I've been so damn busy I haven't had time to post about all the fun and blues I've been having. That's a good thing though. With the stalled economy I am lucky to have work as a self-employed cabinetmaker. I'm grateful for all the good people who have been calling me for work.

   As for the music, I not only attended the Brother Dave & The Brave show at Brightwaters Inn last week I helped book it. I learned a few things about booking music though. It takes a lot of promotion to get a few people and the word "blues" does not excite a lot of people...if they only knew. I happen to think blues is inspiring. It is a message that speaks to and nurtures the soul. I feel that Brother Dave & the Brave are a rich source of that soulful sound. Mix in Chrissie O'Dell and it's blues with a beautiful melody.

   I may be swayed by the fact that Dave includes some soulful Hendrix tunes. I was introduced to blues by the Hendrix cd by the name "Blues". Saturday night he did a Red House cover that was "straight from the woodshed" as he calls it. It was a simple, vocal and guitar rendition without distortion but with nice guitar licks and gritty vocals. I don't hear that often.

   Chrissie just stands there and deals rich vocals, one tune after another without busting any veins and without putting anyone to sleep. It's blues storytelling at its prettiest. I enjoyed that show immensly.

   There were not a lot of people there however. I tried targeting the local Brightwaters folks to get them out of their living rooms for a local show of something rich and genuine. I see I will have to work harder at that ...or find a more fitting venue. I like Brightwaters Inn though. It is a good size room with a good feel and it's in the middle of Bay Shore, a big town. We'll have to see about that.

   Wednesday night I tried the same routine as the previous few Wednesday nights. I started at Big Daddy's in Massapequa for the John Judd/Ralph Santiago jam and I was treated again to Chrispy Chicken (Chris Laybourne) on sax. Mr. C and John Judd were stupid-good as they segwayed to and from some of the most incongruous of tunes including Pink Floyd and the Beatles and I think I heard Dixie. Each player took their own creative detours to just some amazing places. It was jazz-infused blues and rock in paisley pajamas. Ok, the pj's were something that happened in my own little head but they happened.

   That jam ends at 11:30ish which is perfect for a wandering fool like myself. Massapequa is well situated for more, later happening events. I decided to  head back to Lefty's for Papa G and Co. I usually find more of that "different" stuff over there. The Big Daddy jam put me in a jazzy mood. Well Lefty's was unusually quiet by then on this particular Wed.  Lately it is a good next stop. I still got to hear some good stuff with Papa G, Henning Stumm and Tim Dorsey so it was no loss. Jams are fickle things which is why we all have to patronize them often. One never knows what might happen at a jam and if they were not there then nothing would happen. That make sense?

   Well, I may get a Thursday night of music this week so I will be out looking for some more magic. Thanks for checking in. I will get back soon to share what I find.  Enjoy your weekend and keep sending me your events.

bill

 

  

   I hope you all are enjoying the amazing weather today, Saturday.  Days like this are a rare thing of beauty in these parts so soak it up by day and take in some live music by night.

  Last night I had some time for a show so I headed to Giacomo Jacks in Amityville for SmokinGun Band. It's sort of a comfortable arrangement with a good ole' blues joint and a good ole' band.

   SmokinGun has the familiar players; Bill Marino on guitar, Rich Theil on bass, Jeannie B on vocals, Jay Fields on drums and last night they had Pete Antonio on keys. There was also Roast Beef Joe sitting in on keys for a few tunes and they all made for a very entertaining couple of sets. Jeannie B has quickly become a nice vocalist. She nailed a few tunes last night prompting some nice comments from an appreciative crowd and Marino adds a whole lot of mojo. Theil and co. bring a great vive too. It's a fun show. Check them out and check out Giacomo's. They keep it casual and fun and have good music every weekend.

   Tonight, Saturday, offers some good stuff as well. There's Brother Dave and the Brave w/ Chrissie O'Dell at Brightwaters Inn. That's another tasty collaboration in a comfortable setting. BD&B are distinctively blues with some country influence as opposed to the more popular rock/blues stuff but Dave has a good repetoire and he tells a good story instrumentally along with some good vocals. Ms. O'Dell is a special treat vocally. She is refreshingly talented yet unassuming and she brings a genuine blues attitude. The band will grab you with some real-deal guitar and vocal blues magic.

