Neverending Music in the QC

Busy seems to be about normal for me anymore. This week, I saw bands on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Thursday I photographed a style show and on Sunday, a softball game. However, as a whole I didn’t see nearly as much action as I saw last week – and I AM dialing back.

Curtis Hawkins was back in the area last week. Wednesday night, he got together with a few other musicians and they played a hit-and-run set at The Muddy Waters. What started out to be just a set turned into a full-out jam. Along with Curtis Hawkins, the lineup included: Jim Van Hyfte, Miguel Martin (M3)and Bret Dale, with guests Manny Lopez  and Gary Allegretto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had another opportunity to catch Curtis Hawkins on Friday night as he joined Ray Wood Jr. and the Bucktown Allstars at the Muddy Waters with guests Hal Reed and Gary Allegretto. The Bucktown Allstars is composed of members of the Candymakers, the Curtis Hawkins Band, and The Buddy Guy Band. Joining Miguel Martin, Curtis Hawkins, Al Sweet, Evan White and Bret Dale were Jason Moynihan and Mike Rodbard From Chicago.  Gary Allegretto was part of the Blues in the Schools program hosted by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society.  Visiting for the first time with Moynihan and Rodbard was Yoshito, a Japanese harmonica maestro who resides in Paris. Yoshito was the surprise of the night, with some of the most amazing harp moves I've seen at Muddy's.  The entire show was off the hook - as it always is when all of these great talents get together.

Saturday night brought me to the Redstone Room. There was a camera crew there from IPTV for the Steepwater show on Saturday and Devil Makes Three on Sunday. What an experience, shooting around the video crew and their equipment, and all the areas of the room that were blocked off. I couldn’t get any of my usual backstage shots, and was forced to be a bit more creative. During opening act Jim the Mule’s set, I spent a good deal of time attempting to sort out shots – while the crowd hung back from the stage.  Jim the Mule’s sound is rock with a little country twang (they call it Alt-country, but it sounds more rock to me).  I can't believe they've been around as long as they have and I haven't seen them before.  A 45 minute set wasn't much though, and I hope to catch them again sometime.

 

 

Following Jim the Mule, Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts took the stage.  This popular band borders on local, with their roots in Rockford, IL. Their sound is a mix of pop and folk with a dab of rock and roll. There's something special about midwestern folk music - it should be recognized as a sub-genre of folk. I've heard it before - and these guys have it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Steepwater Band has been around for a while and has played in the QC before, but Saturday was my first opportunity to catch their show.  Their blues-rock sound was hard-hitting and a fitting end to a night of great music. I'll be watching for their return!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday evening I was back at The Muddy Waters for Round 1 of the Mississippi Valley Blues Challenge. Next week's blog will be entirely devoted to the seven bands that competed in the first 2 rounds of the Challenge, as I plan to be at Muddy's again this Sunday for the second round.

 

For more photos, check out my Flickr page.

This week:

Friday - It's record release night at RIBCO! Hello Quad-Cities Volume 2 is already out, but Friday is the release party. There you'll see Dynoride, White Zephyr, Puddlejumper, Comfort, Sub Atlantic and Chris Coleslaw.  Rascals has Battle Red, The Last Glimpse, Heavyweight and Kings. Simon Says Uncle is playing at Martini's on the Rock, Keep Off The Grass is at the 11th St. Precinct, and Bleyart's has Chuck Murphy. Night Light is playing at Rustic Ridge, and you'll find me singing along with Lee at the Rhythm City casino.

Saturday - Hold onto your hats - this is a longgg one - Saturday evening is the Venus Envy festival at the Bucktown. Dress warmly for the outdoor evening show and enjoy these ladies on 3 stages: Lojo Russo, Mona Riteman, Phoenix Quanar, Maureen Carter, Harmony Key of G, Somethin Else, Erin Bertram, Branch & Bough and Glorie Iaccarino. Rozztox has The Lonely Wild, RIBCO has Whitey Morgan and the 78s with Them Som'bitches, and The Muddy Waters has Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama. The Redstone Room is hosting Bruce Robinson and Kelly Willis with David G. Smith. North of 40 is playing at Mulligans, The 11th Street Precinct has Cosmic, and No Excuse is playing at Hollars. The Karry Outz are at the Hawkeye, Rascals has the Hooks, and Greenbriar has the Hooks.  I'll be in Muscatine at the Brew with 1st Impression, where I might just pop across the street to The Pearl to check on Chuck Murphy. (and have one of those yummy chocolate martinis!)

Sunday night is the second round of the Blues Challenge at the Muddy Waters. This round you'll see Serious Business, Wheelhouse and The Mississippi  Misfits. Y'all know where I'll be...