Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo + Joe Peterson (guitars)
(Review by Russell).
It Might as Well be
Spring, Stardust, Getting Sentimental Over You the tunes came thick and
fast – revue style. No time for introductions, no small talk. Guitarists Frank
Vignola and Vinny Raniolo suited (not particularly sharply), stood throughout
the performance - not a chair, not a stool in sight. In fact their performance
or routine was that of stand up comedians; Vignola the funny man, Raniolo the
straight man. The Americans put on a show; scripted wise-cracking, ad-libbing,
audience participation. Now, let me make one thing clear…I didn't travel to South Shields to be entertained, I didn't go out to have
a laugh. After all, I'm a jazz fan! Alright, truth be told, this was good fun.
Vignola, a bona fide jazz player, has cornered the market with his
laugh-a-minute show. Strangely he looked like Hank Marvin, Wilko Johnson and
Anthony Perkins all rolled into one. Alarmingly, he and Raniolo had the
Shadows’ dance steps off to a tee! Mid-step Raniolo said: This isn't as easy as it looks! Opera, ballet (Swan Lake
More Richard Rodgers, Caravan,
Girl From Ipanema, Its Only a Paper Moon
– two sets full of great tunes played by two first rate guitarists. Vignola
invited South Shields ’ guitarist Joe Peterson
to join him on stage to play Summertime.
In such exalted company Joe, all I can say is: Well Done! One young student of the guitar, front row, looked agog,
perhaps stunned by the brilliance of Vignola and Raniolo, perhaps dismayed at
the slapstick show and lack of real jazz. Vignola noticed the young man. Mid
tune, at break-neck pace, without missing a note said: It’s a living!
Russell
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