Sunday, February 18, 2007

Honor Thy Father....

The 17th Annual Charleston Blues Bash is winding down and, as I look back, I see I kept active: my printed programs shows I enjoyed 17 of the 43 performers offered.

The son of Muddy Waters - Big Bill Morganfield - qualifies as the person with the most colorful message added to a stringed musical instrument.

It was a show of fatherly pride as he channeled his daddy keeping the Robert Johnson blues tradition message alive.

My enjoyment of the Bash was briefly interrupted with a trip up to Columbia midweek to catch Billy Joel who's a legend in his own musical field. The hall was packed yet included a few "young" people ... probably grandchildren. And, Yes, he finished the 2 1/2 hour concert with Piano Man.

Back in Charleston, another sold out crowd pleaser was Leon Russell at the Pour House on Maybank Highway.

Last seen here at the "old" Cumberlands, his long white hair and beard looked the same and that gravely, twangy Okie sound was still strong. And we all still needed subtitles.

By spreading the Blues Bash around to 17 venues, many people were introduced to new places as well as old favorites. Home Team BBQ is a newcomer and enjoyed some good crowds as did Sesame in North Charleston.

The Med deli - Med Bistro had steady business when I stopped by several times and Mimi's on James Island charmed a lot of people with its creekside setting.

The 3 Lions Pub at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island paired local favorite Smoky Weiner and The Hot Links with a Blues Doctor from Paris, France. In an upscale British Pub.

I'll relax tonight by going to the Music Farm for Robert Randolph and the Family Band. This is one of my favorite groups. Maybe I'll see you there?

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Sunday, December 31, 2006

The Devil Made Me Do It...

The poster said it was a New Year's Eve EVE party so that made sense..do your partying BEFORE all the amateur drinkers went at it Sunday night and DUIs start flying around in a blur of flashing blue light specials.

The new Home Team Bar-B-Que on Highway 61 has been mentioned by fellow bloggers and it was on my way to the Terrace to see The History Boys so checking out the pulled pork sandwich with 2 sides was logical. With a frosty cold beer.

The poster drew us back after the movie to hear my first Country Punk Rock band. They were from New Orleans, we were told, and they did play one fast-paced kinda Cajun Zydeco tune. Merely a tribute. But what about that flyer! Who could resist?

There were ample smoking areas - out front and out back - which left the inside with plenty of clean air. The restaurant portion was shut down by the time the movie was over and we returned and a neat rocking bar scene was going on. An early song reminded you to be careful what you wished for and the lead singer sang he wanted to be "locked overnight in a liquor store with you."

Tony, the Manager-who-books-the-music, assured me they indeed would be a venue for the upcoming February Blues Bash and rattled off some familiar names of performers he has already signed. "I'll have two surprises though and I'm not telling anyone yet," Tony added.

I plan to stop in again. Did I mention there's no smoking?

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