Always, no sometimes, think it's me, but you know I know when it's a dream. "Strawberry Fields Forever" Dedicated to the memory of John Lennon

Have You Heard---

Great live music continues this week. Who says Salem hibernates in winter?

This week in History, Birthdays:  Dave Brubeck died last week, one day short of his 92nd birthday, Greg Allman 65, Tom Waits (I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy) 63, Kim Basinger 59, Steven Wright 57, Larry Bird 56.

Sam Cooke, one of the sweetest voices in R&B, was murdered in 1964. Sam was one of the first 10 inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was 33.

In 1967, Otis Redding died in a plane crash in Wisconsin just days after releasing “Dock of the Bay”. He was 26.

In 1980, John Lennon was killed outside the Dakota Apartments in NYC. He was 40. I remember driving to work that early morning and hearing the news on the radio. I needed to pull over and compose myself over this one. John Lennon was a truly great man who touched every one of us, young and old. R.I.P. man.

Wednesday, December 12

In a Pigs Eye has Christine Baze and Jesse Ciarmataro

The Village Tavern continue their Wednesday night series with Jazz and Blues Night. Take my word, this is a good take.

Rockafellas is back with the Latin Dance Party.  

Thursday, December 13

Vic’s Boathouse has Open Mic.

Dave Bailin and the Bailouts take the stage at Brodies Seaport Café. Dave and the boys are always my Pick of the Evening.  Come on out and hear Salem’s BEST Rock and Roll band.

In a Pigs Eye has Gracie Curran and the High Falutin Band.  Oh-oh. Looks like another night of “hardly out of the way”. I caught these quite by mistake this past summer walking home from work. What a show they put on. And I hear a certain son of mine may be celebrating his birthday here tonight. No worries, he’s not driving . Cordwangers on parade. This has to be another Pick of the Evening.

Gulu Gulu has the return of 90 Mile Portage.

Henley Douglas Jr continues his cool jazz at Finz tonight. WOW, this is going to be a busy birthday night.

43 Church has the weekly residency of The Dejas present The Session.

Friday, December14

Calaboose are at Brodie’s Seaport Café.  I don’t know these guys but their website says Roots, R&B, Rock and Roll, and Blues. What else would a cordwanger need?

The Weekly Blues Jam at In a Pigs Eye is at 4PM. You know this is a good show when Joe’s joe’s wall’s wall’s shows up 2 weeks in a row. And he brought along the AMAZING Rondo, his partner in crime. Not sure if anyone saw it but me, but Rondo and Keith were dancing the Auggy Doggy.   Later on, at 9PM, Lydia Harrell takes the stage and also is having a CD release party.  

The Lobster Shanty has their house band Vein tonight and every Friday night.  

Rockafella’s has Fighting Friday  

The Village Tavern has The Classmates. This band used to be The Class of 66. That should tell you where they get their music. Be prepared to dance here tonight.

Shaun England is playing at Finz.

43 Church has Qwill and The Soul Review Project

Pamplemousse is having a special Christmas happening tonight featuring Callie and Aaron from The Dejas. Party is 5-8PM

Saturday, December 15

Gulu Gulu has Sylvana Joyce and the Moment.    

In a Pigs Eye are featuring   Jah Ni Roots Band  

The Lobster Shanty has A Very Shantastic Christmas Party tonight.  

The Merj are at Vics Boathouse. These guys always do a great show. I may have to break out of my shell and go check this out. My Pick of the Evening.

Rockafellas has Lisa Love

The Village Tavern has The Moholland Drive Band. I think that is mis-spelled but that’s what’s on their website.

Drivin Blind will kick it out on their return visit to Brodies Seaport Café tonight. Be ready cus these guys are gonna git you dancing.

Sunday, December 16

Sunday/Funday is the weekly jam at Brodie’s Seaport Café, starting around 4:15. This weekly event, hosted by the amazing talents of Steve Peabody (PBD) and Chris Fitz is always my Pick of the Afternoon  

O’Neill’s has their weekly Irish Session starting around 4 today. Bring the kids. It’s that kind of show.  

Cap’ts has Jazz Brunch at noon. Peter Kostopolous is on the bill.

In a Pigs Eye has the Peter Fedele and Charlie O’neil Trio to close out the weekend nicely for you.  

Monday, December 17

Orville Giddings hosts the weekly open mic tonight at In a Pigs Eye.

43 Church has something new on Mondays with The Michael Feingold Speakeasy.

Shows you may have missed:

Last Thursday had one of my Faves, Dave Bailin and the Bailouts down at In a Pigs Eye. The band features Dave as well as Steve Peabody (PBD), Eric Reardon, Scott Noring and Eli Timmons. And I thought it might be an early night. NOT! Where else are you gonna hear the band’s Cripple Creak? Or Velvet Undergrounds Rock and Roll. Or the Bailouts original, which I love, On the Wire?

Friday found me at the Pig again (SURPRISE) I was joined by my lovely bride Pam, who doesn’t get out enough. She tells me someone has to work. I’m WORKING!! Doing this research.  Big crowd here tonight. I’m guessing they came to witness Rondo and Keith, doing the Auggy Doggy. You just have to see it.

We followed that with some much needed research at the shanty, where Vein were playing. And how about another Velvet Underground song, Walk on the Wild Side.

I told you and I hope you listened. There were a lot of folks in the crowd Saturday when Juke Joint 5 hit the stage at In a Pig’s Eye. They tore through the evening with song after song of killer blues. While they are fantastic, they weren’t the only “show” going on. There were a few patrons who had imbibed a bit much and were pretty fun to watch. I like the way Dick Lourie and Silvertone Steve handled one of the over enthused dancers to prevent her falling into the drums. Great show guys. I can’t wait till next “2nd Saturday”. “It ain’t no jive, on route 95”

Sunday/Funday at Brodies Seaport Café saw Erinn (2N) Brown and Fran McConvill joining PBD for the weekly spectacular show. Later on, Joe Mack walked in to do a few numbers before moving down to the oldest bar in Lynn, Celly’s Pub, on Western Ave, to host their weekly jam. And John Devine was on hand to back it all up with some fine Mississippi Saxophone, (AKA: Harmonica) Joe did a great version of the Hendrix tune “Red House”

I was weak willed, so when John Devine offered a ride to Lynn to check out Joe’s jam, what could I say? That I need to get up for work in APRIL? They are doing a great job down there at Celly’s. I mentioned to Joe Mack that a version of Midnight Rambler would be appropriate, seeing that Albert DeSalvo was arrested right across the street, at Simon’s Shoes, long since gone. For those who don’t know, DeSalvo was the Boston Strangler. “Well you heard about the Boston…Honey, it’s not one of those…Talkin’ bout the midnight… Shh…”

fromWikipedia—“ The Rolling Stones' song "Midnight Rambler" was inspired by DeSalvo and quotes his confession in its lyrics.”

This list was put together with much help from STANSLIST. See his site here:  http://www.stanslist.com  Thanks Stan.  

Please excuse any incorrect spelling and omissions.

Go out and listen to some great LIVE music in the wonderful, strange, hip town of Salem.

And tip your bartenders and servers.  

And always check with the venue as times and schedules change. (and I sometimes mess up)

Hope to see you out there!

Today’s picture is taken at the World Famous Bahia Cabana in beautiful Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Joe Mack is shown hanging with the Blues Brothers right before boarding the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise boat for a week of blues, back in 2009. Joe got to play with the big boy’s that week and impressed them all. The Bahia Cabana is my favorite, 1 star motel in Florida. It is known as the first bar to open each day in Lauderdale. What a fun spot.