Karen Ponzio Photos
Frank Critelli and The Birdmen share the distanced love.
“Boy, does it feel nice to be back in this room,” said Shellye Valauskas from the stage at Cafe Nine . She and Dean Falcone were one of four acts who made their way through three songs each in celebration of the Local Bands Show’s 34th anniversary — and the birthday of one of its founders, local music legend James Velvet, who died in 2015.
The Local Bands Show, cohosted by Rick Allison and Velvet until Velvet’s passing, has aired on New Haven’s own 99.1 FM WPLR weekly for the past 34 years. Fans of local music can hear their favorites played every Sunday night at 10 p.m., highlighted by Allison’s legendary banter booming through the air along with his cohost, singer/songwriter/MC extraordinaire Frank Critelli, who has also hosted the Sunday Buzz concert series at Cafe Nine — presented by Cygnus Radio — since its inception.
This Sunday evening, Allison’s voice was the first to be heard via Facebook Live, set against an empty Cafe Nine stage aglow in its signature purples and blues.
“Hello from cyberspace,” he said via recording, welcoming viewers to the first Sunday Buzz of the “post pandemic era, virtual but full of hope for a new season.” He mentioned that he was not there due to “an abundance of caution,” but that “in a world where Frank Critelli is hosting, I’m hardly necessary — but for to say in my best announcer-ly style, ‘on with the show’”
Critelli came up on stage and immediately introduced the first act, Shellye Valauskas and Dean Falcone, who thanked Allison, Velvet and Critelli for all the support over the years, dedicating their first song to them.
Shellye and Dean.
Their second song, the “appropriately called” “Do Over,” was dedicated to Cafe Nine owner Paul Mayer, who was celebrating his birthday on this day as well. As Valauskas and Falcone sang ever so sweetly “pick it up and start again,” it felt like we could all do exactly that. The duo was joined by Brooks Barrett on accordion for the final song, the Velvet-penned “Spend My Time with You.”
“James wrote it about his mom, but it’s taken on some other meaning now. It’s pretty heavy for me,” Falcone said. The three artists melded lovingly and created an appropriate ending to a set that felt like just the beginning of so much more for the New Haven music community.
The second act to the stage was singer/songwriter Shandy Lawson, who Critelli noted had a birthday himself a couple of days ago and had played a couple of birthday shows with Velvet many years back. Lawson began his set by saying “happy birthday, James,” and then introduced his first song, “That’s It and That’s All,” as being “ironic” — about “the frustration about not being able to play for people but here I am playing for people.”
Shandy Lawson.
His next song, “Weekend’s Work,” was about the shenanigans he and Critelli have gotten into together. It garnered some laughs from those in person. He said it was their “theme song” and it easily captured the love, joy, and camaraderie the two exude when they are together. Lawson closed with “Crown Street Kings,” a song for which he noted “the ink is still wet.” It was written “for this place and all of its inhabitants … for you and for James.” A tribute in and of itself saluting “the kings and queens of Crown” with “another tune, another round,” it was an apt ending and received a rousing applause.
As the next act, Calvin DeCutlass, tuned up, Critelli made it a point to alert everyone to the Venmo address so viewers could donate to the performers and to wish happy birthday to and sing the praises of Mayer as well as Velvet, who he called “not only one of the greatest songwriters of all time but also really great for supporting local bands.” He also talked about the show itself and its sponsors New England Brewing Company and Brian’s Guitars.
Calvin DeCutlass.
DeCutlass mentioned it was “great to be back here” before beginning his three-song set of James Velvet songs. First was “Corbett’s Light,” for which Lawson joined him on mandolin. The next two songs DeCutlass had played with The Nortons, a band comprised of himself, Velvet, and Johnny Java. During the final song, “Hotel,” DeCutlass had to stop and restart after only a few words.
“I kind of get emotional playing these songs I used to play with James. Let me try again,” he said. It was hard to not get emotional right along with him.
Before the final act of the day took to the stage, Critelli thanked everyone again and mentioned that the Sunday Buzz would be starting up again “in earnest” on April 11 and every Sunday after following. He added sternly with a glimmer in his eyes, that “only some of you” could attend and “don’t hug anybody.”
The Birdmen.
Critellit then introduced The Birdmen as “the three men instrumental in keeping the music of James Velvet alive.” Those three men were Johnny Java, Richard Neal and Johnny Memphis, who had played with Velvet as The Mockingbirds. They began their set with “I’m Still Here,” Memphis pointing up at the sky in acknowledgment of Velvet after the song concluded. They played two more songs — “Some of My Friends” and “Holiday Weekend” — with Neal switching from mandolin to banjo for the final song and the vibe continuously reenergizing itself with each note the friends played. Before leaving the stage, they added a piece of one more Velvet song — “I Got a Shirt” — with Critelli joining them on vocals.
Neal and Critelli mimed a hug to each other from across the stage before he ended with his trademark pleas to “stay out of trouble, fight the power, be kind to one another, and support local bands.” The words of Velvet still lingered in the air and through the screen: “This is my whole life right here where we are. This is my town.”
The livestreamed show is available for viewing on the Cafe Nine Facebook page. The Local Bands Show continues on 99.1 FM WPLR every Sunday night at 10 PM and is replayed every Monday at “noonish” on CygnusRadio.com.