First of all I hope the coming year is prosperous, healthful and don't forget fun for you all! 

    As for this weekend last night had it's ups and downs...(as did the year past as a matter of fact). 

    I started at Lefty's to see some of Bluestone. That was a decent show and there was a nice crowd there. In retrospect I should have stayed.

    I made the mistake of trying to see two shows and on route to the other show I got a call from a friend who had gotten there before me and he said the band was a no show(a cancel). I had 3 friends all going there from different directions and that was a bummer for us all. I would hope bands would make some sort of effort to post changes as soon as they happen. I had checked listings the day before and saw no changes. I hate it when that happens.

    We all met at a place called the Lizard Lounge in Bohemia because we were all heading in that direction anyway and the place looked fairly busy. It turned out to be a club scene right out of 1984...same people in fact. lol.  There was a band, Accent, doing rock covers, They had some musical ability but nothing original in the hour or so I was there. The over 40 crowd, couples and singles, didn't seem to care. They were dancing, have a fun Saturday night. That was hard to listen to though. We split and went in our separate directions. A bust of a night after leaving Lefty's...cest' la vive.

    Tonight there are a few good shows and I may get to one if my party plans end early enough. We'll see...as is the case for the coming year.

   Enjoy.

bill

    Isn't is thought provoking when someone passes on? Especially someone so...original.

    Of course I don't know James Brown. I was only "introduced" to his music about 7 or 8 years ago by a friend and funk musician, Tim Dorsey. Tim has a funk band, Juice, and he plays with O'Zone, another funk band...both good ones by the way.

   I liked James Brown's stuff so I bought a CD or two and plucked a few tunes off of them for my iPod. I read a few articles about the man including a recent Rolling Stone Magazine cover piece which was revealing, informative.

   My impression of him as an artist was favorable. As a man he was pretty unconventional which is also an interesting aspect to me but another story. It did make him more "faceted" ....sort of vulnerable.

   He was an original. He was a "musical impressionist". I happen to categorize artists and craftsman as either detail or engineer types or impressionist / creating types. He created in an original way and his "vision" was original. The way he recorded and managed his recording was unique and "artistic". The sessions were events and he demanded every facet to conform to his "vision" He had a complete idea. The vocals were also original. He dramatized every song and directed the music around him like it was a drama.

   It was sort of fascinating (but not surprising) to learn that he was so gigantic and centric a leader. It made him more fascinating to me as an artist. I feel the loss of a real original...a man who had such clear vision and such a command of his art and such an original sound and product.

   I wonder, do people become all that with prolonged success, or are they innately gifted with that combination of qualities and sort of "blossom" with the process of learning the craft part of the formula?

   In any case, James Brown was an artist who expressed a lot and who did so in a masterful way. I hope, having seen/heard some of him and his expression I will have a some better "soil" with which to grow my own expressive ways.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill 

    Last night was the first Wednesday night I missed going out for music in I don't know how many years...and piss me off...at least 3 of my female friends were out at Lefty's and text'ing me to come out. I happened to be laying on my bed in a fit of fever and nausea like I have never had before. I have no idea where that bug came from but it was the 24 hours from hell. My body still hurts from all the gut wrenching and shivering...sorry to get graphic on you. It has been a long time since I had one of those.

    Anyway, I am hoping to make up for it tonight or over the weekend or both. I'll get right on looking for gigs and get back here with some stuff. In the meantime let me know what you bands are doing. I heard from Kerry Kearney's friends and he has a New Years Eve gig which sounds like fun. If anyone loves good guitar and slide guitar Mr. KK is pretty amazing.

   Anyway, I'll be back...

bill

   I don't know about you but I feel a bit less pressured today. The holiday was quite nice, thank you for asking, but there seems to be a bit more oxygen in the air. Must be atmospheric.

   By the way, I have to admit that a Karaoke machine was introduced to my family some 5 or 6 years ago and it plays a big part of our holiday gathering. This year we were lucky enough to have a good friend of mine from Las Vegas (via Los Angeles), Gary Davies visiting the area. My good bud Gary is a working entertainer from the west coast with a resume including LA stage, NY stage, San Fran stage, movies and currently Vegas stage...and the guy can sing. So put a guy like that in a living room setting with a bunch of (less than) amateurs on a microphone and bingo, you have a local rock star. (In case anyone is wondering I am a hard one to get to sing but if I have the words in front of me I can cough up a rendition of Yesterday or maybe King of the Road...and it ain't pretty).

   I even heard a few of the women swoon on Gary's tunes.. Damn. I think I need to take some singing lessons. That's some powerful sh%t. Now I know why you singers and musicians are so driven by musical talent....

