March 2008 © 2008 ChicagoBluesBeat.com
Please check back later for reports.
03/29/08: The Undercover Blues Band at The Hideaway
03/28/08: Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings at Harlem Avenue Lounge
03/23/08: JAM at Blues Island Pub
The Pictures
03/22/08: Vino Louden at Blues Island Pub
03/22/08: The SOPRO Easter Revue at Tommy's
The big stage with the great sound system at Tommy's gets used most appropriately two times a year. SOPRO Music presents a show during the Thanksgiving and Easter weekends that feature the blues artists on it's label. Buddy Monaco and Red Rose from SOPRO produce a first-class blues revue featuring some of the best musicians in Chicago. The lineup included: The Chicago Horns, Joey Drada, Hollywood Johnny Cosgrove, John (EADG) Falstrom, Pat Doody, Deb Seitz, and Doug Lee. Special guest were: Tallon "T Man" Latz, Frank Anastos, Mike Bailey, Cyrus Hayes and Lady Lee. Check out SOPRO Music's Online Magazine for the details on this great night of live music on the South side.
03/21/08: Tom Holland Duo at Vino Tinto
03/21/08: Harry Garner Band at The Pump Room Tap
The Harry Garner Band brought its rollicking barrelhouse blues to the Pump Room Bar to provide the soundtrack for a great night of dancing, drinking and friends. This is a perfect venue for Harry and his band. Sure they pack the famous Harlem Avenue Lounge and I have even seen them light up a country club lounge, entertain restaurant patrons, and put smiles on the riders at biker fests. In my humble opinion, shot and beer bars are home sweet home for the HGB. The band consists of Al Lopeztello behind the kit. He keeps the place tapping and spices up his work with a host of percussion surprises. The bass duties are in the hands of Mark “The Shark” Wydra, who spends most of his musician time as a “go to” six string player. J.R. (not junior) Wydra is the HGB guitar player. J.R. is also guitar man in Linsey “Hoochie Man” Alexander’s band.
Guess what Harry “The Harp” Garner plays. Harry handles most of the vocals, but the two guys named Wydra chip in as well. Harry has a distinctive vocal style that growls yet allows you to hear each word clearly. When he sings Dead Presidents, for example, you get it all. Harry was not raised in Chicago, but he surely has earned his blues stripes. He was originally from South Philly, which is, of course, and Eastern suburb of Chicago. From there to another urban mecca named Cleveland. After a stint in the Marines, Harry wandered a bit and found himself married to a Playboy bunny in Chicago. I will let you finish the story. Then, as he says, “I found the blues”. Harry is a private, intelligent individual with a serious intention to be true to Chicago blues. He means what he plays. Mark The Shark, is a music dictionary and has no problem throwing in riffs from rock or country to see if your awake. Not a problem, as I can’t imagine anyone falling asleep to the HGB.
03/15/08: Big G and the Real Deal at Harlem Avenue Lounge
This is where cameras come in handy. I was closing up another venue when some well-meaning friend said "Hey, let's catch the last set at Kenny's". Kenny's of course is The Harlem Avenue Lounge. I can't say that I remember all the introductions with the band, but I can say they were damn good, and I'm going back to hear them as a night's primary venue.
03/15/08: Harry Garner Band at Carriage Greens 8700 Room
The Harry Garner Band once again brought it's shot and beer music to the more loungy 8700 Room. It works just fine thank you. People from the adjacent reception hall got new energy as they followed their ears to Harry's barrelhouse sessions. The room is very comfortable, the drinks are good and of course the music is great.
03/14/08: The Bad Idea Band at The Pump Room Tap
Thank you to Mary of the Pump Room Bar in Worth, IL for providing live blues entertainment several times a month. This shot & beer place is clean, biker friendly, and just plain friendly. There is a large raised, well lit stage, ample dancing room and their mixologists have the double scotch on a rock perfected. Tonight’s band was The Bad Idea Band. As with many bands, the lineup is seldom the same, but with this band, leader Ray Sukash lays back and encourages that night’s members to make a unique chemistry. The bottom line here is to see them often. They didn’t ease into party mode, they jumped in with a very large sounding “Let the Good Times Roll”. Louie Jordan would have approved as bassist C.C. Copeland sang his animated version. Before they started, I asked another new member of the band if he had played with Copeland before. No. Well just don’t get real close because he takes up far more room than his slight frame predicts. I’m still talking about the first song now. Sax man Jay Moynihan (Buddy Guy, etc.) became the entire horn section on this one. He executed his fills and the effect was a big band sound not commonly heard at this bar. Regular piano man Marty Sammon was on the road with Buddy Guy, so tonight’s man on the keys was “Wally” Walroth. Wally had played with Ray “The Flame” for years, and was another factor in tonight’s rich sound. Ace drummer Myron Robinson just made everything fit, and added a great Soul and R&B sensibility. Myron was largely responsible for filling the dance floor. “Killer” Ray Allison is another Buddy Guy alumnus. He was Buddy’s drummer, but is now a “killer” guitar player, frequently fronting his own band about town. At the center of this music factory is Ray “The Flame” Sukash. The nickname no doubt comes from his guitar chops, but I think he should be credited for putting together groups of star players who seem to always show up sans ego. There were microphones in front of Ray, Wally, Myron, C. C. and Killer Ray. True to any great R&B revue, they all used their mics in solo and for several great harmony parts. Don’t wait for the Bad Idea CD to hear this stuff. They mix it up and I have never heard the same show twice. So get out and support The Pump Room Bar and The Bad Idea Band. Did I mention there is no cover? In return you get an unforgettable night of live entertainment.