|
. . .
With a clean, competent show, the Hooties lived up to their reputation as good-time, bar band funsters who struck it rich. Far more intriguing was the opening band, the Continental Drifters from New Orleans, a genre-spanning sextet fronted by multi-instrumentalist Peter Holsapple, formerly of the dBs, and his wife, Susan Cowsill of the swinging, singing '70's family of the same name.
The band, unsigned but major-label worthy, was at its best when Cowsill combined her confident vocals with those of guitarist Vicki Peterson, formerly of the Bangles. The result was smooth, sisterly harmonies and attention-getting melodies.
Holsapple sat in with the headliners - sort of a fifth Hootie - playing a range of instruments to help flesh out the often meaty tunes. Cowsill subbed for Nanci Griffith, who recorded backup vocals on Hooties' "The Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn," adding a rich layer to that haunting vocal showcase of a song.
|
