BluesFolks.com

Last night’s first Tues. night Open Mic’ Jam presented by Bluesfolks.com Productions at Rockin’ Parrodise was everything an open mic’ night should be. The eb & flow was good but not too good, the musicianship was downright excellent, without sounding too rehearsed(it was by and large NOT rehearsed), & most importantly there was a committment to diversity.
I must admitt that I missed the first act of the evening due to the parent viewing of my son’s One Act school play. A man I know only as Paul or Paully apparently ripped it up on the electric guitar. I will catch Pual’s show next time. Next up were James & Blake of Jason Throws Whiskey. I did catch the end of their set & was AGAIN pleasently surprised. I mean, I love James’ songs…it’s just that…every time I hear them it seems to be a slightly (VERY SLIGHTLY) different yet just as good version. I don’t know. Decide what you think of them yourself. This Friday Feb. 5th Jason Throws Whiskey is opening for The WoodGrain at Rockin’ Parrodise for Kunkle Whitebread’s birthday show.
Next we were thrilled to present the band Barrol Court. Their influences were certainly identifiable, but that didn’t keep them from having a uniqueness about their sound. The vocals were great, and… from what I gathered talking to them, theres more in the bag of tricks than what we heard last night. Barrol Court guitar player Alex was fast & smooth on his beautiful green Parker guitar. Speaking of Alex…next he & bass player Taco jammed with drummer Judge Smith, playing classic rock hits & insde obscure funk jams to lose perfection. I’d like to thank Judge for having his kit set up for the evening.
Next up, a blast from the past as Jesica Mize (formerly of The WoodGrain) & her brother Bud played a couple of beautifully harmonized accoustic gems. Inevitably, I got up with Jess & we fell (er…stumbled) back into the old form. It was REALLY fun. I’m glad she & Bud made it.
Some fine Guitar work was also provided by Bluesfolks.com Productions’ own Mike “Slacks” Stephenson. His beer bottle slide work was on target once again. We love you “Slacks”! Even though you wore jeans las’night!
Finally, it was time for the night’s featured artist, Brak “Briznak” Moore, bass player for The WoodGrain. Now, I was all set to play lead guitar with Brak on some of his songs that I’d either heard a couple times or barely heard before at all. This being said, my excuse if we were bad, was well in place. It was abruptly shot to hell when a drummer out of the crowd (Judge) & a sax. player off the street (Shadow) came up and helped us take Brak’s songs to church!!! Shadow litterally walked into the bar & up onto the stage in mid song & asked “Is it ok if I play with you guys?” Before we could answer he was blowin’ the sax. … Judge was bangin’ the drums & our minds were blown. It was like the SNL band’s mini me. Really though… It was a great,GREAT jam session.
One last thing that made this Open Mic’ Jam so awesome was the crowd. The crowd at Rockin’ Parrodise is ALWAYS nothing but FUN, & the various new comers only helped that atmosphere!
DO NOT MISS IT NEXT TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!