Lately, I've been laying low and haven't been going out very often. I am fighting off a cold. I've been hanging out at the World Famous Tuesday Night Blues Jam[TM"> at the Mojo Lounge on Tuesday nights.
Here's a brief excerpt of a previous entry that I wrote up and never finished fro the week of February 04, 2008.
February 5, 2008 - I went down to the Mojo Lounge to attend the World Famous Blues Jam. There was a pretty good turn out. Lots of new players were in the house. Here is some video from the fabulous opening set with Steve Freund, Randy Bermudes and June Core. While I was sitting there, I was thinking, we are really blessed to have some amazing talent in the area. Many of these folks are very generous with their time.
I haven't been shooting much in the way of photos, but did manage to fill up a memory card with some video of the opening set by Steve Freund, Randy Bermudes and June Core lay down a very nice version of the classic, I Wonder Why.
February 6, 2008 - I was out in Livermore so I decided to drop in for a visit at Babe's Place. I met up with East Bay Wes, Mark Irwin, Steve Ahola and a couple of other folks. It was a fun night. There were some good players and a couple of really good Blues singers sitting in. If you're out in the Tri-Valley area, this is an interesting place to visit on alternating Wednesday nights.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
2008: The Bay Area Blues Scene in Review
I haven't written much here lately, but it seems like a good time to get caught up. I'll start off with a photo entry.
I started up my annual Bay Area Blues in Review photo gallery. The photos are in the usual place:
http://mrjoe.dyndns.org/gallery/blues2008
Who have I captured this year?
Some of the usual suspects, plus some photos of new faces belonging to people that I hadn't seen before.
January 23, 2008 - I visited the Redwood City Blues Jam. It was hosted by Steve Freund and his Trio. Steve had several guests join him during the course of the evening including Jan Fanucchi, Johnny Blues Boyd and myself.
Sadly, I forgot to charge my camera battery and only caught some photos of Johnny Blues Boyd, Steve Freund & Burton Winn.
January 13, 2008 - I headed down to the Mojo Lounge in Fremont. I caught the Red Archibald Tribute show. It was a day long musical extravaganza that commemorated the life and music of Red Archibald.
Some of the people that I caught in action included:
Delta Wires (including Ernie Pinata and Richard Healy), JC Smith, Rene Solis, Taylor P Collins, Suzy Tyler, Tumbleweed, Jimmy Dewrance, Raymond Victor, Diane Dutra, Rick Kellogg and Andrew Beal
January 11, 2008 - Photo from the Poor House Bistro of Kid Andersen and Sid Morris sitting in with Charles Wheal and his fine band.
I started up my annual Bay Area Blues in Review photo gallery. The photos are in the usual place:
http://mrjoe.dyndns.org/gallery/blues2008
Who have I captured this year?
Some of the usual suspects, plus some photos of new faces belonging to people that I hadn't seen before.
January 23, 2008 - I visited the Redwood City Blues Jam. It was hosted by Steve Freund and his Trio. Steve had several guests join him during the course of the evening including Jan Fanucchi, Johnny Blues Boyd and myself.
Sadly, I forgot to charge my camera battery and only caught some photos of Johnny Blues Boyd, Steve Freund & Burton Winn.
January 13, 2008 - I headed down to the Mojo Lounge in Fremont. I caught the Red Archibald Tribute show. It was a day long musical extravaganza that commemorated the life and music of Red Archibald.
Some of the people that I caught in action included:
Delta Wires (including Ernie Pinata and Richard Healy), JC Smith, Rene Solis, Taylor P Collins, Suzy Tyler, Tumbleweed, Jimmy Dewrance, Raymond Victor, Diane Dutra, Rick Kellogg and Andrew Beal
January 11, 2008 - Photo from the Poor House Bistro of Kid Andersen and Sid Morris sitting in with Charles Wheal and his fine band.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
2007: The Bay Area Blues In Review
I was several months behind in updating my photo gallery for 2007, but the rain allowed me to get caught up.
