B E R E L

Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)

December 8, 2009
Berel Alexander Ensemble sells out Red Fox
Author: The Times-Standard
Section: Entertainment
Estimated printed pages: 3
Article Text:
Local singer/bandleader Berel Alexander wowed a sold-out crowd at the Red Fox Tavern on Friday night celebrating the release of his debut album, Hooked.
A line of fans filled the sidewalk all the way down the block and around the corner as Alexander arrived in a cherry red 1974 Dodge Challenger, owned and operated by Carlotta resident Mark Olsen. Olsen comments, "The Chally is an icon and Berel is an icon too! They both can hook!"
Alexander explains that the album title has multiple meanings: "In songwriting the hook is the catchy part of the lyric, in racing you want your car to hook rather than swerve on the surface, and fishing is all about feeling the pull of that big one on your line."
The diverse audience at the Red Fox was clearly hooked on Alexander's music, cheering and dancing for two and a half hours from the snappy opening song, "It All Started With a Handshake," to the jubilant encore, "So Good to Be Alive."
Alexander took the stage in a vintage blue suit and grey fedora, with his signature red beads glinting under his collar. The singer/guitarist was flanked by vocalists Lorenza Simmons in a golden cocktail dress and Bianca Mankai in a sultry black sheath. The Berel Alexander Ensemble lineup also featured longtime members Mike Lee on cello and Otis Harriel on violin, and new additions Jesse Elias on electric guitar, Stephen "Fuzz" Bernhardt on bass, Cory Winer on drums, Justin Schwartzman on sax and trumpet, Alex Botkin on trombone and Brian Swizlo on keyboards, including the classic Hammond B3 organ.
Virtuosity and versatility were on display as the Ensemble delivered rousing versions of the 12 original songs on Hooked that blur the boundaries between pop, folk, soul, reggae and jazz.
"During the champagne reception before the show, I gathered the band together upstairs for a toast," Alexander said. "I asked them to keep one thing in mind all through the show: dynamics." Evidently they listened to their leader, and offered up an impressive musical range. All night Alexander was definitely in charge of his musicians and his material, deftly cuing the band through tempo changes, lush crescendos and unexpected diminuendos, letting each musician shine with solo moments and then melding back into a full ensemble sound.
Special guest Tyler Parks appeared with handlebar mustache and accordion for the Simon and Garlfunklesque "Weary Traveler," in which Alexander muses, "Oh, the millions of memories that make me who I am / And the centuries of history of places that I've been / It really makes me wonder where on earth do I fit in / Is my life already written, or do I hold the pen?"
The crowd went wild as Alexander announced, "I saw Ray Charles in Arcata when I was 9 years old," then launched into a no-holds-barred version of "Unchain My Heart." Alexander also paid tribute to Stevie Wonder with pop classic "Master Blaster Jammin'," and seemed to be channeling King of Soul James Brown in an unforgettable "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag."
Music luminaries in the audience included Alexander's mentor, Grammy-nominated producer Leib Ostrow, founder of Music For Little People and Earthbeat! Records. Ostrow said, "I wouldn't miss this for anything. We call this the rainbow crowd. Berel draws people from across generations and cultures."
Also in attendance was Bob Figueiredo of Big Bang Studio in Loleta and Sam Safier owner of Universal Balance Studio in Arcata where Hooked was recorded and mixed.
The show was streamed live through The Venue Project, courtesy of Kris Taylor at The Stream Guys in Arcata. Footage can be viewed at www.thevenueproject.com.
A home-grown talent, Berel Alexander was raised in Carlotta, attended Fortuna High School, North Coast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy, and Humboldt State University.
The 300-plus crowd seemed to take the Red Fox staff by surprise. Music lover Cory Myers said, "I've never seen a turnout like this here for a local performer! This is big!"
Hooked will be available for purchase at The Works in Eureka and Arcata.
An all-ages Berel Alexander Ensemble show is planned for February 13, 2010 at the Arcata Playhouse.u
(c) 2009 Times-Standard. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
Record Number: 13950120 - Times-Standard (Eureka, CA)