Submitted
by Al Kanovsky 08/04/15
Monday
has become a day of deep concern. JAZZ, the Miami
JAZZ Co-op Rent Party. BLUES, in Boca. Head south. Point north. Decisions.
Decisions. Friends call. Where? Call me later. Tick-tock-tick. Time marches on.
Hunger starts its inevitable influence.
Boca
has a $6 (used to be$5) hamburger special that can satisfy 2 BLUESiacs. The
Open Stage has made to order empanadas. I don't review food. Although I will
admit that I probably know more about food than I do about music. Niles (red
beans) Blaize is the deciding factor. Mark Telesca, host of the Jam has him as
the featured guest. So it's the Boca and it turns out to be a great decision.\
Mark
on bass, Drew Preston (guitar), Tom Regis (keys/B3) and Anthony Livotti on
drums. Before Niles came on there were 2 tunes. "What's Going Down"
and "Life Is Hard" Drew does the vocal on the latter and delivers a
more than 5* guitar solo. I will definitely pay more attention to Drew in the
future. Mark is inspired and his solo ain't bad either. The tune is done to a
slow BLUES drag and one of the lyric lines is "Everyone has their own
cross to bear". Talk about truth in music. Niles steps up and so does the
pace. Red beans gets the joint jumping with "Worried About You Baby" (you
better worry 'bout me).
A
surprise follows. When was the last time you heard a BLUES group do "Take
Five"? How about never. Until last night. Tough changes, unusual rhythm.
They did it and did it good. Drew was outstanding and Niles harp solo was
unadulterated JAZZ. Tom Regis is as versatile a player as you could hope to
meet. Genre is just another word to Tom. BLUES, JAZZ, Latin, fusion, rock. It
makes no difference to Tom. He plays it all with intent.
They
close the set with "My Babe" and everyone in the joint is clappin'
and tappin'. Now the Jam is on. Famous
Frank Ward (guitar). Rich Goldman (bass), Piano
Bob (B3), Raul Valdez (drums) and away we go. "Big Fun On the
Bayou", "Turn Your Lamps Down Low" with Niles doing a 'wawa'
harp solo.
I
am having a natural ball and enjoying the hamburger special. I will not say
more about the food. My promotion of the $5 special induced the kitchen to
raise the price to $6. The regular price on the menu is $11. It's worth it at
either price. Say no more---A they might make it $7.
Another
player now takes over on the B3 for a couple including "Take Me To the
Mardi Gras" and "C'est La Vie". Dave Morgan joins Famous Frank
and Bob ????? from Brazil takes over at the keys. Joe Fodora (Otis Cadillac) is
sitting with me and is impressed with the newcomer.
The
joint is shaking, rocking and rolling when Clay Goldstein (harp) steps up to
join in. Frank does "They Call Him Mr. Dollar". The beautiful Ms. Kat
Riggins is always a pleasure to hear (and see). She does a BlUESy "I Love
You". Man O' man. Ben Berger joins in on bass. Piano Bob back on B3 as
Dave sings "Walking With My Baby". Clay is still on stage when Susan (Otis
Cadillac band) sits down at the keyboard. They do "Rte 66" to an
up-tempo boogie beat. Susan shows a remarkable right hand with her solo. Clay
does "I Can Not Lose the BLUES and I Can Not Save My Soul". Emotion,
emotion. Kat takes the mic to do "Pride & Joy" in F minor. The
perfect key for Kat's voice. Otis joins Kat for "Why Don't You Show
Me". One line says "I'm gonna pack my 'rags' and go". Susan
moves over to B3 when Jessica Spears steps up to do "Let The Good Times
Roll". Everyone is back on stage for a BLUES medley with all taken an
instrumental or vocal solo.
I
had made an excellent choice. Dave Morgan was playing an unusual looking
guitar. The instrument is as old as I am having been made in 1931. A National
Duolian. (See photo below). While saying 'G'night' Rockin' Jake appeared out of
the mist. Why didn't he join the jam? "Night off".
Sirius
XM radio "The 40's" Woody Herman's "Bijou". Me and the '95'.
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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