Phew. It was a great Blues Bonanza. From what I hear it was the best yet.
Early on, I had a chance to hangt out with Little Jimmy Reed, Bob hall, Bottleneck John and the guys iin the band. Great to catch up with everyone, most of them I haven't seen in a year or so. Excellent guys all the way around.
We had a great gig on Friday night at the Marquee club, following Little Jimmy Reed's awesome set. Although it was really, really hot in the club (I think the heat may have been on) the band managed to soldier through a 90 minute set of our original material and then Lisa Monroe's Texas blues. To those of you that were expecting a lot of lap steel that night, well, I apologize- it was a stratocaster kind of night!
Had to be up way too early to get to Dexter's for the workshops. Learned all about 1st position harmonica playing from Little Jimmy Reed who can really nail the 'Jimmy Reed' tone and style. Robin did a bit of piano and the we did a 20-30 minute session on Lap Steel, with the help of Dino and John. Lesson learned- always do a lap steel workshop with a bass player and a drummer.
Really didn't get too much of a chance to hang out, because it was off to eat and then move gear into the basement of Satchmoe's for an acoustic set. Dino helped me set up all the gear, including a recording rig that captured the entire set in digital splendor. Not sure what I'll do with it, but the recording is pretty good. Needs a little clean-up, but it's pretty good.
Then 6 flights of stairs later (3 up and 3 down) we had the PA loaded and we were back at Satchmoes setting up for an electric gig. What a packed house thanks all of you that jammed yourselves in there! It was an intense 2 hours, and 2 sets later (and a pretty fair version of Voodoo Chile) we were all done. Exhausted, but done. Off to a curry house.
And that's where it ended. Dehydration, exhaustion and the flu put me flat on my back, and out for the remainder of the festival. From what I hear Lazy Poker did an excellent job filling in for us as Blue Lisa's backing band at the yard. Man, I hated missing that gig, but what can you do- it's the first gig I've cancelled in 15 (yes, fifteen) years.
So, back to work, next stop the Stirling Tollbooth! See you Friday,July 14th.
