Posts Tagged ‘Tin Can Fish Band’

The holiday showcase at O’Toole’s featured some of VOCAL’s finest and seasoned talent. An attentive and festive audience was present and a few of the lucky attendees received valuable prizes from the ticket drawings.

John Ellis, the Master of Ceremonies and longtime VOCAL member, kicked off the show with three of his seasonal tunes. Winter Solstice is an ear-pleasing instrumental guitar number reflective of the winter season. Autumn Hours describes many of the various aspects of the arrival of Autumn along with the peace and serenity that accompany it. John left us with Me and My Baby on a Cold Winter Day, a bluesy tune convincing us that the best way to spend a cold winter day is cuddled up with the one you love!

Matthew Costello, VOCAL veteran and President, then took the stage with a couple of wonderful holiday-themed songs. Good to be Home for Christmas is an older tune he has resurrected and revamped. It was written about traveling to see family in Texas and reveals many precious memories of spending time with family at Christmas amidst the holiday decorations.  Feel the Breeze is a newer song from Matthew asking us to feel and embrace the positive spirit rising in the breeze bringing peace to us all. The world can certainly use lots of peace and positivity during these crazy times!

Glenda Creamer then treated us to a few of her clever and heartfelt songs. Another Crazy Christmas takes us on a tour of her house at Christmastime and features a bit of unusual activity and décor (and possibly the telltale signs of mischief). She’s probably not the only one who has had the cat destroy the tree and who stores the vacuum in the bathtub along with the glitter and Styrofoam pieces! Don’t Be Frightened Mary is a very beautiful tale of the Angel coming to Joseph in a dream and informing him of what was to come with the birth of Christ and there’s no need to worry. Matt Manion joined Glenda in this song with the vocals from Joseph’s perspective. Glenda continued with the religious theme with Jesus Meek and Mild, then transitioned to a somewhat mischievous mode with Those Magazines. This is a bluesy number recounting her time checking out various magazines from the time she was twelve years old, often getting her into trouble. The Cookie Exchange is one of Glenda’s signature holiday songs telling us about the various aspects of this custom. Heading down the path to gluttony and experiencing death by cookies may be more pleasant than other ways of leaving this world! Glenda left us with a somewhat depressing number The Day After You Take the Christmas Tree Down. It may sound a little dismal taking down all the decorations and having one last kiss under the mistletoe, but you still have next Christmas to look forward to!

Matt Manion then performed three of his seasonal tunes. Give the Gift is a brand-new song with a relevant message of giving the gift of forgiveness for Christmas. Libretto Lactosio describes the lovely effects of being lactose intolerant, especially during the holidays when you’re exposed to lots of cookies, cakes, etc. Matt ended his set with his signature holiday tune Quarter Til Midnight, where he takes us on journey across the river through a toll booth down to the Cathedral, spreading cheer along the way.

Bill Kaffenberger, who recently relocated back to RVA from LA, then took the stage and treated us to some finely crafted songs. Christmas Morning displays some really cool Christmas imagery through the eyes of someone who has no friends or loved ones to spend the holiday with. The alternate tuning on his guitar added to the allure of his story. Whenever Christmas Calls is the opposite end of the story spectrum where he reminisces on all the vivid childhood memories and the many blessings of having friends and family around during the holidays. We’re Only Here for a Little While sums up the reality that life passes by very quickly, so you really need to live it to its fullest while you’re here! Eat, drink and be merry are excellent words to live by.

Steve Fisher and the Tin Can Fish Band ended the evening with several of their crowd-pleasing songs. The accordion, bass guitar and cajon added to the cool vibe of the music. Rolling and Tumbling Back to You expresses the sentiment of always returning to that special person in your heart. Eldridge and Charlie Down at O’Toole’s is a really catchy (and true) song about the two guys who pretty much took over the entertainment at O’Toole’s after the war and kept the crowds coming. They dusted off the old piano and brought the place to life with their singalong tunes. Blue Avenue is from the COVID era and came from the Shockoe Sessions, describing deserted streets and lonely days and nights on Blue Avenue. A broken heart missing a beat and looking for a better day!  Peaceful Revolution addresses a current theme in today’s world of crooked politicians, hate and lies being strewn across the landscape. They then treated us to a holiday song, All We Have, though not your typical up-tempo happy Christmas song, the tale is spun through the eyes of a group of hobos living on the street. They may not have a lot like you and me but get by just fine with all they have. They ended the evening with Water of Life, a jovial ode to the soul of a Scotch Whiskey-drinking person, where they chase the spirits ‘til sunup. Sounds like a plan to me!

Another wonderful evening of fine VOCAL talent. A big thanks to all the performers and also to the generous contributions of VOCAL and anonymous individuals who sponsored the prizes!

Showcase Photos

Click a photo for larger view

Photo Credits: Matthew Costello, John Ellis, Norman Roscher