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THE JOURNEY ZONE
http://www.journey-zone.com
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THE REVIEWS
2004
Steve Smith
Infinity
Steve Smith and Buddy's Buddie's at Sculler's Jazz CLub
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
Reviewer: Cudaclan
Steve Marcus, tenor and soprano saxes
Andy Fusco, alto sax
Mark Soskin, piano
Baron Browne, bass
Steve Smith, drums
The winter months here in the Northeast have been seasonably mild this year. Still, winter can be merciless with daylight hours shorter than usual and with the limitations of outdoor activity (aside recreational). We spend most of the time waiting. But as the seasons change so does our daily routine. It so happens that this year we were dismayed to find that Vital Information was not scheduled to tour locally. Steve Smith, along with Baron Browne are no strangers to us. Steve Marcus, Andy Fusco and Mark Soskin all form, "A Celebration of the Music and Legacy of Buddy Rich", Buddy’s Buddies.
The last time we attended this venue Count’s Jam Band Reunion performed. As I remembered, we sat comfortably next to the stage. Seating was at capacity, with an exceptional view of the “Charles” and the cityscape. With the near completion of the “Big Dig” project, the futuristic vision of Metropolis is evident. Attendees comprised of; Berklee College of Music, Zildjian family, family members, friends and jazz aficionados. Steve Smith spoke of his experience meeting Buddy Rich in 68’ at a Boston jazz festival. He was intimidated at first (warranted by rumors of Buddy Rich), but his mother insisted that he meet him. Steve stated that he must have caught Buddy in his better moods. It was an honor to see Steve’s parents. Buddy Rich Alumnus; Steve Marcus and Andy Fusco were not as fortunate. Each had their own tales of the trials and tribulations touring with Buddy. The crowd was captivated with the story telling. Mark Soskin performed on Steve Smith’s double DVD Drumset Technique/History of the U.S. Beat. Television performance credits include The Equalizer and HBO hit series, Sex and The City.
We still raise the correlation of Steve as a prior Journey band member. This can not be disputed. Steve’s touring schedule for last year (and the current) establishes his devotion and labor of love to percussionists and to the music of jazz, past and present. If you are expecting to see and hear a past Journey drummer…. The audience and atmosphere is of a different caliber. My wife’s attention was focused on a certain set being played, it’s West Side Story. I can thank my father-in-law for my wife’s appreciation towards the Broadway musicals. And I thank you dad for experiencing the Big Band jazz era with you. My son thanks Journey for not having to follow mainstream music.
Special thank you goes to Dave DiCenso for signing the crash (you now share it with Steve)
Infinity: The Journey Tribute at Round Lake Beach, IL
July 10, 2004
Reviewer: Wistyxfan
Infinity is:
Band members: Bob Biagi, James Cairo, Vincent Ribando, Len Schillaci, Kevin Willison, Dennis Zarobsky
Crew: Scott Flaws, Bill Rueschaw, Zach Willison
Infinity was the headliner at the first annual Beach Fest in Round Lake Beach, Illinois. It was a very cool night in an open field, but for an intial attempt at a community gathering, the attendance was respectable. Most of the crowd was spread out over the festivities, until Infinity took the stage and drew everyone into their world of classic rock, 80’s rock, and a few newer hits. Several of those in attendance came to Round Lake Beach from Chicago, even as far away as Indiana, just to hear this band. Some were fans from previous shows, and some showed up just from word-of-mouth recommendation.
Infinity plays the music, and plays it well. The song list follows, but as I learned later, the band never writes a song list before the show, nor is anything set in stone. They choose to let the audience be their guides, and often during this show, they announced that the song they were about to play was a request. My first show with Infinity was quite impressive: this band is not just about the music, pleasing the fans is equally important to them. During “Open Arms” the band brought out Megan, who had been invited to sing a song on stage at her high school with Journey’s Jonathan Cain when he was recently in the Chicago area. The teen’s duet with singer Bob Biagi was a crowd-pleaser. For the encore, a local vocalist joined them on stage for an impressive rendition of “You Shook Me All Night Long”. Several times the town trustees were invited on stage to help the band out with a song, which added lots of fun to the show for the trustees and the audience. I spoke with a couple members of the town board, who were just thrilled to have the experience, and loved being on stage with such a fun group.
One highlight of the performance shows how far Infinity will go to bring the audience into the show with them, and encourage audience participation in a way I have not yet experienced. During the band’s “Bon Jovi set”, singer Bob Biagi leaves the stage to tour the audience. Throughout the three-song tribute to the New Jersey band, Bob roamed the crowd, sharing the mike with anyone willing to put their vocals on the line with him. Everyone was given the chance to join in, young and old, whether or not you knew the words, which lent a couple laughs to the show as well.
The Queen medley added another guest to the stage, a guest who stole the show out from under Infinity, even if for just a little while. Drummer Vincent Ribando’s son, also known as Little Vinny, gave his dad a break and sat in on the drum set for the entire medley. Little Vinny is not just talent waiting to happen, but he has an amazing secret: he played the entire 10-minute montage backwards! Vincent is left-handed, while little Vinny is a righty, making for some pretty complicated work for a youngster. But he never missed a beat, and drew quite a round of applause from the audience.
The 90-minute-plus set covered a huge variety of music: from Journey to Poison, Ozzy Osbourne to Bryan Adams. The crowd was enthusiastic throughout; even the young children in the audience could be seen running from the fest amusements to the stage area to join in the fun for the Jimmy Eat World hit, “In the Middle”. The wide range of selections covered so many hits, there was something for everyone in the crowd.
If Journey, classic rock, a wide variety of music, audience participation, or a band that just loves what they do so much that it shines brighter than the stage lighting is what you are looking for in live music, then Infinity should definitely be on your must-see list. They are not only talented, but such a tight-knit group of friendly, personable guys, that they even encourage their crew to participate with each aspect of the band….the crew also participated in the Infinity interview. It’s refreshing to see a crew so appreciated and respected, but after just a few minutes of observing this band with their fans, and speaking with them one-on-one, it’s really not surprising at all.
Set List:
Foreplay/Long Time
Roll with the Changes
Jump
Separate Ways
Don’t Stop Believin’
Open Arms (with special guest, Megan)
Stone in Love
The audience “tour”: Livin’ on a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad Name, It’s My
Life
Magic Power
Stealin’
Queen Medley (with special guest, Little Vinnie): Bohemian Rhapsody, We
Will Rock You, We are the Champions
Talk Dirty to Me
Hard to Handle
Lovin’, Touchin, Squeezin’
Anyway You Want It
Feelin’ That Way/Anytime
Crazy Train
Touch
Sweet Emotion
Walk This Way
Lady
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Rock of Ages
Enter Sandman (snippet of a work-in-progress)
My Own Worst Enemy
In the Middle
Summer of ‘69
Who’s Cryin’ Now (snippet)
Wheel in the Sky
You Shook Me All Night Long (with guest vocalist)
Here I Go Again
Click HERE for Jan's pictures of Infinity.
Last Updated 03 June 2008 DHG)
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