Just got back from my first Caribbean cruise ever. A great ship, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, that had great entertainment. After a few nights in some of the clubs and a 70's night, we were getting a little tired of Disco rewind, though. Apparently 70's music on a cruise ship means 90 percent Disco. I know I heard "Last Dance" and "Disco Inferno" at least 5 times each.
There was a band that played this one club about every night. They were an exceptionally good 6 member band. Now I am one who is very aware of the use these days of pre-recorded playback during a "live" performance, so I was really watching everything on stage and listening for any help they may be getting from a magic box, and fully believe they were totally live. Pretty refreshing. They had one guy on keyboards and lead vocals, another on drums with backup vocals, another on bongos and sax with lead vocals, another on lead guitar and backup vocals, the 5th guy played bass guitar and sang lead vocals, and the lady out front played the flute and sang lead vocals.
For two nights we had only heard their last set. A good mix but still plenty of disco. They were so good it was a pleasure to hear them play anything. On the third night we came a hour earlier. Midway through this set, much to my surprise, they did "The One You Love". The first time I have ever heard it live. It was incredible. The bongo player stepped back a little and carried most of the song himself, playing the sax and singing the lead. We were in a balcony overhang in this smallish club, and the sax was chilling, especially at the end where he repeated a few bars.
Anyway, hearing this song live was the musical highlight of the whole trip for me. Even better than the very next song they did - "Heartache Tonight". It was superb also, with the same sax player and another on lead vocals. I think the sax is my new favorite instrument.
Looking back, I have three regrets. Not hearing more of them on other nights, not thinking about bringing my little video camera along to record, and not even knowing the name of the band. Pretty pathetic. Maybe it was the mango foo-foo drinks.
So that's my little story. I hope someone can connect with it. Btw, I will not be listening to "YMCA" tonight.
