It is a rare Monday night when I go out to a show but this was for a good cause and it was a special show in Oyster Bay.

   The event was a benefit for the family of Matt Miller, a musician who is fighting cancer. The entertainment and apparent hosts were The Funk Filharmonik...among other musicians. The place was Il Piatto in Oyster Bay.

   There was a packed house in a pretty big place and I'm sure the amount raised was substantial. How nice for the Miller family. Matt Miller was on hand and in good form. He was quite poised and I was quite impressed with that. Frankly if I was asked to get up at that event and it was for me, I would have cracked and bawled like a baby. I was moved just being there and seeing the outpouring of support.

   The Funk Filharmonic is an impressive band with a powerful horn section and awsesome vocals by Tom Bowes, formerly with (The)Tower of Power. They blew me away. The whole event blew me away.

   I am grateful for many things today; my health, my opportunity last night to listen to great music, my fellow musical Long Islanders and the goodness in people. It is nice to see it when there is so much difficulty in the world. It is nice to see that people can find help in times of difficulty. Most of those times a family has to gut it out alone but not this time. Nice job people.

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

  

  

    There are some quality acts in thesse here parts... and I caught a few of them this weekend.

   Friday afternoon I got a call from Lefty's that they had a last-minute show to post. Giovanni Von Essen and EssenTial were available and getting plugged in for Friday at Lefty's. Cool.

   I know most of EssenTial, Popa G, Henning Stumm and Giovanni of course. Gio is now a resident of the european continent but travels back here frequently, thank goodness.

   EssenTial is a jazzy effort and nicely supports Gio's cool vocals. On Friday they played some of their originals from the new CD and from some of Gio's earlier efforts with JUICE. It was a nice show. The flavor of jazz is so refreshing to a guy that sits in front of a lot of rock and blues. It lends spontaneity and unpredictability to my listening experience and the members of EssenTial all have that knack.

   Popa G has a bounce in his bass that finds a happy place when surrounded by some creative jazz artists. Gio's voice is a smooth and joyful instrument that gives EssenTial both a uniqueness and a familiarity. I know there is not much jazz at the rock/blues venues but it is appreciated especially the music of EssenTial.

   As for Saturday night I was lucky enough to be invited to the Kerry Kearney "Giving It Back to Our Fans and Friends" show at Vail Leavitt in Riverhead.

   First of all that is a cool venue. It is a quaint, old-style theater complete with balconies, velvet curtains, Victorian influenced, turn-of-the-century paint and trappings and towering ceilings. It was like an old west setting for the KK gang.

   The atmosphere was congenial, familiar and, what I liked best, succinct. Mr. K took the stage after some nice but brief introductions, said a few "hello's and got down to some folksy, bluesy rock-n-rollin.

   It felt like a nice gift to be sitting there with a few hundred of their closest friends in the rich setting. With the Kearney-guitar, full band rocking, Saturday night ambience we were treated to a fun show of Kearney originals. It was a treat and a really nice gesture. Thanks to the KK people for that and for some wonderful original music over the years.

   I am also a fan of Kerry Kearney's writing. I picked up his book,"The Psychedelta Monologues" which is a collection of anecdotes from the travels of KK and it's entertaining reading. I first found a piece of his writing on the LI Blues Society pages. I believe it is still there. Check it out. The new CD "Connect With Your Roots" rocks too.

   All in all, it was a good weekend. I saw some talent and some variety and it was all good.

    Enjoy some live music soon.

bill

    Well, my schedule is up for the coming days and weekend. There are some nice surprises as well as the usual suspects. By the way, I don't often include shows in NYcity or in NJ unless it is a frequent local player who has a rare gig in there somewhere.

   Among the shows of interest this week are the two by Pamela Betti and Blue Ruin.

   Ms. Diva, Pam Betti (and Dirty Love), made news recently with their parting of ways...much to my dismay. I was not alone in feeling the impact of that surprise. It seems the charismatic singer and her band were on different paths and the differences were too much to deal with.

   Ms. Pam Pam is with Blue Ruin currently and those guys can play. Most of the Blue Ruin guys are former Little Buster accompaniests and they make some cool blues of their own. That should be some fun stuff.

   As for the former Dirty Love boys they have a project of their own coming, Smoking Gun. More about them later.

   I also see Phil Varca is at Brickhouse tonight (Wed). He is making a comeback of sorts. Phil V plays some mean guitar.

