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March 31, 2007
Sonny Lowe Band at Jasper O’Farrell’s, March 30, 2007
It was 9:20 at night before I was done with work, chores, family, and the Junior High School Play. My daughter was the Wicked Witch of the West using a red and gold sparkly Bakelite bowling ball as a crystal ball. She had fun being evil and laughing wickedly. Natural talent and an extroverted personality won the evening.
So in the end I missed the 8:30 Pride and Joy show at the Last Day Saloon. I was supposed to meet friends there. The only interesting 9:30 show was what I thought was going to be “BFD” with David Burke at Jasper’s. Sonoma Tunes had received a third hand tip of a show with guitarist-singer David Burke, but no regular show announcement as Jasper’s doesn’t do announcements now. So I went to Jasper's for the BFD show.
Low and behold the show turned out to be the Sonny Lowe Band (without David) and a partially new crew of musicians. Tall Paul Dowling who’s long worked with Sonny was up on the stand with his black Fender stratocaster. New to me was Jason Reed on a classic Les Paul guitar. Another new face was Steve Weber on bass. The fine Steve DuBois was back on the drums and it was good to see him.
There was a lot of Sonny’s familiar songs like “Hey Miss Bessie, you sure got fine Barbecue” and “I’m Ready” and a fair amount of Sonny’s reedy voice and hot harmonica. Sonny is one of the hardest musicians to take photos of, he’s always moving fast.
Jason Reed impressed the heck out of me by doing Otis Rush’s great “Double Trouble”, a song few do these days. “In a Generation of Millionaires, it’s hard for me to keep decent clothes to wear.”
Since this particular group hadn’t played together too much yet there were some rough spots. Steve DuBois really held the whole thing together along with Steve Weber in those rough spots. Steve DuBois just keeps on impressing me every time I see him play.
Tall Paul said it never had been a David Burke show. It was a last minute cancellation that Paul and Sonny grabbed. Odd things happen with the bookings at Jasper’s these days.
The present owners may sell Jasper’s; it's not a done deal yet. The possible new owner is supposed to be the previous owner of two other bars in Sonoma County. Vinnie, the present manager, said Jasper's biggest moneymaking nights were with DJ nights. The place is sort of beat looking right now. It would be nice if there could be some money making hot shows there to help out.
Posted by Rolfyboy6 at March 31, 2007 07:23 PM
Comments
Rolf, Great to see you again and thanks for your ramblings. My intention is to get back out there now that I have almost completed the correction/reversal of some poor decisions I made coupled with a few things that are best put in the bad luck bin. Perseverence furthers and I will continue to perform. It is like good medicine for me, I don't feel right without it and I escape a lot of daily pain and suffering when I'm doing it. One of the few things that will truly extract me, ever so temporarily, from the shadow of physical pain and mental anguish. I'm at the Forestville Club June 2, the week-end of the Youth park Barbeque. This show will be a Blenders re-union with David Burke, Tall Paul, James Foster and Yours truly. Thanks again.
Posted by: Sonny Lowe at April 1, 2007 09:39 AM
Rolf, I'm not much of a computer guy so it took me a while to see this. Jason had to show it to me in the studio yesterday. You say very kind things; thankyou. What a justice to live music you do by doing this. I hope to see you again soon.
steve
Posted by: Steve DuBois at April 8, 2007 01:27 PM
Hey Rolf-
Thanks for the kind words. We recorded 'Double Trouble' in the studio last weekend, so remind me to bring a copy for you next time we play out.
Thanks again- keep on supporting live music!
Jason
Posted by: Jason Reed at April 15, 2007 01:37 PM
Hi Sonny,(Max) I would like a list of where your going to be playing for the next six months, I always find out after the fact, a bunch of ladies would like to come and hear you play again, Thank You...Brenda
Posted by: Brenda at July 2, 2007 04:18 PM