Not everyone is a former Beatle.....
Had a chance to see the
Lee Boys again recently at the Pour House.
Really like their "Sacred Steel" sound.
Robert Randolph and The Family Band was the first time I heard the foot-stomping sounds that can be made on a pedal steel guitar.
Growing up, I had seen country bands on tv turn a guitar on its side, place it in the lap and hear something slightly similar.
But, a full-blown pedal steel is a world of its own!
The link above will give you a sample of what I was enjoying that night at the PoHo.
When I saw them before at Wild Wing in Mt. Pleasant, it was a Lee Family Night.
Several relatives came up on stage and set up additional pedal steels Yowzah!
This night was another family gathering!
Online says they are based in Miami but I would have guessed Charleston - or at least the Lowcountry.
"..we still keep our Miami roots. A lot of us play around here at different churches and concerts. That’s how The Lee Boys give back to Miami after getting so much from the city."
Yes, I too wondered what the words on the front of Chris Johnson's shirt said...so, I Googled it.
It translates as "Crazy Dudes."
Sometimes the name of the opening band is just remembered as "the opener."
People don't feel too bad if they arrive late to the main show.
Maybe stop to have a bite to eat and a drink, knowing what time the headliner will start.
In this case, "the opener" for the Lee Boys included the pedal steel player Chris Johnson who sat in.
Arriving early was an added treat.
Another musical bonus was a surprise Father's Day present from my older daughter in Oakland. California.
I had seen ads for the Amazon "DOT" but didn't realize how quickly it would become a standard feature around the house..especially in the morning in the kitchen.
Setting up the tv to play Bob Dylan on Pandora meant a few steps involving my computer, changing the tv to HDMI1 and using my cell phone.
Now I just say "Alexa, some Bob Dylan music please," and the device starts playing Dylan.
My recent visit to Northern Minnesota is when I learned Bobby D. had been born in Hibbing.
Obviously, he learned how to cover up that Iron Range twang.
Sometimes in music, you don't alway get what you expected.
Went to The Mill in North Charleston to hear The Wilkinson's Quartet., from Austin, Texas
And, yes, I did expect to see four people crowded onto the stage area.
There was plenty of room for half of the quartet and it was the talented part of the group.
At least I liked what I heard from the bassist and guitar and can only guess what the other two added to the mix. Maybe this was a case of a double booking?
The opener before the Tedeschi Trucks Band at the PAC (Performing Arts Center) in North Charleston was introduced and the crowd seemed to know the two.
And the duo played - mandolin and guitar - well.
But I didn't jot down their names and they announced they currently play, not very often, in Oblivion.
Sounded like some kind of musical Witness Protection program.
I had seen Susan and Derek before and enjoyed the evening with them and their band.
I am finding I did not blog about several bands and am trying to do some catch up here.
Yes, I stayed a long, long time writing about all the craft breweries that had opened here and even some hints at a few more on the verge of opening their tap rooms for a taste.
But a lot of music has been enjoyed so I wanted to touch on some.
So pleased with the talent choosing to come to Charleston!
Our venues are varied, we are seeing repeats by name stars and the Coming Musical Attractions are very "attractive."
It's fun to be retired and supporting live music here!
(Click on photos and links for more details.)
Thanks for stopping by.
I've been blogging here for more than 10 years.
Let me know what you think.....
Labels: Amazon DOT, Bobby D., Duo headlining in Oblivion, Lee Boys Sacred Steel, Pandora, pedal steel guitar, Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Opener, Wilkinson's Quartet from Austin
The NEW music and the OLDER...
Went to my second Bob Dylan concert the other night.
Not a sell-out crowd at the PAC (North Charleston Performing Arts Center) but an older, attentive and appreciative mix of attendees.
It appears Dylan likes to keep the lights dim with lots of shadows.
Going for an intimate, small club feeling in a place that seats about 2,000.
Had the same experience when I stood on the clay court at Family Circle a few years ago. In a drizzling sporadic rain. Moody.
I like to take a few pictures for possible use in my blog. Dim and back-lighted settings pose a real challenge.
But, the music was good and people all around me were singing along.
Multiple signs warned the concert-goers that NO recording devices were allowed, and no flash (well, DUH).
Cameras and cell phones were specifically banned so we knew going in that memories would be all that could be carried away.
And that's a good thing, I guess.
I quickly was reminded that people using cell phones as cameras did not turn off the multiple harsh flashes that are produced when taking an illegal/illogical image.
They were pretty constant throughout the show but even more intrusive were the high-powered flashlights used by the Security people on both sides of the audience. Guilty parties were bathed in a bright spotlight and, supposedly, they then ceased to disobey the rules.
Ah, but what about the music?
Dylan was backed by a tight 5-piece band and they were flawless.
Dressed in a white suit with a thin black stripe on the pant legs, Dylan either stood, feet apart, at the microphone or, after a further dimming of the lights, ambled over to the Baby Grand piano.
I noticed there were two microphones effectively blocking his face from the audience of his fans, so I waited for a moment when I had a quick glimpse to snap a photo from my $100 seat.
True fans probably accepted his craggy voice and mumbled lyrics.
I keep my Pandora player at home on the Bob Dylan channel so I hear and enjoy a younger singer with subtle nuances as he delivers clever lyrics about protests, lost love and life in general.
Not at this concert.
Sorry, but I was painfully reminded of the late recording by Johnny Cash that come up on Pandora.
A tired, strained and forced remnants of a former glorious voice.
Sad that I missed seeing and hearing Dylan in his prime. That would have been a terrific evening.
This was less than great.
Obnoxious flashlights being shone on audience members and a ragged voice with just traces of yesteryear music.
