Dave Howard, Neal and the Vipers - RI Rhythm and Blues Legends

I recently caught Dave Howard, Neal and the Vipers at the Narragansett Café in Jamestown.  Dave Howard was on lead vocals and harmonica.  Neal and the Vipers, or more commonly known in RI as Young Neal and the Vipers, has a current lineup of Neal Vitullo on guitar and vocals, Steve Bigelow on bass and backing vocals, and Mike LaBelle on the drums and backing vocals.  The band played two solid sets of rhythm and blues music that is clearly second to none.

The music of Dave Howard, Neal and the Vipers at times had a high tempo beat that made my heart pound as if I just ran up the side of a mountain.   It was electric and made you want to tap your feet, bob your head, and dance.  These bluesy, juke joint songs got the crowd moving and spinning all around the dance floor with absolute delight.   The crowd got into the music from song #1 and kept dancing through up tempo and slow songs.   The slow songs were not your typical hold em’ tight and move in a square until the song was over.  Dave Howard’s sultry vocals, Neal Vitullo’s breathtaking guitar licks, Steve Bigelow’s smooth stand-up bass, and Mike Labelle’s precision drums made you want to dance staring into your partner’s eyes, tell them how beautiful or handsome or sexy they looked that night, and move in a seductive manner that made you and your partner feel each other’s love and lust.  Fast and slow tunes alike, I panned the room and saw most of the crowd was singing along with the band.  I really got the impression that this crowd were true fans of the band.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to and watching the incredible showmanship that Neal and Dave brought to the stage.  Dave Howard had such a definitive sound on the harmonica and he played at such a high level.  Dave was a cool cat on and off the stage with a lot of style and presence.   His vocals were warm and friendly and could be heard in every inch of that bar.  His harmonica play was so good I found myself muttering the words “this is the best harmonica player I have ever seen.”  Anyone aspiring to be a singer or harmonica player should watch him perform and take a lot of notes! 

Neal Vitullo has been a favorite of mine in the RI music scene since the 1990’s.  Neal had a great look to him – slick back hair, snazzy dresser, and those classic grimaces during his solos.  His appearance and style made me think about all the blues legends I grew up listening to and admiring.  I think a fair set of comparisons for his guitar play would include Steve Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, and Albert King.  However, to my ears, Neal has carved out his own style which certainly incorporates the legends of guitar play with a ton of his own personal brilliance.  When Neal would start a song, the crowd would literally stand still and watch him do his thing.  I watched as Neal delivered pounding lick after lick of straight up blues guitar that nearly pulled the nails out of the walls at times.  One of my favorite songs of the night was the band’s cover of “Little Wing.”  Neal played it with his own interpretation and an instant classic was catalogued in my head.

I caught up with Neal Vitullo after the first set and Neal was kind enough to answer some of my questions after the show as well.  I asked Neal about his relationship with fellow RI great, Dave Howard.  Neal told me “My relationship with Dave has always been great, and now it's better than ever.”  We talked briefly about his guitars and I asked Neal if he had any pet names for his guitars.  “Yes,” Neal answered pointing to a Fender Custom Shop '53, “this one is named Elizabeth.  I named it after my wife.”  I asked Neal, “What motivates you to play at such a high level for all of these years?”  His reply was so amazing and honest.  “It's not motivation that drives my quest for perfection.  I have always had a true passion for playing the guitar. It's the only way I know how to do it. I don't ever mail it in. When you tell someone how much you enjoyed my show, and you bring them to another show, I want them to have the same experience.”  Thank you, Neal, for taking the time during your set break to speak with me.  I was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Dave Howard, Neal and the Vipers is a Rhode Island based rhythm and blues band that is a must see for any fan of local music.  They have a great new live CD called “Full Circle” recorded live at Chans in Woonsocket.  It includes some of the great music I heard that night at the Narragansett Café.   If you are a fan of the band, you should definitely pick it up.   I had a great time at the Narragansett Café watching them and look forward to hearing more great music from Dave Howard, Neal and the Vipers.