MUSINGS & RAMBLINGS

Walked in and Dee managed to get us a table right up in the front. That's where I wanted to be but didn't want to eat for it. I was not hungry for food but for was starving for some real good blues.
I was so excited to finally catch up to John Nemeth. What a fabulous singer. Probably one of the best to come out in quite some time. In my opinion anyway. I wasn't worried about who was going to be in his band because I've noticed he only has the best the bay area has to offer always playing with him.
I did hear that Kid Anderson was going to be with him playing that guitar and it just don't get much better than that Kid there!!!

What a show!!! The sound was perfect even being up front hugging the stage!
It was Paul Revelli on drums and Kedar Roy on bass. He had both stand up and electric and he can play both very well. What a band!!

John is a great singer but he can also play a badass harp.
But, it's his voice that takes the show. The guy can sing me the blues any ol' time.

He's got some pretty funny songs and the words are important to listen to. "You're An Angel" and something about being sent down here to wreck my life......
Pretty funny because you're going along taking the song seriously and then he comes out with that line and it catches you off guard and then you start to laugh.

"She Did Not Show" is even funnier. You start feeling sorry for the guy when he talks about being stood up by a mail order bride at the Golden Gate.
He gets stood up through out the song but that last one is the best.

The one thing I really like about John is that he writes. It's great to hear some fresh new blues. I know it must be hard to come up with an original sound in the blues but he does. It's impressive when a blues player can do that.

Did I mention his singing???
If you haven't yet....you've gotta hear this guy!!
Like I said....one of the best voices I've heard yet on the scene. I thought I heard some Darrell Nullsch kind of sound on one of his CDs I was listening to yesterday. Just making a point that John is right up there in that vain of singers.

Sure wish someone with a dance floor would book him up here in Sonoma County. But for now...I'll just venture down there to see him.
I suggest ya'll do the same. You will not be disappointed.
I picked up all his CDs he has available. I was going to get two of them and threw down $40 and said "keep the change" when he said, "Here take three for $40".
I said, "What? What a deal!" and he said, "See, what I'd say....Just call me crazy".
"Ok, you're crazy" I says.
That went back to the last set where we all were suppose to call him 'Crazy' for some reason I can't remember.

What a great night of the real deal. A stage full of professionals and no BSin'.
Oh wait....we did have one person sit in and he is one of the other exceptions to the rules about letting people sit in....Elvin Bishop.
He was hanging out in the back all night. He came up and it was incredible!!
The first number he and the kid did some amazing stuff together on them guitars and then the second song was even better! Elvin broke out into some stomp number that was just the best!!

John's Cds are great and all but you have to hear him Live because it sounds so much better. I'm not sure what it is about the Blind Pig release "Magic touch" but it doesn't do his voice justice. I mean it's a real good CD with some amazing players backing him on it but it sure don't sound the same. His voice I mean.

The song "Every Night About this Time" on his first CD 'The Jack of Harps' is one of the best renditions I've heard of that song yet.
The singing, the guitar work....it's all there. That guy Mike Trail is a great guitarist whoever he is.

Look out Darrell Nullsch for John Nemeth is on the scene and I just know the Blues World will be talkin' a lot about this guy. I know our bay area blues scene already is. Sure wish blues folks up here in Sonoma County could hear him.
What a show....


Left there, got turned around and we were in North Beach and driving by the Saloon before we knew it.
We didn't even know who was playing there at that time but saw the sign and it said, "Steve Freund". I said if parking was open on the street then we would go in. Sure enough, there was. Great to park in North beach at midnight.
I know...I know...I should've stuck with the plan and just get home and to bed since work was approaching fast but what the hell.....let's take a chance here.
Got there just in time for break. Stood outside and BS'd with people 'til they started again. I was hearing that it was a crazy night at the Saloon and we missed a good one.
Apple Jack was there and saying his goodbyes as someone was telling me that he sat in for a few and that I was bummed about. Bummed to miss, I mean. He's another one those Exceptions- a professional. This guy can sing!!
It would've been a great way to end this great night of blues singers, I thought. Aaaah well......

So, this last set with Freund was alright. I caught a glimpse of his guitar work due to the fact he had two others' there for the whole entire set. I'm not sure who they were but they were decent. That's alright because I expected it and I always expect it from Freund. Something about a "Chicago Tradition" having people always sittin' in and so and so on.....
Hey, I can appreciate that. A professional jam master is what this area needs to keep it going. I do respect the Chicago tradition thing and all.
I just know what to expect when/if going to his shows, that's all.
Too bad too because the guy can play and is one of my favorite blues guitarist and can he ever sing!!
To catch a whole night of nothing but Steve Freund would be a real treat.
The crowd that was left was a lot of fun and I could tell it was a doosey of a night.

We left there and thank goodness Dee brought lots of sugar to keep me awake for the drive.
I got an hour and a half sleep and it seemed like a whole night's sleep. Thinking of the show at Biscuits kept me going just as I had hoped.
I love when it's that good.
Came home after a long day of work and still no sleep. Took the dogs out for a run, hung out for some fun with my honey for a bit, our Daughter came home for a visit and finally....around 8pm, I was out!

My plan was to hit the Tradewinds lastnight to check out Bluestate but never made it. I heard they're a decent band with a horn section to boot!
I'm sorry I never made but maybe next time they come 'round.

Tonight??? MoFo Party Band at Monroe Hall!!
I am so glad they're up here again. If you want a show that's not only great to hear and dance to but to watch....
....don't miss this show!
8pm -11pm so it's early enough.

Later,
Mo