Old Gig Reviews.....
Live at La Cucina...PoorBoy Rodger and Professor PeeWee Dec. 5, 2003
A full house and right on time, the duo played 2 sets with a 15 minute break…. the delta style lent itself nicely to the lighting mood setup for the patrons, really low, with candles at every table. Even PoorBoy’s take of whipping post (Allman Brothers) didn’t conflict with those imbibing and eating as the volume was set to accommodate a dinner crowd…which begs to ask, what will things be like when G.B. Peech and the Sidebanders or Greg Macleod and his crew show up for their gig, hey… complete with drum kits…well I for one can’t wait to see. Tunes of Chicago’s own Howlin’ Wolf, including Little Red Rooster (PeeWee vocals) were suited for the slower tempo of the two sets, and of course PoorBoy showcasing his versatility gave us a great “Roxanne”…now I’m not the greatest fan of the kazoo but Keith’s hard core approach to traditional (cheaper the better) Mississippi instruments showed us what else you could do at home with a cigarette paper and comb on a couple of tunes…Ryan, owner/manager was thrilled with the full house and the Italian dishes satisfied the Friday night munchies…good food and live entertainment beats repeat sitcoms at home anytime…I saw a few familiar faces there last night i.e. CKX TV’s Ron Thompson, some Hillmans (in fact GB and I got a chance to chew the fat with Bill for a bit on the comfy leather couch just to the left as you come in) what can I say I love the atmosphere and it’s my favorite music … I’ll be there next Friday night..
Gerry Perkin and Anita Kennedy..@ Remington's Brandon Nov. 15, 2003
Smooth & sultry Classic Blues standards with just the right amount of jazz, was a good way to bill the live entertainment at Remington's Restaurant last night. I popped in for the late show about 10pm and my Caesar and wings were just the way I like em'.. HOT and of course that's the way I like my Blues too...so right after a couple of jazz pieces, that's exactly what Gerry and Anita served up... and despite the volume restrictions that naturally come with an eatery, they got my head bobbin' and feet tappin' with the likes of Delbert McClinton. Both Anita and Gerry, with studio quality vocals, put out for the crowd who responded with enthusiastic applause after every tune. They did a great job on Stormy Monday (one of my favorites) with the classic guitar licks, and although it wasn't Bobby Blue Bland I was impressed with Gerry's version...Great job! I got the impression Anita had another blues gal inside her...but alas wrong venue to rip into KoKo Taylor...Anita keyboarded as Gerry flawlessly worked his fingers around the fret board (I guess it doesn't hurt that Gerry was a Guitar instructor for years).......P.S. I saw Del Clarke there last night soaking it all up too. I was happy to see some initiative for more live music in town at the likes of Remington's...no more karaoke...no more DJ's pleeeease....
BB
Show Report Brandon Blues Society..@ Brandon University Dining Hall Sept. 27, 2003
Brandon Blues Society presents An Evening of Blues
Billed as an Evening of Blues somehow understated the event that starving blues fans from Brandon City Limits experienced Sept 27th Saturday night at Brandon University Main Dining Hall. Don’t get the wrong idea with the dining bit either, this was no champagne and caviar event. In traditional blues festival fashion “the house was a rockin'”. Set in motion by Jan Chaboyer and Brent Chamberlain (Brandon Blues Society shakers and movers) the three acts with Tracy K and The Right Hand Band headlining, satisfied all the blues food groups. Over 350 packed the hall, and when Tracy and band hit the stage at about 10:30, the BU dinning hall floor never looked the same, at least half the crowd chewed up the tile, dancing and grooving to Tracy’s brand of Chicago and Texas style blues.
Speaking of grooving or I should say grooves, Tony Reid (Mr. Energy from Chicago) set the night in motion with literal grooves “nothin but vinyl tonight 33’s, 78’s and 45’s - don’t expect any cds'” Tony warned, and with 2 coins on the record player tone arm with every spin full of crackles and pops, all the background music before and between sets came from Tony’s personal and rare collection of old blues masters. When that player cable was plugged into Studio Productions gazillion dollar sound equipment everybody was treated to the likes of James Cotton and high compression, some of B.B. King’s really really early stuff, Johnny guitar Watson, etc.
First up Poor Boy Rodger and Professor Pee Wee armed with a variety of acoustic electric weapons of mass destruction including harp and Kazoo plowed us through an authentic selection of 20’s, 30’s and 40’s Delta stylings. Noteworthy also was their take on Whipping’ Post (Allman Brothers). Later The Bad Ass Blues Band blew the roof off with their updated powered version. Poor Boy (aka Keith Rodger) originally from the west coast, drew from his years of experience on the rock and blues circuit there and has recently taken Professor Pee Wee (Mark Schroeder) under his wing. These guys are the blues, dropped out of subspace and time to represent the root of blues in style and feeling. A great performance as usual.
