Circumstances dictate so much of our lives. I often think of the people I know who seem to have complete control of their lives. For instance, I do business in some of the nicer suburbs on the island and I come across the ambitious, powerhungry types who plan their every minute if their every day. I recently had to be at someone's home early on a Sunday morning, promptly, if I "was serious" about getting the contract. I wish I could make every one jump to my schedule like that and, hence, make my whole day work the way I would like. I know there are trade-off's to living like that. There would be little time for contemplation and life. Smelling the roses is important; no vital. I would rather die with less money and more experience and more smile lines on my face than more money, less recreation and less time with my child.

   The kind of escape and recreation I seek and often find as a patron of live music is the kind I need from the very tension and chaos inherent in my life. The difficulty I have arranging time and money for myself and providing the safety and comfort needed for my family with the many limitations I have is the very fuel that drives me to seek the creative outlet. The frustrations of not being able to control my life somehow offer the means to enjoy the time I do get...however erratic. I guess you could say that control displaces anxiety AND a lot of emotion which lessens the desire for emotional realization and discovery.

   All this means that I was limited this weekend from getting to all the shows I might have liked to get to...and cest la vive.

   Friday night Ms. Bilf and I were looking for something very local since she had a very constricted schedule this weekend. There were a lot of shows Friday night. Luckily there was one close to home. Blue Matter was at Mustang Sally's in W Islip.

   The place is large and they could host as big show. They don't book consistently though so the crowd is often not as big as the place.

   Blue Matter bills themselves as a favorite jam band and they are...of mine anyway. They offer good guitars with Arty Panico and vocalist Ray Wade and Ralphie Santiago on drums with the pocket princess, Kelly Tyrell on bass. They play a tight couple of sets with some good guitar blues and rock'n roll. There's also a new harp player in the neighborhood. Wally from Brightwaters Inn once again stepped up and blew some nice music with them. The guy can carry a tune with that thing and it's a nice sound.

   Saturday night I was eventually free but it was a bit late again so I chose a gig that started late. Bennett Harris was at Sparky's. It's a new BBQ place on New Hwy. in Farmingdale...north side of Republic Airport...just north of Conklin.

   The place is the right kind of room, with the right kind of ambience, with the right kind of barmaid and the right kind of owner. It is new to the music stuff. They opened recently with Kerry Kearney and now Bennett Harris so the Man, Paul, knows his blues...and he plays a mean jukebox too. Karen behind the bar has a face you'll fall for right away with a killer smile...a good thing in a bartender.

   So the place is good. The band was too! Bennett Harris Blues delivers blues, guitar blues. I like Bennett Harris Blues. They are no nonense, talented, blues playing mofo's. I mean that fondly. I stayed to the end, just after 1 and it was good night's work and the man BH can play. I tried to take down the names of the players behind Mr. Harris as he rattled them off a few times. Bass player, Gary Brooks, was a nice player, creative and stylish. Drummer, Phil Kester was a stand out drummer for my one ear. He had a unique beat, stylish also and he did a nice solo which I was hoping for. The other 6-string was Mike Nugent and he also was a crafty soloist and did a really nice couple of tunes. They covered some different artists, like Gary Davis and they also moved into some classic blues tunes. Harris has confident vocals and hands and a good repetoire. It was a nice new mix of influences for me. I know these guys are not new, although I now know it was a new mix of players. (Thanks Bennett) I have not caught them in a small venue before...believe it or not. They have not ventured close to my habitat very often I guess. This time they could not escape me.

    I look forward to the summer and all the outdoor events and the festivals and just the more frequent happenings. This is an exciting time of year...could have something to do with school being out. I don't have to get up at 6-something every morning. Yeehaa!

   Enjoy your leisure and smell a few roses and get out for some live music. It will inspire. I promise.

   Thanks again for checking in.

bill

    After a few busy days I realize I never got a chance to talk about a fun jam last Wednesday night at Brightwaters Inn with the Blue Matter boys.

   That was a premier event for what will be a weekly jam. If the first week was any indication it will be a good one. Where there was a vacuum for a few months in southwestern Suffolk on Wed. nights there is now a plethora of quality jam. Remember to bring toast.

   The first night at BI was a blast. Hosts; Ray Wade, Ralphie Santiago, Arty Panico and Kelly Tyrell (Blue Matter) were in good form. With guests, Sweet Suzi, Josh Allen, Jim Kolman and some good local newbies it was a festive night with some magical moments.