   The weekend also includes the Kerry Kearney "Giving It Back to Fans and Friends" show at Vail Leavitt. I'm looking forward to that. It is a really nice gesture by KK after ten years together as a band.  I hear it is sold out (both shows).  Call Vail Leavitt for available space if you're interested. There could be something last minute.

   In the meantime let me know if I missed any local blues shows or anything else that may be of interest to the like-minded.

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

   After a weekend in the Lake George region (Thank you RayRay..and OO) I return in pain, refreshed in some ways and a bit bummed that I missed opportunities to see some more blues bands this past weekend, not to mention a local blues competition.

   I was overcome with nostalgia when I found there was a lake and a ski boat at the home we were invited to this weekend. There was a time when I was capably atheletic at a lot of things. Water skiiing was one of them.

   Life takes a toll, for sure. I found out this weekend how much. My efforts to just get up on the damn skiis were so exhausting that I had to surrender after a brief visit on top of the water and now I can barely walk. Every muscle with the exception of my fingers and hands is in panic mode and has gone into full revolt. Every muscle has me convinced that they have been neglected in recent years and this is their time to let me know...and they're pissed! It was a hard day of work today but luckily I could use my hands and they are what I have put my trust in however wayward that decision may have been a decade ago. Let that be a warning to all those with too much on their plate and any notions of how their body's may be sustaining the neglect. Your body will speak the truth.

    I not only go to shows as often as possible because I gain solace from the personal expression of blues artists but I also go as often as possible to look for new "voices" in order to find more angles of perception and humanity.

   There were a good number of good shows I missed this weekend and I was was bummed that I missed the blues competitions. I am not sorry I took the opportunity to take a weekend with my wife and child but it was a bit pricey in those terms.

   The winners of the local blues competitions this year are JP Blues in the band competition and Steve Robinson in the solo/duo artist competition. I wish I had been there. I did hear that there will be a show or two to raise funds for the bands though. They will be traveling to Memphis for the Interntional Blues Competition early next year. I'll keep you posted on the events.

  As usual I'll get the coming weekend calender to you tomorrow or so. Feel free to send me any gigs you know about (bill@billfoolery.com)and thanks for stopping by.

bill

  

  

   As I prepare to split for the weekend for a much needed getaway I realize I am missing a significant weekend.

   Last year around this time Sweet Suzi and the Blues Experience, Pam Betti and Dirty Love, Bennett Harris and others were having their competitions for the International Blues Competition/festival in Memphis. There were some great shows then as well.

   This weekend (last weekend was the competition for singles and duo artists) there is the show/competition at Buchmann's for bands and I'm bummed to be missing it. I planned my weekend months ago and had no idea. The bands in this years events are dynamite, as they were last year.

   I have seen most of them and I loved all the bands that I saw. It is a young and really talented bunch. I'm sure it will be a great day of music and I wish them all well.

   There are lots of great shows this weekend. There is never a good weekend to miss during the summer but...  IgottadowhatIgottado.

   Make sure you make an effort to get out, listen to some music, bring some friends, chill and do it often. There are some really talented people here on Lawngisland and they are here for us to enjoy. So do that! Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    Things been crazy in Bilf-land. As an example I went to a freaking Yankee game last night. Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about the damn Yanks but...it was a good one for a Met fan to be at. They got their butts beat bad. It was pretty good. I had to chuckle at the pain on the faces of the fans and the groans as hit after hit was slashed into the beautiful green grass of the soon-to-be extinct Yankeee Stadium outfield. Yankee fans just don't handle adversity well. They get all "historical" at times like that. The references to all their previous championships come up as if to soothe their wounds and mask the momentary mediocrity. It was a short bit of relief before what will probably be a glorious finish but I enjoyed the moment. It has been a while but I was shocked that two Fosters beers cost $24. I told the vendor that was crazy. He seemed to think that because the cans were the large Fosters cans that the price was actually pretty good. I had to think for a nano-second about that and I disagreed. Luckily the hot dogs were only, like, $9.50 for 2.  Geesh. I guess Giambi getting billions makes it worth paying that.

   Anyway, there are some cool shows in the coming days and the coming weekend. Unfortunately I will be away from Friday to Sunday. I'll miss some good stuff...including Josh's (Jacks O Diamonds) Birthday party on Friday at Brightwaters Inn. Gail Storm has a few shows. I wanted to check out one of hers and I think I'll miss all 3. Soul Be It is cool too.

