Currently it
is set to play when you select a song. Enjoy.
Welcome to my blog!
This weblog is an online journal. If there
is a "mission" it is to generate interest in the local music scene. I attempt to do that by attending events and talking
about my experiences in occasional posts.. I do not intend to offer criticism .. I am not a musician. I do highlight
those artists that put on a bigger and/or better show and the artists that "move me" more but even those less polished are
offering something to Long Island patrons and I'd like to see more patrons out there enjoying the good local talent.
You will find a log of my few weekly experiences. My "angle"
may be different in some ways, hopefully. I sometimes see things differently. I hope my perceptions offer some
insight on occasion and some humor.
I expect that this conversation will reveal a life that appreciates
blues. I see "blues" as musical-artistic expressions of human conditions.
I also like to provide links to other things on the web that I
find interesting. I will be commenting on the places I go to hear music and the folks I meet. I will be commenting
on the things I see and hear on Long Island and elsewhere. As much as I hate politics I may find it hard to resist commenting
on that too.
This is a personal, creative endeavor so
if there are some mistakes, well, sorry... it's free entertainment. I consider myself something of an impressionist as
it pertains to style. I am human and sometimes speak /write before I think. I can get into
trouble with these extroverted tendencies but thats why this is...what it is... a journal. I hope you find
some useful information or something entertaining on occasion....thanks for being here!!!!
Keep scrolling down for more posts and the Calendar. There is a menu of other pages as well.
Summer weekends are so full of events it's impossible not to miss something good even when you get
to something good.
Last weekend (6/25-26) I did most of my meandering on Sunday in Patchogue. While I did get to Giacomo's
Saturday night for some Blue Matter where I caught some home cookin and some good guests I had more time on Sunday for some
festive events.
Brickhouse Brewery had Jerry Schaefer's Gravefest with a great cast including Lex Grey, Tommy Keys and
F&G,The Electrix and more while Bobbique's had Albert Castiglia.
Being that I never heard the one and only Albert C (Blues Leaf Records) live
and I am digging the crap out of Keepin On, his new cd I decided to hang at Bobbique's until that one expired.
I stood there and just took in Albert. He was standing up front, calmly playing his
ass off and filling the room with a resonant, rootsy blues sound. He played and played from a deep well. A regular
looking guy with an ocean of emotion he layed it on heavy with his Castiglia and Chicago blues style.
I am grateful that Bobbique's offered Albert Castiglia. It wasn't too long ago I caught Janiva Magness there.
These folks bring da blues!!
I gathered myself and sauntered over to Brickhouse and caught some of Gravefest.
I walked in to F&G with Edlene Hart who was bringing some emotion of her own in a good set of blues.
I was enjoying a full day of music and a short time later I found myself in front of the Jim Kolman Jam. Hey, it was
Sunday night and I was at the Brickhouse. I almost forgot as I was enthralled with good music for a few hours on a Sunday.
As usual the Kolman jam had a good cast including visits by Steve Interrante, Josh
Allen and more. The regular cast there is always good with Tru Doty, Jay Sharkey on vox and drums, Jim K and others.
This weekend is holiday weekend so it will be another splendid Sunday I'm sure.
I should also mention that for my Wednesday night I hiked up to Nags Head Ale House in Huntington and caught
Fusion Collective with Rich Rivkin, Sly Geralds, Mike Ernst and Tom Westbay (sax) and that was a totally enjoyable
couple of sets of full ensemble jazz fusion. It's a nice room too with space and location. I know nothing about the ownership
but the logistics were excellent.
So the 4th of July weekend has soo much going on. The Barrier Beach Blues Festival
is from Thursday to Sunday and utilizes numerous venues in Island Park and Long Bch. Click on the poster. The beach huts are
beautiful venues for music too.
Hey,don't forget... the freaking Yankees are playing the Amazing Mets. This should be a good one as
both teams are playing well and the Yankees pitching may be vulnerable. Can the Mets pitching hold up?
Have a great holiday weekend. Make it special. Music is a great way to do that locally.
Even Thursday nights aren't immune to the downturns of weeknight jams, It seems the jam at McBrides
featuring John Judd and friends has ended. That one is surprising as John and friends had a loyal following of players and
patrons and good ones, both. If any bar owners are reading this let me say that although jams like that one may not fill
the room every week they get a good gathering just about every week and they put a place on the map for music and for gathering
among the music crowd. Also, fundraisers and events need venues and these places get the occasional weekend special event
which is almost always a nice payday for the bar.
