When a New Tampa resident calls to ask you to take a look at his eight-piece tribute band for the rock/pop group Chicago on the New Tampa Performing Arts Middle (NTPAC), it’s arduous to show him down — even when the group Items of Eight’s efficiency is the evening earlier than your New Tampa subject goes to press.
However, having been somewhat disillusioned once I noticed the precise group Chicago in live performance with the Seaside Boys in both 1978 or ‘79, I wished to see if long-time New Tampa resident Steve Hollingshead (drummer) and the Items of Eight band he helped set up may do as nicely and even higher than the multi-Grammy Award-winning band itself may do.
And oh boy, did Jannah and I — and the remainder of the nearly-sold-out home at NTPAC — find yourself going house impressed.
Lead singer and Wesley Chapel resident JC Grigg completely hit the entire excessive notes in Chicago hits like “Make Me Smile,” “Beginnings,” “Saturday within the Park,” “Feeling Stronger Each Day,” “Simply You & Me” and my private favourite Chicago tune, “25 or 6 to 4.”
The spot-on three-piece horn part was led by the super-talented Charlie Phillips on each measurement of saxophone (together with the best way cool baritone sax). He additionally gave everybody chills on the flute a part of Chicago’s famend ‘70s sluggish dance tune “Shade My World.”
Items of Eight additionally has expanded past simply Chicago, performing songs by Tower of Energy, Huey Lewis & the Information and Peter Gabriel — and all of it mixed for a fantastic night!
For more information about Items of Eight, go to Po8Tampa.com. For upcoming NTPAC data go to NewTampaArtsCenter.org. — GN
