THE COMPLETE MUSICIAN: Enright. |
Local icon Thom Enright has influenced and devoted his time and talents to so many legendary bands in our region, it's no wonder that some of the biggest names around are gathering at the Hi-Hat this Sunday to pay tribute to the master musician, who is recovering from a serious illness. Roomful of Blues, the Duke Robillard Band, Brass Attack, and Beaver Brown are just a few of the performers at the all-day affair."Thom was quite hesitant, as he is a very humble person and did not want us to make a fuss over him," said Tom Petteruti, Brass Attack's drummer and main man for the past two-plus decades. "But we convinced him it would be a good opportunity to help out a fellow musician the same way that we all, including Thom, had helped out our friend Jim Tait (guitarist for Rizzz) last year when he suffered a severe hand injury.
"So many bands offered to donate their time, but there were actually too many to squeeze into one day, so ultimately the bands selected are all groups with whom Thom has played with over the years and were chosen with his blessing. Thom has had such a positive impact on the Rhode Island music scene for so many years."
Veteran harmonica maestro James Montgomery and his band are also on the bill, and he offered these words about Enright: "I always think of him as the complete musician," he said. "He plays both guitar and bass as well as anyone, sings better than most, and writes some great material. I was fortunate to have him in my band for years, and he has influenced the way I look at shaping a song, and the way I approach a song vocally. He changes the texture of each band that he plays with.
"It would be hard to find anyone who has had as much influence on the Rhode Island musical community, because he has played such a wide variety of styles creatively and with ease.
That wide variety is clearly on display on Enright's last album, 2005's Intoxicated (available at cdbaby.com for $13.99 CD/$9.99 mp3), as the six-string savant breaks the mold of straight-up blues with a chaser from song to song, beginning with the opening title track, an uptempo number recalling early Clapton, to the reggae-ish appeal of "My Reality" and "Poor Side of Town." Intoxicated revels in a richly diverse, if not subtle swagger. It's the sound of a man who nonchalantly knows that he's got the goods.
Montgomery best summed up the anticipation of what will be a special evening for everyone in the room.
"Everybody loves Thom, which is why the event at the Hi-Hat promises to be so incredible. So many immensely talented musicians in one room on one night — for one reason.
"The jams should be as good as any music that's ever been played. Seriously."
PINK TUXEDOS [3 pm] + LEN LYON & TOMBSTONE [4 pm] + RIZZZ [5 pm] + THE JAMES MONTGOMERY BAND [6 pm] + BRASS ATTACK [7 pm] + THE DUKE ROBILLARD BAND [8 pm] + ROOMFUL OF BLUES [9 pm] + THE BEAVER BROWN BAND [10 pm] | The Hi-Hat | 3 Davol Square, Providence | November 9 | Donation $20 | 401.207.8390
