Wheel's CD Release Party @ Canal Street 5-29-11
By Jimmy Cummings
When I first arrived at Canal Street Tavern Sunday,
May 29, I could barely believe my eyes. We were there to see the group Wheels
for the second time in less than a week so I was expecting a decent crowd. But
the last time I saw a crowd like this at Canal Street was at the last
Werksgiving a year or two ago. I kind of said to myself, “I wonder how many
of these people are family?” But the closer I looked the more I realized that it
wasn’t just family; people were leaving other events to come here and see the young
quartet from Yellow Springs, Ohio. There was no shortage of young girls there
either, all of them anxious to see Wheels perform songs from their newly
released CD Fields on Fire.
Perhaps their youth is the first thing you notice
about the band, but that quickly goes away the moment the boys pick up their
instruments. These guys take the stage with
the confidence you rarely see from young artist. However, tonight they were
playing to a packed house; and I mean it was standing room only packed, so I
wondered how the band might respond. Well if they were feeling the pressure of
a packed house it didn’t show. Wheels responded with a performance of a
lifetime. The band consist of members; Sam Salazar (Mandolin, Ukulele, Vocals),
Rory Papania (Guitar, Banjo, Vocals), Jamie Scott (Percussion, Harmonica, Vocals),
and Sam Crawford (Standup Bass).
The album Fields on Fire marks the first release for
Wheels so it made since that they would open their show with a song from the CD
titled Baby Blue (written by Salazar). The song highlights the vocal range and
harmonies of the group and was a great choice to open the show. The band played
one of my favorites from their CD called High Horse; written by Papania, High
Horse is one of those tunes where you just close your eyes and become immersed
in the story being told. In fact the entire album shows the boys are not only
excellent musicians but also have a talent for songwriting as well. Sit Down,
another song from the CD was written by Scott and shows the bands folk influence;
particularly Bob Dyan and The Avett Brothers.
Top: Rory Papania (Guitar, Banjo, Vocals), Sam Crawford (Standup Bass)
Bottom: Jamie Scott (Percussion, Harmonica, Vocals), Sam Salazar (Mandolin, Ukulele, Vocals)
I wasn’t the only one that was impressed with Wheels
performance that night. One of the coolest parts of the night was when I was
sitting outside the door of Canal Street enjoying some fresh air when I noticed all
the kids sitting on the sidewalk singing along with the music coming from
inside. Then on my way back in I noticed that there was not anyone whose eyes
were not glue to the stage. There was an energy surrounding the entire building
that night that was a pleasure to witness; you had to feel good for the young
men from Yellow Springs. Especially when the show ended and the guys were
surrounded by friends, family, and of course plenty of girls wanting an
autograph from the stars of the night. That’s right, young men; I know I
referred to them as boys a lot in this article, but these fellows grew up a lot
tonight. The guys from Wheels have a bright future ahead of them and it was an
honor to be a part of this great night.
Thanks to everyone at Canal Street Tavern for
hosting another memorable night of great music. Thanks to Wheels and everyone
affiliated with the band (all the moms and dads) for letting Buckeye Music
Magazine a part of this wonderful evening. Don’t forget the name of the CD is
called Fields on Fire. Best of luck Wheels.
http://www.wheelsband.com
http://www.canalstreettavern.com/
Cd release party !!!
Canal Street Tavern
Dayton Ohio
Taped By Chubby
