Felix Ybarra - Blues of Local Interest columnist
Betsy Baye & the Groove Engine
Billy's Lounge in Eastown - July 5, 2002
While the streets of Grand Rapids blistered and swelled from a holiday heat wave, the dance floor at Billy's was even hotter. Temperatures soared on Friday, July 5th, as Betsy Baye & the Groove Engine from Traverse City launched into its third set before a capacity holiday Billy's crowd. Holiday crowds tend to be finicky and thin, particularly during a long 4th of July weekend. However, word of Betsy's appearance at Billy's proved to be a long-awaited event for several of her fans in Grand Rapids. Betsy rocked the crowd with a spectrum of blues chestnuts that extanded from Robert Johnson to Bonnie Raitt.
Looking every bit the blues vamp in her fringed black outfit, the sultry northern diva launched into a searing first set with her rendition of Fever. Betsy's first set included Hurt So Bad by Susan Tedeschi and 24 Hours by Debbie Davies. Her Temptation rave-up of Cloud None / Can't Get Next To You had dancers boogeying to the point of exhaustion. But they loved every minute.
The Groove Engine has to be amoung the tightest and most experienced bands in northern Michigan. Al Anderson, keyboard and sax, provides an uplifting rhythm section. Greg Bowers on drums (a veteren of the Detroit rock scene) was sensational. Doug Swords on bass and John Giordano's lead guitar riffs were exceptionally skillful. Giordano's rendition of Santana's Europa proved to be sensual and highly polished. You don't find many guitarists willing to tackle Santana.
Betsy Baye & the Groove Engine continued to woo the crowd later in the evening with a sassy presentation of Voodoo Woman by Koko Taylor. Betsy Baye's high energy and body gyrations came to a full frenzy as she ended the eveing with an explosive rendition of the Allman Brothers' Whipping Post.
Besty Baye & the Groove Engine is, without a doubt, a premiere northern Michigan band. The Traverse City area and north lakeshore are beginning to produce fabulous blues bands that are making headway down-state. These bands are well-versed and extremely hard-working. The Groove Engine, by far, stands on top of the heap as a northern-based band that needs to be reckoned with. After their 4th of July appearance at Billy's in Eastown, one can only guess that thier legion of local followers will continue to grow. Check the "Local Events" pages for her next appearance where you live.
