Open Containers in Savannah...
It's been a while since I've been in Savannah which is silly.
Hey, it's an easy drive. The Lowcountry scenic marshes of the ACE Basin are delightful and apparently there are very few police cars on the highways.
The two we did see ticketing someone were driving unmarked cars.
One was a bright red Mustang, festooned with discreetly-placed flashing blue lights.
Not behind me fortunately.
I had forgotten that - just like in New Orleans - you can walk around with a plastic cup filled with adult beverages.
I recall carrying around wine during the art walks in the (other) French Quarter in Charleston a few years ago.
It was soon banned outdoors but you could still have wine inside a gallery.
Last week I did a Brewery Crawl up in Charlotte and have had a lot of craft beer experiences so, this time I stopped for a cold "normal" one in World Of Beer.
Literally saw bottles from Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and the Czech Republic.
The large bottle of Chimay Ale towered over the others and poked its neck up through the next level.
As soon as we got to the room on the 6th floor of the Hyatt, we looked out and saw a very large container ship, cruising past the River walk, headed for the port.
As they passed, crew members were waving, laughing and anticipating shore leave after crossing the Atlantic.
A ship from Shanghai takes only about 13 - 15 days to reach a West Coast port.
Checking this out, I found that arriving at an East Coast port, like Charleston and Savannah, goes on and on for 30 to 40 days, depending on where it leaves from, what's being shipped, the type of vessel and, of course, the weather.
The large ships average about 480 miles a day when at sea.
So these crewmen were ready for some dry land and wet beverages.
The Market Square area - and all of the Historic District - was packed. The streets were filled with crowds milling around and moving in clusters. Sidewalks were filled. I almost spilled some of my beer.
Proud parents with their new graduates sons and daughters.
A few young men were sporting black, square, tasseled mortar boards, while relaxing in t-shirts and shorts.
Bachelorette parties, people pedaling hard on a movable bicycle-powered bar, singing as loud as they could.
Speaking of singing, that was what drew me to Savannah this Saturday before Mother's Day.
Years ago, back around 2002, I went to a Lyle Lovett concert and he brought out a Blues singer named Francine Reed.
He later appeared on one of her records as did Delbert McClinton.
She has a voice, born to sing the Blues.
Ms Reed plays close to Atlanta and seldom tours outside the state, so I was hungry to hear her again.
That night I would sit in the audience and enjoy her songs in Springfield, Georgia, at the totally restored
Mars Theatre.
It was about a 25 mile drive there, and the sunset looked promising, but the sun would dip after her show started.
We were about 45 minutes early so we cruised along the Main Street, looking for a place to get a quick sandwich.
Got a beer and fries at a crowded, popular sports bar/diner called
Gaffney's Cheap Seats and hurried back to the theatre.
As we parked, I was pretty sure I saw her and some band members standing off to the side, not quite ready to head in.
Obviously I am a shy person but we introduced ourselves as big fans and said we had driven down from Charleston to see her show.
She wanted to know how long it took us and I said about 2 1/2 hours. Ms. Reed smiled and said she would sing real nice for us.
Then she posed with us for a few pictures.
Inside we got popcorn and a beer (it was a theatre so naturally there was popcorn) and took our seats down front.
She was welcomed and introduced by Tommy Deadwyler, Director of Cultural Affairs for Springfield.
He referred to the restored Mars Theatre as "a big gem in a small town."
Opened in 1945, it flourished until 1957 when television diminished the audience.
It sat vacant until the City of Springfield, with a grant from the Fox Theatre Institute, spent 7 years restoring it and it opened again last year in April.
That added to my appreciation of the setting and the Trio opened with a few songs before Francine Reed took the stage.
It is so nice to hear talented people play and sing. The room was good and the sound was excellent.
Each of the band had their solo and was richly applauded.
She was in fine voice - a bit gravelly in just the right places - as she sang stories of love and adapting to what life throws at you.
"One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" was a favorite I had liked from before. It was written by Bette Midler and Ms. Reed owns it.
"My baby jumped up this morning,
sat on the side of the bed.
He said, "I'm leaving you, baby."
And this is just what I said.
I said, "I can't make you stay if you want to go,
but it's high time , baby, that you should know,
One monkey don't stop no show,
One monkey don't stop no show.
So, if you still wanna go, go ahead,
and I mean every word I said."
My baby thought I was jivin'
and he went right out the door.
He left me about three in the morning,
I got me a man at four."
She pleased us again with
"Wild Women Don't Get The Blues, "Been There, Done That" and many others and the 2-hour show flew by.
At one point she said
"I just love the smell of popcorn. Could I have some...and a beer?"
The next morning was Mother's Day and many ladies were treated to a lavish buffet in the atrium lobby of the Hyatt.
There were two carving stations and piles and piles of oysters and shrimp.
The streets were quiet and the parking garage that was packed to the gills the night before was now almost totally deserted.
As we were leaving. so was another container ship.
One had arrived when we did so another was heading out, down the channel toward the broad Atlantic.
Hope the offshore tropical storm Ana did not cause them any grief.
We had sunshine and clouds but no rain.
Leaving Savannah on US 17 North, we quickly were back in South Carolina.
The first ubiquitous fireworks stand had a compelling reason to pull over to take a picture.
Actually two reasons. Shouldn't there be a donkey to have equal time?
But this trip was more about music than alcohol so I didn't worry seeing a pink elephant the morning after.
Enjoy in moderation.
And, do catch a show by Francine Reed. Most likely at
Blind Willies in Atlanta.
