Bill Davis and his crew of singers and musicians delivered a grand, potpourri of pop Monday at the North Lake Presbyterian Church.
It was officially called “Listen to the Music,” with Davis and the Villages Pops Chorus leading the way, along with special guest Phil Caltabellotta.
Caltabellotta’s majestic harmonica was the highlight of the concert, as he displayed virtuoso aplomb on everything from pop to jazz to classical to blues.
But Davis seemed to have a twinkle in his eye throughout, flashing fun and musicality on a variety of styles, including rock, folk, show tunes and moving ballads.
Davis is director of the Chorus, which includes over 100 members. They were joined by the 12-piece Pops Chorus Band, led by Jo Ann Hanebrink.
It didn’t take long for Bill Davis to rock out. He perfectly captured the goofy mood of “Surfin’ Bird,” which came out in 1963 by that unforgettable group, The Trashmen. It was part of a medley called “The Silly Sixties.”
Davis and the Chorus regaled the audience with lyrics that even Bob Dylan could not imagine, such as:
“Ma-ma-mow, pa-pa, ma-ma-mow, pa-pa
Ma-ma-mow, pa-pa, ma-ma-mow
A-well-a don’t you know about the bird?
Well, everybody knows that the bird is a word
A-well, a bird, bird, b-bird’s a word.
In a medley that included such K-Tel Records standards as “Peppermint Twist,” “Ya Ya,” “Land of 1,000 Dances,” “Little Old Lady From Pasadena” and “Shout” – “Surfin Bird,” was “Bill’s favorite,” said Sue Davis, his wife and chorus member.
Davis, who played in rock bands, seems to find a way to make that music work in a choral setting. Such tunes as “I’m A Believer,” by the Monkees; “Listen to the Music,” by the Doobie Brothers and Huey Lewis and the News’ “Power of Love” all fit right in.
Softer numbers also found a place in the Chorus’ songbook. Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” and the Bee Gees “How Deep Is Your Love” felt right at home in this concert.
Caltabellotta is a harmonica master and musical chameleon. He stood in front to the Chorus and delivered a soothing riff on the Louis Armstrong number “Wonderful World.”
Davis introduced his next number, saying, “This is pure Phil, all by himself.” Caltabellotta gave a dynamic solo on the classically-influenced song, “Malaguena.” He later teamed with Carolyn Hoffman on an elegant, jazzy, “When Sunny Gets Blue.” Lastly, Caltabellotta showed off his blues side teaming with Davis on a rousing “The Birth of the Blues.”
“I like playing with orchestras and a chorus and I like playing all styles of music,” Caltabellotta said before the concert. “Classical music is a challenge, but I love playing it.”
Bonnie Williams displayed her explosive energy on “I’m Still Here” and the men in the Pops Chorus provided a Broadway sound on “There is Nothin’ Like A Dame,” from South Pacific.
Davis donned a captain’s hat to lead the guys in that number and they wore sailor caps.
Sally Matteson provided a wistful flute solo, joining the Chorus on “Skylark.” The Chorus displayed its depth and skill turning Brian Wilson’s “God Only Knows” into heartfelt emotion.
The Pops Chorus Folk Quartet had some fun with Roger Miller’s “King of the Road,” while the LaLiPops female trio brought back ‘50s nostalgia on “Sincerely.” The Barbershop singers known as Nickelodeon joyously covered the Beatles, “When I’m 64,” changing the lyric to “When I’m 84.”
