Jersey musicians show support for NJArts.net at Crossroads benefit

From left, Jay Lustig, Richard Barone, Pat DiNizio, Nick Celeste, Kristin Pinell of The Grip Weeds, and Kurt Reil of The Grip Weeds, at Crossroads in Garwood, Sunday night.

It was everything I hoped it would be: Some of my favorite musicians came out last night, at Crossroads in Garwood, to show their support for NJArts.net in a fundraising concert that, I think, is going to remain in the minds and hearts of all who were there for a long time.

I can’t do a traditional concert review: I’m not exactly objective, plus I was too busy emceeing and dealing with other aspects of the show to take notes. So let me just share some YouTube videos, below, from the event, and give my thanks, one more time, to the unbelievable cast: Pat DiNizio, The Grip Weeds, Richard Barone and Nick Celeste, The Weeklings, Joe D’Urso, Scott E. Moore, Matt Davis, Deena Shoshkes and Jon Fried of The Cucumbers, Speed the Plough, The Porchistas, Ruth Ruth, Loretta Hagen, Tris McCall and Ronni Reich, Jim Testa, Dave Kleiner and Liz Pagan, and Jason Didner and the Jungle Gym Jam.

In many ways, these are the people who form the backbone of the New Jersey music scene, and it’s not surprising that they volunteered to be part of the show, or readily agreed to participate when asked.

So, here are some videos, and I’ll add more as they become available.

Here’s one of the encores: A cover of The Beatles’ “Revolution,” with Pat DiNizio, The Grip Weeds, Bob Burger of The Weeklings, Joe D’Urso, Richard Barone and Nick Celeste:

Another encore: The Beatles’ “From Me to You,” also with Pat DiNizio, The Grip Weeds, Bob Burger of The Weeklings, Joe D’Urso, Richard Barone and Nick Celeste

Pat DiNizio with The Grip Weeds: “Behind the Wall of Sleep”

Pat DiNizio with Rick Winowski: “Dear Prudence”

The Grip Weeds, covering The Knickerbockers’ “Lies”

The Grip Weeds’ “Salad Days”

Richard Barone and Nick Celeste prepared, especially for this show and its “Jersey Songs” theme, a cover of the Carole King-written Monkees hit, “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”

Richard Barone and Nick Celeste: “Barbarella”

Richard Barone and Nick Celeste: “The Bulrushes”

The Weeklings: “You Know What to Do”

Scott E. Moore: “The Bridge and Tunnel Song”

Scott E. Moore: “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)”

The Porchistas: “Summer Wind”

The Porchistas: “The PBR Song”

Ruth Ruth: “Uninvited”

Ruth Ruth: “Dawn”

Loretta Hagen: “Stones in the Road”

Jim Testa, with Tris McCall: “Here’s to the State of New Jersey”

Dave Kleiner and Liz Pagan: “Exit 135 (The Ballad of Clark Westfield)”