Mastodon

Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane – 1980

  • Sunday / November 3, 2013
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 1

Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane – 1980

I’m amazed at the things we sometimes tuck away in the shoebox that is our memory. Here is a shining example of a band I loved and listened to during a period in my life that somehow got tucked away in that shoebox at the back of the closet.

Back in the late seventies, early eighties I loved a singer songwriter and true rock & roller—Carolyne Mas. More than likely, Vince Scelsa, or Dave Herman of WNEW played her back to back with a Bruce or Southside Johnny tune—back in the day. The combination of guitars, bass, keys, vocals, drums and sax had this fine tuned machine firing on all cylinders and driving a sound so big & so powerful it exuded joy and true rock and roll passion. And on a warm summer night—July of 1980—that fine tuned machine—with Carolyne Mas: lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Rick Desarno: lead guitar, Ivan Elias: bass, Crispin Cioe: sax, Charles Giordano: keys, and Vince Barranco on drums— revved its monster engine from the stage of the Fast Lane in Asbury Park, NJ until we were all drained and transported to a place of exuberant revelry . What a sound!  What a show! What a night!

I’d be telling a tail out of school if I were to say I remembered that night vividly. Honest truth? Don’t remember much at all. Like so many of the shows I saw in my youth, if I hadn’t taken photographs that night, I’d be scratching my head … did I … or didn’t I see this fantastic performer in her prime. Three rolls of 36 exposures says …. HELL YEAH … I was there! And they also say we ALL had fun!

If I could draw no other inference from these photos—if I never heard her music—I’d know she was a powerful and joyful performer who loved what she did! Her interaction with the crowd, her band, the camaraderie, the theatrics … and I’ll say it again … the soul-filled joy and infectious exuberance jumps out at you in every frame.

But I did know her music, and loved it. Even during a time when I was listening to punk wind down and new wave creep in, Carolyne’s music and chops stood on their own. This little spitfire, sang her heart out and played rhythm guitar with guts, gusto and confidence like few men could, and with every song—she meant business! Singing, running, leaping, falling to her knees and belting out each song like it was her last—she drew us all into her world and shared her passions, her soul, her joy and herself. Thank you so much for every word—for every note.

Below are the photos I took that night—enjoy!

Update: 11.04.13

Carolyne saw the photos when I posted the link to her Facebook page … and this is what she had to say:

I really don’t think a better archive of photos exists. There are so many typical ones of me singing on mic…but these photos are action photos…and some of the only documentation that exists that really gives people an idea of the way my live performances were back then, as there wasn’t all the video available like there is today….which is a crying shame.

Carolyne Mas via Facebook

She also wrote a blurb on her website

Remembering The Fast Lane With Joe Streno
 

Thanks Carolyne! :)

Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane – July 1980
01 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

01 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

02 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

02 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

03 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

03 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

04 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

04 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

05 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

05 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

06 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

06 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

07 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

07 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

08 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

08 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

09 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

09 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

10 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

10 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

11 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

11 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

12 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

12 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

13 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

13 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

14 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

14 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

15 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

15 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

16 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

16 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

17 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

17 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

18 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

18 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

19 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

19 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

20 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

20 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

21 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

21 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

22 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

22 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

23 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

23 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

24 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

24 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

25 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

25 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

26 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

26 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

27 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

27 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

28 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

28 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

29 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

29 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

30 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

30 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

31 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

31 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

32 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

32 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

33 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

33 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

34 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

34 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

35 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

35 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

36 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

36 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

37 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

37 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

39 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

39 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

40 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

40 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

41 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

41 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

42 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

42 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

43 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

43 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

44 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

44 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

45 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

45 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

46 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

46 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

47 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

47 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

48 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

48 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

49 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

49 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

38 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

38 of 49 - Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane 1980

Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 2
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 3
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 4
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 5
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 6
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 7
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 8
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 9
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 10
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 11
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 12
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 13
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 14
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 15
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 16
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 17
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 18
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 19
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 20
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 21
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 22
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 23
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 24
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 25
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 26
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 27
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 28
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 29
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 30
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 31
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 32
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 33
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 34
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 35
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 36
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 37
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 38
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 39
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 40
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 41
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 42
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 43
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 44
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 45
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 46
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 47
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 48
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 49
Carolyne Mas @ The Fast Lane - 1980 50
Post Navigation
Tags:
Avatar

Joe Streno

artist . musician . photographer . retired apple computer consultant . residing on planet earth with his two cats rudie, & rocco & living to tell tales about it

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments