Hello TMB Fans -
A huge shoutout (belated, but sincere) to Jim Branca and Tom Buckley for their tremendous live performance on "Those Monday Blues" back on August 20th. Jim, Tom and Marnie were wonderful guests and the music was great. Next time, I will take pictures so you can see the studio filled with musicians including a full upright bass, brought to life by Tommy. The acoustic upright bass, along with Jim's guitar and vocals made for a uniquely intimate musical experience. It is always great to be in the same room with the musicians as they are playing. Blues, Jazz, nearly all kinds of music is best when heard performed live. We are so fortunate to live in Burlington where we have a host of venues to listen to live music from dedicated passionate musicians.
Speaking of live music venues, right now, as I type this, I am listen to a wonderful acoustic/acoustic blues performance by Jerry Craft at the New Moon Cafe/Espresso Bar on Cherry Street in downtown Burlington. I was wondering around downtown about 8:40am lamenting the fact that I would have to wait until at least 9am to patronize a locally owned coffee establishment. As I was walking down Cherry street, just down from the First Congregational Church, I noticed that the usually broaded-up Knight of Columbus hall was replace with a new eatery, New Moon Cafe...and...it was open. I just had to go in. Eatery, esspresso bar, or hangout, call it what you will, it could very well become my new place for my Sunday Morning Meditation. Of course, the free wifi and leather couches have a lot to do with that. The spacious cosmoplitian ambience, varied & interesting menu, friendly & helpful staff and excellent coffee was enough to seal the deal. What sealed and tied up this deal with a glorious bow was the unexpected surprise of live music. As I reclining deep into one of the leather couches, Jerry Craft came in and start setting up. I was delighted to hear that he was a fan of Robert Johnson and the "Old School" of acoustic blues. His masterful smooth playing displayed not only the best of the old influences but his own own originality. I look forward to hearing Jerry play around town. Maybe, he will honor my show in the future with a live, in-studio performance...hint, hint.
Before I go, I wanted to mention that I caught another live performance of the Left Eye Jump Blues Band at the Backstage Restaurant in Essex Junction. As per Left Eye's tradition, Denny Willmott was out front with his big guitar, big as life and bringing honest live Blues to Vermont. (thank you) "Harmonica" Bob MacKenzie was sitting in again bring that "West Coast Harp" we all know and love. Left Eye is great to watch especially as they loosen up and have fun. At the beginning of the last set, they fell into this huge great groove, deep in the pocket, they just hang out there having fun. It was a huge treat. This is the best thing about live performance with great musicians who are comfortable with their audience, the unexpected ad hoc innovations and "aw hell, let's go with it" improvisations. These are moments, rarely caught in a recording, of musical inspirations and just plain fun where the only thing you can honestly say is "You Just Had to Be There".
Well, gotta run, just wanted to say again, make the time to get out of the house, find a comfy place to sit, order a beverage of your choice, and enjoy some live music. All you have to do is show up.
Cheers!
OneChord
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Another Live Broadcast : Jim Branca & Tom Buckley
Another Live Broadcast of two real Vermont musicians!!! Woo Hoo!!
Jim Branca & Tom Buckley will be performing live in the WWPV studio on August 20. Jim, Tom and the rest of their gang were playing at the Lincoln Inn a few weeks back. My son and I loved Jim's connection with the audience and the music. Jim also has great musical friends who came to visit the show as well, notably, Greg Izor and Bob McKenzie. Both lending their blues harp talents to Jim's excellent guitar work and Tom's rock-solid bass lines.
Jim Branca & Tom Buckley will be performing live in the WWPV studio on August 20. Jim, Tom and the rest of their gang were playing at the Lincoln Inn a few weeks back. My son and I loved Jim's connection with the audience and the music. Jim also has great musical friends who came to visit the show as well, notably, Greg Izor and Bob McKenzie. Both lending their blues harp talents to Jim's excellent guitar work and Tom's rock-solid bass lines.
