RANGER REPORT – Thursday, March 23, 2006 

“Do what’s right.” 

- Rev. Kirby Hensley (founder of The Universal Life Church and whose         theological beliefs could be expressed in 3 words (12 letters).

It’s a busy news day folks so let’s get right to it: 

Chris DelSorto was in the studio with Los Manatees last month putting a flute solo on our new song, “Natural Man (Ital Man)”.  Chris also sat in with the band at last Saturday’s Molettiere show in Landsdale, PA. 

Manatee friend Uncle Frank was involved in a car accident on the turnpike last month.  We all wish him a speedy recovery.  Uncle Frank is name-checked in the Manatee song, “Angelina”. 

Manatee drummer Ritchie DeCarlo recently recorded percussion tracks for almost all of the songs on the new Los Manatees studio album.  The latest title for the album is, “It’s Criminal”.  (And it IS criminal how long it’s taking us to finish this thing…) 

Manatee singer/guitarist Bob Tomlinson celebrated his 50^th birthday on Fri. March 3 with a big barn party in Lahaska, PA.  Bob’s son’s band, “Firetruck” opened up for us and then a 30-minute photo/video collage of Bob’s life was shown on a big screen (with a music soundtrack that at one point played the song, “Funny People”). Then Bob was presented with a brand new Taylor acoustic guitar that everyone had chipped in on (sounds familiar).  After the presentation Los Manatees performed (Bob T. & The Other 3) and a splendid time was had by all.  Randy even got his guitar strap to work. 

The following Tuesday I was up on stage with the band “Happy Dog” for their Tuesday night Open Jam at Finn McCools in Hatfeild, PA.  Jesse, Jeremy and the whole band were very accommodating.  Sometime Manatee keyboardist Dave Hawking also sat in as did solo singer/guitarist Mike McGeer.  Every Tuesday night you can jam at Finn McCools. 

The next night Manatee drummer Ras Michael and I caught reggae legend Gregory Issacs at The Theater of the Living Arts (TLA) on South Street in Philadelphia.  The “cool ruler” was in fine form.  Plenty good vibes. 

Last week we played St. Patrick’s Eve at Finn McCools (naturally).  The show was augmented by the Irish bagpiping of Nate Green.  I believe that bagpipes are one of the loudest instruments on this planet. 

On St. Patrick’s Day we went to producer David Ivory’s Dylanava Studios in Blue Bell, PA.  Little Feat drummer Ritchie Hayward recorded the song, “Angelina” with us.  Uncle Ronkle took some pictures of the session which you can view at the web-gallery.  Everything went swimmingly and Ritchie will be back in July and this time he’ll be bringing Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne with him…You can check out Ritchie’s web-site www.ritchiehayward.com . and Little Feat’s web-site www.featbase.net . Thanks to Ritchie DeCarlo and Steve Chrismar (George Thorogood’s guitarist) for putting the whole thing together.  “Hoy Hoy.”  

That night most of us went down to see the Little Feat show at the Keswick Theater.  Sonny Landreth was the warm-up act and later he jammed with the Feat.  Because it was St. Patrick’s Day they called themselves Little O’feat.  Killer show.  Bought the T-shirt. 

This week Manatee guitarist/singer Joe “Jozo” Rizzo and I drove up to Manatee keyboardist Karl Frick’s Lakestone Studio in Barto,PA.  We worked on seven songs for my upcoming solo CD, “Portsider”.  Joe played 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars and I played mandolin. 

I guess the biggest news is the return of Manatee drummer Tim “T.C.” Campbell to the band.  Tim took a break from us 15 months ago but has come back to reclaim his drum throne.  Current Manatee drummer Ras Michael Sheffer will continue to play with us on occasion as will drummers Myles Rothwell and Ritchie DeCarlo.  Tim will play five shows in April and then start full-time in May.  Ras Michael is now in two other bands that will be playing out soon.  More details on these developments in the next Ranger Report. 

Manatee friend singer/songwriter Tom Gillam and his band recently returned from a Texas tour and they were about to depart for Paris, France when Tom suffered a series of serious heart attacks.  He’s starting his recovery and everyone here at Manatee headquarters wish him the best.  (Tom recorded my song, “Got To Make It Work” for his last album.) 

Tonight we play at P.J. Hoolahoops in Blue Bell, PA and tomorrow we’re at Juno’s in Collegeville,PA with “La Banda Grande”.  This Sunday we will play our last Sunday night show at the Bridgeport Rib-house.  We will continue playing there but only on weekends.  Next Saturday is April Fool’s Day and we’ll be doing a fundraiser for the Michael P. Finnegan Foundation in Malvern, PA.  Check out info at www.mpff.net .  

Saturday, April 22 sees us at a new venue call The Bluetone Café in Easton, PA.  Check out info at www.bluetonecafe.com . 

Ray Adkins just got back from the Virgin Islands.  Pete Allen just got back from the Carribean.  Brian “Kooch” Koch just called from Florida and reported his first manatee sighting.  Andrew Roblin leaves again for Jamaica at the end of the month.  Next month Kathleen Weber leaves for Mexico.  Me?  I’m going down to the corner for a frozen fruit bar. 

Yummy-nums,
                        Ranger Will 

Ali Farka Toure – 1940 – 2006

(African guitarist)