NEWS AND REVIEWS

NEWS

April 2001 -
Spring onto your feet and get dancin' with The Critics!

Winter's finally over, and it's time to heat things up with your favorite party band! Check out our schedule to see when and where The Critics will be in your neck of the woods, then call 80 or 90 of your friends and come boogie with Joanna, Donald, and the rest of The Critics!

March 2001 -
The Critics have recently added guitar player Dave (Dinger) Wingfield to our line-up. Dave brings amazing guitar licks and a great attitude. Check him out!

Chatter from the Crowd

"We are your newest fans and we come out to hear you whenever we get the chance. We've been following horn bands for a long time and I have to say that you rate up there with excellent bands ….Would that make us groupies? This horn section keeps us moving and we love the chemistry these horn players have with each other....it's wonderful!!!"

"You blew everyone away last night and I heard people from out of town that were staying at the hotel comment on how good you are.

"I check your website at least once a week, and I am glad that your schedule is posted and kept updated, thank you for that."

".......between the talent of each individual on stage, the stage presence you have together and the choice of music, I predict you are well on your way to being "THE party band of CNY," if you aren't there already!"

TESTIMONIALS

In the past year, The Critics have played over 100 weddings and private parties ... all to rave reviews. Our commitment to you is that we will provide you with a professional, quality performance that will make your special occasion one to remember. Below is a small sampling of those testimonials.

We hired The Critics to perform at our first annual Sackets Harbor 1812 Beer and Wine Festival and we hope to hire them back every year as part of our festival. We had over 3000 happy people enjoying the beer, wine and great music from "The Critics." There was dancing, swaying, and even singing from the crowd! The Critics were top-notch, fun, chalked full of talent and energy. The horns, the singing, the driving beat was a joy for all. The Critics definitely made our festival a sucess. For more information, see www.sacketsharbor-ny.gov.
    - Mike Kinnie, Mayor, Village of Sackets Harbor

A great party is made up of good people, good food and good music, and The Critics did their part for PCI's 35th Anniversary party! They had a powerful sound that never missed a beat! Songs we love from silky voices and talented players. No same-old wedding schtick here. The Critics gave their all and then some-worth every dime and more!
    - Rochette R. Withers, Administrative Assistant, PCI Paper Conversions, Inc.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and the rest of the band for helping make Suzanne's reception a memorable event for our family. I have been fielding calls since the reception from friends and family who have raved about the band. We appreciate your willingness to work hard, mix with the crowd and do whatever was necessary to keep the fun rolling. Most importantly, you contributed to a wonderful memory for Suzanne and Scott to keep for the rest of their lives.
    - John Muldowney

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! This was the second wedding I was at that you played at. The first was for C. J. Williams last Aug. Again it was non-stop dancing and fun. You are the High Energy Party Band of all time! Thanks for the GREAT TIME.
    - Len Barker

Just a quick note to say "Thank You" for making our reception so much fun! Your music was GREAT and everybody had such a good time. Thanks for learning and playing the Sinatra song for Marty to sing ... that was such a special moment for us. At the church, the soloist songs you sang were so beautiful. You have an incredible voice and we are thankful you sang for us at the ceremony. I know many of my friends that are planning weddings are considering The Critics for their reception, too. Thanks for such a great time!
    - Cindy and Marty Shoemaker

We wanted you to know how much we enjoyed your music tonight. We are from Toronto and since we didn't see Canada on your list of upcoming events, I'll guess we will have to come back to the U.S.A. to hear you again! You helped us enjoy a very special evening. Thank you!
    - Donna and John

Thanks again for the wonderful evening of dancing and fun. If you ever need a recommendation, let me know!
    - Natasha & Jonathan Lazarus

I was at the bar tonight and I was the first one to get out there and start dancing with my brother. I just wanted to tell you that you have a great voice and that you sound very much like Mary J. Blige. I don't know if you've heard of her, but I think if you sing any of her songs you would do great.
    - Kelly Harris

PRESS

Review from the "Good Time Rock 'n' Roll Festival" - Clinton Square, Syracuse - Summer 2000

Special guest Ronnie Leigh added a soulful touch to the punchy R&B approach of opening band The Critics.

The Syracuse vocal veteran took a couple of star turns with "I Feel Good" and "Love the One You're With." Taking her turn, Critics regular Joanna O'Brien was smooth on "Respect," "The Best of My Love" and "Rescue Me."

But the most pleasant surprise was the way Leigh and O'Brien worked comfortable duet parts in "September."

All the band members had thier own star moments, too. Keyboardist Donald Ramson was fired up for James Brown city-man vocals in "Living in America," guitarist John Kelsey riffed proudly on "Chain of Fools" and bassist Andy Jordan was truly the man on "Ain't Nobody (Knows Me Better)." The horn section of Joe Zar on sax and Jim DeMauro on trumpet spiced it all up, with drummer Daryl Hunt laying down the solid foundation.

Mark Bialczak
Syracuse Newspapers

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