CHICAGO: Cool River Thursday Night Jam

The following is a re-post.
Thursday night Jams are still happening.

Thursday Night Jam in the Blues Capitol

Chicago.

Twist & the Groove Machine “House Band”

A new blues club has opened in the southwest suburbs of Chicago called the Cool River Draught House and Eatery. www.myspace.com/coolriv The “Cool Rivers” as it is referred to by the blues artists that frequent its stage is the hippest, coolest blues place ever! Mike Maracich AKA “Wizard” is the proprietor. He has turned an area of suburbia into a Mecca for blues performing artists and fans. Yours truly Included. I first found out about the CR through a listing on Craigslist. I answered an ad for blues bands and within 10 minutes the phone rang. It was the manager. We spoke at length about the club and the various artists I have played with. Two days later I walked in the door and was pleasantly surprised by the friendly ambiance and staff. The walls are covered with photos of the Wizard posing with hundreds of different artists.

The club is large and can hold about 300 people. The stage is very accommodating for most size acts. It may become a little cramped if the act has a full horn section though. CR has full sound and light systems. It even has a bullet microphone for the Mississippi saxophone players. Al Ortega handles the duties of sound engineer and also establishment manager. If you play there and need something ask Al. If he doesn’t have it he’ll get it, including spare batteries for my digital camera. Thanks Al.

The CR has an open jam session every Thursday night. It was intended for all levels of musicianship, but it quickly turned into an almost all pro session. I have been to every jam session except two and I can attest to that. I see semi-pro to professional players there and somehow I don’t think the semi pro player cares about giving their spot to the pros. I do not know of any other venue that has this many pro players hanging out and rubbing elbows with fans and musicians alike.

Last Thursday night, May 14, was no exception. LV banks and I arrive to “Twist and the Groove Machine’s” blues version of “Spooky”. At the risk of them asking the Wizard for a pay raise, I have to give them their kudos. They are an excellent band. We sat at the usual table in front of the sound board. It’s either Trisha or Theresa that brings us cranberry juice. LV has me stuck on that stuff. The band starts pumping out an excellent arrangement of Sweet Home Chicago when through the side door walks Eddie C. Campbell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FDY-7vokPE&feature=related . Twist handles the vocals with ease. Jeff on drums and Doug on bass lay down a strictly down home groove while Al on guitar and Jimmy on keys accent the groove. At the conclusion of Sweet Home Johnny drummer makes his appearance. http://www.johnnydrummermusic.com/ . Johnny sits down at the table with us.

Around 10:30 Billy Branch comes in through the front door. http://billybranch.com/

LV and I are called up and pound out a couple of songs. We had Bobby Baker on bass a recent transplant from the east coast. Frank held the beat on drums. They both are also excellent players. Bobby Baker is also a very accomplished vocalist.

After our session Twist’s band reassembles to back up Eddie. Eddie rips off a version of summertime that was extraordinary. He utilized his incredible vocals and cutting melodic guitar riffs with great ease. Summertime is one of my all-time favorite songs and his version is now in my top ten.

Billy Branch took the stage next and with one stomp of his foot the place exploded. Billy Branch is one of the top five harp players in the world. He coaxes sound out of a harp that I can only wonder how in the world he does it. I know he was educated by the best, Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Junior Wells and Carey Bell, but he takes the Mississippi saxophone to an entirely different level. Big Dog Mercer handled some excellent slide guitar work. Al Spears was graciuos enough to give him his spot for a few tunes.

Some of the other artists in attendance were, Tenry Johns, Billy King, Big Dog Mercer, Marc Flanagan, Mike Gorosh, Clem Bashir, Johnny Isit and many more.

If you ever get a chance to go to the “Cool Rivers” GO!

