Musically, there is just so much going on in the Quad
Cities, I can’t possibly be everywhere at once. And this weekend was no
exception. However, I had planned to spend my entire day Saturday at The Muddy
Waters 3rd Anniversary Blues and BBQ bash, so that’s what I did.
Because I was expecting a long day, I didn’t hit any venues Friday night
either.
It is fortunate that we have local venues such as The Muddy
Waters (and Rascals, the RME, Rozz-Tox and RIBCO to name a few) that offer us
the ability to not only see our local musicians on a decent stage, but provide
us with the opportunity to see touring musicians that otherwise might not stop
here. So this 3rd Anniversary party was a big deal. Hal and Kristy have provided a nearly perfect
small venue – The room is big enough to attract decent traveling acts, yet
small enough that audience members get an intimate experience. As a musician I
appreciate their in-house sound system, and their ability to provide back line
for bands – which reduces the amount of load-in and load-out required. As a
photographer, I’m pleased to say that Hal has improved the stage light set-up
200% from what it was when they opened 3 years ago. That’s not just beneficial
for photographers, but the audience and musicians as well.
Back to the party – which is the focus of today’s blog post.
Due to the extremely wet weather the last couple of weeks, Muddy’s party was
moved from Veterans Memorial Park (which, ironically, was very muddy), to the
west parking lot of the Isle of Capri. The event was named Blues and BBQ,
and
started out with a great amount of the latter.
On the schedule was an amateur BBQ rib contest. Contestants rolled in
early in the morning with smokers, grills, tables and shade awnings, lining
them up on the north side of the lot. Slabs of ribs were provided by The Muddy
Waters, and the cooks set to work. Meanwhile, BBQ vendors were lining up on the
south side, preparing to feed the throngs of people who came later. Gates
opened at 11:30, so the party was well under way when the first band started at
2 PM.
The RME provides learning opportunities for all ages and all
genres of music. Hal Reed is instrumental in their Winter Blues program for
kids, so it was fitting that the Winter Blues All Stars would open the event. This group of young musicians spent their
winter break studying and playing music – although I’m sure they all worked
equally hard before and after the winter session. What a talented bunch!
Next came a little teaching. Hal Reed and Kevin (B. F.) Burt
held a harmonica workshop for kids. Every child who wanted to learn a song on
the harmonica received a harmonica. Five minutes later, those kids were all
playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. So cool! Kevin also provided “tweener” music…
he played between bands while the bands were tearing down and setting up.
Following the harmonica workshop, OSG took the stage. A
deviation from the “blues” portion of the event, OSG (standing for Oh – So-
Good, I’m told) is more of a jazz and funk combo. I’ve seen them before and
enjoy their sound. They provide great background music for things like… BBQ
judging!
That’s what was happening during their set. At a table set up
away from the competitors, the BBQ vendors along with Hal Reed began the arduous
task of sampling all those mouth-watering, tasty ribs. It was pretty obvious
these guys were enjoying every bite. After OSG finished their set, the prizes
for best BBQ were awarded. With a tie for 3rd place and only one
trophy, some arrangements had to be made.
Next up was a band that I knew nothing about… and when I saw
they were all teens, I thought it was another group from the RME sessions. Boy
was I wrong! Jamiah on Fire and the Red Machine is a band based out of Chicago.
“On Fire” is the perfect way to describe the style and talent wrapped up in the
package of this trio. There are so many things I can say about these guys. They
do blues very, very well, their originals are well above the average, and their
rock... Well, they rock! Their vocals were tight, the 14 year old drummer was
amazing, the bassist was inspiring, and the guitar solos left some members
of the audience in tears. As the set progressed, the music became more
energetic and by the end of the show, most of the crowd was on their feet. I
think we may have seen the reincarnation of Jimmy Hendrix Saturday afternoon. I
can only imagine where they will be in 5 years.
As if the day couldn’t possibly get any better, along came
the Terry Quiett Band. With a style that was as much rock as it was blues, Terry
Quiett rocked the stage into night fall and got people up and dancing. Terry’s
slide skills were very evident, and the crowd wildly showed their appreciation, many
of them crowding close to the stage taking cell phone videos.
Chicago blues guitarist Lurrie Bell rounded out the
night. Bell and his band performed music from his new album, “The Devil
Ain’t Got No Music”, as well as some well-known songs. A good number of
hardcore blues fans held out against the night’s chill to listen to this
Chicago blues legend.
