The Noel Emmett Experience at The Amigos Cantina  Gosford and Index,

Bakersfield , 398 1300,  Friday Night 7 28 07

Noel Emmett..,  "There will be Noel Emmett !",  Clever hey?!   I think So!  This countyfried Rock group rocked the place! Sure they had problems in the 1st set, Who doesn't?  Seems their sound man came a bit late,  Took some time to tune up Emmett's voice and get it all to gel, but gel it did,  they tried 2 different PA systems and finally got it good,  The house speakers, to me are pointed the wrong way, they Don't point at the audience but back to the band, so they didn't cut thru. But they did come up with a good vocal sound.

    We have Noel Emmett on Guitar,  playing a beautiful Taylor jazz guitar with F holes instead of a sound hole. and Lead vocals, Derrick Rains on lead guitar, Mark Bazzini on bass, and Dean Tackett playin those electronic drums  which they say is the last time, as they've bought a new acoustic set but the electronic drums sounded ok, except when they went off and started playin notes no one wanted to hear, but even that didn't take away from the song they were singin'.

 I have to say Derrick Rains played some quite excellent guitar riffs, I don't think I heard a singe error on his part. Everyone was quite good at what they were doing.

 No, I enjoyed them and the almost full house did as well,  People danced to Noel's songs, and he even played an original song, "Minimum Wage" which was very good,  Derrick shined on guitar, playing Led Zep and Aerosmith during the breaks between the songs, much to the annoyance of Mr. Emmett,  I must add.  One time, Derrick started playin and even sung,  I think a Kiss song and the whole group joined in as Noel tuned his guitar, He is a very affable person, Noel,  Telling very clever jokes in between the songs, and he reminded me allot of Mike Rowe of "Dirty Jobs" , he has that kinda of self deprecating kinda humor going for him.  Dean was without a mistake on drums and  Mark on bass provided the proper bed to lie the songs in. Very pro all 'round. I thought it was good entertainment. So did allot of the people in Amigo's. By the way, Amigos Cantina is such a great place to see local bands. They give people a chance to be heard.  I like them for that and they have a good tortilla chip, light n crispy with a great salsa, but I digress. 

  From 7;30 PM to about 11;15 PM Noel and Company played charming folk and country and songs,  even some rock songs, with much flair, and emotion, 'Sweet Home Alabama' was a stand out.  Each song was unique thou,  even when Noel forgot a word or a chord, it was still great. This band is true Americana. And very tight despite the lil problems during the 1st set.  I would recommend anyone to see the,  'Noel Emmett Experience', as they are a cool, semi original Country Band.  Don't miss them  They have a web site, so google them for more info,     Noel, Send me your CD!  Please!? 

thanx again!

Vincent Leeds       &a mp;n bsp;       &am p;nb sp;    evrdman@aol.com

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