The weekend approaches and typically of late the calendar is full.  The choices are many as we have many talented artists among us.

   For you wine-lovers there is the Northport Tasting Room on Main St and this week they are hosting The King Cobras, one of my Best Newcomers of 2009.

   Also of note this weekend are a few cd release party's.

   Saturday night Andy Aledort will be at Jessie's Roadhouse in Merrick. Andy Aledort is a well travelled and expert guitar player in the style of  Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn among others. In fact Mr. Aledort is an expert in the blues guitar publishing world and plays with some of the best in the country. He happens to be of Long Island and we are graced with his playing throughout the year. If you like your blues/rock fast, furious and inspired you will enjoy a performance and likely a CD by Andy Aledort and The Groove Kings. His interpretations and original pieces offer some cool guitar music.          

    There are a good number of shows in Merrick this weekend so mozy over there and check some out.

   Also debuting a cd with a live performance this weekend is Tommy Keys. I have had the pleasure of listening to The Man in the Moon, Tommy Keys' new cd. The collection of original music ranges from boogie to blues and includes some original variations, all terrific. The cast includes an impressive array of local artists including Kerry Kearney, Mario Stoiano, Gary Sellers and others. The writing is clever and the production is top notch. It's a professional piece of work that offers lots of enjoyable music. I have had it in my car player for weeks and the variety and layering of sounds gives the cd length and interest. It's a quality piece of work by our very own Tommy Keys.

   That party is Sunday at Bobbique's in Patchogue and I suggest you attend what will be a fun afternoon event.

    Pick yourself up a couple of cd's this weekend.

   Thanks for checking in and have a good time out there.

bill

 

   Sunday, Jan 24. There was a full roster of great entertainment this weekend. There were the big group shows with Sweaty Betty, Dehind Closed Doors, Blues Box and That 70's Band and there were the hot local blues bands like Pam Betti Band and Gail Storm, Lex Grey, King Cobras and SmokinGun and there were the guitar studs like Joe Vicino and Kerry Kearney (w/ Gathering of the Slides) and a name few people around here know Everett Hairston (LI Ace). It was a weekend I was anticipating greatly when I made the schedule last Monday.

   Of course in reality I was extremely limited by circumstances so I only had Saturday night and it was not an early start.

   I received a message earlier in the week that an artist I had not yet seen was a good show and I should check him out. I had heard of Everett Hairston before so I decided to head out to McArthur Park in Rockville Center and see/hear LI Ace. Mr. Hairston was leading a cast that included Dave Pellegrino on bass, Craig Bestoff on harp and some vocals and Chris Grennan on drums. They covered R&B and blues and Hairston displayed some velvety vocals and effortless guitar. He handled requests with a smile and easy execution. He's a real pro with an impressive resume and a fun show.

   McArthur Park is tucked away on a side street north of Sunrise, north of the tracks. It's a classy little place with a row of tables and a long bar and lots of shiny brass and glass. There was a medium size crowd but most were dancing and enjoying LI Ace. I was there for almost an hour and there was no break. and no sign of break when I took my leave.

   I had places to go, people to see.

   At a little after midnight my options were limited. I  wanted something new but good. I decided to check out Phil Varca at Brightwaters Inn. I missed the last few shows of his there and I figured I was due to catch a few songs at least. Well that's about what I got. I arrived with only a few numbers left but the guitar playing was furious and at least I got to hear a few blues numbers on my Saturday night.

   There are a lot of new names on the calendar these days. Check out something new or something close or a favorite act but check something out soon.

   I have been hearing some jam news lately regarding Thursday nights. It seems the ET Quiggs Thursday night jam is now going to be hosted by Brother Dave and friends. That's a new twist and a good one. Brother D is one of the tastiest blues guitar guys we have here on our long Island. Check that out.

  You can also get some great blues guitar at Juggs & Strokers now. John Judd and Co. will be moving their jam event to the Merrick location. That's another great option.

   And finally, also on Thursday night, there is the jam at DJ Riders. That weekly jam which was hosted by Dave Burns Jr. is now being hosted by none other than Mr. Crispy Chicken, Chris Laybourne with his magical sax. That one is in Oceanside. It's a great room and has been going on for a long time.

   Please keep me posted on your upcoming events so I can have a complete calendar for you and the patrons here on Long Island.

   Thansk for stopping by.

bill

  

   (Monday Jan 18) So far in 2010 the music scene is a busy place and not just for me. I was lucky enough to attend parts of 3 shows this past weekend and all were well attended.

