Hey, Down In Front!
So you're at this music venue listening to some really good music.
Mudcat Dedeck is playing terrific Gospel and Blues.
I had enjoyed Mud several years ago in Atlanta at The Northside Tavern.
People are dancing and moving all around.
Then this guy plants himself in front of you as he talks with a friend.
They converse back and forth for quite a while.
It must have been YEARS since they last saw each other. Lots of catching up to do.
His other buddy is up ahead of him but not blocking my view.
I'm pretty sure they came in together. With several others. Bikes parked out front.
I decided I could shift a little to my right and keep taking pictures. That's what I did.
The next night I was back at the same venue for a different group
The Nick Moss Band (formerly & The Flip Flops.)
Thought I would move in closer and shoot my photos from the side this time.
The place was packed so getting a good angle was a challenge. All the lighting is from above so performers wearing hats create a shadow. Be patient and wait for the proper moment.
Nobody stood still in front of me this night.
Michael Ledbetter, playing on the other guitar, made some beautiful sounds.
These two work smoothly together. The whole band was a solid unit.
This would have been the 23rd annual Lowcountry Blues Bash, presented by Gary Erwin, aka Shrimp City Slim.
Gary announced recently that he was not staging a two-week event this year so Home Team stepped in to provide our needed dose of the Blues. The name
Fest replaced
Bash.
Long-time supporters of the Blues, they used both the West Ashley and their Sullivan's Island BBQ places as music venues to help fill the gap.
The finale was to bring in
Big Bill Morganfield on the final Sunday.
The son of legend Muddy Waters always presents a powerful experience so I plan to be there.
Up front if at all possible.
(Click on the photos for more details).
The concept of a "listening room" for music has not caught on here in Charleston.
Performers have to hope their fans outnumber people who come just to chat - loudly.
It's nice when that does happen.
Thanks for stopping by.
Labels: Fiery Red's Home Team BBQ, Hell's Angels MC, Lowcountry Blues Fest, Michael Ledbetter, Mudcat Dedeck, Nick Moss Band, Northside Tavern, Sullivan's Island, West Ashley
Just Skip The Sunset.....
I had just showed a buddy my version of shooting a sunset.
Yes, a tripod is required.
He wanted my advice and it was a slightly cool evening so we put on jackets and headed out in West Ashley.
I warned him there were very few clouds so I knew the effect would not be spectacular.
Turns out, that was not the problem.
As the sun sank lower, we attached his camera to the tripod and I suggested lens and shutter settings to get him started.
The message on the back of his camera immediately flashed
"Replace Batteries."
He answered my query with
"No, I don't have any spares. I thought these were good ones."
We tried a few shots with my camera in the fading light.
However, the best way to teach is to have him do it on his own camera so we packed it in for the night.
And realized we were hungry.
We passed a
stunning building on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard that I believe had just opened and stepped in.
The entire place - inside and out - had been transformed.
I later found out it's by the same people who do
Tristan on the Market downtown.
There was extensive use of wood - which I really like - and splashy colors.
My eye went to a whole wall covered with plates, cups and saucers.
Probably some pots and pans as well.
I saw some spoons too.
After admiring the view, I remembered why we had stopped.
We were hungry and thirsty.
A cold craft beer and tasty appetizers (Jerk- rubbed baked chicken wings) got us started.
Then came probably the best Reuben sandwich I've ever had.
The place started filling up and I asked how long they had been opened.
"
It's been three weeks, " the smiling and helpful wait person answered.
We had missed a glorious sunset but had found a place I'll go back to when I'm in the area.
Maybe even drive crosstown to sample the delicious food and the delightful surroundings.
(Click on the pictures for more details.)
The chicken wings include both parts so it's like a double order.
Eat more chikken.
Labels: Eat more chikken, Jerk-rubbed baked chicken wings, Ms. Rose's, Please click http://photo.meetup.com/687., Reuben sandwich, Sam Rittenberg Blvd., sunset alternative, Tristan, West Ashley
Hanging out at Barnes & Noble.
Being part of a
Photography Exhibit is pretty exciting.
