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If you ever wondered how five people could play together in perfect harmony, go see The Blackberry Blues Band. My first introduction to the Blackberry Blues Band was as I passed by the gazebo at Silver Lake in Belmar NJ. It was the infamous Belmar Seafood Festival. I wondered, “Who is that band? They are great!” Little did I know a close friend would introduce me to them again a couple of years later.
We dropped in to see the Blackberry Blues Band at Giamano’s, a local Italian restaurant and music hot spot for some great musical acts. And everyone was there. I recognized Cliff Bloodgood, a great guitarist, Al Holmes, a great singer who got up and sang a song with the band, and the drummer who sits in with Stringbean's band, Steve Shraeger.
They filled the room with good energy, from their music to their souls. A rare east coast find, the Blackberry Blues band will drive you to your feet from the first note. They play blues, classic rock and roll, and some outstanding original tunes. They will have you out of your seat from the first drum beat from their fantastic drummer Jim Verdi. In addition to his superb drumming, you will enjoy his facial expressions as he beats his drum. OK, enough said.
We met Blackberry through a friend who introduced us to George Meyer, a songwriter, keyboard player, singer, actor, and gentleman with a welcoming spirit from the first introduction. When his lovely wife and lead singer, Pamela Moore grabbed the microphone, it was magic. Her voice will ring a familiar sound if you’ve ever heard Meatloaf, as she used to sing with him. George and Pamela met while playing with Meatloaf on the Dead Ringer Tour (1981-1982). Pamela joined Meatloaf’s band after touring with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band on his Against the Wind World Tour. As George tells the story, amongst the hundreds of auditioning singers form across the country, Pamela knocked their socks off. Her energy is contagious. Just watch her hands. Both Pamela Moore and Dave Meyers gave great vocal performances.
Rick DeSarno filled in for Paul Dickler who was under the weather. What a great guitarist. I was inspired again by the great leads he played from the blues to rock and roll. I’m going to go practice my pentatonic scales.
- Great Jersey Music.com
For all of you looking for soulful blues with a funky rock twist, The Blackberry Blues Band is what you’ve been waiting for. These guys have been around the block in the music world and it shows. One of the things that stands out with this band is how well they play together. Each part accents the others and makes way to the forefront at precisely the right moments.
Combining blues, rock and even a little funk, The Blackberry Blues Band has created a collection of songs that are memorable and hit straight to your soul.
Fronted by the vocals of Pamela Moore, The Blackberry Blues Band sounds like a mix of Blondie and The Talking Heads paired with the powerfully soulful blues of the Allman Brothers Band that will take your breath away.
There’s no argument that this band is overflowing with talent. This is very well demonstrated with tracks such as One Good Reason to Believe and How Can You Do This Thing to Me. Every note is spot-on and the instrumental sections will leave you lost in the music.
Fred Scribner’s guitar playing is also worth noting. He takes a unique approach to traditional blues leads by mixing in some psychedelic overtones. This paired with the thumping bass lines laid down by David Meyers, the powerful rhythms of drummer Jim Verdi and the graceful keyboard skills provided by George Meyer give The Blackberry Blues Band a very well-rounded and full sound.
Covering not only the blues, but also some rock, country and even gospel influences makes The Blackberry Blues Band a wonderful listen for music fans across several genres.
4 out of 5 stars - Swift Reviews
" Especially vital was the role played by...Pamela Moore.
Indeed, so powerful and passionate was her performance
that there were moments that she was in with a very real
chance of stealing the show."
(John Blake: The Standard, London)
- The Standard, London
Discography
The Blackberry Blues Band
My Life
Blackberry Shuffle
We're Gonna Make Love Tonight
Photos
Bio
The BLACKBERRY BLUES BAND, with the dynamic lead singer PAMELA MOORE and a team of great musicians, was founded by bassist DAVID MEYERS and guitarist PAUL DICKLER, and is considered one of the seminal bands and influences of what has become known as the sound of Asbury Park (SOAP). The band has evolved over the years with the addition of some outstanding talent.
