In recognition of my 11th blog posting devoted
to the various conversation topics that have consumed many happy hours (to say
nothing of the drinks consumed as well), here’s a list of 11 recent
conversations:
Experiencing the world -- or at least my small part of it -- one minor diversion at a time ...
Sep 19, 2012
Sep 17, 2012
Big Muddy Blues with Dr. John
If you’re tired of reading about the music I enjoyed last
summer, I guess I owe you an apology up front.
However, I would be derelict in my blogging duties if I did not cover
Dr. John’s performance at the Big Muddy Blues Festival at Laclede’s Landing in
downtown Saint Louis.
Dr. John was the headliner for the main stage on Sunday,
Sept. 2. With him on my short list of
performers I’d never seen in concert but always wanted to, I was not going to
pass up the opportunity, especially for a mere $10 admission! You have to love the bargains you sometimes get
at outdoor music venues.
Plus, I had never been to the Big Muddy Blues Festival,
which showcases not only national and international blues acts – many playing
for free on the two street stages – but also the eclectic Laclede’s Landing area
on the riverfront, which is full of restaurants, entertainment and nightlife in its own right. It may be time to do something about the brick
and cobblestone streets, though. I get
the historic significance, but I’m surprised I don’t see more people twist ankles
or take a tumble down the streets, which can also slope severely toward the
water.
Sep 11, 2012
Party like it’s 1979
Steve Miller Band and Dave Mason at the 2012 Illinois State Fair
First, I must give credit to my friend Kent Argenta, who was also in attendance at this concert, for coming up with the title of this blog entry. Kent is more famous for his patented balancing beer bottle act. It’s my belief that everyone should be famous for something.
The 2012 Illinois State Fair closed with a late addition
to its grandstand line-up, but it was one that got a lot of people talking –
the Steve Miller Band, with Dave Mason opening. I don’t know if it was because
the show was on a Sunday or because it was added late in the game, but this concert deserved much better attendance than it had.
For those who are unfamiliar with Dave Mason, he has an
impressive classic rock pedigree and showed off much of his resume during an
hour-long acoustic set to open the concert.
Still, I was impressed that he joked about his relative obscurity these
days when he said, “I am very glad to be here.
Actually, I’m very glad to be anywhere these days.”
Dave Mason does look happy to be there. |
Sep 6, 2012
They came from the 70s (and 80s)
Classic rock revived at the 2012 Illinois State Fair grandstand
Not long ago I looked back at the 2012 Illinois State Fair, but I didn’t cover the unusually strong grandstand line-up they featured this year. From Miranda Lambert and Eric Church to Creed and Train, there seemed to be something for most musical tastes. Still, imagine my surprise when not one, but two, nights were booked for an old-school arena rocker like me in mind.
Perhaps the most interesting booking on paper for the
fair was Friday, Aug. 17 – a four-bill of Georgia Satellites, Blue Oyster Cult,
Night Ranger and Cheap Trick – and admission on the track (closest to the
stage) for just $30. Think about that …
that’s $7.50 per band. And we sometimes
pay a $5 cover in Springfield on weekends to hear crappy cover bands (ok, most
aren’t really crappy, but you get the point).
Georgia Satellites |
The Georgia Satellites opened with a clean, concise
45-minute set in which they crammed everything you’d expect to hear from
them. For instance, I was happy to hear
“Battleship Chains” early in the set; it’s a song most people have probably
long forgotten, but I think it’s one of their best.
Sep 4, 2012
Of blues and barbecue – 2012 edition
As my four faithful followers have come to expect, I’m
more than a week behind in blogging about events I recently went to. The good news is that this commoner keeps on
traveling, so there’s plenty of material to reminisce on to carry me into the
fall.
The purpose of this entry, however, is to recap the 9th
annual Old Capitol Blues and Barbecue Festival, held Aug. 25-26 in downtown
Springfield, Ill., appropriately enough at the old capitol. It also coincided with my friend Big Don’s
going away weekend before he spends two years working in Doha, Qatar. So, how
appropriate we send him off with a bunch of beer and smoked pork since both
will be in short supply in the Middle East.
The blues, of course, can be found anywhere.
And, for no particular reason, here’s a picture of Big
Don starting the night off wearing a sombrero.
That's more like it ... Big Don, me and Eric "SOHO" Welch (left) |
Now if that doesn’t put you in a festive mood, what
will? Perhaps these pictures of the
culinary stars of the weekend …
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