   Anyway Gary was also with us for the Friday night Suzi Smith and Blues Experience show and he was blown away by this stuff too.  Just wanted to pass that on. I'm proud of the talent we have right here.

   I also now realize that this is a week off of school for kids which means I don't have to get up at ridiculous hours. That means....an extra night out for some music perhaps !!?? Hehehe...

   Ok..so we have the jam menu. I will be looking for some more stuff for us all to decompress this week. In fact I think I'd like to call this Decompression week. What might be some theme songs and icons for that. Hmmm.

   Feel free to chime in with any suggestions...and thanks for stopping by ya'll.

bill

   "And so this is Christmas"...

    I sit here on the morning of this day remembering childhood episodes of tearing open gifts and hearing my siblings screaming joyfully. I was usually wearing slippers and pajamas and I remember smelling evergreen and the recently spent fireplace. The light in the room was always the same, darkish for a December morning, as we lived those many years in one place and with a family together and with such good fortune. How lucky we were. Yet...

   Recent Christmas days feel so different. Every year it seems there is a drama in the family. Every year the gifts seem to not have covered everyone. Work was so busy that preparations were hasty. People got shortchanged it seems. Feathers got ruffled. Tempers erupted. I wonder if this happened in the families of my parents. While I slept did the "adults" have these issues? Were the tensions so seemingly serious for them? Was the materialism, for instance, as demanding back then?

    As always, it seems, there is joy and anguish. I/we try to make this a fond memory for the kids but I also try to make this a poignant time for us/ myself...just as important. If there were hard feelings as a kid (yes, I now remember some) those memories were diminished by the joys of family and abundance. Some things kids can and do handle. If my parents and now me anguish over these events then that is something we /I should try to elliminate. I should try to live in the moment of being with family who are home and together for the day. Bad gifts can even be laughed at, replaced, forgotten. We are together sharing a long past and making a meaningful present and building a foundation for the futures of our kids. "Family" and thoughts of our origin matter more than most things because they shape our present thoughts. It seems that our thoughts need to be in a comfortable place in order to flow. That "place" is celebrated today. Making the moment joyful, as usual, seems more important than anguishing over the details now too late to alter and not all that important anyway.

   Enjoy yourselves. Thanks for stopping by. Happy holiday!

   So I finished trimming the tree and everything else around here and it was midnight, so what am I thinking? Where might there be some good music out there? It's not THAT late. So I come on to Billfoolery.com and see whats around. Theres a few things but none that close for that hour. I happen to live a "late-night-crawl" distance from Da Funky Phish so I check there. "Mr. Happy", Craig,  has My Friend Ben playing. I think I know them. The lead singer (CJ Callan?)sings with The Dare Ya Blues Band and the dude has some choppers. That sounds like a good bet.

   I plunk my glutious down next to Mr. King Fish and sure enough there is the guy with the vocals and a damn good guitar to go with it. My Friend Ben puts together some freaking good music. The crowd was a litttle young for me but that usually provides some good visuals if nothing else.

   My friend Ashley was tending bar too...in fact all the faces down there are friendly and familiar. With all his foibles (I know, I know) Craig does some things very right. He is a good judge of young talent and I mean that in the musical sense and in the personnel he hires as well. All nice folk. So, I found some serendipity again at Da Funky place...and on Eve eve...a good night for a local joint.

   I suggest you keep an ear out for yours and My Friend Ben.

   Have a damn fine Holiday!!

bill

    Who knew a billiards hall could be such a great spot for a holiday blues show.

    I got Mrs. Bilf and some friends to come out and we caught Suzi Smith and the Blues Experience last night. It happened top be a fund raiser for Tots. Good job Suzi. You da woman!

   The show was unforgettable! Suzi had her chops with her and was feeling the warmth of the room apparently. The place was pretty lit up with blues woman fervor. It was carried right along by the sizzling sax of Chris Layboune and the axe of John Anderson. The Blues Experience with those and some really able bass and drums are evolving into a force of music. We had a blast with them....check out their schedule for more of that stuff!!

   By the way, they were followed by Status Joe who was rocking his ass off with some Stevie Ray Vaughn. The guy can get it done too. It was a pretty great show. Thanks to Suzi for letting me know about that and continue to have a nice holiday season. OK???

bill

        I am glad to see Suzi Smith,Jim Moran, C&B and Mr, KK  booked but there are a few names missing. If any of you non holiday giggers are heading out let us know if you're bringing your chops and if so, where you'll be.  Maybe we can take in an impromptu performance which is always fun. There are a lot of nights with which to take in some musical experience in the coming days and fairly sparse shows for all of this island of Long to take in.