PAMELA MOORE (Vocals, Percussion) hails from the home of Rock and Roll, Cleveland, Ohio. A veteran of many local bands in Cleveland she eventually moved to Detroit where she joined BOB SEGER and the SILVER BULLET BAND'S Against The Wind World Tour. She earned a platinum album for her work on SEGER'S "Nine Tonight" album. After that tour ended PAMELA was chosen over literally hundreds of singers to be the featured singer in MEATLOAF'S NEVERLAND EXPRESS. Reviewing a show at Wembly Stadium the London Times said: "So powerful were MS. MOORE'S vocals she was in with a real chance of stealing the show". PAMELA has sung with many artists including SPIRIT, BUDDY MILES, and SAM MOORE. She is a Voice Over talent as well as a seasoned studio artist, having sung the lead vocals on many of THE FLIRTS recordings, been the voice of Beddy Bye in the PILLOW PEOPLE and worked with DAVEY JOHNSTONE of ELTON JOHN'S band.
DAVID MEYERS (Bass, Vocals) is the recipient of the Asbury Park Press "Best Monmouth County Bassist" award. He is a well known Jersey blues musician and is a continual influence on the local music and Jersey shore music scene. DAVID has played with CORKY LAING, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY and the ASBURY JUKES, and still plays with STRINGBEAN and the STALKERS, and SONNY KENN. He is currently a recording artist with Bluesleaf Records.
GEORGE MEYER (Keyboards, Vocals) has played with many artists including MEATLOAF, ELLEN FOLEY, IAN HUNTER, MICK RONSON, MELANIE, OTIS RUSH, LITTLE SAMMY DAVIS, SPIRIT, MOMENT of TRUTH, and many more. He has also written songs for KARLA DEVITO (I'm Just Using You) and MEATLOAF (If You Really Want To) for which he received a Gold Record. Along with co-writing "I'm Just Using You" with Martin Briley he also did the backing vocals on Martin's top 40 hit "The Salt in My Tears".
JIM VERDI (Drums, Percussion) is a veteran drummer from the Orange County New York music scene where he has played with many great bands including LITTLE SAMMY DAVIS and MIDNIGHT SLIM, The JON-WITE GROUP, and INNER STRENGTH which included members of John Lennon's BOMF group. JIM is a seasoned studio drummer, engineer, producer, and successful songwriter, having co-produced the DON HOWARD CD mixed by JACK DOUGLAS and many LITTLE SAMMY DAVIS tracks used on the "Imus in the Morning Show" for years. He also wrote the TV theme music for the original Arena Football League season, as well as many successful records for the European dance market.
The newest addition to the band is MARIO CASELLA (Guitar, Bass, Vocals). Mario is an accomplished songwriter, singer, and studio musician. He has played with many local bands and recording artists over his many years in the business including, Midnight Charlie, Kristian Rex, The Intentions, and many more.
Band History
Blackberry began as a duo then added other musicians including SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY LYON, KENNY "POPEYE" PENTIFELLO, and LITTLE STEVEN VAN ZANDT among others. That band eventually became SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY and the ASBURY JUKES. Soon after DAVID left to reform THE BLACKBERRY BLUES BAND adding long time friends BRUCE STEWART and GEORGE MEYER. While playing the Asbury club scene they were heard by CORKY LAING of MOUNTAIN fame who had released his first solo album. CORKY hired the band for his U S tour. After some time GEORGE left to play with MOMENT of TRUTH, THE IAN HUNTER/MICK RONSON BAND, ELLEN FOLEY, MEATLOAF, and MELANIE among others. While with MEATLOAF he met the incredible PAMELA MOORE, who had joined MEAT'S band after touring with BOB SEGER and the SILVER BULLET BAND on his Against the Wind World Tour.
With the addition of JIM VERDI on drums, a seasoned studio and touring musician, as well as accomplished songwriter and producer, and MARIO CASELLA on Guitar, THE BLACKBERRY BLUES BAND is back with years more experience, new influences, and the same great feeling that made it one of the most respected and enduring bands of the Asbury Park music scene...and more.
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