Death Valley: Live music

As I sit here relaxed, coke in hand, I remember the joy of discovering good bands at an out of the way club in NYC. But this is not some funky club down in Soho, or a long-lined club on Sunset Boulevard. This is Death Valley.

The club has a similar feel. A restaurant with wooden floors obviously designed to serve food has been reconverted into something else. A stage area is created. The lights are set low. The ambience is created. An audience where every table speaks a different language fills the room. The trio begins to play.

Within moments, the audience realizes this band is good. Not, “okay they did a decent job on the song” good. But “they blew that song away” good. With the guitar and the flute singeing their solos. The drummer keeping the beat yet avoiding repetition by using different drums and syncopation.

The band, U R Hear, consists of Phyllis Nefsky, flautist, Vinny Nicastro, drummer and Alex Painter, guitarist. Each of them master musicians who could handle long solos quite easily but they keep solos short so they don’t lose the audience. (The day of the 20 minute solo is long gone.)

The audience is appreciative of each song. Applause after each song is not polite but enthusiastic. From the expertise to the choice of music to the price, the audience is enjoying every bit. (The price is free.)

Appetizers, drinks and a limited menu is available but not forced upon you. There is no minimum for this maximum of music. I had planned to stay maybe half an hour and ended up staying two hours. When something is this good, you don’t want to let it slip away quickly.

U R Hear will be playing again at the 49er cafe on July 22nd. They will begin at 9 P.M. and will jam as long as the audience approves. This jam session will include the rhythmic singing and drumming of Adonis Puentes. The concert promises to be as surprising and satisfying as the first concert. And with the temperature rising as high as 128 during the day, a cool musical breeze will be just what everyone needs.