As you know the routines of life in suburbia can be mind-numbing. I am constantly challenged by the onset of mental numbness. I can almost hear the responses from the people that know me but I am referring to the kind of numbness that aflicts people during the day, during the week, during the moments when the burden gets great and the problems feel overwhelming. The grind can sap our energy and beat us down. The high cost of living on this Island of Long makes the grind that much harder.

   Hence I created this blog not only for my own escape but for yours. I want to see people out there damnit! I don't go through all this information gathering and babysitter begging for just my own amusement...okay I do but it is intended to get some of you off your asses too.

   Yes, I mean during the week  too. So what if you have to get up one day with some fatigue. That is what coffee is for and the lift you get from taking in some live music and rubbing elbows with some new people is worth it.

   So start tonight with a jam near you. See the schedule here on the home page and I'll see you out there. Lefty's is always a good bet but try them all and find your own favorite.

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

    There was a good spread of entertainment last night from E. Rockaway to Patchogue...and beyond. But after an eventful holiday weekend I was feeling limited in my traveling ambitions. Luckily there was The Hitman at Lefty's. You have to be grateful that there is a good variety on most weekend nights, and days.

   The Hitman, Russell Alexander, with Mike Porter on bass and Mike Scalzo on drums put together some good sets last night. Alexander does both a blues show and rock show. Last night was more the rock show but, by request, he played a few originals that provided some blues moments for me. I'm grateful. I know bands do not always welcome requests when they are doing paying gigs. I think Mrs. Hitman opened the door though. I guess I should thank Joanne. The original, "Mean Mistreater" was a good number. It kept the eclectic crowd nourished with a multi-genre array of music.

   The bulk of the show was rock standards, albeit well done. Alexander has some vocal skills as well as some guitar chops.

   Lefty's was fairly full and it was a festive Saturday night. With the fire-pits outside it was even bustling in the back. The outside area is a nice feature that can be utilized even on cold autumn nights.

   As for autumn days there is a good show going on today, Sunday. Check the calendar for details about the benefit show at Buchmann.s in Smithtown. Sweet Suzi & the Blues Experience, Sly Geralds Band and more are included in a good cast for a good cause. The afternoon shows are a good time with good energy.

   Thanks for checking in and please come back to reference my calendar which I update on Tuesdays usually. Feel free to send me show information too. (bill@Billfoolery.com). I welcome all the help I can get in compiling a complete schedule. Enjoy your Sunday.

bill

   First of all thanks to the looong list of musicians who played at ET Quiggs last night (Wednesday night) at John Judd's jam!

   There were many noteworthy performances. I could try to list them all but I have to help with some cooking today. I'm not sure I have time for both. Let's see; there was Josh Allen and a few guys doing a nice job on Hey Joe, there was Joe Bivona with some nice licks, there was Jay Sharkey with some nice vocals and drums, there was Ralphie Santiago as the benevolent host, Kolman, of course, letting his guitar do some talking, Johnny Kola, Anthony Steele, Bill Post, Derek Hensley, Lester on bass, I heard the name Clutch Reilly, Hector Tomes. "Scott" played some drums, Mark Matusek, Tony Saliba rocked. "Batman" Rhulman jumped in on bass as did Frank Minolfo. Bruce Dickson also on drums as well as John Warburton.  Brother Dave found a groove or two on guitar, Durand Daniels added some groove. Killer Joe played some really good harp, Gio Blaise had some cool moments. John Judd played and played and I am thankful for that. I always want to hear more of Judd's guitar. The man uses his creative genes well. I will come back later and add any names I may have forgotten and if I do forget it is because (well the 80's are partly responsible) the jam was just wrapping up when I left at 3:30 or something crazy like that. It was a monster jam as a matter of fact and I needed it.

   I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the Long Island musicians who work at their art for the enjoyment of all us work driven, family raising, relationship grinding, soul searching suburbanites. I can honestly say I could not have handled life in the last ten years if not for the solace I have found in music and in your music. I hear your voices (whether instrumental or vocal) and I enjoy the company you provide through your personal expression. This may sound "60's" but I feel the "collective soul" through music and it makes me feel one with you all and the universe. Thanks for that!

bill

   Saturday night in Farmingdale was a regular party. Thanks to T-Bone & Franny Mae...and Co.

