Tuesday, December 20, 2005

A Holiday wish

To all my friends, readers, supporters and family that have made my life so rich in blessings this year-

May you all have a happy and safe holiday full of joy and friendship, a warm and dry place to celebrate surrounded by those that love you. And may the air around you be filled with music.

Peace in the new year....

Those new CD's

Hey Gang!

I just got an e-mail from Buzz at the studio, and the mixes for the CD's are almost done. I've got a couple of things to listen to, and then we'll be ready to go to duplication. So, in early 2006 (probably our gig at the Globe in Aberdeen in March) we'll have a release party for these CD's

Red Lights and Folding Chairs (With Otto Lenz and Blue Lisa)- 9 killer old Chicago Blues tunes, all original.

Live at the 4th Avenue Theater. It was, um, recorded live this year. As a bonus you get some classic older material as well.

Thrift Store Sorcerer: The return of the original Son Henry Band, plus some solo tunes like 'Hole in my Soul'.

if that wasn't enough, I've been writing and playing like a mad-man these days, and I'm working my way throgh a whole new collection of acoustic tunes played lap-style. I'm hoping to have enough new material that I can make this the focus of my acoustic shows from now on, and have a CD to support it as well. The working title is King of the Tides, named after what will be the title track that's dedicated to my father. You'll understand the reference when you hear the song. This record is as much folk as it is blues.

So, stay tuned for details....

Monday, December 12, 2005

A new pack of Rubbers!

I still can't get used to this. My wife gave my four year old a package of things to take to school. He looked inside and screamed with delight, "Wow, thanks Mom, a brand new pack of rubbers!"

I practically fell to the floor laughing, now let me explain:

My little kids are going to a Scottish school, and they're learning all kinds of new words for things. They don't call them erasers here, they call them 'rubbers'. I'm not sure what the slang is for a condom. I'm sure he'll tell me some day....

Monday, December 05, 2005

More about Dexters

Well, you know I used to run a BLUES jam. I must be an addict. Last night at Dexters we had one hell of a blues jam that went an hour longer than we expected. But, first things first.

Wolftrain was the first band I saw, and they were as good as always, in spite of their bass players problems with a new set of strings. Horns were wailing, and Iver's guitar tone was excellent. From there it was Papa Mojo, playing that relaxed country blues that they do so well. Great music to relax to. Spectacular players too.

So, yeah, then it was my turn. We could have played a trio set, but we had Mel from Lazy Poker there to play drums, so we ended up with Robin Johnston from Wolftrain on key's and both Sandy Mathers and Bill Moodie on harps. Two hours of blues, straight up. We even had requests for odd stuff like 'Death Letter' and 'Walking Blues'. All good fun with some great players and good friends. Oh, the curry shop under the bar is nothing short of amazing too.

Oh, it was also good to see so many familiar faces too- Hennie and Cat, Alfie, for example. If you missed it you sure missed a fun one!

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Dexter's Tonight!

Not sure how much the word has gotten out, but there's a big blues party at Dexter's in Dundee this afternoon and evening. It's a fund-raiser for the Musicians of New Orleans. Music starts around 2, runs till late. I've got a solo spot in the late afternoon and I'll have the band on around 9.

The sound and food is excellent, the beer is good and the music will be hot- Papa Mojo, Wolftrain and a bunch of others. I'll write y'all a review when I get home. In the meantime, I've got to get to work re-stringing my lap steel.