music During a break midway through Saturday night’s sold-out show at Starr Hill, an audience member suddenly reached for singer Bob Girard’s head.
As Girard instinctively leaned forward, she grabbed a thatch of his hair and he beamed in response.
 Captain Tunes and His Fabulous Noteguns keep on rockin’ in the modern world—no geezers allowed. |
His mane had lasted, and so had Girard and his bandmates. And, as evidenced by a packed venue, the fingers raking through his hair and a loyal audience that began following Captain Tunes and His Fabulous Noteguns during the mid-’70s, even the enthusiasm remained. And all are impressive feats for a band that played at the 1976 opening of the Downtown Mall.
While there were physical reminders that much time had passed, the music did not show it. Here again were faithful, energetic versions of classics by Little Feat, the Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, the Rolling Stones, and the Allman Brothers. Front man Girard sang with all his might, almost lithe in his movements, but it was guitarist Bo Randall who truly defied encroaching age, delivering extended solos on songs like “Layla” and “Bertha” to an electrified crowd, already primed by opener the Charlottesville Blues All Stars (Dick Green, Doug Jay, Paul Hammond, Steve Riggs).
“Those of you who stuck around,” Girard told the jubilant revelers, “you each get a thousand dollars.”
As the night changed into early morning, Captain (rounded out by Charlie Pastorfield and Gibby and Ralph Dammann) continued to play on, determined to pay them in songs. Although this reviewer admits to stifling a yawn or two, neither the crowd nor the band seemed to tire, keeping up a pace normally reserved for those half their age. Forget 2007; it was 1977 all over again. At least for one night.
