Rizz, The Met, Any Given Sunday

I knew I was in the right place at the right time when my associate Sue and I walked into The Rizz playing "Shape I'm In" a couple of Sundays ago at The Met in Pawtucket  - it is one of the Band's best (and funkiest) tunes and Rizz turned it inside out. The crowd was demographically attuned to their playlist, as evidenced a few minutes later when they launched into "Fat Man in A Bathtub", leading to my favorite rock and roll lament about why did Lowell George have to die so soon ? The cavernous main room which arcs around the stage shook with spontaneous foot tapping accentuated by blistering solos from drummers Rick Couto and Gary St. Germain, accompanied by fluid riffs that would have made Little Feat proud - not to mention the anthem like quality when the band and the audience united a little later on "Willin'". Speaking of the Rizz lineup to set the record straight, besides Couto and St. Germain , it consists of Dave Tanury and Richard Herzog on guitars, Paul Sauvageau and Jerry Xavier on keyboards, Kenn Reynolds on bass, and the JoJo Horn Section. featuring Bob Weisberger and Klem.

Their repertoire ranged from classic rock to classic soul, belting out danceable versions of :"I Feel Good" and Smokey Robinson's signature hit " I Second That Emotion ", the musicians obviously enjoying themselves , launching into seamless jams that had most of the crowd swaying as well as chanting along with the tune. The Rizz paid homage to the full spectrum, from the Grateful Dead's "Casey Jones" and a rousing version of "Turn On Your Lovelight", to a frenetic version of Muddy Waters' "Got My Mojo Working" to one of The Band's only legitimate "hits" -  "Cripple Creek" - the list went on and on.

Local live music is tough - no studio to hide behind, no way of covering up mistakes (Speaking from experience !) - so  Rizz looms large as far as I'm concerned. Where else can you combine a laid back, lowkey good time with a superior musical mix and a warm environment ? The next time you see or hear that Rizz is going to be at The Met on a given Sunday, do yourself a favor and check it out -guaranteed to let the good times roll!!!