   I began Friday night at the new Farrells in W Islip. Formerly Mustang Sally's, the place had a minor facelift inside with new woodwork and some booths added in back where the stage used to be. The band is now setup in front making it much cozier. The place used to be vast and it took a huge event to create the effect of a big crowd.

   This Friday night Sweaty Betty Band was rockin' when I walked in and there was not a space to be found. The diminutive and dynamic singer, Diane McArdle, was making good on a night of up-tempo, rock'n blues entertainment. The crowd was hovering close. Sweaty Betty gets a lot of regulars as well as an army of weekend escapees and the dance floor is always a packed social scene. They have a good formula; music that people like, a charismatic and talented singer and a solid band who are all on the same page.... and they're a happy cast!

   I had made other commitments so I split mid-show and headed west for some John Judd blues guitar.

   The Wall St. Jumpers with John Judd were at Juggs & Strokers, the tatoo, biker looking establishment on Sunrise Highway in Merrick.

   I got there mid-show to a nice crowd and a much different setting. J&S is a good size room but the ceiling is low and it's a darker, more casual ambience than the Farrells type room I had just came from.

   Wall St. Jumpers were jamming on an Allman Bro's tune with some creative license and John Judd taking it somewhere on of his little guitar journeys. The music had a harder edge and conjured up more grit than dance-fancy which is fine for me. The crowd was only half bikers and tatoos. The other half, like me, were those with tatoos on their hearts perhaps but otherwise working suburban warriors. It was an excellent show using a different blues/rock fusion completely.

   Saturday I got my trademark late start at Bad Moon Saloon in Merrick. Danny Kean & Friends (Donnie Celenza and Phil Bloom) were making their first appearance at Bad Moon and there was a good crowd fully appreciating the circumstance.

   Danny Kean & Friends are the highest level of talent in the local live blues/music scene. The trio are prolific in their regular venues and are a rare treat when they venture into new neighborhoods. The flavor of music is more R&B with Danny K, a rare talent on keys on vocals and Donnie Celenza equally artistic playing a versatile blues guitar. Phil Bloom on skins is on top of it all and adds exuberance and style.

   It was a great show and they generously offered the stage to some guest vocalists including Chrissie O'Dell and Nancy Bahnsen among others.

  There were more shows on Sunday with a Lance Ong Tribute at Bobbique's but I had personal commitments and had to miss what was sure to be a great show.

   So far the year has been enjoyable, the music has been great and people have been coming out to hear it... at least to the shows I've been lucky enough to attend.

   Check out the new schedule (coming tonight) and thanks for checking.

bill

  

   It has taken me a few weeks to gather my memories from 2009 and come up with some kudos, some awards as it were.

   I pursue blues and live music because it consoles me. Like everyone else I feel stress and worry from being a parent and managing my business at the same time. When I go out and sit down and take a listen to a musician or band who is zoning on some blues or something soulful I take that ride with them and all is right in the world. It's a ticket out of my own head. I try to share that ride with others so it will perpetuate the music and give other people the same benefit and it may even give me people to sit with.

   So 2009 was not bad actually. I know many clubs went soft when it came to paying or offering musicians money for gigs and many clubs killed their weeknight jams but we have had an abundance of musicians making good music and producing CD's and forging new alliances. 

   I am currently enjoying some dynamite cd's from local artists. Tommy Keys, King Cobras, SmokinGun, Gail Storm and Shenole Latimer, Chrissie O'Dell w/ Brother Dave, George Bouchard among others and during the year I had the pleasure of taking in hundreds of shows at dozens of venues by great talent.

   For my favorite venues I have to mention Boulton Center in Bay Shore for the great shows they offer and the great comfort and intimacy of the room. My other venue in Suffolk is Giacomo Jacks. Giac's hosts music at least one night every week and it's largely blues. They enjoy it too.   Bobbique's is also a premier venue for live music and a tasty restaurant offering a nice experience.

   In Nassau I'd like to offer kudos to Mirelle's for the great room, the nice job of hosting and the quality of the music they offer. May they go on for a very long time. Also in Nassau I'd be neglectful if I did not mention Bad Moon Saloon. BMS is another relentless host of blues and live music. They are kind and enthusiastic hosts. I have to reward the venues that book the most blues most often because it ain't easy to do and well, I like blues.

    As for favorite artists I have a hard time picking favorites because there are so many. I will pick favorite newcomers so they can get get a boost and help create more opportunity and more buzz. The more artists the better.

   2009 brought us Chrissie O'Dell who is is a welcome addition to our already talented vocalist pool and she brings true grit and talent with a genuine smile and a huge heart. Also new to me is The King Cobras. Back in December I caught them at Big Daddy's and I was pleasently surprised by how tight and how genuinely "blues" they are. I know they were around before 2009 but they didn't make the same impression on me when I heard them the year before.   