Here is a link to the 2007: The Bay Area Blues In Review
Here is a list of people whose images I captured in 2007:
Linsey Alexander, Amy Lou, Kid Andersen, Ariyo, Russell Barber, Barrelhouse Solly, Robi Bean, Lurrie Bell. Randy Bermudes, Big Time Sarah, Birdlegg, Billy Branch, Dennis Briggs, Marc Carino, Daniel Castro, Johnny Cat, Nick Charles, Artie Chavez, Chris Cobb, June Core, Butch Cousins, Big Bob Deance, Norm Decarlo, Jimmy Dewrance, Marty Dodson, Double G, Dennis Dove, Scott Duncan, East Bay Wes, Steve Edmonson, Ray Figueroa, Carol Fran, Steve Freund, Steve Gannon, Juce Garcia, John Graham, Carl Green, Jan Hagge, Terry Hanck, J Hansen, Greg Heumann, Dorothy Hill, Craig Horton, Mark Hummel, Ruben Johnson, Gino Landry, Jon Lawton, Lil' Wolf, Doug Logan, Magic Slim, Jon McDonald, Carolyn McNabb, Chris Millar, Sahar Miller, Scott Miller, Sid Morris, AC Myles, Kenny Neal, John Nemeth, Oakland Sam, Henry Oden, Nick Otis, Jackie Payne, Ella Pennewell, Pinetop Perkins, John Peterson, Mike Phillips, John Primer, Kedar Roy, Screamin' Iain, Sista Monica, JC Smith, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Smoke, Eddie Shaw, Vaan Shaw, Bill Singletary, Ronnie Stewart, Matthew Stubbs, Tail Dragger, Terrible Tom, Jimmy Thackery, Eldridge "Big Cat" Tolefree, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Suzy Tyler, Tim Wagar, Jeff Watson, Junior Watson, Teddy "Bluesmaster" Watson, Joe Louis Walker, Carl Weathersby, Bobbie Webb, Bob Welsh, Charles Wheal, Pat Wilder, Steve Wolf, Xymphoni, Don Yonders and Rusty Zinn
That's All Folks!
Here is a link to the 2007: The Bay Area Blues In Review
Here is a list of people whose images I captured in 2007:
Linsey Alexander, Amy Lou, Kid Andersen, Ariyo, Russell Barber, Barrelhouse Solly, Robi Bean, Lurrie Bell. Randy Bermudes, Big Time Sarah, Birdlegg, Billy Branch, Dennis Briggs, Marc Carino, Daniel Castro, Johnny Cat, Nick Charles, Artie Chavez, Chris Cobb, June Core, Butch Cousins, Big Bob Deance, Norm Decarlo, Jimmy Dewrance, Marty Dodson, Double G, Dennis Dove, Scott Duncan, East Bay Wes, Steve Edmonson, Ray Figueroa, Carol Fran, Steve Freund, Steve Gannon, Juce Garcia, John Graham, Carl Green, Jan Hagge, Terry Hanck, J Hansen, Greg Heumann, Dorothy Hill, Craig Horton, Mark Hummel, Ruben Johnson, Gino Landry, Jon Lawton, Lil' Wolf, Doug Logan, Magic Slim, Jon McDonald, Carolyn McNabb, Chris Millar, Sahar Miller, Scott Miller, Sid Morris, AC Myles, Kenny Neal, John Nemeth, Oakland Sam, Henry Oden, Nick Otis, Jackie Payne, Ella Pennewell, Pinetop Perkins, John Peterson, Mike Phillips, John Primer, Kedar Roy, Screamin' Iain, Sista Monica, JC Smith, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Smoke, Eddie Shaw, Vaan Shaw, Bill Singletary, Ronnie Stewart, Matthew Stubbs, Tail Dragger, Terrible Tom, Jimmy Thackery, Eldridge "Big Cat" Tolefree, Nellie "Tiger" Travis, Suzy Tyler, Tim Wagar, Jeff Watson, Junior Watson, Teddy "Bluesmaster" Watson, Joe Louis Walker, Carl Weathersby, Bobbie Webb, Bob Welsh, Charles Wheal, Pat Wilder, Steve Wolf, Xymphoni, Don Yonders and Rusty Zinn
That's All Folks!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Internet Finds
It amazing what turns up on the web. I knew that Steve Ahola records his sets at some of the local blues jams. I didn't know that he was putting them on the web, too. I suppose I should feel violated, but I don't.
