rolling hills review
Wildly Entertaining
Rolling Hills Radio Features Girls Gone Mild
November 22, 2013
By DUSTEN RADER (drader@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal
Area residents at The Reg Studio Theater went wild when Girls Gone Mild took the stage Thursday evening. The recording of Episode No. 27 of "Rolling Hills Radio" featured Girls Gone Mild, a collaborative musical project including: Mary Ramsey, vocalist and violinist of 10,000 Maniacs; Alison Pipitone, singer, songwriter and guitarist for the Alison Pipitone Band; Theresa Quinn, pianist and organist; and Susan Rozler, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist.
Ken Hardley, show host, thought the show was so unique that the likes of it have never been seen in Jamestown before, he said. "This is going to be a unique experience for everybody - they are real peppercorns," Hardley said before the show. "The truth is that every show I've walked away saying, 'I think we just set the bar higher,' but tonight there's no doubt in my mind that the bar will have been set a fair amount higher."
The group's performance featured nine tunes, including both originals and covers. Although a collaboration, the pieces seemed to bring out the individual talents of each woman. But, on the tunes where they combined their abilities, the group really shined.
The show was opened with a tribute to Lou Reed, which also included Hardley. Pipitone's "I'm Not Sorry," which is featured on her newest album "Big Wide World," came next. Quinn then presented a Greg Brown cover entitled, "Evening Call," which was followed by a Rozler-led cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi." Ramsey then played an original she called "Maid of the Mist," which put some hauntingly beautiful viola on the forefront.
Following a short intermission, Pipitone returned to the mic for a powerful, yet sweet rendition of Nina Simone's "My Baby Just Cares For Me." After this point it seemed that it would be impossible for the ladies to continue raising the bar, yet they did. Quinn brought out a cover of Neil Young's "Harvest Moon," which had every male and female in the audience swooning. Rozler's eccentric, ADHD-inspired, story turned original song "Uncle Ray" had the audience gasping for air between laughs. And, like a cherry-atop-the-sundae, Ramsey's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" sealed the deal. Yet, it wasn't over just yet, as the group wrapped the session up with a tune in which Hardley attempted to become an honorary girl by jumping in on a tune called "Girls Gone Mild Theme Song." Needless to say, the group earned the standing ovation they received.
According to Ramsey, the group is more than just a collaboration, rather it's a meeting of interesting friends, she said.
"It's a lovely stew when we put our ingredients together - we have a lot of fun," Ramsey said.
Quinn agreed, adding that each moment she spends together with her friends creates a lasting, powerful memory. "I very much enjoy these women," Quinn said. "I look forward to seeing them, rehearsing with them and laughing with them - I miss them when I don't."
Rozler couldn't help but also express her happiness about having the opportunity to be with such lovely, talented ladies, she said. "Everybody comes from different backgrounds, has different things to offer and that's what makes it so fun, kinky, crazy and exciting," Rozler added.
Pipitone's take on the group took a slightly more practical approach, pointing out how much each of them have to learn from each other. "I learned an important lesson years ago - always play tennis with someone whose better than you," Pipitone said. "That's what I feel like I'm doing with this group - musically these guys are so talented. I've learned a lot from them about being professional, about different ways to play music and different ways to lead a band."
One of the most important factors of the collaboration that they all agreed upon was the fact that it allows them to express themselves creatively in a way that they can't in their respective bands. As to what the ladies of Girls Gone Mild think that the audience should take away from their performance, a good time with good company, they said.
For more information about Girls Gone Mild, visit www.girls-gone-mild.com or search for "Girls Gone Mild" on Facebook.
The Thursday, Dec. 26, show, featuring Honey Spine and Brian Hanna, will be located at the Reg Studio Theater, 108 E. Third St. in Jamestown. Tickets are available at the Reg lenna Center for the Arts box office by calling 484-7070, online at www.reglenna.com or at the door while they last. The show will be rebroadcast on WRFA-LP on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m.
For more information, search for "Rolling Hills Radio" on Facebook, or visit www.wrfalp.com/show/rolling-hills-radio to purchase tickets, stream WRFA's broadcast debut of each show and listen to previous performances.