   There is also the amazing John Judd and the Wall St. Jumpers. (great name). Judd is another must-hear for his guitar prowess and creativity. They will be at ET Quiggs in Bellmore.

   Check the calendar for lot's of good shows and drag someone with you. It's Saturday night and quality live music is cheaper and better than a movie.

   Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

bill

 

   With the holidays over it was back to usual and I feel lucky to have gotten one night out this weekend. Friday night I wanted to make it out for numerous shows. I didn't get out at all but that's okay. My teenage daughter had a fun night and I did some ceiling repair in the bathroom. I had a very productive night here. (help!)

   Saturday, thank god, was different. I got a later start than I would have preferred but those repairs needed some paint and with all that fun the time just got away from me.

   I figured I would take a chance and head to Patchogue. I call it "a chance" because shows often end early out there and if it is before midnight and the show is over it would be too late to drive to Nassau and too early to call it a night. I was fortunate though.

   I started at Bobbique's for Lex Grey & The Urban Pioneers. The Pioneers were not as big a posse as the last time I saw them and the faces were different except for Vic Deglio on guitar and Lex of course. Those two are a cool show so it was okay. Deglio has a good amount of that guitar magic and Lex feeds off that. She was in good form and I enjoyed that she did a few  ballads mixed in with her rock n roll. Lex was tireless and her trademark raunch was working well. It was a good crowd at Bobbique's and the whole place was in sync with the show. It was a good time and they played past midnight. Cool!  I heard Lex and Co. will be back to the Patchogue BBQ joint regularly in the coming months so I look forward to more of that action.

   It may have been after midnight but the night wasn't even over in Patchogue. My little posse and I walked across the street to Brickhouse and caught a set of Mike Scalzo Band with Dave Likhtiger (Bro. Dave) and Johnny Cola on guitar, Sly Geralds on bass and Big Mike on drums of course. Those guys were rockin to another good crowd. Patchogue was a happenin place Saturday night and I'm glad I made that choice. Mike Scalzo Band had some tasty guitar stuff going on. Dave and Johnny make a good combo with Sly bringing up some stylin base. It is sort of a casual collection of players but it was pieces that fit together fairly well. You can get some good collaborations on Long Island and it's a good show because these guys play a lot of shows and they know a lot of tunes...and they know each other. They had a good crowd and a good time was being had by all.

   I can't complain about my Saturday night. I caught some quality entertainment. I got to hang out with new friends and I got some energy from some good events.

   There are plenty of good shows on weeknights with jams and regular shows so check the calendar and see if you can make it out one night during the week. I make it my religion to get out on Wednesdays and I can tell you that I would not be the sane and rational person I am (just an opinion) without that weekly ritual. I recommend it for every stressed out Long Island suburbanite. It is theraputic.

   Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for the new schedule for the coming week. There's some cool blues in the coming week.

bill

  

   Since I have a little time today I thought I would mention what a good Wednesday night I had last night.

   I started at Big Daddy's in Massapequa for the John Judd/Ralph Santiago jam and was pleasently surprised to find Chris (ChrispyChicken) Laybourne playing some sax with a good cast.

   It was a little raucous, very much adlib and somewhat vaudvillian... which spells entertaining, which is what you get with Mr. C and a cast like that. Chrispy and Judd were off the page and the chart too for that matter and the rest of the jam cast was having all kinds of fun. Johnny Cola had some inspiration on lead for a number or two and there were some good stand-in drummers, keys, harp, all kinds of influences. I had planned to stay for a set but it ended up a good stay for a great jam.

   The night was young. So after that I headed to Lefty's in Lindenhurst for Popa G and Co. who jam on some funk, R&B, soul and bop. I like the contrasting flavors as I move around the island. That jam was jumping too with a stage full of instrumentalists from Henning Stumm with percussion pieces to Bill with Conga's to Tim Dorsey with keys, Giovanni von Essen on vocals and a Mr. Ernst on 6-string who was a good show. Speaking of guitars Jim Kolman on axe and Clem (bass) from O'Zone were also among the many pieces.

   Neither of the two jams were formulatic and there were lots of new faces making for a great night of music.

  Speaking of a great night of music check out the schedule for the coming weekend. There are some good ones and there's always one close bye for even a small taste of R&R which we can all use these days.

