A new week of music began on Wednesday night with a few stops at some of the usual Wednesday jams.

   I get lofty notions sometimes of heading to Manhattan or heading to Patchogue for something early. There are some jams I just never get to due to early times or distant locations and it takes a special occasion for me to make those things happen. Unfortuantely this past week I was local again but I got a halfway decent start at 9:30 or so.

   I began my wanderings at The Bad Moon Saloon in Merrick where the wildly entertaining June Eysel hosts a weekly jam and sing-a-long. Ms. Eysel happens to have considerable chops and a completely unpredictable presence ranging from bold, bluesy and ballsy to outrageous and unfathomable. It is all on display at the Bad Moon (and other jams) along with a usually good cast of players and singers.

   This past week it was sort of low key albeit with June Eysel keeping things fun until just before midnight when a cast of players including Frank Pace and Melvin Williams waltzed in for some good blues and other tasty stuff. Overall it was an entertaining night with awesome buffalo wings, an entertaining host and some good music.

   As long as I was in Nassau I figured I'd stop by Jessie's Roadhouse for some Joe Vicino guitar. After all I am only in this for the blues... and maybe some chicken wings and soft pretzels.

   Jessie's had blues going on and Mr. Vicino was hard at work. The cast was also joined by the ever-present Jim Kolman for a few numbers.

   The attendances at most Wednesday jams lately has been only moderate but the music has been good. As these things seem to flow in cycles I am not necessarily disturbed by short-term fluctuations. I'm just happy to have good live music to attend and to hear such good players out there offering quality enrichment.

   The state of live music must be watched however. There have been some troubling issues lately involving local officials and Nassau live-music venues.  It seems some genius in Nassau has decided to enforce the rules of cabaret licensing however outdated the laws may be. And even if it means (in fact it may be BECAUSE it means...) shutting down all the busy venues the enforcers have been out, during weekend events, fining owners and quieting venues. The current discussion does not clarify whether new cabaret licenses can or will be issued or if there is some resolution in the offing. All is known is that "chops" are being busted and owners are being squeezed. The current economic conditions are not difficult enough to warrant sympathy or consideration apparently. The ability of local politicians and officials to sense the pulse of their local economy is either absent or it is a lesser priority than some other political consideration. I'd LOVE to know what that could be. It seems putting owners, their staff's, musicians and those dependent on the above out of work is somehow necessary or unavoidable. The timing is genius, the appearance is evil. The decision-making is moronic! Please consider your Nassau officials in the next election. I will be providing names when I find them.

   Let me also offer, once more, the opportunity of showcasing your (musicians) cd's and other cool stuff here on Billfoolery.com. My new store is up and while I am still trying to find the time (and money) to build it up I can sell now and I am putting together a few items for sale soon.

   Thanks for stopping by and thanks for sending me your gig information. I enjoy posting the calendar and I want include every relevant live music event for and by over-30 folks. Got it? Good.  Have fun out there.

bill

  

   This past Wednesday things went well as far as getting out of the house for my midweek night of music. It's never possible to just walk out of the house at 8pm and go to a show. Parental and domestic responsibilities take me well past 10 usually. This time it was before ten and I was giddy with the opportunity to catch more "prime-time" show. With that I ran out to Blue Point to Bliss2 where I had tried once before to catch Bobby Sexton (jazz guitar) with Cindy Lopez (vocals) in a little duet at the stylish restaurant on Montauk Hwy. Last time I got there after 11 and it was done. This week I got there in time for a set and a half and I'm glad I made the trip east.

   Mr. Sexton and Ms. Lopez were in a sort of sitting room by the bar which was before the dining room. There were upholstered arm chairs (taken) and a few tables (not taken). I got myself a vodka with a couple of olives and grabbed a table.

   Mr Sexton was playing a hollow body Gibson electric and interpreting rock, show and blues tunes in a nifty jazz style. His takes on a couple of blues tunes was new and entertaining and Ms. Lopez' well contained vocals were a nice complement not ever distracting and always understated. They covered Little Wing and Mojo Working among others and even dolled up a couple of old show tunes for some jazz. Both Sexton and Lopez play with a sort of delicacy that tickle and tell more than blow away and yell.

   After all the blues and rock and R&B and funk that I take in this was a treat and a half.

   Bobby Sexton plays at The Sayville Inn on Friday and Saturday evenings and he plays with Ms. Lopez a few times a month. Ms Lopez also sings with Retro 69, Half-Step and sits in with other local artists.

   The coming weekend has many good shows. For one Kerry Kearney is at The Boulton Center with Jack Licitra. That's an amazing place to catch a show and they offer only the best.

   Check the calendar for that and lots of other shows this weekend.

