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Post by TRK on Jun 13, 2008 10:38:53 GMT -5
Me too, Don. I've got one married off. Two to go! Jim My band played a gig last night. Two hours to set up; half-hour sound check; and, without a chance to eat supper or take a breather, right into two hours or playing, in which our perfectly tuned sound system decided to go south after the first set. Then, another 90 minutes to pack it up. And, no pay--not even tips--since we have this habit of agreeing to do a lot of freebies for good causes. Either of you guys want to take my slot? (Actually, it was sort of fun...at least the playing part, and having other local musicians come backstage and pay their respects. )
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Post by Don Allen on Jun 13, 2008 16:43:43 GMT -5
Me too, Don. I've got one married off. Two to go! Jim My band played a gig last night. Two hours to set up; half-hour sound check; and, without a chance to eat supper or take a breather, right into two hours or playing, in which our perfectly tuned sound system decided to go south after the first set. Then, another 90 minutes to pack it up. And, no pay--not even tips--since we have this habit of agreeing to do a lot of freebies for good causes. Either of you guys want to take my slot? (Actually, it was sort of fun...at least the playing part, and having other local musicians come backstage and pay their respects. ) LOL...thanks...you gave me a good laugh after a brutal Friday of hard work. Yeah, I've been there, done that. Too funny.
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Post by billchemerka on Jun 26, 2008 14:34:16 GMT -5
What makes "The Jook Joint" Alamo-related?
Answer: The Under Cover Blues Band!
The NJ-based quartet includes two Alamo Society members: Tony Pasqua (keyboards and vocals) and yours truly, Bill Chemerka (electric bass and vocals). The band, which also includes Ronnie Bright (saxophones and harmonica) and Billy Castner (drums and vocals), kicks off its summer concert series on July 1 opening up for the Duprees.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 26, 2008 15:45:46 GMT -5
What makes "The Jook Joint" Alamo-related? Answer: The Under Cover Blues Band! The NJ-based quartet includes two Alamo Society members: Tony Pasqua (keyboards and vocals) and yours truly, Bill Chemerka (electric bass and vocals). The band, which also includes Ronnie Bright (saxophones and harmonica) and Billy Castner (drums and vocals), kicks off its summer concert series on July 1 opening up for the Duprees. I still have my original single of "Have You Heard" by the Duprees (I gather this is the same group???). So, you guys gonna do the Capital Mall on July 4th??? AW
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Post by TRK on Jun 28, 2008 9:35:35 GMT -5
OK, since we're talking Alamo content, Allen and Bill, did "Midnight Moonlight" by Peter Rowan make the final cut into your forthcoming book? I'm somewhat familiar with Rowan, but hadn't heard this song, which dates to the late 1970s, until I saw a great little bluegrass group, Mountain Run, play it in concert last night. The singer asks the subject of the song to call him "If you ever feel lonesome, and you're down in San Antone," and "I'll meet you at Alamo mission, and we can say our prayers / The Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mother will heal us as we kneel there." www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/rowan-peter/midnight-moonlight-2253.html
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jun 28, 2008 10:33:59 GMT -5
Thanks for this lead, Tom! I did a search for this and found the original LP was released in 1978 and a CD edition in 1992, both on the Flying Fish label. These are the most difficult to ferret out because the title has no connection with the Alamo, but the lyrics do. There are several that fall into this category. Notably, Marty Robbins' recording of "Jimmy Martinez," the first serious song about a Mexican soldado who fought at the Alamo. This was released only a year after "Ballad of the Alamo," but few have heard of it. Amazon's got the Rowan CD for $15, with used copies under $9: www.amazon.com/Peter-Rowan/dp/B000000MEE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1214666937&sr=1-6AW
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Jul 29, 2008 21:13:09 GMT -5
My band played a gig last night. Two hours to set up; half-hour sound check; and, without a chance to eat supper or take a breather, right into two hours or playing, in which our perfectly tuned sound system decided to go south after the first set. Then, another 90 minutes to pack it up. And, no pay--not even tips--since we have this habit of agreeing to do a lot of freebies for good causes. Either of you guys want to take my slot? (Actually, it was sort of fun...at least the playing part, and having other local musicians come backstage and pay their respects. ) I had the chance to hear and meet Les Paul at his weekly gig in New York last August. Incredible, still, even at 92. He still plays two shows every Monday night at the Iridium Jazz Club on Broadway. Like the man told me, music is all about fun. I've been at this for over 40 years and still feel like a kid in a candy shop when I strap a guitar on and rip it up with my band. The bass player and I have played together off and on for 35 years! Fun? You bet. The bass guy and harp player are driving 330 miles down from Maine to New Hampshire to join me on stage for a one-hour set at weekend music festival --- for no pay. For us, it's all about the friendship and music. Reading your post, I think you'd agree.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Sept 6, 2008 0:48:46 GMT -5
I just got back from Antone's where I saw the great Pinetop Perkins play from his new CD. I hung around afterward with this 95 year old bleusman and had a ball. Despite bringing down the house with a rockin' show, he only sold a few CDs while I sat with him. What is wrong with people?
