So it is a day to be grateful. I can do that. I can do that every day. I have to do that every day or the demons of life will take over.

   The voices that say I have to have this and have that will become too loud. The demons that say my life is too this or too that will settle in my kitchen and take over the conversations. The voices of anger and dissatisfaction in society and in the media threaten to darken my sky. The failures that occur, sometimes often, could easily bring me down. The pressures to pay debts when the means are diminished can be overwhelming.

   But I wake each day to a new set of opportunities which include the choice to smile, the choice to love, the choice to help my child grow and make good choices, the choice to create and search for truth. Each day includes the opportunity to find joy... even as I toil to whittle away at my challenges.

   At the end of the day I will have done all I could do. If I didn't solve all my challenges at least I had another day. Mostly, I chose happiness. I chose to shed positive light. Nothing has to change that.

   My thanks are for the choices we have and that's not something that can ever be taken away. It's also nice to have people sharing their selves both personally and in music. For me music is the manifestation of that reverberation of people shedding their light. It is a medium of that which motivates me.  It keeps me warm.

   Thanks for stopping by on Thanksgiving.

   Holy crap, who else is getting broker by the day? The economic situation is quite a downer. Being a cabinet maker by day I rely on the home improvement market for my modest existence. I just get-by in order to work at home so I can raise my vunderchild. It has been a squeaker for ten years now but this is more than a squeak. It is coming to a grinding halt.

   This is a time for BLUES!!!  Not kidding. Even more that usual I need to get out and escape from the crap that haunts me during the day. It doesn't have to be sad music; just something real and creative. I can't do anything about my ugly situation at night except go to bed early and toss and turn like I have itchy shorts. While that can be somewhat entertaining I'd rather be taking in some expressive music somewhere and not thinking about the bills stacking up or the cost of fuel oil or taxes or some other "mandatory" expense. Yikes.  I often fantasize about how it might be to live somewhere else where the cost is not so high and the weather not so cold. I think about a quiet coastal town in Florida or maybe a quiet mountain town in California. 

   I would consider discussing the issue of the economy and politics at length with an essay piece but the contentiousness of politics prohibits me from taking on some subjects. I have a small, loyal and precious following and I don't want to jeopardize losing anyone for politics. There are two party's, we need them both, both party's have good people,both have jerks and it works to have the party's take turns in the executive office as different needs get addressed with each administration. That's all I am going to say about that right now. I assume we will get out of this downturn and I'm hanging on for dear life. In the meantime lets' keep the music going.

   I might as well mention now that there are some more jams going and coming. Pam Betti and Jim Moran have started up again at the Old Buchmann's Grill in Smithtown, now called Overtime Sports Bar (Terry Rd. south of 347) on Wednesday nights and on the other side of the ledger, the Brightwaters Inn has pulled the plug on the Wednesday night jam w/ Blue Matter. There will be one more big show this coming Wed. on Thansgiving eve!!

    It wasn't for a lack of interested people. The jam had good nights and slow nights but it came and went and it was a living breathing jam. I have seen a lot of open mic's and jams and this was not a bad one. Many owners see it as a black and red issue at the end of the night and that might make them better bar owners. I'm not sure. If a jam breaks even, and even if it costs a little a few periods during the year, it generates a weekend following and a venue for music and when they do try to promote an event they have a built-in group of patrons and loyal music lovers. Can't they consider the jam night a "loss leader" if it is an occasional loser?

   I'll be looking for another local joint for Wednesday nights or I may consider another night but it was nice having something local when I can't or don't have time for a drive. Any suggestions for the Bay Shore area?

   This past weekend was not a bad one by the way. Friday night I stopped in real quick to hear some Sweaty Betty at Sports Page Bar in Lindenhurst. I was with some pals and we were heading west but this was a new venue for me and I wanted to make sure Ms. Betty wasn't upset with me for getting all fetish in my post about her Halloween costume of sweat sox and pumps. All was well and they had a nice little gathering as usual. 

   After that I finally caught the Lonesharks at Giacomo Jacks. They were a fun bunch and they had a nice crowd; good demographics too. The group was an attractive collection of 30 to 55 types and they were all having fun. Lone sharks have a good, upbeat blues repetoire with a guitar lead and they had a good sax player guest appearing. I recognized the gentleman but no one near me could give me a name. Sorry about that.