However, a few nights earlier, I had enjoyed the
Dirty Bourbon River Show at the Pour House on Maybank Highway on James Island.
Recent renovation of the lively night spot has added more space for dancing and easier access to the bar!
A new clever projection system now flashes the band's name on twin screens.
It alternates with random images and flashing lights add to the excitement generated by this lively band on a 4-month tour from its home base in New Orleans.
Get their newest album
"Important Things Humans Should Know."
Leader Noah Adams has his full beard again and the new singer Sandra Love adds a sparkling, lilting element.
And, right across the street - in the Terrace Theater strip mall - I enjoyed a Tuesday evening of Blues at
How Art Thou music cafe.
Shrimp City Slim (Gary Erwin) was on keys and Eddie Vaan Shaw played the heck out of a borrowed guitar.
A sight behind the bar caught my eye.
"Put a cork in it," is more than just an expression here.
Actually, these champagne corks are used to keep the pouring spouts clean and ready in all of the bottles of booze. Neat.
Gary tells me he is laying down the Blues on Tuesdays at the music cafe.
This cozy neighborhood spot has really grown and evolved in the few years it has been opened.
Started out as a coffee, wine and juice bar a few doors down from the Terrace Theater.
A refreshing stop before or after a movie.
They soon knocked out walls and added seating and great sight lines for the talented entertainment they started bringing in.
Crafts beer and tapas were added to the mix. Oh yeah!
So, Gary on Tuesdays,
Oscar Rivers Jazz on Wednesdays and Americana/folk music Thursdays by Mark Yampolsky and
40 Mile Detour.
Entertainment is in the eye of the beholder.
Go and behold!
Labels: 40 Mile Detour, Bob Dylan, Gary Erwin, How Art Thou Cafe, Mark Yampolsky, Oscar Rivers, Pandora
Nostalgic Journey....
Stood in a drizzling rain last night to see Bob Dylan in concert. It was nearly candle lit. I feel a bit of what this NY lady stated about her underwhelming Dylan experience last year.
I DID see the restored 1955 Peacemaker Tour bus she mentioned.
Hmm, I thought, maybe it's Dylan's tour vehicle. Certainly was quirky enough.
The link above also connects you to a story of the "triple decker" restoration by a religious commune.
I found out later Dylan has been to Charleston 4 or 5 times but I had missed all of those shows. One might have been a daytime show. That would have helped!
Had a general admission ticket ($50) so stood on the clay court of the Family Circle Tennis Center and looked up at the raised stage about 100-150 feet away.
Frankly, I was closer than people who paid more to sit up in the seats.
A lady came on stage after DAWES, the opening act finished, and "suggested" we not take pictures.
But, nobody enforced the ban so an array of phone cameras, at least one LARGE SLR a few rows in front of me, and my personal little camera with its mighty 20x zoom lens clicked away. It had done a great job recently with Eric Clapton and with Bob Seger.)
Ah, but that was on a brightly-lighted stage, indoors, in a large arena with 18,000 of my Charlotte friends.
I stress the lighting. Or lack thereof.
It was dimly-lit.
Moody.
Like playing in a small cabaret.
I suppose they were going for the atmosphere of a little club (this Center seats 10,200 - although half were taken up with the stage and blocked viewing sections).
For the entire show, the stage was very dark, in deep shadows and severely back-lighted. Hard to see details. Artistic but daunting when you're trying to take a decent picture.
Oh, but that's right, we had been told to NOT take pictures.
A timid ineffective flash would go off every now and then and the aroma of banned substances wafted in the wind.
No announcement had been made about that "second hand" smoke. Felt like I was at a legalization party in Colorado or Washington state. Not that THAT's a bad thing
A drizzle would start, then stop, then pick up again.
Not a REAL rain which was good because umbrellas had been taken away by security at the entrance.
I doubted an umbrella would be feasible down on the court level so I had brought a flimsy plastic poncho.
That I had left that in the car because the sky looked like it was clearing.
The owner is experimenting with evening hours during events so I had a nice turkey Reuben sandwich and fries at the Honeycomb Cafe with a $4 beer. Then I strolled across the street to the Center.
My trusty camera was set to its absolute limits but it gave me something to work with as a starting point.
Photoshop helped me overcome the challenge of darkness and the high contrast lighting. Had not seen gas heaters on a stage before. Was meant to add to the ambiance I guess.
A few days ago I set up a Bob Dylan Radio station on Pandora to get myself in the mood for an evening harkening back to the 1960s.
Man, Dylan made a LOT of records.
Some songs were coming back to me - even the lyrics - after all these years.
Pandora also slipped in other folk and folk rockers from the era such as Van Morrison, Stephen Stills, Marshall Tucker Band. Neil Young and Buffalo Springfield. Yikes.
I was humming along at home with Mama Cass Elliot, early Elton John, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Otis Redding, Led Zeppelin, Eddie Vedder and Billy Joel.
I was ready for the concert.
(Click on the pictures for more details.)
Despite my "training" I recognized only a few of Dylan's songs.
His voice is gravely and much older ...but, then, so am I.
Thanks for stopping by on a rainy afternoon.
Labels: 1955 Peacemaker Tour bus, banned substance, Bob Dylan Radio, CCR, Honeycomb Cafe, legal marijuana, Marshall Tucker Band, Pandora, second hand smoke, Simon and Garfunkel., turkey Reuben sandwich, Van Morrison
Another musical bonus was a surprise Father's Day present from my older daughter in Oakland. California.
The opener before the Tedeschi Trucks Band at the PAC (Performing Arts Center) in North Charleston was introduced and the crowd seemed to know the two.
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