So, it's Wednseday. I'm already looking around for what's out there for my music fix tonight.

   In case anyone did not know...Bacon Strips cannot be found at Blue Parrot on Wednesday night any more.. Last week I got lucky and caught some Poppa G at Lefty's. That is always good and there was a nice crowd down there for a Wednseday. That is hopeful.

   I always think about going to Buchmann's for some Pam Betti and Jim Moran on a Wednseday night but by the time I get sprung from my house it is usually too late for that drive. Then I have too much night left and I'm so far away from the other jams in my agenda...just thinking out loud.

If anyone knows of any special events or actual gigs let me know that too.

Otherwise, please keep me posted, have fun and I hope to see ya'll out there somewhere.

   Thanks for stopping bye.

bill

   Geez, after a stimulating weekend I feel kinda like a balloon the day after the party...kind of floating in the middle of the room, bouncing off furniture.

   I'm already looking for the next note of inspiration. I guess that makes me a music addict.(?) I hope I don't go into a binge mode of some kind and start playing my old Cat Stevens and Jackson Brown tapes... or might that do the trick? Hmmm, this is serious.

   So I'll be out looking for something meditative...better yet, mediCative this week. Thank God for music. It takes me up, picks me up and sometimes keeps me company when I'm down. Thanks for all of it.

   I'll be back with some good stuff for the week.

bill

   This was such a great day of music! The "Memphis send-off" event at Buchmann's Radio Grille for Pamela Betti & Dirty Love, co-starring Sweet Suzi & The Blues Experience, The Kerry Kearney Band and C&B Blues Revue was complete inspiration by all performers I saw. To be honest I was really challenged to get there on time and I missed the C& B set. I was bummed to miss anything and I have not heard enough of C&B. What I have heard was impressive. As for the place. It was a packed house, a great atmosphere and the oddity (for me) of the time made for a different feel. It was pretty grand.

   The first set I saw was Sweet Suzi and The Blues Experience. They were as sharp as I have seen. Suzi looked great. Her hair was as "on fire" as her voice today. She definitely had a sparkle in her eye too. She sang her ASS off! The Blues Experience were all solid and more... and the dimension that goes by the name Chris Laybourne was a saxaphonic treat! The band has so many great sounds and creators. They have no limits...none. They will definitely make people smile in Memphis and anywhere else they perform.

    It is hard to keep finding superlatives for the acts I heard today but for The Kerry Kearney Band it is made easier by the fact that Mr. KK and Co. have a different set of elements in their favor. I have not heard them live in months...more than a few and I don't think I have heard Mark Mancini (I think thats his name) (keyboards) before. They had a comfort level I have not heard in  a while and a sound that is definitely gritty like "folk" but fuller...again, especially live. I presume that comes from their travels. Mr. KK and co. have been around and it shows. I have been playing the Essential KK cd in my car on and off for months and I gotta say they outperformed themselves this time in person...especially Mr. Kearney's vocals. They were better live because I heard his vocals more embedded in the music. The music framed it and his voice was more a collaborative instrument than a lead. Their show is something to see. I enjoyed the lower-key professionalism and solid performances of The Kerry Kearney Band. A good friend who was with me commented on how amazing Kerry Kearney is on guitar. It was his first time hearing this stuff live.

    And last and never least was Pamela Betti & Dirty Love.  First of all Ms. Betti was raging in red (and black of course). She also looked marvelous! I'm sure it is partly the sparkle of "magical ambition" which is peaking as she and the band prepare for Memphis. They sounded really sharp...all "on"...as far as my one ear could tell and the Betti voice was in a really good place. All the notes I like were there and delivered with plenty to spare and with a nice confidence. The band had really good energy..as did the whole place. The room filled up around me as their set began.  Pamela Betti & Dirty Love can headline any bill (as can the other acts). In such good company they rose and shone (shined?). It impressively capped a really professional and joyful afternoon show. I left there giddy. (I know. I'm easy).

    I'd give a lot to be a fly on the wall in Memphis next week...wait, flys have short lives, right?...I don't want to miss where all these guys are going...maybe I'd rather hear them a few more times.

