By Rhetta Akamatsu

Photos by Takesi Akamatsu

Of all the many groups and solo performers in Atlanta that I love, The Cazanovas and Little G Weevil are my personal favorites. So when they were performing separately and together at MadLife Stage and Studios  in Woodstock Sunday afternoon my husband and I were excited to go.

We had never been to MadLife before and had been wanting to visit. It turns out to be an excellent music and dining venue. The stage is huge and the food is delicious. And the blue lights made everyone look pretty!

Little G Weevil started things off with a solo set, accompanied only by ace drummer Daniel Harper. The two just finished a tour of G’s native Hungary where they played to packed houses. What a a great match they are! They played a high-energy set, including songs from Weevil’s  latest album, Three Chords Too Many. The audience was pumped up by his skill, Harper’s drumming, and the general foot-stomping good humor of it all.

After Little G Weevil, The Cazanovas hit the stage. It was a great lineup, with Maurice Nazzaro and Danny Vinson being joined by Harold Patillo on bass and Valerie Waters on keyboards and Daniel Walker continuing on drums. Jeff Baker, who used to be in a group with Nazzaro and Vinson called “Harpolicious,” joined in on harmonica and sang a few songs as well.  The Cazanovas did a great set during which, as usual, Maurice never stopped dancing which is one of the things that makes this group such fun to watch. Then Little G  joined them again and it was one big happy jam up there. Danny continued to prove why he is the best lead guitar player in any band in Atlanta and Harold Patillo commanded that bass. There were harp duels or maybe they were duets. G had a playful showdown with Valerie, who held her own with great spunk and skill. In the meantime Harper continued to prove what a spectacular drummer he is.

The entire show was a blissful experience for those of us watching and listening and everyone performing seemed to have a great time, too. Afterwards, Maurice was raving about the venue and the great acoustics.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I love live blues.