By Danny Coleman
originally published: 10/13/2016
"The Stanhope House is like coming home," says an excited Sari Schorr as she prepares a return to her roots with a 6 p.m. show on October 14. "I love going back there, it's where I established myself, it's familiar and it's always great to see a lot of friendly faces."
Cutting her teeth in a traditionally male dominated genre, Sari persevered; never giving up the desire to sing the blues and in her corner, she had some very talented mentors who were both experienced and encouraging. "Joe Louis Walker," she started slowly. "I was a vocalist in his band. We toured here at home and in Europe and he'd yell at anyone who'd call me a background singer. Joe was a huge influence on my career, he and I would do a lot of duets and he'd urge me to go on my own. He kept saying that I needed to go and do it, start my own band and I was scared to do so. I was scared because it was like leaving a family and I was so unsure of many things. When I finally did so, I created a band, The Engine Room, in the same way; they're like family. I had seen Innes (Guitarist Innes Sibun) perform with Robert Plant and at various other times and I thought; that's him, that's who I want in my band. Once he agreed to sign on, everyone else just kind of fell into place."
Another such example is that of the legendary blues producer Mike Vernon. "Gosh, ya' know; sometimes it feels like I've been doing this forever," Sari said with a laugh as she recounted how it all, like her band, "Fell into place." "When I started out, I was playing little clubs in and all around New York City and had it not been for Mike Vernon discovering me in Memphis; I'd still be trying and doing the same. Mike was in Memphis to receive a "Keeping The Blues Alive" award from the "International Blues Challenge" and we were invited to perform at the event. I can say for sure that it just all went right at that moment; the performance, Mike being there, all of it just was perfect as if the stars aligned (laughs). Mike loved what we did and he actually came out of retirement for me; talk about humbling and feeling honored? Mike was the perfect producer for this album and for me. He has such a deep knowledge of the blues and the right sound and he's not afraid to take chances. He stays true to the blues yet takes some chances; there's an edge to it and it's refreshing."
With backers like these, this lady with the gutsy, sexy, raspy voice which oozes blues with each powerful phrase she utters (See "Demolition Man"), has possibly struck gold with this debut effort on Manhaton Records. "A Force of Nature," is a fine first entry into the blues realm, rife with searing guitar, powerful bass, pounding drums and that voice; the voice which sucks one in and doesn't loosen its grip on our collective rock/blues psyche until Sari deems it so. A cast of players which included Walter Trout, Oil Brown, John Baggot, Quique Bonal and more contributed their talents to this record; which according to Schorr wasn't necessarily a done deal. "I recorded this album in the UK, Spain, in the U.S.; across four countries really. Even with Mike Vernon behind me, we weren't real optimistic about a record deal; let's face it, there aren't many labels left. I wasn't even sure about an agent or at least one who could find me a record deal. Then Manhaton Records stepped up, who are ironically based in the UK and signed me. I've got some great label mates there including Robin Trower; so I'm in pretty good company."
A remake of the classic, "Black Betty" which was brought to the fore first by LeadBelly circa. 1939 and then by Ram Jam, whose version is considered by many as "Unsurpassed" is part of this collection. Sari recalls her trepidation about re-recording the tune and attempting such a well known piece of work. "I was asked to do my version at the LeadBelly Festival earlier this year and I said, No!," she stated with an emphatic laugh. "C'mon! It was at Carnegie Hall and Buddy Guy was there, Walter Trout, Eric Burdon, Dana Fuchs, Edgar Winter were all there; no pressure huh? I really didn't want to do it but I was convinced and it went better than I ever could've hoped and the record label included it on the disc; they took a big chance on doing so."
Sari says that when writing her material that "Music and melodies come easy" to her but that "Lyrics take time." "I'm a storyteller before I'm anything else," she explains. "It's easy to write happy songs or sad songs or remake another's material but I like to write songs with topics that are difficult to talk about. Topics that spur emotion or raw feelings; those are the ones that make my songs more special."
Having already gained notoriety overseas, Schorr is intent on cracking the blues market here at home; something many before her have also found difficulty in achieving. "I've been featured on the covers of two top music magazines in Europe. "Blues Matters," did a story on me that was titled "From Nobody to Somebody" and "Blues In Britain" recently ran a piece as well and it was such an honor to be in these magazines. It seems like it's taken a lifetime of work to make this album and to finally see the rewards of all of that hard work is a good feeling. Europe, especially the UK; they are very aware of American blues and blues in general. They are very receptive to it and to me, here in the States; it's much tougher. It is very important to me to crack this market but places like New York and Florida as well as many other areas are logistically tough. I'm not giving up though (Laughs)"
Sari says another album is a definite and looks very much forward to performing back "Home" on Friday evening. "I've been writing already," she said with an air of confidence. I want to get up to about 30 songs written so that I can narrow it down to about 12 good ones. The next record will be with Mike once again and we are planning on doing it in a residential studio either in the UK or maybe here in the States. The Stanhope House is going to be a dynamic show; it's our first one back home since we returned from Europe. I'll do an approximate 90 minute set and songs from the record and I am absolutely thrilled to be back!"
