On Saturday August 15th the Old Chicago Bar & Grill was the Waterbury club smart enough to have booked local prog-rockers, Crucible, making it the place to be on this hot August night. (The club also features an excellent menu and wait staff) The band has reached the level where they consistently draw large crowds to their regular stomping grounds and tonight was no exception. If you’re a club owner, and Crucible isn’t on your schedule, it’s time to ask yourself why.

The band immediately launched into a tune that has become a highlight of their set, Cream’s classic "White Room." Dan Esposito’s lead guitar is the driving force on this song and he’s succeeded in turning it into a showcase for his talents. Peter Gabriel’s "Red Rain" then followed before the band jumped into what may be their best cover, The Allman Brothers’ "Whipping Post." Bill Esposito’s vocals take center stage here and he always turns in an incredible rendition of the demanding classic. Two more covers, The Police’s "Message In A Bottle" and ZZ Top’s "Cheap Sunglasses," ensured that the crowd was primed before the band performed the first of several original songs that it would showcase tonight.

"The Poet Liar" is one of the best tracks from Crucible’s debut CD, "Tall Tales." The band’s composer, Tim Horan, takes the reins on this one and steers the group through what will undoubtedly become one of the band’s classic songs someday.

Covers of Genesis’ "Abbacab" and The Who’s "Pinball Wizard" and "Behind Blue Eyes" kept the momentum building until the band performed their second original, and clearly the highlight of tonight’s performance, "Over The Falls." A cover of Rush’s "Limelight," which has also taken on a life of its own within the band’s performances, was coupled with Supertramp’s "The Logical Song" before the third original piece was done. The band rounded out their first set with covers of Sting’s "If I Ever," Steely Dan’s "Kid Charlemagne," and Sonny Boy Williamson’s "One Way Out" before taking a break.

The second set retained all of the momentum built up during the first as the band mixed a series of well-chosen covers with more of their own compositions. A standout here was a new song, "Worlds Apart," which will likely be included on the band’s second release sometime in the future. This set was more spontaneous as the band responded to calls from an energetic crowd who wanted to hear their favorites from within the band’s repertoire. Cover highlights from the second set included Pink Floyd’s "Time," Peter Gabriel’s "In Your Eyes," The Who’s "Bargain," and Stevie Wonder’s "Superstition."

Information about ordering the band’s debut CD, "Tall Tales," and signing up for their mailing list can be found on the band’s homepage (see link to the left of this review) or you can write to the address below

C-V Management
23 August Ave.
Wolcott, CT  06716