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| GREAT BIG ROCK JAM Published by Erika The Red � 2005 (Graphic donated by Don Berryman) |
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| May 15, 2005 - Page 2 |
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| When I was asked by someone waiting in the line-up outside why I was leaving Fat Cat, I explained that it was just too packed in there but assured them it was a worthwhile wait. When I told her the boys were playing a lot of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins and other kick-ass tunes from the �50s and �60s, she said something about that kind of music making a person feel young again. I replied, �Exactly�, and we both burst out laughing. And that reminds me of my newly-adopted "son" John, whom I recently met outside of CB�s. He greeted me as �Mom�, wished me a belated �Happy Mother�s Day�, gave me a big hug and proceeded to try and get all his embarrassed young friends to hug me as well. Just a bit of harmless foolishness but, hey, I�ll take my hugs where I can get them. All work and no play, you know... So, anyway, while the Fat Cat was rockin�, I went in search of a legitimate blues band. Stopping in briefly at Roxxy�s, I listened to a set by The Antics, whose eccentric lead singer was doing his best to get a charge going at their unfortunately sparsely-attended gig. They played some interesting originals as well as a cover by Weezer, but my ears didn�t really perk up until their fabulous guitarist ended the set with Hendrix�s �Little Wing� that nearly brought tears to my eyes. That particular song holds a special place in my heart. I was about to start heading homewards but thought I might as well blow some more hard-earned money on yet another cover charge � well, someone has to put their money where their mouth is, right? Anyway, since CBTG�s is practically right next door to Roxxy�s, I tripped over, pulled open the door and was immediately assaulted by the beautiful strains of Hendrix�s �Red House�. Delighted but grumbling to the unfortunate but sympathetic doorman about how I couldn�t afford to drink much AND pay the cover charge (after already dishing out $8), I soon realized it was the best $5 I had spent in a long time! Darrell Cooper and his scintillating band were onstage for the evening, apparently in a rare appearance there, and they blew me away to another space and time for the next two hours! Upon learning who he was, I approached and told him I would have to scold his wife (blues singer and pianist Lori Cooper) for not letting me know about her husband�s musical talents, as well. I also learned that the couple share keyboardist Adam McGrath in their respective bands. He�s also with a band called The Tearjerkers, who will be releasing a CD in the very near future. Unfortunately I forget the names of the other players in Darrell�s band (hey, I was partying!) but I remember the drummer telling me �I play for anybody who asks me.� Ask him � you won�t be disappointed! Ditto with their bassist, who knows a thing or two about dynamics. I could have listened (and boogied) all night long to this band, which is very Texas-oriented in its blues-rock repertoire. They played songs from Freddie King, Z.Z. Top and ("sacrilegiously" in its delay) Muddy Waters, all favourites of mine. Local jazz multi-instrumentalist Patrick Boyle was also at this gig. His gig with Joel Plaskett, Mark Bragg & Sherry Ryan apparently sold out. I got into a bit of a �bitchfest� with Darrell concerning the proposed anti-smoking bylaw in nightclubs, pool halls and bingo parlours, venues where this vice was historically accepted (along with alcohol consumption and its own potential for addiction) as an employment health risk factor. Regardless of our difference in political opinion, I hope the contentious by-law does not have the disastrous economic impact here that it did in other Canadian provinces that have already implemented it (whether the powers-that-be want to admit it or not). In other political-entertainment news, AIDWYC (the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted) is holding a benefit concert in St. John's on June 10 at the Bella Vista (whose owner has been quite vocal against the anti-smoking bylaw himself). The benefit will be hosted by Mary Walsh and the featured performers include Damhnait Doyle, Ron Hynes, and the Navigators, and others to be announced. The cost is $25 per ticket. AIDWYC is also holding a luncheon and conference at MUN on June 11. Panelists at the conference will include Steven Truscott, David Milgaard, James Driskell, Clayton Johnson, Ronald Dalton, Gregory Parsons, Randy Druken, Jerome Kennedy, other local and national lawyers, police officers, justice officials and media/reporters. For more information, contact Erin Breen at Simmonds Kennedy Law Office in St. John�s ([email protected]). In closing this issue, I would like to extend a special thanks to the very kind and honest staff at Atlantic Computers on New Gower Street, Steve Hussey, musician/blues expert at Fred Records, Denis Parker of MIANL, Scott Goudie, musician/artist and webmaster of www.rowdyblues.com, Rick Hollett at Record Time Studio, and, of course, Terry Parsons, Peter Jackson and Libby Creelman for their invaluable support/assistance in my literary and broadcasting endeavours. |
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