It's Sunday and a beauty. I am clear in the head, I just cut my lawn, I ate a good breakfast. I am having a fine suburban weekend day so why do I feel bad?

   I'll tell you why. I didn't get any blues last night. This suburan existence is waaay overrated. Am I supposed to feel satisfied with fullfilling my household chores and keeping the asset crispy clean and getting my 3 squares with 8 hours sleep? Is there something I'm missing about this whole thing? I love my kid, to death. We do a lot together. I happen to have a relationship with the Ms. with more assets than liabilities. I'll take that. My work may not pay very well but I enjoy it basically.

   But...I need my emotional sustenance; my vitamin B. It's not only for a Blindman, a BluesDiva and Big Daddy's (thanks MisbHavin). It's for Blues. I freaking need it.

   I know Sweet Suzi & The Blues Experience (with Blue Matter) are playing right about now at Mr. Beery's and that would do it for me but the problem is not supply. It is means. Life is too damn busy. I'm  only complaining because I only got to take in a single set this weekend and there was so much out there. Fact is I would not change anything drastically in my life but I come here to share the pain and joy of it all. I figure there are people out there that feel the same especially the ones performing it so maybe I'm not alone.

   Maybe I'm nuts too. There's some strong evidence for that. But humor me. It can be fun to ignore sanity and convention. I find it...invigorating.

   I would love to hear some feedback on some of the shows this weekend that I missed. If any of the players want to let me know about a rave reaction I'm game. I just like having some stuff to let people know that there's good entertainment out there and it's frequent.

   In fact I did hear that T-Bone & Franny Mae had a good one at Bobbique on Friday. Those guys always have fun and it is always a good show. God bless em. Franny is da bomb and T-Bone can play.

   Well, thanks for listening. With your help I'll keep posting the goings-on around here. I appreciate the info I get, very much. Have some blues this Sunday...somehow.

bill

   Did I spell that right? I guess I'm feeling musical today. I am pretty sure it has someting to do with the Warren Haynes tune playing here. I am digging the heck right out of that song so forgive me if I leave it here an extra day or two.

   I am not sure how sick anyone is getting of reading about the vicissitudes of my daily life and how it pertains to me getting out at night but I feel I must explain that last night I had fully intended to go see T-Bone and Franny Baby(Mae). I mentioned that I was home with a sicky-poo child but Mrs. Bilf did get home around midnight so I had to adjust-on-the-fly at that hour.  I figured by the time I got out to Bobbique I would catch maybe a song, maybe not. That place is not usually a 2 am close.

   Well the options do change and I saw that the new, yet recognizable, yet interesting with a good cast, Smiling Dogs were fairly local at the infamous Players Club in Copaigue/Amityville (what freaking town is that?). So...I paid a visit.

   The night was not lost. Jeannie B, Poppa G, Henning and Mr. Bill Marino make for some really palatable variations. I caught one set and it was good and they even did an SRV (Pride & Joy) for me. Thanks and I enjoyed that in a female vocal range. That's a fun little thing happening. I like the possibilities.

   Speaking of which...tonight there are many. I will begin praying to the gods of good fortune for my childs health and for someone to come here and sit on my couch so I can get the flock out and be healed.  Do I hear an alleluia???

   Appreciate you stopping by...

bill

   Ahh  spring is in the air. It's a little hard to see with all the water around it but it's there. I know because it's baseball season, my grass is growing and I'm seeing more of my neighbors again. Well, it ain't all good.

   So I heard I missed a real partay last night at ET Quiggs. The John Judd jam (always good anyway) got some guests. One Chris (Chrispy chicken) Laybourne showed up with Phil Henry and Kenny from Wondrous Stories and they did some ass whoopin. That's the stuff I hate to hear...that I missed that show.  I'm glad for all those in attendance. I heard it was a regular jam overload. See? You gotta get out more to see this stuff.

   I also got a funny Promo from MisbHavin for their gig tonight. I was told I (we) need our 3 B's.  A Blindman, a BluesDiva and Big Daddy's. Do we get all that?   Lol...Good one Pat! The girl can wing it as well as bring it. So make an effort to get your vitamin B. Okay? Thanks for the clever hook too.

