NO  #&*%$@%  CLUE!

I’ll explain that title in a minute.

First I want to relive Saturday night with the Delta Sonics.  Al picked up a guitar and opened by himself for a few songs (he always opens with “Sugar Coated” for me cuz I’m sweet, I don’t care how much anyone might have heard to the contrary), nicely warming up the crowd, which was a good one.  A really good one, and, as it turned out, it was also a very talented one.  As a matter of fact, we couldn’t swing a dead guppy without hitting a musician wanting to sit in.   At one point, Al came over to me and said, “I’ve got a ton of people who want to sit in, but I can’t get to them all, and I wasn’t really planning on running a blues jam,” to which I replied, “You are now.”

And he did so graciously.  Thanks, Al.  It was such fun, beginning with Kate Keiser rockin’ “Love Me Like A Man,” and reminding us all how at home she is on stage where she belongs.  However, as tremendous as Kate is, as they say in the movie biz, never work with kids or animals.  Which brings me to 5 ½-year-old Aiden Oberlin, a future harp wiz (Jason Ricci needs to watch his back!), who managed to steal everyone’s thunder.  Saturday night wasn’t the first time Aiden has wowed the Outlook crowd, and I can assure you it won’t be the last.  I asked Al how long he’s been teaching Aiden, and this is his remarkable response (at least I find it remarkable):  “I'm not sure if I've really been teaching him, but he has kind of picked it up by osmosis and from hanging out at gigs now and then. He also listens to lots of blues with Boa I'm sure.”  Yes, Aiden is the son of Delta Sonics’ guitarist, Erik Boa, and for not really taking lessons, it’s quite astonishing that such a young child can hit the notes with such perfect timing.  Boy’s gonna’ be a star (he also very cutely informed his parents that “I think Honey’s Egyptian”). 

That was Saturday night.  Thursday night brought the newly-formed Gretchen Troop Band to the house, and I can attest firsthand that they have many, many new fans.  Gretchen and I were trying to have a conversation, but so many people kept coming up to her to gush and admire (as well they should), that we’ll have to try that conversation some other time.  The new band is tight.  Then there’s Gretchen’s voice.  One woman, Anna Kay (and new subscriber), came over to talk to Gretchen and mentioned her own singing history, but revealed that, “Your voice is the one I would love to have.”  I informed her that, “Her voice is the one EVERYONE would love to have.”  Gretchen is a superb performer and she has assembled a first-class band.  They tore up George Benson’s “This Masquerade,” and their poignant and originally-styled cover of “Summertime” was amazing; kind of like what a Jean Michel Basquiat painting would sound like as a song. Wild.  And if you haven’t heard their “Customer Service Blues,” then mark your calendars for April 24^th when they return.  If you’re reading this, you own a computer, and as such will deeply appreciate the song. 

Congratulations, Gretchen.  Let’s do lunch and finish that conversation.

Now back to this week’s euphemistically vulgar title.  A couple of friends joined me Monday night downtown to hear The Heavy Cats (Lionel Young, Mark Diamond, and Jay Forrest) for a happy hour gig.  Now, knowing that the Colorado Blues Society is having a big party at the Outlook this Sunday involving The Memphis Three, Lionel, John Alex Mason, and the Erica Brown Band, I figured Lionel could fill in the details for me, since all I know is the time and a sketchy agenda.  Well, Lionel let me down.  He knows even less than I do (of course I find that to be fairly typical with most men).  Thanks pal!  So, I suggested then that my only recourse was to title this week’s Blues Letter with the above vulgarity.  He then sensibly suggested I contact Dave McIntyre to fill in the blanks.  I thought about it, but by then I was already married to the title and its direction.  Or, loosely translated, I’m too lazy. 

