Back-To-Back-To-Back.....
I recently posted shots from a Steely Dan concert.
Here's one I missed with the Melodica.
Tonight I am going back to that same venue.
The
Alabama Shakes will play the PAC (Performing Arts Center.)
Tonight probably will NOT be a funky visit to the 1970s.
The video clip is
"Hold On" by the Shakes and I look forward to seeing them this evening.
There was a stretch last week of three musical days in a row - evenings actually - but, I'm rested now and ready for some more.
First...the bad news at the Pour House on Maybank Highway.
Ladies, now you'll never get to see the murals that were painted on the walls in the Mens room.
They are gone.
The easily-impressed vegetables are no longer staring.
In shock or surprise.
Or envy.
The more upscale restaurant
(LOT) required a less whimsical approach to bathroom decor.
The good mural news can be seen all around (outside) the Pour House, which just concluded its Third Annual artists competition.
This portion of a mural on the back of the building is NOT the first place winner.
I self-titled this piece as
"Playing Mantis," but I was not one of the judges.
The actual winner is on the outside wall of the kitchen - way too dark to see at night.
Glad to see none of last year's winners was covered up.
If they do this again, they're gonna have to add more walls. Or erect more fences.
Inside, one of the nights, was a very small crowd for a brother and sister act from Florida.
Counting the band, there probably were more people on stage than in the club.
Hey, it happens.
Booking acts must be a very hard thing to do and difficult to be 100% on target.
The band's fans/following (or lack thereof), the night of the week, what else is going on around town and, even the weather.
All of these factors have to be considered.
But, as always, the sound set up was excellent.
Crowds were no problem for the CD-release party of the
Acoustic Syndicate.
The
Rooftop Garden is their first new CD in 7 years and eagerly accepted.
It's always jam-packed when they come to town and play the PoHo.
Because I have photographed them often, this time I focused on one of the harmonizing lead singer cousins,
Steve McMurray.
Being close - and zooming in even closer - I share a crisp view of his fuzzy chin whiskers.
Stopping one night at the Royal American, we saw
Blair Crimmins and The Hookers crammed onto a very small stage.
There actually were two openers that night: the Flat Foot Floozies and Double Trash or
Tricks or
Tramps in its name.
Went well with "The Hookers."
Six people on stage was a wonder of space control.
Behind Blair and the horn section was a double bass player and a drummer with a complete set up.
Back at the Pour House, I saw the
Dirty Bourbon River Band from New Orleans again.
I had enjoyed this jumping band back in May so I was prepared for the drum solo toward the end.
Drumming on a keg should be part of the act for every band.
Yes, it was an empty keg.
(Click on the photo for more details.)
It was a week of seeing new acts as well an an old, old re-visited act from the 70s.
Good sounds and lots of fun.
Keg tossing is different from Keg Drumming.
Both use empties.
And, ladies, here's another look at the men's restroom at the Pour House.
How it used to look.
An ear of corn* should never be that happy.
Or waving.
I never waved back.
Thanks for stopping by.
Support live music.
*Or, is it a banana?
Labels: Blair Crimmins and The Hookers, Dirty Bourbon River Band, Double TrashAmerican, Flat Foot Floozies, Rooftop Garden CD, Steve McMurray, The Royal
Drawing A Music Crowd
A fellah come down from Georgia.
Played us some "Dangerous Jazz" at the
Pour House.
I had enjoyed
Blair Crimmins and The Hookers before at a smaller venue - the
Tin Roof - and was happy he was playing a larger room.
Be careful what you wish for.
"Well, yes, I'm pleased. Of course, a crowd this size would have packed the 'Roof' but they have a great sound system here, " answered Crimmins from Atlanta.
"We'll be back," he added.
On another night, at
Home Team Bar-B-Q in West Ashley, was treated to some great harmonica by
John Nemeth.
He just released 2 CDs.
One features the
Blues and the other is a salute to
Soul sounds.
Click on the Nemeth link to hear some of the tracks from both albums.
Looking around, I saw that it was "
Take your child to work day" at Home Team.
I'm out in noisy and loud venues a lot and wear professional ear plugs to protect my hearing.
This young fellow is off to a good start.
Have to wonder if the man's wife knows where they travel when he's baby sitting??
Didn't know they made noise suppressors that small. Glad to see it.
Back at the
Pour House for another fine show by
Jimbo Mathus.
It was good to see he drew his usual large crowd.
The 45-year old Mississippi singer songwriter is best known for his time with the
Squirrel Nut Zippers swing revival band.
But, around here, Jimbo has many devoted followers in the Lowcountry.
In fact a trio of guys in light colored suits came in just before the break.
One had on black polished shoes which stood out as the rest of the crowd was in shorts and flip-flops.
There was a LOT of hand waving and high fives between them and the singer.
It was as if his own cheerleader section had arrived. In suits and ties. Yikes.
At the end of the show, several of the well-dressed claque joined Mathus on stage and shared his microphone.
Guess he knew them.
(Click on the pictures for more detail.)
The music scene in Charleston is very. very good and it keeps me hopping around from place to place.
Some nights are golden and some are quiet.
Sometimes the music doesn't even start until after 11pm.
It's good to be retired and able to sleep in the next day.
Labels: Blair Crimmins and The Hookers, ear plugs, Jimbo Mathus, John Nemeth, noise suppressors
"1920s Dangerous Jazz...
When I read about the type of music to be played,
Tin Roof was where I wanted to be last night!
Oh yeah!
Ragtime. Blues. Mardi Gras. Saints Marchin' in. Yikes.
Add to that, members of the local
Swing Dancers Club were there in force contributing to the merry musical mayhem.
Blair Crimmins & The Hookers filled almost the entire stage area.
The Atlanta-based group includes a 3-person horn section, stand-up bass and drums.
Crimmins played keys, a banjo, guitar, tambourine and cow bell.
Well, not all at the same time.
The many black lights can make you go ape as you look at the bright and shiny wall image and they cast an eerie glow on the bands and the crowd.
Nice touch for this funky - always entertaining - music venue in West Ashley.
Did I mention you also can expect gourmet hot dogs, unusual craft beers on tap and an endless supply of PBR?
Megan Jean & The KFB were playing when I arrived.
She announced that Crimmins & The Hookers had already played a short set and would be on again shortly.
Sounds like the role of "opener" was being flipped back and forth.
Worked fine with this music-crazed crowd.
I asked Megan about her blond hair and she laughed and said
"Yeah, I changed it from black. I looked too much like someone else."It was just that kind of night.
(Click on the pictures for more detail. Lighting here is tricky for a camera but it's always a fun setting. Thanks for tuning in. Come back often and tell your friends that I avidly support Live Music.)
Labels: 1920's Dangerous Jazz, black light, Blair Crimmins and The Hookers, Mardi Gras, Megan Jean and the FFB, Support Live Music, Tin Roof
