Sugar Ray and Monster Mike on Saint Paddy's Day At The Narragansett Cafe

Rather than drown in morbid Irish drinking songs or stand in the rain watching some lackluster parade, I spent this past Saint Patrick's Day listening to solid, spine-straightening blues dished out by Sugar Ray Norcia, Monster Mike Welch and the Bluetones at the Narragansett Cafe in Jamestown. The atmosphere was laidback and inviting as always , and the music was superior.

The band opened up with Sonny Boy Williamson's "Help Me",the powerhouse combination of mega harp from Sugar Ray effortlessly meshing with the fluid riffs from Mike Welch's guitar , as well as immediately sparking activity on the dance floor which proliferated as the afternoon went on. I reflected on the fact that you don't always see people dance at blues concerts, so you have to give the Bluetones credit for delivering the right riffs and getting people moving at the same time. The other aspect of the gig that struck me has to do with taking the musicians for granted, being unaware that you are shucking and jiving a few feet away from some master players, a privilege in the world of overpriced arena rock and Jumbotrons.

The best thing about the Bluetones is that they respect the music while breathing new life into it.
Norcia was born in Stonington, Connecticut and started playing blues harp in high school. He officially formed the Bluetones after moving to Providence, and the band started paying its dues in the 1970s, doing regular gigs as well as backing up Big Walter Horton, Roosevelt Sykes, Big Mama Thornton and Big Joe Turner.  He has played with the blues best-known harpists - James Cotton, Billy Branch and Charlie Musselwhite on 1999's "Superharps". The Bluetones have changed lead guitarists repeatedly, but "Monster" Mike Welch has been part of the lineup for about 10 years, along with the rthymn section of Neil Gouvin and Mudcat Ward and pianist Anthony Geraci.

Norcia and Welch traded riffs throughout the show  the "Monster" taking over for a couple of tunes, his playing  alternately melodic and effortless,  alternately tough and penetrating , evoking a range of legendary guitarists from Chuck Berry to T Bone Walker to Mike Bloomfield. Speaking of T Bone, they nailed it with "Cold, Cold Feeling"  Welch doing an excellent job evoking the fluid jazzy sound of West Coast style blues.. Listening to the sound of Sugar Ray's blues harp  reflects the greats like Sonny Boy Williamson, and Little Walter - as well as his own originals, like "Too Many Rules and Regulations." The two shows were packed with a crowd pleasing mix of blues classics to Fifties dance tunes to rocking instrumentals showcasing the considerable talent of pianist Geraci, ending on a high note with Fats Domino's "Blueberry Hill".

Next time the Bluetones are in town, don't forget to check them out, especially if it's at the Narragansett Cafe. The music, the food, the atmosphere and the libations are guaranteed to make you a Sunday afternoon regular -  Saint Patrick's Day or not.