OCEAN CITY – Ask any music lover around the world what represents American music and the reply will be either jazz or country music.
This past Sunday night, the Ocean City Pops turned south for country music. The violins transformed into fiddles, although most of their parts were sustained chords as accompaniment. The brass became commentators on the lines sung by the four soloists. And the sophisticated percussion converted a heel- and toe-tapping rhythm section into a country dance.
Maestro Vince Lee guided the orchestra through scores that were provided by a pre-packaged survey of top country songs. Scott Coulter returned with his encyclopedic knowledge of pop music, for this evening, the music of Dolly, Kenny, Brooks and others. He also was featured soloist on several selections.
The opening drum explosion led to a high energy “Nine to Five” (Dolly Parton) sung by Lorinda Lisitza. She was quickly joined by Coulter, belting Alex Getlin and bass Brian Wilson.
Appropriately dressed in a black cowboy hat, Wilson sang Kenny Rogers’ “She Believes in Me.” His deep voice turned the ballad into a convincing story. It was somewhat disconcerting to hear a female sing it, but Lisitza used her wide range to treat “Folson Prison Blues” to a fine recollection of Johnny Cash. She caught the spirit of the blues with her under-pitch slides and free rhythms. Her “Crazy” recalled Patsy Cline’s fierce style.
Between each of the songs, Coulter described the historic context of song-writer, cover artists, and popular versions. He interacted with the audience, enlisting answers and complimenting both the crowd and the Pops Orchestra. His George Jones solo, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” used piano accompaniment only — John Boswell, who travels with Coulter’s groups.
Wilson took on the country story song “The Gambler” with guitar, and then full orchestra, asking the audience to join on “know when to fold…and when to hold ‘em.” Indeed, it seemed that every selection of the evening was familiar to this full Music Pier audience.
This Sunday night, former music director of the Pops Bill Scheible returns for a guest appearance and a repertoire of music about the sea, including jazz standards and symphonic favorites.
– STORY and PHOTO by RICHARD STANISLAW/For the Sentinel