   I need a vacation though. It will be my first escape from Long Island this summer unless you include the trip to the Bronx last night. That doesn't really count though because there, like here, I just kept hearing "Yankees this and Yankees that".

   I hope to see and hear a lot of familiar faces in the next few days. I'll try to squeeze as much in as I can. Music is my therapy...at least blues is.

Thanks again for stopping by.

bill

    I spend a lot of time, well recorded here, trying to get out for music, actually getting out for music and bitching about not getting out for more music. I do so both to exercise my ability to put things in words and, hopefully more worthwhile, to offer some help in getting pedestrian Long Islanders out and listening to live music, blues particularly.

   Last night I saw a few good options on the slate. By the way, with the help of a few good friends I take some pride in my "slate".  Most Tuesdays I start to put the coming weekend list together and I fine-tune it as the weekend approaches. Anyway, it took a little forcefullness to get myself to Bobbiques last night. Some friends were further west and might have been pursuaded to come out if I had stayed where I was...but, I have been wanting to hear more of Todd Wolfe since I had seen him/them at the Great South Bay Festival.  I made the trip alone.

   On his bio it says Todd Wolfe plays with Cheryl Crowe and and some others who are impressive. Tell you what, his guitar playing is impressive.

   I hear a lot of good guitar players. We happen to have a good number of them here on Long Island and I enjoy hearing most of them most of the time. 

     Wolfe was every bit as fun to listen to as I had hoped from the two songs I heard in July. Playing a cover last night (a Johnny Nash tune I think he said) Wolfe played some cool licks. When someone comes "off the page", so to speak, it is more fun and he does that. His interpretation of that which is "on the page" is also entertaining. It was all good. Not only does he play with agility but what he plays is interesting. Not at all obvious nor are his tunes. His voice is good too. He's a dynamite entertainer.

   I spoke with Eric of Bobbique's and he said Mr. Wolfe will be back on September 29 and again in Nov. I'll be sure to post that in advance and to see where else he can be found (locally) in the meantime. If you are a fan of guitar or just good blues/rock you will enjoy Todd Wolfe.

   Thanks for stopping by and have a nice Sunday.

bill

  

   One of the perks of being me is that I get to go to events with people other than the woman with whom I have vowed certain things. In short, it's cool with her because it has worked out as such and because I have made fairly good choices up to the present. One of Ms. Bilf's strengths may be that she can read some of these people better than I can.

   Last night I had the dubious pleasure of going to see Joe Walsh at Westbury, North Fork Theater with a friend who bought the tickets and invited me after she apparently came up empty with a prior invitee. This friend, let's call her Ms. Flowerdust, showed me how lost a person can be in their very own little space.  Medicating oneself is not for the untrained or for the faint of heart...nuff said.

      I enjoyed the one set of Joe Walsh and the rotating stage and the fact that I was able to sit alone and listen. I guess it was good that it was a short show. I sometimes wondered where Ms. Flowerdust was wandering to and who she was showing her amazing case of bewilderment to. I will be more careful that does not happen again and I will continue to be suspicious of who my Ms. lets me hang out with. 

   I will also be suspicious of high ticket prices and short shows (not to mention really expensive popcorn). The Westbury place was a nice venue to watch and listen though. Just be careful who you choose to enjoy music with and what you ingest.

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

    I'd play "Freedom" by Richie Havens but I played that one here fairly recently. The fact is I have a week of "no kid".  My vunderkid is away at camp for the week and it is heady having no responsibilities but work; okay I have to sleep and eat I guess but coffee is a remedy for both in a pinch.

   As I was driving home from my work day today I was considering the possibilities. It is Wednesday. My night out. The Ms. is working late and I'm going out.

   I could walk in, strip butt naked (scary, I know, but it's hot enough) and eat nothing but crap if I want. I could stop and look at cd's perhaps. I could go to a bar and watch the Mets with some company. I think I stink too much for that one.

   I could go out to eat anywhere that accepts a smelly, starving, slightly overexcited middleage guy. That's a bit limited come to think of it.

   The aspect that makes me feel so unburdened is that I can come home and think for myself. The ability to choose how I use my time when there is no one else to consider is rich. I have forgotten how liberating that is. I wonder what I would be doing with my life if I was still in that mode. I barely have time to even think about it much less live it but it is a lot to consider for the sake of "living each moment" as best I can. I try to do that. Every moment that has passed, whether good or bad, is done and I try to look forward. I try to see that which is in front of me and hear that which is audible now.

