Photos: Rick Pauline

About three years ago I went to the Town Crier in Beacon, NY to see a blues band, but can’t remember the name of the band. Ted Horowitz, known as Popa Chubby, was in the audience, and the lead singer invited him to come on stage and he played a few songs with the band. I finally get a chance to see him again, and guess what? Daryl’s House in Pawling is the former Town Crier.

Popa Chubby’s a big man (his stage name is also a nice play on the old saying “pop a chubby,” and we all know what that is), but his music is much bigger. Popa Chubby has a four-piece band, with Tom Curiano on drums, Anthony Candullo, on bass and Dave Keyes on keys, are there any more puns? (Chubby introduced  Dave Keyes as his brother from a different mother. Does this mean they have the same father?)

Their warmup song had a little taste of Hendrix wah-wah then right into a Texas-style blues song reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan, who could also be reminiscent of Hendrix. Popa showed he has the chops. They continued with a funky blues, before doing a tribute to Hendrix with “Hey Joe.” The rhythm section kept it together and going, but kept their eyes on Chubby for the changes, since he improvised throughout the night.

Their music covered all kinds of styles, which showed their versatility and range. Texas, foot-stomping boogie, John Lee Hooker style, rocking blues and of course the slow blues: my favorite. Dave Keyes shared some of the solo duties and switched from piano to organ, which distinctively changed the blues style. He also took a few turns on vocals and I was surprised at his ability to sustain those long notes. Whenever Keyes led on piano, Chubby played slide guitar, paying homage to the older style of blues with a hard edge; when Keyes played the organ it had a more full and modern sound.

The night was a mixture of their older songs and tunes from the new release, Two Dogs. The title song covered a wide spectrum—a blues rock song with hints of jazz and powered with funk. Everything they played was great, but “Crying Man,” a slow blues featuring both Keyes and Popa Chubby with heavy organ and blistering guitar solos, was a personal favorite. They closed their two-and-a-half-hour show with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” then encored with a blend of Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” and the Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil.”

The audience was mixed in age, loud, and had a great time. I was excited to see young people in the crowd, as this means the blues will go on and musicians like Popa Chubby will continue carrying the torch for the blues. Popa Chubby put on a damn good show. What more can one say?

—Glenn Bohan