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For those of our readers who've not seen the Academy Award winning film, Chariots of Fire, thematically, it regards the passionate will of the human spirit. The primary storyline revolves around the 1936 English Olympic track team and their vast social, economic, and religious disparities, as they train together to compete at the Olympics in Nazi Germany. My final analysis of said film: true passion can overcome just about any obstacle. Friday night witnessed our own Chariots of Fire. With Springtime in the Rockies on full, braggadocio display, we still had a better-than-half-full room for CASSIE, BOB AND DIUNNA!!! YOU PEOPLE BLUES!!! [AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm steadfastly trying to initiate a vernacular alteration from, "You people rock,"Blues." Work with me, people.] The Passionate True could not be deterred by Mother Nature's temper tantrum, no matter how nasty and childish. Which brings me to another film from the 80's; The Breakfast Club. Ok, so here's what happened: Many of the The Passionate True ended up booking rooms for the night. It was safer that way. And at breakfast, we had Bluesin' good time [EDITOR'S NOTE: Are you people getting the hang of this colloquial shift?]!

Let's head to the night before the Temper Tantrum: John Nemeth! On tour to promote Love Me Tonight, John delivered two extraordinary sets with one hell of a tight band backing him. They left us with no questions as to why this CD is enjoying weeks upon weeks at the number one spot on the Roots Blues Chart. John's wordsmithery remains inarguable with this new record, and his voice only gets better, something one wouldn't think possible. Congratulations, John! Can't wait to have you back.

And then Mother Nature spoke up. To a relatively intimate crowd, Cassie Taylor opened with a 1/2-hour set, performing some house favorites (originals, mind you) and adding in a couple of newer numbers. She sang an original I hadn't heard before titled "Good-bye" that regards terminal illness, and she handles the subject with a mature sophistication well beyond her years. Be careful, however, because emotionally, the song will drop you to your knees. And run mascara.

Up next was Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, Prodigal Son of the Outlook, with My Beloved Delta Sonics backing him. Opening with Muddy's classic, "Honey Bee," Bob reminded everyone who he is, with a prolonged solo that dropped jaws. The first song! He went on with Percy Mayfield's "River's Invitation," one of my favorites, and, although more than haunting enough on it's own, in Bob's hands (and voice) the song shudders and weeps. Incredible start to a incendiary evening (I mean that in the good way).

One Outlook first: we all got to hear Bob doing Hendrix with Cassie on bass and vocals on a stunning cover of "Hey Joe." That was fun. For me, one of the most fun moments of the night was seeing Bob on bass with Diunna Greenleaf tearing up the vocals. Which brings us to Diunna. I don't possess the vocabulary for adequate description of this woman's tremendously powerful and perfect voice. For those of you poor souls unable to take in either show, consider this: she spends almost as much time without a mic as she does with one, and NOTHING IS LOST!!! Her voice commands a room to her bidding, as the spellbound audience recognizes being in the presence of true greatness.

With Bob and Diunna together, we were also in the presence of great friends, with such a genuine and obvious affection for one another, that very little seemed off limits between them. And musically? Wow. There is but one word for it, "Magic," with a capital "M." They've been friends and colleagues for about a decade, and their work together is, well, again, Magical.

Saturday night again opened with Cassie (who again performed "Good-bye," thus testing the limits of my mascara), but this time she closed her set with Bob and Al Chesis behind her on a lovely ballad she wrote for her parents' 23rd anniversary. It is a beautiful song, and the three of them gave it a new feel for one evening. Wonderful.

At some point, Bob arranged for a little surprise; we got to hear him on Hendrix again, same song, different vocalist. This time, instead of Cassie on vocals, Daddy Otis joined in, with Cassie on bass, Al on harp, and the Magnificent Willie Panker on drums. it was a nice treat, Bob, thanks! It's always a pleasure to hear Otis live (and a rare one for me).

Towards the end of the evening, Bob invited Erica Brown up for a couple of numbers, and then called our own Jodie Woodward up to work her bass magic. As the last set was setting, Diunna rejoined Bob for a few before inviting Jill Watkins and Gretchen Troop up for some "Down Home Blues." Then Diunna led us out with a mesmerizing cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come." And a change did come to the Boulder Outlook's Blues & Greens, with a new Down Home Favorite in Diunna Greenleaf. She has a new home away from home with us. Bob, you can bring her along anytime!

This Thursday, Sammy Dee is back, followed by The Informants on Friday, and Bob's old friend and bandmate, Willie Big Eyes Smith on Saturday. Willie hasn't played the Outlook in about two years, so it'll be great to have him back.

On Tuesday, April 28, come out and jam with Gretchen Troop, who now runs a jam on the 4th Tuesday of every month. Some monster talent turned out last month, so be on your game. Gretchen runs a terrific jam, so the audience has as much fun as the jammers. And remember, beginning in May we have a new Tuesday Jam schedule: 1st is Dan Traenor, 2nd is Delta Sonics, 3rd is Paul Soderman, and 4th, again, Gretchen Troop. Plenty of opportunity to listen and/or participate.

By the time this week's Blues Letter is posted, I will be in the air on my way to Italy for stocking replenishment (and some family time). I will still be writing the Blues Letter, but the next two will be sent from Italy, and I'll be focusing on May, June, and July. We just might have a few surprises.

Editors Corner