Happy April Fools!

The Cops Around Here Can Be Tough

Dr. Appointment

Unlike his popular song of the 1970's, on the evening of March 12, 2013, I was in the right place and it definitely was the right time. MJ had gotten us front row seats to see the legendary Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) at our favorite live music venue The RamsHead On Stage in Annapolis.



I was as close as I've ever been to a legend (I could touch his piano from where I was sitting) and the view provides me with some great photo ops. My camera was't actually up to the challenge but I did the best I could. One problem of being so close was it made it hard to get much video footage shot. It's frowned upon at shows like these but I figure if they can charge me $6 for a 10 oz beer, I'm going to take a little something back.

His backing band was first rate and featured a talented young lady who played trombone,sang background vocals and was also the bands music director.

As can be seen, the good Dr. was in fine spirits and he sounded as good as he looked.  He played for a good 2 hours and on top of his piano and vocal duties, he even played guitar for one song and also used some sort of voodoo percussion instrument that he played with what looked like a deer antler .Not bad for a 72 year old with a history of substance abuse behind him. I can now cross Dr John off my must see bucket list but if he happens to come around again any time soon, I'll be there.

Pickin' and Grinnin'

Last Friday night was the official CD release party for the second CD from Andy Poxon. At the ripe old age of 18, Andy now has 2 CDs under his belt and a future ahead of him that is as bright as his hair. At the RamsHead where MJ and I were first turned on to Andy 2 years ago, The Andy Poxon Band had swelled to double the size of the original trio we'd experienced. Fridays show was augmented by a keyboard player, a sax play and a trumpet play in addition to the rocking rhythm section provided by original band mates, Mike and Russ.

Of course I like to support artists like Andy by buying CDs directly from them at shows.  That way they'll get the bulk of the profits and I'll have an opportunity to get something signed. Both MJ and I bought Andy's new CD, "Tomorrow" and as an added bonus we got a APB guitar pick and this:

Now a hair pick may be something I need the least, but I though it's a great, fun way to promote the new CD.

Six months ago we saw Andy at Bare Bones Pub and I shot a little video of one of his guitar solos.  That night we was using a Fender Telecaster guitar. For the show last week, he's switched to a Gibson Les Paul. This video should give you an idea what a difference a guitar, and six months can make. Please excuse my shaky camera work and just close your eyes and listen.

Signs of Ageing

I just got back from Florida (where even the old can feel young) and I want to share a couple of things I saw when I was down there. First of all, I had a great trip even thought Kathy couldn't make it with me. I got to have some good quality time with the folks. One of the bonding adventures I had with my dad involved a visit to the VFW where he's a member. When we pulled in I noticed the sign out front and I had to take a picture

Back when I was a boy (hey, I can't help it. You pick up these kinds of things when you're in Florida), if you had cooties, it was a bad thing. Is this some sort of shorthand for "old coots"?  The Royal Order of the Cooties do fundraisers for worthy causes, though it sounds like they were doing something for people with lice.

It makes my mind reel to think what a Jam Session at the VFW involves, but I'm guessing it has something to do with jellies and preserves.

Finally, something I though I'd never see. While I was down in Vero Beach doing some thrift shopping, I swear I saw a sign that just said "Used Urns". I didn't get a picture, but just those two words sent my mind spinning. How used where they? (owned by a little old lady who just put her ashes in there on Sundays) I guess the thought of buying a used urn to me would be like buying a used coffin.

I guess it makes sense, though. What do you do with the urn once your loved ones ashes are spread to wherever they were meant to be spread?  Some people may not have the space or the imagination to re-purpose the once final resting place into something useful, like a pencil holder or an umbrella stand. As for me, I'm sentimental so if it were up to me, I'd hang on to the urn.

The First (Garage Sale) Signs of Spring

As sure as the sighting of the first robin or Kathy coming outside and seeing her shadow, when the garage sale signs start going up, spring must be around the corner. I spotted my first one today (who has a garage sale on a Thursday?) and a little later I saw one advertising a sale for Saturday. It figures that I'm going to be working this Saturday and then winging it for sunny (hopefully) Florida in the evening, so I'll be absent from the sales this week. Rest assure that when I drag my tanned (re: sunburned) body back next weekend I'll be ready to go.

Spring has sprung
Grass has riz
I wonder where the garage sales is?

'Tis The Season

Back In The Day

Back when I was a boy... Well, apparently we wore unflattering shorts and t-shirts from our high school glory days (Glory? Really?) and played with dolls. I can explain the doll (but not the phone, what is with that thing?) It's a beautiful hand crafted "Stevie" doll, lovingly made by my then to be wife, Kathy.

The rest of the photo is inexplicable. The records are long gone (sniff) and have been replaced with walls of CDs. The drawing table has been replaced as well, but is still in service. The walls feature works from my favorite artists, Mike Beaudette and Doug Klozzner.

Needless to say, this pic stirs up a lot of memories for me. It was the first time Kathy and I shared a place of our own, overlooking the Driving Park bridge, and life was simpler, but not necessarily better. The crates may be all but gone, but the Creative and Studio are still going on, for better or worse.

Blues Legend Blues

Last Friday I had a chance to see the Texas albino blues legend Johnny Winter. I had a chance to see him 25 years ago during his Winter of '88 tour and I've got to say, the last twenty five years have not been much good to either one of us. This is not to say that it wasn't a good show. Johnny can still play. It's just that since he is now almost 70 years old, maybe he should be taking it easy.

To his credit, he has put together a first class touring band and booked an excellent opening act, J.B. Soars. This three piece powerhouse from southern Florida was a rocking start to the show. For the last number of their set, the guitarist played a two string guitar that he made with his brother. Amazing how much sound 2 strings can produce with the right application of a slide.

For the main event, Johnny's band came out first and played an opening number before a rather feeble looking Johnny was led on stage. As I said, he's 69 years old, and the bright stage lights must be hard on his albino eyes, but he ripped into Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Good like he was ringing a bell.

What struck me about half way through the concert was that I hadn't heard an original Johnny Winter song. I know through his 40 year career he's written original work but it seems like he prefers doing covers in concert. This is okay with me because he puts his own spin on any song he preforms, but Friday's show was marred by a poor sound mix.  Both Johnny's guitar and vocals were too far back in the mix for my taste.  MJ suggested that perhaps that was by design, to cover for a less than stellar performance. Either way, he had the room rocking and reeling so much so that there were a couple of people who would not stay in their seats, which is always distracting in a small club like the Ramshead Onstage.

An unexpected bonus at this show was that they provided 5x7 black and white pictures of the band which Johnny and the band would sign after the show. Even when MJ and I got to the show, Johnny's trailer was parked outside the venue and people were lined up for signings and a little face time with the legend before the show. Not the kind of one on one you'd expect. A guy who sat at our table that night said he had some pictures signed and that Johnny was very sweet. We didn't stay for the after show festivities because I had to be up early Saturday for my trip to New York, but that'll be the subject for another posting.

Designated Doggie