photos by @leifzurmuhlen
“A Night of The Kinks” at Cohoes Music Hall in Cohoes, New York on Saturday, March 21, 2026
Being a dedicated follower of The Kinks music since my adolescent years, I was a bit hesitant to attend the recent “A Night of The Kinks” tribute concert at the Cohoes Music Hall – only because I hold Ray Davies’ songwriting and the band’s music so near and dear to my heart. My main worry was that the assembled musicians just wouldn’t be able to properly convey this music that I hold in such high regard. I am so glad I took a chance, as these learned and seasoned local Capital Region musicians not only faithfully reproduced the Kinks classics (as well as some deep cuts), but did so skillfully and enthusiastically from the first tune (Yes, they actually began the night with “You Really Got Me”), which immediately assuaged any and all of my apprehensions.
Although Abyssmals lead singer Jarpon Reyes had a few visits from the Music Hall’s resident ghost Eva Tanguay (the legendary vaudeville star who returned to haunt the Hall because it was a favorite venue during her career), who tussled his lyric sheets, loosened his guitar strap, and unplugged his guitar cord during certain songs, he and his fellow Abyssmals started the night out strong with four of The Kinks most well-known early 60s rock numbers.
The drummer and bass player were incredibly locked in and created a solid foundation that Mick Avory and Pete Quaife would have been proud to witness. The band was joined halfway through the set by Raurri Jennings, and the energy level soared as they moved into another era of the Kinks ever-changing sound. After a string of upbeat numbers, an audience member hollered out “Get Kinky!” which set the tone for the final songs. The band had the crowd clapping during “Powerman” and singing along with the first set’s closing number “Lola,” arguably one of The Kinks most recognized and notable songs. As the lights came up, I wondered how this well-rehearsed and well-executed set of classic Kinks songs could possibly be followed.
Right before the second set began, the Winter Folk Trio quietly gathered on stage and performed an outstanding version of “This Time Tomorrow,” a deep cut from the Kinks’ 1970 album Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One (which was heavily represented with had five songs during the night). Event organizer, curator, and Winter Folk singer Zan Strumfeld explained that both of the other bands tried playing the song, but found it just wasn’t working, so her group decided to do an acoustic “bluegrass folksy” version of the song with the three members intimately huddled around one standing mic. I am hoping the footage of this performance gets released in the future, as it was that stunning. More information at: zanandthewinterfolk.com
WhenSuper 400 took the stage, you could feel something special was about to happen. The renown and revered power trio from Troy – consisting of Lori Friday (bass, keyboards, vocals), Kenny Hohman (guitars, vocals), and Joe Daley (drums) – have been a staple on the Capital District music scene, releasing several albums over their 30-year career. After stalwart versions of “Well Respected Man” and “Picture Book,” Friday informed the crowd that the distinct, droning Indian guitar sound of the next song was actually created by a happy accident when (Kinks guitarist) Dave Davies played a 12-string guitar too close to the studio microphone, causing sitar-like feedback, which actually predated the popular use of the sitar some years later by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. The band launched into “See My Friends,” which included an extended psychedelic solo in the end performed exquisitely by Hohman, who explained that the original record “just fades out, but we felt it called for a lengthy outro.” It was one of the highlights of the night, and it would do the band good to add that song to their live repertoire.
The band was joined by stellar musicians Chris Carey (on keyboards and vocals) Mike O’Donnell (on acoustic guitar and vocals), first playing a deep cut, “Monica,” and then the catchy “Tired of Waiting” before introducing some band members’ daughters to the stage to join them on backing vocals for an impressive version of “The Village Green Preservation Society,” which had Friday and Carey grinning with glee as they succinctly sang all the intricate lyrics together, high-fiving each other afterward. Hohman confessed he had not heard the song “Strangers” before being asked to participate in the Cohoes Kinks show, but when he heard the song for the first time, he had a visceral emotional response to the poignant tune (penned by Dave Davies). Hohman gave a powerful performance, singing the vocal with great verve and vigor, receiving an appreciative round of applause afterward.
Next, Carey performed the sublime “Waterloo Sunset,” which he introduced as “not only my favorite Kinks song, but one of the greatest songs ever written,” followed by a stellar “Shangri-La” (which they dedicated to organizer Zan Strumfeld, who had confessed earlier to having a tattoo of the title). Mike O’Donnell said he had some reservations about playing the next song, until he found out it was “Ray Davies’ homage to his older sister, Rene, who tragically died on the dance floor in 1957.” He continued, stating that “Rene had apparently given Ray his first guitar, a Spanish-style acoustic” and a patron spontaneously added, “It was for his thirteenth birthday!” Without missing a beat, Mike quipped, “By all means, feel free to add any further details to the commentary if you know more about the band than I do,” before strumming the opening chords to the only 80s-era Kinks tune of the night, “Come Dancing,” which included a couple dancing on stage during the solo section, ending with the gentleman dipping the female dancer upside down to the visible shock and awe of Lori Friday. The entire ensemble came out for the finale, a rollicking version of “Victoria,” the opening track on the Kinks’ 1969 underappreciated concept album Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire), which ended the night on an energetic note.
More information on Super 400: http://super400.com/
Although the night was missing a few of my own personal favorite Kinks songs (“Celluloid Heroes,” “Days,” “Dead End Street,” “Till the End of the Day,” among others) and songs from their later 70s, 80s, and 90s albums, it left room for maybe another night celebrating The Kinks music in the future. The whole night’s performers were thoroughly rehearsed, and yet dynamically live – the energy, the vibe, the musicality were all top notch. I am happy I made the right decision to be a part of this joyous celebration of one of my favorite bands, as hearing their songs played live again – with such respect and reverence – was a wonderful experience. God Save the Kinks!
SETLIST:
SET 1 (The Abyssmals with Raurri Jennings):
You Really Got Me
Where Have All The Good Times Gone
Sunny Afternoon
All Day and All of the Night
Muswell Hillbillies
Apeman
20th Century Man
Powerman
-Band Introductions –
Lola
This Time Tomorrow (Winter Folk Trio)
SET 2 (Super 400 with Chris Carey & Mike O’Donnell)
Well Respected Man
Picture Book
See My Friends
Monica
Tired of Waiting
The Village Green Preservation Society
Strangers
Waterloo Sunset
Shangri-La
Come Dancing
Finale (ensemble):
Victoria