Rush performs Java Jive and impresses

By Joel Crabtree

Posted on Feb. 02, 2006, at 12:00 a.m.

kevin reardon

LOOP DE LOOP - John Rush performs at Java Jive on Tuesday evening.

Java Jive has seldom, if ever, had a performer as good as John Rush grace the Unions main dining room. On Tuesday, he took the stage and completely owned it.

When one thinks of Java Jive, they have preconceived notions about it. A guy, generally a student, with his acoustic guitar gets onstage and performs a handful of songs. It’s usually fairly entertaining, but nothing quite like Rush’s performance.

The Alabama native was such a dynamic performer that it was hard to identify the performance as part of the Java Jive series. Unlike most of the performers, who are generally casual musicians, Rush is clearly a professional. He used a loop machine to add something to his performance that few Java Jivers can. It allowed him to keep his melody going, while inserting guitar or piano solo effects if necessary, and it worked well for him.

Rush’s vocal ability was powerful. His voice had a classic rock-style, and he had complete confidence when performing. Many of the Java Jive musicians lack confidence because their musicianship is more for fun. Rush, though, had no problem at all in this department.

He began the night by telling the audience about his request book. On the stage, there was a three-inch binder filled with songs that the audience could and did request. He played a mixture of cover songs that people wanted to hear and original songs which blended in well together.

Rush added his own style to the cover songs so that they were still distinctly his own. He performed songs like the Eagles’ “Hotel California,” Tom Petty’s “American Girl” and Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.”

He ended his set with “Coconut,” and though the title of the song makes it sound like Raffi might sing, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The song, in which he used audience members’ names, turned out surprisingly well.

Rush’s stage presence was incredible. He knew how to work the crowd, he had confidence in his musical ability and his transition from song to song was generally comical and brilliant.

The only complaint that could possibly be brought up is the missing bongo drum effect in “Hotel California,” but from seeing what Rush can do, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him give it a try with the aid of his loop machine.

Although there were about 25 people, it was a surprisingly small crowd for Java Jive. Anyone who missed Rush may have missed the best Java Jive show of the year.

Fortunately for Java Jive fans, next week’s installment is The Project, and the attendance will most likely skyrocket for that.

With the vigorous and amazing performance of Rush and The Project series in full-swing, Java Jive is currently on the right track.

Visit John Rush’s Web site at www.johnrush.com.

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