With a full schedule of good shows and some flexibility in my schedule this weekend I have some experiences with live music to share. It's late on Sunday night though so I am not sure how this will all come out. I could wait until Monday but then the details could become lost in what I hope will be a long deep sleep tonight.

   My need for escape and inspiration is great lately. Managing all the moving parts of a changing life is tiring, Tolerating the political realities that crop up more and more in the music scene is deflating.  I just want to listen to people get up there and perform and gut one out. I need to find those moments of emotional sharing, pushing limits, reaching higher, achieving. So I keep on looking. And I enjoy it.

   Friday night I caught SmokinGun Band at Giacomo Jacks. It's been a good combination, Jacks and Gun, so I tried it again. One can't miss with Bill M on axe and Jeannie B on vocals and Rich Thiel (bass) and in this case Ralph Santiago on skins. They elevate rock and blues/rock a notch or two from the standard cover music to an entertaining exercise with good lead parts, not ever overdone but not to be underestimated. They didn't disappoint! There were some cool riffs, tangy vocals and a fun crowd. 

   Saturday was different for me. I had some free time in the afternoon so I visited the Jim Moran jam at Maggies in W Babylon (a 4pm affair). It just so happened that Russ (Hitman) Alexander was filling in and there was contingent of enthusiastic players lined up for an afternoon of fun. Hitman has a vast repetoire and plays it all effortlessly and he was an amiable host. I only had time for a single screwdriver and a few quick listens. But it was nice to see experienced players like Hitman (and Jim Moran)offering themselves for a jam. The players happened to be good ones but any level player has to love the chance to get up with working, experienced players.

   Saturday night I got out quite late so I headed right to The Viking for Andy Aledort who goes longer into the night than even I do. I arrived at 1am and caught a full set and there was more after I left.

   The set I caught was pretty amazing with Andy Aledort and Mike DiMeo leading most of the songs but filling in for a few numbers was Teddy Rondinelli and Dave Nesdall on axe and Tru Doty on keys. Hard to believe but I have not caught Teddy R up close and personal before and he's a guitar monster! If anyone is ever going to push the limits of guitar construction it is him. He plays the daylights out of that thing. It was like turning up the speed dial and injecting something psychedelic... entertaining as hell. All the players were cool. Aledort wow'd me a few times which is why I go there. It's cool expression by a great player.

   Sunday I had a sort of full plate but I had planned to go to the show "Divalution" at Bobbique's in Patch. I was juggling friends schedules and my daughters schedule and so many other little issues but I got there.

   Sly Geralds (bass) did a nice job of putting a show together. The three "Divas" as it were  were Diane "Sweaty Betty" McArdle, Nancy Bahnsen (Sly Geralds Band) and BettyAnn Fagerland (Behind Closed Doors). All three can belt it out and the production aspect was taken seriously. Sly was sort of a vaudvellian leader with red paisley attire and he plays a loose funky bass. More of that flavor would have been fun. The guitar was also good and all the players were good but more pieces would have been a bonus too. I found myself wanting some horns and some more "attitude" but there were some rich moments of harmony and some solo performances with some gut busting. These three can sing and either together or with their respective bands they are entertaining performers.

   It's a great idea to try and produce talents like those. Bobbique's should also be commended for hosting that and all the other headline shows they put on. Nothing happens if people don't put their asses on the line and perform for you and me. I'm grateful for all the performers I caught this weekend. It was a good one and I needed every bit of it.

   Thanks for checking in and keep on sending me your events and any others you find.. in over-30 stuff in Nassau/Suffolk.

   Stay tuned for the Paper Bag event this week and lots of other fun stuff coming up.

bill

Roast Beef Joe,Deepa and I went down to the first part of the festival last night!

First we stopped by the gallery were they had a special showing of Suzanne Fochino's work!

This woman has an eye that can't be ignored! Get a chance to stop by if you can, you'll be glad you did!

