October’s opening week had it all goin’ on at the Outlook!  Tuesday evening bore witness to a blues jam with African Wind, followed by a serendipitous appearance by the incomparable Roy Carrier on Wednesday.  And the house was rocking out!  The dancing was all over the place, and the audience was clearly thrilled with the late booking. Sometimes it’s those last-minute opportunities that become robust memories (for those who remember that robust weekend last fall when Bob Margolin, backed by the Delta Sonics, ended up with Erica Brown, Kate Kaiser, and the Phillip Walker Band joining in all the fun and giving the audience a matchless musical memory).  So, it’s pretty clear Boulder and the Outlook want Roy Carrier back.  Stay tuned on that note (yeah, that’s right! I don’t have to be a musician to be able to pun like one). 

Thursday evening was the soul-stirring blues of the Denver-based Maynard Mills Band.  Straight up old school blues, with riffs that make your eyes close involuntarily, head moving and swaying to the decades of musical history in evidence.  For this blues fan, the Maynard Mills band needs some regular gigs in Boulder.  So yeah, stay tuned on the note, too (OK, now I’m just amusing myself).

Friday welcomed Ray Smith and the Phat Chants; not blues, but a good rock and roll dance band with presence and a genuine sense of fun.  Once again, the Boulder Outlook proves itself to be the best small music venue in Boulder.  Great music several nights a week and not always what you might expect.

Saturday night was HUGE!  The Jenn Cleary Band brought the exuberance to 28^th Street.  They also brought a pretty big crowd.  And, as it turns out, Clearly’s mother was visiting from Massachusetts (as well as a number of other east coast friends), and in light of a history of weird scheduling, was seeing her daughter perform with her band for the first time.  It was great!  Once again, the house was dancing, going nuts for the solos by Doug Moldawsky on lead guitar and Mad Dog on the harp.  Cleary’s vocals are loud and, well, clear (OK, I’m clearly (ha!) having a bit too much fun with my own wordplay this week).  Comparisons have been made between her and Bonnie and Janis (do we really need last names here?).  Fair enough, but she is her own musician, with a joyful presence and style that is infectious and attracting.  The place was packed and the audience was genuinely appreciative and elated.  The Jenn Cleary Band will be back, and probably a lot.

This Friday night (10/12) we’ve got Zebra Junction going on at 8:00.  Where to begin with these guys?  Well, I can’t.  You’ll just have to hit their site.  These guys have so much going on that it would do them a great disservice to try and cherry-pick their accomplishments in a couple of paragraphs.  The site is tremendous, and the shot of them at Red Rocks is striking.  http://www.zebrajunction.com/

Saturday night the Shamans are going to be tearing it up (can shamans do that?).  This band has some serious stage experience.  It promises to be a jammin’ night.  http://www.theshamans.net/

Speaking of jammin’, BOB’S COMING!!!  And again, do we really need a last name here.  Ok, yes, I guess we do.  And not just the last name, but the full name:  Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, the Prodigal Son of the Outlook.  October closes with our very own maestro.  Two nights.  Count ‘em, two!  As I may have mentioned, when Bob comes to town musical magic transpires and the landscape of remembrance is forever changed.  The Outlook loves Bob and Bob loves the Outlook.  It is a requited love.  When he comes to town he’s backed by the Delta Sonics, and together they shake it up and we never know what’s going to happen.  October 26^th and 27^th.  Oh boy!  BOB’S COMING!

Next week we’re going to tell you all about the Shuffle Tones and their superb new CD, Chicago Sessions.  They’ll be hitting our stage on Thursday, the 18^th.  These guys have it, and this CD is an addiction.  A must for blues fans.    http://www.myspace.com/shuffletonesmusic

Honey Sepeda