For numerous reasons it has been a quiet time for blues at the local venues.

   A few key Wednesday night jams have shut down and I hear from numerous local blues artists lately that it has been challenging getting gigs. The climate of DWI enforcement and a tough economy has caused the patronage to dwindle at many local venues. It seems the big band and dance shows are faring better. The weekend-for-singles market is a stronger market. The artists in smaller venues at the same times are the ones feeling the pinch mostly because those customers are out more for entertainment and less for socialization. They are more prone to deciding against going out than the people who are single and go out for social life as opposed to entertainment.

   The more "bohemian" artists who appeal to the older and more entrenched public are playing to a smaller audience and they now have to fight to be heard.

   Having gotten to know many of the local blues and jazz musicians I also know that some suffer real emotional downs and the usual levels of anxiety associated with the life of an artist are heightened by the additional pressures of a dwindling market.

   Club owners primarily want to know how many people an act will draw. If the answer is unclear the club owners are unwilling to shell out much guaranteed money. The turnouts are frequently small and although this is typically a cyclical phenomenon the current outlook requires devout optimism to which I subscribe.

   There are numerous genuinely moving blues artists in our midst. I drive often and sometimes far to hear them. I can almost always find something on the calendar to soothe my longings. I know the talent (supply) side of the curve is strong. The demand side is the issue and I am reaching out to a modest group here but it is earnest. When you go to a club and enjoy the music thank the owner. They need to know that it is a long term investment and a worthwhile one. They need to hear the players and let their patrons hear them and get feedback and learn that regular music eventually brings customers.

   When I am out and feel like hearing something and I don't have my calendar with me or if a show cancels I will go to a place that I know has music and better if it is a place that has good music. They may not make money every night but they will build a following of patrons and musicians. They will even get the occasional music party or event. They will also be patronizing the arts. There will be articles and PR and good will.... not to mention my and other blues fans undying appreciation for sustaining a valuable artform.

   Blues music quenches emotional needs. It befriends the friendless. It echoes the voices of longing. It humors the tired and spent. It comes from the battered soul but expresses soulful beauty. It is desire being humbly fullfilled.

   Just some thoughts as my heart aches a little for the plight of the blues artist.

   As for my weekend I only took in music on Friday night and it was a late one. After a bewildering blind date experience I ran out to Bohemia to catch some of Bobby Rondinelli and friends at The Stadium Pub (formerly Pub 454). I knew that would be going on a little later than most.

   I arrived in time for three or four tunes. The cast was fun with Bobby R on skins of course, Jim Kolman on axe, Tim Smith on bass, Tru Doty on keys and an excellent  rock vocalist Tommy Adrian. The place was bouncing pretty good even at 1am. That's a must see show for rock fans whenever you see it posted.

   The Stadium Pub is actually a really good room with plenty of space, an accessible bar and good sightlines all around. The staff was good spirited and, um, pretty damn hot!

   This is a short week coming and then a holiday. Stay tuned for the calendar on Monday as there's going to be plenty of good stuff for the long holiday weekend.

   Enjoy your Thanksgiving and enjoy some music and be thankful that we have art among us.

bill

   I am stuck home waiting for a UPS delivery and of course it is past the window of time noted on the delivery slip. I think these delivery people enjoy making customers wait as some form of disciplinary punishment. It just feels like resentment for the customer of some kind, like for all the rushing around they do we must just sit and wait for however long it takes. I had the same experience last Saturday when I waited four hours for a sears repairman who never showed. FOUR HOURS on a Saturday!! They keep calling as if I am going to reschedule. I will pay double to someone else (as if thats even possible) before I pay them to make me wait again for four hours.

  So this at least is giving me time to post something of my weekend. I usually find time on Sundays but this Sunday was busy as I ran out to Rocky Point for the LIBS fundraiser... more on that later.

   I was a busy blues boy this weekend beginning with Friday night when I began at Mirelle's in Westbury. Klyph Black and Rumor Has It was playing and I heard they are quite a cast and quite a show. The well traveled rockers were in fact a good time. The cast included Mr. Black on axe and lead vox, a pair of Finkelsteins on drums and percussion, Arno Hecht on sax, Al Buonanno on bass and more...

   They were rockin pretty good and it was fun. Hecht on sax was very cool as was Black of course. That's a lot of show and those guys individualy get top dollar with some big acts, Mirelle's does a nice job bring in quality players for a reasonable ticket.

   After a set there I headed down to Craigs Signal 8 Saloon in Copaigue for their 8th Anniv.with Sweet Suzi and some of her Blues Experience. I had not seen SS&BE in some time and it was nice to catch Suzi with Johnny Anderson in the friendly and cozy confines of Signal 8.

   I am here trying to help people appreciate seeing/hearing real talented people in their own neighborhood venues. This was it and Suzi is in good form these days as is Johnny A on bad axe. That's a pretty amazing show for a little place in Copaigue.

   Saturday, after being stood up by Sears, I did some bouncing around as I was rendevouzing with numerous party's. I finally settled in at Terry G's in Farmingdale for a set of Sixteen Tons. They play a mix of roots blues, Johnny Cash and country type stuff and it's a unique little blues niche they occupy. It was something different with the same basic four instruments, axe, bass, keys drums... with some whimsical vocals. It's a toned down but entertaining variety.  

