Music
Press
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Discography
1985
Dig Yourself
Barrence Whitfield and the
Savages
Format: Vinyl
Label: Rounder
“Barry sounds great, as does the band,
ripping it up with a wild-eyed exuberance
that you could go months without hearing
these days. Contains one of my favorite
tracks, “Juicy Fruit”.
- John Dougan, All Music Guide
1989
Live Emulsified
Barrence Whitfield and the
Savages
Format: CD
Label: Rounder Select
Hearing a Barrence Whitfield and the
Savages gig is fun; being at one can be
transforming. So, this live record is a
good example of the muss 'n' fuss these
guys could kick out onstage. Its lots of
fun and you can hear Barry let go.
- John Dougan, All Music Guide
1989
Ow! Ow! Ow!
Barrence Whitfield and the
Savages
Format: CD
Label: Rounder Select
Whitfield was a dervish on-stage, working
himself into such a frenzy of screaming
and running around that he would
occasionally black out. The band, were
raucous and rough, in high gear from the
moment they hit the stage.
- John Dougan, All Music Guide
1991
Let’s Lose It
Barrence Whitfield and the
Savages
Format: CD
Label: Stony Plain (Canada)
Barrence Whitfield, Milton Reder; Seth
Pappas, David Scholl (tenor & baritone, Dean
Cassell. With the Savages trimmed down to a
quartet (keyboard player Bruce Katz departed
prior to these sessions), Barrence and
company recorded this album with legendary
producer Jim Dickinson.
– JR.com
1993
Hillbilly Voodoo
Barrence Whitfield and
Tom Russell
Format: CD
Label: East Side Digital
With some of the best rock 'n' rollers in his
band (at one time including Peter Greenberg
of DMZ and Howie Ferguson of the Real
Kids), Whitfield and his band keep alive
absolutely crazed, piano-pounding, sax-heavy
rock 'n' roll as it was known at the time of its
birth. Manic falsettos punctuate the raucously
rolling, storming music like nothing else heard
today. – RollingStone
1994
Ritual of the Savages
Barrence Whitfield and the
Savages
Format: CD
Label: Ocean Music
Since the late '80s, the Savages have had a
relationship with Ben Vaughn, and his
presence and songwriting contributions have
helped them continue to refine their sound
without loosing the sense of manic energy that
made their earlier releases so important.
- John Dougan, All Music Guide
2009
Raw, Raw, Rough!
You’ll have a Kick Ass Good Time!
Format: CD
Label: Blood Red Vinyl
Crazy, shoutin' old school R&B from a man
who's voice has been described as a "force of
nature“
Here Whitfield plays with a basic strippeddown
band — guitar, bass, drums, and sax.
They wail and stomp as Barrence sings with
such abandon that he makes Screamin' Jay
Hawkins look shy. – Steve Terrell
Photos
Bio
Barrence Whitfield and the Monkey Hips
Barrence Whitfield- Vocals
Jim Haggerty- Bass, Vocals
Allan Sheinfeld- Guitar, Vocals
Mario Perrett- Tenor Sax, Vocals
Fruitbat- Drums
Barrence Whitfield is a full-throttle soul screamer in the spirit of Little Richard, Wilson Pickett and Solomon Burke. He has been described as the “owner of one incredible pair of lungs,” with “limitless energy” and unmatched enthusiasm for his music and his audience. Barrence is a rarity in this business — one of a few black, rock ‘n roll singer/entertainers who Spin Magazine says maintains a “frenzied" performance.
In 1977, Barrence made his way to Boston to attend college as Journalism major. During that time, Barrence focused on school rather than performing, but kept music close to his heart.
After college, Barrence found himself working in a Kenmore Square record shop. There, he was discovered by guitarist Peter Greenberg, of the legendary Boston band, The Lyres. The two collaborated and formed “The Savages.” The band went on to receive seven Boston Music Awards including:
· Best all Around Male Vocalist
· Best R&B Vocalist
· Best Club Band
· Best R&B Band
In addition, Barrence was well received throughout North America as well as achieving stardom on a much larger scale throughout Europe. It wasn't long before Barrence was traveling through Europe, making records and being embraced by fans for his matchless and boundless energy and talent. Among his English fans are Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, Jools Holland, and the late, great John Peel.
Before long, Barrence was opening for, and playing with performers such as Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, George Thorogood, Robert Cray, the Reverend Solomon Burke, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Richard Thompson, Etta James, Buddy Guy, to name a few.
Recently, he has put together a new group, The Monkey Hips, which is a crack band that is tighter than Tom Jones' pants. Consisting of some of Boston's best, the members of The Monkey Hips have shared the stage with Wanda Jackson, Chuck Berry, Robert Gordon, Bo Diddley, Peter Wolf, Eli Reed, Marti Brom, Bill Kirchen, Rocky Velvet, Juliana Hatfield, Shirley Lewis, Luther Guitar Johnson, Syl Johnson, Stoval Brown, Mighty Sam McClain, Billy Davis, Eddie Clearwater, Johnny Hoy, The Gravy, The Gravel Pit, The Gentlemen, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and The Spurs, among others.
Whitfield’s desire to return to creating music reminiscent of the early days of The Savages, lead him to form this high energy roots rock and roll band.
Presently, The Monkey Hips are conquering the Universe one stage at a time.
2010 includes tours throughout the US, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
Booking and Information:
Jim Haggerty
themonkeyhips@hotmail.com
617-217-1471
Links