Unless the Charleston Music Hall can get her to drop in.
I'd go again.
Labels: ACE Basin, Bette Midler, Charleston Music Hall, CMH, Delbert McClinton, Francine Reed, Hyatt Regency, Lyle Lovett, Mars Theatre in Springfield Georgia, open containers, pink elephant, World of Beer
Liking More Keb' Mo'....
Not sure when
Keb' Mo' last came here, but even he said from the stage it had been
"too long."
The three-time Grammy winner played Friday at the Charleston Music Hall - where I saw him his the last time here - and he was warmly welcomed.
It was nearly a sell out crowd of adoring fans.
He gave back a lot of love along with his music.
It was an acoustic set and he used all three guitars arrayed around him.
He sat atop a stool in the midst of a Winter Wonderland setting of glistening powdery snow?
(The stage was set up for the annual
Christmas Show at the downtown music venue.)
Several photographers discretely moved back and forth in front of the stage during his first song.
Then they quickly left to meet press deadlines and we all settled back for a fine evening of blues, jazz, R&B and soul.
Charleston music audiences are not shy about "suggesting" favorites they would like to hear.
Lots of them.
At one point Keb" (born Kevin Moore) smiled and pushed away his set list with his left foot.
"Don't know why I even bothered to write them down," he told the happy crowd and played what was requested.
He shooed away a security staffer who came over to a couple that hopped up and started dancing right in front of the stage.
"That lady in the red pants came here to dance with her man. I have no problem with that."
He played new songs and old ones.
Guitars were switched smoothly as he changed tempo and played such hits as "Suitcase" "Just Like You" and "Come On Back."
Other hits came from his albums "The Door" and "The Reflection."
By the end of the show, and an encore, the audience was on its dancing feet and he high-fived his way off stage.
(Click on the photos for more detail.)
I'm thinking it was about three years since Keb' Mo' was in town.
He said to the audience that there was a
"really fine restaurant next door. Can't remember its name, but it's good."
Hearing 50+ people shout out
"39 Rue De Jean"
showed a lot of brand awareness.
And civic pride.
He's right of course.
It's a great for dinner and an after theater spot for dessert and coffee.
Can't remember if the coffee is French Press?
Labels: 3 guitars, 3-time Grammy Award winner, 39 Rue de Jean, acoustic set, Charleston Music Hall, French Press coffee, Keb' Mo', Keep It Simple, lady in red, nee Kevin Moore, set list, Suitcase, The Reflection
Lucinda Williams .. my 4th time!
The
BLESSED lady was back in Charleston.
Miss Williams had her contacts in this time.
No
eyeglasses were offered from the audience to help her see the lyrics.
That happened at the
Performing Arts Center in 2008.
She played the
Charleston Music Hall Sunday night and remarked that she really thought it was a great venue.
"I like the twinkling lights behind me. They look like stars."
I agree it's a beautiful room and under-used for visiting acts.
More intimate than the
Music Farm where I saw her a few years ago.
Her touring bus was parked right at the curb out front.
How convenient can you get?
"BLESSED" is the name of the new album by the 3-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter.
She was backed by long time bassist David Sutton and drummer Butch Norton.
Lead guitar was Blake Mills.
They formed a tight musical group.
Her nearly 2 hour show (short intermission) was a sweet mixture of Blues, Country and folk rock.
There were some very tender moments when she put aside her guitar and sang from the heart.
I also enjoyed Lucinda in
Memphis in 2002 at the Beale Street Music Festival.
I look forward to the next time.
(Be sure to click on the photos for more details.Security didn't bother her camera and phone-toting fans and the lighting/sound was excellent.) Support live music!
Labels: Beale Street Music Festival, Blake Mills, Blessed album, Butch Norton, Charleston Music Hall, David Sutton, Lucinda Williams, PAC
Jazz Hand ...and Outdoor Music
As a SpoJo (Spoleto civilian Journalist), I've had an opportunity to post my impressions on some of this year's presentations.
What an honor. What a challenge.
JAZZ HAND - Tales of a One Armed Woman is such a situation.
During the opening skit where a dancer's hand flies off during a fast audition routine, the audience at the American Theater felt a bit uneasy. It appeared to be part of the act...but..
Mary Theresa Archbold and her husband, fellow performer, Pat Shay, looked down at the false (left) hand on the stage floor.
When the lights dimmed, signaling the end of the skit, we nervously applauded.
After that shaky (for the audience) opening, the show was great, touching, and VERY funny. We all, well, gave her a hand.
Some genius decided to expand the seating for the
Carolina Chocolate Drops by moving two of their four performances to the outdoor Cistern area. Man, that was inspired!
(The line looks long but, as soon as the gates opened, everyone quickly entered and we picked a seat down front.)
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I had seen the talented trio a few years ago when they opened for Taj Mahal at the Charleston Music Hall but they really blossomed onstage beneath the stately moss-draped oaks.
Catch them if you can.
(Check out ALL the Festival coverage at
www.Spoletotoday.com)Labels: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Charleston Music Hall, Cistern area, College of Charleston, Jazz Hand, Taj Mahal, Tales of a One Armed Woman
I had forgotten that - just like in New Orleans - you can walk around with a plastic cup filled with adult beverages.
As soon as we got to the room on the 6th floor of the Hyatt, we looked out and saw a very large container ship, cruising past the River walk, headed for the port.
The large ships average about 480 miles a day when at sea.
Proud parents with their new graduates sons and daughters.
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