Monday, July 02, 2007
New Tracks & Sweepers for Today's Show
Hello again TMB and Local Blues Fans -
Just a quick review, My two youngest daughters and I saw the Lefteye Jump Blues Band at the 1820 Coffeehouse & Wine Bar two weekends ago after the Green Mountain Chew-Chew. Recently, My son and I had a chance to go to the Blues Night at the Lincoln Inn and hear Jim Branca with special guest, Greg Izor along with special secret guest appearance of "Harmonica" Bob McKenzie. (I loved watching Jim and Bob tossing musical lines back and forth during their great cover of "Flip, Flip or Fly"). Let me tell you that Lefteye Jump, Jim Branca, Greg Izor, Bob McKenzie, Joe Moore, Nobby Reed, Bill Darrow, Jason Corbiere, Tom Buckley and other great local blues artists are creating a live Blues music scene on this side of the Winooski river. Venues like, 1820 Coffee House and Wine Bar, Lincoln Inn, and Backstage Restaurant are making a serious effort to have live music, including blues music here in Essex-Colchester-Williston corner of Chittenden County. What is a little appreciated fact, these shows all have started at 7pm or 8pm which makes it so easier to bring your kids to a live music performance where you can sit down and enjoy the musicians interacting with the audience, the bandmates and the music. Again, I am not knocking the Burlington music at all. I have seen great shows at Nectars, Parimas, Radio Bean, and other venues. I have even taken my high schoolers to Higher Ground to hear a couple of groups. Sorry for the rambling, I just wanted to share my appreciation to the musicians and venues in Essex for supporting a live Blues music scene where there was no cover charge and all you had to do was show up. Each time I went to a show, I also stayed longer than the hour I allotted myself because it was that much fun.
Today's show will feature some tracks from Jim Branca's CD, "Live" including one of my favorite tunes which I heard live last week, an original song by Jim, "Life's Been Living Me". Also, I will be playing a few more tracks from Dave Howard & The High Rollers' "Sure Bet". I already have some favorite tracks but my middle daughter has a favorite track too. (...but different than mine) All in all, it is a great collection of roots music. As I have mentioned before, Dave Howard is the new lead singer for Roomful of Blues. I have heard Dave Howard live with Roomful at the Champlain Valley Balloon & Music festival a few weeks ago and will anxiously await the release Roomful of Blues' lastest studio effort in the fall. Until then, unless you go to a Roomful of Blues show (...and you should), you will just have to tune into the show to heard Dave's whiskey-soaked baritone on "Sure Bet" and his solo effort "I Tried to Tell You", a collection of country tunes. Now...listen, I am the first to say that if you want to know if someone can sing, have them sing a country tune. It will be obvious, Dave can sing.
Lastly, today will be the premiere of a new radio sweeper that the Ty Curtis Band did for me. (Aw schucks) I love the Ty Curtis Band's debut CD, "Stubborn Mind" but this sweepers also tells me that they have a sense of humor and have fun. My good friend, BoogieKingSteve, the "Tzar of West Coast Blues Programming", tells me that the TCB is as good or better live than their CD. (Isn't that always the case for a great blues band?)
Gotta run and do a show,
OneChord
Just a quick review, My two youngest daughters and I saw the Lefteye Jump Blues Band at the 1820 Coffeehouse & Wine Bar two weekends ago after the Green Mountain Chew-Chew. Recently, My son and I had a chance to go to the Blues Night at the Lincoln Inn and hear Jim Branca with special guest, Greg Izor along with special secret guest appearance of "Harmonica" Bob McKenzie. (I loved watching Jim and Bob tossing musical lines back and forth during their great cover of "Flip, Flip or Fly"). Let me tell you that Lefteye Jump, Jim Branca, Greg Izor, Bob McKenzie, Joe Moore, Nobby Reed, Bill Darrow, Jason Corbiere, Tom Buckley and other great local blues artists are creating a live Blues music scene on this side of the Winooski river. Venues like, 1820 Coffee House and Wine Bar, Lincoln Inn, and Backstage Restaurant are making a serious effort to have live music, including blues music here in Essex-Colchester-Williston corner of Chittenden County. What is a little appreciated fact, these shows all have started at 7pm or 8pm which makes it so easier to bring your kids to a live music performance where you can sit down and enjoy the musicians interacting with the audience, the bandmates and the music. Again, I am not knocking the Burlington music at all. I have seen great shows at Nectars, Parimas, Radio Bean, and other venues. I have even taken my high schoolers to Higher Ground to hear a couple of groups. Sorry for the rambling, I just wanted to share my appreciation to the musicians and venues in Essex for supporting a live Blues music scene where there was no cover charge and all you had to do was show up. Each time I went to a show, I also stayed longer than the hour I allotted myself because it was that much fun.