Cool River Is Located at 12622 west 159th Street Homer Glen, Illinois 60491 708-301-8006

Blues Me Or Lose Me,

Terrance "Gatorman" Lape

http://www.livebluesworld.com/profile/TerranceLape
My Cd "Mark of The Gator" is available for digital download at:
http://mp3.rhapsody.com/terry-lape/feeds.html

CHICAGO: Bill's Blues Bar

Bill's Blues Bar is one of those clubs that has seen a lot of different players. Anybody who is anybody in the Chicago Blues scene has played there at one time or another. It is another shotgun type bar with a bar along one side and tables on the other. The stage is just inside the building street side. with a huge storefront window. I played there this past Friday with my friend L V Banks. L V has played the joint so many times he can't remember how many, but he told me when I asked, "A bunch." I have written about L v in previous posts for the American Blues Blog.

His regular drummer Brian called me late Tuesday and asked if I could play. I never miss an oppurtunity to play bass for one of Chiacgo's legendary blues men. When L V saw me walk in a huge smile came upon his face. He likes the way I play bass. L V is a lumpty lump type blues guy.

I arrived at 8:00 pm for a 8:30 start. There was a group ahead of us called Neither/Nor. I sat at the bar, mid section, ordered a coke and decided to listen. I could not figure out what they were playing. I guess I am not at the intellectual level to understand their kind of music. A woman sitting next to me told me they are filling up a musical space. Filling up a space yes but with music no. Noise yes, music no. The best I can say is if they were playing Avant Garde Jazz then that is what they were doing. I can't critique Avante Garde Jazz, for that matter I do not think anyone is capable of that job. I once met a free form jazz artist named Hal Russell. Hal played vibraphone at a Cajun restaurant I frequented back in the mid eighties. He invited my wife and I to a free concert that was held in the attic of a house he rented. The concert utilized various types of instruments including garbage can lids. That was my first introduction into free form Jazz and my last. Hal actually made a living at it. I guess some people like that kind of music.

The band stopped promptly at 8:30. By the time they were off the stage we did not play until 9:15. LV Banks is a blues man that has paid his dues and it really bugs me when fans walk up and demand that he play other artist's music . Play some BB King, Elmore James this guy asked.
I don't think fans request BB to play L V's music. We played a solid hour set and then took a 20 minute break. after the break we played about 20 more minutes and then called it a night. Bill's Blues Bar is an anchor in the Chicago land blues scene and should be made an historical Land mark. I had a really great time at Bill's Blues Bar and you will also.

That's the end of the Bill's Blues Bar story. I have a humorous piece I'd like to share

"What Is A Blues Man?"

A bluesman has to live up a dusty dirt road and must get up early in the morning or at least everything important in his life happens then. A real blues man is at least fifty years old and never, ever has any money. He will always ask if he can hold a twenty. He gives a spiel about how he will pay you back on the first which by the way never arrives. He will always have enough money to buy a beer, some cognac, and cigarettes. Real bluesmen have at least ten kids by six different women. You can recognize those women because they are the ones in the parking lot of the venue he is currently performing in and they are also the ones spontaneously brawling in that same lot. You can spot a true blues man because he is always in a hurry. He is constantly looking over his shoulder to see if his new or old wife is chasing him. She always is and with a gun. He knows that at any moment it may be his last. Why not enjoy it while he can? A Blues man spends his entire adult life like a gypsy or Bedouin. His whole life is about the road. He’d spend a night in that town then another in that town and on and on. Like a sailor with a girl in every port, he has his share of overnight accommodations and as a result of his shenanigans he has children running around and chasing him. They all claim he is their father. He of course would deny each and every one. He allows some to get close, but only if they have the potential of becoming his future side men. He uses them and hopes they will understand when he pockets the money he was supposed to pay them. It’s a lot cheaper that way and equals more money in his pocket. His excuse for not paying these kin sidemen is that the van needs brakes. Funny every time he uses those brakes he has to down shift.





Gatorman

Terrance Lape
Look for my Cd at Amazon.com
http://www.zazzle.com/terlap*
Photos by Kathy Crnich

Chicago: Via Wilmington, Illinois Catfish Days Rustic Inn Style. South West Of Chicago.