   My first visit to Terry G's; a restaurant on Main Street across from Crazy Donkey, and it was a good room for some blues. The set-up was in the front part of the place where there is a big round bar with a fun barmaid (Melody)and just enough room to hold a blues party.

   I got there before the second set and Franny baby was all rosy-cheeked. I figured it was a good first set. T-Bone confirmed. They also pointed out that they had some guests and in fact, the latter two sets rocked pretty good with special guests Howie Haber on guitar, Junior Davis on harp and Roast Beef Joe on keys. 

   Franny had her usual chops and T-Bone and the boys all sounded good and were having fun. The full room of people were all having fun. Especially entertaining was T-Bone's original "Hey Ho, You Gotta Go". Great lyrics and a jumpin beat.

  The last set ended around...um, late. I tried to coax some people afterwards for some juke box action but it was not to be. Ms. McHottie behind the bar was making a show of clean-up and just gave me the ole "eh-eh" when I gave her my best thirsty look. At that point it was hard to fake thirsty.

   With the short week coming up and more opportunities for big-time shows I will try to post soon for the coming days.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

   As Wednesday night jams go this week at Lefty's was a damn good one.      

   The last few weeks were a bit quiet but the music has been good. Blue Matter with Art Panico, RayWade and Ralphie Santiago always manage to put together some good stuff with whomever shows up on a Wed. and there are always a few good guests if not a packed house of listeners.                   

     We Wednesday night blues jam fans were treated to some John Judd guitar stylings last night. Other guests included Jim "Josey Wales" Coleman, Tim, Alex and Rich on bass and Derek Hensley on drums.

   Judd, who co-hosts the Thursday night jam at ET Quiggs, lays down some creative licks. He never disappoints. Especially with the capable cast of Coleman, Panico and Wade there were some inspiring moments at the local jam. Judd has some rare talent. His licks get creative even on rock standards when the song can sound the same again and again. Refreshing to hear him play with it. Check Judd and others out at Quiggs. In fact next Wednesday night instead of a Lefty's jam there will be a Wed. at ET Quiggs and I imagine some of the Blue Matter boys will be there for a pre-turkey blues jam fusion. Bring some holiday cheer and get down with some guitar mania.

   Some other notes; the Blues Box jam at Oystermans is no more. It seems the venue has new plans for the holidays and after. Look for Blues Box jam at a new location soon. I'll keep you posted.

   I also heard Val, the bass player and former Little Buster Band member  is recovering from a stroke and showing progress. Say some prayers for the lovely man and let's hope he recovers fully so he can enjoy more time as a player.

   Thanks for checking in and please continue to keep me posted on gig information. I try to be current and relevant with the calendar at least.

bill

   The Viking in Islip isn't a fancy place, in fact it is known as much for darts as it is for blues but management at The Viking knows music apparently. They host shows on most Saturday nights and it is a roster of 5 or 6 bands that they rotate. Dare Ya Band, Urge...I've seen Breakaway there.

   Last night I got there soon after the 10:30 start for Andy Aledort and The Groove Kings. The place started out less than packed but by the end of the first set there was a full house and most stayed to the end of the second set and a good crowd even stayed to the end of the 3rd set around 2:45 in the am. It was a great show.

   Aledort and the Groove Kings are all accomplished artists. Lead players, Aledort on guitar and DeMeo on keys both wow me with every song. The set lists last night were largely Hendrix which is fine with me. All are done as well as I could ever expect from anyone other than the originals. I rarely hear people cover Hendrix other than Hey Joe and The Wind Cries Mary. They covered those as well as five or six others. The crowd was appreciative of every song.

   There were a few cameos, one was a really good vocalist. He goes by Todd B. He was young with long blond hair and a a beard...sort of a ZZ Top looking guy and he had some chops. There was a really good harp player (name will follow as soon as I can get it) and De Meo on keys and vocals is pretty amazing.

   Catch these guys whenever you can. It is amazing to hear this stuff at a little place in Islip. Thanks Viking!

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

     There's plenty of blues and live music to choose from this weekend featuring a good line-up catering to all tastes.

