Oldies But Goodies

Just recently, there were remembrances and a final show for defunct Rancho Relaxo. But it wasn't a regular haunt for me so I wasn't caught up in the nostalgia. In any case, it seemed to have just rebranded itself as The Old Laurel instead of gentrifying into some other business. So I found myself back there on Friday but for another oldie reason: a public birthday party for singer Maylee Todd.

Compared to us derelicts, Todd is hardly an "old goat". So there were lechon (roasted pig) and pancit, mascot wrestling (people donning Mr. Pringles had an unfair advantage as it was only his giant head instead of a full mascot outfit), and a soul train line as DJs spun vinyls or played on Macs. But the major celebration happened after midnight. When you're a musician and have musician friends, 10 of them from Motown band The Big Sound cram into the tiny nook in the back of the bar to blow away the packed crowd with a free show.

I used to be a regular attendee for their shows until they began exploring lesser known songs. Great for the performers to fight off boredom, not as compelling for us casual listeners. But it was wall-to-wall hits tonight. Todd started the set off with I Want You Back, then the other singers took over with a parade of classics including River Deep Mountain High, Reach Out (I'll Be There), Tears of a Clown, and Respect. The dancing was non-stopped even as people trickled out with the clock approaching 2 a.m. and beyond.