My friend and occasional band mate Billy King told me Thursday night, while at The Cool River Club, that he would be playing at the Rustic Inn Blues Festival & Catfish Days on Sunday. It is held in Wilmington, Illinois. Wilmington is one of those backwater river towns. The town is loaded with antique shops nestled right on the river bank of the Kankakee. There is a dam along the south end that is a great area for fishing. Northern Pike walleye and Catfish abound at the bottom of the dam. Because of this dam they have a very unique bait shop that is called; you guessed it, the Dam Bait shop. I used to stop there back in the day when I could still find time to fish. You know it’s funny that when I had an eight hour a day “day job” I could find time to fish. I have all the time in the world because of the way I work now, but I cannot squeeze in one day to fish. My pole is sitting against the wall as I type this. It’s calling me, throw me, string me, bait me, Take Me to the River Dip me in the water. Sounds like a song, mmmmmmm. This evil temptation I must resist or else I will never finish this post. Perhaps I should get out the fly pole heh D.A.? (my editor)

Behind the stage at catfish days the bands assembled in the beer garden as the great Scottish pipe bands would assemble for the royal Tattoo. Not the ink on skin, which by the way was in abundance at this fest, but rather the assemblage of a military display, often with a variety of items, performed as an entertainment, usually in the evening. Slowly they unloaded their particular instruments to the sound of the group that was playing before them.

The first Group was” Michael Charles and his band.” A guy from Australia makes it all the way to a Back River town in the heart of the Midwest. How the h-e- double hockey sticks did that happen? Mr. Buddy Guy booked him in 1990 and he’s been here ever since. This is the first time I heard Mr. Charles pick and man this cat, (no fish) is smoking. Great stuff Michael and I will be out to hear you again.

Next to mount the stage was another group that I heard for the first time called “Jaywalkers Jam Band.” I knew their bass man Greg from hanging out at different jam spots in the city. I got to tell you folks this band can jam. Excellent rhythm section, great keys, outstanding vocals and “take no prisoners guitar work.” The only fault I found with them was their music selection. I am an admitted blues fanatic. I like the BLUES and only the blues. When I go to a Blues Fest that’s what I expect to hear. Once again you can say that the Allman Brothers are blues and I would challenge that and say it is more southern rock. That’s some good stuff, but I want to hear that one, four, five delta style blues. By the way the crowd absolutely loved them and I don’t blame them as they are a terrific jam band, just not my style. The crowd at this fest was primarily bikers from different affiliations or clubs. There was a certain tension in the air shall I say.

Third to mount the stage was my buddy Billy King. I can say this about Billy he is a blues man in the style of Jimmy Reed and is a unique and true to the form blues artist. He and I were talking about how many gigs does one have to play until the big stage comes knocking. I told Billy this “Do it for the art. As soon as you realize you are an artist than the rest will come.” Billy’s media is audio and sooner or later he will be recognized as one of the great blues men of our time. Hang in there Billy it is coming.

Fourth to hit the stage was Pauline York. Pauline is a young upcoming woman guitar slinger that reminds me of Rory Block. Pauline is a master at what she does and I like it. I think that Pauline could skyrocket to the top if she just picked up an old Martin acoustic guitar walked out center stage plucked it and sang. She does not need a backup band. She is that good and mark my words you will be hearing a lot more of her in the future. You are great Pauline and everyone loves you, yours truly included.

The last act to hit the stage was non-other than Joliet’s very own T-Bird Huck. I’m sure everyone by now has seen the "Blues Brothers” movie, well T-bird has got to be the guy the writers of that movie were writing about. T-Bird is a 40 year veteran of the blues scene. I am amazed that he has not hit the major tour circuits. He can actually set a guitar on fire. I swear from my vantage point that there was a fire extinguisher right next to his amp. T-Bird opened up with a Mississippi sax solo that was on the edge of musical genius or madness. He took that harp to extremes. Well done T-bird, very well done indeed. Before T-Bird went on I asked him to play one song for me and it Was Rt.66. The entertainment tent faced RT.66 and T-bird thanked me for reminding him. I had heard him play that song on an acoustic guitar at another venue. I am still trying to figure out how he made that guitar sound like a piano. He has Nat King Coles opening piano riffs down to a tee, but after that opening introduction Rt. 66 is T-Birds and T-Birds Alone. His interpretation is dynamite. Very cool rendition. T-bird you are a BLUES MAN.

