A BLUESSTATE

First, everyone at the Outlook would like to extend hardy congratulations to John Catt and the Grand County Blues Society for putting on a remarkable weekend of blues!  I’m still overwhelmed at the talent gracing our state this past weekend, and I’m just talking about the organizers.  Don’t get me started on the musicians!  Actually, I am going to “get started” on the musicians, and the entire weekend, but the Blues Letter doesn’t offer enough space for me to do it wholly, so I’ll be writing it this week and next, and then we’ll put the link on this site, as well as the “Broads on Blues” site.  Truly an extraordinary weekend.  Wow!  And, thank you, John Catt, for your generosity.  I hope I can find all the words necessary to convey the truly special nature of the weekend.  And again, Congratulations!

My glorious weekend, however, began last Wednesday with the Steady Rollin’/Al Chesis duo.  It was a tremendous evening, and the boys were in rare, mischievous form, interchanging silly with serious throughout.  I can’t recall what Bob opened with, but if I think about it for a sec..., oh wait, that’s right; he opened with a Muddy favorite (and a me favorite), “Honey Bee.”  Imagine that!  Ok, perhaps he was motivated by the honeybee wings, stinger, and antenna I was wearing, but I didn’t mean to suggest anything.  If you want to witness that opening, we filmed it for “Broads on Blues,” airing live, this Sunday, July 6^th, from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.  For those of you out of the viewing area, it will be posted on YouTube the following day (right, Vanessa?).

Before that, however, he had to give Lionel a bit of a hard time for missing the show.  Originally, this gig was to be a trio, but Lionel had to be at a festival in Italy (poor bastard!), and airline tickets got messed up, and…it’s a long story.  They’ll do that trio yet. 

The two sets were beyond exhilarating, with Bob realizing the space to chat and have some real fun; Al spent almost as much time laughing as blowing.   Then Blues Broad Jill, got up to seduce us with “Middle Age Blues” and “Steamroller,” and seduce she did (she also hit Bob in the head, and if you want to see it, we’ll be showing that footage on our “Broads on Blues” site soon, very soon; it’s being built).  Bob is a guest artist on Skat­–the latest CD from George Whitesell and His All Stars, Featuring Jill Watkins–so they have a musical history and rapport, and it literally oozes from the stage.  Such a fun night. 

The rapport between Bob and Al, both personally and musically, bespeaks the stretch of their few years getting together regularly.  We are very lucky.  Except now I’m sad as they won’t be playing together for a while.  Damn!

The following evening, Jason Ricci and New Blood came home, and the family reunion was staggering!  Even Otis Taylor came to sit in on the fun.  I know the boys claim they’re out of Nashville, but really they’re ours.   And we’re not giving them up.  Don’t worry, I’m plotting their relocation.  Shhhhhh!  Don’t tell them yet.  I need the advantage of surprise.

The guys electrified us as usual, and no one dared interrupt a Weed solo this time.  I sent out threats and warnings in advance, and clearly all were heeded (people fear me when it comes to my protectiveness of Buck Weed).  The guys also sat down to give Jill and me an interview for “Broads on Blues,” but most of it will have to be edited because someone couldn’t shut her mouth long enough to let the guys answer some of the questions.  Jeez, Jill.  Ok, it wasn’t Jill.  It’s unimportant who it was.

Moving on, it was a great night, and again, we filmed some of the gig for the show, but the footage we’re showing for this Sunday’s show is their 13-minute, 34-second finale at Blues From the Top in Winter Park this past weekend.  It’s stunning!  We also got lucky enough to score an interview with Jason and Chip Eagle, publisher of Blues Revue and Blueswax.  The two men clearly have a mutual admiration society going, which really comes across and makes for a great interview (plus, I’d lost my voice by then).  Thank you Jason and Chip for taking time for our little show.   And Jason, thank you for you.

Larry Garner thrilled on Friday night, I’m told by Vanessa, who’s really starting to know her shit with these here “Nasty Blues,” to quote Steady Rollin’.  I missed it as I was in Winter Park watching Bob burn down the stage with the Delta Sonics, Jimmy Hall, Ronnie Fruge, et al at Smokin’ Moe’s.  However, I did get to hear Larry’s Sunday performance at BFTT, and Jill and I got an interview with Larry and Zac Harmon!  Larry even told Mr. Harmon that he needs to play the Outlook.  I nearly passed out at the idea.  Hang on, gotta go breathe into a paper bag. 

I’m back. Tomorrow night brings the return of The Johnny O Band to the stage, so I’m resting my dancing feet and legs this week (I had Wednesday through Sunday with nearly non-stop music, and I’m tired).  I’ve missed these guys.

I’ve missed Ms. Delish, too.  The Erica Brown Band, an Outlook favorite, is back this Saturday!  Hooray!  I’m having a little bite with her before the show ‘cuz I’m special.  Plus, I want to hear all about what she’s been up to in the three weeks since I got to spend some wonderful time with her at the Greeley Blues Fest.  Now, given the season, what stockings do I have exceptional enough for Ms. Delish, but airy enough for me?  I’ll have to go through all my Italian fishnets (NOTE TO MOM:  I need more patterns; get on that). 

I leave you this week one very happy Honey Bee.  Thanks to everyone making my life so damn much fun!  Now, it’s memo time.   

Honey Bee Sepeda

MEMO TO DAN (FROM CONNECTICUT)

Dear Dan,

As a fan of the Blues Letter, and (I should be up front here) a fan of your best (i.e., genius) writer and advocate, Honey…okay, I ‘m a friend, but I really mean the nice stuff.  Really, and she’s not even paying me.  Anyway, I am writing to make a suggestion that could really amp up the patronage.

In light of the recent renaming of Honey (your awesome literary genius) to Honey Bee, I really think that you should pay for some additional advertising.  She really could use some new ink:  a small Honey Bee (get it!?!) placed somewhere visible (not like the other one! That’s a different story…), and, we know a place to get one; a small local shop that can give her an organic vegan ink tat.  Of course, being her friend and all, I’d appreciate one too.  Hey, I like the blues… and Honey.  I like Honey Bee, too.

You’re a lucky man, Dan.  Think about it.

Sincerely,

FOHB (Friend of Honey Bee), Deanna

Dear Deanna,

I'm all for this.  Send me the bill!

Dan

Step into my Tat parlor....