   After that I wound down at the ole' Brightwaters Inn where Wally was hosting a rock ensemble, Sound Advice. SA is an affable group of guys offering rock with some attitude and clever vocals. They were a fun way to end a busy few nights. The BWI w/ Wally is also a good place to just hang as Wally digitally records almost every show and plays it back becoming perhaps the only place on Long Island that regularly plays local music... and it sounds great! After wrapping up their equipment a band can sit for a drink and listen to the show they just performed...assuming they want to of course.

   Sunday I found some time to attend the fundraiser for Frank Latorre and the King Bees out at Fatty Beltbuckles in Rocky Point.

   I missed the first hour which is a bumer. Franny Mae did a few numbers with Blues Box which sounded like a great combination. I hope I get to hear that again soon.

   The place was festive on the first non-rainy day all week. I sat and ate some excellent ribs and collard greens as David John Paisley and Co. worked a set of some rockin blues. There were many friendly and familiar faces including Tommy Keys who mentioned that he is coming out with a new CD soon produced in part by Mario Staiano... and with a good cast of players. I'm looking forward to that.

   I caught the beginning of Frank Latorre and King Bee's set.  Frank on harp and JP Blues on axe sounded great. I really wanted to stay and take it all in but on a Sunday I was lucky to even get that much.

   There will be more fundraisers for these guys soon as the events are to raise money for travel to Memphis for the IBC. Get out there and support these guys. They will be grateful I'm sure.

   Thanks for checking in and thanks for the feedback. It helps to know what blues and music fans think and I enjoy hearing it all...good and bad.

bill

   For a new look on a Wednesday night I headed east to McGuires out by Islip airport last Wed., Nov 4.  Motu and friends host a jam on most Wednesday nights. The crowd there (as well as everywhere else that night) was light due to the Yankees World Series game but there was a good line-up of performers beginning with Motu for an acoustic set. Dr. Rich lays down some rich pickin stuff in the key of blues. He ended the night with a set that included the Jesters with whom Motu gigs around here... and elsewhere.

   The second act was a sultry Laura Kelley with Joe Bivona for an acoustic duet as Ms. Laura carved out some blues noir numbers with very tasteful accompaniment by Joe B. It was a fun set with some tasty song choices. 

   I stayed for one more number and caught SugarBlues for another flavorful take on some guitar blues. I was then off to a quick stop home and later on some more Wednesday night wanderings.

   I got a call from a friend as I was on my way out to Bad Moon but a friend wanted to check out Wonderous Stories at KJ Farrells in Bellmore. I had not been there in a while so I veered off Sunrise Hwy a little earlier and caught the end of Kenny Forgione and Co. That's a regular Wednesday thing now but it ends at 10:30 (in this case it was 11). There was a decent crowd for that one... I wish I had caught more. By that time I had a few belts so instead of heading further west I stopped in at Candlelight Cabaret in Amity for my nightcap. The Wednesday night jam was going strong with a really good cast but there also many patrons stayed home rooting for the damn Yankees. I'm not sure what the big deal was. They've won 27 World Series...isn't it boring by now? hehe..

   Friday night I took out a second mortgage and attended a show of Jonny Lang at Capital One Theater in Westbury. I don't get to do that often but Mr. Lang is a favorite vocalist of mine and I had never seen him live.

   The venue was beautiful. I purchased the VIP package (what the hell, I don't do this often) and we parked close and sauntered in to a little cafe where we sat and ate a quick bite. There was a nice crowd but plenty of seating.

   The theater in the round was cut to a half-round. It was an intimate setting and we had awesome seats, 8th row center.

   The oepning act of Moreland & Arbuckle was a country/blues act of young guys with guitar, a 4-string something and drums. The flavor was country/rock/blues and it was really enjoyable... a good warm-up act.

   Enter Jonny Lang. He had a cast including second guitar, bass, drums, keys and back-up singer extraordinaire. They were a mix of Nashville and  Minnesota players. Mr. Lang is from Fargo, N Dakota .

   I hear performers every few days, of all kinds and all levels. I find something to enjoy in almost every one of them. Some are so talented that it is seamless and inspiring entertainment and I feel the emotion and every nuance. Lang was one of those. His vocals were  strong, wide ranging. He used falssetto as well as a strong range and went from soulful to rockin. He performed Lie to Me with a long acoustic intro for an interesting take as well as Missing Your Love and an array of tunes from Lie to mMe and later cd's. Langs voice is masterfully tuned and expresses passionate range and emotion. His guitar, his back-up and band were all so beautifully arranged and it was a fast, moving and expert show... leaving me wanting more.

   The night was young so of course we headed to Bad Moon which was close enough and where The Blue Roots were mid show. The cast which included Mark Mancini on keys and Carlos De Jesus on guitar and vox with Paul Bassi on bass and Ralph Santiago on skins offer a sedate and moody blues take. It's a little toned down and expertly expressed. It was a nice mood after the slightly higher energy of JL. The Blue Roots were joined for a few cameo's by Nancy Bahnsen who belted out a few numbers and Sly Geralds for some funkiness. It was another good show at BAd Moon and a great night of music. A memorable one.

