The idea of the project came about when discussing
the historical fabric of the San Francisco music scene
that boomed in political, social and musical response from
the desire for a peaceful, community collaboration through
creativity and love that continues to spread throughout the world.

The San Francisco Revue incorporates a hand-picked roster of
San Francisco artists that are featured each show with a premier line-up backing band. 

Depending on the location of the event and who's in town, we have principle jammers who run the shows, and other special guests who do sit-ins appearances to keep the crowd on their toes.  You never know what to expect at a San Francisco Revue show.  Check out our Artists Page for more details on those artists. 

We just had a recent review of the show in NYC at the Bitter End by Gunars P. Lelis, the Modewarrior.  He was at the show unexpectedly in New York City and this is what he had to say:


Pamela Parker and the San Francisco Revue
2 Jan 2010
The Bitter End
NYC

On Jan 2nd 2010, at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village, NYC, I experienced a transformation, that was nothing short of an epiphany in my musical experience.

Although my musical tastes are very eclectic and tolerant, I must admit that most modern music does not impress me much.  But having been born in 1954, and having listened to the radio from the time I was two (and remembering it), I’ve been in the most enviable and unique position of hearing Rock N’ Roll as it was being born: Elvis, Buddy Holly, Ray Charles, the Girl Groups, the British Invasions, James Brown, I heard them all, when everyone else alive at the time was also hearing them for the first time.  When music like that didn’t exist a moment before…  When all frontiers were still open, when musical rules were being established and broken at the same time…  Can you imagine hearing the Beatles & Stones for the first time, in a world that had never heard anything like it?  The unique pleasure of hearing music you knew would change the world forever, irrevocably.  And it did.  Music has always been my passion, and I, too, took up the guitar and songwriting in my teens and still love doing that beyond all else.   

I had originally gone to NYC to see my great nephew, Justin Kalk’s band, JKO (Justin Kalk Orchestra), play at The Bitter End on his 26th birthday, and to be part of his 2nd CD release party.  I was still in the pub next door finishing my beer when my wife called me on my cell.  “You’re not going to want to miss this!” is all she said.

As I was saying, I don’t care for most modern music, but I do have a thing for female musicians, mostly singers, but especially guitar players...  I don’t know why, but they just knock me out…  I took my saved seat of honor at the very front and center of the stage, right below the main vocal mic, within arms reach of whomever would front the band.
 
The opening act was Pamela Parker and her San Francisco Revue.  Pamela is an exotic looking soulful singer who also plays guitar.  Her ensemble included a very solid Gerald Williams on drums, a creatively capable James Caran on bass, and a voluptuous *bernadette*, on guitar, keys, and vocals, who but for the miracle of glue would have spilled out of her bodice with her first breath.  Her wide eyes and blonde pigtails complemented her demeanor as well as her miniskirt and dark stockings. 

And yes, Pamela is easy on the eyes, too, but that’s the least of what Pamela Parker is all about.  She is one helluva serious songwriter and musician, not to mention singer.  She writes catchy songs with great hooks that had the audience hanging on her every word, musical phrase and nuance.  She would be singing a simple beautiful melody one moment, and the next second it could stop on a dime, and become a funky rap that would just as easily return to a melodious passage without warning.  And just when you thought that was it, she would open her mouth wider to let her natural vibrato flow out, carrying the melody to greater and greater heights, climax upon climax, until it seemed apparent that her voice had no limitations whatsoever.  Pamela is so expressive and emotive in her singing that she strikes me as truly capable of singing anything, any which way she wants…  I was mesmerized.

One of her songs, ‘Peace Train’ (no relation to Cat Stevens) has this great funky vocal hook, where the music stops, and the entire band drones together in a long swooping chorus on the word “Hey – but stretching it out: “Heeeeeeyyyy!” – and then the funky syncopated music starts up again, much to the relief of the listeners, who can't sit still in their seats.  It doesn’t take long for the audience to catch on and start participating.  A very clever idea, everyone watching was anticipating the next moment they could chime in with the “Heeeeeeyyyy!” – It was so funny and delightful for everyone there.  Electricity was in the air: Nice vibes, good energy, great music.  Pamela had the attention of the whole club and they were eating out of her hand.  I think Pamela was equally entertained by us as we were by her. 

My favorite song of the evening however, was a number called “Power of NOW”, which Pamela is currently recording for her upcoming album.  This genre-bending song has a really cool rock guitar hook for an intro, that soon gives way to great sounding funk chords, and then lends itself to a few moments of implied psychedelia, as it returns to the electric melodic chordal rif to begin the cycle anew.  I was impressed with her electric rhythm guitar playing; she has an excellent sense of timing, and was able to play some rhythmically complex ideas, while singing a counterpoint in a totally different tempo.

The Keyboard player (Brent Burgee) from Justin's band jammed with Pamela's group, providing some tasty melodic lines in response to her guitar.  Pamela was also able to keep a finger-picking riff going perfectly ad infinitum on electric guitar, while singing and letting a whole jam emerge around her.  What I’ve seen of her so far, I know Pamela to be a quick study, and with the foundation she already has, it won't be long before she integrates lead playing seamlessly into her many other musical talents.  In addition to acoustic and electric guitar, she also plays piano in a dreamy style, filled with lush-sounding chords and tantalizing arpeggios. 

Pamela Parker’s music is filled with good sounding climactic chord progressions with melodious guitar hooks that reminded me of the good old days when music was still being figured out.  Her songs had the freshness of the 60's with the experimentation of the 70's.  I was relieved and elated to see that some young people are still writing music that sounds pleasing to the ear.  It was a joy to hear Pamela rediscovering the same roots that I had sprung from when learning music.  I felt like, I could finally pass the torch to the next generation, knowing that MUSIC, as a living breathing entity, the art form itself, would be in good hands, and not forgotten...

Gunars P. Lelis aka Modewarrior
21 Feb 2010