   So I want to get out and get down with some blues tonight but I have a child with a thermal challenge. (fever/chills). Assuming the Ms. is even back in time I still need the vunderchild to stabilize...so fingers crossed.

   Have fun out there and thanks for checking in.

bill

    Being Thursday night there are places I'd rather be than sitting here hunting for keys on my dusty computer keypad.

    ET Quiggs in Bellmore gets a good jam thing going I hear and I have never had that particular pleasure. I heard the talented players (John Judd, Nick Pinto among others) once when they came to Lefty's for a Wednesday night jam and they were real good. I swore I would get to Quiggs on a Thursday night and I will...just not tonight. Thursday is a tough night being that I am sworn to Wednesday nights (it's in my contract with the Ms, "use it or lose it".  "It" is Wednesday nights). I need Thursday to recover not only my wits but my domestic responsibilities. Late nights of music and emotional healing take a lot out of me

   Speaking of which...Lefty's last night was a full bag of bones. Poppa G (That would be Glen P) showed up and that was a treat. He is unique in how much he adds to a mix with a bass. He injected that funky attitude into Blue Matter (quite capable with their own toys) and made a whole nice funky blue thing. It was good! Tim Dorsey added some funk too, on keys. Good mix.

   There were some other good players floating in and out. Guy Morales with some vocals always makes some nice sounds. In fact Guy mentioned that he is looking for another axe/vocal guy to add to a mix he is putting together. That seems like an opportunity for someone. 

   There are so many talented players jockeying with combinations that will reverberate in some way and it is fun to observe. I am happy to pollenate the process in any way I can too. When I hear that someone needs a piece I try to keep that seed ready to plant in someones ear. I figure I might as well try and be useful as long as I'm out there taking notes.

   As far as the weekend goes if I missed anything please let me know. (bill@billfoolery.com).

   I hope to get out for many shows and I hope to see you all. Have fun and thanks for stopping by.

bill

   As I am posting events for the weekend I realize there are so many good acts around here and not just the ones I posted for this week. In fact there are always notable missing names each week. I know they/you all need time to re-charge and go out and listen too.

   One that I was hoping to post and go see is Jacks o Diamonds. I have been listening to their latest CD, "Find Something New" and I have been enjoying it. In fact once I have digested it I'll post some thoughts about it here...on page 2.(coming soon). They are one of the "notables" I was hoping to check out this weekend. Some weeks I get in the mood for some guitar. It could be the Waren Haynes CD I have been listening to (and playing here, now). He inspires me. 

   Another is The Dare Ya Band. First time I heard them (maybe 6 months ago) I thought they were unique; original sounding. They have good pieces and a "sincerity" I don't hear often.

   Just to name a few.

   There are, again, a lot of good shows coming up. I find it hard to keep up and remember all of them all the time. Remember it is okay to send me an e-mail to remind me if you'd like me to post it here. I know this is a small place to "stick a business card" but I appreciate all the info I can get.  I, for one, appreciate being informed.

   Thanks again for checking in.

bill

    In case you don't know "Franny" is Franny Mae. I like talking to her. She always  comes back with funny things. Franny is the velvety blue singer with T-Bone and they can be seen in these parts as well as in places far away where there are cows and horses and stuff. Keep an eye out for TB an FM. They put on a good show.

   Last night I had the pleasure of seeing The Wailers at Crazy Donkey. (Thanks Suzi). That was a good venue. Big! But a warning, they don't have olives!!!!  How does one consume vodka with no olives?

   The show was also waaay late in starting. I wonder what was going on back there that we were waiting so long. Wait, I guess I don't wonder. But they do make one sway and feel good and go to peaceful places. I enjoyed them and if it was a weekend I would have enjoyed the late start more and I would not have had to cut it short. Oh well. It was a treat overall and I recommend the place for a show next chance you get. Bring your own olives.

