By Danny Coleman
originally published: 07/14/2016
"Deja Vu," "Quadrophenia," "Journeyman," "Coming of Age," "The White Album" and more have all been brought to the forefront of our musical minds over the years by Tom Reock and his "Reock & Roll Revue." Now he and they are back with a revamped lineup with their latest effort; Jackson Browne's "Running On Empty," live for two shows at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theater on July 16 and 17.
Reock, as per the norm, is on a mission to once again educate audiences while bringing forth an exceptional auditory experience, "There's so much that people don't know about Jackson Browne," said a seemingly intrigued Reock. "Just singing his material is completely different than anything I've ever done before. He has such a smooth voice, yet it's powerful; it's been a different experience that's for sure (laughs). "Running On Empty" is a great album as far as being a historical piece of recording," he explained as he began to rattle off a small portion of the factoids which he has absorbed while putting together the stage and video productions that make these sold out and near sell out shows special. "The album was set up to go out as all new material which was basically tested on the road. They recorded every night, they recorded on their tour bus where their drummer Russ Kunkel played a cardboard box in place of a bass drum on one track, wherever they performed they taped everything and experimented often. There were over 150 reels of 24 track tape that had to be listened to and tracked to make the album; kind of amazing when you think about it."
Due to the immense amount of preparations needed and the difficulties that come with assembling a cast of some of the finest musicians the area has to offer; Reock keeps these productions to once and on a rare occasion, twice a year. The cast which he assembles are dedicated players who are all highly skilled at their craft and require very little guidance but due to the demands that come along with using quality people getting everyone together and schedules to align isn't always easy. On this night as the nine piece unit begins to file in for their scheduled rehearsal, Reock shifts into band leader mode and instantaneously begins answering questions and manicuring the sound board; all while readying himself as well.
The first to arrive was long time bassist Hal Ketofsky, a veteran of many a Reock performance and along with him his daughter, backing vocalist Lindsay who is currently working on her first solo record and also making her Reock & Roll Revue debut. "I'm very excited to be doing this," she said as she prepared to do a sound check. "Because of my dad I've been to these shows but this is my first one as a performer. I knew Jackson Browne's hits but I was not a huge fan but learning and doing these songs has allowed me to see what an incredible songwriter and talent that he truly is and it's been a great time doing this material."
The rest of the band filed in one by one, lap steel guitarist Jerry Steele, new percussion player Bob Demetrician, first time Reock & Roll Revue drummer Steve Schupsky, local guitar veteran John Bushnell and multi-instrumentalist Bud Belviso on keyboards and guitars. Kindred Spirit front man Michael Slom and Reock & Roll Revue veteran Mario DiBartolo were also present as they the "Special Guests" but due to a prior commitment backing vocalist Lisa Bouchelle was not present. "I'm lucky that Steve Schupsky was available to me. He and I played together in Cheater Jones 30 years ago and Bob has been doing percussion along with Hal and I since 1981; so we're all familiar with each other," said Reock as he took inventory of his band mates as they tuned, plucked and strummed behind him like a symphony using a concert B flat get in sync with one another.
A few quick instructions and sticking points discussed and the band broke into the list; stopping only at Reock's command or to familiarize with a video/audio lead in. "My head is spinning," said Reock with a laugh. "Hours of video and audio and recording and that's all outside of the music. We're trying to cop the record as closely as possible but we are taking some liberties to make it our own and have fun with it. I'm very excited about this show because as I said, it's unlike anything I've ever done before."
This rehearsal was the last before a final full run thru would take place days before the show. Reock and the band are consummate professionals and there is no doubt that this will be a fabulous show; well worth the $25 price of admission and can be obtained by going to the Kelsey Theatre web site at
www.kelseytheatre.net. Saturday's show is at 8 p.m. and the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. To discover more about Tom Reock, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/ReockRollRevue/?fref=ts.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
Alchemist & Barrister28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Dick Gratton Jazz Group
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Sat. 8 p.m. Tony Malandro
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Simply Piano" feat. Carla Gaiser
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Cyderian Son, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Inari One, Brand Of Julez, Emerge A Tyrant, Lethal Affection, No Such Agency, White-Washed Walls, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sun. 5 p.m. The Second Phase, Perennial, Into The Infinite, (TBA). All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road, New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Glen McClellend Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Andy Prescott
Sat. 8 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues./Wed. 6 p.m. Michael Long
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Victor North Sax Quartet. $10 (cover charge)
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
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. Gypsy Mother
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Visoon (9 p.m.) Harry Walther Band
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Jazz 180 (9 p.m.) Soul Custody Trio
Sun. (11 a.m.)"Sunday Brunch" feat. Joe Robinson Brunch Jam (3 p.m.) Paul Donavan
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Daddy Green Jeans
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way, Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. John & Maggs
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Thus. 10 p.m. "College Beat The Clock Night" DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Fish Out Of Water
Sat. 8 p.m. Los Lonely Boys. Ages 21+, Doors at 6 p.m., $40 (advance)
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Live, Local, Unplugged" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Jeff Fadden
Fri. 6 p.m. Pocketful of Soul
Sat. (12-5 p.m.) "Barrel Wine Trail" Wine Tasting (6 p.m.) Craig Leach Group
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat.
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Sat. 2 p.m. Ed Wilson
Sun. 2 p.m. Bob O & Jess
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Herd Of Blues
Sat. 9 p.m. The Stage Hamz
Tues. 7 p.m. Teddy Z "Memorial Jam"
All shows 21+
Jake's Pub869
Bustleton Pike, Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Tues. 5 p.m. Bill Shannon
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+
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Farm To Table" Sunset Dinner
Fri. 7 p.m. Movie Night Under the Stars
Sat. "Summer Food Trucks and Fire Pits" (11 a.m.) DEB and the Sons of RoCK(6 p.m.) 80's Undercover
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road, Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thues. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Fri. 9 p.m. All Jack'd Up
Sat. 9 p.m. "Saturday Night Dance Party" w/ DJ RV and DJ OXX (Beyonce Ticket Giveaway)
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. 9 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 Rd. 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. Bear's Choice
Sat. 8 p.m. Blues In Disguise
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kevin Toft & the All Stars
Mon. 5 p.m. "Fundraiser for Lisa Soltesz"
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web page for upcoming events
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) Once Again
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road, Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Sun. 7 p.m. the Magnolia Street String Band. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 9 p.m. Ned Ryerson & The Groundhogs
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Big Daddy G
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. ArHouse
Sat. 9 p.m. One Flight Up
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street, Fiedlsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. The Ruckus
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius the First
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 Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Ernie White Duo
Sat. 9 p.m. DC Duo
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Off The Record
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 Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Jet Weston & The Atomic Ranch Hands
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Session" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. 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
Wed. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Jason Ager / John Beacher. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Richie Navigator / The Humble. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m.Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
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.
