Aug/Sept 2007
by Kay Cordtz
The Felix Cabrera Blues Band – Murray Street Grill – New York City – May 4
Felix Cabrera can shout the blues and blow a mean harp. But
the Cuban-born bandleader also has a knack for rolling with the punches. The
day before this Friday night gig, Phil Butler, Cabrera’s bass player for the
past 11 years, was injured in a car accident. Then Guitar ace Jimmy Vivino, a
frequent and popular addition to the band, was called out of town with Conan
O’Brien. But Cabrera was undeterred. He contacted bassist Ritt Henn, who
played in his band twenty years ago and has filled in before. Fiery blues
guitarist Jason Green, one of several local players who have rotated through
Cabrera’s band, answered the call too. With longtime drummer Bill Schroeder
and keyboardist Eddy Bishai, the subs rocked this small basement club and
solidly showcased Cabrera’s Latin blues style.
The self-taught Cabrera, who left Cuba as a child and came to
New York by way of Miami and Union City, NJ, calls Paul Butterfield his first
influence. He saw the original Butterfield Blues Band at a New York City club
in 1966 and almost always starts his show with their songs. “Driftin’ and Driftin’” featured Cabrera’s emotional vocals, crying guitar from Green and
jazzy organ from Bishai. The band likes to stretch out and jam, and as they
took turns riding the groove, the warm-up caught fire. The intensity on the
bandstand continued to build until Cabrera took it down with a small hand
gesture. Even with little or no rehearsal, he seemed to be in complete
control.
They segued into “Born in Chicago,” which in Cabrera’s hands
became “Born in Havana,” taking it fast and furious. They followed the
Butterfield numbers with three songs from Cabrera’s 2004 CD For Green. The
ballad “Cold Cold,” a fitting farewell to winter on this balmy night, slowed
the pace, and led into a catchy and clever Cabrera original, “Self Argument in
D Minor,” a tale of lost love to Latin beats with a lilting harp melody picked
up by Bishai on the organ. Changing it up again, Cabrera was dancing from the
first note of Henn’s funky bass riff announcing “Animalism.” Shouting,
gesturing wildly, playing bongos, congas and unusual percussion instruments,
he put his heart and soul into every note.
Cabrera kicked off the second set with Butterfield’s “Lovin’
Cup,” followed by Leiber And Stoller’s “I Keep Forgettin’,” pouring on more
wrenching harmonica and heartbroken vocals. The whole band really cooked on
“Got My Mojo Workin’.” but their leader kept raising the ante displaying his
amazing energy and showmanship, screaming, mugging, prancing, only stopping
long enough to blow a few hot bars. Let’s face it, Cabrera is a wild man, and
it’s an integral part of his appeal.
All of the musicians in the band know a thing or two about
showmanship. One of Cabrera’s early bands opened six shows for James Brown
back in the 1980s. Green has toured with Big Jack Johnson and Schroeder once
backed Louisiana Red. They know how to step up when the front man needs a
breather but otherwise, they keep the groove going and just stay out of his
way.
Another heartfelt Cabrera original, “She Told Me A Lie” from
2001’s Pressure Cooker, showed off Green’s dazzling guitar prowess, and Albert
King’s “Born Under A Bad Sign” cooled things down a bit before the big blowout
finale. Cabrera said the first R&B record he bought was Ray Charles’ “Hit The
Road, Jack.” He ended the show with his own wild rendition featuring Bishai’s
funky organ, showing how much excitement can be produced by an enthusiastic
leader and a great semi-pickup band.