   Artie Panico and Sweet Suzi rocked the crap out of Soulshine. You have to hear that sometime. Kolman and Allen played the hell out of a few tunes and affable bartender/bluesman Wally stepped up with a harp and did a helluva job on a few tunes. His son also began a jam career with some nifty guitar playing. Lot's happening at the ole' Brightwaters Inn.

   Now there are options aplenty on Wednesday night.

   As for the weekend I had some fun Saturday night at Big Daddy's in Massapequa with The Pam Betti Band. Did you know she is now with Muletrain Records? Once again, Congrats Pam!!  PBB also just returned from a gig at the Tropicana and AC! Well, Pam Betti does not need any additional momentum especially in a place as intimate as Big Daddy's but she had some and she hit all the notes. That blond can belt it out! Where does all that force come from?!

   I wish the place was a little roomier around the stage area because it ain't easy chillin there. I hear the food is amazing, real cajun fare, and the atmosphere is festive. It was a fun night with lots of friends and local musicians.

   Saturday night I was not able to comsume any local blues. Sunday might be different. There are some good ones around. Fingers crossed.

   Remember, Monday there is a summer jam at The Venetian Beach Hut in Lindenhurst with Blue Matter and the Beach Huts offer a great  setting for summer music. Check them out. Smith Point, W Hampton has one and Lindenhurst.

   Emjoy your Sunday and thanks for stopping by.

bill

  

    On occasion I get a bonus night of music. I know well what is out there on Wednesday nights and I do a lot of homework for the weekend calendar. As for the other nights I post what I find and what others show me but I do not know the jams well or some at all.

   Fathers Day I got a Sunday night to go out for some blues. I have been to the jam at the Brickhouse but never for very long. This time I could sit down and take it in. There is a good cast at the Jim Kolman (Josey Wales) jam pretty much every week. I have stopped in before and I always saw more than a few good players. This week was no exception.

   Besides Jim there was Josh Allen, JD Leonard, Tru Doty, Tim Smith, a good sax player, various drummers including Derek Hensley...many more. It was a treat of varying sounds and styles including a magical few moments with Kolman, Doty, Hensley, Leonard and Mr. sax. It was a series of solos that all played off each other and worked as a synergetic jam moment. Unfortunately, like Patchogue often does, it ended early-ish. Oh well, I got some off-night magic. I imagine it happens often there with the cast of players that comes to jam.

   Speaking of off night jams. I failed to list the Monday night summer jam at The Venetian Beach Hut in Lindenhurst. That one began this past Monday evening and will continue throughout the summer. It is hosted by the Blue Matter boys (Ray Wade, Ralph Santiago, Arty Panico and Kelly Tyrell). A nice bunch of players and a really nice setting. Check that one out too.

   Thanks again for checking in and thanks for sending me your events. It makes my life easier.

bill

  

   I would be writing a different post if I had gotten out Friday for exploration instead of Saturday.

   The calendar was so much fuller on Friday and the weather was nice. 

   Friday night I was with Ms.Bilf and we had time for one quick drink at Brightwaters Inn, a very local joint for us, where Sweaty Betty was belting out some pop stuff. It was like Bay Shore school teachers night so the show was geared  to a dance and pop crowd. It was a great crowd once again for SB and the female patrons were riled up by the time we got there. We stayed for a drink and caught some strong vocals for a couple of rock tunes and called it a night. Ms. McCardle (Betty) has a great set of pipes as they say. I look forward to hearing more of her vocals in some different settings.

   Saturday night was my only opportunity to explore and with a somewhat limited offering and gloomy weather I headed up to Chesterfields in Huntington. Yes, Chesterfields, the place that has been taboo since they mistreated the loved and respected Donnie Celenza a year or so ago. The fact is, back then Donnie said himself not to boycott the place since there are not all that many places to host blues and Huntington is a good location. That was classy of him. I did sort of boycott the place anyway for the last year as the only gigs I listed were some of the Jim Moran jams and I have not been there in a year at least.

   So last night I was back. I have read some posts about Mamafunk & The Mudcats on Craigslist musicians page. They may have been self serving posts but the band works pretty often and they offer some blues so I thought I'd give a listen.

   It was not a bad crowd for a bad weather night. As usual Chesterfields had cute and capable barmaids and there was an available seat at the bar so I grabbed it.

   Mamafunk is a singer that reminded me a few times of Franny Mae but maybe a "greener" version, vocally speaking. Franny Mae (as in T-Bone & Franny Mae) has more nuance and range...and gravy so to speak but the resemblences are numerous...from pitch, to style to song choices. It was occasionally uncanny. The Mudcats were capable with some good guitar and keys and a solid rhythm section. I'd say the rave posts on the Craigslist were a bit biased perhaps but the band offers a creative blues flavor and some good potential. I welcome creative interpreters of blues and I think she/they are headed towards some of that.

