Molly & the Ringwalds: Review Redux
Via the email circuit:
So this week, we've invited Rebekah Ringwald-Velva, from Houston's favorite B-52's tribute band (the Aqua Velvas), to sit in with us. And she said OK! Will she be able to hold her own against Carrie's amazing dance moves, Sam's blistering guitar work, Dekan's stunning good looks, and Gene's mustache? Will she inspire a blathering and shameless writeup at www.gregsopinion.com? Can she swear like a Ringwald? There's only one way to find out -- come see the show for yourself.
Ya know, with a callout like that, I've gotta deliver the goods. So for something a little different, read below the fold. But if you wanna stick with the usual current events, politics, hatred of all things Longhornish ... well, there's plenty of material on the other posts.
So it's been a while since I've had my fix of 80s fun with Molly & the Ringwalds. Too long. And darn the luck, but the multi-talented, unlame, lead singer, Jennifer Ringwald is on vacation now.
Still, the promise of statuesque blondes in 80s garb taking Jen's place does not strike me as altogether bad. True, there can be only one Jennifer Ringwald. And no amount of bashing in absentia by the villainous Sam Ringwald can convince us otherwise. Given what our options were for the weekend, Rebekah Velva-Ringwald is no shrinking violet. So allow me the brief luxury of documenting the evolution of thought on one of Houston's finest in action:
1. (pre-show) "Hmmm, blondes in red are a good thing."
2. (still pre-show) "Stiletto heels? Guess we can write off any massive amounts of jumping about on stage, ala Jen."
3. (first coupla numbers) "So is she gonna sing or what?"
4. (Money shot #1: Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again") "Has its moments of greatness, but one cannot imitate David Coverdale ... one must become David Coverdale."
5. (Money shot #2: The Go-Gos' "Vacation") "Hot blonde dressed like a dead ringer for Belinda Carlisle, circa 1983 ... but this one needed more practice."
6. (Money shot #3: B-52s' "Love Shack") "Golden."
OK, so for the males of the bunch, I think I stand on solid ground that there's no way to leave disappointed with a "Rebekah and the Ringwalds" performance. The band itself is more known for the degree of levity to which they add to our weekend and I've yet to catch a show where that hasn't happened. There was a disclaimer ultimately provided that there wasn't any practice time with Rebekah and the band. She's done some bangup live karaoke with the band in the past, however, and she's certainly got her moments where you do hear something different and unique compared to the known quanitity in Jennifer. There's also moments where it just sounds like a prolonged karaoke night with the band and the stage presence that only Jen can provide was certainly wanting.
But given my early estimation that the amount of stage dancing might be limited by tall heels, I stand in total error on that one. So much so, that I have to express complete amazement at the degree to which Rebekah DID manage a bit of prancing about on stage. And while I'm not big on listening to "Love Shack," you'd expect someone who happens to lead a B-52s tribute band to really ace that number. And, true to form, she delivered the goods on that one.
My initial response to the email shoutout above was that as long as she managed a decent sultry version of "Here I Go Again," I'd call the whole thing a rousing success. And to further explain my somewhat obtuse reference to "imitating" and "becoming" David Coverdale, I guess what I really mean by that is that I have a hard time thinking anyone can really pull off the vocal style of Coverdale by attempting to mimic it. You just have to be yourself, with every last bit of soul you've got in your voice. The last high note before the guitar solo is a case in point where I think Rebekah seemed to cut loose with the impersonation of Coverdale and just let loose with her own style for a moment. It was a great note that was well done and leads magnificently into a guitar solo that I love enough to give Dekan Ringwald a hard time everytime he screws it up. Alas, the solo was done justice on this evening, complete with Dekan hitting the proper pinched harmonic during the bridge.
I only reference "Vacation" as a money shot for the evening due to Rebekah's look just screaming Belinda Carlisle. That may or may not be fair, but I'd argue that if some Go-Gos were done faithfully by Rebekah, it'd be a winning combination of looks, music, and style. Since we'll see Rebekah again next week, here's to hoping that this happens.
As for the non-Rebekah portion of this review, there's still more highlights to cover:
- "Crazy Train" - yes, I admit it, I just want to see Carrie take over the stage with her dance routine for this number. It's a crowd winner and Carrie deserves her moment to hold the audience in the palm of her hand for 3 minutes.
- "Mr Roboto" - of course, I'm of the opinion that only Big James should do this song. Upon taking the stage, I think I heard this song referenced a half-dozen times by the people around me due to lasting memories (scars?) of performances past.
- "We're Not Gonna Take It" - actually, I've not discussed this with his emminence, but follow me here. Here's a song that requires a loud, bombastic vocal and offers some great room to improve towards the end. This has, of course, given us the much appreciated Jennifer Ringwald Rant at the end of the song, whereby our lovely lead singer wrestles with a current event to rant about at the end of this metal classic. I may be completely wrong ... but I'm willing to guess that James can equal such a music moment. If I'm wrong, then my vote goes for "Its Raining Men" just for the irony alone. Oh, and having James close out the evening sure would seem like a strong finish. I'll just put that out there as an idea.
Anyways, I've been shameless and blathering enough. If you've lasted this far in the read, make it out to the Continental Club in Houston's Midtown (3700 Main, to be precise). It's an early show (7pm to 9:30), but there's no cover and the drink prices aren't jacked up to accomodate. The club simply knows that the Ringwalds pack em in and everyone leaves suitably entertained.
Never assume I'm not ashamed of what I do on stage.
I'm still waiting for the Ringwald's to take me back to my days of growing up in Pearland and play some Judy's!