Cranking it up at the Wild Horse Tavern
The week leading up to New Year’s saw lots of music being made and I feel that 2016 will bring even more of the same. I always look forward to the upcoming year with great optimism. Now that it’s here, I hope everyone had a great NYE and I wish you all the love, fun and success that’s possible in 2016. And of course, great music!
On Monday night I paid a visit to Big Ed’s Blues Jam at the Red Lion on Bleecker Street. There were a lot of familiar faces except for Ed, who had the flu. I hear he is back in action so that’s great news. I made the hit with my partner in crime Ron Raymond, the King Bee. We got up there and knocked out a couple of speedy songs – him singing a high energy, 12 Bar version of “Tush” by ZZ Top and my usual favorite, “Going Down to Main Street” by Muddy – in retrospect I should have followed with a slow song.
The next night Ron and I rehearsed for our upcoming gig with Sleepless Nights at the HiFi Bar at 169 Avenue A. We go on at around 8pm on Sunday night, January 10th. We have a great new female singer who is going to be performing with us – Ellen Croteau will take on the role of Emmy Lou Harris in our Gram Parsons-themed band. We are all very excited and we hope you can make it!
The second to last night of the year found us at the Wild Horse Tavern Blues Jam, which is led by Jonathan Kalb. I got up for a couple of numbers, including a well-received “Sad To Be Lonesome,” by Sonny Boy Williamson. But the King Bee was a veritable mainstay, playing bass on about six numbers and singing his signature song. Bluesy Dan Berliner, who provided the video, played a tasty solo on that one, as well.
Most of these songs are in the video, although I only make a guest appearance in the beginning as a networking ‘man in the crowd.’ Note the awesome picture of Janis Joplin in the background. And speaking of bottles of bourbon, I finally met Jim Beam, an awesome harp player. He appears in several songs.
First song on the video, which sounds like “Let It Rock,” has an interesting element for a blues jam, clarinetist Ric Frank. Being that it was the holidays, it got a little crowded up there and there were complaints that it was a little too loud. Local favorite vocalist Dave Rudbarg sang a tasty “Kansas City.”
The final number on the video and a highlight of the evening was guitarist Joe Berger’s virtuoso take on Freddy King’s “Going Down,” which was fueled by fine vocals from Meredith Manna. Mr. Berger definitely plays to the back rows. The groove got a kick in the pants from the addition of Michael Fox on drums, who also played a muscular, John Bonham-esque flourish at the end.
I encourage all of you to come down to these jams, play and have a good time. See you in 2016!
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