   Thanks for checking in and have a great weekend of music.

bill

  

  

    I have been hankering for blues a lot lately. Maybe it has something to do with changes going on and having to say good-bye to things in my life... 

Not all change is good but stuff happens so I guess one must keep on movin on.  

    This week I caught a few more shows that did something for me. My faith in local blues is growing...again.

   Friday night I plunked my glutious down at Bobbiques in Patchogue for One Smokin Hot Mess which was a mix of SmokinGun and One Hot Mess and guests. Chrissie O'Dell stood in for Ms. Jeannie B and Adam Tese stood in for no prior horn and Jay Fields attempted a Ralph Santiago impression. The whole "Mess" was also visited by Ken "The Rocket" Korb on harp and it became a regular blues party. Ms O'Dell exhuberantly directed the collaboration and whipped up a big show for the nice crowd at Bobbique's.

   Mr Korb was a tasty addition. The flavor of his horn playing added a colorful facet to an already multi-dimensional show. Bill Marino, on a Tower of Power number (among other songs) lit up my whole night and Adam Tese was on the whole night with waves of spicy sax riffs. To end it all Chrissie's vocals on Fishin Trip brought joy to my world. It was a full and eclectic show of blues numbers and blues takes on some out-of-the-box tunes.

   I had all but given up on Saturday night when I remembered that Andy Aledort & The Groove Kings were at The Viking. No matter how late you start you can catch some show with that combination.

   I arrived after midnight and still caught to two sets of some great guitar stuff. Joe Vicino was a guest player with AA and with Mike DiMeo on keys it was a furious performance of Allmans, rock and blues.  A nice aspect of Aledort's shows at The Viking is the frequent appearance of guest players. At the suggestion of Joe V Mr. Aledort invited Brother Dave up for a few numbers.  It was an excellent surprise. Brother Dave with Aledort and the Groove Kings performed Southbound and a Thomas Harris number, Shady Game, and it was a nice bluesy couple of tunes.

   It was a rare weekend or two nights of quality blues. I needed that!

   Stay tuned for more as the calendar is full these days and there's good stuff for all tastes.

  Thanks for checking in.

bill

   It was an interesting week of music in many ways.

   Wednesday night (3/31) I checked in at Terry G's and caught a few numbers by Christine Sweeney, solo. Wednesday nights at Terry G's in Farmingdale offer a rotation of singers and performers mostly acoustic. There have been good players the few times I visited. The last time I caught Rich Lanahan of Fourteen Feet but it was only a song or two. Mr. Lanahan is a good player in a country/folksy vein. Check out him out and Fourteen Feet when you get a chance.

   I had heard a song by the young guitar/vocalist, Sweeney a few months back at Jessies and she's got something to say. Wednesday night she covered some more obscure artists including Maroon Five and a Tom Waits number which was done well. She has a nice voice and a good repetoire especially for a young'n. I look forward to more and I like the formula of offering solo performances in a cozy setting by an eclectic roster of artists.

    As for the weekend I only got Saturday night for entertainment and I caught Buttered Soul who were playing at Dirty Martini in Ronkonkoma.           

    Buttered Soul is Craig Hopping on lead vocals and harp, Bobby Canovas on guitar and vocals, Rick Rosenthal on bass and Frankie G on drums. The  band was joined by an excellent keyboard player (name to be added here soon) and they were tight. With Hopping, a charismatic vocalist, and a solid band they put on a good show offering blues and some rock and I was well satiated at an old favorite joint, Dirty Martini in Ronkonkoma.

   For an added treat Bobby Rondinelli jumped in and so did Teddy Rondinelli with Tim Smith (bass) and Mr. Hopping on vocals for a few numbers. It was fun to catch a set with such a different vibe and with so good a cast.

   I recently added the Billfoolery Store (in case you missed the huge yellow box). Right now I am just offering advance sales of the Chrissie O'Dell cd (the store is under construction but functioning) but I sent out an invitation to numerous local artists whose e-mail addresses I have requesting to offer their cd's as well. I want to offer local artists cd's and souveniers, perhaps T-Shirts and hats. I will also be offering my own items.

   I also intend to offer arts pieces by artists I know. That will be limited and it will be artists I know and can commuincate with and deal with cleanly.

   Thanks to all the friends and contacts who have been sending me gig information for the calendar. I have been realizing significant growth in website traffic lately by way of the calendar and I intend to continue making it better. I wish to include every gig in Nassau/Suffolk for over-30 patrons that are for public consumption. (as opposed to private shows). Thanks for continuing to keep me posted and thanks very much for visiting my site. I do this for my own enjoyment and to help the music grow...especialy blues!

   Enjoy the hell out of this spring weather and be careful out there.

bill