   Saturday night I had to catch the Tim Smith Band at Brightwaters Inn. It was close and Tim Smith was playing with Jim Moran and Ed the Hat. It was a journeyman's band and they ended up having some good guests. Pete Antonio on keys and vocals tackled some Beatles tunes with aplomb (and some good vocals), Jim Kolman stepped up and ripped a few, Mr. Hat stood up and crooned to a few nice tunes and Wally the bartender/harpman was a great fit on bluecolla blues night. It wasn't packed but a good crowd stayed for a late night.

   So a short week approaches and it's a hoiliday. Enjoy some music and enjoy the holiday.

   Thanks for hangin.

bill

    The second fundraiser for the winners of the Long Island IBC (Int.'l Blues Comp.) was held last Sunday. The event was held at McGuire's Comedy Club in Bohemia and the bill included JP Blues, Tommy Keys, Pamela Betti Band and Motu (with his Roadhouse Jesters). Motu won the solo competition and will be headed down to Memphis, TN in February to compete with the rest of the winners in the US along with Sweet Suzi and her Band who won the band competition and who had a fine fundraiser a few weeks ago at Brightwaters Inn.

   I arrived about halfway into the event and unfortunately I missed JP Blues and Tommy Keys. I was looking forward to an afternoon of musical variety ...especially since I don't get out on a Sunday very often. Well at least I got to hear some Pam Betti Band and some Motu and Co.

   Ms. "Divaliscous" was looking svelte and sultry. She's been a busy lady and with a weary voice she offered a breathy performance. She with Jim Kolman on axe, Sly Geralds (bass), Tom Foschino (sitting in on drums...and damn nice of him) and Frank Cintron on keys was a good show and with her ballsy sense of humor she had me laughing.

   Motu was up next and he started with a few solo numbers which had some Roots blues flavor in fact one number was a Robert Johnson piece. Motu has the sound of southern blues in his gut. He carries it well and has great tools including vocals. After just a few numbers Rich (Motu)(guitar) brought up the band; George Gashonia (also guitar), Dee Chetta (vocals), Carl Olsen(bass) and Ed Modzel (drums). They played a few numbers including some blues standards. They were a nice show too and I'd like to catch the whole act again.

   Motu has some unique and solid sounds. It's a nice flavor to have in the local mix and I wish him well down in Memphis.

   It was an somewhat short day for one of those events, since I go there late, but it was nice to be with some blues folks and to be supporting the cause.

   I look forward to another week of music. The dire economic times are threatening and I need to feel the spirituality that music describes and the company of those occupying those places. It helps me cope with the cold and calculating elements that haunt much of the world. Not so much the world of ideas and thought but the world of commerce and all that is "commercialism" which is daunting and depleting.

   Thank God for the alternatives, and thanks for reading my... foolishness.

bill

   Weekends I'm just out there looking for a place to sit and take in something soulful. I am aware of many shows and most are interesting for various reasons and I try to get to as many as possible.

   These are trying times though...in case you hadn't noticed. Finances, already an issue in my challenging life, are presenting larger issues lately and pressure is mounting. Those issues affect everything from the ability to afford leisure to the ability to think clearly during the normal course of living. My way of coping with all this is by working more, writing and listening to music more and by taking advantage of my available night time and sharing some time with live performers. Often they reach the zone of soulful expression. Even when they don't there are moments of artful expression and just plain good music. I live for the highs of the emotional moments though. I try to go to the events that offer the best chances of those...given all the other factors like time and place of the events.

   This weekend there was/is a good roster of events. Friday, I had to stop and see a friend who was playing with Pam Betti and that was on the way to another event that I thought I would try...a new collaboration with Josh Allen and Ralph Santiago and friends at Cafe Oasis.

   I stopped in at Pam Betti Band who were at Big Daddy's in Massapequa and there was a nice crowd there. The Pam Betti Band was Jim Kolman on axe, Sly Geralds on bassand Derek Hensley on drums with the dynamic diva Pam Betti...a nice versatile cast. I caught the second set and it was eclectic to say the least. I heard some disco with some blues and some other pop stuff. There were happy patrons as PB engages most in one way or another...but I had to move on.