Barnes & Noble (West Ashley) provided space for a month to hang colorful mounted photos right next to the coffee counter. Prime location!
The
21st Century Photography Group was founded two years ago and at our monthly meetings the members keep coming up with great ideas like this display.
Kevin Harp, one of the two Co-Organizers, presented this concept, talked to the B&N folks and made this happen the entire month of February.
Kevin even did the actual placement and hanging of all the pictures.
The first batch was replaced mid-month with more from the
"Best Shot of 2009" collection submitted by the members.
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Each month we do a popular SHOW & TELL and members get to see what the others are doing and hear technical details.
The membership now is 145 photographers and wannabes.
Information on the group can be found on the
21st Century website. Come by and bring some of your favorite photos.
And your camera.
Labels: Barnes and Noble, coffee counter, Kevin Harp., Photo Display, West Ashley
Sounds Great ...
BBQ and Island Characters.
Fiery Red's
Home Team remodeled Bert's old place and now there's a brand new music venue on Sullivan's Island.
Home Team also is still in West Ashley.
Sound tech Scott Rosenbrook fine-tuned the board to make sure
Delta Highway had clarity, separation and definition.
Oh, and plenty of volume.
The hard pounding group from Memphis was scheduled to play again the next night at the original Home Team on Highway 61.
Makes sense. It gives a band two gigs and a chance to park the van overnight.
I remember a few years ago that
Wild Wings would book acts to play its mini-circuit when - in addition to the three here in Charleston - they also had an eatery in North Myrtle Beach and down at Hilton Head.
And, for those who like to plan ahead, (I got my Seinfeld tickets about 5 months before his show) mark your calendar now for Sunday October 18 at the PAC.
That's when the
Life on the D List lady, caustic comic
Kathy Griffin, charges into Charleston.
Kathy has a new book out and I guess she didn't want to wait and see if Oprah would endorse it. The book is titled
Official Book Club Selection.
Catchy and misleading. I like that.
Labels: Brandon Santini, Delta Highway, Highway 61, Home Team BBQ, Kathy Griffin, Oprah Winfrey, Sullivan's Island, West Ashley
MORE than a cup of coffee ....
A good musical experience is one you can share.
A band passing through town on tour MIGHT be back again but you can depend on a good show at 7:30 every other Thursday at
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar.
Judging from the crowd, I must be the only person not familiar with the
Palmetto Acoustic Thursday celebration on Highway 61 in West Ashley. I found the last empty chair.
Big Bill Morganfield, son of
THE Muddy Waters, has played a few times during Blues Festivals right down the street at Home Team BBQ but THIS venue was nodding along with opener Singer/Songwriter Kev Rowe on acoustic guitar.
He was followed by The
Barnard Sisters. That's Kara on the left and Pam Barnard Hays smiling on the right.
These talented folk/pop sibling singers have a new CD out all about Charleston called
"Flying Down King Street." I didn't even know that some coffee shops serve cold beer. This one does.
Labels: Ashley River Road, Barnard Sisters, Big Bill Morganfield, Flying Down King Street, Home Team BBQ, Hwy 61, Kard, Kev Rowe, Muddy Waters Coffee Bar, Palmetto Acoustic, Pam Hays, West Ashley
Home Team BBQ Good Blues Venue
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When Cumberland's closed last December, it ended a long run for a fine music venue, but Fiery Ron's
Home Team BBQ in West Ashley already was in place to help fill the gap.
Actually there are more "blues" acts being booked there than had appeared downtown.
Last night the band
Delta Highway was in town again from Memphis, TN and pleased a soggy crowd drying out after the Saturday storm had rolled though.
Lead singer and harpist Brandon Santini, caught everyone's attention when he sang
"I like chick'n and I like grits..I like my wimmen with big ..eyes."They did three hard driving sets and Brandon mentioned - a few times - they had several "records for sale." Somehow, I don't think he meant vinyl.
They'll be back again so race up the on ramp of
Delta Highway for some rollicking good blues.
Labels: Delta Highway, Home Team Blues, venue, vinyl, West Ashley
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