Robby Krieger’s Jam Kitchen took the stage at Revolution Bar and Music Hall in Amityville, and played some dusky jazz and rock jewels. Krieger, perhaps best known as being the Doors’ guitarist, was in town to celebrate Jimi Hendrix’s 72nd birthday on November 29th at B.B. King’s in Manhattan, but started jamming a day earlier on Long Island. Krieger’s veteran band of musicians paid tribute to departed Doors, Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek, while revving up for at Daniel Kramer’s 8th annual birthday show for Hendrix.
Krieger’s Jam Kitchen opened the show with jazz offerings such as Frank Zappa‘s “Chunga’s Revenge,” followed by “What Was That?” Bass guitar was handled by Arthur Barrow, and Tommy Mars sat behind the keyboards. Both of these musicians are veterans having previously served in Frank Zappa’s fine unit. Larry Klimas was a force on sax, as Joel Taylor handled drums. Of course, Robby Krieger of the Doors was the bandleader, and basked in the spotlight as lead guitarist.
They followed those numbers with the Doors tune “You’re Lost Little Girl,” and then moved into “The Drift.” Robbie Krieger’s 2012 release Singularity was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental for good reason, and the band is clearly geared to play as a jazz combo. When Krieger hit the opening riff of the Doors classic “Love Me Two Times,” the group showed they were also equally ready to rock and roll.
“Coffin Doger” offered a chance for the audience to chime in vocally on the track from sigularity. Frank Zappa’s “Cosmic Debris” allowed the band to groove on a number that two members had originally played with the tune’s writer. “Screen Junkie” was preceded by the band offering some light banter on the world’s addiction to hand held computer devices.
Later, Krieger brought out Jim Morrison ringer Evan Marshall, who bears a striking resemblance to the Lizard King in both appearance and vocalization. The crowd and the band’s enegy went up a couple of notches as they ripped into the classic anti-war anthem “Five to One,” and then into “Wild Child.” The mix of jazz and rock throughout the evening was balanced enough to meet the band’s jazz agenda, while satiating the audience’s desire for the music that made Krieger a legend.
Marshall took a respite while the group played “Dr. Noir,” and a lesser known Doors tune called “Under Waterfall.” Krieger had plied the audience by asking what songs they wanted to hear. Marshall was brought out to meet the demand for “Roadhouse Blues,” as the venue morphed into the bar from Morrison Hotel, and the East Coast evening had been conquered by the visiting minstrels from the West Coast by the evening’s end.
The band added a fine version of “Touch Me” to the original set list, opening the crowd-chosen encores. This was followed by the song that got the Doors banned from any reappearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Krieger-penned “Light My Fire.” After the completion of the tune, the crowd could not really be lifted any higher, although they were left wanting more. Revolution Bar and Music Hall proved a fine venue to see a concert, that readers would be advised to check out in the near future. Show listings are on the club’s website.
In a recent interview John Densmore told L4LM that, “Robby and I are trying to put together a tribute show for Ray (Manzarek). Hopefully next spring or summer.” L4LM hopes that the two Doors are down for such a tribute show, and that they bring it on the road for at least a few venues. Perhaps Dave Brock of Wild Child could handle vocals, as he is done so masterfully in the past for Krieger/Manzarek.
The show was opened by three fine bands. Vinyl Plane, Two Cent Sam, and Montauk Project. On this chilly night, they warmed things up for the headliner to be able to move onto a toasty stage. Readers may want to look up their upcoming shows, and check out where they are playing.
Words: Bob Wilson
Photos: Wayne Herrschaft