   Kick some glutious down there,  people! Make them know we got some blues mofo's here on this Long Island.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    Last night I got off easy. There was a show right in good ole' Bay Shore @ The Viking.

    I had heard Howie Haber's guitar at a few gigs along the way...some Pam Betti shows, the Big blues bash last weekend...maybe a jam or two. I had heard him introduced as Breakaway. So last night I saw them at The Viking. That place has good stuff by the way! I think I'll be keeping a closer eye on them. Anyway, Breakaway rocks!

    Last night they put together rock-jam after jam...all good guitar stuff. Howie and Lou Carrollo both got their licks in and thats the stuff I like. They play lots of originals too. Interesting band. You definitiely will enjoy a night of that if you like rock/blues...and , yes, I do. They even had some Franny Mae last night!! Franny added some velvet to the sound and she always makes me smile. I wasn't expecting that bonus vocal treat.

   They had a good player on a Hammond but I didn't get the name.  Bass, Dustin Hickey, had some pizzazz...a nice player, Harmonica (Evan Davis) was cool and A. Mike Canon was pretty groovy on drums too. That was a treat and I'm digging the CD, almost all original (I think).

    That's why it is a good idea to step in and cameo when a player gets a chance. I would not have heard of Breakaway had I not seen Mr.H2O (get it? 2 H's, I know...hey, it's early...I'm still a bit foggy) get up and say Hi at a few gigs.

    So it was a good discovery last night and another good night at The Viking. Today.....there is the big Pam Betti bash at Buchmann's. I'm popping vitamins, drinking coffee and looking forward to a day of some musically generated, spiritually enhanced and blues tinted, personal enlightenment.

    Come join me.

bill

   

    It's been a stressful week in so many ways..work, life...   Thank God for the escape of music and off-time.

    One issue that comes up fairly often is people's feelings when we do or don't show up at a show. It is tough, not only to get things together and make it to a show, but to make all the shows that I want to or all the ones your friends want you to make. It is apparently the height of insult when a friend has a show or a few shows and a friend does not make one or even a few in succession. Why is that so hard to understand?  Life is pretty freaking busy here on wonderful Long Island. I think everyone who plays music and most people that enjoy listening would go to every show out there if that were possible but, hey, s&!+ happens. Money is not always there for a night of...whatever, food, drink.

   So, when I hear someone say I have to go to a particular show or someone might get mad, or someone who had a gig say they are pissed because so and so didn't go,  I sigh.   One person (or even 3) will not make or break the success of a show....I don't think. I'm just trying to promote peace and happiness here...and lose the angst..so we can all have fun.

   This thought is a general discussion but I go to every event I can muster..and it ain't easy.

   I hope to see ya'll out somewhere this weekend.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

   I have been touting the send-off party's for a few weeks obviously. They are not only big because they are events with mostly "headline" bands...and a lot of fun but they are being run with a greater purpose. The events are raising money for bands who want to "expand" their careers. They get to go to Memphis, TN in a week or two and perform with other talented artists. They get feedback and experience. Great stuff. It is something a lot of musicians would like to do I assume. It is fun to see.

   I am sure it will go well for Pam Betti & Dirty Love...like it did for Sweet Suzi and The Blues Experience last weekend. I also found out (late) that Bennett Harris had a send -off party last weekend too. I have not been lucky enough to catch a Bennett Harris show and now I wish I had. Check out these and all the other artists whenever you see them playing somewhere close...or not so close. Their links are on the bands/musicians page.

   This weekend I see Dee Harris playing Bobbique. That's a new one...should be fun! I see The Viking in Bay Shore having more gigs. I like that...it's Bay Shore. Speaking of Bay Shore. Dawnette D and Signify are a cool act...at Da Funky Phish this weekend...better call ahead though...things change fast there..

   Little Toby Walker is significant at The Boulton Theater (also in Bay Shore) because that place is a great venue and I think we all need to patronize it more so we don't lose it. The names that play there regularly are amazing...Richie Havens was there not long ago.