His backing group was turbocharged during this performance. Jimmy Caleca on keys is a musical dynamo. He claims he plays by ear and that’s no problem, because some of the greatest musicians of all time could not read music. Jimmy is most assuredly one of the best Hammond B3 players I have ever heard and he can hold his own with Joey DeFransesco any time, any place, and anywhere, I kid you not. He did not have his 1948 Hammond at this Catfish Days performance, but I have heard him play it at different venues. One word Wow! If you can catch Jimmy’s work you must.

The rhythm section was anchored by another acquaintance of mine. Jeff Ruffin is a jobbing drummer and one of the best. I have even hired him to back -up Smilin Bobby and yours truly. I am a bass player that appreciates a drummer who knows what time is, because without that drummer the band does not exist. I first met Jeff Ruffin AKA “Muffin Man” at the Thursday night Cool River Jam sessions, Jeff and Jimmy (keys) play in the House band “Twist and The Groove Machine”. Jeff keeps excellent time and never ever skips a beat or drops a drumstick. I think I will start calling him “Big Ben”, you know after that great time piece/ watch tower in London. Jeffs job is to keep time and he does that stupendously.

Filling out the bottom was Ben Smith. Ben is the youngest member of the group. Do not be fooled by his age readers Ben is a Bassman that knows how to walk, jump, punch and pick those telephone pole sized four strings strapped to a couple of hunks of plywood and steel. Like the god Thor he can bring thunder at will or be quiet as a mouse. He is a sideman that knows his job. Too many bass players want to have the spotlight on them. They at times take too long of solos or play a flurry of notes that do not belong in the piece of music. There is a lot to be said for a band that has sidemen that realize the front man is the front man and they are there to make that person sound and look good. T-Bird has such a band and is very lucky to have them.

One last thing about T-Bird and the guys, managers and agents take notice they are ready for the major stage. He should be touring the world. Casey or Tony you guys listening they are are going to make some one a lot of money may as well be one of you?

“Catfish Days” was a blast all the way from the $5 Catfish dinner to the $4 bratwursts. Rojo’s blues festival was excellent and he should be commended for the effort he puts in. Rojo do you have to use that foul language when addressing the crowd. On one hand its mf this and mf that then in the very next breath it’s thank God for this and that. I hope next year it will be a little different. If it was an over 21 audience then foul language is not a problem. l served in the US Navy and nobody and I mean nobody can cuss like a drunken sailor. There were kids in this audience and it did not belong. Even if they were not supposed to be there, they were and no excuses allowed. Common decency should have prevailed. I was going to take my15 year old daughter with, but after hearing the language I’m glad I left her home. Do not let that deter you from attending. I’ll be going next year. If you see a guy pull up on a Segway wearing a Dennis Hooper Fringe leather jacket and a Hoss style ten gallon hat say hi. It's the gatorman. On the back of that jacket will be my own personal colors that read. "Blues Me Or Lose ME"

Thanks Rojo for mentioning the vets,

Terrance “Gatorman” Lape

Vice President Chicago Blues Music Society

All Photos courtesy of Kathy Crnich Secretary "Chicago Blues Music Society"

CHICAGO: Albert Castiglia Interveiw Fingers Crossed

Just got off the phone with Casey Scott from Highway Key Touring MR. Castiglia's go to guy. He and I are trying to work-out an interview during Albert's two day stay in the area. Thursday 7/16 he is doing a 7:00 PM show for "The Friends of The Blues" out of Kankakee at River Bend Club. Fifteen minutes from my house and then Friday 7/17 he will be at the Cool River Club in Homer Glen Illinois. Stand by. If it happens it will be in next Wednesday's post.

Gatorman