Today's show will feature some tracks from Jim Branca's CD, "Live" including one of my favorite tunes which I heard live last week, an original song by Jim, "Life's Been Living Me". Also, I will be playing a few more tracks from Dave Howard & The High Rollers' "Sure Bet". I already have some favorite tracks but my middle daughter has a favorite track too. (...but different than mine) All in all, it is a great collection of roots music. As I have mentioned before, Dave Howard is the new lead singer for Roomful of Blues. I have heard Dave Howard live with Roomful at the Champlain Valley Balloon & Music festival a few weeks ago and will anxiously await the release Roomful of Blues' lastest studio effort in the fall. Until then, unless you go to a Roomful of Blues show (...and you should), you will just have to tune into the show to heard Dave's whiskey-soaked baritone on "Sure Bet" and his solo effort "I Tried to Tell You", a collection of country tunes. Now...listen, I am the first to say that if you want to know if someone can sing, have them sing a country tune. It will be obvious, Dave can sing.
Lastly, today will be the premiere of a new radio sweeper that the Ty Curtis Band did for me. (Aw schucks) I love the Ty Curtis Band's debut CD, "Stubborn Mind" but this sweepers also tells me that they have a sense of humor and have fun. My good friend, BoogieKingSteve, the "Tzar of West Coast Blues Programming", tells me that the TCB is as good or better live than their CD. (Isn't that always the case for a great blues band?)
Gotta run and do a show,
OneChord
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Live at the Lincoln Inn : Jim Branca w/Greg Izor
Hi Ho TMBers ... Just wanted to let you know, this Thursday (June 28) Jim Branca with special guest, Greg Izor, will be at the Lincoln Inn from 7pm - 10pm.
Blues Night at the Lincoln Inn!!! You have heard me talk about it on my show. There is great Blues in Essexy nowadays....1820 Coffee House & Wine Bar, Backstage Restaurant, and Lincoln Inn.
All we have to do to lend our support is show up!
Look for me there, I hope to check the last set, I think I will bring some of my kids too.
Cheers,
OneChord
Blues Night at the Lincoln Inn!!! You have heard me talk about it on my show. There is great Blues in Essexy nowadays....1820 Coffee House & Wine Bar, Backstage Restaurant, and Lincoln Inn.
All we have to do to lend our support is show up!
Look for me there, I hope to check the last set, I think I will bring some of my kids too.
Cheers,
OneChord
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Biking to the Blues
If you have listened to me on the air, you know how much I encourage everyone to our local establishments and listen to local Blues artists. Guess what? I am going to do it again...and again... ;-)
Last week, I rode my bike from my place at Fort Ethan Allen to the Backstage Restaurant in Essex Junction behind the Big Lots building on Pearl Street. I have been going in & out of "The Backstage" for years, various dinners, country rock bands, but never Blues band until recently. "The Backstage" is your basic casual basic pub where you can go with a lot of people, without calling ahead, sit yourself, and have a good time.
I am delighted to say The Backstage has been offering its coveted band stand spot to some great Blues artists recently and hope to make a more regular occurrence. An effort that I support wholeheartedly. No cover charges, just walk, find a table, order some food and beverage, and listen to our local Blues greats like The Bob McKenzie Blues Band (last week) and The Joe Moore Blues Band this week. Behind Bob and Joe on both nights were our legendary local Blues rhythm & groove sideman trio of Bill Darrow (guitar), Tom Buckley (bass) and Jason Corbiere (drums). Those three are so good that they would make me sound good. But behind real Bluesmen, Like Bob McKenzie (harmonica, vocals) or Joe Moore (sax, vocals), that is just great Blues music live in our backyards. Only a short drive or bike ride away! Remember no cover charges, so that leaves more money for a second order of wings.
The Joe Moore Blues Band played last Thursday Night to a small but very appreciative audience. Joe's moved from baritone to alto to tender sax with smile and ease as well as holding down the duties of the lead vocalist. This is no small task where it looks like it takes the same amount of air and pressure to carry a swing blues lick on a bary sax as it would to inflate a tire for a dump truck. Joe did a great job. I hope that you all get to hear him this coming week on Thursday (June 21).