   I arrived at Cafe Oasis, at the Baldwin train station, around midnight and it is the first time I was there for a show other than the Sunday night jam. The band was Bluesball, a new collaboration with Josh Allen, Ralph Santiago, Johnny Pizza on bass and they were entertaining an appreciative local crowd with more rock than blues but some tasty stuff including Hendrix which Allen does well. Santiago was holding a show of his own with a few drum solo's and the Santiago fan club was forming there apparently. RS didn't disappoint and emoted with some rare over the top rock-n-roll fervor as he threw down some furious stick-lics to punctuate some nice gritty RnR.

   Saturday was more or less a rain-out for me. I had a window of opportunity at around midnight and was headed out to Giacomo's for O'Zone but as I walked out the door it was pouring rain. I decided to give myself one more night to expel the cold virus I had been battling so I backed off.. a rare thing for me. As hard as I resist I must be aging. Damn.

   Today, Sunday, there are some good ones. Check the calendar and get your hard working asses out for some RnR.

    Thanks for checking in.

bill

   It's one of those days; grey sky, low energy, so much to solve and too few answers. I find it better to just slow down, find something easy to listen to and get through the day...a task at a time.

   As the weekend approaches I look forward and try to plan what I would like to see as far as entertainment goes. There is the send-off for Motu on Sunday which is a given for me at least in part. There is a show tonight, Thursday at Stingers, the old Sonny's in Seaford. I'd like to check that out and then there are lots of good shows this weekend. I have no idea what night I might get out but either one looks good this weekend.

   I thought I should also mention that I had announced here a few times that I was planning a bus trip to Memphis in February for the Blues Competition. I have since found out that the trip is closer to 19 hours rather than the 10 or 11 I had thought. The travel time prohibits me from making that trip because I have limited time. I will be looking into a plane trip and I will be happy to share my information with anyone that is considering going.

   As for the coming days check out the calendar and find something interesting and check it out with a friend or two. In these trying times it is theraputic to escape with something soulful and there is a lot out there.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

 

    There has been a discussion going on recently among my little world of acquaintances about the viability for venues and the like of hosting blues and live music. It is not easy ringing up sufficient dollars to pay the cast and if they are any good they need to be paid. Some simple suggestions are for the band to collect a cover by themselves, however small, and for the band to advertise by themselves. It helps if the venue advertises. It helps if either party sends notices to calendar sites (a'hem). I do not consider it my mandate to solve this issue (I am not a commercially driven presence at this point. I am inspirationally driven) but it behooves me to do so. If I am going to satisfy my needs I should help music survive and thrive. I will keep doing my part and hopefully more as my blog grows and I learn more about the dynamics and the possibilities.

  In the meantime if one looks in the nooks and crannies of the suburban landscape one will find gems of musical performance on most given nights. They are out there. I know because I look hard for them them and I had some luck this weekend.

   Friday night I visited Big Daddy's in Massapequa for The John Judd Band. John Judd jams on Thursday nights at ET Quiggs in Bellmore. I've heard him there and he's a rare talent on guitar. JJ does not gig that often so when he does I make a mental note and try to get there. This time I was able.

   The band consists of Ralph Santiago on drums, Nick Pinto on bass and John Pizza on guitar and vocals...with JJ on lead axe.

   Judd on guitar makes magic as his music wafes off his instrument like a plume of incense smoke, twising about itself making textured and faceted sounds and clever riffs...and coming from an unlikely and stoic source. His band is a nicely melodic complement with able support including Santiago beats and Pizza vocals. There was also a Jim Kolman cameo and a nice one making for magic in stereo.They are a nice little show but not around all that often.

   Saturday was supposed to be a stay-at-home night until I got a call from some friends directing me to Sparky's for Seth Okrend and Co. Mr. Okrend is a NYC player making some appearances out here on the Island of Lawng. He dabbles in blues, fusion, jazz, rock and anything else you could want.

   It was a short night as we got there late but it was worth the trip. Okrend is a real pro and busy player in Manhattan and he deftly served up some classic blues and some rock tunes with some jazzy seasoning and a good cast. A player like Okrend raises the question again about how to support good talent out here. He and his band come from west and the city and have to make a living. This ain't pop music and they aren't big name acts...yet. Sparky's was not packed but all those there appreciated the talent and enjoyed the show.

