Submitted by Al Kanovsky 02/17/14#1
*editor's note - photos and vid clips to be added to this blog later today...
...music lover. It starts out a little after 1PM. with me at Esplanade Park in Ft. Lauderdale for the Riverwalk BLUES Festival. This annual event is held to honor the memory of Don Cohen. First up were the Soulfonics with Betty Padgett. Members of the band include "One Night" Stan Waldman on Tenor, Guido Mastriano on drums, ----Montono playing bass, Dick Turner (guitar) and Betty doing the vocals backed by Phillip Bithell on keys. The band opens with an instrumental BLUES tune and gals are up and shakin' it. One of the young ladies is dancing nearby. No man can not notice her movements. Poetry --- no, no --- BLUES in motion. Her name is Debbie Gordon. A little later on I teach her the dance step, known back in the day as, The Fish. It is a good thing it is after Valentine's Day or I might be out shopping for a ring. We do that to Betty's singing, "I'd Rather Be A Blind Girl". Ms. Padgett does "Who Do You think You Are". More and more folks are moving to the music. Nearby is an Eddy Vodka stand. Susie Goldberg is serving the beverages and dancing all at the same time. That's what I call talent. Betty is in a soulful mood doing "I Don't Want To Lose What I Love" and Betty (shake that booty) Rosenfeld has joined the ladies on their feet. It gets funky with "I Don't Want Nobody Looking At Me and My Man", Bluesy with "Rock Me Baby" and the "Secret". I am always tickled by the line that says "'til my back ain't got no bone".
The band has concluded the set and I chat with Steve and Elaine down from Toronto. I see my pal Dave "cat in the hat" with his friend Dee. Charlie Boyer has arrived
from the chilly north and the park is now filled with enthusiastic BLUES listeners in time for Albert Castiglia to take the stage. He has just returned from a European road trip and is happy to be back. Michelle, his wife, was glad to have him home but kept a pair of running shoes and a can of mace nearby.
Even Albert's Mom and Dad have driven 'all the way' from Coral Gables to listen to him perform. On stage with Albert are Samantha Fish (guitar), Bob Amsel (drums) and A.J. Kelly on bass. The band opens the set with a number that rocks the house and most of the people are clappin' tappin' or on their feet. Guys and gals alike. A guy (pink Cadillac) who is the self described 'world's greatest harmonica player' is in the audience. I make notice that he is not on the bill. There are lots of fans from the Funky Biscuit and the used to be "Big Easy". Albert's guitar solos are inspired by the enthusiastic listeners.
He does "'Til the Old Bell Starts To Chime", "Gonna See My Baby" and "Hey Bartender" Albert's latest CD, "Solid Ground", will be released in April. Get 'em when you can. He dedicated his next tune to the American Olympic Hockey Team. "Put Your Thang Down, Baby". Then he did one for Ms. Rosenfeld, "Bad Avenue Blues". Albert's dog, Jackson, is ailing and scheduled for surgery. His next song described Jackson's condition. "I'm Having A Bad Year, Only 12 More Months To Go". Bob Dylan's song "Everything" was dedicated to Michelle. I took advantage of my VIP bracelet to get up, on stage, and hear how the band sounded to itself. It opened my mind to lots of why musicians spend time on sound checks. By the way, a very attractive red-head named Lonnie King, said "hello" and added a kiss on the cheek.
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| Yes, indeed, the ladies like the blues! |
I was going to write about 'stig lee a' vs. steelya' but Lonnie softened my mood. Good health to Jackson and Michelle----or is it Michelle and Jackson --- Hmmmm --- Albert?????
As I was leaving I saw a young couple, obviously in love. She slightly pregnant.. He wearing a t-shirt on which was emblazoned the following "who are all these kids and why are they calling me Daddy?" . Mr. & Mrs. Bryant Clayborn--Congratulations!!!
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| Once again people, NEVER leave food exposed when there is a bassman in the area! |
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| Ed & Ellen & Lindy - Smiles from the get-go! |
Big thanks out to Dave & Jerry (on right) for their part in this big day!