And Susie's show... well this is the first time I ever saw her perform, the only thing I can say is SOUL-STIRRING!!!!

She put us all through a range of emotions through music that was equal to a roller coaster ride!

NO ONE HAS EVER MADE ME CRY WITH "I'd rather go blind", NO ONE! She did... Her closing #  "A little help from my friends" was ETHEREAL! There aren't many that can do what she did to me last night. All I can say is, Susie, like Sam would say "You peed!!!" LOL!!

Heres the line up for tonight!

Please come so that next year this festival will return even bigger and better!!!

THIS WILL BE ONE OF MY LAST PERFORMANCES FOR A WHILE, I HOPE THAT YOU COME!



See ya there!

Pat

   Well I am happy to report that I had a busy weekend of live music and it was a weekend of classic Long Island live music.

   Friday night I began with the Stanton Anderson show at Mirelle's in Westbury. Once again it was a full house and an appreciative crowd for the high energy semi big band with horns and keys and guitars and of course Mark Fowler vocals. SAB puts on a good show using good solos and the force of a big band with a four piece horn section (two Tersi's and two not) . It was one long set of some good covers like Hwy 61 and some original takes. It was a good time. I left there feeling energized. Mirelle's on a weekend night is a good time.

   The location and the time of the Mirelle's show made it a good fit for a stop at Bad Moon Saloon in Merrick where Pam Betti Band was playing. Head south on Post Ave. and you'll end up on Merrick Ave. headed right at Bad Moon. It was a short trip and we got there for plenty of Pam Betti Bands second half.

   The Divaliscous one is in great form these days not only physically but her gut is still full of that blue grit she likes to dig down and pull out. With a tight sounding band they had a good crowd (especially for Bad Moon) fully involved. As good as Pam Betti and the band (with Jim Kolman, Derek Hensley, Frank Centrone and a good new bass player) sound it is also entertaining as hell watching Pam fully give it up for every number.  I had the idea while driving south to Bad Moon how much fun it could be to see and hear Mark Fowler and Pam B on the same stage. I even hinted to a Stanton Anderson player that we were heading to Pam's show and it would be fun to hear. I like hearing certain artists playing together. I thought that would have been an interesting dynamic... but thats just me. I have no idea how performers feel about that kind of thing.

   It was a good Friday night. I enjoyed some quality live music.

   Saturday night I was late in starting but I had a hankering for some Sweet Suzi and Johnny Anderson with the Blues Experience. They were at Craigs Signal 8 Saloon in Copaigue with a cozy and appreciative crowd.

   Suzi was playing with some lower-key vocal numbers and it was a good couple of sets. I also dug on some Johnny Anderson licks who has a great ear and plays a tasteful blues number.

   I have an issue with my hearing that makes it hard to hear bass instruments. In this case Suzi's young bass player was a nice fit and he even contributed some decent vocals but an unexpected surprise was a couple of good pieces by Tom Foschino on drums. I happened to be sitting practically on top of the band as that was the only table left but Foschino displayed some good numbers and some cool hands and I enjoyed the couple of numbers of TF in a little zone. It was also cool that they have Armando on keys which makes for a full sound. He had a Hammond but it was a portable number...not the B3 that he often wheels in.

   It was tasty little show but the weekend was not done and I was off to the Brightwaters Inn for my last stop and a reunion with the Blue Matter Band.

   It was a weekend show for the former Wednesday night jam band and most of the old players were on hand including Papa G, Tim Dorsey and Clem from O'Zone with Blue Matter. There was pretty much non stop music at least while I was there and it was fun. All the people who frequented that jam enjoyed the hell out of the many years they played together and it showed.

   It was a good weekend on Long Island and there was lot's more that I didn't get to see. Well, there's always next weekend (and tonight too as a matter of fact).

