What do you do when the world contracts and you start feeling boxed in? For Low Cut Connie, the creative vehicle for Philadelphia-based soul brawler, Adam Weiner, you find creative ways to push back outward. Shortly after the release of his most recently LP, Private Lives, Adam, frustrated with the inability of getting back on the road – or maybe just needing a place to release that pent up musical energy – put together a live broadcast called “Tough Cookies” which included sweaty live performances (often in his robe or underwear) sometimes solo and other times with friends that also featured interviews with everyone from Little Steven to Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman.

And, while Tough Cookies kept things warm, it was that live, in-your-face (often literally), experience that was the backbone for Low Cut Connie. Fortunately, Adam and company went back on the road this past summer, ending up at The Recher on a freezing (and I can’t emphasize this enough – below freezing!) Saturday night. But as those in attendance quickly found out, that frigid feeling was about to take a turn for the steamy.

Starting off the evening was Maryland’s own Abigail Dempsey, who in addition to writing stirring, soulful music on her own, performs with Low Cut Connie. With just her voice and a guitar, Abigail lit up the hall.

Adam Weiner took the stage soon after to the tune of Little Feat’s “Don’t Bogart That Joint,” and with his characteristic swagger and showmanship, he asked “are you ready to shake your asses?  Listen, there’s one rule if you want to shake your ass, you have to wear the mask” before rolling right into “Me ‘N Annie.” 

With the piano up to the edge of the stage, Adam hopped from the bench to legs kicked outward like Superman as another Maryland native, Will Donnelly’s guitar played off Adam’s manic performance.

But things really took off as Adam announced, “Is anybody high right now, well we’re gonna take you higher’ before jumping into “All These Kids Are Way Too High” – a roller coaster of a medley which then went into Prince’s “Cream” and then all the way to “Bang a Gong” by one of my fave’s T Rex just to magically slide back into “All These Kids” with singers Abigail and Rockyanne Bulwinkle taking it from one half of the stage and getting the crowd pulled into the music.

As things really got going, Adam called out, “We have waaarmed each other up tonight.” Now, you know things are serious when you’ve got two drummers in a rhythm section – Larry Scotton on drums and Jarae Lewis on percussion – along with a bass player in Linwood Kirk that keeps that groove going from one tune right into the next without skipping a beat (pun definitely intended), and this was most evident in the song “The Fuckin’ You Get for the Fuckin’ You Got” which then melded into Prince’s “America.”

Donning a black headband, Adam played a few tunes solo, starting with a request from someone in the audience for “Rosalie” and “Mandy” by Barry Manilow, before he took a pause to acknowledge the passing of the great Ronnie Spector with a great version of “Be My Baby” as the audience filled in as the backing singers.

With the band back onstage, Low Cut Connie really took off the gloves as a Adam shed his light blue jacket and took things to another level, making his way to stand atop the piano as he tore through several more numbers, including a new song that’ll be on an, as of unnamed, new album.

This was an incredible night. First, to be back at the Recher for the first time in almost 20 years, it was a little nostalgic, but then to experience my first show of the new year with one of the best live performers you’ll ever see is like having the perfect ingredients for a brilliant show.

Definitely catch Low Cut Connie on tour, with more dates here.

The set list included:
Me ‘N Annie
Nobody Else Will Believe You
Boozophilia
Dirty Water
All These Kids Are Way Too High / Cream (Prince) / Bang a Gong (T Rex)
Love Life
Now You Know
Help Me
Charyse
The Fuckin’ You Get for the Fuckin’ You Got / America (Prince)
Shake It Little Tina
Rosalie
Be My Baby (Ronnie Spector)
Mandy (Barry Manilow)
(No More) Wet T-Shirt Contests
Are You Gonna Go? (new song)
Revolution Rock n Roll
Beverly
Oh Suzanne

Low Cut Connie

Abigail Dempsey