Great songwriting, exceptional musicianship, and an intimate connection with the audience made Peter Calo’s return to Don’t Tell Mama in New York City a memorable evening. Accompanied by Gary Schreiner on harmonica, accordion, and piano, and Paul Adamy on bass, Calo presented an engaging mix of original compositions and familiar favorites. Schreiner and Adamy are accomplished musicians in their own right, and their contributions added depth, texture, and warmth to the performance.
Calo has performed with Carly Simon at many of her concerts, and included her famous hit “Anticipation.” He shared the story behind the song, which Simon wrote while waiting for a date with Cat Stevens. He also paid tribute to his friend Jimmy Webb with a rendition of “Wichita Lineman.”
One of my favorite moments of the evening was Calo’s original composition, “Full Moon Tango,” which he wrote one night while on his way to a gig. It was a wonderful example of his creativity and musical storytelling. He also delivered a tender and heartfelt rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
Together, Calo and his excellent trio created an intimate and thoroughly enjoyable evening of music.
