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By Laura Drinan
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Blues guitarist Paul Speidel returned to the Wellesley Free Library on Thursday, July 27, to continue the second part of his four part music series, Summertime Blues, sponsored by Friends of the Wellesley Free Library. This time, singer and keyboardist Alizon Lissance accompanied Speidel as they played some of their favorite blues songs and originals in the Wakelin Room.
After a kind introduction from WFL’s Cathy Boettjer, Speidel and Lissance took the stage. After their first song with Speidel on guitar and Lissance on the keyboard, the duet greeted the audience and Lissance admitted it was nice to play quietly in front of an intimate crowd.
For their second song, Lissance beautifully sang a cover of “Why Don’t You Do Right?” and mentioned that the audience might recognize it from the 1988 film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Speidel took a moment after the song to give his thanks to WFL administrator, Elise MacLennan, and the management at WFL for allowing him to perform the four concerts. He also asked the audience to give Lissance a round of applause, pointing out that she plays stride, a piano style that allows the musician to play a greater range of tempos and calls for some improvisation. As the concert went on, the duet gave each other the spotlight to play their own improvised solos, demonstrating their skill and knowledge of the blues.
Between songs, Speidel and Lissance discussed how different styles of blues developed after World War II, bringing different rhythms and inflections into the music. They mentioned how they have been greatly influenced by other blues players, and many musicians will adapt various sounds and styles from other blues players to fit their own.
Lissance specifically mentioned southern blues. “New Orleans in particular is a melting pot of different influences … And we think we nodded to that.” Lissance performed two of her own songs, called “Only Time Will Tell” and “You’ll Never Know.”
To finish the concert, Speidel performed his own original song, which did not include lyrics, but had a beat the whole audience could enjoy.
Speidel and Lissance clearly showed their passion for music, specifically for blues, and inspired some audience members to get up and dance. Although not everyone felt confident enough to join the fearless dancers, the applause and excitement of the crowd after each song assured Speidel and Lissance that they were successfully proving their dedication to blues.
