Curtis Salgado Band at KJ's Hideaway, St. Paul, MN Make Magical Music Memories

 

If there is a better band on the circuit today I have yet to hear them.  The immensely talented and ever affable Curtis Salgado brought his crack band into the intimate confines of KJ's Hideaway in downtown St. Paul on a Friday night in May.  When they were done, the audience was left with a thoroughly satisfying evening of good music performed to a "T" and delivered with  humor and context that only comes from an authentic soul survivor of the Bar Wars.  

Perhaps most remarkable is the level of Salgado's game these days.  At a time when audiences have come to expect that when they go to see one of their music legends that they will be at some stage of diminished capacity.  That is clearly not the case with Salgado or his guitarist Alan Hager, both of whom are performing at the peak of their music prowess.  

I can't say enough about Mr. Hager's guitar playing.  Perfect tone, economic riffs with subtle embellishments that covers the range of styles from cool jazz to nasty slide to flat-out rock n roll and delivered in such a nonchalant, effortless manner that belies its difficulty and complexity.  Watching Hager play last night I couldn't help but think of Denny Freeman, the king of taste, tone and effortless playing.  Salgado has found the perfect foil in Hager both as a player and songwriter.

Surrounding them is an excellent rhythm section of younger but seasoned pros:  Patrick Seals on drums, John Walcott on bass and Gabe Plotkin on keyboards.  Plotkin, who was just on his second gig with the band, was the consummate pro nailing even the more difficult material like  his Booker/Fess inspired solo on "Hail Mighty Caesar".

Throughout the night Salgado maintained a conversation with his audience setting up each number with context or an interesting anecdote.  His taste in material was impeccable; appealing to music geeks as well as the casual listener.   Salgado won over the geeks early in his first set with the Syl Johnson cover Star Bright, Star Lite:

Other notable cover material included OV Wright's "Born All Over", Little Milton's "I Found Me a New Love" featuring stinging guitar work by Alan Hager and a powerful performance of Big Joe Williams "Baby Please Don't Go".

 He hit my favorite selections off his latest CD, the phenomenal "Damage Control" performing "Count of Three" after prefacing it with a "Five Royals" story and for all the criminal defense attorneys like me, "Your Gonna Miss My Sorry Ass" which is a big hit with some of my clients.

Curtis was in fine form and clearly enjoying himself even taking a request of one of most popular songs, "I Want My Dog to Live Longer".  Special mention goes out to the band's roadmanager/soundman who sat next to me most of the night.  What I took for an ipad was actually the new digital handheld version of a soundboard and they must work as the sound was excellent all night.   For the night's final selection Curtis ventured out into the audience to emphasize his gratitude for the very appreciative audience. All in all the Curtis Salgado Band delivered one of the most enjoyable evenings of music that this writer has experienced in a very long time.

This was my first show at KJ's Hideaway but I will be back if they keep booking acts like Salgado which are ideal for smaller venues. It is nice to go to a venue with a relaxing atmosphere like KJ's with its low-key friendly staff, good beer selection (cocktails and wine as well) and decent menu.