Ours Brings A Little Magic To An Otherwise Mundane Monday
If you’re a live music fan like I am, then you have probably been to so many shows that you’ve lost track, from huge festivals to small, intimate settings and everything in between. Every once in a while, something unexpected happens and you get to experience something unique and extraordinary that makes the night something you will never forget. You know what kind of nights I’m talking about right? Recently, I had the pleasure of witnessing a little something magical as singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Gnecco came to town with his eclectic rock band Ours making a stop at Amos’ Southend on the You Are The Answer Tour in support of their latest self-titled album.
The evening started out as any other Monday night would and I really didn’t have any expectations of what was to come from the performance, but by the end of the night I would end up being blown away by the experience. The atmosphere inside the venue was cozy and inviting with rows of bar stools lined up in diagonal rows on each side of the stage. Kicking off the night’s entertainment was black bird white sky.
This is a project from New Jersey singer-songwriter Ronnie Shingelo and features Ronnie solo on vocals and acoustic guitar. From the moment the music began, Ronnie took us on a beautiful journey with pure, unadulterated music that could be felt deep down into the soul. With a voice that simply resonated throughout the venue and heartfelt songs that are both introspective and reflective, black bird white sky was a majestic beginning to a grand evening of musical talents. He will be releasing new music sometime in 2022. In the meantime, you can check out his song “Touch” and listen to a bit of what was experienced on this night.
Next up was the moment we all were waiting for as Jimmy Gnecco and Ours headed out onto the stage. Starting things out with “Lose Control” from their latest album, Ours was in top form in every way. The music is lush with layers of sounds and intricacies that form a cohesive whole when the band attacks each song. Gnecco himself has the stage presence of a true rock god as he sang, danced, shimmied, and swayed all over the stage. The current lineup of Ours also features April Bauer on keys, Chris Iasiello on drums, Mikey Iasiello on guitars, and Carmelo Risquet on bass and they play together seamlessly no matter the direction of the music.
The setlist was heavy with songs from the new record but also harkened back to the early days of Ours with selections from 2001’s “Distorted Lullabies” much to the delight of fans. Through it all, Gnecco is a commanding presence on stage, taking us through all the highs and lows of each and every song, leaving us dancing one moment and teary-eyed the next. His vocals were outstanding, encompassing us and inviting us into his world if just for a moment. He took a few moments to address the small but appreciative audience and talked about the importance of music and his love of performing. For this night, it wasn’t about money or ticket sales, it was about the joy of the music and the powerful, positive force that it can be. Like a fairy sprinkling dust, Jimmy sprinkled his love and appreciation of his craft over all of us at Amos’ that night, and I for one left a little transformed from what had just happened.
This my music-loving friends is what it’s all about. Be sure to come out to a show and support the talented individuals who made a night like this possible. There’s still time to catch a show. You can keep up with Ours tour dates and all their latest music, here.
