Zola Moon at the Redondo Beach 2003 Lobsterfest
Live review by Pat Benny

It is a common belief that Southern California has no change of seasons. That is a myth perpetuated by the visitors that come to enjoy our fair state and are gone long before the September sun turns soft and hazy. The breeze from the ocean turns into a gentle carressthat caused everyone, including the soaring seagulls, to slow their pace and enjoy the golden beauty hat is Southern California in Autumn. This is a wonderful time for local residents to relax and enjoy what millions come here to experience. This is also a time for communities to provide fairs, festivals and concerts for the locals to attend and the Redondo BEach Lobsterfest is one of the best. Held at the picturesque Seaside Lagoon, the Lobsterfest draws thousands every year with a multitude of different kinds of food, including a lobster dinner that is fit for a king, yet priced for the masses. It is the perfect environment for adults to relax and enjoy the fine food and fine weather while the children run and play, make new friends and memories to last a lifetime. This was not a crowd of tourists, hurried and frantic to cram as much of the California experience as possible into their vacations. The Lobsterfest is a local tradition, something to be savored as slowly and methodically as the the sweet Live Maine lobsters that are flown in for this event. Fine food, a beautiful seaside location, an amiable crowd and a top notch lineup of music make this an event to look forward to all year.

The afternoon shadows were growing long as Zola Moon and her band took the stage. The grassy area before the stage was about half full of expectant fans. The dance floor in front of the stage was filled with scores of barefoot children, their exuberant play interupted by the sight of Zola Moon, resplendent in bugandy lace and black leather miniskirt, who gazed down at their sweet innocence and asked, "Are you gonna dance? All right!" With that, guitarist Vince Joy struck the opening bars to BLUESVILLE, and the party was on.

It was obvious that Zola was as comfortable with this beach crowd as they were with her. I've seen her light up a dark nightclub with that smile of hers but today, she lit up the sky. Arm pumping, feet shuffling, Zola's powerful voice filled the Seaside Lagoon, drawing festival goers until I found myself elbow to elbow with smiling, dancing fans. Zola is a local favorite and many were familiar with her incredible stage presense. Others stared in unabashed amazement. This WAS Bluesville, postmodern style. Just like the song, the Blues was here to heal, to refresh and to share. What a wonderful day it was! Once the children were stopped dead in their tracks, awestruck as Zola and the band performed BAD DOG FIGHT, and the adults were soon joining the kids to dance to the happy shuffle of SWEET PEA, the audience was ready to experience the diverse music of Zola Moon. With no loss of momentum, the crowd responded with enthusiasm to the soul searching HOT TEXAS SUN and the brooding, sinister THE BOTTOM. HARD LIQUOR was soon to follow and MECHANICAL BEAST displayed Zola's unique showmanship. Another microphone stand bites the dust, to the delight of the audience.

It's hard to say if the band was inspired by the enthusiastic crowd. They are all such seasoned professionals that they always appear relaxed and polished wherever they perform. I have to say, though, that they were looking especially dapper for this show. Vince's dark gray suit perfectly complimented his silver hair and black guitar, giving him a rather sinister look that was augmented by bass man Eric Williams' black attire. Even Jerry "The Hat" Olsen looked turned-out in what appeared to be a bright new T-shirt! With Zola leading the way, they glided through HOLLYWOOD IN THE HOOD, then a postmodern rendition of Etta James' TELL MAMA as the crowd grew larger and larger. After CAMEL CASH, DOLL HOUSE and a sing-along version of STEEL BARS, Zola turned the mike over to Vince Joy, who gave us a stirring version of DRIVIN' WHEEL.

By the time Zola sang LUCKY ME, the dance floor was packed. After Zola's incredible song, SNAKE EYES, the band finished their set with their own haunting version of THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN. I couldn't help but notice the little girl with the long brown hair, dressed in lime green, staring straight up at Zola as she sang. Staring captivated, mesmerized, awestruck. Don't worry, Sweetie, I've been there myself. That, Little Girl, is the one and only Zola Moon. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, you could find the same inspiration in Zola Moon that she found in Janis, Etta and Billie. But for now, let's just enjoy this wonderful day and this incredible experience; because that, My Dear, is what the Blues is all about.

Visit Zola Moon and her band online at: http://www.zolamoon.com and purchase her CDs at: http://www.CDbaby.com/zolamoon4


Pat Benny