   I am now reminded that even with that effort I have considerations in mind. I have my child in mind, I have Ms. B in mind, I have work in mind and as I try to live the moment I only do so with part of my thought process.

   It is both fun and a bit of an education to have things changed up for a week. I look forward to hearing how my child's week went. She had so many concerns. I look forward to Ms. B getting through a tough week. She will be relieved by the weekend. I don't look forward to the week ending though. I have lots to do and learn with only a few days left. I think I'll continue to burn the candle as much as I can and see how it goes. There's lots of music out there and places to go. Cool.

   Thanks for stopping by. Let me know if I missed any gigs on my calender for the coming weekend or if anything has changed. See you out there somewhere.

bill

    With Ms. Bilf in a rare weekend mood we took in some Saturday night fare at the newly named Artana's in Wantagh. It is formerly the Classic Car Cafe.

It happens to be a good size room and a great location.(Sunrise Hwy, just west of 135). I hope they continue to book good stuff.

   Last night we were there to hear MISbHAVIN; Pat Hunter, Danny Kean, Donnie Celenza and a new drummer that was super duper.

   Pat H had all her glam going and her pipes were in good form. Donnie C and Danny K were in good form too and it was a fun night at a nice place. Too bad we couldn't hang for the end.

   Sundays sometimes bring early wake-ups and while I have no problem running on fumes the next day I understand that others do not enjoy that. Besides my next-day fumes are toxic enough to run most engines for quite some time.

   Get this blues fans...It seems Dirty Love and Pam Betti and parting ways. That's a little sad. They are all a nice bunch and I have enjoyed them (could you tell?). I am looking into the details as to how they will all emerge and I'll get back here with that as soon as I hear more. I wish them all well and I am sure they will all develop some good new stuff.

   Thanks for checking in and I'll be back soon.

bill

   I just had to post something after that little economic diatribe. Fact is, I have many thoughts on some really boring matters and I try to keep them to myself but sometimes the world just gets to be too much and my defenses get overwhelmed and the words come spewing out. Sometimes they make sense and sometimes it's all just, well, billfoolery.

   Thank God (capitalized? hmmm...thats a sign of a tough month) I found some "up" music last night as I was surfing some music sites. Remember you can sign on to iTunes here by clicking on the box. I use that and a few other sites to find new stuff.

   iTunes has Celebrity Playlists. Those are the favorite songs of people asked to list on the site. They have the lists of musicians, actors and other celebs. I find some interesting stuff on those. Check it out.

   I sometimes use "down blues" stuff to make me feel like I have company when I'm down and I sometimes listen to "up blues" to help me move on. The Ronnie Earl piece is makeing my foot tap and that ain't easy. It seemed  like a good tune to take me to the weekend.

   Enjoy some good stuff this weekend. Get out and feed your heart and soul with some blues and rock and roll. Okay?

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

  

   The Paul Simon song (Still Crazy) is so full of memories for me. 1976 was a good year in so many ways and a foreshadowing in other ways but thats another post.

   To maintain form here I will abstain from detailing too much of the "blue" in my life, either that which I live or that which I see. We all have it.

   I do like to share the general experience though. I feel it is common and many people live "blue" in their lives. I want to offer some expression of it so some people will have a place to come and feel like they are not unfortunate. They are just alive, living, here and exposed...some more than others. The degree of exposure says a lot about the experience too.

   Those who choose to live for something other than money have a real challenge surviving in this culture and they are important....at least as important as those who live for money and what it can buy. If it was all about money there would be little for money to buy that meant anything.

   There are some things that are wrong with the world. We can change some things but it takes time.

   The expense of living is too great and there are ways we can lessen that without giving up our "power" as country.
   We need to change law so people cannot sue for riches so easily. Insurance costs will go down a lot. Healthcare costs would go down a lot. Taxes could go down a lot as the need for service goes down for those who could then survive on less. 

   This is a funny place to introduce a discussion of economy but economy affects life in so many ways.

   Today I had a harrowing day...due to "economy". The system is punishing and it doesn't have to be. It beats people down.

   By the way, I don't see any political party as guilty. I see the culture as guilty.

   As far as politics, I suggest we elect fewer lawyers so the system can ease the litigious climate we have. We need to elect people who have had regular jobs and who understand a particular chain of production. Entry level jobs must mean something...for starters.

   Just some late night thoughts after a day when the world felt mean.

   If this is a place to hear a discussion of blues then sometimes it will be blue and then the healing of music can be appreciated.

   Thaks again for listening.