The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
December 6, 2005

Fun.  Pure joy.  High energy.  These were the adjectives heard when folks were leaving the Peter White Christmas show.  Peter has been doing these shows with Mindi Abair for several years, and this is the second year that Rick Braun has joined in on the fun.  The show was relaxed, but with every note played from the heart by these three very talented musicians.

The show opened with “The Little Drummer Boy,” played by Rick Braun.  He was then joined on stage by Peter White and Mindi Abair.  Next up was “The Christmas Song” which featured Rick singing lead.  The more I hear Rick’s voice, the more I like it.  Then they went right into “Greensleeves” which showcased Peter.  Mindi was back in singing mode with her original tune, “I Can’t Wait For Christmas.”  Rick was playing the bongos on this one and really getting into the groove.

Besides the seasonal songs they played, each of these artists gave us some of the hits that we all love.  Rick played his signature “Notorious,” which put the crowd into a frenzy!  Peter gave us “Promenade,” and Mindi played soprano sax on “Save the Last Dance.”  The audience loved every note.  But more entertaining than the music was the obvious camaraderie that Peter, Rick and Mindi share.  They were having just as much fun on stage as we were watching them.  And so was their band, which included Ron Reinhardt on keys, Rayford Griffin on drums and Kevin Wyatt on bass and vocals.

Rick was having a blast playing “Shining Star” and “Love’s Theme” from his latest CD, Yours Truly.  On both of these songs, Rick and Mindi were playing off each other and having a great time.  Peter electrified the crowd with “Midnight in Manhattan.”  Mindi was up next with her get-up-and-dance track, “Flirt.”  Locals know that this tune usually has a young boy, Joey (who claims to be her biggest fan), accompanying her with his break-dancing, but this year was different.  This year we had a Birchmere regular, Hamilton, doing the bump with Mindi.  It was priceless, and without a doubt Joey has been replaced!

The group then went back into seasonal fashion with some spectacular songs.  “Winter Wonderland,” featured Rick’s phenomenal whistling ability!  Peter played “White Christmas” so perfectly, as always, and puts his entire self and emotion into that song.  “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph” were played on a ukulele and a piccolo trumpet by Peter and Rick.  “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was sung by Rick, who seems so comfortable as a vocalist.  Peter gave us “River” and the three chimed in for “Jingle Blues,” based on a Miles Davis tune.  The song I look forward to each year at this show is “Silent Night” done by Peter White.  It’s perfect and Peter plays it beautifully.

Mindi displayed her vocals on a crowd favorite, “Everytime,” which was written for her husband, Jason, when they were dating and then went right into “Lucy’s.”  Then there was a pause while Peter reminded Rick he was starting the next song and should be out in the crowd!  It was quite funny as Rick ran out there and then went into an outstanding rendition of “Cadillac Slim.”  The crowd went wild as Rick made his way around.  And if that didn’t get your motor running, then Peter’s song “Bueno Funk” had to.  All three joined in on “Grazin’ In the Grass,” Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” which just rocked the house.  The evening ended with a stirring rendition of John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas,” played by Mindi and then all three of them on “O Holy Night.” 

It was a beautiful evening with amazing musicians and wonderful traditional songs, as well as our favorite hits.  The only hard part is now waiting until next year to feel that energy again.

- Bonnie Schendell