I heard Friday might be nice and Sat. and Sunday may be rainy. I won't sweat it. Not only are the Mets out of town which means we may still have baseball on TV but there are some good blues shows some of which are not outdoors.

    As I meantioned earlier Cadillac Moon has a Friday evening gig at the Venetian Beach Hut in Lindenhurst. That actually starts at 6 but I am told many do not show up until 7 or so. Those guys (and gal) are tight. Thats a good show. Also for Friday Donnie Celenza is at Chesterfields again with South Street Band. Also a good bunch of players.  Da Funky Phish has Reckoning. That's a "Dead" thing.

    Saturday night there is Sam Taylor at Paula Jeans Supperclub. Good show always... real entertaining and cajun food at PJ's. Yum.

     For you reggae fans, Lefty's has Wellington King and the Earth Peeples.. Direct from the islands.

    FYI...I heard some disturbing news. Cats Meow in Smithtown is locking the doors in a week or so. Bummer right?! No more info about that. There was a jam there last night (thanks for letting me know too late people!) Sort of a farewell thing I think. That was a good room and I had hoped it would take off with the good Sunday night jam they started there recently. I'll try to find out if the jammers (John, Tsunami, Anderson and Crispy Chicken among others) are going to set up somewhere else.

    Thanks for stopping by.

bill

   

   

    It's rare that I look forward to midweek but in case you couldn't tell from the last post I am missing the blues.

    Luckily there is the menu of Wednesday night jams (among other nights) and it is sure bet to find something good, somewhere. In my case I am probably going to try the Blue Matter jam at Lefty's and I hear there might be a good roster of people joining Ray Wade, Arty Panico, George E and Rob this week. There is also the Buchmanns Radio Grille jam in Smithtown with Pamela Betti and Jim Moran. Better check the venues to make sure...always.

    I also heard that Cadillac Moon has a gig this Friday at The Venetian Hut in Lindenhurst...7 to 10. I hope to be able to check that out. It is on (or off?) Venetian Blvd off Montauk Hwy. I am sure it will be listed somewhere on the Cadillac Moon site (linked here on Bands/Musicians page). Thanks for letting me know about it CMoon.

   c ya'll later.

bill

    After looking for some good blues shows for Friday, Saturday and even Sunday nights, and after going to an event or two over the weekend, and after spending waaaay too much time Sunday in front of the tv and computer I can reiterate that good entertainment is both ridiculously hard to find and utterly critical for my well being. It is entirely worth the effort of driving or gettting a sitter or whatever needs to be done a few times a week.

    Am I so rare that the music has to be both good and of the right state of mind to be "harmonious" and that if I don't find that it is just as frustrating as not going out at all? Sometimes I look around and see people (mostly younger) having fun just being out, drinking and "hanging". The fact is though, it was never much fun just "hanging" and drinking. Now they are some of the elements that constitute a night of fullfillment. There needs to be some thoughtful entertainment with it. I get wound down and then let myself feel the music, of sorts and then all the good "forces"  flow. There is a union with, well, mostly everyone and everything sometimes.

    I will never take that for granted and that is why I make the effort to journalize this stuff. I also think it can benefit others. Music is a potent method of generating well being....consider this your therapy or religion. I do.

    So when I don't get it I get a little sour. I get these little recesses where bad ideas collect and the world can appear very different. The rear view mirror appears, the demons of the future too and it distracts me from focusing on my present.  I have to shake my head and bring it around.

    See? I didn't get enough blues this weekend and thats not good.

    Thanks for listening.

bill

    A cloudy damn day but it's okay. It's been pretty freaking bright all summer and one shan't complain, shall one? Who'd listen anyway?

    So on this dreary day I wish I could share my iPod with ya'll. It is a professional mix of songs to keep you down all the live long day but you'd feel good while you were down there....I do. I am still boggled by the fact that iTunes mp3's cannot be uploaded here. They protect their songs even after I pay for them. Last night I went through my CD collection, dust and all, and pulled out a few new tunes. The addition of a few makes the mix seem so...rejuvenated, doesn't it?

    It is Saturday night and there are a few fun things to go see tonight. Jamstock, the gigs listed below and another...Joe Vicino and the Smokedaddy's are at Jessie's Roadhouse in Merrick.. Joe Vicino does some quality rockin. Decisions, decisions...

