Dr. Rock's Music Adventures: Barrence Whitfield and the Savages at Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza, Worthington, Ohio August 28, 2015

Sometime about 1987, I read a review of the album Ow! Ow! Ow! by Barrence Whitfield and the Savages in Rolling Stone magazine. My roommate at the time, Ricky Lee Allen, bought the album and we listened to it A LOT. We were captivated by the energy, the style, and retro sound. From that time until 2015, I have bought every Barrence Whitfield recording I could find. I have dreamed of seeing the band in concert but never had. I once almost skipped a rehearsal dinner in Boston to see Barrence and the band (almost). I have been to hundreds of shows in the last 5 years, how could I miss seeing these guys live? Well 2015 changed all that. I could write a short story about my first encounter with Barrence Whitfield and the Savages in the Over The Rhine district of Cincinnati in the Spring. Suffice it to say: it was epic. I talked to Barrence multiple times that day, he signed multiple CDs, posters, and a setlist, and he posed for my favorite selfie of all time. Oh, and the band was AMAZING live -- just like I had always hoped.

I knew a new album was coming out, the terrific Under the Savage Sky and I was hoping they would come back to Ohio to play. I thought with the Savages drummer, Andy Jody, being from Cincinnati and the banding recently recording at Ultra Suede Studio in Cincinnati, the chances were good the band would return to Ohio for some more live shows. On Friday August 28th, 2015, I attended just such an event at Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza in Worthington, Ohio.
VENUE: I really like this venue. They serve terrific coal fired pizza, have a good selection of adult beverages, they book some terrific musicians, and it is quite the intimate setting.
When I arrived, I was headed for the entrance when I realized the man himself, Barry White (i.e. Barrence Whitfield) was standing right behind me. We talked for a few minutes, we discussed the show in Cincinnati with the Sonics, and Peter Greenberg (writer/guitarist for the band) walked up. Peter and I talked for a few minutes and as much as I hated to leave the presence of these awesome gentlemen, I felt I would lose my reserved table if I delayed my arrival at the front desk any longer. Once I checked in at the front, Barrence came in and as I waited to sit down, he and I talked some more about my Barrence Whitfield and the Savages t-shirt and the tour merchandise.
HEADLINER: The band consists of Peter Greenberg on guitar, Phil Lenker on bass, Andy Jody on drums, Tom Quartulli on sax, and Barrence Whitfield on lead vocals. This is a really strong lineup. They play very, very well together and Barrence Whitfield's vocals are as strong as ever.
The band played through a very strong, lively set of new and older material. Newer material off the recently released album fit right in with the older classics. Some of the highlights from the Under the Savage Sky album included "The Wolf Pack", "The Claw", "I'm A Full Grown Man", and (with an interesting story told beforehand) "Incarceration Casserole". We also got some great classics from the band: "Bip Bop Bip", "Georgia Slop", and "Walkin' With Barrence". Although the venue lends itself to sitting at a table to listen to the band, by late in the show the small space in front of the stage had quite a few people up and dancing to the songs. A very strong performance. I really like the new material.
MERCH: The band brought along two styles of t-shirt featuring the artwork from the new album, as well as CDs and vinyl from the latest two albums.
As soon as the show ended, I asked Phil Lenker the bass player if I could have his (and one of only two I saw on stage) set list. He said yes (thanks!) and I was lucky enough to speak with each of the band members and they all signed the setlist. Peter Greenberg and I talked about his time away from the music industry, Barrence and I attempted another selfie (a poor job on my part as the flash did not want to cooperate), and I talked with Andy about living in Clifton and the upcoming MOTR show next Friday.
Along with the Woodward Theater show in the Spring, these are two of my top 10 concert experiences. This band sure makes me happy! If you have not heard their music, put down what you are doing and check it out here right now. And if you have not seen them live, add that to your list of must-see shows. I am already planning the next time I will see them live!
MY RATING: I give this whole concert experience a 5 out of 5!