   Saturday's shows include Kerry Kearney at Port Jazz, a good venue and a great band. Andy Aledort is back in town for a show at The Viking in Islip. Thats a nice little place to see a big-time blues/rock guitar player.

   Pamela Betti and Blue Ruin are at Paula Jeans in Setauket. If you've never seen a show there, nows the time. The cajun cuisine is excellent and PB & BR are a great show...always!

  MISbHAVIN is at The Breakers in Bayville. Also a chance to see a really good band (R&B) in a cozy enviornment.

   If you like the quieter, acoustic enviornment Breakaway has a toned-down show at RS Jones in Merrick. That's another place for really good eats with good music.

   Sunday has some really good shows too. The Celenza boys are hosting a big show in W Hempstead with Kerry Kearney, Cloud Williams and plenty of other local guitar aces.

   Last but not least there is the Fundraiser for the Troops at Craigs Signal 8 Saloon in Copaigue with Sweet Suzi, Pamela Betti and The Gary Sellers Band. Good timing too, the day before Veterans Day. Thats a great line-up and a great cause. Those are three really talented players in one place.

   Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the weekend.

bill

   Just so my readers know the premise here, it's all about finding some good live music here in Nassau/ Suffolk. It's also about the issues that prevent that from happening and because there are so many of those issues the times we get to indulge ourselves are valuable, even necessary.

   While I consider myself a positive person, sometimes to a fault, I end up spending considerable time here discussing the obstacles; the work demands, the child-care demands, the financial constraints, the spousal demands (even my situation has some), the logistical conflicts and the internal bodily damage from frequenting nightclubs and places of artistic expression.

    Yes, the organs. Those fleshy, frail, blobs of pumping veiny goo that we carry everywhere with us in our gut and,seemingly, do little more than add weight to our gait. They prod us now and then to pay attention to them or they will do something nasty like send blood somewhere it shouldn't go or cut off air when we need it most. I think they conspire together to dictate to us how we should behave...like they own us.

   I'm not even sure the brain is the boss. I suspect it is the liver. Just a hunch; a gut feeling. It lays low, rarely speaks but it has ways of controlling us and I am sure it has a nasty demeanor. Ever notice how bitter liver tastes. Nuff said. It is evil.

   Anyway, we need to fight on and make sure we go out for our entertainment and artistic sustenance. It is a matter of life and death. This is a health issue and we need to be aware of that.

   There are a good number of entertainment options for you this weekend. Get some medicinal nutrients of the aural variety. Go, relax, enjoy. It's good for you.

dr. bill

   A Monday night jam and it rocked.

   I was just lucky to be out on a Monday. I would have been happy with a couple of guitars and a drum... and a few drinks. I was lucky enough to catch The Hitman, Russell Alexander, with a good cast; Mike Porter on bass, Ed the Hat on drums (and vocals, no less), Derek Hensley on some drums, Alex Herman on some bass and some special guests, Mary Lamont and Jim Marchese! There were free chicken wings too! Can you believe such a bounty on a Monday night?! It was The Last Call in Farmingdale. That happens to be a good location for a jam. Right at the corner of Conklin and Main and the room had plenty of space for players and patrons.

   Catching Ms. Lamont (with Marchese on guitar) was quite a bonus for me. I have been posting her gigs here for months and I have missed her on the few occasions I targeted her show for an evening due to various happenstances. Last night I only caught one song but it was good, a country-folk-rock number. I wanted more and Marchese's guitar was good too.

   It was a good jam especially for a Monday. Check it out!

   I also wanted to mention the new Wed. night jam at Oysterman's in Sayville. I hear there has been some good turnout and I will be sticking my shiny head in there one of these Wednesdays. Joseph w/ Blues Box hosts and there are some good players.

   I am posting the new weekly schedule. If I miss anything please feel free to let me know and if anything changes let me know...and if I get something wrong, well, let me know. I appreciate it.

bill

   

    I heard today from Artmuse Records and they have just returned to Calif. from their cross country jam expedition.

   A new months ago they were at Lefty's to record (audio and video) the Wednesday night jam with Blue Matter and all the people that came to jam. It was a good turn-out with Sweet Suzi, Killer Joe, Blue Matter, many more. The folks at Artmuse said they will be airing their various tour stops in sequence.