    Oh well...I get to go out for tunes ...yeehaa!! Hope to hear some inspiring music and see some smiling faces.

    Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    In addition to the earlier mention of the Pamela Betti gig at Cedar Beach for Friday evening and the Sunday performance of Giovanni Van Essen there are a few more good shows I'd like to mention.   .

    Friday Chesterfields has Donnie Celenza and South Street Blues Band. Donnie C can really play. He is a nice guitarist. Thats a good show, as usual, at Chesterfields. 

    Saturday there are a few interesting things around. At Lefty's there is JAMSTOCK with 10 bands performing inside and outside. You have to check this place out for gigs.The owners have recently done some really nice improvements to make it a great venue and a big one with a nice outdoor area. It is an impressive place that gets a nice crowd. At Jamstock they are raffling off a Fender guitar too. It should be a really entertaining night. The bands cover a number of genre's I am told and more info can be found at Jamhouse.com (producing the event).

    There is also Lewd Buddha at Da Funky Phish on Sat night along with Lou Saxon Band. I see that Kerry Kearney is in Manorville at MAPLES and there is the Big Daddy jam at Tailgaters in Patchogue. Chesterfields has Sly Geralds. Last but never least, T-Bone and FrannyMae are at Cherrywood Cafe in Wantagh. I'm checkin that place out one of these nights. If you want me to post a gig please let me know. bill@billfoolery.com.

...preciate ya stoppin by.

bill

 

 

 

    Wednesday is looming and I'm open to roaming this week. Hmmm...depends on the weather among other things. Last week Lefty's was dark and since I was so far west for a Wednesday night my buddy and I tried Blue Parrot. Voodoo Biscuit was there and they can hold a note or two, thank god.

    I see Pamela Betti and the Bluebloods are at The Beach Hut in Cedar Beach this Friday. I passed by there today and there are signs for the place. It is on the south side of Ocean Pkwy west of the old OBI. I think that was the place. Looks interesting. It is listed as  5 pm show. Thats tough for me this week but I'll be trying. 

    Strictly for entertainment sake I was looking at some sights of clubs I know in other cities and I was totally entertained by the Harvelle's site in LA.(Harvelles.com  see music venues page for link). They have movies of some of the bands that play there and it is some good stuff. That is a fun place if you ever go west and I suggest you do. Of course the weather is stupid. The only issue I have out there is the closing time. Most places quit before 2..well before 2. That's a problem for me.

Again, this is just for "conversation sake". I am not here plugging a west coast club. It is a good site for musical entertainment.

     I'll be back with some more stuff for this week. Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    Good day music fans. I hope everyone had a wonderful Saturday night.

I was able to go out exploring and I took the opportunity to check out Kerry Kearney at Chesterfields. That place may be one of the best venues for listening to music in these parts. It is comfortabale, not cramped, perfect (darkisk,bluesy) light and a decent crowd.  I also enjoy Paula Jeans for the comfort and great food. Both places get quality music.

    KK and co. were subdued last night...at least for the two late sets that I heard. I was in the mood for lowkey though. The music was not slow but the tunes were "down", bluesy. The group has nice players too. Keyboardist, Tony Campo is enjoyable as are the other players, Frank Celenza, Charlie Wolfe and Eileen Murphy on drums. I found what I was looking for and I enjoyed the show.

    Funny thing about a night of listening to good music and having a few drinks...the after effect of the music is either similar to that of the drinks or one effect is tied so closely to the other that they just go together like ham and eggs the next day. I feel myself craving another drink (we all know what that is) but I also feel myself craving more of the music with it. Am I also a music-aholic? Oh no...another thing I have limit? Why are humans so vulnerable to indulgences?    

     Are we just trained as decendants of Puritans to become diseased by "vices" or is there something in the gene code that actually makes us physically prone to addiction to these things...and can music really be one of them? Geesh...I think I need something to help me think this through...gee what might work there?

   Feel free to call me a doctor or to get in touch and straighten me out. Thanks for listening.

bill

    Okay the trip is off...not goin to Calliefornia. Work gets in the way of EVERY DAMN THING!!!! Luckily my wonderdaughter is cool with putting it off.  "Non-refundable" airline tickets means that I can still use the tickets at another time, thank god, and I get a week to make everyone happy in my world of woodwork. Yippie.(F*^# that, get me some blues. NOW).