   There are so many worthwhile shows this weekend for so many reasons. Check one out!!

   Thanks.

     So nice to hear from some of Saturday nights players and patrons and that a good time was had and the night was a success. Don't forget this Sunday at Buchmann's.

    I post here for fun. I am not on anyone's payroll. (I will consider all offers). I write factual observations at worst, good reviews, warm reviews, moderately warm reviews, raves...lots of variations of those. I do not pan performers.In fact, I happen to think Simon Cowell on American Idol is cruel and I can't watch him this season. I almost cried for the dark haired kid who he said looked like a forest creature.

   I have yet to see a bad performer who has been hired by any club posted here and who did not deserve to be on a stage. A jam stage is different and I give every person I have seen credit for balls that I do not have, not just for getting up and "practicing" with less than polished skills but for the effort of trying to share expression with others.

    That said, I follow artists (mostly blues and mostly guitar, sax and vocals) that move me the most. That does not mean I think I am an expert on talent or artistry. It means I write a blog about the stuff I like and I like to express it as vividly and precisely as I can. I do pursue hearing new stuff but my time is a bit limited. I am learning too. I am not being paid to criticize. I am not being paid! I go to the shows I like and I write about my experiences...usually good. I am grateful for every day and every experience I take in. It's all a gift from someone, somewhere.

    I would also like to say that I am not really a detail guy. I am lucky if I remember names and titles. I welcome any and all help in that regard. If anyone wants me to remember anything on a night out you had better write it down for me...or e-mail me. I'm not sure if it is the "80's" affecting me, my age or all the crap that has become lodged in my mind over the years. I wish there was a sort of "delete temporary files" function for the brain. Or is that what shock therapy does?..hmmm. Can I do that with house current? Kidding!!

   Anyway, I look forwrd to hearing some good stuff this week...I may be out wandering in different neighborhoods this Wednesday...not sure.

   I'll be back with stuff for the weekend.

Thanks for reading.

bill

    I don't think I ever had as much fun beginning to end at a blues show...as last night!

  Lefty's Candlelight Bar and Grille in Lindenhurst hosted a send-off party for Sweet Suzi & The Blues Experience who are going to Memphis,TN Feb 1 for the International Blues Competition.

   The night began with Pamela Betti & Dirty Love who had some lightening in Bill Marino's guitar and the whole band, Pamela Betti, Bill M, Rich Thiel and Mike Scalzo were all lit up. They rocked and Pam Betti had her glow on.

   Gary Sellers followed and he caught the fire apparently. He had it goin on and put on a really nice show. My wife even commented that he was wonderful...she was able to follow his lyrics and she enjoyed him. I loved his guitar.

   The Sam Taylor Band was next and what a treat that man was. He has more mojo than I may have ever heard at Lefty's...at least before last night. He mentioned that he just had his 73rd birthday (Unreal !) and he plays blues guitar like he's 37.  He (and Gary Sellers) play Paula Jeans Supperclub in Setauket weekly and you must go see them before that moves somewhere else.

   The object of the night's affection and attention, Suzi Smith & The Blues Experience, finished off the packed house with a full set of some originals and covers...sans their "crispy" new saxman Chris Laybourne. No worries though. Steve Interrante (sax man with Nacho Mama and The 70's Experience) stepped in and played his ass off with Suzi,John Anderson, Dave Pellegrino and Tom Foschino. Steve Interrante can blow (as they say). Nice job getting a hot sub for the big show!

    Suzi and her boys are ready to wake some people up down there in Memphis, TN.

   Who wants to plan a fundraiser for some of us fans to go see them??? Wait, I better discuss that with the wife....Hold that thought.

    Lefty's was an amazing place for the event by the way. The people who run that place; Joe(owner), Dan(manager), Rob(asst mgr I think), Tiffany(barmaid)...and their helper last night, Dawn, were really nice hosts. It was a great night, a great send-off, very positive and special. No surprise with Suzi involved.

