Singing and Playing the BLUES!

The Blahs are gone!  The BLUES were here last night...............I mean they were all over the place - especially at Mc Gonigel's Mucky Duck in Houston.

The entertainment was Peter Case.  He is a piece of work.  A master guitarist.  An incredibly insightful songwriter and the best harmonica player this side of Jimmy Reed.  Lordy, it was hard not to jump up and dance around.  It was like I was back in the bayous of south Louisiana, where I grew up lo those many years ago.

It reminded me of being in one of those little divey places on a Sunday afternoon listening to whoever was the best at the time.  Often it was Ville Platte or Mamou or wherever............always, always great music.

Peter Case hit that chord in me last night!  I just kept saying, "Damn, damn, damn".  Bob was looking at me as though he had never seen me before.  (I rarely curse in others company).  It was THAT good.

Don't you just love when something unexpected takes you away from all your cares and woes and just moves you to another level of life?.  I sure do.  I was thrilled to have the experience.The music scene in Houston can be just unbelievable at times.

The night before there was free entertainment at the Duck.  We went.  It was so darn "same same" and so darn predictable that I could hardly wait for it to be over.

That sure wasn't the case last night.  Peter ended the night with Jimi Hendrix, Woody Guthrie and a few other epic performers from our past.

I truly did not want the night to end.  Gratefully I have a new Peter Case CD with some blues on it to tide me over til the next time.  I certainly hope there will be a next time.

It is hard for me to believe that until last February I had never heard of Ramblin' Jack, Chip Taylor, Tom Russell, Chris Smither, Dave Alvin, Rick Shea or Peter Case.  Each one in his own way has enriched my life with music unlike my usual tendencies.  I couldn't live without music.  Having grown up listening to blues, doo wop, and dancing to it all, it's a joy.  All kinds of music including classical, jazz and country. My affinity however goes back to my roots - and that is what all those musicians listed above play - roots music with a dose of blues from many of them.

I am one happy person today.