Also that night, I caught the last 30 minutes of the Nobby Reed Project at the Lincoln Inn's regular Thursday Blues Night. As per his personal tradition, Nobby brought the fire and monster licks to his electric Blues/Blues Rock guitar. The Nobby Reed Project is a "5-man" trio...you swear...there has to be more than 3 guys there because it sounds so full and big. I was also fortunate to acquire Nobby's latest studio effort, his solo effort, Nobby Reed - Here I Am. I will be doing a separate review next week. Let me tell you... I am going to buy a copy for my car and for the house. It is just plain good with contributions from local Blues greats, "Mr. Charlie" Frazier, "Harmonica Bob" McKenzie, Joe Moore , Jason Corbiere, Scott Dubois and Travis Belville. No bad tracks...all good, all different, all Right! ;-)
Remember, it takes to support the Blues is just to show up at a show. Wave, say "hi", listen, and enjoy the live music performed by your Vermont neighbors.
Did I mention I rode my bike too?! It is part of my latest "beer & Blues for carbon" trading scheme. I recently watched Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvient Truth" and was moved to take some sort of action. I thought was there some way to help the planet and support the Blues. Well, there certainly is. I haven't figured the number exactly but for every pound of carbon do not expel into the atmosphere by riding my bike to a Blues show, I can drink and eat an equal amount at the gig. Whadda think? Win-Win for everyone!
Cheers,
John "OneChord" Connors
Last week, I rode my bike from my place at Fort Ethan Allen to the Backstage Restaurant in Essex Junction behind the Big Lots building on Pearl Street. I have been going in & out of "The Backstage" for years, various dinners, country rock bands, but never Blues band until recently. "The Backstage" is your basic casual basic pub where you can go with a lot of people, without calling ahead, sit yourself, and have a good time.
I am delighted to say The Backstage has been offering its coveted band stand spot to some great Blues artists recently and hope to make a more regular occurrence. An effort that I support wholeheartedly. No cover charges, just walk, find a table, order some food and beverage, and listen to our local Blues greats like The Bob McKenzie Blues Band (last week) and The Joe Moore Blues Band this week. Behind Bob and Joe on both nights were our legendary local Blues rhythm & groove sideman trio of Bill Darrow (guitar), Tom Buckley (bass) and Jason Corbiere (drums). Those three are so good that they would make me sound good. But behind real Bluesmen, Like Bob McKenzie (harmonica, vocals) or Joe Moore (sax, vocals), that is just great Blues music live in our backyards. Only a short drive or bike ride away! Remember no cover charges, so that leaves more money for a second order of wings.
The Joe Moore Blues Band played last Thursday Night to a small but very appreciative audience. Joe's moved from baritone to alto to tender sax with smile and ease as well as holding down the duties of the lead vocalist. This is no small task where it looks like it takes the same amount of air and pressure to carry a swing blues lick on a bary sax as it would to inflate a tire for a dump truck. Joe did a great job. I hope that you all get to hear him this coming week on Thursday (June 21).
Also that night, I caught the last 30 minutes of the Nobby Reed Project at the Lincoln Inn's regular Thursday Blues Night. As per his personal tradition, Nobby brought the fire and monster licks to his electric Blues/Blues Rock guitar. The Nobby Reed Project is a "5-man" trio...you swear...there has to be more than 3 guys there because it sounds so full and big. I was also fortunate to acquire Nobby's latest studio effort, his solo effort, Nobby Reed - Here I Am. I will be doing a separate review next week. Let me tell you... I am going to buy a copy for my car and for the house. It is just plain good with contributions from local Blues greats, "Mr. Charlie" Frazier, "Harmonica Bob" McKenzie, Joe Moore , Jason Corbiere, Scott Dubois and Travis Belville. No bad tracks...all good, all different, all Right! ;-)
Remember, it takes to support the Blues is just to show up at a show. Wave, say "hi", listen, and enjoy the live music performed by your Vermont neighbors.
Did I mention I rode my bike too?! It is part of my latest "beer & Blues for carbon" trading scheme. I recently watched Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvient Truth" and was moved to take some sort of action. I thought was there some way to help the planet and support the Blues. Well, there certainly is. I haven't figured the number exactly but for every pound of carbon do not expel into the atmosphere by riding my bike to a Blues show, I can drink and eat an equal amount at the gig. Whadda think? Win-Win for everyone!
Cheers,
John "OneChord" Connors
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