    Next Sunday afternoon is another "send-off" show of four or so acts for Pamela Betti & Dirty Love. Check out the announcement for details and don't miss that. It is enterteinment you will rarely see so talent laden and so close to home.

   Thanks so much Lefty's and all the musicians for an unforgettable night.

    I have tried my best with this humble website to alert anyone interested that there is a big show tonight (and one next Sunday too). As a matter of fact there are a lot of good shows tonight. It is obviously a good idea that the populous gets spread out but I hope it is a good night at Lefty's at least.

    Sweet Suzi and The Blues Experience is one of a few special acts around here.(see the profile on page 2). The other acts at the event are real pro's too. Sam Taylor, Gary Sellers and Pamela Betti(Ms Sassafrass)and DirtyLove, make for a really fun night.

      The two bands with Suzi and Pam Betti are great examples of how collaborations of good talent can congeal to create a real "act". It is exciting to see local performers evolve and succeed especially when they are such good folks.

   So, call a sitter, get yourselves all done up, designate a driver and come on out. Support some amazing local talent and have a blast!

   Thanks for being here.

bill

   

    So I spent my Wednesday night at my favorite jam place, Lefty's in Lindenhurst. I often think about going to other jams. There are a few good ones on Wednesday's and I sometimes do try other places. Poppa G at Blue Parrot is always good and Pam Betti and Jim Moran at Buchmann's has gotta be good. They are a little earlier in the night though so I have a hard time catching that one... Someday.

   Last night there was a good cast at Lefty's. Blue Matter of course was all there. There were some good visiting guitars of course, players from Killer Joe, Rockslide, independent players, singers, drummers...a good mix and good players, always. I had some laughs too. I needed some escape and I had a good time.  Dan Schrader, manager; Rob(bar manager) and Tiffany(barmaid) at Lefty's are great hosts. 

   That brings me to the upcoming weekend(s). There are a few "send-off" events. One right there at Lefty's on Sat. for Sweet Suzi and The Blues Experience. (See the announcement on the right of this page). You have to hear these guys. They, along with Pamela Betti and Bennett Harris are going to Memphis TN, in Feb. representing Long Island and all three have these fund-raisers. All three have excellent events and all are in the next two weekends. Check them out. I am looking forward to going to at least two of them. The talent around here is pretty amazing and it is all so accessible.

    There are so many good gigs this weekend so go to one of them at least... and thanks for stopping by.

bill

   I often feel like I want to go to every event I see around here involving six or seven local performers. That would be expensive, tiring and it is practically impossible considering the responsibilities I have with kids and work.

   It is theraputic to be with people who are dutifully pursuing a craft. It is also theraputic to sit and listen to people perform. There is a lot to be said for spending time letting the mind go to places other people take it. I like to do that anyway. I fight myself often and have to sort of quiet my own mind to get back to that...to listen. There are so many distractions in my brain that it takes effort . It is worth it though...to me. A constant stream of new thoughts keeps me thinking differently and gives me ideas that I can use to make my life interesting and more managable. I consider the process sort of a remedy to overcoming the challenges of life.

   I am directing these thoughts to single parents because although I remarried (however informally) I raise my own child and I solve most of my own challenges. My wife has her own challenges and they are formidable. In fact they are a story unto themselves. Someday I will try to climb that mountain and tell that story...after I solve my own.

   The challenge of meeting people, having a life, feeling a part of adult "life" outside of the kids activities and of doing some creating on ones own can all be addressed by pursuing some world of art/ music. The reason I am addressing this here, now is because I often get asked by people where can they meet someone and how do I find time for this "fun" stuff. I tell them to make time and get interested in what they enjoy...in some way and you will meet people. I have.

   So it is midweek. There are plenty of jams, even some gigs on occasion. Check out the schedule, call a friend to hang with and a family member to watch the kids one night a week if possible...even one night a month and go jam...go hang with a jam. Try it.

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

   

    I had a tiring few days enjoying myself in Atlantic City so I stayed local last night. I saw Blue Matter was playing Bartini and thats pretty local for me. I really like Blue Matter with their guitar blues (Hey Ralph, it's blues ok!) and I have been wanting to see Bartini after posting their jams and gigs for so many weeks now.

