One "UK" evening followed by The Blues...
Went to the the UK* the other night to perhaps have myself a Moscow Mule in it's distinctive copper cup.
Well, actually, I intended to introduce a friend to the signature drink served at
The Rarebit.
He and I passed on the cool copper cup cocktail caper and focused more on their quirky menu. Take a look.
Note that the full menu is served only from 1pm to 10pm but the breakfast fare can be ordered from 10am until 1 am. Cool.
I had the country fried steak, with mashed potatoes and crisp green beans.
In conversation I referred to the area with all the expanding places along upper King Street as the
UK. My friend liked that.
"Don't believe I've seen that used before," he said, so maybe I coined it. In print. On this blog.
The next night - Friday - I headed to Home Team BBQ in West Ashley. Back in the U.S.A.
I was eager to listen again to a Blues master,
Steve Cheseborough, in from Oregon.
Had enjoyed his playing and authoritative banter about a year ago when he was a one-man show at Home Team.
Still dazzling with his knowledge of the major guitar players from the 1920s - 1930s, someone in the audience asked if he would play something by Taj Mahal.
Steve answered "I don't really know any of his songs but we both base our music on the same old timers...lemme see now..."
And he played a perfect Taj song, with credit to the original artist, Henry Thomas, 1874 - 1930, a Texas Blues pioneer. Yikes.
I recognized Fishin' Blues immediately from Taj's albums and live shows I had attended.
I wish I had jotted down some of the other songs Steve played and who he credited with creating them.
He honored quite an array of early Blues artists by presenting their authentic 20s and 30s sound.
He said his heavy, all-metal shiny National guitar was a challenge flying here. It was safely nestled above him in the overhead bin.
That meant it was part of his carry-on luggage and I have to wonder about the reaction from TSA at the airport as he presented his ID and boarding pass.
(Click on the photos for more details.)
The night before, while roaming around a few blocks of UK*, I bumped into Lee Barbour, another talented guitar player I admire and follow.
For example I know he is quite a ping pong player and not too surprised to meet him coming out of HoM.
If you don't know, they have two professional ping pong tables in the back.
Quite a change from all the pool tables usually seen up and down the street.
I asked how he fared in a recent tournament and he said he was pleased to have placed well in his talent level.
I've seen videos of him practicing and while playing in tournaments in New York.
He asked if I played and I grinned and said I had bounced the ball a few times ..when I was in high school.
That was long before Lee was born.
Now, even when I'm at Shem Creek or Goose Creek, I get along without a paddle.
(Groan.)
Labels: Dobro American resonator guitar, Fishin' Blues, Henry Thomas, Lee Barbour, Moscow Mule, steve Cheseborough, Taj Mahal, The Rarebit restaurant, UK means Upper King
Playing Tribute to Jimi....
Going to see
Buddy Guy tonight at the Performing Arts Center.
I shot this picture last year at a free concert in Myrtle Beach.
Buddy is one of the world's leading guitarist playing tribute in a program saluting the musical genius of
Jimi Hendrix.
The
Experience Hendrix is led by Billy Cox, bassist for Jimi's band and tonight will feature Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Randolph and others.
The lineup of the traveling 3-week tour varies from city-to-city and also includes several of my favorites
Keb' Mo' and
Taj Mahal who, unfortunately, won't be here tonight.
I was thinking just the other day that Charleston is overdue for a visit by Keb' Mo'.
Hopefully, sometime soon?
I saw "The Experience" a few years ago in Washington, DC at Constitution Hall and look forward to another exciting evening of music.
(Click on the pictures for a larger image.)
Support live music!
Let's keep 'em coming to Charleston.
(Did anyone else wake up an hour late this morning? We lost an hour but gained more sunshine.)
Labels: Billy Cox, Experience Hendrix, Jimi Henrdrix, Jonny Lang, Keb' Mo', Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robert Randolph, Taj Mahal
The PoHo... Inside and Out
Several music venues surprise me with the variety of their activities.
The
Pour House is a good example.
Not just great musicians, like the
Lee Boys, but the actual facility itself.
There's a huge deck out back that pleases the smokers who can drink and cough, er, I mean light up, as they enjoy live music.
Of course there's a second bar out there too.
In front, facing Maybank Highway, there's a small deck for El Bohio dining that's been added.
Recently the owners Alex and Vanessa Harris offered the outside walls of the place for a music mural competition.
I remember the tiny
bar-with-jam-bands they had on Highway 17.
It was about half-filled with several pool tables.
They've come a long way.
And the Charleston music scene has benefited greatly.
The PoHo is packed each year when
Leon Russell comes to town.
The
North Mississippi All-Stars draw a full house as they rock the rafters.
Taj Mahal was a surprise booking recently. Last time in town he played the Charleston Music Hall.
Nice call Alex.
The deck often features local musicians who really enjoy the raucous welcome they receive when they hop onstage.
The sound system outside is just as fine as the famed one inside.
And, don't kid yourself...these hometown bands also have a loyal following.
That's a smart way to build business - and a great way to thank the music fans.
Of course, most of the crowd heads inside when the main act starts.
Or if it starts to rain.
(Yes, clicking on the picture - twice - makes it bigger. Lots of details.) Thanks for stopping by on this nice Fall day. Hopefully hot and humid is over for the year and there's more deck time. Come sit outside with me.
Labels: El Bohio, Leon Russell, NMAS, North Mississippi All Stars, outside deck, PoHo, Pour House, Taj Mahal
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
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