Here's More Numbers....
So the 500th milestone has been reached.
Now It's the
22nd annual Blues Bash. Oh yeah.
A musical marathon.
How many days
in a row
can I go?
Nick Moss & The Flip Flops Friday at Home Team BBQ /Sullivan's Island. Nick tossed his hat away as he wrapped up a set playing to a packed house.
The night before - at the same venue - was Christopher Dean featuring harmonica wizard
Mike Mettalia.
A Blues festival is going to have a lot of harmonica players.
This is the first I've seen using a cordless microphone.
That eliminates whipping and dragging the cord around.
It also gives the player the chance to come down and mingle in the audience.
Guitar players do this often but Mike showed how to get the crowd into the act.
A photographer keeps his or her eyes open for different angles.
This was a bit unusual. A reflection in a window.
Stage lighting is another major photo challenge.
"Getting the red out" is a post production task at many venues.
This afternoon it's off to the
Isle of Palms Rec Center for a 4-act show. The last is
Planet D Nonet with a serious horn section.
That will be followed by a late set at the other Home Team BBQ in West Ashley.
I'm marking my calendar for a night off on Sunday.
Labels: 22nd annual Blues Bash, Christopher Dean, Mike Mettalia, Nick Moss, Planet D Nonet, The Flip Flops
A Blues Slight Change Of Plans...
Scott (MF) Holt always puts on a great show.
This was at Home Team in West Ashley last Saturday night.
Actually, anywhere I've seen him perform, he is
fiery..Earlier that evening I had arrived an hour and a half before showtime downtown at
Blind Tiger but couldn't find a seat. None.
Thought I would have dinner and see
Mac Arnold and Plate Full 'O Blues but even though the band was still setting up, all the seats in the bar area were already filled. Yikes.
But, Blues Bash means options, so I looked over the printed program and headed out West.
Actually, on Monday, I had scored the best seat in the house at Blind Tiger for
Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones and was pleasantly surprised when Blues Bash Founder Gary Erwin stopped in to sip wine and check on things.
Gary was relaxed and looked pleased at the half-way point of his 21st offering of music to the Lowcountry.
Dennis Gruenling was featured on harmonica that evening with the band.
The packed room was treated to an excellent expanded sound.
Standing at the bar were local harp bluesmen Chuck Morris and Juke Joint Johnny.
Here's a batch of other sights and performances I caught during this year's Bash:
Labels: Abe Lincoln, Blind Tiger, DeiDre, Freddie Vanderford/Brandon Turner, Home Team (WA), Mad River Bar and Grill, Matt Hill and On-The-Floor Band, Planet D Nonet, Scott Holt, Ten Foot Polecats
Blues In The Night......
The IOP Recreation Center has really drawn a crowd the last two days.
A popular venue for years, the 21st Annual Lowcountry Blues Bash, offered great acts here Saturday and Sunday.
Biscuit Miller & The Mix had nothing to kick about.
Saturday started with
Frankie's Blues Mission - indoors and heated - as an opener to
Wanda Johnson & Shrimp City Slim.
People were standing in the aisles because every seat was filled.
Saturday wrapped it up in grand style with
Planet D Nonet.
It was obvious when the band set up that there were nine players (6 in the horn section) and they announced they all were from planet
DETROIT.
A "boy" singer stood at the microphone and crooned, so I shot pictures in true 40's style - black and white.
It just seemed appropriate.
More later...
Labels: Biscuit Miller and The Mix, blues in the night, Detroit Debbie, more than an octet, Planet D Nonet
Bundled For The Blues ....BRR
Low Country Blues Bash included a great blues act on the harbor last night.
The venue was listed as the
Reel Bar at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina.
Actually it was in a tented area BEHIND the bar. With plastic panels. And numerous gas heat lamps.
Well, yes, it WAS warmer than Chicago.
You could see the breath of the
Frankie's Blues Mission trio. And the breath of the audience members.
A few weeks ago I started taking a look at Charleston restaurants and bars that had cozy fireplaces. Guess I better add those that have heat lamps too.
I'm not complaining. Not really.
It's the 21st Annual and each February, the weather is a gamble.
I salute Gary Erwin for producing this year after year and providing a GREAT festival each time.
I'll be toasty warm INSIDE the
IOP Rec Center tonight 5:00-8:30 enjoying Gary (aka Shrimp City Slim) on keys and Miss Wanda Johnson,
followed by the
Planet D Nonet. Then to the nearby Morgan Street Grill for
Freddie Vanderford/Brandon Turner and ending at Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island for
Ten Foot Polecats from Boston.
Sunday it's back to the REC CENTER on IOP again 2:00-5:30.
This will be followed by a mad dash home for some pizza and commercials and the
Super Bowl.
(Click on pics for more detail. Tell me about YOUR favorite place-with-fireplace and stop by again. Stay warm and dry.)
Labels: /Brandon Turner, 21st annual Lowcountry Blues Bash, Andolini's Pizza, Boston, Freddie Vanderford, gas heaters, Morgan Street Grill, Planet D Nonet, Reel Bar, Super Bowl, Ten Foot Polecats
So the 500th milestone has been reached.