   I heard Suzi Smith (Sweet Suzi Smith) is guest DJ'ing again on WUSB today. 90.1.... 2:30 to 5:00. Check her out. Suzi plays good stuff and she takes your calls for requests...at least she did over the weekend.

   Thanks for stopping by. I'll be back soon with some stuff for the weekend.

bill

     Well just a quick note to say Hello to anyone who happened by here on a Monday. This is uaually a somber day here. Being a nightowl and music hound I often find this day a real challenge. The weekend is richly enjoyed both day and night...being a parent as well as a junkie of blues and live performance.

   I got a second wind this time. It is partly due to weather, partly due to a successful sale of a piece of my furniture over the weekend (although I'll miss it) just when I needed it and also due to Suzi Smith (Swet Suzi, that is).

   Suzi was hosting WUSB Saturday night and I called in to request a tune and not only did I get my tune but I was also able to acquire some tix for The Wailers for tonight.

   Hey, I'm late. I gotta run to the Crazy Donkey for a fun show right now but it made my Monday just jiff and I wanted to pass that on. Why I feel the need to do this I do not know. I just go with the flow and hope it takes me somewhere good.

  Thanks and let that be a lesson to call in, get involved...you never know what fortuitous things may happen when you try.

   Have a wonderful week.

 bill

   The many options for shows this weekend made me determined to have a good fix of some blues. I am happy to say that I got it done. I feel full, satiated, like if I still smoked I would be enjoying one now with a day-long cup of coffee.

   I have the fore-mentioned Suzi Smith & Blues Experience Band to thank for Friday night, Suzi on the radio Saturday evening and Pam Betti and Dirty Love at CJ Wellingtons last night. What I loved best about it all was that I got my typical late start last night, arrived in Floral Park, or wherever that was, and still caught more than a full set of some PB & DL. I am bummed that I missed some Val (of Little Buster fame) on bass and Donnie Celenza sitting in during a prior set. The early bird gets more worms. I can say that. I'm no early bird.

   But there were some really rich moments in the last set too from Ms. Betti and co. "Damn Your Eyes" was one of them. She "moved' me with that one. It was a beauty.   Dirty Love also includes one Frank Latorre lately and last night he, with Bill Marino, Rich Theil and Mike Scalzo jammed on some Hendrix. That was another good one and Betti doing Joplin never sucks. I had fun.

   So I woke to another sunny spring day, not all that hurtin and I feel lucky. Dirty Harry moment..sort of.

   Well there's so much coming up in the coming month(s). I think I am going to enjoy the warm weather and the apparent seasonal "blossoming" of the music scene around here.

   I'd love to hear how some of the other shows went. There were so many. I had to choose based on the Ms. and other uncontrollables. I'll catch it all soon, though. I want t hear it all and with the beauty and energy of spring I am determined to do so.

   Thanks for hangin out.

bill

    Thank god for this beautiful day. It is most welcome. Don't you agree? This place gets pretty freaking grey sometimes and I forget what beauty lies right outside my window until it is lit better with some golden sunshine. Rich stuff.

   So last night I got to check out some bluesy Suzi and her Blues Experience boys. They were at Mr. Beery's and Blue Matter opened up and filled in a bit. That was a good mix of styles especially with John Anderson's guitar (with Fischino and Pellegrino on drums and bass).  The guitar focus of Blue Matter with Arty Panico and Ray Wade (Kelly on bass) felt like a fit on the bill.

   As much as I enjoy the good guitars I am also moved by the voice of Suzi Smith. It is rich and steady and I always feel something from a few of her songs. It is like I get lulled into a groove with The Blues Experience music and having been softened up a little I get hit with an emotional moment via Suzi Smith.  They have a little different energy without their saxman Chris Laybourne but they have some real blues moments. I had a few last night.

   Speaking of Suzi Smith, the busy lady will be on WUSB (90.1) Radio and online (www. wusb.fm) tonight 9:30 to 12. Check her out and enjoy some good music either in the car enroute to your destination or if you're hangin at home.

   Not sure if I'm going to be lucky enough to get out tonight but there are plenty of good shows to see. Check one out. Have a nice spring night with some live music and good company. That's one thing we have plenty of here on the island of Long.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

  

   Or is it Thursday?