    Blue Matter never disappoints me. They did their Hendrix, Warren Haynes, Dead...other fun stuff and they did it well. Led by some juicy guitar by Arty Panico, surprisingly good guitar by Ray Wade...not to mention capable vocals, Ralphie Santiago, drummer extrordinaire and Ms. Kelly on bass Blue Matter is getting tastier by the week. Keep an ear out for this gritty group.

   Bartini was...cute. The place has personality for sure. It is smallish with not great "sightlines" but there was a nice crowd of friendly, "music types" and it ended up being a good night. It was maybe a little bigger than an intimate setting. I rarely complain or mention negative things but there was one thing that bugged me last night . I happen to enjoy olives with my vodka. It is pretty much all my gut allows me to drink so when a place doesn't have an ingredient I am spun around a bit.  I figured that since Bartini sounds like martini they might be something of a martini bar. I could be wrong but in any case I had to suffer a  "no olive" night. Oh the pain..

   There was a really nice barmaid, Jackie, who made for a nice night though so all was forgiven.

   Keep me posted on whats out there. Remember too...tomorrow is a holiday so you can go out tonight...check out the Sunday night jams.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    Well it is only about 3 hours away but it feels like another world. And I know Atlantic City makes Vegas look classy (and a lot of it is) but we stayed at the Tropicana Hotel on the boardwalk and it was a great hotel with lots to do, including nice restaurants, good stores, a nice lounge and a huge casino with a nice crowd.

   Like I said in an earlier post my wife likes to sit and play the card games and I like to investigate the places for fun entertainment and people. As usual I found some fun people and we had some good times.

   There was also a decent lounge singer, Angela Seager, from Canada. She didn't know many blues tunes but she really knew how to wear lingerie with pumps and she climbed a piano as good as anyone. Her chops weren't bad either but she could use a blues lesson or two from Pam Betti, Suzi Smith, Lex Grey, Franny Mae or Leslie Zimei. Any one of them could show her a little "edge" which is all she lacked.

    I was unsuccessful (as hard as I tried) at finding a blues club other than House of Blues. HOB had WAR which was not a bad show but we ended up making social plans that made the trip up to the north end impossible at the time of the show and I was the only one that wanted to see it.

    We needed a break from things though and we got it. We had fun and I am glad we made the trip. I was flabbergasted as we were pulling out of the city of AC though. Maybe two blocks from our hotel was a little sign that said Ms. Lucy's Blues. It looked like a fairly new sign too (maybe brand new?). Anyway, I had looked in every magazine and newspaper I could find down there and I looked on online sites for blues clubs and I did not find that or any other. I can't stress enough how important advertising is for a club...especially in a tourist city like that.

   So I have no specific blues news to report other than there may be a good little club way down by the Tropicana. If anyone goes down there anytime soon let me know if you check that out.

   I see a few really good shows out there tonight and I really hope to get to one or two. I miss my blues and knowing where to go when I want my fix.

   Thanks for stopping by...see ya'll soon I hope.

bill

    Since Mrs. Bilf had no clue what she wanted from Santa she got a trip to Atlantic City. Guess what, Santa is taking her...tomorrow...lucky Santa!.

   I hope we're lucky anyway. We have had the full range of luck's experiences in Vegas, AC and Foxwoods. The best city among them is Vegas for all the "cheesey" people and sights. I love that stuff and the wife loves to sit her butt down and gamble for, like, days at a time. It works for us.   

    I'll be looking for entertainment and when I find it I drag her away from the table and get her to focus again on something that doesn't have numbers and little clubs and hearts on it.

   The reason I am mentioning this here aside from the obvious entertainment value (can you stand the fun?) is because I would love to know about an out-of the-way blues club down there. A big popular place works too. If anyone knows a good one please feel free to send me an e-mail at bill@billfoolery.com.. or if you happen to know me and my cell number use that too.

   I will report what I find in case anyone out there shares an appreciation for cheesy gambling cities and grand hotels.

