Etta James is better than ever: Bluesfest Review

I had been looking forward to July 13 for a few weeks and had splurged on a VIP front-of-house ticket for this performance. I have to admit, I was a little scared to be disappointed. I hadn't heard the greatest things about her, one of my all-time-favourite blues artists.

Well, if you were there, you probably heard me screaming her name. I'm sure I annoyed everyone around me. I couldn't sit down, I couldn't shut up. I had lost all sense of my non-music personna and let loose. I was blown away by this almost 70-year-old legend; her vocals, in my opnion were as strong as ever and every tiny move, subtle (and sexy) antic and facial expression she made toward the audience were that of a seasoned pro. She rode the edge of that wave that keeps the audience shocked enough to stay interested. Her last number (of which the name escapes me) had tears streaming down my face.

If that wasn't enough, I had the pleasure of the company of Lame Buffalo, Anne and Maria Hawkins, who just happened to be celebrating a birthday that day. We ate, we sang, we danced, we cried. Oh, what a night.

Kudos for Ricky Paquette (from BJGuy)

"As his web site says, Ricky Paquette is a fifteen year old Blues guitarist and singer that is fresh out of the starting gates".

After my catching his CD release party at Tucson's on Friday 19 May, this statement strongly underplays the mastery Ricky has managed to gain at his very young age of not only the electric blues guitar and an ability to emulate the greats and their best guitar licks but the stage presence and crowd pleasing of some of bluesmen who've paid many more dues than Ricky could possibly have so far.

Very nice mix of tunes the crowd could relate to and enjoy on the dance floor or just enjoy listening to!

All I can say is GREAT! Good for you Ricky! A very professional performance! Hope to see you soon again!

And if anyone reading this missed this show and is a blues aficionado, check out Ricky's next performance! Here's his web site for more info.
http://www.rickypaquette.com/

Wow, Kelly Lee Evans is Amazing
I was out at Mercury Lounge on Saturday night and sat amongst some very lucky audience members. Kelly Lee gave an amazing show and to think that it was all original music is astounding.

Those of you who have performed your original music on stage will know what I am talking about when I say that it takes a very special kind of courage to put yourself out there and have others react. Its more scary than just about anything else. Kelly Lee, your efforts were worth every risk you ever took. You are such an inspiration!

Well, I have to admit it was the first time I have ever visited Mercury Lounge and I loved it. It has a special ambience that is quaint and intimate. Adding to the feeling, is the beautiful, larger- than-life, red backdrop curtains and and high ceiling complemented by the surealitic original art hanging on the walls and the interesting venue floorplan. Like I said, I love it and will be back.

Happy 50th Dr. Dave!

Well, I was floored to find out that Dave Foster, aka, Dr. Dave was 50! Dave the years have treated you very well. It was celebrated at Wicked Grin's Sunday Jam at the Rainbow on April 9. It was very crowded with lots of well-wishers for Dave's celebration. Many of Dave's stage sharing musician friends joined in on the jam to make it a great afternoon of really good music.
Here's to the next 50, Doc!

Upside Blue is often seen getting Kinki!

Yours truly was on vocals last night at Kinki Asian Fusion and Sushi Bar along with Rick Woyiwada, Ivan Matte and Larry Wayne Church. We had fun as usual, the staff are warm and welcoming and the audience enjoyed the music.

We will be there again every fourth Wednesday until further notice. Next date will be April 26, 2006. Hope to see you there. It's a really cool place, here is a little visual to give you the full effect.

WOW! Over $3800 for Bruce!

It was officially a success. And it was a helluva lot of fun. Two fabulous nights of music dedicated to the blood, sweat and tears of Bruce Blair. It was great to see them too, I for one, hadn't seen them since that last hoorah at the Bayou on Nov. 30.

It is a rare occasion when this many jazz and blues artists lined up to play in one venue over two nights. I wonder if it will happen again in my lifetime. A huge congratulations to the event and everyone who partook. Can't even imagine how to begin thanking the artists that made it all possible. WOW!

Don't Forget Bruce Blair Bash Nights March 8 and 9
Organizing and working on Bruce Blair Tribute has been truly a great experience. I have had the chance to meet alot of musicians and individuals that I wouldn't normally have had a chance to meet. It has been wonderful working alongside the committee, Wayne Nichol, Jim Roy, Dayle Reynolds, Murray Kinsley, Larry Wayne Church, Gavin McLintock, Peter Hum, Gaby Warren, etc.

I am so looking forward to attending. There has been overwhelming support from local music stores and venues and there will be some fun antics and great prizes. Be sure to check it out at www.jazzbluesbash.com, and get a ticket now. You can buy one from me or by sending us an email from the website (click on the reserve your tickets here link).

Its been awhile!
Well, it has also been a tremendously busy few weeks. Yikes! On my mind over the last few weeks has been, Larry Wayne Church's "Dinner Jam Thing" that happened late in Jan. We had a ball, Ross Taylor, Richard W. (someday I'll get his last name right), Mark Fillion, Gord Black (I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him, I have missed Gord terribly!), Rick Woyiwada, Larry himself, his lovely damsel Kim and some really great neighbours all attended.

We didn't jam too late, but, man did we eat! Not a word of lie, the three tables of food would have fed at least another 20 people. Apparently Kim had been cooking for days.

This is something I bow down to. Mario calls my cooking style "Cordon Black" and for very good reason. I'm always too hungry to wait for anything to cook slowly!

All in all it was a great night. Thanks to all who attended for making it really fun and a special thanks to Larry and Kim for all the hard work.

Tuscon's Smokin' Saturday Night with Wicked Grin
Yet another funkin', movin', smokin' gig by Wicked Grin at Tuscon's Saturday night. This band plays magic with the mood. All the WG regulars showed up and the dancing floor was bouncing all night long. There were two definitive camps there, the low-profile, quiet, passive crowd who seemed to be mostly at the back. Then there was the high-energy, screaming, dancing bunch that made their pleasure known.
Mary Gray was up for a swingin' version of Chicago and I got up for a couple of tunes. The latter of which I had the most fun with. It was a funked-up, rhythmic version of Shakey Ground with some dual vocal special effects that came off gloriously. During one of the later choruses, Murray overlapped my vocals with a completely different song, then I filled in some spots with some vocal funk scat.We slowly swapped songs completely and then cleverly swapped back again. It was one of the coolest, improvisation experiences I have ever participated in. Thanks Larry, Murray, Leigh-Anne and Richard, I had a ball...as usual! Wish I had some photos!