First off, I'll be right up front with all of you. I love The Outlaws, so for me to be 100% totally objective may be difficult. However, what makes me so subjective about the band is shared by many and was the sentiment to all who saw them at The Starland Ballroom last Friday, May 21st. I'll discuss that further along in this review.

 

I was excited ever since I heard they were playing. One reason, the venue is only about 20-25 minutes from where I live. I think the Starland is a great place to see a show. I've seen The Outlaws there since their reunion in 2005 a number of times as well as Marshall Tucker, Robert Cray and took my daughter to her first concert there to see All Time Low, a power/pop/punk band. Plenty of parking, the bartenders are quick, and guys, the female bartenders are VERY attractive. The best thing, huge rest rooms!!! Can't beat that! When I go to see a show at B B King's there is always a long line because you can barely squeeze a person into their men's room. Here's a tip for ya, pay the $18 bucks for a "parking pass" which allows you to go in through a side entrance before others. If you want to sit, what few seats there are around the bar areas will be taken quickly so getting in first is the way to go. If you like standing, well you surely will be right in front of the stage utilizing the parking pass. The tickets for The show was also very moderately priced at $20. Another tip for you: If you know one of the opening acts, as I did with the Southern Steel Band, buy the tickets from them. That way you avoid all those insane Ticket Master service charges.

 

The only drawback I have about the venue, and can only speak for this show was there were three bands prior to The Outlaws. The first band, Days Before Tomorrow just didn't fit the bill of a southern rock night. They were loud, too loud, I couldn't understand a word the lead singer sung. They were sort of a cross of some 80s bands like Kansas, Rush, Styx, just couldn't put my finger on it, but to me, having three bands prior to the headliner is a bit excessive.

 

The next band on the show certainly grabbed my attention; Southern Fried Funk. This New Jersey quartet, a blues/funk jam band, of some young musicians showed an amazing amount of talent. They currently have two albums, the most recent being, No Time to Compromise. Their song entitled, "Blow My Blues Away" got the crowd going with that funky beat and watching lead guitarists Dan Zavaro and Andrew Gialanella trading licks with some great slide work had some of us "old timers" amazed at the musical virtuosity of these youngsters. The highlight for me was their covering of Santana's "Soul Sacrifice" with a great job on bass by Julian Applebaum and, of course, the solo on drums by Alex Bubnov.

 

Batting third in the lineup, The Southern Steel Band. This seasoned New Jersey southern rock band had previously opened for The Outlaws as well as Dickey Betts and Marshall Tucker. While the guys in the band have "real jobs", they perform like professionals. Their stage presence was tight, and I don't know if it was because they were excited about opening for The Outlaws, but even bassist Stan Romanowski (who I'd compare to the stoic and legendary bassist Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones as far as very little moving around on stage)) was rocking/dancing in time with lead guitarist Dave Sorber. The band is rounded out by the other lead guitarist Tom Napurano, keyboardist Tom Tibaldi, newest member Jim Halberg on drums and lead singer Bill Hipple. I got a chance to speak with Dave, Bill and Jim before the show, and always, besides being all biz, they are gentlemen. They started their set with Tucker's, "Take the Highway" and when they went to the next song, Skynyrd's, "They Call Me the Breeze", well this southern fried boogie party was now officially on!! I looked around and saw everybody swaying/ rocking/dancing and singing along. The band ended a short set of songs with the Allman's "Whippin' Post." If you live in New Jersey and haven't seen the band yet, what are you waiting for?! In fact, you like Marshall Tucker, go see Southern Steel opening for them at The Starland on July 17th.

 

Now getting back to the one drawback, and that is if the first band didn't play, then Southern Fried Funk, and especially Southern Steel would have gotten more playing time, which was the type of music associated with the headliners, The Outlaws.

 

Ah yes, The Outlaws. As I said starting off this review, it's hard for me to be objective about them. My subjectivity comes from a number of factors. One, their dual lead guitars of Chris Anderson and Billy Crain, in my humble opinion are the best in the biz. Bar none! And I'm talking Allmans, Tucker, Hatchett. Keyboardist, yes keyboardist in The Outlaws, Jon Coleman is tasteful in his chops, knows when to stand out, when to lay low, has a good voice on harmonies and brings freshness to each song. Randy Threet on bass has become since the 2005 reunion, one of the fan's favorite bassists in the history of the band. It's easy to figure out why...great harmony singing and he attacks that bass, rock steady is Randy. On rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Henry Paul. Henry really needs no introduction. He was there in the beginning, on the first album the band released, and it's his current leadership that has steered this Outlaws ship through some rough waters when it was announced they would carry on after the death of Outlaws guitar gunslinger, song writer and vocalist Hughie Thomasson in Septemeber 2007. The soul of the band, playing thunderous drums, Monte Yoho, who continues to be so genrous in the amount of time he spends talking to the fans before and after shows.

 

There are not many bands out there of the same biological age as these guys that put in the energy, passion and COMMITMENT these guys do when it comes to giving the fans a jaw dropping show. In fact, without a doubt, they'd blow the doors off many of the younger groups now touring. Among the song selection were four new songs including "The Flame", a tribute to Hughie. The standbys of "Hurry Sundown", "There Goes Another Love Song", "Green Grass and High Tides" and "Ghost Riders (in the sky)" were mixed in with other Outlaws classics. Also from the days of The Henry Paul Band, "So Long" and an early highlight of the show, "Grey Ghost." One downside for me, Henry, if you read this, bring back your song, "Song in the Breeze."

 

Above all else, having spoken with the current band a number of times, there are a few things quite obvious. They remain loyal to the history of The Outlaws and lost members Thomasson, Billy Jones and Frank O'Keefe. There is a badge of honor to be an "Outlaw" and they wear that badge with respect. Most of all, they are very focused on what they can add to the legacy of one of the most under rated kick ass bands in American rock 'n roll history. To sum it up, the band has some new demos posted on their website, and one of those demos is entilted, "It's About Pride." Perfectly said.