Mad Dogs & Englishmen

It has been called the “Ray Charles revue for the Woodstock Generation.” Recorded live at New York’s Fillmore East in the spring of 1970, Mad Dogs & Englishmen documents a slapdash extravaganza (the whole thing was conceived, organized, and abandoned over the course of two months) that overflows with big, brassy, rockin’ soul. The bandleader is Leon Russell, playing some of the best rock piano ever waxed. And the crack company (boasting 21 singers and players) features the Rolling Stones’ future horn section and Derek & the Dominoes’ rhythm-section-in-waiting. greatly from the volcanic arrangements whipped up by Russell and Chris Stainton.

The material covers a wide array of genres, featuring songs by The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Traffic, Leon RusseLl and Ray Charles – to name a few – and includes the Joe Cocker classic versions of “The Letter” and “She Came In Through The Bathroom Window.

NYRMA will recreate this landmark event featuring an all-star lineup of local musicians. The band will feature: Mark Mancini (musical director), Tom Ryan, Howie Silverman, Steve Kaplan, Rich Hall, Dave Wise, Rich Umbach, Joe Perricone, Steven Prisco, Barry Schwalb and others to be announced.