   Yes, I did the usual last night, with the usual suspects. The Lefty's jam with Blue Matter and Co. is alive and well.

   Josh from Jacks o Diamonds joined in and jammed. He does that well. Kerri with the pretty voice and face to match rang in with a few. She does shine when the "livin is easy" and Joe the trumpeteer layed that one down nicely too. There were a few nice moments...and the more Hendrix the better. Blue Matter has a few in their bag of trix. Speaking of the Blue M boys and girl they will be at Mr. Beery's this Friday on a bill with Sweet Suzi and The Blues Experience.

   The amount of good shows this weekend almost sucks. I want to go to at least 3 shows each night. How is that going to happen?

   I also noticed that one of my favorite "soul" singers, Patty Griffin, is at The Beacon tonight. Damn! There's another show I want to see.

   I wonder if there is anyway one can make a living just going to shows. I guess I have to keep scratching lottery tickets and hitting Vegas so I can just do the shows and not worry about the "making a living" part. That gets in the way of everything!

   I'll be out there somewhere this weekend and god only knows when and where. I'll be praying to the babysitting gods for assistance.

   Have fun ya'll. Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    I hope you are all enjoying the typical Long Island spring weather. It just makes me want to stay in bed with my iPod taped to my head for a few days and that's not all that fun usually. Gee ya think this is depressing?

   Well, that's why people make music and that's why I go find it as often as I can...and while I'm on a roll, that's also why I get "postal" when I can't get out for my fixes on a weekend or a Wednesday night.

   There will be plenty of good options this weekend. Stay tuned. I want to make sure I find and post them all.

   There is also a morning treat tomorrow. If you are near a radio between 8 and 9 am (Wed. morn) tune in to 90.1 WUSB. Sweet Suzi will be hosting the radio show and she's the type who can lift one's spirit... at least mine.

   Anyone who reads this and has a gig this weekend feel free to e-mail me at bill@Billfoolery.com with the 411. I will be looking and gathering that info in the next day or so but I do overlook things on occasion.

   I'll be busy with that and a lot of other very important stuff in the coming days but I'll be sure to post and I'll do it earlier this week with so much going on.

   Thanks for coming by.

bill

   This could be a long one. There are some things to bitch about, of course. There are some weekend experiences I like to share and some continued frustrations in trying to get mp3's to play here.

   Primitive Radio Gods are sometimes interesting but not my first choice. I spent some time looking at celebrity and musician playlists and just picked a song or two that I liked. I had trouble getting mp3's of so many prior choices.  Most download sites have limitations. Either I have to buy the whole cd or I cannot convert the song to mp3 or I cannot find a song on a site. I spend way too much time at this. I will find a better way.

   Anyway, Friday night was such a disappointing bust. I had a few good shows to choose from and ended up not getting out of the house until 1 am. Most people would have given up by then. Not me.  I was raging while waiting for Ms. B to get home so I could bolt. Same old story. She had a late one at work, child at home sleeping, shows to see and I couldn't take it.

   Finally, I jumped in my car and by the time I got to the closest good show I could find it was too late. I heard Sweet Suzi and the Blues Experience had a good show at Pub 454 (with the Outpatients). There were also good shows in Nassau but they were too far at that hour.

   On the way back to the ranch I stopped at Da Funky Phish which is in my hood and I missed the Scofflaws there too. Owner, Craig (Kingfish) was there with hip hop blaring and a nice crowd, actually, all dancing in the aisles. It was pretty funny. They do get funky there and sometimes it's all night long.

   Saturday night caused another set of issues. Long story again but after a nice evening together with the Ms. she got her much loved sleep and I got to go out afterwards. I think sleep is overrated...at least on the front end but thats just a characteristic of a disturbed man which I can only embrace and try to adorn as best I can.

    T-Bone and Franny Mae might have been fun but at a slightly late hour driving to Rhode Island (nearest city to Mt Sinai) was scary. I can't wait to catch TB and FM soon somewhere closer to my longitude.

