{"id":4708,"date":"2018-01-20T20:00:07","date_gmt":"2018-01-20T20:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/?p=4708"},"modified":"2018-02-03T12:18:26","modified_gmt":"2018-02-03T12:18:26","slug":"southern-rock-cruise-tampa-to-jamaica-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2018\/01\/20\/southern-rock-cruise-tampa-to-jamaica-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Southern Rock Cruise – Tampa to Jamaica – Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Dave Clements<\/p>\n

\"southern<\/a>I am clueless as to how to begin to write a music review about a five day music cruise featuring a dozen bands of the Southern Rock genre. Those five days (beginning January 20th) featured many amazing performances during this 2000 mile trip from Tampa to Jamaica to Grand Cayman and back.\u00a0 I\u2019m inspired to just take my cue from these fine musicians and do what they did throughout the cruise\u2026jump right in!<\/p>\n

I knew I was onto something good from the get go. I travelled with my beautiful wife and our dear friends, Rock and Jackie who joined us from their home in Grasonville, MD and love live music as much as we do.\u00a0 We are all, along with other genres, southern rockers at heart.\u00a0 When we heard there was going to be a cruise headlined by Lynyrd Skynyrd, with The Outlaws, Marshall Tucker Band, 38 Special, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Wet Willie and Molly Hatchett (plus more that I will get to soon) we all said \u2018sign me up\u2019!\u00a0 This was indeed an adventure worth pursuing.\u00a0 None of us cruise on a regular basis however with all of that being offered we couldn\u2019t resist.<\/p>\n

Here is a general overview of the goings on. There were several locations onboard where stages were set up; most were inside, with one on the pool deck, nearly all accessible to everyone that wanted to participate.\u00a0 There was one exception that I will explain momentarily.<\/p>\n

First let me share that the production company that handled lights and sound was outstanding. Not one time during the course of the trip did I feel like I was being shortchanged on either the volume or quality of the sound.\u00a0 I can\u2019t think of anything that would have been worse on a music cruise than bad sound.\u00a0 Fortunately that was never even close to an issue.<\/p>\n

\"southern<\/a>Every day we received a new schedule that the cruise producer StarVista LIVE provided outlining that day\u2019s music and associated events. If you were so inclined you could go listen to something southern rock related from mid-morning until well after midnight daily.\u00a0 There were band shows, there were jam sessions, there were Q&A sessions, there were autograph sessions, workshops and on and on that could keep you immersed southern rock vibe non-stop, day after day\u2026 and it was all really good stuff!<\/p>\n

It was Southern Rock Heaven on the very warm turquoise Caribbean Sea.\u00a0 And even though The Allman Brothers are no more, they were there in spirit and song every day. The cruise featured a tribute band that played the music of The Allman Brothers Band.\u00a0 They were called Live at the Fillmore, came from Philly, and they rocked. These guys all seemed to be in an especially good mood as their Eagles beat the Vikings\u00a0in the NFC Championship Game during our time at sea.<\/p>\n

Also adding to the feel of The Allman Brothers \u2018presence\u2019 was one of their founding members Mr. Jai Johanny \u2018Jaimoe\u2019 Johanson.\u00a0 His new band is simply Jaimoe\u2019s Jasssz Band and they were as good as any band I have ever heard.\u00a0 Featured in this band was one of the coolest dudes on earth Junior Mac.\u00a0 This guy played a mean guitar, had terrific vocals and was as smooth as it gets when it comes to putting out a groove with NO SMOKE NOR MIRRORS, just great music.<\/p>\n

If you ever want go see a very special musical event featuring five awesome musicians go see these guys, period. (And before this review is over I will have more recommendations for your consideration.)<\/p>\n

Back to the musical event I mentioned earlier as the exception to being open to all: The cruise was sold out, I think over 1700 people from around the world on this Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship the Brilliance Of The Sea.\u00a0 The main theatre only holds about half the guests, therefore there was an early evening \u2018main show\u2019 and a late evening \u2018main show, both full sets each night featuring one of the headliners.<\/p>\n

Rock, Jackie, my wife Cathi and I did the \u2018early\u2019 show each night. Afterwards we went on to enjoy a glass of wine\/cocktail or two or three and dinner while sharing our points of view on the performance.\u00a0 With a few twists, turns, and different observations we all generally formed similar opinions about each show.<\/p>\n