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| No, really! He is! |
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| Letting the world know! |
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| Satan & Adam - a highlight for many of the blues faithful! |
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| Tania Blues, phone in hand, ready to click, text and post! |
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| Yep. That is exactly s how this good music is made! |
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| Bob Weinberg and Tania Blues comparing notes |
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| Follow the guy on the left to the good music.. monthly, in Jazz & Blues Florida! |
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| Robert - Robert of the blues, and for the blues |
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| Declared "Vintage" and oldest spotted this day. |
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| Yes, good people abound in this world of blues... |
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| Come on people! This is good living to be shared! |
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| Hi Chris! |
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| Yes. please, keep them on the park benches, the blankets and the car back seats where they belong! |
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| Ahh... just WHERE and WHEN did they issue ROCK STAR licenses gentlemen? |
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| Sun's down, volume's up, and the people are getting closer to the stage... |
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| 9pm and the temps have dipped into the sixties. Jacket time! |
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| Blues Music Award Winner - Johnny Sansone. |
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| Quality music draws quality people! |
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| Free CD (of some sort!) for the first person to give all the first names (L-R) here in the comment section below! |
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| And don't you forget it! |
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| South Florida Blues Powerhouses! |
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| Jeff, JP, Frank & The beautiful Nicole... Is this Tuesday? |
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| NOW we can start the party! Piano Bob has arrived, pimped out and all! |
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| Believe it or not, BOTH of these pairs of shoes are made for dancing! |
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| Endi & Piano Bob. The VIPs get special welcomes! |
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| FunkyaBilly spotting! Hide the children! |
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| It takes a special kind of women to pull off looking that good in fluorescent yellow! |
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| Don't be shy! Step right and the platry summed requested for such fine, fine music! |
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| Waterfront property in Fort Lauderdale! |
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| Keep an eye out for Albert's new release! |
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| You in there? |
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| I would have gone with the orange one with that shirt T.J..... |
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| Blues Cruizers of the year award! And, THANK YOU KATHY, for making blues festivals across the US safe for woman to dance at once again! |
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| OK people. This location. This weather. This price. THESE PERFORMERS! And just WHAT was your excuse for not being here to hear Albert Castiglia and Samantha Fish? |
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| Foxy lady! |
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| Nice shirt! |
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| The crew! |
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| ALL the famous people are here! |
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| Why yes, yes I do. Why do you ask? |
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| Nice! |
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| Not NYC prices here, for sure! |
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| Always at hand and ready to give you the blues! JOIN! |
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| Treats! |
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| Capt. Reese. The man of the mic.... |
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| Yes, indeed! |
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| 40 degrees warmer here upon arrival than when I left G'ville six hours earlier. Hmmmm.... |
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| Getting comfy, comfy, comfy! The guys from THE CIGAR STORE in Davie do it up right! |
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| Hi Susie! |
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| Any drink served by Nicole is SPECIAL. Right? |
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| How cool is this? No nose-bleed seats if you don't want 'em here at the fest! |
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| Oh, yeah.. a LOT of people love this music! |
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| Looking good Scott! |
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| Year after year! |
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| Getting comfy under the trees, and trees with many, many more leaves than you find on trees in Atlanta this time of year! |
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| Like the fest's poster art? Thank this man, or, just buy his art! Joe Klucar in person! |
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| The blues crew is here! |
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| Photo Op! Photo Op! |
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| Amazing what/who you can see on Himmarshee! |
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| Scoping out the venue for the after party. YES, that is Ken Burkhardt's rig all set to go, two hours early. |
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| Tommy, a beautiful Russian woman, and a guy in a hat. |
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| Johnny Sansone. Real deal LA right here folks. |
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| Flowers. And a bit of lens envy! |
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| Cool! A tunnel in Florida! Who would of thunk? |
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| Ernie, opening the Blues Film Fest Day on Sunday. |
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| Yes, please. I'll have one of those Famous Grouse Omelet! |
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| Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! |
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| Nothing like a Irish Bar for blues music! |
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| Ernie Southern, being reflective.... |
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| Ernie Southern, back in the south of Florida. |
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| But, who is counting, anyways? |
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| Rolling! |
Does you or your business NEED to be a part of this great event in 2015?
If so, contact Dar or Mr. G at: (786)380-0866
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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Pictures were Fantastic. Really enjoyed them Charlie. Thanks for posting :)
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