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amalfi's Restaurant & Bar146 Lawrenceville Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri. 9 p.m. The Dadz
Sat. 9 p.m. Diablo Sandwich Band
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Milandro
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Thurs. 5 p.m. Everyone Dies In Utah, Convictions, Glass Houses, Conspire, Dreams Of Demise, Rise My King, Perennial. All ages, $12/$14
Fri. 5 p.m. Toothgrinder, Auras, Moon Tooth, Extractus, Into The Infinite, Scarlet Fire, Enochian. All ages, $10/$12
Sat. 5 p.m. DeLucys, The Black Sox Scandal, Don't Tell Lucy, The Stone Eye, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 7 p.m. Bruise, Meth Mouth, Dissent, Rwanda, Gloves Off, Third Rail, No Funeral. All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bordentown RiverFest100 West Park Street Bordentown
Sat. 12 p.m. Pipe and Drum Band, Radio Fiction, Out Of The Red
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glenn McClelland Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. CJ Steinway
Sat. 8 p.m. Michelle Wiley Duo
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Michael Andrew
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Joe Ford Sax Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. Brett
Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Chance a/k/a Nytrous
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (9 p.m.)Mike Estabrook
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) New Pony
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson (4 p.m.) Jeff Selby
Wed. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Sourland
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Carm
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8 p.m. "Countdown To Ecstasy" Steely Dan Tribute. Doors at 6 p.m., $20
Sat. 8 p.m. Matt Sevier / Jerry Lee Watkins.
Sun. 3 p.m. Ladies 2000
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran & Friends Local and Original Music Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. 1/2 Past Sax
Fri. 6 p.m. Catmoondaddy
Sat. 6 p.m. (Closed Private Event)
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Sergio & Lars
Wed. 7 p.m. "Farm to Table" Dinner. Reservations by 10/17, $75 per person
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Rob Ballonoff
Sat. 2 p.m. Tom Fuller
Sun. 1 p.m. Don The Medicine Man
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. General Krank
Sat. 9 p.m. The Dawgs
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z Jam
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publik House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Live Music on the Paddy-O" (TBA)
Sat. 10 p.m. "Fire Pit Party" w/ DJ Jimmy G
Tues. 8 p.m. Paint The Pumpkin Party
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Fri. 5 p.m. "Sangriaville" at Laurita
Sat. 1 p.m. The B-Side
Sun. (10 a.m.) "Sandcastle Kickoff" (11 a.m.) "Vino Vinyasa" w/ Mettamade (12 p.m.) "Vintage Car Show" (1 p.m.) First Call (6 p.m.) Eastern Wind Symphony
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" / Pottery Face Jug Making
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
Fri. 7 p.m. Paul Plumeri & Joe Zook
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. Stem / Whoopiddy Doo
Sat. 9 p.m. "College House / Hip-Hop Party" feat. DJ RV & MC Slim
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Rick Winow & Danny Coleman
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Dave Murray Duo
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Zeke Sky Duo
Sat. 8 p.m. DiRty ReD "Unplugged"
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Blind Lemmon Pie
Sat. 9:30 p.m. 80's Undercover
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 8 p.m. "An Evening With Harry Camisa" a Lecture, Meet & Greet and Book Signing. Admission: FREE (WARNING! Mature content of NJ Prison System and Death Row)
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Paul Desisto. Ages 21+ (2 IDs required), $15 ($5 w/ valid college ID)
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet, $10 (8:30 p.m.) Once Again Band
Sandy's Beef & Ale2028 E. Old Lincoln Highway Langhorne, PA
(267) 852-2333
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Darla Rich Quartet
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Tim Brown and Friends. $20
Sat. (2 p.m.) "Theater To Go" Presents: "Emily Roebling." (8 p.m.) "Bucks County Gilbert & Sullivan Society" Presents: "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan and Popular Tunes of Broadway Autumn Dessert Cabaret" Fundraiser.
Sun. 3 p.m. Jerry Rife's Rhythm Kings. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Thunder Moon
Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Boys Round Here
Sat. 9 p.m. Black Rose
Tues. 6 p.m. "Pumptoberfest Party"
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. John & Maggs
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 10 p.m. Stereo87
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. "Reggae Night" w/ Mystic Bowie (A benefit Show for C.A.S.A.) All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $10 (Donation)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
Sat. 9 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Never Enough
Sat. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Mike Brill
Sat 9 p.m. Seamus Kelleher
Sun 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Wed. 9 p.m. Paul Wiese
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Water Seed. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Hustle Souls. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
