“Another Big Night” may just be the name of his newest CD, but it was a good description of the crowd at Eighth and Rail for the show. You know it’s going to be good when the band is having as much fun as the audience. This keyboard man from Iowa City, IA brought a good time and great music. The stop at “The Rail” was one that has the band zig zagging across the Southeast over the past few weeks and for several to come. After his first hour set, David wandered the crowd and talked to folks, before returning to the stage for another 45 minutes.
The record label website says this of David. “Equipped with a ‘rode hard and put away wet,’ whiskey-soaked rasp and a deep bag of keyboard chops that echoes some of the greats of country, rhythm & blues and gut-bucket rock, David Zollo brings to “The Big Night” the kind of savvy, trans-genre synthesis you might expect from a grizzled road warrior twenty or more years his senior.” Well, that was “right on target”. The band did lots of songs from the current “The Big Night” CD plus more from the first album “The Morning is a Long Way from Home” Zollo does vocals and keyboard , Brad Engeldinger on drums, Steven “The Kid” Howard (from Chicago) was on bass guitar and Chris Winters was one with his electric guitar. It’s interesting to note that the both the albums had the production assistance of Bo Ramsey, who graced the stage of “The Rail” just a few weeks before. David is also the man behind Trailer Records in Iowa City. The band will probably make a return trip to Opelika in the spring when they tour the South again. However, I suspect they may wait for David’s first child that’s expected in March. I think you may want to watch the schedule and make sure you can get a reserved seat, because this is one show you don’t (can’t afford) to miss. One final note; it was nice to pick up the CD’s at just $10 each. It was a great night to enjoy David Zollo, at peace with his life and music. Compliments to Richard and Cooper for bringing this act to town!
More Zollo Facts: David Zollo was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but his family moved to Iowa City, Iowa, shortly thereafter — where he has remained since. He hails from a family of creative artists, his father an expert on American popular music’s who taught a class at The University of Iowa on the history of rock music, and his mother’s father, Payson Re, a well-known jazz pianist who led the house band at New York’s famous Stork Club during the 1930′, 40′ and 50′s. Dave is the founder and owner of the Trailer label, and appears on solo releases as well as maintaining a presence on many other works.
From the Archives — originally published on the Opelika Daily News on November 16, 2002. View the original page.
