CONCERT REVIEW

THE "DITTY BOPS" PERFORMED LIVE,

LAST FRIDAY NIGHT MARCH 2nd. At McCABES

While I've come to accept the fact that it is all but impossible these days to hear real music played by real musicians along comes a wonderful surprise. . . The Ditty Bops! As their name implies, they are upbeat, spirited, humorous and fun, but I discovered something else last night at McCabes, they are outstanding musicians with magical "siren-esque" voices.

The Ditty Bops are quite an enigma. They have a very loyal and growing following, particularly among the young and the college crowd and yet there sound is typically a hit with listeners form past generations as well. They play to passionate fans in clubs where you are more likely to hear hard, loud, fast rock any other night of the week, and they do it with out over amplified music or even drums. Moreover, you can actually recognize and follow all the lyrics as you listen to their songs. This is a good thing because their lyrics are exceptionally thoughtful and clever.

They put on a low-budget, yet highly entertaining show and what they lack in glitz, volume and pyrotechnics they make up for with musicianship, songs, humor and wit. Their show was in someways reminiscent of the shows the "Our Gang" comedies would put together, but in an adult format.

The two women that front the band, Abby DeWald and Amanda Barrett, are very fine musicians themselves. Amanda plays mandolin and occasional percussion (from wash board to train whistle) while Abby plays guitar. Among other things that I took note of at their show was just how fine a guitarist Abby is. She sings effortlessly in perfect pitch while playing very intricate guitar parts (she ain't just strummin' chords). They played many selections from their latest CD, Moon Over Freeway and their first CD, the self-titled The Ditty Bops release as well as several new compositions that were outstanding and more important, memorable.

The musicians that back make up the balance of the Ditty Bops are sensational in their own right. They are backed by Greg Rudledge who plays piano and acordion on some songs, bassist Ian Walker (I believe) and violinist and steel guitar player John Lambdin. The musicianship is tight and richly imaginative. The arrangements and textures that these guys bring to the group sound create the perfect musical interpretation of the Ditty Bops' songs.

As for their stage show. . . this isn't the first time I've seen them and what I've learned from seeing them several times is that every show is unique and full of surprises . . . they're always up to something.

As they are an eco-friendly band, Friday night, the theme was saving the environment. Specifically, using less plastic bags for groceries and better still replacing them altogether with reusable canvas bags.

This recycling theme played out in many ways throughout the show. Amanda was wearing a halter top woven from plastic bags (See photo) and there was a very clever skit, Amanda and an actor/assistant dressed in jester hat performed during the song "Your Head's Too Big" culminating in Amanda dancing with a puppet made of plastic cups (and it wasn't one of those "creepy" puppets).

Speaking of Amanda, she is the primary show person of the group. She performs in other projects as an actor and I read somewhere that she used to model. All of those talents are used to full affect during their show. She dances as if she's one of Ziegfeld's girls, she has a winning smile and she makes eye contact with the audience throughout the show. She and Abby are also skilled Jugglers, not surprising since Amanda's father is a circus clown. In any event, Amanda's animated stage presence and Abby's witty quips between songs bring wonderful life and theatre to their shows.

And as if the Ditty Bops couldn't get any better, they were joined mid-show by vocalist/guitarist Jesca Hoop. Jesca sang several of her own compositions, some solo and some acapella with the girls and then she came back later in the show and sang three part harmonies on several of the Ditty Bops' songs too. Her lower, throaty and sultry voice added a wonderful quality to the Ditty Bop's sound . . . (I like). Look for great things from Jesca either with the Ditty Bops or as a solo artist, she's awesome.

The show ran for over an hour and a half (including encores) and it never lost momentum. The Ditty Bops were engaging and entertaining all the way through and the show was well worth the twenty dollars admission. The Ditty Bops are leaving on a short tour through the Mid West but when they return make a point go see them perform. In the meanwhile, buy their Cd's, I can't recommend this band highly enough!