So here’s what I know:  initially the board has some business to conclude, and then sometime around 3:00ish the music and party begin.  In what order?  I know not.  How long will the sets be?  I know not.   At this point, I don’t even know what I’m going to wear, one of the more important aspects to the day (and no, my tongue is NOT in my cheek).   I’m pretty sure it ends at 6:00, and then Lionel and Mark host their regular blues jam at 7:30.  So, that’s what I know. 

One other thing I know is Dan has just confirmed that Alvin Youngblood Hart is booked on Wednesday, March 26^th for a solo acoustic at 7:30 ($5 cover).  It’s not on the website yet, but trust me, he’s coming.  I like him with his band, but I worship him on his own (I’m also terrified of him, but that’s another story).  If you haven’t heard this genius, put it on your calendar and prepare to be awed.   

Speaking of being awed, we’ve got a bit of a challenge  for our subscribers this week:  The first person to send me five new email addresses, WITH OWNERS’ PERMISSION AND DESIRE, to add to the subscription list will receive four tickets for the Jason Ricci and New Blood gig next Saturday ($5 cover), 3/15 (you know, freak-out time).  Then, the next three people to do the same will receive two tickets each. We’ll be doing this for Steady Rollin’s gigs on 4/11 and 12 ($10).  I’ll announce it the week before.

Send addresses to honey@bouldershomeoftheblues.com

Next week, in preparation for the Jason Ricci and New Blood gig, we're going to focus on the Jan/Feb edition of Blues Revue and it's terrific interview with Jason.

I’ve yet to hear the Clam Daddys all together, so I’ll see you this Thursday. 

Honey Sepeda

Memo to Dan:

Dearest Dan:

I’ve figured out a way to book more musicians but spend less money.  I’m secure in the assumption that Boa’s boy isn’t the only young talent out there, and all it took for me to get him to play was to wave a fiver in front of him.  He took it hook, line and sinker, and I think we should consider hiring talented kids and pay them in candy store gift cards.  Your thoughts?

Economically yours,

Honey

Dear Honey:

I'm getting low, so do you think I can get them to sew some T-shirts at the same time?

Dan

In closing this week, I asked Boa for some details regarding Aiden's musical training.  I hope you all enjoy this account as much I did.  Sounds like they have a lot of fun.

Honey

BOA:  O.K...ever since he was old enough to walk he has been coming to daddys' gigs. He started beating on the drums first, then I found a floor tom in the dumpster that we painted together and refurbished. Then I bought him a cheapo guitar that he plays sometimes and that I play when we play "band" together. (More on that later). He came by a small battery operated keyboard that he plays, under the pseudonym of "Ralph", an imaginary friend who also plays in our "band". Then after I joined the Delta Sonics, Aiden was exposed to harmonica through Al Chesis, as well as all of the harmonica based music I started listening to. His favorite player is William Clark. We also listen to Little Walter, Sonny Boy, George "Harmonica" Smith, Kim Wilson, James Cotton etc. Al gave him his first harmonica. Then, this last Christmas his numero uno gift he wanted from Santa was a chromatic harp, to be like William Clark. He did get a chromatic for Christmas, and he also has a couple more harps Al has gifted him as well as some we have purchased.

Now as promised, back to "playing band". One of our activities is to "play band."  Aiden and I pretend to be in a band together and we create scenarios like (this is Aiden speaking) "Ok Dad, we're playing a gig at Lincoln's Roadhouse, Me, you, and Ralph, (whose voice I do) and I'm going to take a "walk" (meaning walking out into the crowd) and then you and Ralph solo. And then we play actual tunes. It's a ton of fun and we play with the same intensity that a band would bring to the professional stage.

Technically speaking I "school" Aiden on "feels", for example when we listen to music in the car, I'll say "Aiden this is a Boogaloo", or "this is a shuffle", or Deep Blues, or Rhumba, or Texas, or Swing. I also teach him about endings, a retard, coda, etc. So I take every opportunity to teach while we are having fun. He really gets-it down deep and that's what blows my mind the most.  

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