Candye Kane at Wilbert’s (2007)

Wilbert’s

Monday, 21 May 2007

The guys in Blue Lunch have been a big part of the blues scene, as well as the whole live music thing, in Northern Ohio for a long time. One of the things they have recently started doing is producing their own shows occasionally, bringing in a national act to share the stage with them. They did it last Thursday bringing blues woman Candye Kane and her band to Wilbert’s, and it turned out to be a great night of music.
Candye Kane, for those who are unfamiliar with her, has been singing the blues since the mid eighties. Before that she was a big part of the alternative country and punk scenes in Southern California, as well as taking a short turn as a plus size model in the adult entertainment industry. She came to town last Thursday backed by her own three piece band, which featured her own son on drums.

She can really sing, and on top of that has developed into a top-notch writer, and her performances now feature almost all original material. Her colorful past still causes her to have to wear her sexuality on her sleeve, but she really doesn’t have to, her music is that good. Her sound is a combination of Ruth Brown, Bob Wills, and Duane Eddy, and her voice can really belt out a tune.

She featured songs off her latest CD titled Guitar’d and Feathered, and the highlights including a series of swinging ballads “Back with My Old Friends Again,” “I’m Not Going to Cry Today,” and “I’m My Own Worst Enemy.” Her sixteen song set featured mostly numbers that got people up and dancing, and you got the idea that most in attendance had seen her before. There were more than a few swing dancers in the audience.

Last Thursday was one of those rare nights in the Gateway area that were promised to us back in the 90’s, when we voted for the ball park and the arena. Considering that it was a Thursday night; there was an Indians game with over 30,000 in attendance; plus thousands more at Quicken Arena watching the Cavs playoff game in Detroit on the large screens, Wilbert’s had a good crowd for the show. Candye Kane played from 9:00 until almost 11:00, just in time for some Tribe fans to catch the end of the Cavs game on Wilbert’s TV’s. Blue Lunch smartly delayed their post concert set until after the double overtime thriller was finished, and then was joined on stage by Candye as they ripped through a set of blues standards.

When I walked out of Wilbert’s well past midnight Huron Avenue was still packed with sports fans celebrating both the Cavs and the Indians wins over Detroit, and most of the establishments were still jumping.

For more information about Candye Kane and her music visit www.candykane.com. Blue Lunch will be playing all around northern Ohio this summer, check out their schedule at www.bluelunch.com. Upcoming shows at Wilbert’s include their 20th Anniversary Party on June 9 with Michael Bay and the Bad Boys of Blues, and a July 20 date with Roomful of Blues. Check out Wilbert’s summer music line up at www.wilbertsmusic.com.