The Bad Ass Blues Band, what can I say, well for sure they were Baaaaaaaaad in a Good way. Wow! where did they get that lead singer? This guy Bob Berg just appeared from thin air with grit and power vocals (impressive Hoochie Coochie Man, and his cover on Hendrix’s Red House) These boys took the house to a new level paving the way for Tracy K. Greg McLeod (lead guitar) is no stranger to electric Texas style blues here in Brandon either. I think he might have to refret that Les Paul after all those creamy licks, doing Winters and Gibbons justice. Steve Gedai on drums kept everybody smart with dynamics that reinforced the mood necessary for each tune, along with Doug Carmichael on bass for a great heart pounding rhythm section.
Now close your eyes and no kidding if you didn’t see her on stage you would swear it was James Cotton and a resurrected Janis Joplin. But nooo Tracy K is her own woman with original material from her CD as well as favorites that have obviously enhanced her style. The professional caliber of Tracy K, and I must add, the Right Hand Band, featuring accomplished Tony Desmarteau on his strat, gave us the needed fix for the blues loving crowd. Tracy’s powerful voice belies her delicate frame. Tracy’s vocals and harp put Blues fans in a trance as was evidenced by the crowds’ reaction with intense applause and dancing till the next a.m. Tracy K took some time to sign her cd which was on sale for new and old fans captured by her authentic blues talent and charm. When in Winnipeg be sure to check out Tracy at local blues venues.
With the success of every blues project so far both in ticket sales and organization, thanks again Jan, Brent, Kim, Larry, Darlene, Keith, Garry and Ruth and the whole gang involved with volunteering and promotion of the newly formed Brandon Blues Society. See you at the next gig!
Bob Peech
Brandon Blues Festival 2002
Well, in Brandon the secret is out, as close to 400 people show up for the "First Annual Brandon Blues Festival" Sept. 6, 2002. What started off with just a few friends talking about a little get together so we could hear our friends play and have a drink or two, ended up as a full-fledged festival. I would like to say it all came off without a hitch, but if you have ever put on an event, you know it never goes without a few bumps along the way. Festival organizers Jan Chaboyer and Brent Chamberian went above and beyond and sacrificed some sleepless nights to make this an event Brandon blues lovers will remember for some time.
The event was to take place at Hydro Park, a lovely site along the Assiniboine River, that on a beautiful summer night would have been just perfect. Site one was not to be as the overcast sky threatened rain. We did have a backup indoor hall rented also but as calls for more tickets kept coming in the hall would not be big enough -- site two down. With just hours before the start of the first act I think Jan called in a few favours and we moved into the main dining hall at the Brandon University. Even more tickets were sold at the door as many University students discovered they didn't have to go far for great beer drinking music (just like all the beer commercials) ... The Blues.
"Poorboy Rodger" got the evening going with the debut of my lap slide style as Kelly Joe Phelps and Harry Manx have been a big influence on me as of late. With my harmonica rack on, I sounded just like a guitar player with a harmonica! Well, being the only solo act of the evening I wanted to get a big sound.
Winnipeg's Strident Harpies showed off their acoustic stylings for all the Delta blues fans.
GB Peech & the Sidebanders has become a real crowd pleaser in Brandon. Now with Robin Hillman on bass their bottom end has tightened up and is a real asset to the band.
Robin stayed on the stage to join his parents Bill & Sue-On Hillman as they took control. With Bill's gritty vocals and skilled B-bending guitar the blues take on an original sound that fits well with Sue-On's hauntingly beautiful voice.
Christie Ghidoni & the Band finished off an all too short night and just knocked my socks off! Christie had pulled together some of Brandon's finest musicians, Jim Andrey on drums, Vaughn Thornsteinson on bass and guitar, Kelsey Schoonbaert guitar and Adrian Kuryliw on too many instruments to mention! With Christie just starting her music career (she's just nineteen I think) she should go far if she sticks to it.
I almost forgot to mention two of the most important persons at the festival, Larry and Darlene Henry, who pretty much missed all the music as they were outside barbecuing hundreds of hamburgers and hot-dogs, our take on the blues fish fry, with no charge for all the hungry fans (you can't beat the price.) So I know Jan Chaboyer, festival organizer, would like to thank all the volunteers, sponsors, musicians and you, the blues fans, for making this a big success and hope to see you at the Second Annual Brandon Blues Festival next year.
PoorBoy Rodger
Back