August 31, 2003
A Night At Melrose Park

In spite of the rain which eventually subsided,we had another magic evening with The Cryan' Shames. The Taste of Melrose Park was a class act venue that had an incredible assortment of food available to choose from which covered just about anything that you could think of. It had a convenient setting with parking nearby. The Taste of Melrose was a three day affair which culminated tonight with The Cryan'Shames, followed by a fireworks display.

We visited with the Shames before settling down upfont with our very own Shameless Girls. Jim Nudd performed the sound checks while the band was busy setting up their equiptment.The Danzman was up front and already wound up for the night, and was joined by a lady friend. The Shames were pretty much performing to a packed house tonight, which, as Jim Pilster (J.C. Hooke) announced, was a first for them at the Melrose Park Venue.

They opened with Sunshine Psalm, one of their most difficult songs to perform which was written by James Fairs in 1967.Bob Stroud impressed us with his lead vocal, and Bob Blom did a great keyboard improvision during the bridge. They were off to a flying start! which proved to be another great evening for all. Next followed If I Needed Someone with Dave Zane on a 12 string guitar for the Mixolydian licks which added to the song's haunting quality.Dave was the only lead guitarist tonight and did an exceptional job covering for two guitars...He pulled off a tough job. First Train to California (with Rocky Penn covering the 2nd vocal), and Greenberg, Glickstein, Charles,David Smith and Jones followed with Jimmy performing some of his antics during a microphone cord replacement. Their harmony was especially tight tonight. More songs followed from their 2nd "Red Album", and they pretty much covered all of their classic hits to the audience's delight. Cobblestone Road ran into Dennis Dupree from Danville and ended on a perfect note. Bob Stroud really did a fantastic job on all vocals tonight. J.C. Hooke had his tambourine spinning which added to tonight's show.Larry Samples joined the Shames for the vocals on two Ides' of March songs. We Could Be Happy followed with more great harmony.

Mr. Unreliable, a Lenny kerley song (who we heard was in town earlier), and Pretzel Logic followed with our one and only J.C. Hooke on vocals. A Paul Simon song came next with Jimmy covering the lead vocal while wearing his miniature conga drum and switching to his large Conga kit for the solo. What a great show!

I Wanna meet you was dedicated to our our very own Shameless girls , and followed by Up on the Roof with great cascading vocals that are a trademark of the Shames. Jimmy Kidded Babs briefly from the stage. By the way, James Fairs is responsible for hanging the "Babs" nickname on Barb.

The night's finale was It Could be we're in Love with Gregg Brucker on the vocal intro and Bob Stroud on the main vocal, and finishing with Sugar & Spice. The Cryan' Shames visited with the fans after the concert and gave autographs. The rain had subsided part way into the concert and it proved to be a pleasant night after all.

Till next time.....

The Cryan' Shames Home Page Staff
Babs, Pat, Diane, Lynn, Val, Bonnie & Dan