    Speaking of "now". I just did some checking and found that one of my Fave's, Pamela Betti and Dirty Love are at Giacomo's in Amityville tonight, Friday night. There's a must see for locals and not-so-locals.

    Luckily we have good stuff for two nights. There's a Kerry Kearney show which I may get to on Saturday night at Chesterfields....or I also found an interesting thing at Paula Jeans Supperclub in E Setauket. Also on Saturday night they have Todd Wolfe and Dickie Betts.  Isn't that special?

      I came across the Nutty Irishman site (Farmingdale location) and they have a pretty ambitious music thing going on there. It is largely cover/ rock stuff but they have some good blues bands on the slate as well.  I have an issue with large, young crowds sometimes but I'm there to listen...not get paid. I understand that the musicians are there in a professional capacity so it is a good thing for them. I wondered if it is in the old  "Downtown " location but it appears from the map that it is south of there and south of Fulton on Main St. I may have to check that out one of these days.

    I'll keep looking for weekend shows. Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    It's early in the week but there's much to do.  I'm gettin out of town Sat. for a week...heading out west. I think I'll be able to post from out there but I'm not sure I'll have much time for looking around for shows. If anyone wants a show they can go to the search sites listed on my links pages. Check out LI Blues Society for one. They always post upcoming gigs. I can always be reached at bill@Billfoolery.com. I'll be checking e-mails.

    I do know that Kerry Kearney will be at Chesterfields on Saturday night. I'm damn bummed that I'll miss that. If you are around check it out. The man can play.

    In the meantime there are the very fine Wednesday (and Tuesday for that matter) jams. Check earlier posts for the particulars. Keep me posted if you so choose and thanks for being here.

bill

    First of all, Saturday night at Chesterfields was some kick-ass blues. Pamela Betti and the Bluebloods had me goin with some Pamela vocals, Jim Moran licks (The Sky is Cryin, for one of many), even some Tim Smith vocals... and Mr Hat's drums were inspired. Hey...a good night of music and I left feeling bluely satiated(just made that up...can you tell?). That means happy but with a blue streak...kinda.

    As I was driving home, and as I was contemplating sleep, and again as I was contemplating waking I was wishing I could have some music to upload here of these really good local performers. I will start buying CD's from those I find on websites but I also ask that anyone who wants to put some sounds out there send me an mp3. I have asked a few...some are putting out some new CD's (Giovanni Van Essen)and I anxiously await those...The others, I will be glad to play songs right here. I like variety and the songs I buy on iTunes cannot be converted to mp3 for me to use here. I do not prefer to pirate songs...and that takes too long anyway.

     I hope to hear of shows from ya'll who know something and don't see it here. Time is precious and I don't always have enough...like all the other important commodities and I miss occasional good events.

    Thanks for stopping by.

bill

   I suggest you celebrate the weekend (always) by gathering some friends (hard gettin people out these days...especially the married ones, and fugget about a weeknight!) and going out for some blues at a nice place where you can sit down, have a few drinks and go with the flow. I'm almost there already.

    There are some good ones this weekend starting with tonight.

    I see that Pamela Betti and Dirty Love are at Brickhouse tonight. I may get to that one. There is also Little Wilson at Paul Jeans Supperclub. Thats always a great place for food and music and they get great bands. I'll keep looking for local shows. I see a couple of good bands at Da Funky Phish and Mr. Beery's both nights this weekend but I can't say I know that bands personally. Both places are almost always a good bet.

     As for Saturday night one of my fave's, Pamela Betti and the Bluebloods are at Chesterfields. I will have a hard time getting out Sat. but thats the place to go Saturday. I love the band and the place. Check that out.

      For anyone a little further east and for some dinner with your show, Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers is at Paula Jeans Supperclub. That place is on 25a just east of Nicols Rd., up by Stonybrook. Thats a nice night and, like I said great food. Lex Grey belts it out. Thats ...worth the trip.

