Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

hi girls! has anyone used or will use Hank Lane's band Rhythm Review?

My FH and I are looking for an extremely versatile band (from beatles, to swing to top 40) but don't know where to start. Our first stop was HL but they only showed us a slideshow and played MP3s of Rhythm Review. The music sounded amazing but I just wasn't comfortable placing so much trust on just listening to music without any visuals. Plus, I read in one of the reviews that HL puts bands together last minute by instrumentalists that don't have a gig that night. Does anyone know if this is true?

do you have any ideas on wedding bands we're looking for?

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

I booked Hank Lane, Rhythm Revue Hank Lane has been in business for over 25 years and everyone I know that has used one of their bands has said how amazing they are.
FH and I loved what we heard from Rhythm Revue and we asked the music director we met with about some of the rumors we had heard about them putting together a band last minute of random musicians and he basically named everyone that was in the band and said that those are the people that will be at our wedding.
There is always the case that someone could possibly get sick or have an emergency and then another musician would fill in, but that could happen with any band.

We also looked at Faze4 and NYCSwing and we felt most confidant using Hank Lane.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

Hank Lane was our runner up for a band. They are absolutely amazing and I've never heard a bad review from them. We ended up booking Vali Entertainment, they are awesome.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

I had the same concerns as you, and recently booked a different Hank Lane band. In the end, whether you watch a video of a band or not I don't think you get that great of an idea of what the band will really be like the night of your event. Regardless, we felt confident with HL and as others have said, have never heard anything bad about them. We were seriously considering Faze 4 as well (all of their bands are very talented), however we didn't feel they would provide exactly the type of music we want (very versatile as well).

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

thank you for all your help! even though I know HL has a great reputation, I am still not reassured. I am just not sure if their less well known bands are set bands. I ask myself...If HL has been around for so long, how come i can't find reviews on their other bands aside from Harris Lane?

I am meeting with other bands that I could at least see in a video...Vali (cuz of your reference :) NYC Swing, NY edge, Central Park Orchestra just to name a few. I will let you know what I think. Faze 4 is already booked for my day.

btw....there's a showcase of NYC Swing tomorrow (11/04) for anyone interested in seeing them!

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

I actually looked at all the bands you mentioned, NYC Swing, Vali, Central Park Orchestra and Faze 4. However, we saw Starlight Orchestras last, and were sold! They are amazing. You may want to check them out too.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

I looked into lots of bands and FH and I went with Soul Revival. They were the best of everyone we saw and we loved them! They are really versatile and can play lots of different kinds of music. HTH!!

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

We booked with Hank Lane but a different band. it is definitely really hard to book something without seeing them in person and a lot of established bands do not showcase. I have complete trust in them and have heard nothing but amazing reviews.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

Check out Code Bleu - they are awesome and very versatile!

Message edited 11/4/2009 5:03:51 PM.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

So after a few dozen phone calls, visiting many many websites, and going to see bands....we finally found the one- Bud Maltin Orchestra (budmaltin.com). I've played the piano for 9 years so I was very picky about picking the right band. We saw Bud and his band at their rehearsal last night (they don't showcase but have started to invite some people to their rehearsals) and were blown away. They had amazing vocalists and talented musicians (some who sing too). Best of all, they have been together for years and you can tell they have great chemistry. Bud gave us a CD and DVD (you can request them) and we listened/viewed both and were fully convinced. I feel lucky that they were available for our date and it was the right price. We are getting a 12 piece band. FH me if you want more info about them or any of the bands I mentioned below.


Review of some of the bands we checked out:
Vali - 3 bands. we saw the Right Mix. Very good. our 2nd choice.

Central Park Orchestra - have been together for a while. good. good chemistry. our 3rd choice.

Starlight - have 5 bands. saw 2. 1 was good but they were mostly female vocalists.

Hank Lane - 10 dance bands. recommended rhythm review. only showed us CD. No video.

NY Edge - 5 bands. 2 were booked. showed us 2. 1 was good. but the other 2 that were booked were probably better.

NYC Swing - have several bands. saw the original NYC swing showcase. high energy.

Harbor Lights - 1 band. only have 1 video on the internet. sounded good but expensive for us.

Doug Winters - 1 band. several videos online. good but expensive for me $1200 a piece.


Bands that we really wanted to see cuz have awesome reputations but were already booked: Renegade, Code Blue, and Times Square orchestra.

Bands I thought were good (based on their website) - Mystic, Soul Revival, the Projekt

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

We saw a lot of bands, and went with Code Bleu. Other contenders were The Projekt and Times Square Orchestra

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

ANYONE heard of Pete Saunders band for Hank Lane? It's like this band exists in a black hole. I think I've searched every possible board and keep coming up with nothing on them. I booked w/ HL too and am now just wanting some reassurance.

Ugh.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

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Posted by nygirl

ANYONE heard of Pete Saunders band for Hank Lane? It's like this band exists in a black hole. I think I've searched every possible board and keep coming up with nothing on them. I booked w/ HL too and am now just wanting some reassurance.

Ugh.

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Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

Thanks!

Honestly I'm probably just shooting myself in the foot that we didn't book Dexter Lake... and then like a week later they were written up in the Times. Irony.

Now that's validation I would like to have...

I think I'm going to go to Hank Lane again and listen to more music.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

Oooh..I liked Dexter Lake. They were really good and were really nice people. The only reason I didn't look into them was cuz #1 expensive for me #2 i wasn't sure if they played the variety i wanted. They sound amazing.

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

Projekt

Re: Hank Lane: Rhythm Review vs. other versatile bands

I also think I read in a bride's review that they had Pete Saunders and said they were very good.