   I wanted to say a little about Fathers Day and I may expand on that later on tonight. It is a poignant holiday here as I raise a child of my own. The responsibility has defined my life and I also write a journal on the many ironies that have arisen in my parenting experience. It is basically another story for another medium and another time.

   Thanks for checking. Have a great Fathers Day and be appreciative of whoever plays that role. It's not always a man or your father. I often feel as much a mother on mothers day.  I personally relate to the single mothers who have to play two roles als so to them Happy Day also.

 Enjoy this and every day.

bill

   I barely know where to begin today as I had an enjoyable weekend of music and an annoying few episodes of local politics. I will make every effort to stay out of the relationships between musicians and "blues society". In the past I have been completely ignorant (and hence blissful) of the behind-the-scene goings on during the times leading up to the Blues Festival every year. I have been to the last three events and I have enjoyed my time each year.

   This year I had the pleasure of getting to know more artists and principals of venues and society's and I have been privy to more of the "maneuvering" that goes on. The degree of friction seems a bit large however and I would be surprised if it is always like this.

    The festival booking methods employed are unclear to say the least. It seems arbitrary and open to manipulation. Many local artists feel that way and when so many people are offended there is probably something wrong.

   In the few hours since I posted this I have heard from a few party's and it is now clearer in that the LI Blues Society are not the people booking the acts... but the process is still a mystery. And it seems a few spots on the calendar are available for those who do charitable events, donate and do volunteer work throughout the year.

   The fact remains that the coming festival is noteworthy as much for all the good names included on the bill as it is for the names not included. It is a little startling not to see Sweet Suzi or Pam Betti and their bands for example. Those artists, among others have worked hard in this market to generate interest, to expand their performance, to entertain and to be worthy of the celebrity that they have garnered. I hope this comes up at the next meetings where ever thay may be.

   In the meantime I have been privelaged to cross path's with them and so many other talented musicians over the past year. When people start talking about the politics my eyes kind of glaze and I am torn between caring about their "working" enviornment and trying not to get "corrupted" by things other than the performances. My presence here is motivated purely by my love of performance and music. When I am sitting and listening I could care less how much they are getting paid or how they are being treated by the local society's but when I step back and look sometimes I scratch my head and it concerns me, yes.

   One of the new entries in this years Riverhead Blues and Music Festival is Chrissie O'Dell who is being featured with The Mike Scalzo Band (with Brother Dave whom she often plays with). Chrissie O'Dell is new on the scene this year and, an independent artist, is invited to be part of another band for the event. Good for Chrissie (and Dave, and the others). She is certainly worthy of the recognition as a "featured artist". There are questions involved with the situation and the "unclear methods" I referred to and that is subject to discussion ...suffice to say. It would not be fair to focus that discussion on the artists however. The festival is a big stage and it is a rich opportuity to have oneself heard..something most artists cherish. The process is what needs the attention apparently.

   So this weekend I had the pleasure of being at Harvey's Lounge in Cedarhurst on Saturday night. Danny Kean and Friends (Donnie Celenza and Phil Bloom with Nicholas on percussion) were doing their regular weekend show and the music is great. DK and DC are joyful to behold. Celenza's psychodelic and creative interpretations and Kean's multitude of talents are apt reward for making the trip to Cedarhurst. This week there was a noteworthy cameo by the aforementioned Chrissie O'Dell who was out enjoying a night of music. The first set was a medly of Kean and Donnie C traveling seamlessly from rock to R&B to everything else with some jazz along the way. For the second set they invited Ms.O'Dell up and it got real bluesy real fast.

   If I have not raved enough about Ms. O, let me do it again. Chrissie (with Donnie and Danny and w/ Nicholas on percussion) layed down two Koko Taylor numbers that were so gritty they were downright subterranean. Her "straight from the woodshed" (to use Brother Dave's phrase) delivery was a stunning blow to the demeanor in the room. The contrast from the prior set of jazzy rhythm, finesse and harmony and then the raw emotion and vocal blues charge of Ms.O'Dell's performance was striking. It was a cool set of blues put on by some wonderful artists. The audience was completely enthralled by the performances as was I. I live for moments like that.