   Thanks for checking in.

bill

   The week of spring break and the Easter holiday is over. I had a wide range of experiences and I'm tired. I have some good moments though. I used my time off to go to live shows; a good number of them. I have been sharing some thoughts on this with some other "performance junkies" on Facebook recently and it seems we have an addiction for which we may need a "program" someday. In the meantime I need this stuff for myself to wind down. When I find some good blues or a tuned-in artist giving it all on stage I connect with that and I feel an emotional bond.

   There are some good players around here and you too can have these good times with many of them. I recommend it.

   I started out on Friday night hearing Terry Reid at Mirelle's in Westbury. Terry Reid has been around since the 70's. He flirted with chances to play with Led Zepplin and others but went his own way. I had only known a few songs; Seed of Memory, for one and I was curious to hear more.

   Mr Reid is an original vocalist. His experience is evident in his style and sound. It is two parts blues, one part country and one part folk. His vocals are strong and he has nice melody. His sound  is enough to get me over his looks which is almost mad-professor but in the end it didn't matter. I was sold on his conviction to his music. A career artist with a style all his own and a life of rich experience makes for some interesting expression. After listening to so much local stuff it is ear-opening to hear such ease and clarity and someone different and so "bluesy" by my sort of intrinsic definition. Check out Seed of Memory and then some of his other stuff.

   Saturday night I was taking in as much local music as I could get to. I started at Reflections for some Sweet Suzi and the Blues Experience. Suzi was entertaining a decent sized crowd when I arrived late with her Blues Experience and they were enjoying it. She is a force especially when she is heard for the first time. She had that audience all lit up.

   Johnny Anderson was good as usual on guitar and SS&BE have a traveling Hammond player these days (Armando) and he adds a lot. It was a good show even though I only stayed for one set.

   I was off to Merrick for a set or so of Brother Dave & the Brave. Mr. Dave is another artist with a strong strain of blues in his sound. (and a little bit of country coincidently). Joining Bro D and the B was Ms. Chrissy O'Dell who rings true to me too. Chrissy has a dynamite voice and she uses it well with good use of inflection and moderation. I get lulled into a nice warm place with a down home and pretty sound with them. It has a roots feel and enough other stuff to make it interesting. I enjoy being with that kind of music.

   I enjoyed being with all of it. I had the time and the opportunity this weekend to pick my stuff like a live jukebox. I got all kinds of experience and I woke on Easter satisfied with how I spent my time. I was also happy and poised to pick up my child after her trip and spend the day with some fam.

   The events of my Holiday were personally noteworthy but it is all so hard to put into words sometimes. Family, home, personal beliefs; they all are being tested and going through changes now and I am glad I have music and this space to feel, share and express. Can anyone doubt the value of music and the arts? It is saving my ass.

   Thanks for checking in and thanks to the musicians and venue owners for a good week. I hope it was good for all you.

bill

   This is my big week off and I'm having a real "blues" weekend. That doesn't mean I'm at a blues festival or even that I am living a blues event every minute although I am getting out a lot more than usual. Tonight in fact I am heading to Mirelle's for Terry Reid which I am looking forward to.

   My gut is aching though for so many reasons. My child is away and I have not been apart from her for any length of time in a few years. I often fantasize about all the fun I can have with this circumstance but it just doesn't work out like that. I miss her.

   I am also still dealing with a fractured relationship and that is an amazingly horrible dynamic. I have been through some doozies but this is a tough one and many of you know the tribulations. I never leave the house without a pain somewhere; my head, my heart, my stomach. Maybe tonight will be different. Maybe she will just say "goodnight, have fun", suggesting that she gets why we are where we are. I'm dreaming I know. I just need peace.

   In any case I have been taking in music and even some blues. Thursday night I stopped at ET Quiggs and heard some good players, JD Allen got into a nice groove. There was a new guy on bass; Jeff Phillips, who was a welcome distraction and knew how to entertain. There were some others doing a nice job; Ralph Santiago of course and a Dan B on guitar. Nice job.

   Anyway, I got restless and headed to Jim Moran's jam at the 50 Yardline for a quick listen. I wanted to catch as much new stuff as I could as I don't often get out on a Thursday night. 

