“Monster” Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter

Photo by John O'Neill

December 1st at Retro Live, Laura Carbone, Producer of Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz welcomed the large crowd, individually thanked the sponsors, and introduced “Monster” Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter. Laura has promoted them as, “one of the hottest acts in Blues and Soul today”, and said, “Mike Welch, named ‘Monster’ by Dan Aykroyd at the age of 13 for his guitar prowess is now one of the most, impeccable blues guitarists in the world. Mike Ledbetter, a direct descendent of Lead Belly is one of the world’s best classically trained blues vocalists, with a staggering vocal range that leaps octaves.”

With their beards, shiny black shoes, and guitars “as their guns”, they stood shoulder to shoulder on the stage. When Ledbetter unleashed his powerful voice and Welch wielded “his musical weapon, the crowd was taken prisoner.” [paragraph co-written with Laura]  

The drummer Marty Richards recorded with the two stars on their recent album, “Right Time, Wrong Place”, and bassist Brad Hallen has toured and recorded with Duke Robillard the last seven years.

Much of the time, Welch and Ledbetter, brothers of soul, stood closely, sharing their vibe and wide smiles. Even when physically apart, their performances were together - seamlessly complementing one another’s - while Richards provided the driving beat and Hallen held it all down.

In, “I Can’t Stop, Baby”, when Ledbetter’s vocals went low, Welch’s guitar went high. Welch was one with his instrument. It was singing, crying, wailing, screaming, jiving, riding, driving, and satisfyingly peaking.

After the band members’ synchronization in, “It Takes Time”, Ledbetter urged, “Give a big round of applause for Miss Laura Carbone.” The audiences upstairs and down applauded and whooped it up for the woman who produced this phenomenal entertainment.

Photo by John O'Neill

In, “You Don’t Love Me”, Ledbetter passed the baton to Welch who grabbed it and ran. It’s hard to believe they’ve shared the stage for less than two years. With Heller providing the glue and Richards the percussion, the four came off like a well-oiled team. 

For the next number Welch, sounding like a B3 organ, then echoed Ledbetter’s voice with his wailing, pleading, entreating, sweet-talking guitar.

Paul DesLauriers, whose band has been nominated in five different categories for the 2018 Maple Blues Awards, joined the musicians on stage. With his earrings, salt and pepper hair, close cropped beard, and guitar, he led the way with a persistent, insistent strum until it was wound like a spinning top. With Welch playing fret for fret, Ledbetter dancing and singing with clarity, enunciation and soul, and the dependable bass and drums, a train was coming. Whether it was a steam engine or a smoking diesel wasn’t clear but there was a locomotive barreling down the track with all of us on board.

Another special guest Angel Forrest, with nine albums and four consecutive wins of the Maple Blues Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, took the stage and commanded it with her sound. In an off-the-shoulders black top, red necklace and ragged jeans, this Janis Joplin reincarnate, delivered an exquisite rendition of “Walking Blues”. The crowd loved it.

For the second set, the initial, four band members began with a chunk of funk. Ledbetter turned it gospel and it soon became sexual. Say what? Ledbetter’s voice does it all.

Photo by Beckie O'Neill

They were off on - a cranking, jamming, hand-clapping, foot-stomping version of, “Down Home Girl”. Musicians and dancers, with major attitude, struck poses. Was there a horn up there? Welch’s guitar had become a keyboard, a saxophone. Ledbetter added his guitar virtuoso. How is it they have not been playing together all of their lives? They had it, held it, and filled the dance floor with rock ‘n rollin, “Can’t Sit Down”. What Welch wailed, Ledbetter nailed. They brought it. Welch was in the zone with his guitar’s high notes, lilting, stirring, teasing, pleasing, building. Ledbetter joined him for the culminating climax of sound which elicited whistles from the writhing crowd. How could a band so tight make us feel so loose?

In, “So All Alone”, Ledbetter had the groove and the moves. The sound, rhythmical and sensuous, ended with Welch’s rifts of perfection, lifting our hearts.

Like two pillars upholding a temple, the two Mikes sharing the stage, the limelight, the beat, and the rock, upheld the message of blues. Welch has been playing since his early teens. Just as Ledbetter’s instrument is inside him, Welch’s gift is too.

Dave Keller, from Vermont and billed as “one of the finest soul and blues men of his generation”, joined the group. His moody, sultry, sensual, swinging voice and guitar licks in, “So All Alone”, had soul. Soul. SOUL. Not holding back, he, at one-point, echoed Ledbetter’s guitar chords then punched out a staccato while Ledbetter provided his own punctuation.

For Dave’s last number, he belted out, “All Night Long”. Ledbetter gave voice to his guitar. With Welch out front, the frenzy set in. Forget about your troubles, your worries, your cares. Settle in with the blues right down to your shoes. The music built, built, built. Then, look out - the crescendo. The large venue, filled with people, came together.

Photo by John O'Neill

Welch and Ledbetter, leaning back to back, were tuned-in to one another, providing such precision, sending out love, lending us all some peace while we swayed, grooved and moved. “Can you feel it out there?” Ledbetter asked the crowd. We erupted with applause and cheers. As Ledbetter’s voice soared in, “Move to Another Country”, we soared with him.

It was time to rock with, “Big Momma”. Beat for beat, lick for lick, the four of them delivered.

“We’ll say goodbye with this Chicago style, west-side blues,” said Ledbetter introducing, “Goodbye Baby”. The perfect weave of guitars, voices and drums soothed, restored, enlivened us… and helped us accept the end of a mighty, fine night of entertainment.

[“Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter” Laura Carbone Facebook page and PB&J: Plattsburgh Blues and Jazz Facebook page, December 5, 2017, Beckie O’Neill]