Show Review

Last Thursday The Half Moon was ready to set sail around Manhattan for a unique night of music with Marco Benevento and Joe Russo of the Duo pairing up with half of Critters Buggin’ featuring Skerik and Mike Dillon. While the boat never left the dock due to an equipment failure, it did not stop the birthday celebration for Marco nor did it prevent the dynamic jam session that followed.

Before a note of music was played, Marco was presented with a birthday cake and treated to the audience singing Happy Birthday. The show was delayed for approximately an hour while everyone waited to see if the boat was going to be able to leave the dock. Finally the band took matters into their own hands and got down to business. What came next was blazing sets of music that varied from subtle interludes of jazz to heavy metal blasts of manic energy.

This was not the first time they have played together as a band but the mood was very loose allowing for the band to explore any impulse. What was most impressive was watching each of the musicians listen to each other and react at a moments notice. Skerik and Marco drove most of the jams while Dillon and Russo added percussive compliments and attacks propelling the session.

Overall the music flowed from one idea to the next. There were sketches of songs I recognized as part Garage A Trois, part Duo and a few covers. But more than anything it was about playing without any inhibitions, which was clearly evident in the birthday gift of a patron that sat on Marco’s keyboard.

Photo courtesy of Riva Fischel