Here are a few songs with me blowing the harp. They are all Blues tunes, so if you don't dig non-studio quality Blues recordings this might not be your scene.
This one is from the Mojo Lounge Tuesday night jam in Fremont, CA. in February of 2007. This one features Scott Miller on vocals and guitar along with Steve Ahola. I can't remember who else we were playing with.
1. Strange Woman
This set was recorded at the Redwood City Blues Jam in Redwood City, CA. I suspect that the recording device was on the guitar amp, so the harp playing cuts in and out depending on the guitarist's volume. I've got another set of recordings from this set that sound a bit better, but they aren't on the web.
It features the vocal and talent guitar work of John Boutell. Steve Ahola plays guitar and Artie Chavez is playing drums. I forgot who is playing bass.
1. Somebody Stole My Baby From Me
2. Got My Mojo Working
3. Shake Your Boogie
4. Don't Lie To Me
Here are a few songs with me blowing the harp. They are all Blues tunes, so if you don't dig non-studio quality Blues recordings this might not be your scene.
This one is from the Mojo Lounge Tuesday night jam in Fremont, CA. in February of 2007. This one features Scott Miller on vocals and guitar along with Steve Ahola. I can't remember who else we were playing with.
1. Strange Woman
This set was recorded at the Redwood City Blues Jam in Redwood City, CA. I suspect that the recording device was on the guitar amp, so the harp playing cuts in and out depending on the guitarist's volume. I've got another set of recordings from this set that sound a bit better, but they aren't on the web.
It features the vocal and talent guitar work of John Boutell. Steve Ahola plays guitar and Artie Chavez is playing drums. I forgot who is playing bass.
1. Somebody Stole My Baby From Me
2. Got My Mojo Working
3. Shake Your Boogie
4. Don't Lie To Me
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Blue Monday on a Sunday Afternoon
This past Sunday, I made the trek to the Horseman's Club in Sacramento. Big Mike Balma along with the Sacramento Heritage Festival puts on a few really awesome Blues shows each year.
This year was no exception and it was a show not to be missed. It was well worth the two hour drive from my house as we don't get to see shows like this out here very often.
The vibe is super laid back. Everyone is having a good time. The performers in the bands are relaxed and hanging out. Many of them haven't seen each other in a while. They setting is informal enough to allow each other to sit in, so the band combinations vary a bit. It makes for very spontaneous and fun performances that you aren't likely to see unless you catch these folks hanging out at each other's gigs in Chicago.
It's about as close to a south side Blue Monday party as you'll get on the West Coast on a Sunday afternoon.
Linsey Alexander
First up was Linsey Alexander. He was backup up by Sacramento's premier blues band, the Jeff Watson Band. They started off the afternoon's festivities with a big bang. Mr Alexander was using a wireless microphone system and treated the audience to an intimate performance featuring some very nice vocals and sparking guitar work.
Smoke & Big Time Sarah
After a brief intermission, the Teardrops got up and backed the fabulous Big Time Sarah. Sarah has been around the Chicago scene for more than two decades. She always puts on a fabulous show. She's an amazing singer and entertainer. If you've seen her, you know she has a great stage show. If you haven't seen her, she is well worth seeing, even if you have to go to Chicago to do it!
Magic Slim
Finally, Magic Slim came up. What can be said about Magic Slim that hasn't already been said? The head of Wolf Records in Austria called Magic Slim and the Teardrops the world's greatest band. While some may argue that point, there is no doubt that Slim puts on a tremendous show. He did just that.
The end of the evening featured an impromptu jam with the trio from Chicago. Jon McDonald opened up the set with a really nice solo tune before the rest of them got up. With Sarah and Slim up there, it was pretty damn funny. It was an awesome day!
This year was no exception and it was a show not to be missed. It was well worth the two hour drive from my house as we don't get to see shows like this out here very often.
The vibe is super laid back. Everyone is having a good time. The performers in the bands are relaxed and hanging out. Many of them haven't seen each other in a while. They setting is informal enough to allow each other to sit in, so the band combinations vary a bit. It makes for very spontaneous and fun performances that you aren't likely to see unless you catch these folks hanging out at each other's gigs in Chicago.
It's about as close to a south side Blue Monday party as you'll get on the West Coast on a Sunday afternoon.
