MUSINGS & RAMBLINGS

The band got started without Ed for he was runnin' late. That's Ok, it gave the band a chance to warm up. Ian Lamson was there on guitar and that was great to see!
The last time I went to see Elvin Bishop w/ Lil' Smokey Smothers, Ian was not with him. Heard he hasn't been for awhile now. At any rate, it was great to see he is still with Ed. I was keeping my fingers crossed the whole way down there that he would be there.
The whole band was there. It was a pretty good night. I don't know, maybe it was just me but it just wasn't moving me on this night. It sounded tired but like I said....maybe it was me. I kept waiting for something to reach out and grab me and there were a few moments like when Ed was singing Fannie Mae- that was great!
Mostly I was trying to tune into Ian's fillers and rhythm riffs but it was hard to hear with the keys being right there and louder than the rest of the band. Always a problem with this band. They are good keys just too loud.
Ian does some amazing stuff just in the background. Fun to tune into. Usually he'll "floor me" with some of his solos but nuthin' was grabbin' me.
It was a long first set and then the break seemed even longer so I bailed and headed home. Maybe I missed an awesome second set.

I did see something that really bothered me and I think I'm gonna go ahead and share it.
I walked in and saw our own Leroy Shyne there in his wheel chair. We talked a bit about the blues scene and then the doorguy came up and got in his face about paying the $5 cover. This was while I was standing there talking with him. At first I thought he was joking around cuz after all, this is Leroy here!
Well, he wasn't. I asked Leroy if he would mind if I paid it for him since I was standing there with a five in my hand about ready to buy something at the bar. He accepted with gratitude. I also bought him a cranberry juice while I was thinking to myself, "How can this be?" I don't claim to know much but I do know that Leroy has done much for the music community, mostly for the musicians, and how can he be treated like this?
He of all people shouldn't even have to pay a cover anywhere in the bay area, period! It should be a courtesy that Leroy gets in for free at all the venues especially there in Fairfax. After all, he is a local there and is downtown there a lot. I just don't get it. I hear he has the same problem over at 19 Broadway.
How did it come to this?
The guy has had his share of bumps and bruises so far in this life and is having a difficult time these days but we should not forget what he has done for the music scene. I was really taken back by this. Maybe that's what put a damper on the night, I don't know.
Anyway....it was great to see Leroy again and after some other mishaps he's had lately, he looked pretty darn good.
Love to you, Leroy.

Not much was happening at 19 Broadway except for Wonderbread Five. I peeked in and there they were with their afro wigs bouncin' around on stage then they broke into Michael's 'Billy Jean' and I headed back to Peri's.

I was tired of waiting so I kicked it in the van while listening to this Palo Alto Slim CD I found buried in my collection. It has maybe five songs on it and what a treat that was to hear again after so long. The first song opens with RJ Mischo singing and playing harp. I can't wait to catch a show of RJ's the next time he's in town. That guy's voice and harp playing makes my knees turn to jello.
a fun demo that is of PA Slim. Whatever became of Slim anyway? That kid sure can play!!!

After that I listened to Pat Boyack's Super Blue & Funky. That record there would see me home and what a great one it is!!
Man, can that guy play dat gitar!!
I love the singing too by Spencer Thomas. Great match there. Sure wish he was still playing guitar with Marcia Ball because I saw that she's coming around later this month or next. I wonder what Pat's doing these days. His own band? tours? Haven't heard much about him lately.

That's it. Not a very eventful on this night.
But, that's the risk one takes when going out to live shows. You just never know. It's all about consistency and there's those who will consistently put out a great show no matter what....you can count on it. Then there's the ol' crapshoots.

Til the next show.....
mo