Submitted by Al Kanovsky 01/19/14
...a vintage pink Cadillac to be
the worlds greatest anything. Elvis sang a song about one. Springsteen recreated
it. Yesterday, Jimmy Belize and I encountered one when we attended Harald
Neuweg's Coral Gables BLUES marathon. There was a guy standing near it wearing a
black Stevie Ray Vaughan style hat and a black fringed jacket. "That's my car
and I am the greatest harmonica player in the world". A 'Mary Kay' pink car and
a self proclaimed greatest. I have heard some 'harp' players in my time. All of
them to date have generally been humble about their talent. My reply was "No
s--t?". He pulled a harmonica from his pocket, played a few notes and changed
instruments. He did it three or four times, finally finding the one he
would audition on. "Now, I don't play clean like those other cats"---he plays a
few notes in demonstration---"I play dirty, like this". He lays down about 6
BLUES bars and I have to admit that he does play a decent harp. The greatest?
Only time will tell if King Louie Deluxe is or isn't.
The music has already started
with a band called "Lowdown 13". Greg Magnanti (vocals), Mario
LaCasse (guitar),Steve
Strickland (bass) and Rich Conklin on drums. Jimmy and I settle down in Stan
Street's art display booth to listen and enjoy. The band is playing "Hootchie
Kootchie Man" and then does a series of well known and well done BLUES tunes,
closing the set with "Well, Well, Well". It is cold out and time for lunch so we go
into the Fritz & Franz Bierhaus to warm up and have a bite. We are joined by
band booking agent, Linda Lou and her drummer husband John. Piano Bob shows up
and we invite him to sit down. Linda Lou is well known amongst BLUES players
because she would warn them about orange cords on certain gigs. We miss a
portion of Sheba the Mississippi Queen and the Soul Kings. Sheba does Tina
Turner. Nobody does Tina Turner like Tina Turner does Tina Turner. Next up is
the Jumpstreet 88s with Stan Street on vocals and harp, Piano Bob on the
keyboard, Ruppert Zizwinski (upright bass), Bob Loiacana (guitar) and Andy Russell
playing drums. They open with "Shake, Rattle and Roll". I spy Harald and he is
clappin' and tappin' in pleasure. They follow with 2 of Stan's original songs,
"I'm Gonna Pay For It" and "Broke & Hungry". Straight ahead, honest BLUES.
Piano Bob takes the spotlight with the boogie "Big Fat Mama". Bob knows what to
do when the light is on him. Next they have me up doing "The Stroll" when they
play "Raining In My Heart". A shuffle "What You Gonna Do", A BLUES "Bright
Lights, Big City" (a personal favorite), another BLUES "Lost All My Money",
"OohOOH", "Let's Rock Awhile" and closing with "Red Beans Cooking". By the way,
Jimmy and I sell more of Stan's art while he's on stage then he's sold in the
last 2 days. Steve Kronicks (latin percussion) is in the audience. He's playing
at Books and Books just a couple of blocks away.
During the break Jimmy strikes
up a conversation with a woman wearing pajama bottoms and cowboy boots. He is
attracted by the combination but especially by the boots. Coincidence with a
capital C. Her name is Gina and her son's name is Jesse James. Jimmy's son's name
is Jesse James. Not nicknames, really their first and middle names.
Dave
Shelly & Bluestone is up next. What a band. Charlie Gaspar(bass), Randy
Ridenauer (drums), Billy Jolly on keys and Dave playing guitar and using that
BLUES filled voice. Opening with "The Way You Treated Me" they are now playing
to a pretty good-sized audience. They run through the bands show and when they
do "Crazy 'Bout You Baby" they call for the aforementioned King
Louie Deluxe to join them on harp. World's greatest? I dunno. He does play
pretty good. Now it is time for Biscuit Miller & the Mix. A solid BLUES/rock
band that has Harald doing that clap/tap thing again. Amy Arlo (vocals) passes by
and takes the time to give me a hug and kiss on the cheek. I love blondes that
hug. A word about Harald. He is as enthusiastic about live music as he is about
his restaurant business. Nobody works harder or is more dedicated to the task.
He is a straight forward, honest guy and has gained my respect. Thank you for
promoting the BLUES.
Football? More good BLUES? Football? More
good BLUES? Let's see if the weather turns a little warmer----I think I'm coming
down with a cold. A little Jack Daniels or some Wild Turkey 101 and some
football might provide the cure and if I stop coughing maybe a little BLUES
later on.
Editor's note: The Coral Gables Blues Fest runs daily through January 26th. More info at: http://jazz-bluesflorida.blogspot.com/2013/12/party-on-plaza-in-coral-gables-with.html
Al's Disclaimer:
A short note: The reason I write this is because I love music and words. I do not book acts. I do not promote acts. I do not accept invitations to review artists. I go to venues of my own choice. When and where is not influenced by anything other than who I would like to hear that night or day. If I don't like what I hear, I won't write about it. When I like it I let you all know. I never mention a name without asking permission. "Pardon me, Miss. Would you like to dance?"
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Thank you Al, Great article and a BIG Thank you for showing up!
ReplyDeleteAll the best!
Harald