Rodney Strong Vineyards
Healdsburg, CA
September 24, 2005

It may have been a beautiful fall afternoon at Rodney Strong Vineyards, but we were about to be hit by a storm... Norman Brown’s Summer Storm tour featuring Everette Harp and Peabo Bryson.  Norman Brown came out playing “Take Me There,” and he certainly did.  We were instantly hooked and in the groove.  He jumped right into “Night Drive,” played with a slightly faster tempo than it is on Just Chillin.  The band transitioned into “Groove Control” as Everette Harp appeared, playing alto sax with grace and power.   Norman joined him on guitar and vocals and this fast, funky song literally blew us away! 

Peabo Bryson made his way to the stage singing “I’m So Into You.”  The audience thoroughly appreciated his beautiful, soulful voice.  Everette and Norman joined with back-up vocals.  Peabo invited the audience to sing along during “Show And Tell” while Everette and Norman accompanied him on guitar and sax.  As he began singing he approached the foot of the stage and, to our surprise, didn’t stop there but proceeded down the steps and into the crowd where he shook hands as they were extended.

Norman, back front-and-center, played “After The Storm,” which showcased his scat vocals.  During the ballad “I Still Believe,” his music director/keyboardist Gail Johnson joined him on vocals.  Everett came back out signing along and joking around with Norman.  He played “You Can Hear Me" while Norman played sideman on guitar and vocals. Everett has a great stage presence.   He invokes the spirit of the songs he plays, and you can’t help but get caught up in his music.

Norman commented that he was going to send some love up to Luther Vandross as he began playing “Any Love.”  Then he talked about the artists who had a profound influence on his career and did his impressions of Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and George Benson, which segued into Bryson joining him for “This Masquerade.”  Everette and Norman ended the set with the bluesy jam, “Blues In G.”  We were pumped and ready for more.  Fortunately, this was just an intermission. The guys would be back soon!

Norman opened the second set with “Up ’N’ At 'Em,” a lively song that got the crowd back up and moving.  Then he mellowed it out with “Angel.” Everette came back for the spicy  “Like Ole Times.”  They welcomed Peabo back for “Through The Fire,” and then played “Get Here” as a tribute to Brenda Russell who has been part of the tour but unfortunately could not make this show. 

Norman introduced the band members: Gail Johnson (music director, keyboards, vocals, bells and whistles), Charles Love (keyboard and synthesizers), Dwayne “Smitty” Smith (bass), Bobette Jamison-Harrison (vocals), and Larry Durrell (drums).   He got the crowd up and boogying with “Dancing In The House.”   Each member of the band took turns showcasing their talents.  They moved into “Out'A Nowhere,” and Norman gave the audience a lesson in scat singing. Norman asked the audience to repeat after him, and they did their best, but the sound was more like cats fighting than scat singing.  Everyone had fun trying though.  Everett switched to soprano  for “Where Were You When I Needed You.” During the song Everette and Norman got into a little friendly competition, sax versus guitar.   They went back and forth trying to outdo each other on high notes until Everette, being the wise guy, took off his long-sleeve shirt to expose the tank top underneath.  Norman laughed and threw his hands in the air saying, “I can’t compete with that,” as he walked off the stage.  Norman played “Lydian,” an up-tempo favorite, and the soulful, jazzy “I Might.”  Peabo joined Norman to sing his hits “If Ever Your In My Arms” and “Feel the Fire,” both definite crowd pleasers.  They wrapped it up with a very funky version of “Hot Fun In The Summertime.”  This got everyone dancing... moms, dads, kids, aunts, uncles.  If it moved it was dancing! 

As the show ended the guys handed red roses to people in the crowd as a gesture of heartfelt thanks for coming and sharing the moment.  Norman Brown’s Summer Storm is a storm you would definitely want to be caught in!

- Rochell Latasi