A Little Blues Here a Little Blues There

When Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday, the weekend sometimes begins early. Such was the case this week, as I headed down to the Redstone Room for a special V-Day concert with The Candymakers and Joe Robinson. This was a seated show, and I arrived early enough to secure a seat in the front row, although I didn’t stay seated for long.  The Candymakers began the evening with an acoustic set, adjusting their blues and funk sound to a mellow, yet soulful show. Their vocals were especially smooth with the acoustic sound.

The Candymakers mellowed nicely for Valentine's Day

Joe Robinson extracts the most amazing sounds
from an acoustic guitar

The headliner for the night was Joe Robinson  This young Aussie guitarist and his band rocked the house with some great blues/rock pieces, and in between the band would leave the stage and Joe would switch to an acoustic guitar and extract the most amazing music you could imagine coming from an acoustic. I'm not sure what to make of all the extremely talented young musicians we've been seeing at the RME lately. Yes, they are young and talented - but there is something more. There's an air of experience you don't expect to see in someone so young.  Those who missed this show really missed an opportunity, and hopefully Joe Robinson will be back this way soon - don't miss him again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian Johnson, Bret Dale, Hal Reed and Curtis Hawkins Jam

After an enjoyable early evening singing with Lee Blackmon at Rustic Ridge on Friday, I headed down to The Muddy Waters to catch the end of the show there.  This night was billed as the Midwest Blues Review. It was another mashup of members from various local bands. This was Curtis Hawkins' last show at Muddy's, which was enough reason to be there. Chances are I won't make it to his going away party. Curtis, we're going to miss your bass skillz. Please come back to visit. Often.  Also joining in were Hal Reed, Bret Dale, Ian Johnson, and Andrew "Blaze" Thomas. There was some real blues jamming going on at Muddy's Friday night.

Saturday found me at RIBCO. I've been wanting to see the Deadstring Brothers for a while... and as a bonus, Jason Carl and the Whole Damn Band were there as well.  Jason and company really sounded great Saturday night. I asked Jason if they had been doing something different... he said..."just practicing a lot". Well... keep it up! I've always considered Jason's band to be more country or newgrass, but this is a new, bluesier sounding Damn Band... and I love it!

Jason Carl and the Whole Damn Band blew it out at RIBCO

The Deadstring Brothers started out on a bit of a country note, but didn't stay there the whole night. I caught a little blues and rock sound from them as well. I enjoyed their show, and they sounded great. It was too bad for both bands that they were playing to a nearly empty house. In fact, most of the District appeared to be very quiet Saturday night.

The Deadstring Brothers
a little country, a little rock, a whole lot of good music

This week:

Friday - Minus Six and The Curtis Hawkins Band will be on the Redstone Room stage, while Mutts, Post Mortem and Satellite Heart are playing the Community Stage. North of 40 is at Mulligans, The Gratest Story Ever Told has their farewell show at 4Play sportsbar, The Mississippi Misfits return to The Muddy Waters, and the RIBCO battle finals include 1380, Shadow Stone and My Pal Trigger. Who will take home the win? I hope to be there to find out!

Saturday - Caught in the Act is playing The Rusty Nail, Crossroads is at City Limits, and Mulligans has North of 40. Cosmic is at the Mound Street Landing, Ellis Kell is playing The Muddy Waters, and you can find The Funktastic Five at Martini's on the Rock. The Karry Outz are playing the Hawkeye, while RIBCO has the Krank Daddies and Brains! Brains! Brains! Have Your Cake is the Deja Vu Rendevous at the Redstone Room.

For more photos, check out my Flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robbi61blue/