Haute Culture in ArnoldPalmerville

Tools of the trade

Just so no one gets the idea that Neapolitans are just a bunch of deep-pocketed slugs who spend all their time driving their pricey cars from restaurant meal to restaurant meal, we took advantage of an invitation last night to attend a concert, held at one of the town's leading Christian churches, which looks like it was somehow transported from the village green of a classic New England Town.

The Group had a curious name, but one of their members was reputed to be lead violin at the Naples philharmonic Orchestra, no slouch, he. So given the venue and the bona fides of at least one of the performers, we thought that this might be an opportunity to experience a little Naples culture firsthand and trooped on down to see the Bean Pickers perform at the Tuesdays at Twilight concert.

Admittedly, The name, Bean Pickers, did not evoke a wave of recognition, nor did many of us consider ourselves Blue Grass aficionados, but a night out is a night out.

Guitar Player, Scott Ritter, who owns a local painting company, also chipped in on vocals, as did Linda Kallinger who played mandolin and one mean fiddle. Karen Batten, a registered nurse in her other life played banjo, like ringing a bell - Johnny B Goode, style (assuming Johnny B could play a banjo in addition to guitar). Leslie Weidenhammer, a Deputy Sheriff in real life, played a mean standup bass, sang vocals with the voice of an angel and generally stole most of the show.

It's hard having lived through the folk music era of the 1960's without having a passing familiarity with Blue Grass, but this gang, through their eclectic music selections and mind-blurring execution, brought this genre to a new high. Not to mix metaphors, but they played above the rim the whole night. What a show!

And if you are wondering how a classical violinist blended in with this material, you would not have believed the rendition of the Orange Blossom Special which must have darn near melted those fiddle strings. Glenn Basham demonstrated clearly that his talent is as broad as it is deep.

As in all endeavors, we try and glean some wisdom as take-home value. For whatever reason, the following lyric stuck in our minds and may just be trotted out at many an upcoming cocktail party.

There's too many cooks in the kitchen,
There's too many irons in the fire, (arns in the fahr)
There's not enough loving in the front porch swing,
And there is always a drunk at the Bar.

Catch the Bean Pickers at Fred's on the fourth Friday of each month. Call for details