    Best option, all things considered, was Jim Moran Band last night at Pub 454.

   The place had a nice little crowd with some gaga 30 yr. old brunettes, a blond who got up and belted one out and many appreciative fans. The barmaid, Karen, is a saint. I think I like that place.

   Jim Moran (lead axe), Tim Smith(bass, vocals), Peter Antonio (keys, vocals) and (the) Bobby Rondinelli, guest starring on drums  made some fun music. The place was into it and I got my needed fix of some of the good RR/Blues. Antonio on vocals pulled off some good vocals and keys.

   Let's not forget tonight we can catch Mark Klein and the LI Blues Warehouse on Radio x. 8pm. That is so poignant for the shows and artists I discuss here I have to mention it. It is really good radio for anyone who digs this stuff.

   Thanks again for stopping by and I'd love to hear about some of the other shows from this weekend. I'll pass on the show details if I get them.

bill

    Let's just be grateful that it's a Friday and forget the bad luck thing...don't even want to go there.

   I see the sun hailing from my window and eager, no desperate, for some light and warmth, I am happy to beckon and bloom especially for the weekend. I'll take any excuse to bloom, thank you very much.

   This weekend offers some hope of salvation from the weeks pain and suffering. Check out that list of shows and pick your prayer.

   Speaking of Suzi Smith and The Blues Experience (tonight at Pub 454) did you notice the article posted about the Stonybrook radio request list? It's a subtle posting, I know. It tells me I have been lax at getting more music from our beloved local artists and posting it here. Now I am busted. I'll track down more local music and get it on here. I suggest you get some of the local stuff too or go hear it live or both.

   In the meantime thanks for stopping by and let me know what I missed here of the weekend fare.

bill

    Before I forget there is a theater in Bay Shore. The Authors Playhouse.

They will be showing : The Diary of Anne Frank. That is going on in April, Friday's and Saturdays, 8pm and Sundays the 15th and 22nd...a matinee I believe. That's on Main Street right near the Boulton Theater. There's something fun to do before a night of blues and there are some great restaurants in Bay Shore. Make it a full night of food, a show and music. Can't beat it!!!

   There are some excellent shows this weekend; Sweet Suzi for one...I've been missing Swee Suzi and Co. and, as usual  it's another case of having to choose which ones to go to.

   I want to start covering some New Orleans music here. The jazz fest is coming up at the end of the month down there and Rob Lepano of Lefty's has some music, web sites and information for me about all that. One fave of his is Kermit Ruffins and the Bar-B Q Swingers. How about that name. I can't wait to hear them.  There is a website Rob gave me. Louisiana Music Factory .com (omit the spaces of course).

   Before I die I intend to go down there. Unless I win lotto in the next two weeks it won't be this year. Fingers are crossed though. Guess that makes me a dreamer. It's ok, I've been called worse.

   Thanks for hangin...Hope to see you soon.

bill

   Barely made, that is. I can't wait for like ten years from now. I have no idea what that will bring but it has to be easier than the present. Gee, that sounds familiar...

   Anyway, the jams look juicy.

   I see Stevie Cochrane joins Sam Taylor at Paula Jeans for some Wed. night jamming. I wish I was closer to that one.

   Pamela Betti is joining Jim Moran at Buchmann's Grille tonight also. That's a good one.

   Let us not forget Lefty's which is always a fun and busy night of jamming with Blue Matter. Then there are the Nassau locations like Reflections.

   Decisions' decisions. Well I hope you get to go out for a jam. It's theraputic. As a doctor of self-medication I recommend it.

   Be safe.

bill

   Weeks turn into months which turn into seasons which turn into years.

   The plans I made back then disintegrate into the issues of the new days. New plans are made and sometimes they seem futile. Sometimes it feels sort of dicey as I hear myself utter something to my child. Her little heart swells with anticipation and I hope that never changes. But I plan less and more carefully these days, sometimes deciding not to at all. I want her to trust in them. My gosh how hard that is. I know she wants and needs to hear things for our future and she still believes but I see there is growing concern over details that she now understands matter.

