Randy Ciarlante (photo Sabina Curti)
CKS Band
Club Helsinki Hudson
Hudson, N.Y.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Review by Seth Rogovoy
Photography by Sabina Curti
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – With members of the Greg Allman Band and the post-Last Waltz incarnation of The Band, the CKS Band, a trio that performed at Club Helsinki Hudson on Thursday, March 13, functions well as a versatile blues trio and as an occasional cover band playing hits by or associated with those groups or others of its ilk.
Drummer-vocalist Randy Ciarlante, keyboardist-singer Bruce Katz, and guitarist-vocalist Scott Sharrard kicked off their show with a rendition of the Traffic hit “Medicated Goo,” the perfect brand of funky, rootsy rock – call it “hippie rock” if you will — in which the trio specializes. Although the trio lacks a bass player, Katz filled in the bottom section ably with his left hand, and Ciarlante and Sharrard both boast soulful voices that skillfully swapped phrases. All together, the trio put out a big sound for just three players.
CKS Band (photo Sabina Curti)
The group interspersed original R&B and blues tunes, including a bit of Philly soul called “She Can’t Wait” and a blues-rocker called “Sweet Compromise.”
Ciarlante performed a beautiful tribute to his former group with a version of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” His drumming evinced some jazzy touches as well as plenty of the influence of Levon Helm.
The show had the informal feel of an open rehearsal, with songs being decided upon (or discussed by the players) in real time, and with a few numbers being offered for the very first time live by the group. They gamely attempted The Four Tops’s soul classic, “Lovin’ You Is Sweeter Than Ever,” a number the Band used to cover. They might have saved that one for a little more real rehearsal time – it sort of just sat there without getting off the ground.
The show was recorded for an upcoming live album. That cover of “Medicated Goo” sure was worthy of posterity.