused, awe-inspiring solos. Finally with full arsenal onstage, the band broke into a rollicking version of the Rolling Stones' "Miss You," punctuated by Montgomery's distinctive harmonica style and of course, the classy Uptown Horns.
Then the grand entrance of one Jim Belushi, catapulting onto the stage and in rare, Blues-Brother-boogie form, belting out the standards "Sweet Home Chicago", "Hey Bartender", "Messin' With The Kid" and "I Ain't Got You", before sliding into another blues standard (made infamous by Aerosmith) with "Big 10 Inch Record," a perfect Aerosmith's Brad Whitfordtime for young Graham Whitford to come out and show his own bluesy chops while proving he is indeed, a chip off the ole ’block.
Then, as Belushi faded off into the night, the remaining all-star lineup closed out with the show-stopping standards "Baby, Please Don’t Go" and "Who Do You Love" sending a spent crowd home and into the cold winter night with warm smiles on their faces.