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Crystal Stevens and Hudson Rhythm Boys Draw Hand Clapping, Finger Snapping Crowd
by Edward Paul Greiff
 | | Crystal Stevens, Dean Goldman and Paul Martino all serenaded the sunset at the PV Town Park on July 31st |
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Toes wiggled and heads nodded back and forth to the pulsating beat of the guitar strings of Putnam Valley's own Crystal Stevens and the Hudson Rhythm Boys at the July 31, 2007 Sunset Series Concert in Putnam Valley Town Park. A crowd of over 200 people could not sit still as their shoulders and hips spontaneously swayed in different directions, first to Crystal Stevens singing tunes made famous by Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow and then to the foot-stomping, hand-clapping melodies of the Hudson Rhythm Boys playing classic American Root music.
Councilwoman Priscilla Keresey, a longtime fan of the Hudson Rhythm Boys, sponsored their appearance that evening. Town Officials were well represented at this concert and included Town Supervisor Sam Davis, County Legislator Sam Oliverio, and Councilman Robert Tendy. Sunset Series Director Thea Moeller thanked the officials and pointed out that without their support there would be no Sunset Series.
It seems like only yesterday we were reporting on a very young Crystal Stevens singing and playing her guitar at Treenan Sturmans Arbor Day celebration at Putnam Valley High School. Now, five years later, Crystal is appearing in her version of a "pirates outfit" after having just returned from a world tour of eleven countries. It was a semester at sea, she says, and where she had the opportunity to play her music around the world.
The evening's audience was treated to a more polished, more relaxed, and more versatile Crystal Stevens performance. She's added whistling to accompany her guitar strumming style and one other ingredient that makes her performance even more enjoyable for the crowd watching her and that's a million dollar smile - that elusive trait that enables a performer to connect with their audience. Crystal's having fun and she lets her audience know it. They in turn respond with a warm, heartfelt appreciative applause.
The night's musical theme was songs steeped in classic American Roots music and it's one that touches upon familiar themes and gets the audience clapping hands and snapping fingers in time to the music. Because of this, Crystal felt comfortable singing a song she wrote while on her journey around the world. The audience loved her song as much as they loved her - both were great.
The purpose of an opening act is to prime the audience for the main attraction and Crystal Steven's half-hour performance more than set the stage for the Hudson Rhythm Boys' two-hour performance. The Hudson Rhythm Boys, Paul Martino and Dean Goldman, are seasoned entertainers who seem to have an endless portfolio of "American Root" songs. They play nonstop, rolling from one song into another as they keep switching which guitar to play with. Dean Goldman is also a harmonica virtuoso and every now and then he adds a touch of a "kazoo."
Missing from the performance was their classic 1949 Ford Pickup Truck. Paul Martino said it was in the garage hospital bleeding oil. To make them feel at home, Thea Moeller set up the stage with antique fireplace clocks, moonshine jugs, lamps, wooden chests, patch quilts and more. When she finished the stage looked like the inside of a Tennessee Ozark Mountain log cabin.
Some of the classics played included, Have I Told You Lately, Sammy's Cakewalk, Ramblin Round, Louis Blues, and their traditional closer Goodnight Irene.
You know the audience related to this music as they were tapping out the beat with their hands on the wooden picnic tables they were sitting at and with their feet as if they were tap dancing in place.
Amazing to watch is the finger dexterity of the Hudson Rhythm Boys as the right hand strummed the strings with blinding speed and the left hand choose just the right chord with equal speed. Combine these attributes with their two-part harmony and you have classic American Roots music played to perfection.
Intermission time gave the audience a chance to purchase CD's, browse the art display of Jessica Ellard, and partake of hot dogs, hamburgers, pop corn, watermelon, soda and other goodies.
Each Sunset Series Concert this summer has featured a different style of music and has attracted a different audience. Next weeks concert is classic Rock featuring Marc VonEm and it's scheduled for Tuesday, August 14, 2007 in the Town Park.
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