   It was like a John Judd (with Ralph Santiago and Bill M) moment from a recent Wednesday night. It was like an earlier Memphis send-off party with Sam Taylor and Pam Betti and Sweet Suzi and it was like a recent Pat Hunter moment I had at Mirelle's. This is great stuff.

   I usually sense a cooperative and open enviornment around here and I hope it stays that way and I hope people don't take for granted the blessings. I hope artists take their concerns to the people making the decisions and I hope those people listen. Speaking of which...

    I saw a notice last week, after posting the Sunday event at Bobbique's with Carolyn Wonderland, that Ms.Wonderland was suggested by Kerry Kearney. He apparently communicated to the local blues society that she is a talented artist and they came through and got her for our very own Long Island audience. I had not heard Carolyn Wonderland and I was not all that curious especially because Sunday afternoons are not easy for me.

   After reading KK's post and looking her up on My Space I decided I needed to hear her. I have mentioned to a number of local "promoters" and principals that I would love to hear certain artists and it is nice to see that there are ways to make that happen. Blues is not an easy genre to market but there are moments...good to see.

   I caught one set on Sunday. Carolyn Wonderland is a real creator. She is gunuine in her writing, in her covers and in her playing.

   She played a version of a mandolin and various guitars. Ms.Wonderland is a unique player sometimes using a slide style and sometimes employing a sort of slap on the fret board with uncanny precision and real delicacy. Hers is a delicate but really agile and clever style.

   Her vocals were equally creative and ranging. One cover was The Wind Cries Mary and she then went into a western style slide number that went way off the page. It was anything but "the usual" and she was a great find.

   Thanks to all involved, including Kerry K for that one. 

   I intend to be sort of a whimsical and positive portrayer and occasional abstract provider (in words and portrayal) of blues art around here. I try not to knock anyone else down who is trying to put something artful out there so take my words in that light, please.

   Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the really good music here on Long Island.

bill

    A couple of nights out this past week and I caught some good Long Island talent. Last Wed. night I was planning on going to the Reflections thing as it winds down at that particular location. The place is closing soon and these are the last of the excellent Donnie Celenza/Dave Patrick RVC jams. Those guys are now hosting on Thursday nights at Harvey's in Cedarhurst. As often happens though I got sidetracked with details at home and by the time I left it was too late to make the drive from Bay Shore.

   I headed to Big Daddy's in Massapequa for John Judd and Co. That's a happenin jam also. John Judd, with Bill M last week and the regulars, Batman on bass and Ralph Santiago on drums had some magic moments. The things Judd does on guitar are rare moments of inspiration. The great cast around him doesn't hurt either. The off-the-chart moments have been frequent with Judd lately. He has had some great gigs with The Wall Street Jumpers and his jams don't disappoint if it's Bill M or Chrispy Chicken or Sweet Suzi or Josh Allen or Jim Kolman  or Joe Bivona or Johnny Cola...it's been good.

   I followed that with another visit to Papa G's jam at Lefty's in Lindenhurst. Like I say almost every week, that's a different variety and the players there are good too, if not blues. The funk dudes from O'Zone and some jazz cats sit in and the outcomces are funky. It was typically creative last week with Suzi hanging for a few numbers which was a surprise and Brian, an excellent jazz guitar player was also cool.

   The weekend was a mixed bag. I started at Bad Moon to hear Pat Hunter Project. Sitting in on axe was Stevie Cochran and what they lacked in coordination they made up for in individual moments of enjoyable performance. Cochran ripped it up a few times and Pat Hunter delivered some rich blue sultry moments. Her stuff made my night....even with some uneveness in collaboration.