   So keep spreading the news and the blues, there's quality stuff almost every night. And thanks again for checking in.

bill

 

  

  As the weekend approaches I am looking forward to some good shows. But before I go there I'd like to offer well wishes to a friend, local artist and tireless enthusiast of playing the drums and patronizing blues.

   Bill Post is a guy I run into a lot. He is always out at jams with sticks, always pleasant, always a pal and he is a fine player and friend. I just heard that Bill has just had bypass surgery...a triple bypass I think. I heard he is doing okay and I'm grateful. He's not much older than I and it was shocking to hear that such a young man (okay, 50-something) had such a serious condition. In case you know Bill. he is at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola. He had the procedure Tuesday. I hope he is back out and banging the skins soon. He's a good man.

   As for us, it is the weekend and there is a full slate of blues and other assorted good stuff. There is a guitar player named John Judd and he plays the crap out of a guitar. You can hear JJ jam on Thursday nights at ET Quiggs in Bellmore or you can hear him tonight, Friday, at Big Daddy's in Massapequa.

   There are lots of other good ones; Sly Geralds at Giacomo Jacks, Wonderous Stories @ Mirelle's, T-Bone & Franny, Little Cliff, Gail Storm...so many more good ones and that's just Friday. Check the schedule and go get some blues.

   Thanks for checking in and I'll get back with some juicy juice from the weekend...I hope to see ya'll out there.

bill

    After the perfunctory Halloween activities with the fam and friends I actually had some time to go out for some blues exploration. It was late but that’s pretty typical for me.

    I headed west from Bay Shore after 11 in the general direction of Western Nassau and I made some calls along the way to find some posse.  I saw, again, that the SS Pkwy was closed at a few key exits so my plans needed some adjustment. At that hour I decided to head back in the direction of home because it was almost midnight and I had not even started anywhere. It happens that Sweaty Betty was belting out some blues and stuff at Brightwaters Inn.  I had few options at that hour as the night was fleeting. The few shows I was curious to see were too far for the hour and the highway construction effectively ended the more ambitious ideas. 

   I got to the ole BI and the crowd had dwindled a little. Thank god. When I first passed the place it was a zoo. I don’t like zoos even on Halloween. Finally, after midnight, it was do-able. Wally and Cynthia were Fred and Wilma Rubble for Halloween. Good ones. Wally is so Fred it is possibly a new nickname.

    I caught a good length set of music. “Betty” was doing some pop stuff for the last few songs but her encore was Blue Bayou.  It was a stretch apparently because she mouthed to her wingman something about... did he want to kill her?  I liked that she was at the limits of her range and she was still on key. It was a moment of vulnerability that I haven’t seen a lot from Ms. Betty. She is usually so well rehearsed. Perhaps her recent jamming gave her some sense of daring.  It could also have been that she was playing with a new guitar-man. McCardle (Betty) was dressed as a referee for the occasion and by this time (end of night) she was standing there in her high calf sports sox with her pumps.  Pumps happen to show up on my fetish radar (and the sports sox may have created a whole new category) so the visuals created a whole new Halloween flavor;  a mini Fetish moment.  The usually well choreographed button-esque Sweaty Betty coaxing her ample vocal chops while in her mini referee shorts with sport sox, pumps and a nice Halloween glow to the tune Blue Bayou. It was a memorable Halloween snapshot moment. Did you get that pic, Fred? 

   Saturday night I got lucky and scored a second night out. I took the spur-of-the-moment occasion to check out Andy Aledort who was playing at The Viking for one of his rare Long Island appearances... I just happen to live near Islip.  

   I got a good fix of my fave; blues rock. Aledort is a master in the guitar genre and it is sort of special to have the time to hang out for one his shows. His crew is always good too. Last night DiMeo was typically good both vocally and on keys and drummer, Rich Roache, was also pretty cool. As usual they played all night and I got my fill. Aledort makes magically good riffs of Hendrix tunes and The Groove Kings played one or two of their own numbers. That was interesting.  

   It ended up being an interesting weekend. The music is rich in these parts and just when you're running out of inspiration some new or really good stuff pops up. Thanks all you musical types…for the great tunes and artistry. Thanks also to all you fans of the musical types for stopping by.

bill