Marcia Ball, Beachland Ballroom 8/19/10

If you are a fan of the Moral Compass then you have heard of Marcia Ball in some of my prior writings (see June 2009 Moral Compass). You have no excuse for missing a fantastic boogie woogie piano player with superb vocal abilities. Marsha has kept her current line up of backing musicians together for a couple of years now and they are all really starting to jell. On base forever is Don Bennett. Drums were aptly handled by Corey Keller. The superbly wonderful sax playing was performed by Thad Scott. The talented guitarist is Mike Keller. And of course on piano vocals and legs is the Handy Award winning Marcia Ball. Marcia no longer has to carry the band she can let the other band members take the front stage and play off of each other. Also a new twist was some harmonies with Don Bennett that reminded me of the Everly Brothers.

"Dance At The Ball", Come out of the gate running hard I always say. Great sax and guitar solos on this rocker.
"Red Beans", Marcia always cooks the piano on this scrumptious tune.
"Just Kiss Me Baby", proves this band can play classical blues with anyone.
"Watermelon Time", this song rocks in a Louisiana way that Marcia Ball has perfected.
Marcia Ball gave a huge shout out to the Knuckle Heads the founder "Stash" Cielec was sitting next to me. He had a smile on his face that was as wide as the Louisiana bayou. Stash also wanted me to be sure that I got the spelling of his name correct.
"Peace Love and BBQ", a great song.
"That's Married Life", Marcia wrote this song after one of her Delbert McClinton music cruises.
"Falling Back In Love With You", again Marcia can play the Blues with anyone.
"Honey Pie", shared vocals with Don Bennett, very nice.
"Don't Forget About You", three part harmony with Marcia, Don and Mike Keller.
"That's Enough Of That Stuff", Marcia excels at the syncopated piano style that Professor Longhair made famous. A wildly entertaining, uptempo, song.
"Coming Down With You Blues", a Fats Domino's type blues tune with a great sax solo, pointed out to me by my friend Michael sitting next to me.
"Louisiana" I don't know the name of this song but it was smoking.
"Right Tool", I am guessing at the name of this song also. It had a ZZ Top drum beat that broke into a guitar solo that could have had Paul Berrer form Little Feat playing instead of Mike Keller.
"Luelda", guessing again but a rocking tune none the less.
"Big Sister Little Radio" this is an original tune of Mike Keller's. A very catchy song that makes me want to go out and listen to more of his music.
Marcia announces that hopefully if we all pray that a new CD will be out by the end of the year.
"Craw fish", the whole band get in on the act on this one, guitar, sax, guitar, sax, guitar, sax, piano, sax, guitar. The crowd loves it people are up and dancing.
"New Orleans Is A Party Town", here's that syncopated piano again on an old favorite that keeps the crowd on their feet.
"Louisiana 1923", a Randy Newman song that tells of the troubles and tribulations of New Orleans. A slow ballad that always brings a tear to my eye.
"Play With Your Poodle", how can you not love this song, the crowd is up and dancing again.
Encore
"This Used To Be Paradise", Marcia is solo on stage just her and her piano. A very poignant song about corporations killing small businesses.
"I Wish You Well", the whole band is on stage for this final sweet song.

Over two hours and 21 songs well worth the $25.

The Sethro Quartet opened the show. They are a quirky band with a electric mandolin, upright bass, drums, guitar and a sometimes an instrument that the guitarist invented called a Jay Bridge. They played a loungy kind of Jazz, Blues with a touch of Boogie Woogie.

After the show ended we dropped into the Beachland Tavern that is attached to the Beachland Ballroom and caught a few tunes by Deke Dickerson who plays a Dick Dale style guitar. When we walked in they were playing "Ghost Riders In The Sky". He had one of the band members from Los Straight Jackets sans Mexican wrestling mask, playing with him. Quite entertaining.

Overall another entertaining evening at the Beachland Ballroom. What a diamond of a venue Cleveland has right in its old neighborhood. I hope this place stays open for a long time because no one else is providing the smaller name bands a chance to perform and get their music heard. A person in the crowd said "Live music isn't popular with the younger generation". Live Music is where it is at and it is happening at the Beachland Ballroom. Great show Marcia we will see you next year.

A Five Twirl Show.

Gov't Mule Buffalo NY 8/7/10

Gov't Mule and Jackie Greene played the Erie Canal Harbour for $10 in advance and $20 if purchased the last week before the show. I don't think you can find a better deal than that any where. Erie Canal Harbour is a park sandwiched between the Buffalo River and the Buffalo Sky way. You get beautiful River scenes with boats cruising by and a wonderful sunset and yet you are on the edge of Downtown Buffalo. A portable stage was set up to accommodate the weekend long affair. Herbie Hancock and Johny Lang played Friday night at the venue for the same price.

Jackie Greene played his Americana style music of original music mixed with some Beatles and Grateful Dead hits. Jackie had a stellar backup band and played a few acoustic songs also. I had never seen Jackie Greene before but I will be purchasing some of his CD's soon.

Gov't Mule took the stage just before dark and proceeded to light up the crowd with "Bad Little Doggie". Warren Haynes, Matt Abts, Jorgen Carlsson and Danny Louis were as tight tonight as I have ever seen them. They played two sets with a short intermission between. Gov't Mule played many of their best songs such as; "Thorazine Shuffle", "By A Thread", "Broke Down On The Brazos", "I'm A Ram", "Slack Jaw Jezebel". They also entertained the crowd with a Pink Floyd song and "Too Lazy" by Deep Purple. The encore was a very mornful version of "Morning Dew" with Jackie Greene on guitar with Warren Haynes switching leads and sharing vocals. I looked at Scottie who was standing next to me when the song ended and we both at the same time said "WOOOOW". It doesn't get much better than that.

The crowd was filed with people of all ages from little kids to old folks who have a hard time standing for 5 hour any more (like me). Many people brought lawn chairs and sat behind the standing mass of bodies. It was a beautiful night in the mid seventies to listen to some good Rock and Roll. I wish Cleveland would get their shit together and plan a weekend of music like Buffalo does. The three hour trip was well worth the weekend of music for a total of $20, gas and hotel. I give this show 5 twirls, totally awesome. I did do some twirling while I was dancing in the crowd and I danced all night.