   This being Fathers Day I am lucky enough to be able to spend time with my father who is 85 and courageously fighting Parkinsons. The parental units are up from Florida and we are all together; the family. We were raised in Massapequa and since the late 80's we have scattered (some returned to Long Island, like me) and rarely spend time, as a family, with dad.

   Back then (baby boom) the fathers worked hard and the mothers did most of the "raising"...at least in our neighborhoods. I am still getting to know my father and these times are valuable. We're lucky that he took care of himself and that he has good genes (yippee) and that he was successful and lucky and had a good marriage. There is some luck involved in a good life and he had/has it all.

   I hope you enjoy your Fathers Day whether you get to be with your father or just spend some time remembering him or if you get to bask in the warmth and adoration of your children and family.

   Thanks for stopping by.

bill

   I think I should be clearer about the recent jam at Lefty's in Lindenhurst on Wed. nights. 

   Up to now it has been attended and hosted by some really good players; Papa G, Chrispy Chicken (Laybourne), Johnny Anderson and originally appointed host, Tommy "pizza". So far it has been interesting and last night finally got interesting after a first set of amateur hour that was guest hosted by Laybourne. He has game show host written all over him...kidding. But he handled the inebriated spotlight junkies with aplomb...and it was good for a few laughs.

   The second set featured some better moments with some guest players including Joe Behar on trumpet who has been gathering momentum lately and some good drum work with Bill Post and another new face...name escaped me. Chicken had some cool moments on sax and bass...no less.

   The last set got it all going. The mix of G, Chicken and Johnny A with Post on drums was a great set of jam music. Those guys can all play and if they keep showing up it will be a happy place for me on Wednesday nights.

   I still want to make some hay at St. James, Rockville Center and Patchogue on Wednesday nights but again I have alternative close to home which will save my ass on occasion and keep me happy.

   Fathers Day weekend approaches. There are some good shows out there and on Sunday too. I wonder if I could actually go to a show on Fathers Day...hmmm. It IS Fathers Day and the fam may want a break from me...might be an idea. We'll keep that in the hopper...

   Hope to see you all out there music fans... Thanks for checking in.

bill

    My Sunday post was a tad hasty in that I wrote it before knowing I would get to the Bay Shore Arts and Crafts Festival late in the day. There I caught The Willie Steel Band who were playing for Smoking Al's, a really good rib place in very cool downtown Bay Shore.

   I wanted to quickly mention a great band, Willie Steel Band.  They have Frank Bellucci on drums, with Willie Steel on guitar and the keyboard and sax players, not to mention bass were all amazing.  I know, I have good stuff to say about almost everyone I see. If you read carefully you'll see this is an unqualified rave for a great bunch of players....who happen to be playing tonight at Molly Malone's in Bay Shore.

   That's a first for a blues band. MM's has been a popular and casual Bay Shore dining spot and local watering hole for years and I actually like the fit of WS at MM's.

   Willie Steel Band is lead by Mr.Willie Steel who is a sort of satiric performer. He and they are pro's pros and the songs are sometimes played like farces that are done really well (like Fly Me to the Moon with some blues edge) and sometimes blues numbers played with a twist. Steel is brash, irreverent;  the players are solid performers all on the same page. It is a tight show. Catch them tonight if you see this in time or look them up (My Space) or find their shows here on BilLfOoLeRy.com.

   Another mid-week note...I was driving home from Queens Monday night and was reminded about the jam at Jessie's Roadhouse as I was passing by Merrick and on the phone with a friend.

   I popped in for a quick look and was amazed with the cast of players. It was a jazzy jam with Papa G, Chrispy Chis Laybourne, Chris Carrol on drums Ralph Peglese on keys, Dave Berg on guitar...some other good jazz players and Johnny Anderson was hanging around for looks... I didn't get to hear him play unfortunately. It was a quick look but a worthwhile one. Thats where the funk and jazz players go to show off their funky shoes and air out some metaphysical notions. I wish that was a Wednesday night show. I like the attitude.

  So there's good stuff every damn night. No excuses. Find an hour, any night, and go git some of that musical inspiration.

     So many choices, so many people and places. It is tough to decide where to go on a weekend night when I have to miss shows that I want to see. Throw in some friends that decided to come out and the fact that they live in, like Rocky Point, and the decision gets narrowed down suddenly.

   So Friday night I trucked up to Port Jeff and I had found and listed two players for Tumbleweeds that night. I was going to get a chance to find out what that was all about.

   It turns out that Tommy Keys was the show and there was a scheduling snafu so Gary Sellers was not. No sweat. I have not seen the busy piano man, Tommy Keys, since probably last summer. Hmmm, he may be a harbinger of summer. I'll have to make a note of that.

   First of all I like Tumbleweeds. It has a beachy motif and the front door is open to the patio which is open to the huge parking lot behind Port Jazz. There was a lot of human traffic which is always interesting. The bar is big for a bar, small for a restaurant but the outside area makes it bigger. The attitude is casual, great for blues.

   Tommy Keys was just playing his stuff...as the people came and went. He went from down and bluesy to jazzy to swing and party. Amazing how versatile keys are and he who plays them so well.

   By the way, there's a blues festival at Tumbleweeds with 6 bands and a pig roast and that sounds like a blast! June 22, 2pm. Mark that on your calendar. Pam Betti, Little Cliff and lots more.

   I was in luckyland this weekend. I got another night out so I headed to Patchogue Saturday night. Again, I had friends coming out and that is always a consideration and, of course there was good entertainment at Bobbique's and The Brickhouse. Those places rock...as they say.

   Sweet Suzi and the Blues Experience were lighting up Bobbique's Sat. night. I got there mid-show and enjoyed the hell out of a set and a half. Suzi was full throttle, of course.  I also love Johnny Anderson's guitar and the Blues Experience gave me that...blues experience that I need so often. Suzi even added some James Brown to the mix.

   Something I am noticing about the local blues fare. It is getting influenced (favorably) by the strong presence of a talented local funk/jazz scene. The Johnny Anderson's and the Chris Laybourne's who play with the Papa G's and the Henning Stum's sprinkle the pollen's of the varying styles to the jams and bands of the blues people I know. There is more mixing of styles than those few, in fact the weeknight jams all have players who mix and influence others. It is creating a blend that is distinctive to these parts and it is fun to hear.

   After SS & the BE I floated over to The Brickhouse Brewery for one of those distinctively Patchogue doubleheaders.

   The Jim Moran Band was kicking some glutious with their recent lead guy JD Leonard. Holy crap, that guy can sing and play! He brings some "european" (okay British) flavor to the JMBand with some Pink Floyd (which is popular recently) and some zepplin-esque vocals and guitar. He has really strong vocals, which I knew, but his guitar last night was another show by itself. Add Tim Smith's vocals and even some Ed the Hat personality and the JMB is all the sudden multi dimensional. It was a regular revelation... and a helluva Saturday night in Patchogue.

   Another interesting note...At the Sweet Suzi show I was introduced to Ken Shankman, a reviewer for Elmore Magazine. That is a great magazine. I ran into it online about a year ago and it seems to be doing nicely. They had free hard copies there Sat. night and I was thrilled. I have a link to the mag. on one of my links pages. Check it out and pick up the magazine. It not only has necessary blues and Americana music coverage but it has great graphics. It's a really nice publication.

   Well, I cannot complain at least for a while now. I have had two weekends of multi-night entertainment and I have even had company ...most of the time.

   And today is the Bay Shore Arts & Crafts Festival...always a fun day!

Life is good.

   How was your weekend?

   Thanks for stopping by,

bill

 

  

   For all you Wednesday night music fans there was another spontaneous music affair at Lefty's last night. Apparently many of you were either at Reflections, St. James or Patchogue. I understand. There are good music events in those and other places. Like last week this was an underappreciated event... however terrific.

   There happens to be a geographic slot on the south shore/western suffolk and apparently someone seems to be trying to fill it. Given that my address is in the afformentioned slot I am finding myself easily lured to Lefty's if even a hint of something good is going to happen. The fact is I have to watch the old drink and drive ratio so this is worth pursuing.

   Last night the Tommy "pizza" jam was attended by Papa G but the remainder of the cast was different and really good also.

   Mike Ernst who was on 6-string the whole night, was versatile...and good.  There were all kinds of styles going on, from Jimi Hendrix with Roy Leftenant (O'Zone) on drums to some R&B  with Chris Laybourne (yes, Mr. Chrispy Chicken). The cast also included Tommy Pizza and Bill Post on drums, Paul Bassi on bass, Joey Inserra on drums...and PapaG who is a catalyst for jams in the area and a creative monster in his own right.

   There were some good moments. Little Wing was cool and Chrispy on sax just lets it fly.

   I have heard CC  a number of times with Sweet Suzi and at Mr. Beery's once or twice but I have missed a number of jams where he showed up and people have raved about the fun music that ensued. 

    I go out for jams so often I love it when a talent on something other than a guitar or vocal shows up. It's all good but new stuff is fun sometimes. Laybourne brings that. He leads like an instrument should lead. He doesn't go out on a limb he takes a leap off the tree. He takes the slot in the song and writes his own piece using the setting provided by the song. The song is just a premise... a neighborhood to play in. It's joyful. It is like hearing something new all the time. He lives the moment. That kind of creative expression is what it's all about.

   There were more moments of that last night and other nights but usually they are rare and they occur "here and there". I guess that's the point of jams in general...putting different pieces together and seeing what happens.

   I hope more people get out there and hear this stuff. It's art! That's important if you need to find joy.

   Thanks for checking in and thanks for the music, boys.

bill

 

  

    My awesome weekend started Friday night. Let me go back a step. Last weekend I was at Wonderous Stories (Sunset Grill) and I ran into some single 30 to 40-something types who were out for a night on the town. They were of the female persuasion and they were in fact, the demographic I seek to address here in BilLfoOlery-land. Ginny and Dottie are the fun type. They like being out and they like adventure...so I nagged them to get their bad selves out this weekend. They showed up.

   We were at Pub 454 to hear Stevie Cochran. The choices were determined by geography and the shows available in the target area. I caught Mr. C at one of the festivals last summer and his guitar caught my attention. I know,  I'm easy. Guitars somehow permeate all my defenses and that's mostly good.

   What I like most about Stevie Cochran, besides his really good hands, is his choice of music. Naturally I like original stuff and creative interpretations of interesting songs. But I also like the Beatles and that genre.

   I hear, and love, so much blues but I was entertained by some new song choices mixed with his playing style. I enjoyed the "Steamroller" cover and I enjoyed the Beatles interpretations.  It was a blues night but it was done with some different tunes, not many of which were traditional blues songs.

   I dug the show. I can recommend a night of Stevie Cochran anytime. I look forward to hearing some more of his repetoire.

   Saturday night started off poorly I'm afraid. I erroneously listed the O'Zone gig at Maggies, where they played a few times prior. I got to Maggies at a decent time for the first time in ages. When I walked in though, the friendly barmaid pointed out that they were not playing there that night and they usually play there on Fridays. Also, I could go online to their website and find out where they might be tonight. I tried to hide my beet-red face, thanked her, and bolted. That might not have been a good time to introduce myself and my blog to the young lady.

   I found out from Tim Dorsey, keyboardist for O'Zone, that they were at Molly Bloom's and luckily that was not far. (corner 27a and Rte.110, Amity) I got there in 10 minutes and just caught the start.

   O'Zone is a cool funk band with some really good pieces. They play the stuff that people like to get up and dance to; James Brown, George Clinton funk, some Stevie W, some R&B.

   Ahmed, lead guitar has two strong lead instruments; a really smooth voice and a good guitar. With Dorsey on keys and some vocals, Roy on drums and Clem on bass they make for a fun night.

   Molly Blooms is a big venue. There is room for a big show and I would think the place is a good choice for an ambitious show this summer or soon...before they change hands again. The place would need a big promotional effort from all parties involved to fill the room. 

   It was not a bad showing and everyone was having a good time.

   Being Saturday night I had to stop in at another show especially since I got the earliest start all year. Luckily there was an Andy Aledort sighting at The Viking in Islip. Every now and then you can catch one of the best damn guitar players there is right there at the modest little Islip hangout.

   I got there for the last two sets and it was hot. His usual cast with DiMeo on keys are all so good. It is the best Hendrix, SRV, etc. you will ever hear. This Saturday Gary Sellers was in the house and he got invited up for a few numbers. Sellers and Aledort played a wild jam of a Howlin Wolf number for one. It was cool because Sellers has his own moments of guitar magic and he is also masterful at complementing a player like Aledort. Sellers has had years of sidekicking with Sam Taylor among others. There was a comfortable exchange of leads between the two. Sellers did a nice job of setting-up so to speak and it was a memorabale performance by both. It is always a memorable night of music there, and with The Groove Kings.

   That was about it for me. I would have loved to get to The Brickhouse Sunday for the Henry Butler performance but family matters took over and my musical wanderings were over for the weekend. It was a good one.

   I hope you all had a good weekend and thanks for checking in here. I hope to spend a busy summer of music with ya'll.

bill