It's Friday night (March 19) and I'm still feeling the effects of the flu. I had hoped to catch at least one set of The Gary Kendall Band at The Duck but I know I have a full day tomorrow so I decide to stay put on the couch.

Still in the mood for blues, I pull out a CD/DVD set I've received for review from Richard Flohil - Luther Allison, Songs From the Road, recorded on July 4, 1997 at the Montreal Jazz Festival. During the five years that I lived in Montreal, I never missed this festival. I always ended up at the blues stage and would then catch the various blues acts playing in the local clubs. So I looked forward to watching this DVD knowing it was filmed at a club I'd been to numerous times.

Reviewing CDs (or DVDs) is really not my thing. I just like to blog. I can definitely say, though, that I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD. The show was filmed six days before Allison was given the devastating news that he had inoperable lung cancer; he passed away a mere four weeks later. I knew very little about him (I'm not a historian type blues fan either) so after reading the liner notes, I went to his web site and read his bio. I found detailed and interesting information about his life; one being that his first band was called The Rolling Stones and he changed the name to The Four Jivers because he wasn't happy with his first choice.

This concert is the last live recorded performance of Allison. The DVD comes in at a little less than an hour since it was edited down for TV and includes seven songs from the show while the CD includes ten songs.It is a high-energy performance with Allison offering sizzling slide guitar and blazing solos. The DVD also includes an interview where he talks about his career and his life in Paris, where he eventually settled and built quite the following. It was a great way to melt away my flu symptoms. 

I wake up on Saturday and I am feeling much better. The guest at The Duck this week is Chuck Jackson. I decide not to go today, not because I don’t like Chuck, but because he is also part of the line-up at the Bluesaganza event I will probably be going to later tonight. Instead, I spend some time working on the computer, while listening to the Luther Allison CD, and then head out to Romby’s to check out their weekly blues matinee.

Romby's started their blues matinee a few months ago. I've heard a few people say that having three matinees in our town is too much but, personally, I don't think it matters. Each caters to a neighbourhood crowd; a few of the guests have played at all three and each have a very different calibre house band. The matinee at Romby's is from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm and since I have a few things to do in the afternoon, I get there in time to catch the last set. The guest today is Harrison Kennedy.

The band is not yet playing when I get there. There are a 15 or so people scattered around the tables. I make my way to the bar to order a beer and have to wait several minutes before the frazzled-looking bartender even looks my way. She is the only staff for the entire place. The phone rings just as the band starts to play. The bartender makes a disgusted face while she sticks her finger in her ear and tries to listen to the person on the phone. She turns to some people at the bar and shakes her head in obvious annoyance at the noise. I finally get my beer and I make my way to a table on the other side to get a good view of the band.

The band members are Ken Balabar on drums, Michael Keys on keyboards, vocals and one-handed bass, and Brian Gauci on guitar. They play a couple of tunes to warm up and then introduce Harrison. Harrison puts on a great performance no matter where he plays but today I feel he looks out of place. It is obvious to me that only a few in the crowd are here for the music. After one song, I have to move to another table because the people behind me are talking loudly over the music. The band is set up by the front door and the pathway to the bar crosses right in front of them. People go in and out to smoke, walking by them as if they are just a jukebox. I don't feel any connection between the patrons and the band. Only a few at the front seem to care about the music, and even they chit chat throughout the set. The atmosphere is, well, non-existent. This won't get me any brownie points but, unfortunately, it is the reality. I can only speak of my experience that day, as I really don't know if it is like this every Saturday.

The band is good but not great. Harrison, on the other hand, is great as usual but his talents are lost on this crowd. Coming to the end of one tune, I pull out my camera to take a few pictures of what I assume will be the last song as it is now 5:50. By the time I turn the camera on and adjust my settings, Harrison has finished the song and thanks the audience for coming out to see him. There is spattering of applause, which lasts all of five seconds, and everyone returns to his or her conversations. There is absolutely no interest in an encore. I never have a chance to a take picture. I introduce myself to Michael and chat for a few minutes. I then thank Harrison and leave. At least I'll have time to catch the last few songs at The Duck! 

When I arrive, the place is packed and is absolutely rocking. Chuck has the crowd cheering and whistling. Several people are dancing in the teeny area in front of the stage. When he is done this tune, his last, the audience demands another by banging glasses on tables and cheering even louder. This crowd is definitely here for the music but they are also here for the camaraderie that develops amongst the audience every week.

I order some dinner and chat with a few friends. Most are going to the fundraiser which starts at 8:00 pm. I join Gary Kendall who is having dinner before he heads up to the Silver Dollar. We chat about various things and Jack, the owner, joins in. I go pay my bill and I realize that I have missed a call from my friend who is joining me for the evening. I return her call, get directions and head down to pick her up.

Part two - Bluesaganza Fundraiser - to be continued...