The halls are alive with music....
Well, sure, actually the
Music Farm does not have "hall" in its name.
One street over, though, is the
Charleston Music Hall, one of the three venues I went to on Friday evening.
This shot at the Farm is one of the encore numbers by
Cracker.
Got there kind of late as I stayed at the Music Hall to the very end of the
North Mississippi Allstars show.
This dynamic duo did the work of a band with half a dozen members!
Luther Dickinson (on the left) played guitar, vocals, and even an oil can lowebow.
His brother, Cody, did a great job on the drums.
And, Cody ALSO played the bass guitar (while seated), keyboard, and the electric washboard.
Yikes. I looked it up and it appears their regular bass player couldn't make it, so the brothers improvised!
Their opener,
Eric McFadden, sang a series of really "sad" songs. Grim even.
The first was about digging two graves for the two people he was going to murder.
One deep grave would have been easier.
Things cheered up a bit but death, pain, and mayhem recurred in several more songs.
Completed the third show of the night (well, early Saturday) at the new downtown
Home Team BBQ.
Brandon Santini, a favorite Blues harmonica artist from Memphis, was back in town.
It was on my way home, so I had to stop in. It was his next to last set.
Had to laugh the night before at the Music Hall, when
Greg Allman played.
One of his very happy big fans was up and down during the entire show
Waving his arms and showing his enthusiastic joy.
I had noticed before that these active music lovers usually were in the front row.
Of course, I would not be aware of these antics going on behind me!
Allman was pretty much hidden by his signature organ but stood and played guitar on a few songs.
I wandered up to the balcony for an unobstructed view of Greg at the keyboard.
(Click on the photos and links for more detail and information.)
Three-in-one-night was a challenge but I always have my professional ear plugs.
The pace will grow as we enter Spoleto time!
Here's a
surprise link to a "thank you" for stopping by.
Labels: a surprise link, Brandon Santini, Cracker, Downtown Home Team, Greg Allman, Luther & Cody Dickinson, Memphis Blues harmonica, North Mississippi Allstars, The hass are alive with music...
Music Nights...back-to-back.
Had not been to the
Windjammer on Isle of Palms in a few years.
In fact, the last time might have been for a
Cracker show.
Room looked the same but the lighting had REALLY been improved.
If blinking lights and flashing, dashing lasers make you dizzy, try to find a seat because otherwise, you'll fall down.
In fact, I saw at least two people slam to the floor. But I think it was a beer fall.
I was standing, leaning back on one of the two pillars so I had some space - and support - in the packed room.
Oh yeah, that's NOT Bono up on the stage in the shades. A very U2 look.
It's Singer/songwriter David Lowery in the crusty straw hat and lead guitar Johnny Hickman behind him.
The flashing lights are great for the audience and showmanship.
But, I had to pick my moments to have light that was camera-friendly on the band member I was tracking.
I got lucky a few times.
If you have never been to the 'Jammer, it's up a flight of stairs and has a deck out back.
Step outside and you're overlooking the beach and a steady cooling breeze comes wafting off the Atlantic.
On a hot summer night, you really appreciate taking a break out back.
The music was loud, had a nice beat and you could dance to it.
People sang along and heads were bobbing to the steady bass line and drums.
It was a nice Saturday night at the beach.
The next night I was in a very delightful haunt that I visit often -
The Pour House - for a rocking night with the
Lee Boys.
I have seen them here several times before and really appreciate the excellent sound engineering.
It's immediately apparent this sacred steel music is NOT sittin' and listenin' sounds.
The band is family - three brothers and three nephews .
They present a joyous mix that started out as inspired, unique Gospel music with a hard-driving,Blues-based beat.
The crowd grew and people were dancing, hopping up and down and shouting, laughing, singing and clapping.
Obviously this band likes to make people feel good!
Doing research on the Lee Boys, I read - and really believe - it's Gospel music infused with rhythm & Blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and even influences from other nations.
It's possible there were other cameras there but it looked like everybody was holding up a phone cam for either stills or shaky video.
Hint: don't rock your camera along with the music. Makes for some awful playback. Keep it steady.
Changes made in the PoHo surroundings has opened up about 25% more floor space.
Bands playing music like this encourage people to break loose and dance around a lot.
The two nephews doing the singing and rhythm hand-clapping kept the activity level very, very high.
Obviously the Lee Boys have a Charleston following and the crowd showed its appreciation for the full 2-hour set.
I also have seen fantastic prowess on the pedal steel guitar by
Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
And some great timing here, RR and the Family Band are scheduled for the Windjammer on Monday, June 8.
I have seen and enjoyed his music many, many times in Charleston as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
Get yourself a second helping of pedal steel sounds just two weeks from now.
(Click on the photos for more details)
I try to add links to expand coverage of bands appearing here. I enjoy - and support - live music.
Even Opera last week. Yikes.
Labels: 1993 Euro-Trash Girl, Bono-look, Cracker, David Lowery, Johnny Hickman, Lee Boys Sacred Steel, pedal steel guitar, sacred steel music, Windjammer music venue at Isle of Palm
