Roger & The Evolution in der Kleinen Weltlaterne Wilmersdorf - 25 Feb 2016

Roger & The Evolution in der Kleinen Weltlaterne Wilmersdorf 

Band:
Harold John v.Abstein, piano
Bob Culverhouse, bass
Alfred Wagner, sax
Roger Radatz, dr voc

Special Guests:
Wolfgang Rügner - trombone/bluesharp/vocal
Nils Unbehagen - piano

Eine lange Nacht in der Kleinen Weltlaterne Wilmersdorf, ein Klassegig, so viel Spaß und nette Leute. Wir hatten wieder 'unseren' Tisch, einige Berliner Originale waren anwesend (darunter die nette Dame, die in Berlin allerseits unter dem liebevollen Spitznamen "Hütchen" bekann ist), das Essen mundete und die Getränke waren ebenfalls vom Feinsten. Danke an Roger & The Evolution und die "Special Guests" (Wolfgang Rügner u. Nils Unbehagen) - wie üblich gab es eine enorme Setliste - unsere Lieblingssongs des Abends waren einmal Bob Culverhouse und 'Tunlane Swing' und zum anderen Rogers 'Just a closer walk with thee' im New Orleans Stil. Baldige Wiederholung unbedingt erwünscht !

SOMETHIN' ELSE! Tour Launch Gig, The Half Moon Putney - 23 Feb 2016

Photo album on Flickr

SOMETHIN' ELSE Tour Launch Gig on 23 Feb 2016

Somethin' Else are:
Bobby Cochran, lead git, vocals
Brian Hodgson, bass
Mike Bell, keyboards
Mikey Ciancio, drums
Jim Williams, sound

Special guest:

Peter Donegan

On Tuesday Feb. 23rd the Somethin' Else tour kicked off at the The Half Moon Putney - long awaited and not disappointed! Jilly and I met up with a couple of other friends, enjoyed a nice meal together and had a good time with fantastic rock'n roll music performed by this great band. Lots of familiar faces in the crowd, and thanks to the lovely host at the Half Moon for taking care of us and keeping us a nice table. Jilly's comment below hits the mark.

The setlist varied a bit from gig to gig, not all the songs were played and not always in the same order. Peter Donegan did a couple of songs at The Half Moon, what's still in my mind is a great version of "Takes a worried man".

Jilly Penegar:  "What a fantastic evening - it goes to show that you don't need thousands of people to provide the atmosphere at a great gig. Bobby Cochran, Brian Hodgson, Mike Bell, Mikey Ciancio provided fabulous music - mainly in the style of Bobby's uncle Eddie - for a memoriable night at The Half Moon. Mike Berry (recently of The Voice fame) was in the audience, as was Peter Baron. Food was also good beforehand, and in the excellent company of Clawdy Wawdy, Gudrun Schwartz, Den Hillman, and Den's friends. Peter Donegan was a superb guest on stage, very reminiscent of Lonnie. Thank you all for a great night!"

Clawdy said: "Yes it was fantastic. Nice meal, cool friends, perfect music. Magical! I can't wait for the next gig."

Next day I enjoyed a nice lunch & coffee with Jilly Penegar at Denbies (Dorking vineyard) after a short ride through Richmond Park - and the sun was shining! Lovely venue, great food and excellent company. we'll have to do it again before too long.

Albert Lee - Double Gig At Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake/Michigan - 13 + 14 Feb 2016

(Photo: gs 2015)

Albert played at Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake/Michigan, on 13 Feb 2016  to an enthusiastic sell-out crowd. A 2nd show was added for Sunday night. Please find below a newspaper review and an interview with Albert prior to the Spring Lake shows.
The articles below are copy-right protected so I'm just posting the links here:

• Local Spins:  Albert Lee keeps fans engaged with versatile mix in Spring Lake Concert     (illustrated review)
• Also by Local Spins: An interview prior to the Spring Lake Shows.

Mike Sanchez with Chris Aron & The Croakers, Roadrunner's Rock & Motor Club Berlin - 06 Feb 2016

Great night at Roadrunner's Berlin.

Mike Sanchez - eagerly awaited - appeared only in the 2nd set after the interval but tore the house

Some photos on Flickr
click on the Mike pic.

down in his incomparable style. Mike told us that the band Chris Aron & The Croakers had asked him to do a short European Tour with them which he accepted.
People enjoyed themselves rocking & rolling away, there were some really good dancers around. We had a fantastic time at this more than suitable venue with moderate bar prices and a stylish ambience. Nice to catch up with Mike later, hadn't seen him for quite a long time. I bought his latest album featuring Albert and had it signed by him, and of course some photos were taken. A great night, thanks to Mike and please don't keep us waiting too long for your next visit !

The Crickets - Farewell Gig at the Surf Ball Room, Clear Lake Iowa - 06 Feb 2016

Albert Lee played with the Crickets on 6 Feb 2016 at The Surf Ball Room, Clear Lake Iowa where the last curtain fell for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper JR Richardson. According to the Globe Gazette it was the largest-ever reunion of Crickets band members as part of the annual Winter Dance Party. The Crickets announced to the sellout crowd that Saturday night’s performance was their last — the end of an era dating to 1957.

I was lucky enough to see Albert play with The Crickets in the UK - although quite some years back.

La Foot Creole im Zosch Berlin - 03 Feb 2016

Raimer Lösch und seine Musiker sorgten wieder für einen unterhaltsamen Abend mit New Orleans Jazz im Zosch Berlin. Gutes Essen und preiswerte Getränke sind im Zosch selbstverständlich, darüber hinaus darf im Jazz-Keller geraucht werden.

Kurzbeschreibung:
New Orleans Jazz
Geniessen Sie die einzigartige Atmosphäre unseres gemauerten Gewölbekellers von 1828 in Verbindung mit der besten New-Orleans-Jazzband Berlins! Die Band ist nicht ganz so alt, spielt aber seit 17 Jahren jede Woche bei uns. Fans kommen bereits in der 3. Generation; Leute , die vor 15 Jahren in Berlin studierten, schwärmen heute noch vom Mittwochabend im Zoschkeller. Der Keller öffnet 19:30 und rechtzeitiges Erscheinen sichert die besten Plätze. Die Band spielt mit einer Pause von 20:30 bis 23:00. Der Eintritt ist kostenlos, Spenden für die Musik sind willkommen.

Earth, Wind & Fire Founder Maurice White †

Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White died on Wednesday 03rd February at his home in Los Angeles at age 74. His brother Verdine published the following message on Facebook:

"My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep. While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.
Yours Truly, Verdine White."