Linsey Alexander
First up was Linsey Alexander. He was backup up by Sacramento's premier blues band, the Jeff Watson Band. They started off the afternoon's festivities with a big bang. Mr Alexander was using a wireless microphone system and treated the audience to an intimate performance featuring some very nice vocals and sparking guitar work.
Smoke & Big Time Sarah
After a brief intermission, the Teardrops got up and backed the fabulous Big Time Sarah. Sarah has been around the Chicago scene for more than two decades. She always puts on a fabulous show. She's an amazing singer and entertainer. If you've seen her, you know she has a great stage show. If you haven't seen her, she is well worth seeing, even if you have to go to Chicago to do it!
Magic Slim
Finally, Magic Slim came up. What can be said about Magic Slim that hasn't already been said? The head of Wolf Records in Austria called Magic Slim and the Teardrops the world's greatest band. While some may argue that point, there is no doubt that Slim puts on a tremendous show. He did just that.
The end of the evening featured an impromptu jam with the trio from Chicago. Jon McDonald opened up the set with a really nice solo tune before the rest of them got up. With Sarah and Slim up there, it was pretty damn funny. It was an awesome day!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Biscuits and Blues Review
Recently, I had the opportunity to see James Cotton at Biscuits & Blues in San Francisco. What happened to me that night has made me hesitant to ever return to a place which was once a favorite of mine.
I went to see James Cotton at the late show. Tickets were $35 each. I took my wife. We each had a couple of drinks. Our bill at Biscuits was over $100. That didn't include: $15 for parking, $5 for bridge toll, plus about $15 for gas.
The guy that sold us the tickets was kind of rude after he took our money. After we bought our tickets, we were told that we had to wait outside. We went outside, stood in the light drizzle and were hassled my a more than a dozen of bums attempting to extract money from us and the other saps waiting outside. Additionally, the person selling the tickets told the tourist types that he would be their host and seating them as he placed a tip jar on the counter. It was a not-so-subtle way to extract a couple of extra bucks from the out of town clientele.
When we were let in and took our seats everything was cool. The waitresses were pleasant and friendly.
When the band took the stage, the volume was very nice. Unfortunately, several of the patrons were in the midst of conversations. Conversations that ran the entire length of the set. Ninety minutes of uninterrupted conversation. I could hear conversations at tables two rows away.
After a couple of nice mellow numbers, James Cotton came to the stage. He was barely audible and quite frustrated with the sound. He sent an audience member to talk to the sound man. It didn't matter much. The sound improved for a brief moment.
James called Kenny Neal up to do a couple of songs. He used the same microphone as Cotton. The problem was simple to fix. There was a short in the cable for the harp microphone. It's a standard XLR cable. I'm sure they had several of them lying around. The sound guy did nothing to fix it.
Cotton came back up and blew a few more tunes. They were really nice, but it was hard to hear him with the cable shorting out. He was playing almost acoustically, which sounded great.
Luckily, the volume was low enough for the other patrons to continue their conversations without interruption. I know I didn't want to miss a second learning about little Timmy struggling with his spelling. It didn't really matter much that James Cotton was in town and played two sold out shows. The volume was low enough that people could talk. Damn it! Isn't that the most important thing of all?
I know when I go out and drop $100 to see a legendary performer perform, I don't want to hear the performer. I want to hear about little Timmy's spelling woes. Timmy's parent's very should be thankful that my wife was there to restrain me. I was not pleased. Not pleased one bit.
The staff at Biscuits is more than willing to oblige those customers in the midst of an important conversation by ensuring that the performer can't really be heard with a poor sound mix and a defective microphone cable.
Dancers should also note that you can be as intoxicated and as careless as you wish while spending time at Biscuits. There was one couple that was dancing in front of the stage knocking drinks over. The staff said nothing to them.
For people that go out to hear live music as background noise while they converse, Biscuits is a great place to go. For people that wish to dance like drunken fools, Biscuits is a friendly place. If you want to be hassled by the homeless, Biscuits is a great place to go!
If you wish to go see live music by legendary performers, Biscuits is not a friendly place to visit. Fortunately, there are other venues. At this point, I would probably drive a couple hundred miles to another venue to avoid that place after my experience on Friday evening.