\"southern<\/a>The Outlaws were our first night headliner. They were so far beyond any words I own in my vocabulary.\u00a0 It was in fact this band that I most wanted to see on the cruise.\u00a0 I had never seen them and they were high on my bucket list along with their \u201cFreebird song\u201d Green Grass & High Tides.\u00a0 I might have actually jumped ship and floated out to sea into the dark of the night had they not played it!\u00a0 AND not only did they play it, they nailed it hard as they did everything they played during their hour plus set. These guys are extremely talented and definitely another must see.\u00a0 When you go hold on tight when their two lead guitarists Chris Anderson and Steve Grisham start doing their thing.\u00a0 Henry Paul on lead vocals was just what I\u2019d hoped for.\u00a0 He and his band mates made the entire trip so worthwhile.\u00a0 They were the cake, everything else we saw was icing.\u00a0 And there was plenty of tasty icing.<\/p>\n

The Outlaws, besides being great musicians were all really nice guys, including Henry Jr who I had a chance to chat with. Please, please, please\u00a0 contact your favorite Texas venue and ask them to book these guys.\u00a0 We need them to come play for us here in the Lone Star State!<\/p>\n

Note to Cruise Executive Producer Mike Jason: These guys should have been used more during the cruise, period\/paragraph.\u00a0 And Mike, if you or your Associates read this in my humble opinion you should pass on booking Molly Hatchett next time.\u00a0 Call me if you need an explanation as I don\u2019t want to put it in this review.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to take anything away from our great musical journey.<\/p>\n

I knew we\u2019d be treated to some great musical performances. The bonus was getting to meet so many of these fine artists, see some new bands that were unfamiliar, and learn about their various paths in music and life.<\/p>\n

The cruise host\/director Jason Venner did a terrific job. His interview questions during the Q & A sessions and other event produced really meaningful and enjoyable dialogue.<\/p>\n

\"southern<\/a>As a big Marshall Tucker Band fan I\u2019d next like to share that Doug Gray and his band mates brought their A Game to the ship when they came on board in Jamaica.\u00a0 These guys are always really good yet this night, our next to last, they were extra special. They are fun both on and off the stage and easy to approach.\u00a0 It\u2019s nice to see and feel the love they have for their fans. Thanks guys, you all are class acts including Tour Manager, Dave.<\/p>\n

The most visible artist on the cruise was Jimmy Hall, front man for Wet Willie. This guy was everywhere, every day, always jumping in to support others on stage. Whether it was to introduce someone, play his sax, his harmonica, jam, clap or interact with the fans he was there.\u00a0 And he did it in a respectful, genuine and unassuming way.\u00a0 If you aren\u2019t familiar with this talent you need to be, soon. I had heard of Wet Willie, but can\u2019t say I was very familiar with their music.\u00a0 I glad I am now.\u00a0 They are the real deal and worthy of your consideration. As an aside Jimmy toured recently with Jeff Beck as lead vocalist!<\/p>\n

38 Special headlined on one of the nights at sea. I had never seen them before and wasn\u2019t overly familiar with their songs either. Then they took the stage and began playing hit after hit. I realized I knew more of their music than I remembered.\u00a0 The whole performance was high energy and very tight. It was clear to me why they have been around since 1974.\u00a0 No doubt they will continue to be around for some time to come.<\/p>\n

\"southern<\/a>THE headliner for the entire cruise was Lynyrd Skynyrd. What do you say about these guys? They are great, they have great songs and their energy on stage in downright explosive. You can\u2019t stand still when you\u2019re listening to them!\u00a0 Tricky to drink our cold beer while grooving to the beat, especially when in port in Jamaica.\u00a0 They are coming to town in May to The Woodlands, a must see.<\/p>\n

Hope you\u2019re not thinking I\u2019ve killed it at this point. I still want to mention Atlanta Rhythm Section, Louisiana\u2019s LeRoux, Black Stone Cherry, Johnny Neel and for sure Preacher Stone.\u00a0 All these artists are worthy of your entertainment dollars.\u00a0 You should especially keep a close eye on those Preacher Stone guys\u2026they are young and the real deal. They are out of Charlotte, NC and if you want to get a glimpse of what I\u2019m talking about go to YouTube and watch them play Kashmir.<\/p>\n

With that I\u2019ll wrap this up by reminding you there is no time to kill, go watch some live music soon, jump right in!<\/p>\n

dwc<\/p>\n

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Written by Dave Clements I am clueless as to how to begin to write a music review about a five day music cruise featuring a dozen bands of the Southern Rock genre. Those five days (beginning January 20th) featured many amazing performances during this 2000 mile trip from Tampa to Jamaica to Grand Cayman and… <\/p>\n

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