Guitarist to appear for special performance at Santa Monica blues club
By GREGG WILLIS Special to the Daily Press
Carlos Guitarlos, guitarist for the legendary ’70s and ’80s LA house band “Top Jimmy” and the “Rhythm Pigs,” returns to Harvelle’s Blues Club in Santa Monica Saturday night.
It will be his second appearance at Harvelle’s since a slew of news articles, including one on the front page of the L.A. Times, appeared earlier this year, chronicling his comeback from a period of substance abuse and homelessness.
Harvelle’s proprietor Cevin Clark was the first in Southern California to book Guitarlos, who had been living in Northern California. During a recent performance, those present, myself included, saw for themselves why a once-washed up and homeless musician was the subject of so much press.
It was not hype, Guitarlos is the real thing, with wonderful songs and a great show. He was all that a club owner could ask for — heavily publicized, with a live show that exceeded expectations, which were high because of the press.
I share Clark’s puzzlement and dismay that there was not a line down the street that night, even though there was a reminder with a picture in the Times the day of the show.
Guitarlos looks older than his 53 years. His health has been affected by years of hard living. The fact that he is still with us is a gift. His old bandmate, larger than life singer Top Jimmy, passed away at the age of 47 from liver failure. Guitarlos is the musical equivalent of a writer who turns a life of drinking, drugging and adventure into a critically acclaimed novel.
His songs are well crafted gems, evidence of a lifetime spent honing his skills as a songwriter. His music has elements of blues, pop, rock, jazz, Cajun and zydeco, but like his unorthodox guitar technique, is a creation all his own.
I have seen Guitarlos with Top Jimmy and the Rhythm Pigs on one of those nights at the old Palomino Club and his appearance the night of June 6 was just as special.
Guitarlos’ band, with original Rhythm Pigs drummer Joe Morales, bassist Marc Doten, sax and harmonica man Vince Meghrouni, and guitarist Marcus Watkins were more than up to the task of backing the grizzled veteran. Their musicianship, spirit and soul were an essential part of Guitarlos’ connection with the audience.
At the end of the night the crowd was demanding an encore, but Guitarlos, intent on proving his professionalism, left the stage despite the entreaties of the crowd. Clark has promised to let Guitarlos know that, indeed, it would be perfectly all right if he performs an encore on Saturday.
Let’s see to it that there is a large crowd left at the end of the night because Guitarlos is one musician who truly deserves the support of the LA music community. To say that he has paid his dues would belittle what he has been through and returned from. It would be a mistake to miss the unique musician. He is living proof that redemption and recovery are possible, and that the results can be inspiring as well as entertaining. Come honor the man and hear some wonderful music.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2003. Read the original PDF.