   The days are spent keeping up with work, the house, my childs school schedules...  and fullfiling the plans.

   I feel elated, I feel anxious, I feel saddened and  I feel determined to keep the promises and to meet... the plans.

   Somewhere in there I need to recreate, to re-create. I need to re-fuel, to energize. I need to feel my heart beat and to see some beauty in the world and

to feel part of it. Since we are all part of it. It helps keep me afloat while swimming in the sea of it all.

   I often wonder where everyone else gets their "floatation". How do they keep the batteries charged with the energy to re-create continually?

   Well thanks again for the music. I know why I come here and I am glad the weeks pass and that I get to be part of it and when I look for fuel I can find it. It's there and it does seem like a never ending cycle. Thank God.

   Thanks for sharing some of this.

bill

   I enjoy looking at the playlists of people I have seen in the media (and respect) or of musicians I listen to. They post lists of their favorite songs from their favorite artists. That is one of the sources I have for finding new musicians and songs. It is so interesting to see who artists listen to themselves. I found those playlists on iTunes and I see Amazon has the same feature. I use these and other sites for building my library of digital and "physical" music.        

    It is like browsing at the library or Barnes & Noble. (there's another site I might link to). I am also including this stuff to broaden the "conversation" with people who share this stuff as an enjoyment. The music one listens to says a lot. Artists say a lot and I enjoy those conversations. I hope you do too.

   I hope anyone who runs into me will feel free to let me know how the feel about these features if they have a strong opinion either way...or if they found something new and exciting.  I enjoy talking about who you listen to. The growth of the internet has made music so accessible. By the way I also enjoy thought provoking authors. Amazon is great for that too. I hope you find this stuff as useful and entertaining as I do.

   Thanks for being here.

bill

  

    I hope ya'll enjoyed the snowy spring weekend. I'm confused though. Isn't global warming supposed to create warmer conditions? I don't think I ever saw snow on Easter. Maybe it just snowed in Joisey.

   Could it be that industrial toxins created an artificial climate and we had a little chemistry lab condition. Oh well, it was sort of poetic if that was the case. Cool toxicity, hey?

   I did get a little feedback on the events of local music affairs. Not all. I am sure Andy Aledort rocked and Lex Grey kicked some ass. I heard T-Bone and Franny Mae won some hearts at Giacomo's. I also heard that Suzi Smith showed up and belted out a tune or two. I bet that was a nice night too.

   Another good bet is that Lefty's had a good crowd and I want some more feedback on Fivestone. Talk to me, Rob.

   I welcome 411 on everything I missed and not just this weekend. I always welcome input. It gets lonely here with just my own voice. That's why I put pictures here. I feel like I have company.

   You may also notice (how can you miss it) that I added an Amazon Link. It is a site where you can purchase music, of course. Amazon is also a site for purchasing books and pretty much everything else you may want. Now you can come to Billfoolery.com for many of your shopping needs as well as entertainment. Isn't that super?!

   I also intend to add a link for music download (legit downloads). I'm just shopping alternatives...probably going to add iTunes. Any other suggestions?

   Thanks for stopping by. I'll be back with some gig info for the week ahead.

bill

   I am constantly searching for people, places, music that will inspire me. What does that mean, I wonder? If there are any shrinks reading this please feel free to e-mail me. If it is useful I'll pay for the answers.

   I was searching for some new music to plant here on the Home page and unfortunately I ran out of time this morning. I have to get out of town to meet the fam. I do enjoy Patty Griffin and Heavenly Day is sort of topical but I needed something bluesier this morning and I struck out. I did find some good sites though. Check out the More Cool Links Page (see top of page) and the first two are new.

   I was looking up Michael Powers who sounded good (Thanks Kathy, Bluesbrat) and I was looking for a Koko Taylor piece perhaps but the time to download and convert and all that was too much. By the way I saw that she played last night at BB Kings. Damn! That would have been a good one.

   Last night I was wandering all over Lawngiland looking for some blues to love and each time I got to a place the band quit. I know I get started late sometimes but it WAS Friday night. That should not have been a problem.