If you consider this whining or complaining, Biscuits pulled in a lot of money on Friday night. They pulled in more than $11K based on an average spend of $50 per person for the two shows. That's
conservative after a $35 cover charge. For that kind of money, I expect to be able to hear the band, without rude service, poor and defective sound and unruly patrons.
When I go out to hear music, I expect to hear music and not individual conversations.
I hope that this wasn't my last opportunity to see the legendary James Cotton.
I went to see James Cotton at the late show. Tickets were $35 each. I took my wife. We each had a couple of drinks. Our bill at Biscuits was over $100. That didn't include: $15 for parking, $5 for bridge toll, plus about $15 for gas.
The guy that sold us the tickets was kind of rude after he took our money. After we bought our tickets, we were told that we had to wait outside. We went outside, stood in the light drizzle and were hassled my a more than a dozen of bums attempting to extract money from us and the other saps waiting outside. Additionally, the person selling the tickets told the tourist types that he would be their host and seating them as he placed a tip jar on the counter. It was a not-so-subtle way to extract a couple of extra bucks from the out of town clientele.
When we were let in and took our seats everything was cool. The waitresses were pleasant and friendly.
When the band took the stage, the volume was very nice. Unfortunately, several of the patrons were in the midst of conversations. Conversations that ran the entire length of the set. Ninety minutes of uninterrupted conversation. I could hear conversations at tables two rows away.
After a couple of nice mellow numbers, James Cotton came to the stage. He was barely audible and quite frustrated with the sound. He sent an audience member to talk to the sound man. It didn't matter much. The sound improved for a brief moment.
James called Kenny Neal up to do a couple of songs. He used the same microphone as Cotton. The problem was simple to fix. There was a short in the cable for the harp microphone. It's a standard XLR cable. I'm sure they had several of them lying around. The sound guy did nothing to fix it.
Cotton came back up and blew a few more tunes. They were really nice, but it was hard to hear him with the cable shorting out. He was playing almost acoustically, which sounded great.
Luckily, the volume was low enough for the other patrons to continue their conversations without interruption. I know I didn't want to miss a second learning about little Timmy struggling with his spelling. It didn't really matter much that James Cotton was in town and played two sold out shows. The volume was low enough that people could talk. Damn it! Isn't that the most important thing of all?
I know when I go out and drop $100 to see a legendary performer perform, I don't want to hear the performer. I want to hear about little Timmy's spelling woes. Timmy's parent's very should be thankful that my wife was there to restrain me. I was not pleased. Not pleased one bit.
The staff at Biscuits is more than willing to oblige those customers in the midst of an important conversation by ensuring that the performer can't really be heard with a poor sound mix and a defective microphone cable.
Dancers should also note that you can be as intoxicated and as careless as you wish while spending time at Biscuits. There was one couple that was dancing in front of the stage knocking drinks over. The staff said nothing to them.
For people that go out to hear live music as background noise while they converse, Biscuits is a great place to go. For people that wish to dance like drunken fools, Biscuits is a friendly place. If you want to be hassled by the homeless, Biscuits is a great place to go!
If you wish to go see live music by legendary performers, Biscuits is not a friendly place to visit. Fortunately, there are other venues. At this point, I would probably drive a couple hundred miles to another venue to avoid that place after my experience on Friday evening.
If you consider this whining or complaining, Biscuits pulled in a lot of money on Friday night. They pulled in more than $11K based on an average spend of $50 per person for the two shows. That's
conservative after a $35 cover charge. For that kind of money, I expect to be able to hear the band, without rude service, poor and defective sound and unruly patrons.
When I go out to hear music, I expect to hear music and not individual conversations.
I hope that this wasn't my last opportunity to see the legendary James Cotton.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday Night @ Murphys Law
Monday night, I went down to Murphy's Law in Sunnyvale, CA. When I arrived, the Pleasure Kings (Johnny Cat, Mike Phillips and Deniss Dove) were in the midst of playing an excellent Freddy King instrumental. Chris Brown, Big John Stokes and Scott Miller were hanging out. Jimmy Dewrance showed up a bit later. There were some excellent singers and jammers that I had not seen before. It was a fun evening. Shortly before I left, Carol Fran showed up just in from Louisiana.
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