It also happens that Wednesday night which has a few good jams going on is capable of sustaining another
regular jam. The few that are running are far apart and it is healthy to have a few to keep the players rotating and the combinations
fresh. I am partial to Wednesday nights because I have my week built around Wednesday nights (and late Thursday mornings)
and because if I go out on Thursday nights I am not too keen on going out again on Friday let alone both weekend nights which
happens on rare occasions.
This may sound otherwordly to the folks that never go out on weeknights but there is a good crowd of people
who do. I work every day including Saturday but I have sustained sanity (arguably) by making sure I get a weeknight of music
because I don't alwyas get a weekend night for it and because it breaks up the monotony of the workweek. Monotony is
not my friend.
While I am on the subject of live music and venues I have been window shopping (shopping without any
money) for a little place that can be dedicated to blues and jazz. I work pretty hard at finding and publicizing this stuff
and it doesn't help that venues keep closing and shutting down the jams.
If a small place opened with modest overhead and a serious effort to showcase quality music I believe it
can work with a few conditions like a small but regular cover charge, a good location with access to public transportation,
a fairly stable and sane manager and a saavy bar guy/gal... not to mention a regular public relations effort and some concern
for the artist in general.
Those are my thoughts on the subject and I welcome feedback, ideas, criticisms (if constructive).
This weekend (6/25 - 6/26) has some excellent events so take in a weekend night of live music or a
Saturday at a beach hut or a Sunday at a winery or benefit or a concert. The schedule is packed with good stuff.
As summer approaches the calendar heats up as well as the weather. The choice of music on weekend nights
is sometimes hard to pick from.
Last weekend was a good example. There was Kery Kearney's Guitar Slingers Extravaganza that looked
good and a new band at Bobbique's that looked interesting. Stanton Anderson was in Bay Shore and also for big-band lovers
Suffolk Horns were on tap at the High Note.
With all that I was compelled to check out Cloud William after friends in Nassau had gushed about him on
the few occasions he appeared and I swore I would not miss his next show. It was last week at CJ Wellingtons in Franklin Square.
I don't want to hear my Nassau friends compain to me anymore about all the Suffolk shows I go to and discuss.
I have been to Island Park, CJ Wellingtons, Harveys in Cedarhurst and Sunset Grill on Wednesdays. I have been all over
Nassau!
CJ Wellingtons was a good time last Saturday. The place was full but not crowded and we got a table. There
was some good food and table service. All good.
Cloud William is a lead guitar player/vocalist with a drummer and bass player... a neat little three piece.
Cloud is an animated vocalist performing originals as well as some British rock and American rock and folk standards. His
expression is bluesy and original and entertaining. He started with some classic sounding Delta blues type pieces but I didn't
recognice the tunes.. just the expression; probably originals. I was reminded of Terry Reid but thats just me apparently.
It was not your everyday show. Cloud takes his covers and makes them his own. His vocals are entirely
emotional and were more ferocious than his playing which was good. He's an artist and he feels it and it's at least
half blues and the other half was good too.
The coming weekend has some good stuff too including Johnny Winter on Sunday!
Check out the calendar and find something good... and Happy Fathers Day!
It was a quiet Sunday and a family Saturday. Pretty often that combination gives me a lot of time to think
and that gives me some melancholy moods. When one's family life has been blowed-up a few times the concept
is hard to trust. The "consolation" I mention here pretty often that I get from music is to help me feel better about that
sort of thing. Thank god for the good family elements that remain.
And thankfully I had a special Friday night. It's been a while since I felt the kind of reward I was looking
for when embarking on a weekend night of local live music.
Blues and jazz are not common things around here or in general. For some reason people can't get past
the name "blues" and understand that the music is rich with emotion... as is jazz. I find a similar soul in the two but jazz
is mostly instrumental and blues mostly lyrical and often instrumental. In any case when I find it and it's good I feel better.
I saw the posting for Chris Laybourne with Perrita Kitson, Lloyd Haber, Dave Pellegrino and Dave Burns
(The Lloyd Haber Quartet) at a new place: Hub Billiards in Island Park. It was for Friday night, not usually my night but
I worked it out with the vunderteen and some other things on my schedule and got a fairly early start with my friend Nancy...
another fan of blues and the like.
We hiked out to Island Park and found Hub right on Austin Bl. It was easy to spot and parking was no prob.
The place is a big pool hall, probably nine or ten tables well spaced on the right side going front to back.
