BUD RICE + JOHNNY GRIFFIN @ SHAÏKA CAFÉ
Posted by Lindsay Ann Cory on September 13 2011, at 07:53 Print
On September 10th 2011 Bud Rice and Johnny Griffin took the stage at Shaïka Café in support of Izzy Dodard-Friedman in his quest to run the New York City Marathon. The show was great and as usual,the atmosphere at Shaïka was like no other (where else can you drink sangria and eat an amazing pastry!?).
Bud Rice opened the evening with “Kick In Your Snare”. His folk inspired acoustic music captivated the audience; Rice is known for his powerful lyrics, soulful voice, and smooth yet percussive guitar sound. I’ve seen Bud perform with his band Bud Rice and the Black Flies and enjoyed it but his acoustic set was really something special. He ended his set on a high with an upbeat tune called “Only You” which was one of my personal favourites.
After a short break, Johnny Griffin took the stage. His powerful voice provided a great end to the evening. His sound is reminicent of a unique combination of Sam Roberts mixed with Jeff Buckley and John Legend. He played a few Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Joe Pug, and Sam Roberts covers but it was his original songs that spoke to me most. “I Think I Might Know How I Look Right Now” was a super chill tune about the hardships of relationships, it really showed off the range of his voice and his talent as a songwriter.
After performing “Proof” an audience member approached the stage shaking Johnny’s hand and explaining that it gave him “chills”.
Bud Rice and Johnny Griffin can be seen on October 28th at Divan Orange.