   We were able to talk Jack of Diamonds (Pub 454) into an encore. They played an original and it was really good. Thanks Josh.

   After that we stumbled into Da Funky Phish because it is close to home for me and they always have something going on late. Sure enough Reckoning was jamming . They're good and there were some familiar faces....but not enough blues.

   I woke with my taste unsatiated and I am now in my searching mode. I'll just have to pack up a load of CD's and hit the road with "blues balls" so to speak. Yikes,  that doesn't sound decent.

   Enjoy all the great stuff out there tonight.

bill

   In case anyone noticed (and frankly I'd be amazed) I have not been changing tunes here as often lately. Since my technology crashes of March I have not got back my iTunes files yet from the "data extraction" procedure taking place on my flash drive thing. I have only a few new CD's (albeit good ones) and my CD collection which has to be digitized again apparently.

   So I hope you're enjoying the hell out of the songs here given how long I'm leaving them here. You think it's easy managing a blog and a 12 year old and keeping up with a Long Island homeowners box of bills? Not to complain, in fact the blog is fun. Thanks to the few who read it by the way...and thanks for the gig info from the great and kind players we have around here.

   So the weekend is upon us! There are some cool shows too. Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers (winner of Best Name award when I have that contest, right?) are in town at Paula Jeans Saturday night. That's a fun one. T-Bone and Franny Baby, um, I mean T-Bone and Franny Mae are gigging and that's another good one.  Andy Aledort is at The Viking again. There's more... and I'll be in  New Jersey. I'm repeating myself, I know. But I'm bothered by this. It is becoming a problem for me that every time I plan to leave wonderful Long Island I regret it. How sick is THAT?!

   So check out the many good events and go to a few. Remember there is coffee and aspirin for the next day and don't forget lots of water...and a way home. You'll be good to go the next night. 

   Enjoy the hoilday weekend.

Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    My schedule does not coincide with the weekends offerings... damnit. I hate it when that happens.

   It just so happens I'm heading to Joisey Sat for a few days of family fun. Yeehaa! I'm bumming that I'm going to miss some good stuff on Saturday night. Can someone let me know some details of the goings-on Saturday night.! I'll take second hand notes and observations from someone else. I live vicariously in all ways possible, in fact, some of my fondest thrills are scenes I was no where near. Sad right?

   Anyway, last night at Lefty's was rockin and apparently there were some good vibes flowing as people were flirting everywhere. It was a flirts orgy especially if you like all x's in your chromosonal entertainment. Hehehe...

The music rocked though. There were some good vocalists. Guy Morales stepped up and ripped a few cool vocals. He has some juice as they say somewhere. There was a Miss Kerry up there too and she had some decent noise coming out of her pipes as well.

   I also got a CD from Blue Matter. I think it's just a promo but stay tuned. I think I'll need permission to play a cut here but I'll look into it.

   Let me know if I missed anything for the weekend. I need to post everything by Friday night since I'm splitting Saturday. Thanks for being here all you music geeks. I hope to see you soon.

bill

    I hope you all have a night to go out and get loose. I now it isn't easy especially during the week. As anyone who frequents this blog knows my night is Wednesday.

   For the sake of staying out of trouble I stay as close to home as possible. I  try to keep within limits and I take a cab home on occasion but it's good to be within safe distance from home.

   That still leaves me with some good options and I still choose Lefty's pretty often. Blue Matter does a nice job of playing and of doling out the entertainment opportunities to visiting players. Part of the fun is to see who shows up every week and there is almost always someone good that steps into the mix besides the usual suspects (Arty Panico, Ray Wade, Ralphie Santiago and Mz.Kelly bass). There are plenty of jams, though, with plenty of good players. Come on out people. It's sort of a holiday week and you know you like a music party.

   Other than to come online and try to get some people out of their houses I also came on to solicit some help in the realm of video recording. I am looking for someone who would like to work with me on trying to access some visual media outlets. Let me know if you want to throw some ideas around.

