Crosstown Band

Simply stated a very, very enjoyable evening of extremely well performed classic rock music! Band members Mike Anderson, Bob Houston, Bob Houston Jr., Bill Johnson and Scott Kennedy performed 17 classic rock songs ranging from the Allman Brothers to Grand Funk Railroad. As in my first review they did a great job of capturing the original sound of every one of the songs. Again, Johnson and Anderson shared lead singer duties which matched their voices very well to the song that the band was performing. Anderson added on the rhythm guitar while Johnson contributed some very good lead guitar play. Kennedy again exhibited a solid guitar capability playing lead on a number of songs and jumped in with the harmonica on a couple of tunes. The father/son Houston combo on bass and drums were again solid, doing a great job of replicating the original songs. A very enjoyable performance. The only drawback was that they had to cut their show a bit short due to a late start of the show which was caused by some inadvertent logistical issues.

A local Pittsburgh group, Crosstown Band is an excellent classic rock cover band. Performing songs from Bob Segar, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Georgia Satellites, Doobie Brothers, Wilson Pickett, Wet Willie, Allman Brothers and many, many more the band did three long sets. Band members are Bill Johnson, lead guitar and lead vocals, Mike Anderson, rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Scott Kennedy, lead guitar, Bob Houston, Sr., drums and Bob Houston, Jr. on bass. The lead vocals and lead guitar spots are switched back and forth depending on the song. Backup vocals are performed by all members who are not lead singing at the time. The lead guitar play by Johnson and Kennedy was superb and right on the mark for all songs. On some songs Kennedy picks up the harmonica or banjo, adding even more depth and flair to the performances. The performance of CCR's Green River highlighted the guitar capability of the band. The father/son rhythm section performance on drums and bass was very good, no flash just excellent in sync play laying done a solid bass line and beat, again right on the mark for all songs. Lead vocals by Anderson and Johnson were well done and both did a very good job of replicating the original artists performances. Again this was highlighted in the performance of Green River when Johnson performed a great, at times growling rendition of John Fogerty's singing. Excellent band.