Flowerful Holidays...
Of course there is an explanation for this flower-bedecked lead guitarist of the New Orleans street band
Yes Ma'am.
The other 5 band members did not make it to the gig Saturday night at Tin Roof.
He gallantly sat in with the opener and gave us quite a show.
Two fans stepped forward with - I guess - a thank you bouquet of flowers.
There were no vases so the long stems were stuffed into his t-shirt and his guitar.
I had seen this band before and looked forward again to hearing a bit of rompin' & stompin' NOLA Royal Street music the day after Christmas.
Hey, as they say, the show went on and dancers danced and ribald stories were shared.
The spirit of the Xmas holiday season and the birth of Jesus, was kneeling to the right of the stage.
This, of course, was the non-retiring other "Joe" in Charleston as the end of the year looms.
The jaunty Santa hat was another nice holiday seasonal touch.
It's no secret that I enjoy live music here and overseas.
It's also well-known that I usually have my trusty Canon SX280hs in my hand on musical evenings.
A nice "shout out" to the Tin Roof for the improved lighting onstage.
Speaking of being out of the country, a buddy of mine has served in Germany and Western Europe for many years as a civilian contractor.
Now he's wearing government credentials in Kabul, near the NATO headquarters, in Afghanistan.
He was able to pose on Christmas day with a svelte Santa, a wheelbarrow filled with candy, a helpful "tree" and a flirty elf.
They continued on their rounds after the picture was snapped.
Set my camera on black & white to capture
Steve Cheesborough and his vintage metal
Dobro guitar.
He was at
How Art Thou by the Terrace Theater on Maybank Highway Tuesday night.
Steve travels from his home in Portland, Oregon each year around Christmas and this was his final night before heading home.
I've seen him perform several years ago at Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ in West Ashley and know he specializes in music from the 20s and 30s leading up to WWII.
Last week I had just missed his set at the Tradesman Brewing Company close by off Folly Road.
Glad to catch his last night in town as he played with
Shrimp City Slim on keys and
Juke Joint Johnny on harp.
I learned there is a good chance Shrimp will be adding a second night of Blues (Friday?) at the cozy music, beer , tapas and coffee spot.
(Click on the photos and links for more details and information.)
Thanks for stopping by.
Happy New Year's Eve Eve.
Labels: Dobro American resonator guitar, HAT, Home Team BBQ, How Art Thou, Juke Joint Johnny, Kabul, NATO Hq, Shrimp City Slim, Yes Ma'am NOLA band
The Blues Has Come Home...to Home Team BBQ
Home Team BBQ -
West Ashley and out at
Sullivan's Island - is filling the musical gap for The Blues.
Thank you Fiery Ron.
The lighting is terrible in both places (for a photographer) but the sound is fantastic.
And you're there to listen.
Or, it appears, some just are there to take "selfies," but that's not the type of photography I mean.
I'm there to catch a good, representative picture of the performers.
Some nights are better than others. I've just had a nice run. Take
Mac Arnold and his Plate Full Of Blues.
I can't really fault the stage lighting this time - he kept his distinctive trademark black cowboy hat on all night.
But if you're patient - and don't get jostled too much by energetic dancers - you get at least a glimpse of this legendary Blues man's face.
I didn't remember, or probably never knew, Mac is a local South Carolinian.
Or, as he pronounces it
Cackalacky.
He invited us all up to his hometown of Greenville April 23-25 for his 9th annual Cornbread and Collard Greens Blues Festival at his restaurant.
I'm sure the menu touts his BLUE(S) Plate Special.
Saw lots of familiar fans of the Blues last night. A few even ventured out onto the dance floor.
I tend to sit back - camera in hand - to observe and try to catch that special shot.
Flash?
Nope, I try not to ever pop that distracting bright light.
I work with whatever the club's sound & lighting guy has provided.
Another Blues-Man-In-A-Hat recently here was Brandon Santini who hadn't played Charleston
in about 5 years.
Ever since Shrimp City Slim cancelled his two-week February annual Blues Bash after a long, long 21 year run last year, a few others have tried to bring in Blues legends.
It's very much alive in the Holy City and Fiery Ron's Home Team two clubs have been very very good for the Blues.
Understand there will be a third Home Team soon and that will benefit players who can work "the local circuit" for several nights.
Back when I still worked for the Post and Courier, promoting InfoLine, I was in contact with more than 100 LOCAL musical groups.
Many were singles, but there also were duos and trios.
Santini appeared with similar lighting at Home Team a few weeks ago and last week, the Sullivan's Island stage featured Sean Chambers.
So, once in a while, the player's
face will catch some stage lighting and I can capture something moody.