   Please keep me posted with good local gigs. I see there are a lot this weekend and I will be back Saturday for something...unless we lose the car along with our shirts. Fingers crossed.

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

    Another late start for me last night but I was lucky just to get out. Sometimes with kids and a family it just ain't that easy.

    So I ran up to Buchmann's Radio Grill on Terry Rd. in Smithtown and caught the last set of Pamela Betti w/ Dirty Love. Tommy Keys was a guest keyboard player too. What a blast!

    Pamela Betti sounds better than I have ever heard her and it's not just the clarity of her voice. She is also really stretched out in terms of musical range. She did some ballad-type stuff (I can't ever get enough of that), some bluesy stuff and she also had the barmaids dancing on the bar with her dance beat songs. Shes all over it right now. Pam is also a panic between songs. She's always able to shock people with her quips... it cracks me up every time...a little blond cherry-bomb of a personality. 

   Tommy Keys added some juicy piano riffs. That was a nice touch. These guys should all kick some ass in Memphis.

    Let me remind you all that PB and Dirty Love will be at Suzi Smith's Pre Memphis bash on Jan 20 and they have their own on Jan 28. Those are both going to be great nights of music and DO go out both for the entertainment and for the support of the bands trips to Memphis, TN on Feb 1.

   I wrote a little "profile" piece about Pam Betti for Perpetual Toxins (Jan issue) and I will be posting that here in the coming weeks.

   Thanks for stopping by people...

bill

    So last night I got back to my Wednesday night jam for a sit-down-and-listen. I missed last week for the first time in years. I have not been to the same jam all that time but I never missed a Wednesday night....at one place or another.

   One thing about second marriages...when you make a vow there are all kinds of things one thinks of that didn't even occur to one on the first go-around. For me that was one night a week for "my creative juices". I made it Wednesday and if I don't use it I could lose it. I recommend that anyone contemplating marriage build in a clause such as that for your sanity.

   The jam at Lefty's was cool. I needed my fix and got that. Arty Panico, Ray Wade and Ralphie Santiago were hitting on all cylinders. They even did a "Little Wing" in my honor and I was "off somewhere" for the dedication and for half the song. Sorry Ray but thanks. They closed wih Soul Shine and they rocked the crap out of that one too. Blue Matters!!

    They also had a new bass player standing in, Kelly, who did a nice job. She flowed with the go very nicely. I look forward to more of that Blue Matter.

    Check out the stuff for the weekend ya'll. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon.

bill

    It's been over a year..a few months more, actually, since I started journalizing here with this blog. It started as a place to look for things to do for friends and single "adults" here in suburbia.

   Suburbia is a dense jungle. It is full of codes and norms and preconceptions and expectations, demands, shoulds and shouldn'ts, material and familial limits and goals...so many mind occupying thoughts.

   The single and the "recreationally challenged" people I know here in suburbia express a need and a desire for entertainment, an outlet. I try to provide that. I have found this medium (music and blues) to be inspirational for me. It provides a way to unwind and to "re-create". It works for me. As I have mentoned before I get my connection through the music and the people making it.

   There are times, though, that it isn't enough. I need some new music. I need some deeper experience. I need a new experience. I need to be taken someplace new sometimes.

   In fact there are things I look forward to like performers who may have a show coming up both local and national. I look forward to little getaways, time off spent with my child, good books, holiday events can be moving. These things I need. I think we all do.

   Monotony kills. It stifles emotional flow and therefore enjoyment and therefore emotional health. I mention these things because it seems important for happiness.

   One of the many things I got from college was just that. In the commencement speech so many years ago a philosophy professor said that after all the studies by all the great thinkers the only agreed upon idea by the theorists of behavior and existentialism is that we should enjoy life. It is here as either a gift or a blessing or perhaps even if it is "born of nature" it is therefore limited and even more necessary to enjoy.

    So on this occasion, the beginning of a new year,  I take this idea to heart and use it to balance all the responsibilities I take so seriously and I try to live it. I try to enjoy. Good idea?