    Don't forget the great Sunday night jams at Dirty Martini in Ronk.(Jim Moran) and Chris Laybourne (with John Anderson, Dave Pelligrino and Sean Doolittle)  at Cats Meow in Smithtown. There is always the amazing jam at Cafe Oasis in Baldwin on Sunday night too. Can't forget that one.

Thanks for stopping by.

bill

 

 

 

    Happy Monday and a bluesy one at that. I had to check out a jam I heard about that takes place on Sunday nights at Cats Meow, Smithtown. I was out later than I should have been on a Sunday night but I had (and now HAVE an excuse). It was a jam that is lead by Chris (P Chicken). I guess I need a last name but many people know the "Crispy Chicken" name I think.

    Anyway, Mr CC is a charismatic leader and a really talented one. He was vocalizing and playing his big old sax and there were quite a few other sax players there playing various sizes and shapes...all good. A few guitar players.Johnny Tsunami (I'll get a real name for John too) for one and on bass was the one-and-only Poppa G(Glenn Palermo) (There, a real name). There were a few good drummers and a nice trumpet player. I'll get more names when I go again... and I will go again soon.

    It was an excellent night of jazz/ rock and some bluesy stuff...and the talent is strong so it was all enjoyable. Anyone who likes live music or just good music should check out these jams. They don't charge a cover(as of now) and you can hang out for a long night if you want. It's better than listening to CD's or your iPod and the people are always interesting...not just the musicians.

    I just felt like passing that on. Thanks for stopping by Billfoolery.com .

bill

 

     I hope ya'll are having a wonderful summer. But it is a bit warm, no? Geez, if I don't lose a lot of weight this week I'm taking in waaaay too much.  Wait..I took in way too much last night ... I guess it's not such a big mystery.

     I saw another good one at Lefty's Wed. night. The boys in Blue Matter just get better and better. Come on down there for a great Wednesday night of music. They jam at Rail House on Tuesdays too.

     As for the weekend Friday has a few bits of musical snack. Circus Minds is at Chesterfields. I've heard this band. They could be a fun night at Chesterfields. They play a smart, funky, bluesy rock type thing...unique. Funky Phish has Reckoning. That's a Grateful Dead jam in case you don't know these guys and it is a good group of players. There is also a group called Grand Blvd. at Giacomo Jacks in Amityville... worth a shot.

    Saturday night T-Bone and Franny Mae can be found at the Cherrywood Cafe in Wantagh, check that  one out...sounds like fun. Big Daddy and the Bulldogs  are at Tailgaters. Thats a rockin show. The Ammunition is at Lefty's. I'll let you know what I find out about that group. It's a good place for a show though. I also just heard that the Scofflaws are at Da Funky Phish and Poppa G is sittin in on bass. Thats a good one.

    I even have some stuff for Sunday. First of all Jim Moran is at Dirty Martini in Ronkonkoma Sunday night. Thats a weekly jam I believe. Check that out. The Velvet Lounge in Stonybrook has Jeanine Cullin with Poppa G again (around 7pm) and Mr. G jams later on Sunday nights at Cat's Meow in Smithtown. That's a cool place for a jam. I may check that out.

    There is full weekend of good music for the so inclined. Do hit me up if you find anything else out that you want to share. I like having as much 411 as I can find. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

bill

    I hate weekdays...except Wednesdays of course. Thats my night out out to prowl and get lost in the bluesnightair. I look forward to getting to Lefty's this week. I missed it last week for a rare Tuesday(which was good at Rail House in Lindenhurst). Hey, if anything changes at Lefty's this week (or any other Wed. night), I hope someone will let me know. There are a good number of jams on Wednesday nights and I wouldn't want to head in the wrong direction and miss valuable entertainment time. I'm already miffed at Ms. Dawn getting cut loose from Lefty's!!

    So I heard that a good friend, Giovanni Van Essen, is going to have some radio air time on Thursday night, Aug 3. Station 90.1, WUSB, at 7pm. Giovanni is a beautiful jazzy singer.  I recommend you all listen to a wonderful voice and a wonderful gal. Gio is local but a singer who has been all over the world lately and she has a nice site and a CD coming out. There is a link to her site here on my Bands page. Look for her local gigs and her CD when it comes out and check her out on the radio Thursday night. I'll be getting back here with some shows for the weekend. Keep me posted, friends and thanks for coming.

bill