Burgundy and a Band

By Sarah Battaglia
Published on Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Music | The East End | The North Fork | Wine & Dine

If you’re vacationing on the North Fork this summer, you probably know you are in the heart of wine country. But you should also know that there are plenty of opportunities to Rock with your Riesling, shimmy with a Chardonnay, boogie with a Blush and even sing with your Sauvignon!

Indeed, wineries are much more than drinking wine – they are also the perfect venue for music, whether to listen, dance or sing along. A day trip to Vineyard 48 in Cutchogue on a spring or summer weekend is undoubtedly pure fun, whether you are alone or with a group of friends. Vineyard 48 offers live music from April to November, from 1-5 PM, rain or shine, featuring top bands of all musical genres. Stick around after the show and their “wild karaoke” will have you crooning, no matter how much you swore you’d never sing in public.

Vineyard 48 was voted as “Best Live Music 2009” by various wine country tour operators and limo companies, and it’s no wonder. A recent visit to the vineyard found the best 50-60’s music being performed live from The Precisions, a band that sounds so good you’d think you were standing next to a jukebox – but with better sound.

The Precisions are renowned as one of the classic east coast vocal groups from the golden era of rock and roll. They’ve entertained audiences coast-to-coast with their rich harmony and foot-stomping rhythm since 1996, but its original members go back to 1961, when five young balladeers went from singing on Brooklyn street corners to signing with a major record label.

The band’s lineup – Frankie Carr (lead guitar and vocals), Joe Cordani (keyboards and vocals), Bob Falco (lead vocals), Robbie Falco (drums), Phil Ferrito (vocals) and Al Frazia (bass and vocals) – perform a high-energy, high-caliber show. They not only sound great but they connect with their audience. Instead of rock and roll ego, you get five men who perform their best every time for the people who are there to see them.

As their name implies, the Precisions are set apart by their captivating vocal arrangements, pinpoint harmony and superb musicianship. They perform the best in rock music spanning three decades, from doo wop to disco and more.

Each member of The Precisions has an interesting history. Lead vocalist Bob Falco was a founding member of the Fabulairs and lead vocalist on their “Lonely Days, Lonely Nights.” In his Queens neighborhood, four young girls used to stop by and listen intently while the Fabulairs rehearsed. A few years later, those same girls applied the harmonic styling they acquired from listening to the Fabulairs on their own first hit song, “(Remember) Walking in the Sand.” Thereafter, these sisters went on to establish themselves in pop music history as the enduring girl group, The Shangri-Las!

Frankie Carr was a musical director for the Exciters, the vocal group featured on 1963’s number-one hit, “Tell Him.” He also performed with the Critters, known for the hits, “Younger Girl” and “Mr. Dieingly Sad.” In the 1970’s Frankie joined the cast of the Broadway hit musical, Beatlemania. He has performed on recordings by Bon Jovi, Robert Palmer, Mick Jagger, Duran-Duran and others.

In addition to bass guitar and vocals, Al Frazia serves as the band’s music director. Al worked on XERF radio with Wolfman Jack, a celebrity DJ and host of the music show, Midnight Special. Al performed with notable bands then led the house band at the famed disco-era nightclub, The Camelot Inn in Brooklyn. He was also a music arranger and accompanist for many rock artists including the Drifters, Chuck Berry, the Platters, Chubby Checker and others.

Joe Cordani is a multi-talented musician who has performed with several top bands over the years including Randy and the Rainbows, who had the 1963 Top 10 hit, “Denise.” Phil Ferrito is a well-known and respected tenor vocalist who was an original member of the popular Long Island band, the Satin Dukes and a member of recording artists The Newports.

On this lovely Saturday at Vineyard 48, visitors were treated to hits such as “Under the Boardwalk,” “Wild Thing,” “Runaround Sue,” “The Wanderer,” “Mony Mony” and even a few bars of “Purple Haze.” Dozens of women in bright sundresses enjoyed the music and wine outdoors at the fountain, with The Precisions offering up their upbeat tunes. The vineyard’s general manager, Ken Vaglio, joined in the fun by throwing a cluster of grapes into the crowd, with the winner taking home a bottle of wine. Dancing was non-stop through each set, with shouts of “encore, encore!” at the band, who gladly obliged with the well-known, guitar-driven, “Wipe Out.”

The Precisions will return later this summer, but be sure to return to Vineyard 48 any weekend for more great music and wine tastings. They provide daily winery tours, beautiful gift baskets, a wine club, an on-site cigar factory and even chess on some weekends. Limos and buses are always welcome at the vineyard for any number of events – it’s the perfect setting. And if you want to buy a most unique gift, how about a “Row of Vines?” They have that, too.

To say that Vineyard 48 is “the party vineyard” is not enough. This is the North Fork’s destination winery for fine products and excellent music. For more info on Vineyard 48, go to www.vineyard48winery.com or call 631-734-5200. Let them know that NextStop sent you and have a blast!