Joan Zen & Huey Lewis
The Bitterroot Brewery served up a fine blend of burgers, tacos and Joan Zen with a little Huey Lewis on the side for customer appreciation night this past Saturday in Hamilton. There was no coverage charge and all ages were welcome.
Joan Zen delighted the large crowd with original songs and covers. Deborah Hicks on lead vocals and rhythm guitar has a full and rich voice with great range. Her band member’s drummer Jason Hicks, lead guitarist Dylan Ankney Mike Delaney and bassist Ted Pence Don Maus blended together effortlessly. Their sound, which could be described as a mix of Joss Stone and Wide Spread Panic, was clean and clear.
The blended crowd of fifty-some things, college students and toddlers danced, if one could call it that, to original mellow tunes such as The World is Coming Down and If I Only Could. The crowd’s enthusiasm picked up along with their awkward dance moves for upbeat tunes like Push of a Button and quick rhythm crowd favorite No Motivation.
Mid-way through the second half of the performance the band announced a guest appearance and part time Bitterrooter Huey Lewis made his way up to the stage. Everyone who hadn’t already been dancing charged to the dance floor and began to cheer. Lewis joined the band for a rendition of Grand Funk Railroad’s Some Kind of Wonderful. The band complimented Lewis’s raspy yet smooth voice. For the next number Lewis pulled out his harmonica and blew the crowd away. Everyone in the house was on their feet bouncing with excitement.
After Lewis left the stage the band continued to please the crowd. Deborah Hicks belted out a quick paced version of Fiona Apple’s Criminal. If one wasn’t looking they might have thought Apple was performing. Hick’s voice was so deep and soulful, her version of the song was almost better than the original.
The Brewery has high vaulted ceilings that make for great acoustics. The high ceilings also allow for a spacious loft in which patrons can have a great view of the band or sit down and enjoy tasty fried chicken, burgers or tacos.
The first floor provides room for dancing near the stage as well as seats along the tall windows. There is a long bar on one end of the building and a kitchen area where one can place orders and pick up food on the other end of the building.
The tall windows and high ceilings create a bright sunny atmosphere where one doesn’t mind being inside on a nice day.
If you plan on checking out Joan Zen or any other band at the Bitterroot Brewery go early so you can get a good seat. Shows usually start at 6:00 pm and last until 8:00 pm.
Joan Zen can be seen this SaturdayFriday in Hamilton for S.A.F.E.’s annual fundraiser at the Bitterroot River Inn. For ticket information call 363-2793.
Their debut album, Intramission, is currently on sale at The Music Box, Bitterroot Brewery, Rockin’ Rudy’s and online at cdbaby.com/joanzen and at all live performances.
Thank you for the review! Wish we’d have had a chance to meet personally and talk. Just a few corrections for your readers. Although Dylan Ankney and Ted Pence played on our first record, Intramission, the personnel we had at our live show at The Bitter Root Brewery last Saturday included Joan Zen (aka Deborah Hicks) on vocals and guitar, Jason Hicks on drums, Mike Delaney on guitar, and Don Maus on bass. Also, the song “When the world is running down”, as referred to above, is not a Joan Zen original, but a Police tune written and performed by Sting. Just would not want to offend such a great musician by taking credit for that awesome song. The SAFE gig is actually this Friday, April 28 from 7-11pm. Please check out our website for more information about our schedule, music and message. (www.joanzen.com) We thank you for the great review and especially, we thank you for Lis-ZEN-ing!
Words by Joan Zen (aka Deborah Hicks) on April 26, 2006 at 4:58 pm | #
I’d like to add one correction to this article.
Donald Maus is the bassist and Mike Delaney is the lead guitarist that played at this performance. The other two gentlemen named in the article did play on the first CD but did not play last Saturday night.
Words by Mike Delaney on April 26, 2006 at 5:32 pm | #
God I just messed up all over on that one didn’t I. That is what happens when you are too scared to ask the artist questions.
I think I was nervous cause of Huey.
Words by Jaime on April 27, 2006 at 10:48 am | #