Little Red book

The Riders, the Spurs, and Tavares night fever

By Brian Goslow

Swing music is far from dead, especially here in Worcester. "It seems to be pleasing everybody we play for," says Ann "Little Red" McTigue of Little Red and the Riders. "I wasn't

comfortable being pigeonholed as a swing band. It has that tone but it's just fun American music. We're expanding those boundaries and putting in some originals as well."

After fine-tuning their chops at Gilrein's and Vincent's, the Riders are now performing regularly at the Above Club, Sakura Tokyo, and the Sturbridge Host Hotel. Fans' appetites were wetted by the release of two CDs in 2000: Jump Swing and Jumping for Joy. "We did it the low budget way," McTigue says. You'd never know Jump Swing wasn't recorded at a packed nightclub. "We also had this opportunity when we were working with Jeff [Giacomelli, the group's former saxophonist who's now with Fatwall Jack] to use Jerry Seeco's studio. He's also a fine trumpeter and singer as well as a Berklee instructor. While Jumping for Joy wasn't "technically perfect for widespread distribution," thanks to the group's web site, she says they've received requests for it from swing fans throughout the USand around the world.

The Riders line-up includes Gail Hunt, who recently moved to the upright bass, guitarist Dan Hunt, drummer Joe Zupan (who can be heard hosting WICN's A Tasteful Blend weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m.), and saxophonist Ririka Masuda. Baritone saxophonist Neal McNanna is currently in Spain performing with the Drifters.

"We're also playing a lot of weddings and private functions for people in happy places who know they want to dance," says McTigue.

Little Red and the Riders settle in for two shows this Friday and Saturday night at Sakura Tokyo, where they'll be joined by trombonist Hiro Tokushige.

Frankie's back

Worcester audiences know "Little" Frankie Blandino from his surfin' Fathoms and rockabilly outfit the Cranktones, but nowadays, the versatile rocker fronts the Spurs, whose Western Swing sounds are showcased on Go, Boy, Go! (Spinout). Blandino's steel guitar sound propels the title track, which leaves no doubt that the group's managed to capture the feel and spirit of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. While their songs are rooted in the early 1930s, songs like "Drinkin' All My Troubles Away," and "Stop & Let Me Drink About It" will be timeless as long as there's a last call still being shouted somewhere on the planet.

Blandino is joined by drummer Stan Kozlowski and bassist Johnny Sciascia (who also performs with Rounder recording act the Tarbox Ramblers), guitarist Jerry Miller (who's sharpened his skills with Sonny Burgess, Dave Alvin, and Jack Smith and the Rockabilly Planet), and frontman Allan Sheinfeld, (a/k/a Roy Sludge), who's previously entertained with Memphis Rockabilly, the Electric Logs, and the Country Bumpkins. Fiddler Rich Dubois completes the line-up.

You can tip your glass to Frankie and the boys this Saturday night, April 14, when the Spurs are joined by the Fearless Leaders at Ralph's.

The return of Tavares

Worcester rarely gets the chance to enjoy vocal groups of Tavares' stature, but thanks to Mingo, the Worcester Phoenix's Best Local Rap Act of 2000, who frequently drums with the long-running Boston-based outfit, they'll be appearing at Worcester State College's Sullivan Auditorium this Saturday night at 6 p.m. for a fundraising concert for Teens Against Gang Violence. Tavares, who helped define the soulful '70s with hits like "She's Gone" and "It Only Takes a Minute," will be proceeded by performances by Mingo, Anonymous, Walnex and Lex, Cat Maximum, Intricate, the Third World Alliance Steppers, and the Boston Soca Boys and Girls Rhythm Selection Band. For more information, call (508) 929-8000.

BMP voting ends

Balloting for the 2001 Worcester Phoenix Best Music Poll ends promptly at 5 p.m. next Wednesday, April 18. Last minute voters can do their thing at www.worcesterphoenix.com; we'll be announcing the winners at the Ho-Down Chili Barbecue at the Lucky Dog Music Hall on May 11.

Brian Goslow can be contacted at bgoslow[a]phx.com.