   Please let me know what I am missing. I'll continue to look and post what I find. K?

   By the way, last night, Wednesday, I was lucky enough to catch the Bacon Strips jam at Blue Parrot and Artie Panico and Ray Wade (both with Blue Matter) showed up and did some jammin. (Leftys' had no jam due to Christmas partying which I stopped in and toasted to). There was also a little Tim Dorsey banging out tunes on piana. It was quite a festive affair and Mr. Poppa G had a few moments himself. What a collection...it was south shore instrumental blues at it's best. There's more to be found this weekend so do check it out.

      Thanks for checking in.

bill

   Happy Wednesday music fans. I am looking forward to an extra fun Wednesday night with all the holiday spirit in the air and some out of towners here for a visit. Hey, any excuse to  spread some cheer. It has been so hairy with work that the holiday cheer is more than necessary to help me overcome. Come on  out and lets chill... K?

   I happened to hear that there is no jam at Lefty's tonight. Thanks to Craigslist I saw that little item posted. There is a Holiday party there though and I heard that Ms. Tiffany is playing Mrs. Santa and she wants to show off her outfit.. OK...I'll bite. I'm stopping by there for one but I may be going to Blue Parrot for some Bacon Strips. Thats always a good one and it is just on the outside of my safe range of travel...Come one, come all. Let's shed some holiday stress and go freaking nuts!!  Or...lets find some good music and chill. Sound better?...Like they say in California..."whatEVer....."

   Thanks for checking in at Bilf...

bill

   I gotta ask for music. I like to play local musicians stuff mixed in with my favorite "other" stuff so please don't mind the frequent requests. I do it often to make sure those who don't come here often see my plea. I hear so much and hear about so much really good Long Island grown music. I love finding the gems on the CD's I check out.

    Don't forget the weeknight jams. Tonight there are a few good ones and with the holiday season in full swing (crap do I have a lot of shopping to do!) there is great stuff almost every night.

    I'll be back soon with some more postings. Thanks for coming and enjoy this special time of year.

bill

    I'm looking forward to the big Radio X show tonight. Long Island Blues Warehouse (every Sunday night 8pm) tonight has the Blues Divas show.

   I have an announcement on Page 2 with all the details. It is a good one. Check it out.

    I also want to mention that Nicole Hart is with The NRG Band. Check them out on the Bands and Musicians page. Those are all links.

    Last night I caught TheWillie Steele Band at Chesterfields by surprise. The played some rockin guitar. Mr.Willie Steele and his sidekick. Mr Wylie, I believe, both made some fancy pickins and slidework. I have discovered another fine act to enjoy and no surprise it was at Chesterfields...a fine place every weekend night.

   Thanks for stopping by music fans...keep me posted...PLEASE!?

BILL

    James Brown's, A Man's Man'sMan's World, seemed like a sexist title when I first heard it but the lyrics are not.  It is about the apparent fact that the world is "run" by men but the the inspiration comes from women. It is not accurate obviously but an interesting idea and sometimes true. It is true that we all need inspiration from somewhere and where better...

   One might find some of that female inspiration by listening to the blues diva's advertised here for Sunday night on Blues Warehouse. Radio X.

   That is good radio. It is 4 of the very small number of talented female blues "diva's" here in the area. Pam Betti, Suzi Smith, Franny Mae and Nicole Hart. I would include Lex Grey and Leslie Zimei if they were able to attend. Apparently they were not but those two belong there as well. The chops on these ladies is real. I heard some of the songs that will be aired during the show this Sunday night at 8 pm and it is a good collection of beauty, grit and depth. I loved all that I heard. This is "inspiring" talent and I recommend you check them out when they perform and on this show tonight when they perform together. Great stuff.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    I know it feels like fall lately. This global warming has me confused. All I know is this time of year there seems to be a lot of good entertainment out there.

    I just wanted to mention that in addition to the shows I posted on the right there are plenty more to be found at the clubs calenders, the bands websites and the Blues societies sites. I post the ones I know and the ones I have heard enough about to comment on. There are too many to try to just post everything although if I have the time I may try sometimes.

   We are lucky enough to have a great selection of artists and one is playing at a local club near you. I'm sure. Check one out on your night off...whatever night that is.

    Thanks for stopping by and let me know if you know about a show I should post.

bill

    I was so fortunate to get invited to a radio show last night. A buddy called and said four female blues singers were singing in some show of some kind and I was welcome to sit and listen. He said he knows I like these gals and he knew I'd enjoy it.  Hey, I can do that. I'm good at listening. 

