Theater Review
By Karen Meister

A live performance was given at Manasquan's Algonquin Arts Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 19 that featured a rip-roarin,’ hand-clappin,’ foot stompin’ event given by three very talented performers, known as Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women, who are completing their farewell tour in the U.S.

Their final concert as a group will take place on Nov. 7 in Fredericksburg, Va. and Manasquan has been fortunate to celebrate some of the last hurrahs with these spectacular artists.

Their performance was exhilarating from the moment they walked on stage. The infectious personalities, combined with superb eclectic talent, bedazzled the audience.

The trio immediately engaged their spectators by encouraging them to participate in singing verses, clapping to the beat and even bantering back and forth. This performer-audience interaction continued throughout the entire performance, making a comfortable venue for all.

Each of these women is a virtuoso in their own right. They play several instruments, coupled with stories and original songs that provide an intimate ambience with their audience. It was incredible to observe these three distinct personae meld together to produce such a rich musical experience. The women complemented each other in such a creative and personal way, which made it so evident that they love what they do and they do it extremely well.

Then why is this Saffire’s farewell tour after a total of 25 years as a successful trio? Well, these sassy, strong ladies now are ready to pursue different avenues and interests. As Gaye Adegbalola so aptly stated, as the group has aged and grown, so have their individual agendas. She said, “The love has not changed. The love of music and each other has not subsided.” The special ‘sisterhood’ is still in tact, just in a different way.

Ms. Adegbalola, Andra Faye and Ann Rabson make up the group called Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women. The trio has had a long, successful career, performing on stage and producing CDs under Alligator Recordings.

The group began as a blues duo in 1984, co-founded by Ms. Rabson and Ms. Adegbalola. Ms. Faye joined them as a full-timer in 1992, and the trio became the vibrant musical force they are today.

Not only does each woman play several instruments with incredible precision, but each can belt out a song, most of which they have written.

Ms. Rabson, with her strong, raspy voice, plays the piano, guitar and kazoo. Ms. Faye, with her impressive melodic voice, is proficient on the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and acoustic bass. Ms. Adegbalola has her own sassy style, and has mastered the guitar and bass harp (harmonica).

Most of their original lyrics have been inspired by their own life experiences. The spicy and saucy songs, accompanied by their honky-tonk rhythms, engaged their audience “to the nines.” People of all ages became alive with the laughter, song and conversation. It is easy to understand how these three ladies went from local ‘gigs’ to international acclaim.

If you would like to listen to some unforgettable “blues” music by some classy, creative musicians, you can purchase one or more of their CDs.

You’ll hear such songs as “Let the Gin do the Talkin’,” “Too Much Butt for One Pair of Jeans” and “Sweet Black Angel.” The trio’s latest CD is called Having the Last Word. Believe me, you are in for a highly spirited and quite fantastic musical experience.