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Forced Call – “Off The Clock”
August 27, 2005. Concert on Redondo Beach Pier

On the horse-shoe fishing pier amid with hundreds of tourists strolling, fishermen hooking up with lots of fish, sailboats heading back to the marina, made for a great backdrop of the ocean for a warm evening during this second concert in Redondo Beach. Forced Call, this L.A. high energy Rock/Blues band are members from many crew from the film and TV industry (many Union Locals, i.e., Paramount JAG). The band’s name, Forced Call is an industry term for working overtime. Their last album CD title, "Off The Clock" about this working theme and this hard-working band.

John Parker, Lead Guitar and Vocals (Chicago Bob Nelson, Big Joe Jackson, Butch Travette & the Alley Cats and the late Piano Red). I’ve known Parker in the marina yacht club late-night music jams for years ago while he was crafting and performing his songs. Now, I’ve watched his energy guitar blues licks, his powerful “growling” vocals. Now even more, he is gregarious and fun on stage as a lead-man. Considering with chemotherapy treatments within weeks before getting back on stage and also just got a new liver from a donor. Talk about the blues! The joy of the Blues shows his love for his music, his unbeatable faith of life and humor.

The crowd enjoyed the sun going down on the pier during a short break, while Parker motioned them to watch for the sailing mythic “green flash” that never seems to be found at the very last bit of sun on the horizon. Nevertheless, the whole crowd waited until it went down. Of course, they were still enjoying the ruse and enjoyed the beauty of the evening anyway.

A rendition of Parker’s, Oreo Cookie Blues, fun song about being strung-out like a drug dependency, except the story about craving the sugar white filling and the two chocolate cookies. I had heard an earlier home recording of this tamer, but a good song. I had got to see this full and energized group play on this walking blues song. Available Live Redondo Beach Concert CD. Download:Oreo Cookie Blues

Danny Costello, Lead Guitar & Vocals (Toto and Joe Cocker. Danny has also been privileged to open for Edgar Winter, B.J. Sharp, Dick Dale and Three Dog Night) On Costello’s, No Place to Hide, I’m interested about songs about current (U.S. Government/Oil) and other social ills. Costello’s lyrics are "about the way the world is run by oil companies and how nobody cares about people anymore. 'The Lady' is Lady Liberty and how far we have strayed from our beliefs and morals in this country. 'No Place to Hide' refers to how much longer can we continue to destroy the planet until it falls apart”.

Costello’s song, Truth Will Set You Free, “is about people who only worship money and material things and how their soul is empty and their heart restless and troubled. The 'Truth' refers to belief in a Higher Power and how inner peace can be found through a belief in God”.

As a DJ on web-radio, Coverunner Radio – Ocean/Island Music, my music plays Folk, Country, Quasi-reggae and Trop-Rock (Buffett-like), so the full-tilt Blues/Rock songs were off the genre. I also throw in a number of my social commentary and spiritual songs in the mix. I like to have my listeners to hear some ideas other than sailing away on an island, from Margaritaville, the idyllic lifestyle. I had hoped to see the live concert of a couple of these recordings by Forced Call on No Place to Hide and Truth Will Set You Free which I have become to know since put on the air. I found the live performances of these songs were still enjoyable.

Many of their songs aren’t only three chord blues progressions. Their songs are well-crafted with these good Chicago Blues progressive tunes. Danny Costello’s voice is compelling for both of these songs as well as the feeling. Other songs to noticed on the CD from “Off The Clock”, John Parker’s, City Nights and Danny Costello’s, Red White and Blue (it’s not what you think), and Rock N Roll (the cure for his ills).

Steve Halter, Keyboards, (worked as a full time session player/arranger for over 20 years). As their bio says, “When its time for his solo, he just closes his eyes, feels the vibe and lets his soul take over.” Certainly it was evident of this during on the stage. The physical movement of his work on the keyboard also made for great energy for the whole band as well for great playing virtuosity.

Tom Costello, Drums & Backing Vocals. His hard-working work is evident. (Ike & Tina Turner, The DeFranco Family, Christopher Cross, Eddie Money, Rick Springfield, The Elton John Band, Joe Cocker and Jace).

Tris Duke Carpenter, (Several years touring New England and New York with regional blues and rock bands. Formerly, a member of The Dell Shannon Band)

Jeff Akerman, Saxophone, (an LA native, began studying with renowned composer and arranger, Lennie Neihaus. Played with Gayle McCormick from A Group Called Smith, as well played with other local soul and pop bands. Three years worked in the studio with Masque in Hermosa Beach, also playing locally and at The Improv and The Roxy with them. Living in Mississippi for 2 years, he learned what The Blues is really all about while jamming with New Orleans blues and jazz players including Delta blues artist, Son Thomas.

Forced Call brings tight musicianship, traditional Blues Rock and some cross-over of progressive blues tunes. Their gigs in the Los Angeles area should be seen live. Many of these tunes will continue to play on Coverunner Radio’s playlists.

http://www.forcedcall.com website

Coverunner Radio – Ocean/Island Music
Listen http://www.live365.com/stations/coverunner

Noel Diotte
covemedia@yahoo.com
www.coverunner.com