   Saturday I got another night out although it was a little later start. I began at The Viking in Islip for Breakaway who were followed by the Johnny Dunn Band.

    Breakaway didn't disappoint with a solid set of some big boy rockin blues. Howie Haber and Lou Corolla w/ Dustin Hickey on bass and Al Canon on drums worked it hard and delivered da goods dutifully. They even had a little help from a rejuvenated Franny Mae on vocals.

   Johnny Dunn followed with a new three piece and rocked a few numbers well. I wanted to stay for more as I have been a fan of Mr. Dunn since I heard his great original stuff with Dare Ya Band  but I had a personal invitation to the Blue Matter show and jam at Brightwaters Inn and the night was not young.

   I arrived quite late but I caught the end of some Brother Dave blues guitar. I am very sorry to have missed Pete Tursi on horn (w/ Grace Tursi on sax) and Mark Fowler, both of Stanton Anderson Band. I missed a lot but I did catch some Sweet Suzi and Arty Panico and Ray Wade and Kelly Tyrell on bass and more Ralph Santiago and Clem Allen on bass and Bill Post and lots more.

   It was a head spinning weekend but I am glad to see there's so much going on.

   Thanks you all, for sending me your gig info and pease continue to do so and thanks for checking in. I will be back on Monday with a new schedule for the coming week.

bill

   Where to begin...

   I had a busy busy week beginning with Wednesday night at Candle Light Cabaret in Amityville.  CC is fairly new to the blues and live music scene but they are bringing the good stuff. The place is located on Broadway (Rte. 110) in Amityville north of Merrick Rd. It is a good size room with tables and with a good size bar in a separate space. There is a stage and plenty of space to sit and enjoy the show with waitresses busily serving drinks and food.

   Wednesday night there is a jam hosted by Roy Leftenant; drummer with O'Zone (a funk band). The jam gets R&B, soul and blues artists and it has been a fun jam lately. This past Wed., Oct 28, featured the multi-talented Rodney Goff on sax and vocals and Lamar Stewart on keys and vocals...along with a good cast of jammers including Arty Panico, Charlie Labs and numerous other talented people. It has been a good cast in recent weeks with many different faces.

   As for the weekend I was lucky enough to get to numerous shows albeit with late starts both nights.

   Friday I ended a dinner with friends late but was close enough to Mirelle's to catch the end of Stanton Anderson Band and a Halloween party. The place was full and the band was as usual high energy. They feature dynamite vocals and brass with Mark Fowler (lead vox and harp) and Pete Tursi and Co. in the brass trio and a solid rhythm section. The group was tight and the whole place was festive. SAB is a great fit for the room. 

   Mirelle's has been working hard at providing quality entertainment for the over-30 sophistcatos and other music enthusiasts on Long Island. The cast is always quality and the room is a nice place to eat and enjoy.

   I recently shopped tickets at Capital One Theater in Westbury and was quoted prices between $75 and $140 per ticket. The $10 that Mirelle's asks seems paltry in comparison.

   After the festivities ended there I ran down to Giacomo Jacks for some SmokinGun blues. I anticipated getting a call from my vunderteen for a ride so I needed to be closer to hometown Bay Shore.

   SmokinGun Band are a stylistic favorite of mine (along with a few other similarly casted local bands) with excellent guitar and rhythm  (Bill Marino, Rich Thiel, Ralph Santiago) combined with excellent vocals (Jeannie B). Lately they have been joined by Chrissie O'Dell on occasion. This night she joined in for their second half and it was an excellent set featuring classic blues with guitar and excellent duet vocals.

   I wish I had caught more of the first show but it ended up being a full night or quality music.

   Saturday offered yet a second opportunity for music which was appreciated with all the good options for shows this weekend.

   I decided to catch Debbie Knapper and Co. at Candle Light Cabaret in Amity.

   I got there a little after 10 and I caught two sets of soulful R&B with Ms. Knapper on skillful guitar and vocals and featuring the joyfully flambuoyant (especially on Halloween) Perrita Hitson on vocals. Perrita delivers with a larger-than-life grandeur and a strong, clear sound with an infectious whimsy. She's a fun one! The cast of the ryhthm and blues was excellent as well and I had a hard time even looking away for a minute with all the dynamite players on stage. 

   As if I had not had enough for a weekend I still had time for a set of Andy Aledort at the Viking in Islip. AA always plays late shows at the Viking so I arrived after 1 (hey, we turned the clocks back that night so it was actually early). The show was rockin and with a cast including Mike Dimeo on keys and others I got a set of a different flavor of blues; rock with blues roots. Aledort plays it as well as anyone and I was satiated with the likes of Allman Bros. and Hendrix and Aledort.

   I enjoyed more live music than a guy from the suburbs should have. It's out there though. I do my best to make people aware of it and I suggest you go to a show soon. It's inspiring and entertaining and a lot better than tv.

   Thanks for checking in and keep me posted on any events you want to ad to the calendar.

bill