Key West The Newspaper - March 10, 2000

Key West The Newspaper - March 10, 2000

What's Hot

Bo Fodor At Windows

By: Valerie Ridenour

Life is mysterious and sometimes surprising. I was certainly surprised when I went to Windows On Duval, formerly Alice's Restaurant, to check out a new girl in town. The performer couldn't be mistaken for a girl in any kind of dress or make-up. I decided to stay,and am I glad I did! His name is Bo Fodor, and he's from Minneapolis, a city that is home to many fine musicians. My friend Joey Molland of Badfinger lives there, and wouldn't you know, Bo knows him.

I've always loved this building. There's a new manager, Greg Amones, who will serveyou a variety of Tapas, hamburgers and the like. The chef is updating the menu as we speak. Getting back to Bo, he began with "Dust In the Wind" using a sequence and playing over it. Boys and girls, this man plays some guitar! His voice is in that high rock range, which was perfect for the song. Bo is like a combination of Tom Petty and Steve Perry with a less full sound. If you loved the great rock sounds of the eighties, you will definitely dig Bo Fodor.

I asked for originals and was delighted with a fine rocker, "It's You Girl". "Worlds Apart" was excellent, and I loved "Lady Of My Dreams". The changes have a spooky sound which is beyond cool Fodor only uses sequences tfor covers and to show off his dynamite lead work. There is a CD from his last band, Hitchhiker, all original Bo Fosor songs. This is a band that opened for supergroups, Foreigner, Nazareth, Kansas, and the like and came within a whisker of a record deal. Pick up a copy, and you'll know why. My favorite tune on it, and all of them are good, is "I Still Love You", which has that supergroup sound. "Two Dozen Roses" is a rocker and a half.

At Windows On Duval the look is rock grunge. You don't have to dress up to come here (if you do they'll think you're a waiter and try to order drinks). It's strictly jeans and t-shirts for Bo and, yes, his hair is long. With all the hot blues bands in town I had to check Bo out. He was playing an acoustic guitar with a pick-up and made it sound like a telecaster or a strat. This man plays all the guitar you could want, with no stylistic limitations. "All In a Night's Dream" is a cooker with hypnotic rythms. If this kind of music was your era, don't miss hearing Bo. He's the real thing, with twenty years of rocking and rolling to call on. It is 'get your body up and dance' music. Nothing alternative here, just really good sounds and songs. I predict Bo will put a band together here. He's only been in town a month, but he's been sitting in with folks. Flip Ferrarii, who is one red hot bass player asked him to come back. That's a validating reccomendation, believe me. So go check both out, Bo Fodor and Windows On Duval. No need to thank me. Stay cool.