(Click on the photos for more detail.)
I also shoot color under adverse lighting conditions but The Blues really lends itself to black & white.
Sit back, have a beer and enjoy.
Be blue.
Labels: Brandon Santini, HT-SI, Mac Arnold and Plate full of blues, Sean Chambers, Shrimp City Slim
...for the kneady people
Always something goin' on at Andolini's.
They once had a tip jar that said
"Tips Make For Good Karma."
Who would dare NOT to be generous?
On the last Super Bowl Sunday, there were TWO tip jars...one marked
Seahawks and the other
Patriots.
Staff had it covered, either way the big game went.
On a recent, cold, rainy night, battling heavy traffic on Rivers Avenue, I was getting close to Andolini's,
"Think I'll just pull in here, grab a pizza and head home for a quiet evening."
S0, I did.
As usual, they were well prepared for take-away clients so I settled down at the bar as my dinner was being prepared.
That's when I saw the latest tip jar.
There's a local Blues promoter and piano player who always reminds the crowd they should take care of the bartender and their server,
Then he adds "Tipping is not a city in China."
Have not seen that message at Andolini's yet.
I watched as this young lady rapidly folded the cardboard pizza boxes and reached up as high as she could, to place the one on top.
Glad they didn't need just one more, the stack may have toppled over.
In the past I often have eaten my pie right there in a booth.
Well, not the whole thing!
They have smaller boxes for those who want to take some slices home.
Made for a nice breakfast this morning.
Hot coffee and cold pizza.
Oh, and another slice for a late lunch.
Because I am on a diet, I skipped dinner. Burp.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
To give proper credit, the Blues guy who gives advice on thanking the wait staff, has Shrimp City in his name.
My pizza had pepperoni.
And, I left a nice tip.
Good Karma.
Labels: Andolini's Pizza, good Karma, pepperoni, Shrimp City Slim, Take-away boxes, tip jar, Tipping is not a city in China
Wanda's Going To China.
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This time next week, Blues Singer
Wanda Johnson - from the South Carolina upstate - will be on her way to perform in Macau, China.
That's what they mean when they say
"Talent will take you a long way."
Caught her and
Shrimp City Slim (Gary Erwin) last night at A Dough Re Mi in Mt. Pleasant for several excellent sets and it's no wonder she's in demand around the world. Her Blues chops are finely tuned.
Sitting in with Shrimp's band was
Dr. Pickup from Paris, France so it was a really international Friday night. The whole band will travel with Miss Wanda so it should be quite a show.
Last night the room was packed and, on one side, a happy crowd helped a fellow celebrate his birthday and, on the other side, a group of ladies also were eating pizza and birthday cake.
Tonight I'll be sitting down front at the Performing Arts Center in North Charleston for the
Lucinda Williams concert. Last time she was here, it was packed-shoulder-to-shoulder at the
Music Farm.Labels: A Dough Re Mi, birthday, China, Dr. Pickup, France, Gary Erwin, Lucinda Williams, Miss Wanda Johnson, PAC, Paris, Performing Arts Center, Shrimp City Slim
Wanda Johnson really packed the house at A Dough Re Mi Sunday night. Not an empty seat in the place.
Except hers.
A serious illness in the family had
Miss Wanda headed home to the Upstate instead of to Mt. Pleasant for a scheduled evening of Piccolo-Spoleto Blues.
Shrimp City Slim (Gary Erwin) was there with his band which had backed her on her new CD
"Hold What You Got."
They sent her their love and prayers and then played her music to a capacity crowd of more than 130 patrons. Extra rows of chairs were placed in front of the stage and they filled early, attesting to the appeal of the popular young Blues singer.
Gary announced he expected Miss Johnson to be back for two scheduled appearances elsewhere in town June 5 and 6, also part of Piccolo-Spoleto.
This is a follow up to my posting that she would present a Sunday Blues treat. I looked forward to hearing her again.
Unfortunately, on arrival, a sign at the door informed us a medical emergency forced her to immediately join her family out of town and she would not perform.
The sign stated the
Shrimp City Slim band, her backup band on her CD, would perform and they did a great job, playing most of the songs from her two CDs.
The crowd - many in town for Spoleto and quite a few first-timers at the Blues club - showed their appreciation to Gary Erwin, keyboard; Jerome Griffin, bass; "Silent Eddie" Phillips, guitar and Lamont Garner on drums.
It was a different evening than I had planned but the music was great as the band showed its respect.
Full Festival coverage at
www.spoletotoday.com.
Labels: A Dough Re Mi, backup band, Gary Erwin, Miss Wanda Johnson, Piccolo-Spoleto, serious illness, Shrimp City Slim, Upstate
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