   I also wanted to upload another song but when I heard the John Mayer song again I decided to leave it another day. I just got the CD, Continuum. Other than a few over-played songs it is some easy listening blues. Mayer obviously has a smooth voice. He also plays a good guitar when he decides to create with it and the songs are well written in Continuum. I'm digging it. I hope you like the songs too.

   I also just got the new Patty Griffin CD, Children Running Through. Patty Griffin is listed as a Folk artist but she's a bluesy singer by my estimate.  She also writes some tasty songs and has a killer voice. She's a soulful singer. Check out either of those if you're looking for some good music.

   There are some good shows this weekend but not a lot posted on other sites yet, I see. Let me know what you want to post and I'll get it listed tonight or tomorrow.  

   Thanks for stopping by...I hope to see you out there somewhere.

bill

  

    I hate to take sides and risk alienating half of a very small audience but it is baseball season, which I love, and my Mets have helped lift my spirit. Didn't you notice... I didn't bitch about Monday and the awesome challenges before me. I wonder if Yankee fans enjoy such a lift. They seem so serious and focused on October. Is April any fun?

   I suppose it could also be that I had a fullfilling weekend of music and I don't have the scary issues that I may have had last week and I didn't go so overboard with the indulgences. Hey...maybe this is what they mean by keeping an even keel. I heard that before. My life just seems to take it's own "route" and I just hang on for dear life. The "keel" just seems to be the task of trying to keep the ship upright...to keep it in the nautical vernacular.

   Enough of ships. It's Tuesday which I now realize is another good night for music. Just reminding ya'll of the Tuesday night jams and of the Tennessee Jacks night which always seems like a good one.

   Do you also check out the blues society's pages (Helpful Links Page)? There are lots of upcoming shows posted. I will be posting most of it...usually a week or so before. There are also the big venues which are fun to check out. Boulton Theater in Bay Shore has some great shows and they sell out early.

   Tuesday's are good for looking around. As I get closer to the weekend I focus more on the shows for the week. Some of these things materialize quickly and some of them are the good shows.

   Anyway, I'll be back with some specifics for the coming days and week. Thanks for stopping by...and remember...the Mets are your home team....if you live on Long Island. Right?

bill

    Both the quiet and peace of Sunday and the "hang-over" of the weekends entertainment play on my emotions as I work on a Sunday pot of coffee. There's nothing like coffee on a Sunday morning and I love the days pace. I get a chance to breathe and reflect...which obviously I love (and need) to do.

    My impressions of last night are good though and I don't have to battle the effects of too much indulgence ...at least in alcohol.

    I did get to indulge in music this weekend. I consider two nights of music to be decadence.

   Last night Mrs.Bilf and I headed to The Smokehouse Grille in Sayville to hear C& B Blues Revue. Both the establishment and the music were a treat.

I had heard C & B once before...quite a while ago. I had heard recently that they are getting  quite good especially for such young guys. They were good back when I heard them months ago. Maybe because I was paying more attention or maybe because people at that age learn fast but they were a more evolved entity last night.

   Pat Russo on lead guitar has a wonderful ear not to mention great ability to play. He nailed some pieces last night. His playing offers an opportunity to hear some great music being presented in a clear unimpeded way. As far as representing great music his youth is actually an advantage. His hands are agile and responsive. There is not any static in them. It is some sweet stuff. I really look forward to hearing more now and in the future as his "nuance" ages as he does.  Dave Swanson is equally energetic on bass. He also gets what is going on apparently. The two have a good harmony and cooperation. I also enjoyed  Ralph Santiago with them on drums. He was sort of charging the chemistry. His upbeat style worked well with Russo and Swanson.

    The Smokehouse in Sayvilleis a tasty place and a good size room. I like that there is becoming a successful marriage between restaurants and blues rooms around here. Good food and good music are what it is all about and people seem to be getting it.

   Thanks for stopping by on a Sunday. Don't forget tonight is the Long Island Blues Warehouse on Radio X. (8pm). Some good local players in Blue Ruin on tonight and they talk about the Long Island scene and all its great players. Good listening.

bill