   I had some time Sunday, very little time in fact, but I ran out to Bobbique's just to catch something on a busy Sunday. I wanted to show some love to Lance Ong (again) and to see a great cast out at DJ Riders but I did not have the time for that. The show at Bobbique's was a good artistic cause and that was closer.

   Scott Grimando has a new book published, "The Art of the Mythical Woman, Lucid Dreams", a collection of beautiful and inspired graphic art by Scott G. The turnout at Bobbique's was really good and the Pam Betti Band was putting on a fun show for the book signing. It was a beautiful day in Patchogue, the music was good, Pam looked amazing in a colorful print dress looking Grimando-inspired and sporting a buff physique and staggering smile.

   Kolman also starred on a Santana tune as Pam worked the room a little. These were some good performances and events this past weekend and I am happy to have had a few moments to enjoy some of them.

   I raced home on Sunday evening to pick up my vunderchild right on time and fixed a nice little Sunday dinner for my precious one and I... to cap off a nice weekend.

   Tomorrow is another Wednesday and while I imagine myself sitting in front of all kinds of shows this week it will, as always, depend on when I get out and what voices I hear calling as I make my way out of Bay Shore.

   Come on out, everyone, and get some blues on.... and check out the interesting schedule this coming weekend.

bill

    There is a weeks worth of travels to talk about but it wasn't all newsworthy and my first attempt to write it down here got deleted. I had a fairly lengthy take on some good, bad and average entertainment since last Wednesday, 6/27 and the weekend after that. After getting t all down at an ungodly hour on Sunday night I deleted it with the erroneous touch of a button and I had to say "f&^k it". I was too tired to try again.

   Now my memory is even more vague so I will give you a general overview beginning with Wednesday night at Big Daddy's in Massapequa.

   The John Judd jam was just what I needed. I have been jonesing for some blues as it is not easy to come by. The popular stuff  around here is usually more rock than blues and it is often the upbeat stuff which, if done well, is great. Luckily we have some good performers in these parts so the next best offerings are still good.

   John Judd has some good players both with him (Ralph Santiago-drums and batman-bass) and joining him as guests; with Josh Allen, Joe Bivona, Jim Kolman and Johnny Cola and on occasion Chrispy Chicken and even Sweet Suzi....and more.  Judd and Co. is the kind of stuff I can sit and get lost with.

   One of the focal points of my deleted post was the issue of being on the wagon. I have been resting my liver for the last month and it has resulted in a restlessness. I have been jumping around from show to show looking for some real down blues...the kind of stuff that will keep me locked in my chair. It ain't easy to find.

   Over the weekend I had Saturday night to roam around and I was trying to hook up with friends and coordinate multiple choices. I ended up unsatisfied but I had some good company which was okay.

   Sunday I had a little time to wander so I checked out the pig-roast at Giacomo Jacks. The band was O'Zone and the place was packed on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

   O'Zone was getting funky with a crowd of happy people dancing and generally having a good time. I was amazed at how many people they fit into the area in front of the restaurant and what a fun scene it was. I enjoyed the festivities but it was a short stay and I was back at home in time to make dinner for the vunderteen.

   The weekend was a blur. I am back in midweek form and anticipating the coming weekend already. I'm eyeballing some blues events hoping for something soulful. I will keep searching for stuff for the calendar this week.

    By the way, I have a request for the bands and musicians who find my calendar useful. I wonder if you can mention my website to the people at your show as a place to find your gigs...after you mention your own websites of course. As my readership grows so will the audience that frequents the events on the calendar. I don't advertise as this is not a monetary venture (at aleast not now). It is an artistic endeavor. I am promoting live music because it inspires me. I am writing about it because I feel that the benefits of patronizing the arts are important for happiness. I am trying to share that experience in my own impressionistic way.

   I think the calendar is helpful. I created it out of my own need to find this stuff. I have found people along the way who agree that there are not a lot of places to find these events. The local papers pretty much ignore it. What's that about?!

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill