So it's back to the local music fare after the rush of festival time has passed. The weather has been great here on Long Island as the usual humidity has been scarce and the sun has been abundant. The music has been great as well.

   Fortunately the local stuff has been fresh with new jams, new artists and some new venues. We have all kinds of quality blues on Long Island lately and I am here to tell you that it is going on almost every night of the week.

   Not long ago I was searching for a Wednesday night jam after there were a few closings in my area. I know they are hard to maintain as bar-owners get impatient with erratic crowds and musicians getting paid on a weekly basis but I know that some have been regretful after shutting down the jams and then having nothing going on at all.

   Now there is an abundance of Wednesday night jams as well as any other night you could want.

   There is the Harvey's jam with Donnie and Danny, there's the Big Daddy's jam in Massap. with John Judd and Co, there's the new Jessie's in Merrick re-opening, Papa G is at Lefty's in Lindenhurst, a new one in Amity with the O'Zone gang just started, Jim Moran of course is jamming (now at a new place in Holbrook ,Momo's) and Sly Geralds has a happening jam going on with female vocalists every week. It's tough to choose but it's nice to be able to. The other nights have been great too with ET Quiggs in Bellmore on Thursday and DJ Riders on Thursday also where Crispy Chicken has been popping in.

   These are  quality shows and they are free so check one out this week and every week.

   The coming weekend looks good too.  Josey Wales (Jim Kolman) has a birthday bash happening at Bobbique's in Patch. this weekend and that should get a good cast.  There are the multi-talented JP Blues and Frank Latorre at Eastport Luncheonette every week. Those two rock like crazy. T-Bone & Franny baby have been rockin a lot lately and they come to Nassau this weekend with a gig at Callahans in E Meadow. Oh, and the always dynamic Pam Betti is at Sayville Fair this Saturday for a 6pm show. That's a beautiful town and a great day and Pam will dazzle you. Mirelle's always has a quality event too and it's such a nice setting in Westbury.

   Check the calendar for something near you or go to one of these great headline events. Okay?!

   Thanks for checking in and don't forget to check the calendar this weekend for a local getaway and an inspiring night of real live blues!

bill

    After a few great sets I took a little stroll for some sustenance and other important matters. As I returned I caught the end of Toby Walker and dug the hell out of a few songs and the energy he was generating. He had big group up front and he was in high gear. He has a good range of moods and this was his fast gear and it's my favorite of his. I rarely enjoy the lowkey pickin stuff by him or anyone else. That's just a preference. I was introduced to blues by Hendrix and Vaughn on guitar and numerous vocalists.

   After Little Toby Walker came Nicole Hart and NRG, sans Lance Ong. She mentioned that Lance was doing well but did not make the trip. Good to hear he's doing okay. Lance Ong is the husband, collaborator  and keyboardist of Nicole Hart & NRG and he is battling cancer. At the same time Nicole and NRG are enjoying success with a cool new label, Blues Leaf Records and some big hits on the charts from her new cd, Treasure.

   Nicole was another high energy act and she put on a good show. A stunning blond in a little red dress Nicole put on five or six tight numbers with sweet vocals and a talented bunch of players. (I still missed Lance though) She brings a tasty style of blues and broke the mold of the blues guitars and down-and-dirty-divas...as good as they all are. It was a treat to watch a lithe Hart perform and the effort she gave. 

   I may not have noticed before, or maybe it's a factor of her circumstance but I felt a vulnerability, a little more heart and soul and that was my favorite of the performances I have seen of Nicole. I just like seeing and hearing some frailty in a performance. She was gutsy and I dug it.

   Next up was Savoy Brown with Kim Simmonds on the River Stage.

   I listen to a lot of guitar players and I love a lot of them. Once I heard the voice of Hendrix in his guitar I was tuned in to the voices of musicians through instruments. On this level it doesn't take much for me to hear the player and the question for me is, "do I like the voice?". Simmonds I loved and his band was tight and the set was awesome! He plays with ease and splenor and it's like eating a gourmet meal. It was delicious and creative and for me all new. I have never heard Simmonds live. He also invited up Frank Latorre for some harp numbers which was a cool treat. Latorre's bluesy harp was a great fit and the collaboration with a great band made great music.

   By that time I was wiped and I was pushing it by being out all day after feeling funky the night before the festival. I decided to make a quick stop or two at Tweeds and Diggers before heading home for the day.

   I stopped at Tweeds first. I have been posting that event since I have been posting events. Tommy Keys plays there every weekend and has for years. I wanted to hear and see the show finally. Of course I got there on break. That's a given for me so I hung out and eventually caught a few numbers of some great performance by Tommy and some friends in a nice place. I had little time but I'm glad I saw another show that I post and had not seen. Tommy Keys is a fun performer and he's there (and other places) often and people should know it.

   My last stop for the night was at Diggers but the cast of characters must have gone. I caught Joe Vicino for a few tunes and he was rockin and there was a crowd but I thought there was a jam and I didn't see it and I was cooked. There was a good show there that night and I just couldn't do it all.

   That leaves Sunday at the festival and after a good night rest I scooped up my daughter and niece and we went back to the festival for as long as I could keep them there. They went to the craft tents and I went to the music grounds and I knew my time was limited. It was already after noon and I missed T-Bone and Franny Mae.

   I got there mid set for Andre and the Night Hounds. Those guys were kickin butt on the Marina Stage and they were workin hard. It was another band I had not heard and another fiery guitar player and band. The festival had not filled up yet but there was a crowd in front of the stage and it was another beautiful day.

   I had heard a lot about Little Sammy Davis and his guitar player Freddie Scribner. I was hoping my daughter would hold out long enough for me to catch that show at least.

   The sun was getting hotter and the crowd was coming in and I was waiting patiently until they began. Mr. Davis had a stroke recently and I saw him walk slowly up to the stage. I was not sure how he would play but I spoke with a fan and she said he is doing well and his playing has been good.

   The group finally hit and they started as a two piece with Freddie on acoustic and Little Sammy on harp. They opened with a few Little Walter numbers and the guitar playing was impeccable and the harp was soulful. It was some Delta blues with some real grit. Freddie would whisper in Sammy's ear and they would play. After each song Little Sammy would hold up a finger and say "I'll give you one more". Sammy seemed pretty damn good. He was bringing it. After four or so acoustic numbers the electric contingent showed up with Clutch Reilly on bass. Freddie Scribner pulled out an electric and they went at it with some crazy guitar by Scribner and Little Sammy was joined on harp by Frank Latorre. They had some good moments. It was another great set and for me the last one I would witness at the festival. I had been getting texts from my daughter that she was melting about half way into the set and I had let her deal with that as I could not walk away from the music.

   The festival was great. I enjoyed so much of it and it was beautiful weather and well run and well attended.

   I have only two issues with the event. First I wish there could have been more local artists including a few divas who we know and love, some excellent bands and also a good size contingent of local players who have issues with the societies involved. Second, I am a little baffled by how little it was covered in Newsday. I saw nothing in the Friday or Saturday papers. I didn't even look in NY Times or other NY papers. I was more concerned about Long Islands newspaper. I make it part of my mission to try and spread the word of local music here on Long Island and I was really curious to see how and if they would cover it and I didn't see it.

   The 09 Riverhead Blues and Music Festival was a good one and that's me, Billfoolery covering it.

   Thanks for checking in and thanks to the festival people! You done good!

bill

   Saturday at Riverhead Blues Festival I arrived around 3:30. I would have liked to catch everything and I was aiming to get there for Jim Moran. I wanted to catch some Hendrix or something similar which Jim does so well. I just missed The Jim Moran Band set but truthfully I was grateful for the amount of time I did get this year.

   I happen to be going through so much lately including moving and other drastic changes so it was tricky to get away but much needed.

   There was an excellent crowd at the festival when I arrived. The weather was brilliantly sunny and not overly hot. It was perfect. The crowd filled the space beautifully without too much crowding and no vast empty spaces. There was a good crowd sitting and enjoying, there was a good crowd at the craft area and people-traffic moved well along the perimeter. I made a call and soon found my friends, Audrey and Alex, who were set up with table, chairs, umbrella and, get this, a portable blender offering Mojito's perfectly blended with ice, mint and, um all the rest. Some people know how to live. Audrey is one of them.

   I parked myself, unfolded my chair and took in the particulars. The stages were set up opposite each other. There was the River or large stage at the far end and the Marina Stage on the opposite end of the square with the patrons in the middle. There were tents on the other two sides with food and sponsors.   

   After a show on one stage the following show opened right up on the opposite stage so we stood and rotated our chairs for each event unless we walked up and stood close which we did often.

   I arrived just as Bobby Nathan was setting up. I have heard a lot about Bobby Nathan from Clutch Reilly who I met while working in a Setauket wood shop four or so years ago. Clutch Reilly was up there on bass as well. I was looking forward to this one.

   Nathan has charisma and he and Clutch and Co. delivered some nice heavy blues moments. I liked his guitar style and I liked his set. I ddn't expect such bluesy riffs but he had some. Nathan was playing in a familiar SRV style on a few numbers and he had a cool take and I was locked in right away. It was a great start.

   No sooner did Bobby Nathan wrap up when Pat Hunter Project kicked in on the River Stage.

   Ms Hunter was a stunner in a an elegant and slender silver gown and curly caramel locks. She was silky. She delivered those sultry Pat Hunter vocals with a smile and some tears and some personal thoughts that made the audience her own group of intimate friends. Her very personal dialogue between songs brings her audience in and, me being one of them, wanted to take her pain away. She just lays it out there beautifuly and as usual Pat Hunter was a soulful blues performer. It's natural for Pat.

   The guys behind her had some hot solo's as well. At one point a Gary Sellers riff made me jolt my attention as he layered a riff on top of another and it was a great catch of a melody. I laughed because I enjoyed it so much.

   The keys of Eric Smith and bass of Al Davis III and drums of Shinya M were all terrific. I really enjoyed that set and the big crowd in attendance did too.

   The next spot was, for me, a much anticipated event. It was the Mike Scalzo Band fetauring Chrissie O'Dell. Let's forget for the time being how the band came about. Suffice to say it was an incongruous group. I knew what to expect from each of the individuals but together? I had no idea.

   Chrissie O'Dell is a recently busy Long Island performer with a lengthy resume in other areas including upstate NY. She has performed with all kinds of players and it shows. Her vocal style is pure grit and she reeks working class blues. Her performance of Fishin Trip (made popular by the late Koko Taylor) was so gutsy I was grinning from ear to ear. She belts it with a strong, raspy sound not missing a note. Her vocal strength can overcome a lot of things. The whole set was just guts and blues and a couple of other characters gutting it out. Brother Dave on axe was solid in blue as well and Johnny Cola (on a twangy six string) filled in the gaps and distracted the crowd with some bold stylin and some flirtin on a wireless lead. John Agerson on bass did a good job of hangin on to the pocket as Mike Scalzo did the same. They pulled it together and Ms. O'Dell shined like a blues singer with something to say. The authenticity in her voice is as real as dirt and hers is the most boiled down, unadulterated, unpretentious blues voice I know. It was a riveting set and a rich sound to have in the blues mix.

  I'll be back with more. Thanks for checking in.

bill

   Festival weekends are over now. It was a draining two weeks both professionally and personally and I now have some curious ailments from pushing the limits.

   Last weekend I only made one visit to the Great South Bay Music Festival (Sunday) but it was a gorgeous day and it was nice to be at a festival.  I have to admit I did not know there was only blues on Friday night at that event. I knew it was going to be a tough weekend to get away so I didn't look real close at the schedule. I figured I would go when my schedule allowed and hope for the best. Well Sunday at the Great South Bay Festival was rock/metal day and it was not my partcular music. I saw friends at the LIBS and Kerry Kearney tent though and I caught a set of J Rad. They have a dynamic lead singer and a cool lead guitar. They brought some high energy and real talent.

   I would prefer more of a spread of styles throughout the weekend but I'm pretty sure others don't have the same schedule issues I have.

       As for the Riverhead Blues Festival I have lots of good experiences and I will follow this post with another on just the blues festval after I finish my recollections. I spent most of Saturday and half of Sunday and it was terrific. The weather was amazing, the shows were good, the new faces were talented and the old ones were tight. I missed a few of the locals who were missing. I guess that was the only negative.

   The fact is I came down with fever the night before the festival and I now have a curious swelling in a glandular area of my neck. I had better get some sleep tonight before I grow another head. I will be back with the new schedule on Monday and my notes on the festival following soon as well.

   Thanks to the folks who said Hello and commented on my site. That means a lot. It also means a lot to me to know where all this great music is and to be able to take it in and share it with others. Thanks to those who set up these festivals and those who played and those who play around here every week and help sustain my happiness in life. It's the week to week stuff that I live on. This was like the holiday's.

   Stay tuned and thanks for checking in.

bill

   Being a dad and a middle age guy I live in two very different worlds. There is the daily life in suburbia among neighbors, near-by family members, parents of my childs friends, work associates, customers and the people who work in my area. These folks know a mild mannered, amiable dad I imagine. I try to keep my issues below the surface since no one wants to hear other peoples troubles. Having led an unconventional life as single parent and self-employed worker there have been lots of challenges. My child has done well and I have squeaked by and we do ok thankyouverymuch.

   Then there is the night-time life I have created as a means of both coping with my trials and a way of growing my creative faculties for both professional and personal advantage. My passion for blues, live performance and musical expression has driven me to find all sorts of means of escape and to find excellent live music here on Long Island.

   I came back to Long Island to raise my daughter and for at least three more years this is where I will be so I made it work for me and I have been lucky to find so many talented people. I have been able to find good stuff on most nights of the week and in more than one place. It's out there and it is very often inspiring performance.

   This past week I had to move my night out to Thursday for family reasons and luckily there was a special event at ET Quiggs where there has been a regular jam for many years now. This week past there was a fundraiser (hosted by LI Cares) that accompanied the jam and it brought a good number of people and players above and beyond the usual folks that attend the Thursday night jam at ET Quiggs in Bellmore.

   I missed the early part which included a few numbers by Crispy Chicken (Chris Laybourne) a really talented sax player but I did get to enjoy a lot of other good players. I caught songs performed by the SmokinGun band, (Bill M, Rich Thiel and Jeannie B), Josh Allen and Lou Carollo, Brother Dave, Mark Mancini, Ralph Santiago, Johnny Cola, Bill Post, Charlie and many more. There were some dynamite moments and there was a range of talent from good to great but collectively it was a terrific cast and a great night of music.

     A few moments of feeling elevated by the creative riffs of some skilled players lifts my spirits. An intuitive rendition of a song that a musician feels something about shares experience. A artist who knows the material from having played it many times, with many players and in many settings expresses more from all that. The riffs and nuances are part of an overall interpretation offering more than just a cover of a song. The stories in songs and blues convey other peoples trials; the parts of their lives that they don't talk to their neighbors about, the parts of their lives that not enough people share but most live. Thats valuable to me.

   This weekend and next, and these weeks of summer are as good as it gets around here. The local artists are around, there are really good national acts here and theoretically the summer weather permits us to access it all, day and night. So I hope you take advantage and take it in.

   Thanks for stopping by and have a great festival month.

bill

   I hope you all had a happy 4th of July weekend. Mine was busy with some good stuff and some "other" stuff. It is just not all good and in my case that has to do with a changing domestic situation and that means everything is different. The holidays are different, the weekends are different and my observations are different. But that will all come out in time.

    Friday, I had low expectations of going to a music show. I knew I would be chauffeuring my vunderteen around and had no idea when that would end. As it turned out I had some time to run to a show. I ran out to Bobbique's in Patchogue for Buttered Soul. I got there around 10:30 and they were on break. That's my thing. I arrive on break... all the time. I have this force field that arrives before me and somehow it occurs to the band to break just before I walk in. So I walk in, order a vodka and wait. I hate waiting. I walk into a music show ready for music. On the drive there I listen and I build an expectation of more listening. My head is in music mode. It's not so bad if I find friends in the same situation or a group to hang with but that doesn't always happen. In this case I sat for a while, worked on that Stoli, studying the olives and finally some music began. I was into the second song and I got the call to put my chauffeur hat on again. Damn!

   So I was back on the road again and I did my fatherly duty and by the time I was done the closest I was going to get to some blues was Brightwaters Inn for the Urge (who aren't bad but they're rockers). I waltzed in to BWI and there was a decent crowd. There were people dancing and the Urge guys were rockin. Wally did some harp'n with them and it was not a bad hang... So that was my Friday night and the weekend was underway.

   Saturday I had a little more time to plan and I had an old invite for O'Zone at Giacomo Jacks in Amity.

   O'Zone does funk with some other stuff sprinkled in. This time they had Ahmed Ali on lead vocals and axe with Tim Dorsey on keys, Clem Allen on bass and Roy Leftenant on drums. Mr. Ali adds some tasty guitar chops and  smooth vocals to an already cool band of funky dudes. They were a good time and there were some good cameo vocals by Sweet Suzi and Kim Allen. They're a good time and bring some more dance beat than the blues fare that I usualy go after.

   I have not yet had the time to mention my recent Wednesday night. I had missed the John Judd jam the prior Wednesday night in order to attend the last Reflections jam so this past week I wanted to get back to some Juddjammin at Big Daddy's in Massapequa. I got that and more as Brother Dave and Ms. Chrissie O'Dell waltzed in for the jam. That was a great surprise as Ms. O'Dell is from parts north of Long Island and Dave from further west. Anyway the two blues travellers chimed in for some down home soul playing. That's the variety I crave and so far that jam has had some awesome surprises.

   Those two and Sweet Suzi also showed up at the Lefty's jam (Lindenhurst)afterwards with Papa G, Tim Dorsey, Andy Witt, Henning Stumm and others (the O'Zone guys often pop in as well). It is more of a funk, jazz, soul,bop thing but most who show up there enjoy that stuff. That was as good as a weekend show. Once you know where to find it good music can be found most nights.

   Weekends you can go to the headline clubs too and enjoy a seat at a table and find shows of fully assembled quality bands. I hope you do that and check the schedule right here for whats going on.

   Thanks again for stopping by.

bill

   For the last 32 years there has been an annual event called The Paper Bag. It is billed as the longest running 70 piece rock band. It has taken place at various locations over the years and now it tales place at Mulcahy's in Wantagh.

   I would have written this piece before the event to advertise it but I have never been to a Paper Bag event. I had no idea what it was and now that I attended I can also say that the event needs no advertising. It was jam packed and it was a piece of Long Island music culture that I can tell you is a must-see. It was also fun. It is a novelty event. It is a showcase of unique rock music arrangement. It is a rock opera with dramatic performances. It is rock humor with vaudvillian elements. It's Long Island guitar-mania. It is well run and it's got a life of its own.

   The event went from 10 pm sharp to the wee hours. I left around midnight and the set list was still young. Just for the record before the opening act was a performance of Hendrix's Star Spangled Banner and the show ended with another Hendrix tune (Let Me Stand Next to Your Fire). In between were 40 or so rock standards from Whipping Post to Rock Steady to White Rabbit and every song was orchestral and dramatic. The stage was full with horns, guitars, costumes, singers, drums, keys, synth.'s and dancers of many ages. I stood marveling at the people and the performances.

   I thought I knew a lot of performers on Long Island but there were 70 players on that stage and I knew only a handful. Johnny Cola (one of the dozen or so guitars) invited me. Thanks Johnny, but I knew few others. Mike Guido, a host was a cool MC and vocalist. There were good vocal performances by Lee Thompson and Tony Barca and Joan Pollack and Dawnette D (Darden). You can see the roster and lots of other information at www.paperbagmusic.com.

   Next year I will be able to write something before the event now that I am initiated and I will be sure to remind you. If you have not seen a Paper Bag I think you need to. You'll understand the local music culture better and what kind of music the Long Island audience likes and why. It felt like all the crowds I have been part of for the last, oh, 30 years and it probably was.

   So I now feel fully initiated into the club of the Long Island music audience.

   Thanks for checking in ya'll.

bill