   What a treat that was. You'll have a chance to hear the show Sunday on LI Blues Warehouse with Mark Klein. Check out the announcement posted here. It includes Sweet Suzi Smith, Pamela Betti, Franny Mae and Nicole Hart from NJ. All four are talented and expressive blues singers and not only "babes" but cool women. I happen to like them all because they are genuine real people.

    Nicole Hart is someone I just met. She is very friendly, nice personality, dynamite singer and one of the "babes" for sure. After a few little chats we had while the show was setting up she came up to me and asked me "what is it you get out of listening to the music, Bill?". I was taken aback for a second there. I'm usually the one asking the questions. That was a good question though. I always assumed it was obvious that one would enjoy just sitting and listening to music especially blues. I now realize that many people enjoy hearing their favorite songs and many people enjoy hearing and seeing a hot, entertaining show and may people enjoy the stimulation of music especially dancing to it. I also see that not as many people enjoy just sitting and listening to the music as closely as I do.

   I listen to the instruments most of the time (guitar especially) and I listen to the voice of the singers. I listen to drums when the catch my attention and when there is a creative bass player I hear that. I have my favorites but I never tire of hearing new players. I love a horn played solo and keyboards solo are a real treat too. It never gets boring.

   Thats not all though. As I said in an essay on one of the latter pages here I am moved by the voices of blues. Not just the vocal voices but the instrumental voices too. I feel a closeness with people sharing those sentiments. I feel like it is sort of a club (however large and wide) of people who share painful experience. That is personal. People are up there doing that in their own artistic, expressive ways. Listening is my way of "being" with people...of not feeling alone...of feeling "connected to humanity". That is why I listen.

   Now I know I use some somewhat "spacey" terms but I am being quite serious. I got the impression a few times in the last few months that I am not all that well understood. That is fine but there are some things that I want to be understood. My motivations to be with people making music and other art I want to be clear. I appreciate everyone who is out there working at their craft and their expression.

   Thanks  very much for listening and feel free to add to the discussion. I really don't think it is all that rare to be a "listener" of music. I am just lucky enough to have made the discovery for myself.

   I'll be back soon with some weekend stuff. There is lots to see this time of year.

bill

    Happy Holidays people.

    I know it is commercially generated...at least this early but it is nice to be in the season. I'm not loving doing the lights and shopping things and all but it is a time spent in more "conscious" mode and for that I am grateful and appreciative.

    All the better with good music going on everywhere.

    Take last night for instance. I got a last minute reprieve from some babysitting help and was able to catch some local stuff. I am glad I live where I do...like I said Bay Shore is a cool town.

   We found ourselves running(literally) to Lefty's for a set where we thoroughly enjoyed Blue Matter. Nobody does Little Wing around here better than them. It is a pleasure to hear a guitar like Arty Panico and with a guitar sidekicker and vocalist like Ray Wade doing that stuff. Them, George Ellert who rock and rolled his bass ass off and Ralphie Santiago who was fired up behind those drums had a nice show going on there.

   We were determined to squeeze in another show and we had it planned to catch two based on their proximity.. So many good shows last night.

   After Lefty's we ran to The Viking in Bay Shore and caught some tail end of The Dare Ya Band. It was another fun set. They are as creative as it gets and even without their star sax player they stood out with originality and some stylistic music. Johnny Dunn on bass, CJ Callan on vocals, Ronnie S on drums and a good keyboardist put together some fun music. We had a good time there with some really fun people.

    I'll be enjoying this holiday season as much as I can and one of the best ways I know is to go out and share good music with people. I hope you do the same.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

    Like I mentioned earlier this weekend poses difficult choices.  I thought I would explain that a little.

   First of all Friday is good in itself but since I may not get out Friday I am aiming more at Saturday night and there is the problem.

   I rarely see The Dare Ya Band playing  especially so close to home. The Dare Ya Band was pointed out to me by Dawn of Naked Body Guitars. If you don't know Dawn get to know her. She builds and maintains guitars...nice ones. I run into Dawn at some of the jams around here. She handed me a CD recently and said check these guys out. I did. Dare Ya Band is very original sounding. They write, they feature a really good sax, unique vocals and really good guitar and bass. I see something really different in them and I enjoy catching their shows.

   There is T-Bone and Franny Mae at Bobbique. I enjoy their sounds a lot. Franny is a really nice vocalist and T-Bone is entertaining on guitar. I happen to love guitar. Bobbique is a place I have been hearing a lot about. I want to see the place and see them playing there.