   Best jams are tough to call. Nassau has Sly Geralds Wednesday night showcase at Bad Moon and Suffolk has Jim Kolman's Sunday night jam at Brickhouse and Big Daddy's Sizzlin affairs also in Patchogue. All are geat entertainment and valuable resources of networking. There are other really good ones including Mirelle's but that will blossom in 2010 as it is a recent arrival.

   I have a few favorite hosts and bartenders. Last year I gave one to Patty at Giacomo Jacks who still shines but to spread the wealth I'd like to offer one this year to Elena at Bad Moon. No one invests more of themself than she does and that is attractive. I'd also like to mention Wally at Brightwaters Inn. I call Wally a musicologist because he records, tapes, videos and actually remembers a lot of music. Wally loves music and is another good guy and a great bartender. Lori at Mirelle's is another excellent hostess and she makes the music go smoothly for the musicians who all comment on her good work.

   I have met other excellent bartenders and hosts including the cast at Stadium Pub in Bohemia and Dirty Martini in Ronk, Cafe Oasis in Baldwin, Harvey's waitresses rock and the Brickhouse Brewery has a few excellent bartenders. Juggs and Strokers has some good gals too. Oh yeah, Junior at ET Quiggs is another pro and a great host.

   So thanks to all the musicians and venues and hosts and hostesses and patrons for making music happen on Long Island and I hope we all stay positive and make 2010 a great one for a creative music scene.

Thanks for checking in and for help throughout the year finding all the gigs.

bill

   The inaugural 2010 weekend is over and it was a fine celebration if not a perfectly orchestrated one.

   I am referring to the first Saturday of the month jam at Brightwaters Inn which in this case was the first Saturday of a new decade.

   The good tidings were abundant at the BWI and there were enough musicians to fill a good size barge and that's not a damn bad idea come to think of it. I hope to come by that notion again around June. The logistics of boat party's always make for a festive time.

   Anyway... the jam included, well everyone it seemed. There were horns-a-plenty with the two Tersi's and Adam Tese and a few blows by Joe Behar who jumped in at will. There were singers galore with Sweet Suzi and Diane McArdle and BA Fagerland and Nancy Bahnsen and even Chrissie O'Dell, Oh and Tim Smith and Brother Dave. Speaking of guitars there were also the Blue Matter guys, Arty Panico and Ray Wade and Brother Dave swang an axe. The Hitman showed up ready to play any number of strings and he only got to play with four of them. Jim Kolman, Johnny Cola and Joe Haseth played. Yikes there were even more. There was Wally on harp, there were Wally weiners.

   Bass playes were also in abundance with Kelly and Tim S and well, Hitman and Clem Allen. There were keys guys in numbers with Funky Tim and Freddy P.

   With all of that I waited until somewhere around 2 for the blues to kick in and I'm glad I did. It was a wild ride getting there and the blues was rich. It usually is at that hour. Chrissy and Dave and a cast of thousands before them let it all hang out.

   The good vibes were everywhere though, so as much as I was bitching to people about the lack of order no one was listening (fortunately) and everyone was having a good time. After a frustrating prior few days with little blues on the calendar and a failed attempt to create a show I had been having some diva moments. I was determined to hear some blues and I did and it was at the end of a very fun night.

   That was pretty much all I got to this past weekend as far as live music but I got a few good cd's and more coming in the mail. I am almost done my end of year list for favorites and such and I will also be posting to my playlist some of the music on that list. Also coming in the new decade will be some band profiles, maybe a featured band every month or I will do one every now and then. Too many deadlines make make me crazy like too much coffee. Bad. Very bad.

   So a new decade is here. The old one is not yet all that definitive. Maybe some of the icons for the past decade will be House-For-Sale signs (like the one on my former home), deceased young celebrities, old rock stars, hostile politics and progressive elections. Musically? For me it was discovering many new faces and forms of blues. Wood Brothers, Jonny Lang (I like his vocals alright?),Rob Tognoni, Amos Lee, Albert Castiglia, Derek Trucks, Annie Piper, Tab Benoit, Magness, Zack Prather... Many not mainstream but this is my own little list. I don't find blues on mainstream so I have to look on places like ReverbNation and My Space (still) and facebook. Yeah, facebook. That's an icon of the past decade.

   Stay tuned and thanks very much for checking in to Billfoolery.com over the past half-decade. My traffic has grown steadily if not quickly as I do not advertise as of yet. It's all word of friends and computers.

Happy New Year and see you soon.

bill