   Moran's was a busy jam scene. I only caught a few tunes. They were all good but I got a text message to meet a friend and I was off again. It was good to buzz around but when I am as funked up as I am now I need a long steady flow of blues and I'm out again tonight and tomorrow too...looking for that.

   Seek and you shall find.

   Enjoy your travels and Happy Holiday.

bill

   Tonight I am coming to you from the land of grandparents, palm trees and orange groves...and not a lot of nightlife; Treasure Coast, Florida. I have a rare occasion to travel and it's been too long since I have been here to visit with the parental units. They are two good people living out good lives in decent health... for mid-80's, big family, depression-era survivors.

   The weather sucks unless you like humidity and clouds...and bugs but it is a new landscape and I'm with the folks...

   Before I got myself out of town I enjoyed a few brief moments of music this weekend.

   Friday night I visited Lefty's Candlelight Bar in Lindenhurst for the tail end of a double bill with The Outpatients and The King Cobras. It offered some good moments even though I missed almost all of the Outpatients. I caught some of Johnny Cola serenading the crowd with some choice "pick and twang". It's a distinct flavor one gets with the Outpatients. Call it surf-a-billy, call it modified rhythm rock but call it something a little different. I wish I caught more. At least I got some Cobra. The KC's have some talent there and I thought to myself  "I wish I could play and sing like that. I coulda been a contender".

   I enjoyed a casual setting with some good players. I mentioned last time I caught them that they are a good bunch and I got the same impression. Twice satisfied.

   I have to be brief here being on a strange computer and without any back-up material so forgive the abbreviated entry.

   Saturday I had an abbreviated night. I had lots of preparation before leaving town so after all that (it was even late for me) I shot over the my local joint, the Brightwaters Inn, and caught the Blue Matter Band for a rare show. It's been a while for the boys and girl with blue matter but it was a nice show, a nice crowd and it felt like home. The Tursi gang showed up too and Pete belted out some trumpet licks and Grace emoted with some saxy licks. The whole collaboration used to make for a nice Wednesday night jam but those days ring like fond memories and distant sounds of blues in the night. There was an apreciative crowd.

   There were lots of shows this weekend that I would have liked to get to in addition to the few I caught but I feel lucky just to get out at all and to be able to take in live music, friends and some blues.

   I'll be back Monday with a new calendar and remember to send me your gigs and information if I miss anything or if I need some corrections. I appreciate it all.

   If you are so lucky as to have a parent or two, enjoy them when you get a chance. It is hard to make time for non-work and unscheduled things and people but it matters a lot.

   Thanks for checking in and thanks to the folks that tell me they like some of the things I write here. That means a lot too.

bill

 

  

    Just a few weeks ago I was wondering what happened to all the weeknight jams. Many have been around for a long time but they prosper and then falter and many are not close to where I live. On weeknights proximity matters more for me. For players traveling seems more worthwhile given that they have the time to play on a weeknight and playing can be more than a hobby for many.

   Lately there is a run of new jams and a few on my very own Wednesday nights. Last night (Wednesday, the 1st) I decided to try the new ones. There was the John Judd/Ralph Santiago jam at Big Daddy's in Massapequa and since that was an early starter I went ther first.

   I rrived around 10:30 and they were in high gear and they had a nice crowd. Along with Judd and Santiago there was JD Allen, Jim Kolman, Johnny Cola some drummers and bass players and it looked like they had been there for years. The early start makes them a good fit as there are numerous jams at later times and on work nights more people can stop in for a listen at earlier times.

   After a set and a half there I headed west to the Joe Vicino jam which has just moved from Joey Dee's (formerly Jessies) in Merrick.  Mr. V and Co. seemed quite happy with the move and it was a busy party'n place when I arrived. I went from a cool guitar jam to a kick-ass guitar jam. It was some good stuff and there were a lot of players with Vicino. Many were new faces so I have to get there again for some names.

  J Farrells is a good size room. It has the familiar set up with a divider down the middle with bar in the left room and stage/seating on the right side with some elbow room. The barmaid is friendly and the atmosphere at the jam seemed to welcome all players.

   I was happy to see such good blues stuff happening on Wednesday nights and it's a good sign for the summer. I'll have good choices for music and there will be numerous venues for players to find work.

   Thanks for checking in and check the calendar for the coming weekend events. There's some really good music for ya'll.

bill