Local Music Highlights From Jan. 21-22

Music performances at Bella Vino Wine Bar, Bobbique and Brick House Brewery made some of the sounds of Patchogue Friday and Saturday evening.

On Friday night at the Bella Vino Wine Bar, 23 South Ocean Ave., the soothing guitar duo, Rob Wisotzky and Steve Palopoli of Long Island Acoustics, enchanted a candlelit crowd with their light fingerpicking renditions of popular tunes, ranging from the Beatles to Billy Joel and Neil Young. Rob and Steve were completely at ease with the crowd, calling out regulars, chatting good-naturedly, even bantering ironically about stardom.

Also Friday night, the Baked Clams played at , playing Wilson Pickett and Stone Temple Pilots covers. Debut singer Andy Saxton made his way onto the stage, Bud Light in hand, egging the crowd on with his love of entertainment.

Later on that night at the , Patchogue's own played to a packed house. Swathed in a green glow, the jazz-jam-funk band played originals and covers by James Brown and the Jackson 5. Patchogue's Joe Abdat got on stage in their second set and provided rapping to the band's performance. The band has a towering, explorative horn section, a rhythm section, and swooning guitars.

On Saturday night at Bobbique, the band White Room played down-and-dirty covers by Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, and ZZ Top. Aptly enough, the band even got around to playing "White Room," which melted any winter blues.

Later at the Brickhouse, the mountainous voice of rang out. He came down off the stage and passed a tambourine around and slipped the mike into clusters for Sublime choruses. The average listener is struck by the band's huge heart and impromptu lone singing. In short, intimacy without gimmick.

Check the for highlights from the shows.

Editor's Note: Patchogue Patch contributor Tim Marsh is a former member of Hydroyum Sexytet.