An 8-day week...
Managed to stop by the Pour House three times in a week.
Well, actually, it was 8 days.
The "Po Ho" is one of my favorite music venues and owner Alex presented a varied and interesting line up for my 8-day week menu.
Jimbo Mathus brought his Mississippi Southern Rock show to town Thursday night and had the appreciative fans on their feet till the wee hours.
His newest album,
White Buffalo, was released in February by Fat Possum Records.
I've enjoyed the 46-year old performer from his Squirrel Nut Zipper days (1993 -2000) and into his extensive traveling performances that bring him through Charleston every year.
Between sets, Jimbo told me he remembered being here 3 years ago during the February Blues Bash.
"Oh Yeah, that was the night it snowed on Charleston," he smiled.
Friday night was a return of
Acoustic Syndicate, the North Carolina rock, folk, & bluegrass band who also swings through annually.
One fan in a large top hat caught my eye in the crowd and I angled around to get his silhouette in front of the stage.
There was a dazzling light show as well so when arms were waving in praise and enjoyment - and many beers were held aloft - the party atmosphere was bright and cheery.
The brothers Fitz, Jr. and Bryon McMurry teamed with their cousin Steve and formed a trio in 1992 playing for church groups then really spread out.
The Acoustic Syndicate - brothers and cousin - are well known for their 3-part harmony.
Charles Walker & The Dynamites had started my 8-day week with a rollicking James Brown sound and style.
His new album is titled
"Love Is Only Everything" and he belts out his 1960s Old School soul sounds at every energetic live show.
That was the start of a lively round of music and I returned night after night for more, more, more.
Finally, last night, had a chance to step next door for a meal at
The Lot, the sister restaurant that replaced El Bohio, and then carried my bratwurst back over to the club side.
Good food, cold beer and great entertainment. Life is good.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
"8 Days A Week" is a nice challenge and opportunity to see and hear some great acts.
And, now, Spoleto-Piccolo has begun.
I better take a nap.
Thanks for stopping by.
Enjoy live music.
Labels: Acoustic Syndicate, Bryon McMurry and cousin Steve McMurray, Charles Walker and The Dynamites, Fitz Jr. McMurry, Jimbo Mathus, Love Is Only Everything., The Lot restaurant, White Buffalo
Backstage Pass!
Behind-the-scenes. Finally!
I returned to my native Charleston in '93 and discovered the
MUSIC FARM about 3-4 owners ago.
Have attended shows there for years and years.
Working at the paper, I really had no reason - or justification - to request a Media Pass.
I retired 7 years ago and started writing this blog a few years later.
I enjoy a local trio
THE DEFILERS and their Punkabilly/country sound.
Arleigh Hertzler, guitar & lead vocals, was great playing at The Mill but I can't take all the cigarette smoke there.
He said
"Chuck, we're playing The Music Farm in August."
I put it on my calendar.
Arleigh arranged for me to come up the stairs and enter the Green Room where many of my favorite players hung out.
I looked out the window, down at the stage. Just as Robert Randolph and Jimbo Mathus had done.And Little Feat and Acoustic Syndicate.
I passed on through (it really
IS painted green) and quietly went down the backstage stairs.
Stickers were plastered all around of other bands who had played Charleston.
Painted arrows pointed the way back to the Green Room or out to the stage. Often this area is darkened and lighted only by a stagehand with a small flashlight, directing performers.
I peeked around the corner and stuck out my camera.
Awesome view.
It certainly was worth the wait. Thanks Arleigh.
Play well.
(Click on the photos for more detail. Welcome to the Backstage Tour.)Listen responsibly (ear protectors!)Thanks for humming along. Come back soon.
Labels: Acoustic Syndicate, Bare Knuckle Champions, Bo Stevens, Jimbo Mathus, Music Farm, Papenhausen, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, The Defilers Little Feat
Photography is light .....
Taking pictures at a music concert is a challenge.
First, there might be a sign saying "No Flash Photos."
Well, I try to shoot natural light so that's not the main problem.
The
Pour House has GREAT sound. But, sometimes I am "fighting" the light man.
Changing the lights suddenly is not good. Or flashing them in your eyes. Dimming the lights - ouch! Hard to calculate exposure.
The
Music Farm has great lighting.
There's a balcony level on each side too. Gives different views.
Still, the BEST concert experience is down on the floor.
Being jostled by dancers. Drinks spilled on you. Arms pumping the air excitedly blocking your shots.
Usually, the brighter the stage, the more detail of faces in the crowd.
Shows at major venues are often so well lighted, you can have your camera set same as a regular sunny day.
Then you can freeze action at 1/200 sec.
THAT'S a "light day" at work for me.
(Click on photos for more detail.
Taj Mahal at the Pour House was SRO so more of a challenge shooting from back of the room.
Acoustic Syndicate set up additional flashing lights.
April Mary was an opening act at Music Farm.) Thanks for stopping in.
Labels: Acoustic Syndicate, April Mary, light show, Music Farm, PoHo, Pour House, Taj Mahal Trio
A Slice Of Life.......
So the pizza place is called
"Your Pie." You go down the line and select the toppings, the crust and all the other details.
Hmm. don't we do that at EVERY pizza place?
Anyway, the ad said "next to the
Coburg Cow" in West Ashley.
I liked that they had Italian birra on tap and ordered a
Moretti.
Then I placed my glass so the Coburg sign outside looked like an orange slice you see served on a Blue Moon beer.
Yes, I play with my food and my drinks.
The pizza was just the start of the evening.
Next was the
Pour House on Maybank Highway.
The Acoustic Syndicate was in town and I remembered they bring their own light show.
Quite a dazzling effect.
That means standing back to enjoy the lights before you join the crowd down in front of the stage.
As is often the case, I was probably the oldest guy there.
Also likely the only one wearing professional ear plugs.
I've been to a LOT of loud shows in my time.
The night before I was at Home Team BBQ in Sullivan's Island for a sneak preview of Zydeco band
J.J. Callier from Louisiana.
He was in town for Sunday's Cajun Country Festival and his 10-year old son was playing spoons & washboard.
I was pleased to catch a moment when he and his dad had the same set mouth look.
Cool.
(Click on the photo for more details. The earplugs got a nice workout and no, I did not do the Bridge Run.) Thanks for stopping by the blog.
Labels: Acoustic Syndicate, Better than it has to be, Blue Moon, Coburg Cow, Lafayette Louisiana, light show, Moretti birra, Your Pie, Zydeco