   The site for viewing is: Youtube.com/ArtmuseRecords. The Lefty's footage is scheduled to appear between Nov. 26 and Dec. 9. I will try to keep you posted as it approaches. I look forward to that.

   I also heard that there is a piece on Sue Foschino that is on the Blues Rocks the World internet magazine. Sue has put together a really nice portfolio of work and it is always nice to get some recognition. I am posting the article on my News Page. See the Pages menu right above the calender section (above) and check out the array of pages. I try to add stuff one one page or another every week. Thanks for peeking in on some of it on occasion.

   Thanks also for checking out da blog. Have fun out there.

bill

   I was looking forward to the show today, Sunday, at Bobbique's. Not only was Mr. Sam Taylor on tap but there was a fun line-up of talented local artists who were all there to support and pay tribute to The Bluzman.

   I was not diasppointed except that I was not able to catch all the acts and that I was not able to catch more shows over the weekend.

   I heard a few tunes from a lot of people; Suzi Smith, Pat Hunter, Pam Betti, Donnie Celenza, Danny Keane,  Jim Moran, JP Blues, Gary Sellers, Frank Latorre...many more. They were all good today. Suzi Smith is in such good form. Pam B and Pat H were also glam'd and gutsy; very entertaining. Danny Keane is a captivating talent on keys and vox. Donnie C and Gary Sellers were both really "live" and soulful on guitars as was Jim Moran who offers a different sound, more machine gun. JP had his mojo going...damn good for such young guy. Frank Latorre always surprises with some grit and soul both vox and harp.

   There was even more. It was a lot of show for the price of admission and a lot of fun being with the personalities. There's a fun bunch of performers here on Long Island. Go, hear, see, enjoy.

   It is always a different feel being at a daytime show. The blues in my life have been piling up lately. I was looking forward to finding a little spot and just being with the music...enjoying the various vibes. That was not to be though. It was a packed house and maintaining a piece of bar-room real estate was difficult.

   I resorted to donning my RayBans as a way to sort of make some inner-space for myself and that worked to a degree. The daytime crowd and the light of day conspire to bring my thoughts to "daytime" issues and I didn't want to be "there" today. I use the covers of night to help carry me away. Magic carpets fly better in the cooler, tranquil, aramotic nighttime air.

   The show worked though because the talent was so good, the cause worthy and the intentions good.

   Come back often and check my calender and go out to a show...just a recommendation.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

  

   The best thing anyone can do for themselves is go out often and meet more people, often.

   It never hurts to know more people. We always need resources even if that just means someone to talk to, someone to listen to us, someone to look at so we can gain broader perspective, someone to pity so we can be appreciative of our own, someone to admire so we can push harder toward our dreams, someone to stimulate us so we can...well, feel more, someone to scare us so we will prepare more. It all helps and if we don't get our ample asses out of our numerous comfort zones we will develop simplistic ideas and shallow observations.

   A similar dynamic pertains to my musical experience. When I just bought  commercial CD's from what I heard on commercial radio oulets I had narrow ranges of interest; limited ranges of sounds.

   When I go out and listen to so many local performers I am not only hearing more sounds but I am hearing how they develop and I am learning to hear the voices behind the instruments and not just the sounds. It helps to see the peformer, know the song, know the story of the performer, like the performer. Often I don't know the performer and I am a bit more critical and not always as open-minded.

   I was recently discussing with someone my interests and my ability to get out for music and how I find time and how I make time. I discussed how I have so many issues and how hard it is to get out and how expensive it is to live here on Long Island , blah blah, blah. Because of all that angst I went out more to find some joy and I found some joy and I met a lot of people that do the same thing...as well as all kinds of other people.

   It became clear that I am pretty lucky. All this time I thought I had a lot of misfortune but I have a lot of "resource" and I have means of coping and thats all anyone can ask for.

   The old silver lining cliche proves true.

   Okay, this wasn't a funny post but I'm just here to keep a log. Hopefully the suburbanites of Long Island who read this will relate to some observations and come out and seek some fulfillment and take in some live music. The more the merrier.

   Get out and find some joy. This weekend! Ya hear?

bill