October closes on the memory of a GREAT weekend with Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin as a self-proclaimed Delta Sonic.   As usual when Bob comes to town, the talent was coming out of the woodwork.  Friday night saw Jenn Cleary, sitting in, performing an original with her fellow Bostonian (probably not a good week to mention that). On Saturday night Jill Watkins and Erica Brown (more on them soon) tore it up with the boys.  Bob brings the best blues to Boulder, and he was on fire all weekend!

I need some indulgence this week.  Story time.

I moved with my family to Washington, D.C. in 1980.  I was still an impressionable teenager, fortunately, and in light of a musically well-versed brother, I found myself in a club in Georgetown being introduced to the blues.  That momentous and serendipitous chance forever changed my examination of music and my understanding of its cultural implications.  Twenty-seven years of listening to the blues, and I believe I can finally begin calling myself a neophyte.  There’s so much great blues out there and yet to come, that one lifetime couldn’t be enough to hear it all.  So I don’t bother with much else. 

After that first show, in July of ’80, I found myself but a few days later at a blues club on the corner of 34^th and M Streets called Desperados.  My God, what a club!  Everybody played there.  The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Nighthawks, The All Stars, The Bob Margolin Blues Band, George Thorogood, Tom Principato, Tex Rubinowitz, and on and on. 

She was an old whore of a club, in her last years by the time I met her.  Her floor was so ragged and uneven that girls didn’t dare wear high heels for fear of snapping ankles.  But my God the music she hosted!  Unbeknownst to any of us at the time, she was to close in September of ’83, a night in which I witnessed grown men crying.  She is now the Embassy of the Ukraine.  Click this link to read a great account of musical history being made there. http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1018175&nid=226&pid=10

Not long ago I was in conversation with Al Chesis of the Delta Sonics, who himself is from the D.C. area, and although we didn’t know each other then, we discovered we were at a number of the same shows.  The blues will always bring you back to your roots in some fashion or other.  Such a small world.  He also said that he thinks the Outlook has much of the feel of Desperados.  He’s right, and it’s because of The Ambassador of Cool and his outlook on music (you liked that, didn’t you?).  Musicians all tell me that Dan treats them better than any other club in the country.  He respects the musicians as much as he does the music, and what he is trying to build here is vital to our city.   I’m thrilled he is inviting me into this venture, and am having fun beyond measure.  Thank you, Dan, and with your dedication, the spirit of Desperados has a Second Coming.

Now, back to the present.  CATFISH AND THE CRAWLERS!!!  How’s that for the present.  Well, Thursday.  Yes, November opens with one hell of a fun band.  There is a great question from the movie “Arthur:”  “Isn’t fun the best thing you can have?”  Many would say yes, and if anyone wants to be assured of it, then call and invite friends for this gig.  But only the ones who can dance.  This band pounds so much energy no one can sit still, and who wants to be embarrassed by an old college roommate who couldn’t find a beat if he were paid?  Upon hearing them for the first time, I realized my great folly in not bringing a dance partner, a mistake which won’t be repeated.  These guys, and girl (Hi, MJ!), bring the skill, the experience, the energy (OH MY GOD, THE ENERGY!), and the passion.  Wear good dancing shoes.  It’s been a few months since they’ve played here, so we’re all due for a fix.  

Next Tuesday, the 6^th, we’ve got a blues jam with African Wind and players are welcome http://www.dantreanor.com/.  Thursday has Kort McCumber and McCumberland Gap, http://cdbaby.com/cd/mccumber2/.  Saturday the 10^th brings my adored Delta Sonics back, and with Erica Brown the following Saturday, November is shaping up to be a thrilling month. 

But not as thrilling as December.  Why?  Because it is the month in which my birthday falls.  The 27^th, to be exact, and it’s a Thursday this year, so I’M GETTING MY OWN BLUES SCHOOL NIGHT!  Dan has booked the aforementioned adored Delta Sonics to play, and the party will be going on!  It’s my birthday, and I expect presence from all of you!  Oh yeah, and Al’s birthday is a few days later, but whatever, it’s all about me! 

I’m going to be interviewing Jill Watkins and Erica Brown soon, and I can assure you that’s going to be a fun read.  Trust.  Until then, may the blues be with you, and I’ll be back next week with part one of the Jason Ricci interview.

Honey Sepeda