Many Americans have no chance of seeing a live soul music revue unless Amy Winehouse or Sharon Jones & Dap Kings decide to play in their towns. But some lucky Dallas folks got a dose of the real deal in April, when hometown legend Bobby Patterson gave new life to his rich '60s catalog at Sons of Hermann Hall.
On Saturday, the 63-year-old will walk into the same venue and once again perform with choreographed backup singers and a full, fabulous band behind him. The band? Shibboleth, which otherwise occupies itself with groovy instrumental surf rock. Fortunately for Patterson and Saturday's attendees, it's just as well-versed in Stax-era soul.
Much of the credit for putting together this local revival of sorts goes to Shibboleth guitarist Don Cento. Last fall a friend of Cento's, former Dallas Observer music editor Zac Crain, put a bug in his ear about possibly performing with Patterson, who'd had minor hits on regional record labels in the '60s but never quite broke into Top 40.
"I then started listening to Bobby's stuff and really loved it," Cento, 34, said in a phone interview.
He asked Patterson to headline a night of Dallas music he was putting together last December. That event went over so well that the natural next step was an entire revue of Patterson's material, resulting in April's unforgettable performance.
From top: Don Cento, Richard Martin and James Driscoll
"The show in April was amazing for me," Cento said, echoing the sentiments of a nearly packed Sons house that gave Patterson thunderous applause after every tune. Those who witnessed it knew it had to happen again, and soon. Expect a capacity crowd on Saturday.
Cento and his fellow players have been preparing for the big night by rehearsing almost daily, which will allow the star of the show to perform with a band that makes him feel as if it's the '60s all over again.
"We just try to have our act together completely, so Bobby can walk in and do his thing," Cento said. "The guy's living history, and he's still got it."
Hunter Hauk
Find some of Patterson's best tunes, including "I Get My Groove From You," "Quiet! Do Not Disturb" and "She Don't Have to See You (to See Through You)" in the compilation Soul of the Man, available on iTunes. Visit Shibboleth online at www.myspace.com/
shibboleth.
Bobby Patterson (left) and Shibboleth (below) perform Saturday at 9 p.m. at Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St. (at Exposition). $15. Advance tickets available at Front Gate Tickets, www.frontgate tickets.com.
