“Katy & Company”, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, AZ

So, this post isn’t about karaoke, but bear with me, please.

Last night, September 6, 2009, Lisa, Loren, Sheryl, Tammy, Sue and I all went to hear a fabulous band called “Katy & Company,” at Loew’s Ventana Canyon Resort, in Tucson, AZ.  I have had a couple of occasions to hear them and they are just wonderful! Katy Martin is the lead singer and her band is composed of Doug Martin, (keys),  Howard Wooten (guitar), Mike Levy (bass) and Alejandro Canelos (drums). Doug and Mike sing a little bit of backround vocals as well.

As a rule, “Katy & Co” usually just play corporate gigs, but occasionally they perform for Loews. Since they have quite a following, they really pack the place. Their choice of songs is mix of 60″s – 70″s R&B with newer material mixed in. The sound is balanced and not overwhelming. Katy’s voice is clear, bluesy, mellow and soulful. The band has a great beat and the dance floor was never empty.  What a blast!

Katy sings all of my personal favorites and many of the songs that I sing at karaoke. Now, I am very particular about those songs. I know how Aretha, Bonnie, Dusty and others sing those songs – I know how I sing those songs. It actually hurts my ears to hear some karaoke singers butcher them. But Katy, she takes them to a whole new level. Don’t get me wrong. I am not comparing her to a karaoke singer. She makes those songs her own.

Katy and Doug Martin (sans band) play Monday – Friday for happy hour (5:30 – 8 PM), as a duo or ‘lounge act’ in the same lounge at Loew’s. The lounge act is a scaled back version of their band performance. Now let me be very clear, scaled back does not mean watered-down, in any sense.  The happy hour is just more of a quiet gig, no drums, percussion or guitars. Many of the songs are the same - melodic, bluesy, and soulful – but unplugged.

If you get the chance to catch them, do not miss it!

ET,  Coolest Karaoke Girl
http://www.coolestkaraoke.com/blog
http://www.coolestkaraoke.com

Papagayo’s Cantina, Tucson, AZ

 Last Saturday, August 29, 2009, Sheryl, Ivan and I went to karaoke at Papagayo’s Cantina, on Sunrise Dr, in Tucson, AZ. We were actually heading over to Hacienda del Sol to catch a band called “Genevieve and the LPs”. As it turned out, they were cancelled at the last minute for another band to play – pretty tacky, huh? So we went to Papagayo’s.

What a great time!  Papagayo’s Cantana is a friendly neighborhood bar (that is way out of my neighborhood). We had a fabulous time! The place is very small and most of the singers are regulars who show up every Saturday. There were a lot of very good singers and a couple of very bad singers. Usually, and I don’t have to tell you this if you have ever been to karaoke, it is the other way around. Karaoke was provided by “Y Not Karaoke Entertainment”. I haven’t been to one of their shows before. The system was actually pretty good, but the song selection was lacking a little and they had quite a few Music Maestro discs (not as well made, less expensive, but okay) and not much Sound Choice  discs (very professional, but very expensive). The KJ was friendly, helpful and kept things moving along smoothly.

Anyway, a great time was had by all. I will definitely return.

ET Coolest Karaoke Girl
http://www.coolestkaraoke.com/blog
http://www.coolestkaraoke.com