Bands continue to raise money for kids at Smith’s Olde Bar
The third night of 500 Songs for Kids picked up where the previous two had left off. Those who came early were treated to many phenomenal acts that continued to display an impressive array of musical diversity. The themes of ’80s new wave and Motown soul were again prominent throughout the evening. GreyMarket impressed with Duran Duran’s “Rio” and Promised December added a bit of edge to the Cure’s otherwise sticky-sweet “Pictures of You.” The first hip-hop performance of the night was well received as c’beyohn got the crowd involved with his version of the Geto Boys classic “My Mind Playin’ Tricks on Me.” Crack Jackon played the first instrumental cover when they nearly melted the stage with the ultimate guitar-nerd jam, Eric Johnson’s “Cliffs of Dover.” Prog-rock was finally represented as the Wellreds absolutely demolished “Tom Sawyer” by Rush (you would be hard pressed to find a better version even from the lips of Geddy Lee himself). A sweet and honest cover of Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” transformed the song into something far more compelling than the original.
Perhaps the two performances that most accurately encompassed the mood of the event were that of The Ruby Red’s Band and the Atlanta Sedition Orchestra. Ruby Red’s Band brought the crowd into life with a new take on the well-known “Dueling Banjos” from the movie Deliverance (with only one banjo and a sousaphone no less!). The Atlanta Sedition Orchestra brought a smile to everyone’s face with their playful outfits and unique cover of John William’s “Imperial March” from “The Empire Strikes Back” (imagine if Darth Vader always came out to a quirky, Mardi Gras-ready, marching band and you get the picture).
The third night of 500 Songs For Kids proved to be another successful evening of phenomenal music and inspiring charity. The event is just getting started, as there are seven nights still to come, so be sure to stop by next week to enjoy the diversity of sights and sounds. You really never can be sure what will come next.—Mike Vetter/Special to Metromix
