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
Music Nights...back-to-back.
Had not been to the
Windjammer on Isle of Palms in a few years.
In fact, the last time might have been for a
Cracker show.
Room looked the same but the lighting had REALLY been improved.
If blinking lights and flashing, dashing lasers make you dizzy, try to find a seat because otherwise, you'll fall down.
In fact, I saw at least two people slam to the floor. But I think it was a beer fall.
I was standing, leaning back on one of the two pillars so I had some space - and support - in the packed room.
Oh yeah, that's NOT Bono up on the stage in the shades. A very U2 look.
It's Singer/songwriter David Lowery in the crusty straw hat and lead guitar Johnny Hickman behind him.
The flashing lights are great for the audience and showmanship.
But, I had to pick my moments to have light that was camera-friendly on the band member I was tracking.
I got lucky a few times.
If you have never been to the 'Jammer, it's up a flight of stairs and has a deck out back.
Step outside and you're overlooking the beach and a steady cooling breeze comes wafting off the Atlantic.
On a hot summer night, you really appreciate taking a break out back.
The music was loud, had a nice beat and you could dance to it.
People sang along and heads were bobbing to the steady bass line and drums.
It was a nice Saturday night at the beach.
The next night I was in a very delightful haunt that I visit often -
The Pour House - for a rocking night with the
Lee Boys.
I have seen them here several times before and really appreciate the excellent sound engineering.
It's immediately apparent this sacred steel music is NOT sittin' and listenin' sounds.
The band is family - three brothers and three nephews .
They present a joyous mix that started out as inspired, unique Gospel music with a hard-driving,Blues-based beat.
The crowd grew and people were dancing, hopping up and down and shouting, laughing, singing and clapping.
Obviously this band likes to make people feel good!
Doing research on the Lee Boys, I read - and really believe - it's Gospel music infused with rhythm & Blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and even influences from other nations.
It's possible there were other cameras there but it looked like everybody was holding up a phone cam for either stills or shaky video.
Hint: don't rock your camera along with the music. Makes for some awful playback. Keep it steady.
Changes made in the PoHo surroundings has opened up about 25% more floor space.
Bands playing music like this encourage people to break loose and dance around a lot.
The two nephews doing the singing and rhythm hand-clapping kept the activity level very, very high.
Obviously the Lee Boys have a Charleston following and the crowd showed its appreciation for the full 2-hour set.
I also have seen fantastic prowess on the pedal steel guitar by
Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
And some great timing here, RR and the Family Band are scheduled for the Windjammer on Monday, June 8.
I have seen and enjoyed his music many, many times in Charleston as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
Get yourself a second helping of pedal steel sounds just two weeks from now.
(Click on the photos for more details)
I try to add links to expand coverage of bands appearing here. I enjoy - and support - live music.
Even Opera last week. Yikes.
Labels: 1993 Euro-Trash Girl, Bono-look, Cracker, David Lowery, Johnny Hickman, Lee Boys Sacred Steel, pedal steel guitar, sacred steel music, Windjammer music venue at Isle of Palm
Robert Randolph at The Plex
We got there at 7:30 and luckily were admitted early by the Managing Partner so Raj and I were all alone in the empty club, sipping cold beers and standing front row center as we waited for the
Robert Randolph and the Family Band concert at N. Chuck's PLEX last night.
It was general admission with no assigned seating and we figured the few bar stools were too far away. But what the hell...we were in THE prime viewing spot. Even though we knew we would be standing for hours, we were comfortable leaning our elbows on the cushioned security rail, right in front of Robert's pedal steel guitar. We could see all the details and markings on the 12-stringed instrument and even the smudged hand-written play list sitting atop the eight numbered sound controls and connections the roadies had hooked up earlier. Cousin Danyel's bass was set up to our left, Marcus' drums were right behind Robert and the keyboard and other guitar player would be to our right.
The stage was low, so when the show started at 10:15 and the family trooped onstage, Robert sat down just above eye level, only about 6 feet from us. We wanted to make sure he saw that this almost 67-year old guy and his younger buddy were having a helluva good time. We were part of the young swaying throng crammed in close and we danced and clapped along and had a ball. He saw us and knew it! I wish I could have had at least ONE day at work having as much fun as they were having doing their "job."
Of course this extreme close proximity spoils future Randolph concerts for us.
We had seen him twice before in Charleston at
The Music Farm, the first time with a sparse crowd and the next time, elbow-to-elbow with little room to move around. We had bounced,danced and splashed a few years ago in rain and mud when he performed under a huge white tent next to the mighty Mississippi during the 3-day
Beale Street Blues Bash in Memphis.
We were soggy in yellow ponchos a few rows back in Atlanta last year at the
Midtown Music Festival,looking up at a high stage and a huge TV screen behind him and The Family playing in the rain. Another time, we were inside and dry at
The Tabernacle in Atlanta near the Olympic Park and CNN headquarters downtown.
So now we've attended 6 concerts and he has a new album coming out next month. I'm sure we'll buy it.
Labels: Atlanta, Memphis, pedal steel guitar, Robert Randolph, The Plex
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.
