Chieli Minucci & Special EFX at The Cutting Room: 2018 edition October 1, 2018

Posted by Mike C. in Jazz, Music, Personal, Photography, Travel.
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I was back at The Cutting Room on Saturday night for Chieli Minucci & Special EFX.

It was my third time at the venue and first time seeing Special EFX since the 2016 Long Beach Jazz Festival.

Like last time at The Cutting Room, I made sure to arrive early so I could get a good table. I ended up at the same table as last time.

On this night, Special EFX was made up of co-founder Chieli Minucci on guitar:

Jay Rowe on keyboards:

Jerry Brooks on bass:

Mino Cinelu on percussion:

…and Joel Rosenblatt on drums:

The set list contained nine songs and with three vignettes. Here’s the list:
1. Daybreak
Originally heard on: Global Village, 1992
2:21 PM UPDATE: Chieli posted an excerpt to Facebook (below) and Instagram:

 

2. My Girl Sunday/Miami
Originally heard on: Sweet on You (Chieli), 2000; Masterpiece, 1999

3. Chieli and Mino vignette 1 (Chieli called it “Church 1”)

4. Courageous Cats
Originally heard on: Jewels (Chieli), 1995

5. Dance on the Delta
Originally heard on: Deep as the Night, 2017

6. Chieli and Mino vignette 2

7. Rush Hour (Chieli and Jerry duet)
Originally heard on: Sweet Surrender, 2007

8. Uptown East
Originally heard on: Slice of Life, 1986

9. Speak to Me
Originally heard on: Masterpiece, 1999

10. Chieli and Mino vignette 3

11. Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers (Stevie Wonder cover; based on Jeff Beck version)
Originally heard on: Renaissance (Chieli), 1996

12. Crazy Eights
Originally heard on: Genesis, 2013

Here are various shots of Chieli Minucci on acoustic guitar:

Electric guitar:

Vocalise on “Speak to Me”:

Jay Rowe:

Jerry Brooks:

Mino Cinelu:

Vocalise:

…and Joel Rosenblatt:

Mino and Chieli during their vignettes:

Chieli and Jerry on “Rush Hour”:

The finale: “Crazy Eights”:

The last note:

Before I left for Penn Station, I briefly spoke to Chieli, then to Jay Rowe and his mother Mia DiStasi, who introduced me to her friend Elaine.

Chieli and the band always put on a great show. This time was no exception. Thank you so much.