What a difference an instrument makes. Being alerted that local heroes Molly & the Ringwalds would be having a local hotshot sax player sitting in with the band for a few tunes, I knew to expect something different ... most likely something a tad better, even. But Ken Mondshine, the saxophonist in question, managed to impress on all levels. If I dare say so, even the Ringwalds seemed to be playing a good deal tighter than normal, but the fuller sound of the three or four numbers Ken sat in on were without a doubt, some of the best Rinwaldian fare heard in my short tenure as a regular (to the extent I dare suggest that I qualify as "regular").

Upon Ken's departure, we were left with yet another spectacle of noteworthy proportions. Seems our dear friend Sam Ringwald took umbrage with my comments on his Slash impersonation and apparently set out to prove something with his performance Friday night. Let it be known that whatever it was he was trying to prove ... got proved. A few extended solos and added riffs here and there and you'd have thought Sam just checked in from the Eddie Van Halen School of Showmanship. Particularly noteworthy for yours truly was a "crunchier" guitar sound on the pop classic "Voices Carry" ... not enough to alter the tone of the song, but enough to give it a bit more heft. It's worth pointing out that a good number of pop/new wave bands played in such a manner live back before the effects got as cheap, assorted, and easy to manipulate as they are now. A first hearing of "Open Arms" was also notably well done. Ironically, while I maintain the Slash material, though significantly better this go-round, is still a bit off, Sam's version of Neal Schon is pretty damn good and I offer that as one who views Schon as the better overall guitar player.

Notes from the Mina Fan Club: Yeah, I'm dusting off the old Rocky Horror fan club card for this since Mina accomplished two feats on this night: a) setting the tone for 80s wear and b) doing a kick-ass version of "Johnny Are You Queer?" For tunage that passed me by in the 80s (such as this number), the key is to make the number interesting. Take, for instance, the band's version of "Cool Rider." Anyone really remember that tune by heart? Probably not since about 5 people ever saw Grease II. But when done well, it doesn't matter ... good music done well wins everytime and Mina hit the number out of the park getting another solid crowd ovation for her efforts (as well as a shoutout from the Sigue Sigue Sputnick Fan Club of Houston and from the almighty Jennifer Ringwald for her outfit). Not sure I'm in the market for offering bribery if the band can manage to learn Julie Brown's "Cuz I'm A Blonde," but I will offer this much ... learn the song, put Mina on vocals, and I will proceed to dance for the entire number. Since the entire universe of living souls who have ever seen yours truly dance for the sake of making a complete ass of myself can be counted on one hand, I assure you, it'll be pretty damned entertaining for one and all. If you've seen the movie Old School, I'm going to suggest that Will Ferrell studied some unearthed recordings of my work. Oh, and apparently my need to procure an anime movie has finally kicked in as Mina will now be gracing such a venture, due out in a few months. The Fan Club was all set to follow Mina to some other club up on Main, but we never located the club in question. We do report an increase in metabolism from the workout that ensued in attempting to locate the joint, though. Next time, let's hope my cell phone is working.

Notes from the Jennifer Ringwald Fan Club: The boxing moves have won us over, we're happy to confess. But would it not be fitting to add "Eye of the Tiger" to the playlist for just such moves? I know, I know, I've already hectored enough about adding more to the Ringwald to-do list and there's only so many hours in a day and we hear ya on how busy those workdays are. We can be so demanding at times. In fairness, we'd have no complaints about a show conducted with 24 variations of the Irene Cara hit "Flashdance," so we like to think there's a balance there somewhere. Best line of the night: "I think Johnny Cash wrote it."

Notes from the Carrie Ringwald Fan Club: That look last night had to be perhaps the most 80s "do" I think I've seen from the Ringwald Femmes ... kudos. The outfit, as always ... solid. The hair in particular ... very worthy of any new wave act from the day. Oh, and lest we neglect the proper kudos, "Open Arms" was done nothing short of magnifecently.

Miscellaneous notes and loose ends:
First things first ... allow me to put the wraps on this series of long-form reviews of the weekly Ringwald festival of fun. Yeah, we've pretty much run out of fawning praise to heap upon Carrie and Jen. And given my lack of desire for a restraining order, I think we're good to just put some more passing references in future "What I Did on My Abbreviated Weekend"-type posts. Of course, if something big happens at a Ringwald show, I might have to do some hand exercises to dust off the carpal tunnels and crank out another one of these gems. But seriously, how many times can one thoroughly note the majestic magnificence of "Jessie's Girl" without getting redundant? Dare I say I've come as close to the wall on that as I hope to reach.

Clearly, if I've communicated any set of facts regarding this band, it should be that they should be witnessed in person as often as possible and appreciated on as many levels as I do ... if not more. Of course, if you're reading this now and thinking next week is the week you bust a move to the Continental Club, then tough luck - the band hits Austin for a weekend and the Carrie & Jennifer Ringwald Fan Club goes homeless for said time as we'll probably just sit at home listening to "Safety Dance" about a hundred times in a row before drinking ourselves to sleep.

A Note From Wednesday: A relatively minor note from Wednesday's show by Light Rock Express for a political fundraiser at the CC ... I'm now sorry that Uber and I departed before the gang ended their show the last time. The ending of "Taking It To The Street" is worth the entire show alone, though I'd be remiss to note my own appreciation of their cover of McCartney's "My Love" - among my personal faves. Funny thing was that for 95% of the whole night, there were but a precious few people really taking an active interest in the band. It was a social gathering, so they're pretty much background music, which was sortofa shame but oh well. As the crowd trickled out and the band hit the final number, the dozen or so who were still around noticed this band of merry troopers departing the club, clapping and singing the chorus only to arrive through the back entrance and finish off the song right where they left off. At this point, the crowd was won over, even if too late for a greater appreciation. While the top spot for my own obsessive brand of appreciation is already claimed, I think there's no shame in suggesting this band is a pretty close second. Much like the Ringwalds, it's just good clean fun done well. I may have to try and take in their Wednesday show in order to get me through the empty hole in my weekend.

Oh, and another impressive find for the night ... since I arrive at the club my usual 5 minutes early, I amble about along the sidewalk and notice that Sigs Lagoon is open ... it's the shop that's between the CC and the Big Top. I'm not sure I remember it being open before ... if it was, then I missed it and I'm an idiot. But killing some time, I checked through and inspected the merchandise (having been lured in by the prospect of a $7.99 donkey that dispenses cigarettes out of it's butt). One word to sum up this place: WOW!!! I need to locate an inexpensive turntable since this place specializes in some quality wax. They've got a good selection of DVDs and CDs as well for the alt-music scene ... lots of prime era punk, some acceptable country and blues ... as well as ample local tunage (I think they had the complete offerings of local legends The El Orbits). I was tempted to sift through the $1 LP pile and take out a bundle's worth just for the hell of it. But I also noticed some nice fresh vinyl of The Ramones that I haven't seen in a LONG time (including a 1978 concert recording). I think I may as well just sign over a percentage of my paycheck to the shopkeep.

I think this covers it for now ... I reserve the right to amend this record if details warrant an extension of my remarks, though.

Peace!