The RME provides learning opportunities for all ages and all
genres of music. Hal Reed is instrumental in their Winter Blues program for
kids, so it was fitting that the Winter Blues All Stars would open the event. This group of young musicians spent their
winter break studying and playing music – although I’m sure they all worked
equally hard before and after the winter session. What a talented bunch!
Next came a little teaching. Hal Reed and Kevin (B. F.) Burt
held a harmonica workshop for kids. Every child who wanted to learn a song on
the harmonica received a harmonica. Five minutes later, those kids were all
playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. So cool! Kevin also provided “tweener” music…
he played between bands while the bands were tearing down and setting up. 
Following the harmonica workshop, OSG took the stage. A
deviation from the “blues” portion of the event, OSG (standing for Oh – So-
Good, I’m told) is more of a jazz and funk combo. I’ve seen them before and
enjoy their sound. They provide great background music for things like… BBQ
judging!
That’s what was happening during their set. At a table set up
away from the competitors, the BBQ vendors along with Hal Reed began the arduous
task of sampling all those mouth-watering, tasty ribs. It was pretty obvious
these guys were enjoying every bite. After OSG finished their set, the prizes
for best BBQ were awarded. With a tie for 3rd place and only one
trophy, some arrangements had to be made.
Next up was a band that I knew nothing about… and when I saw
they were all teens, I thought it was another group from the RME sessions. Boy
was I wrong! Jamiah on Fire and the Red Machine is a band based out of Chicago.
“On Fire” is the perfect way to describe the style and talent wrapped up in the
package of this trio. There are so many things I can say about these guys. They
do blues very, very well, their originals are well above the average, and their
rock... Well, they rock! Their vocals were tight, the 14 year old drummer was
amazing, the bassist was inspiring, and the guitar solos left some members
of the audience in tears. As the set progressed, the music became more
energetic and by the end of the show, most of the crowd was on their feet. I
think we may have seen the reincarnation of Jimmy Hendrix Saturday afternoon. I
can only imagine where they will be in 5 years.
As if the day couldn’t possibly get any better, along came
the Terry Quiett Band. With a style that was as much rock as it was blues, Terry
Quiett rocked the stage into night fall and got people up and dancing. Terry’s
slide skills were very evident, and the crowd wildly showed their appreciation, many
of them crowding close to the stage taking cell phone videos.
Chicago blues guitarist Lurrie Bell rounded out the
night. Bell and his band performed music from his new album, “The Devil
Ain’t Got No Music”, as well as some well-known songs. A good number of
hardcore blues fans held out against the night’s chill to listen to this
Chicago blues legend.
Hal and Kristy really know how to throw a party! I'll be looking forward to next year's event.
To see more photos, please check out my Flickr page here. I posted a few of my favorites.
This week:
It’s Gumbo YaYa time! Who doesn’t love Zydeco music and
Cajun food? Actually, The District’s 21-year tradition isn’t all Zydeco –
there’s some funk and blues mixed in as well – check out the lineup!
Friday- Backwater Bayou, The Crawdaddies, Earphunk,
Hurricane Gumbo, and Josh Garrett
Saturday – River City 6, Josh Garrett, Davina and the
Vagabonds, Crawdaddies and Earphunk.
Just because there is a festival, it doesn’t mean there are
not plenty of other options. Here’s what else is going on:
Friday – Friday Live at 5 is back at the RME, with Ellis
Kell. Jacob Green is on the RME Community Stage, Rustic Ridge has Hit Man, and
The Rootless Experience is playing the Davenport Quarry. The Rusty Nail has the
Night People, Dirt Road Rockers are playing Martini’s on the Rock and River
House has The Funktastic Five. The Mississippi Misfits are at The Muddy Waters.
Saturday - Vodkaseven
is playing at the Rusty Nail, Martini’s on the Rock has Tangent, and Machine
Gun Willie is playing Jimbo’s Knucklehead. Meet the Press is at The Muddy
Waters, Purgatory’s has Third Rail and The Mississippi Misfits and The Harris
Collection are playing at Brady Street Pub. The Redstone Room has a Pajama Jam
with The CandyMakers and Have Your Cake.
Rozz-tox has a 3-for with As Big As A Mouse, Atlantis Dialog and Dynoride.
Minus Six is playing the River House, while McManus Pub has Propaganda and
North of 40 is at Parkside.
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