The ceiling feels low but it's probably regular room height but a big room. The bar is on the left and in the back-left corner
was the band. We walked in on the first set and our eyes got big at the sight of a beautiful, spacious leather love seat
with two nice pillows right in front that was vacant! There were a few of those and matching arm chairs not to mention coffee
tables and a few tables with stools. The space was so accomodating we looked at each other and laughed at how good this
was looking (and sounding). And there were waiters!
We ordered our sustenance and took our places on some fine leather and enjoyed some of the best jazzy
blues I have heard locally (or elsewhere) in a long time.
Chris (Crispy Chicken) Laybourne (sax) was channeling himself, Miles Davis and a couple of other influences
when he wasn't backing up some jazzy Aretha Franklin covers by Perrita Kitson. Both were in their own "voices" while
covering some tasty numbers. Laybourne takes some fairly heavy licks and makes them light like waifing coils of pungent
smoke. It was easy on the ears and soothing to the soul.
Perrita's delivery was also smooth but her sound was more like a tasty gravy on a delicate
fillet. All the leads including Dave Burns on a slick and understated guitar kept it to a very kind volume.
In rhythm Haber and Pellegrino were as good as you could want with occasional highlights of bright color and marathons
of stability.
The sets stayed true to jazz and blues and some soul and I didn't want the night to end.
Cest la vive'. I had some joy to reference for a while and hopefully to share with you. There's lots of
good stuff out there but I don't always catch it. I just revel in it when I do.
Thanks for playing along.
Theres some good stuff this coming weekend including a guitar players showcase in Riverhead. Check it out
or check something out and keep the music alive.
Well, a weeks worth of wanderings brought some excellent entertainment and much of it was at jams or open-mics.
Last Thursday (wow, has it been a week already?) I had my friend and blues singer extraordinaire, Chrissie
O'Dell in for company and we visited the event at Wickers in Hicksville. Perrita was a perfect hostess and Al Cardillo
and friends (including guest Billy Quinn) held down an excellent jam as singers from all corners crooned and belted.
It was a good collaboration of skilled jazz and blues guys backing up a wide variety of styles. It was, as usual, an excellent
jam.
The weekend offered limited opportunities for me but I caught Boomers Brew with Phil Grande at Blue Parrot
in Massapequa. The cast also includes vocalist Camille Gucciardo who deftly toed the line between belting and singing
and kept it varied between Grande and John Kelly, two happenin guitars. Boomers Brew covers mostly classic rock, hence the
name "Boomers". Thats us.
I didn't get another chance for live music until last night, Wednesday at Sunset Grill in Seaford.
As usual the cast was good with Mr.Vicino, host with Rob Jack on bass and good vocals, Andy Aledort, Adam Tese (sax) and a
stream of other good players. The music was good all night and a few numbers with that cast were memorable. Tese was
on fire on lead sax and Vicino and Aledort played a furious co-lead guitar. Aledort reached some lofty heights and Vicino
was right on his tail.
I arrived there late of course and I missed John Judd among others.... another one of my favorite local
instrumentalists.
The coming weekend has some good shows including Perrita Kitson with Chris Laybourne, Dave Burns and Dave
Pellegrino on Friday. Saturday offers a Little Buster Tribute with Stevie Cochran. The schedule also offers some
nice little shows with Adam Tese with Sweaty Betty and Sweet Suzi doing an acoustic thing not to mention a Sugafixx thing.
Check out the schedule and take something in. The summer schedule is mostly in swing now with Freeport getting
busy and the Tiki Bars in Patchogue and elsewhere offering afternoon and evening shows.
Thanks for checking in people and Please... Help keep the blues alive!!!
I'll make changes to this site on a regular basis, sharing news, views, experiences, photos...whatever occurs to me.
Check back often!
The Best Furniture Source on LI !
3300b Lawson Bl., Oceanside (516)763-0190
Cabinet Refacing/Woodwork & Finishing
Click the link for Visage
We'll Make Healthy Skin Your Best Accessory!
Click the pic
Join and support live music!
Click for 2011 Top 100 Blues cd's. Including Chrissie O'Dell and JP Blues
Click
the mini music player under the Playlist box for Giants Steps by Rich Thiel with Richie
Cannata, Danny Kean, Mario Staiano and Lawrence Worrrel. (raw recording) Enjoy!
Click the Pic.
Winter Jazz Fest. Begins Feb 11
Live
Music Calendar (Posted Mondays, edited all week. By Billfoolery.com ) Use
of this calendar in full or in part without specific permission or acknowledgement is prohibited. ______________________________________________________
Tuesday, Feb 21Fat Tuesday!