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Post by TRK on Sept 6, 2008 6:41:55 GMT -5
RR, "the great" sure sums up Pinetop. He's in the very top rank of blues pianists, right up there with Memphis Slim, Otis Spann, Charles Brown, and Johnnie Johnson. Pinetop did some particularly great work with Muddy Waters in the 1970s. Ninety-five and still hitting the note!
Did he play/sing "Caldonia"?
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Post by Jim Boylston on Sept 6, 2008 8:52:46 GMT -5
I picked up the new Pinetop CD last month (well, I downloaded it from eMusic...ain't I 21st century?) and thought it was really good. Some guest stars (Clapton, for example), but it's mostly Pinetop playing his "hits". Worth a listen. Jim
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Post by sloanrodgers on Sept 6, 2008 10:31:18 GMT -5
While it was fantastic seeing Pinetop perform a few songs from his album (Take it Easy Baby, Got my Mojo Working, Down in Mississippi and Sweet Home Chicago) it was also really cool to sit and talk with the old guy. Well, I did most of the talking. Pinetop mostly just mumbled and chain-smoked between sips of coffee. He did tell me snippets of information like B B King was his favorite guitarist, he likes an occasional vodka tonic and that he did pretty well with only four years of schooling. I probably could have heard more if the other bands weren't so loud and the patrons less rowdy. Pinetop's a living legend and he lives right here in Austin. Wow!
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Sept 6, 2008 12:42:10 GMT -5
Despite bringing down the house with a rockin' show, he only sold a few CDs while I sat with him. What is wrong with people? I think CD (and recorded music) sales are down in genral. I just returned from playing a weekend festival in southern New Hampshire last weekend. There were fourteen Indie acts, including us and our blues set. All the performers were amazing, playing mostly orginal musical. However, very few CD's were bought in support of these artists, who all played this event for free, and for which there was no charge. One guy came in from Alaska. I flew back from Texas and two of my band mates drove 330 miles and six hours for free, just to play a 45-minute set behind me. I don't have to rely on my music to survive, but some of these guys do. Maybe it's a something-for-nothing mentality, but $10 (on average) for a CD is pretty cheap. I don't know. Pine Top is a living legend. A true blues treasure. He won't be with us forever. I know I came away from my chat with Les Paul feeling high. I can imagine how it was for you to sit and chat with Pine Top. Paul
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Post by bobdurham on Sept 6, 2008 13:28:54 GMT -5
I don't understand why people don't realize that many local bands make most of their money selling their CDs. People who would never dream of stiffing their waiter his tip, don't even consider supporting the entertainment. I always make it a point to pick up a CD any time there's live entertainment, even if they're not the primary reason I'm there. I attended a wedding in Minneapolis last week and they had a live bluegrass band (the Ditch Lilies, an excellent all-woman group of fine musicians; be sure to check them out if you're ever in the area). Except for myself, I didn't see a single person pick up one of their CDs!!!
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Post by sloanrodgers on Sept 6, 2008 21:59:43 GMT -5
I'll second or third the legend sentiment. Pinetop told me something funny when I commented on the many women that came up to hug and kiss him. He looked me seriously in the face and said something like: "When I turned 95 years old, I had to give up women." I'm sure it was a standard line for the old bird, but for me it was priceless. We both laughed. Pinetop is still going strong, but walks with a cane. I'd like to see another show sometime.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Sept 7, 2008 7:50:51 GMT -5
That is priceless, indeed. Les told me music is all about having fun, and that he has fun every night he steps on that stage. Here are some pix of Les, and 92, at the Iridium Jazz Club in NYC last August. Yeah I'm the fugly guy in the M&M's shirt! lol Paul
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