   Blue Matter is playing at Lefty's. Blue Matter is my favorite local jam band. They play the stuff I like and don't hear often like Hendrix, SRV.  Arty Panico is a talented guitar player and the other guys work really well together. I have been wanting to catch them at a headline event and sit for a set or two uninterupted. That is a good opportunnity.

   Pamela Betti and Dirty Love (Buchmann's in Smithtown)are a really entertaining and talented group. Pam Betti wows me every time I hear her. Her voice never disappoints and she is entertaining as a person. Her blues are as good as her...rythm..for lack of a better term. They offer a classic Saturday night experience...for me.

   Finally Cadillac Moon has a big show at Vail Leavitt with comedian Jackie Martling. Cadillac Moon is a top notch group with a dynamic lead vocalist (Leslie Zimei). I have been wanting to see them and they don't play locally all that often. That is a rare opportunity and it happens this weekend also.

   Thank god Suzi Smith and The Blues Experience are playing Friday (Giacomo Jacks). That would have been cruel if they were playing on Saturday too....I can't even get into all the other  kick ass bands around here. It is a long list. Thankfully many are in the city and out of town. It gets to be too much.

    I hope the few people that read this choose one of these to go see and I hope they all interest everyone as much as they do me. I am sure they can and will all get a crowd as well as the other acts out there. There are many others. Check out the calender on the Long Island Blues Society page as well as the calenders on the music venues pages and bands sites. There are lots of shows to see in the genre you like. I'm sure.

....Have a great time where ever you go and thanks for stopping by.

bill

   There are so many damn good shows this weekend I don't know how to get to them all. I'm going to be needing babysitting help, money, medical help, lots of hang over remedies and some help with work and can we get a cloning done in time?? Anyone with resources that might help me get through the weekend please get in touch.

   Honestly, I feel a sense of loyalty to a number of groups and performers and it's hard to support all of them all the time. Not to mention that fact that I just want to go to all the shows. Just know that I do what I can for all the artists out there trying to make it happen...even if I cannot get there in body. I'm there in spirit. Corny I know...actually I hate being corny but enthusiasm carries me over the line on occasion. So sue me.

   Keep me posted ya'll and thanks to those that are doing that now. I am overwhelmed by life's demands sometimes and I need all the reminding I can get.

See you soon.

bill

   High school reunions...what a trip. It has been a lot of years (okay, 30) and it is amazing how many things don't change.

   People seem to have a character that is theirs throughout their travels. Lives are filled with events that make us see things differently and even change us in some ways, hopefully smarter and better. Our perspectives do shift, that I can say. Sometimes things happen that make us fearful and cautious but those times pass. It seems our character rises to the surface, hopefully in all its glory, with some new, more definitive attire perhaps and some broader vision but with the same package of quirks and kinks...strengths and weaknesses, friends and foes. Another hope is that foes diminsh with understanding. That seems to be the key!

   So it was good to see my old classmates. They look good for the most part. They seem to all be doing well. I saw a lot of smiles and we laughed and I wish I could have spent more time with more people. I have some new moments, refreshed memories and my extroversions were stimulated and I wish I could spend more time with more people.

   Well, I try and I'll get out again Wednesday at least, if not sooner. Thanks for stopping by, stay in touch if you care and keep me posted with any and all interesting entertainment that you hear about on Long Island.

bill

    So I heard some news and went out Friday night to check it out. Suzi Smith and Blues Experience has added Mr. Chris Laybourne (Chrispy Chicken) to their group. That is some addition. Mr. Chris can play the sax, the keys and can carry tunes...not to mention a crowd. The guy can entertain.

   I caught the band, Suzi, Chris, John Anderson, Tom Foschino and Dave Pellegrino, at Craigs Signal 8 Saloon in Copaigue. That was my first time there and I liked the place and the staff. It was smallish but big enough and there was a good, friendly crowd.

   The show was Suzi on fire, as usual, Chris doing a really nice job on sax and on some Zepplin tunes too. John Anderson is always enjoyable on guitar too. They have a diverse playlist and I expect there will be more coming.

   I look forward to hearing more of these guys and to getting out and seeing more of the other really good local music. There is so much to see now it is hard to decide. I usually use location  to help me decide..like last night. Copaigue was close and I had to quit early last night.

   By the way, I heard there have been some amazing shows at the Boulton Theater in Bay Shore lately. I will start listing more of those as I see them but you can find a link to the site on my music venues page here. Check them out...and thanks for stopping by.

bill