Gail Storm @ Grasso's Rest., Cold Spring Harbor 7
Fat Tuesday w/ Bob Barta & Friends and The Who Dat Loungers @ Vail Leavitt Music
Hall, Riverhead 7:30
King Cobras @ Big Daddy's, Massap 8
Jacks
Waterfall w/ Jack Licitra and members of Blue Roots @ Bobbique's, Patch 8
*Jazz w/ Ian
Petillo, Oliver Von Essen(piano) and Friends @ Walk St Tavern, 1218 Jerichp Tpke, N Hyde Park 8:30 Jam (Rob Jack & Co) @ Ziggy's, Massap. 8
Fat Tuesday,
Jazz w/ Al Cardillo @ Iavaronne Cafe, N Hyde Park 7 - 10
Long
Beach Jazz Jam @ LB Community Center, Magnolia & Pine. 7
*Jam w/ Geo Cintron, Rob DeMartino and guest Bobby Rondinelli @ Katies, Smithtown 9
Jam w/ John Capadonna (Almost Queen), Paul Gilmore and more @ Ollies Point, Amity 9
Jim Moran & Danny Kean on GothamRadio.com every night
at 10pm. New show every week. ___________________________________________
Wednesday, Feb 22
Cafe
Ali Radio on Radio 90.1, Wusb w/ Ahmad Ali 7 - 9 am
Skip Bement @ Porters on the Lane,
Bellport 6:30
LI Blues Warehouse w/ Mark Klein. Encore Presentation of Sunday
night show. LIBlues.com 7 - 9
Jim Treutlein @ RS Jones, Merrick
7
Lisa Gary (and Open Mic for last set- jazz) @ Simply Fondue, 24 Great Neck Rd.,
Gr Neck 7
New Open
Mic @ Fadeleys, Patch 8
Power Jazz Trio w/ Frank Bellucci @ The Homestead, Oyster
Bay 8
Jazz Jam w/ Al Cardillo, Sue Giordano and Lou Messana @ Metropolitan Bistro,
Sea Cliff 8
Jim
Moran jams every Wed. @ Neirs Tavern, Woodside 8
Sly Geralds Band @ Antonettes,
Bellmore 8
Live Art Fusion w/ Mike Ernst Band and 10 Artists @ 841
East Lounge, Hunt 8
Brian McGeough @ Press 195, RVC 8:30
Brendan O'Bryan hosts a jam @ Grizzly's Sports Den, Bay Shore 8:30ish
New Open Mic w/ Host Shaun Lally @ Hometowne Tavern, 2800 Pond Rd., Ronkonkoma 9
Jazz Jam w/ Andy Ahr & Friends @ Horace & Sylvia's, Babylon 9 to 12:30
Jam w/Don Celenza, Dave Patrick Jam @
Mickey Mo's Cafe & Lounge, 428 Sunrise Hwy, Lynbrook 9 - 12
Johnny
B Jam @ E Quoge Pub . Montauk Hwy., E Quoge 9
Jules
Radino Jam at Painters in Bayport 9:30
Open Mic
w/ Tom Meyers @ Velvet Lounge, E Setauket 9
JazzJam w/ Vincenzo & Co. @ The Dunton Inn, So. Country Rd., Patchogue 9
Jazz jam @ The Breakers,, Bayville w/ Matt
Manning. 8:30
jam @ 50 Yardline. W Babylon 8:30
Jam w/
Joe Vicino & Friends @ Sunset Grill, Seaford 9
Billfoolery.com
_________________________________________________
Thursday, Feb 23
Bay Burger Jazz Jam. Sag Harbor 7-9
Pep & The Soul Explosion (2 for 1 Dinner specials) @ Riverhouse Grill, Freeport 7
blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues
blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blues blog blog blog blog blog blog blog
blog blog blog blog blog blog blog blog blog blog blog nlog blog blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog
blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues
blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog
blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues
blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog bl;ues blog blues
blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog
blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues blog blues
blog blues blog
Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, LongIsland, Long Island,
Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long
Island, Longh Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Islandm, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island,
Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, long, island, long island, Long Island, Long Island, Long
Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island,
Long Iasland, Long Island., Miusic blog, music blog, musaic blog, music blog, music blog, music blog, music blog, music blog,
Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island Long Island Long Island. Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island,
Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long Island, Long
Island, Long Island.livemusic,long island,live music, long island, live music, long island, live music, long island, live
music, long island, live music, long island, live music, long island, live music, long island, live music, long island, live
music, long island, live music, long island, live music, long island, cool, cool, cool, cool blog, cool blog, live music,
llong island, live music, long island, live music, long island, live music, long island
Be sure to get in touch so I know you're out there!
