"Despite all the amputations you know you could just go out And dance to the rock 'n' roll station" Lou Reed

Have You Heard---

As I write this today, a beautiful, gentle snow is falling outside. When I’m done writing, I’m going to take my camera for a walk to Salem Common, my favorite picture taking place in town.  

This week in History, Birthdays:  Faye Dunaway 72, Rod Stewart 68, Donald Fagen 65, T-Bone Burnett 65, Pat Benatar 60, Sade 54

In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. formed Motown Records in Detroit.

Last night, January 15, was the seasonal closing night at The Lobster Shanty. I was there to wave the last lobster goodbye before his bath. I will miss you guys, see you April 1.

Some of Salem’s biggest music supporters and fans are leaving us for a week on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, out of Florida. The lucky folks are John and Peg Devine and  Ed and Dorothy Keenan. If you’ve never heard of it, all blues lovers should do this trip once in their lives. I have gone 10 times and have formed life long bonds with friends from around the country

Wednesday, January 16

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

Rockafellas has the Latin Dance Party.   

In a Pigs Eye has 2 Base Hit. Here’s the cool lineup: Matt Pert - Vocals and Percussion, Dave Walker Electric bass, Jabari Reynolds Upright bass, John Iltis Drums, Spike Emerson Guitar and Henley Douglas Jr Sax. This is a new Henley band but you know I love this cool guy. Without hearing them up front, I’m calling this my Pick of the Evening

Murphy’s has open mic, tonight with Dave Bailin and Bobby Leger, another couple of cool dudes

Thursday, January 17

Gulu Gulu has the Noah Gopen and Linda Usher. (I finally remembered, Linda)

Henley Douglas Jr continues his cool jazz at Finz tonight.  

43 Church has the weekly show, The Dejas present The Session.

Lydia Harrell performs tonight at In a Pigs Eye

Friday, January 18

The Weekly Blues Jam at In a Pigs Eye is around 4:15ish. This is some of the most fun you can have in town. It’s always good music and a great crowd.  See you there.

Later, at 9PM, The Pig continues their Friday night extravaganza’s with The Matt Stubbs Trio. Their website says Matt Subbs but I think it’s a typo. Matt Stubbs has made quite a career for himself. I first heard him in his dad’s band, (I forget the name) then the Matt Stubbs Band with my favorite red haired HOTTIE, Kit Holiday. I think he also backed Charlie Musselwhite, my personal favorite Harmonica God on a tour a few years back

Bees Deluxe are playing down at Brodie’s Seaport Café.   

Rockafella’s has The Pop Disaster  

Jody Blackwell is playing at Finz.  

Howling Wolf is featuring Joe Mack, fresh off his surprise birthday party last Sunday night. I won’t tell you how old Joe is because he’s 3 days younger than me.  

Gulu Gulu has The Found Objects  

43 Church has Soul Review Project Featuring Qwill every Friday

The Village Tavern are featuring  Moholland Drive Band

Saturday, January 19

The Village Tavern has The Jackleg Preachers at 4PM today.  I guess it worked. We all showed how much we love live music on a Saturday afternoon, so they are going to continue, at least for the next 2 weeks. Last week was another good showing, even thou we had a few missing regulars who were ill.

The Tavern follow’s that at 9 with Transmission, an ‘80’s. ‘90’s and ‘00’s rock cover band.

Gulu Gulu has Radio Scotvoid.

Rockafellas has the return of Lisa Love Experience

Delvis is playing down at Brodies Seaport Café.  

Joel LaRue Smith is playing at Howling Wolf.  

The Reunion play at Vic’s Boathouse.

Cannibal Ramblers are at In a Pigs Eye tonight  

Sunday, January 13

Capt’s has Jazz Brunch at noon. Peter Kostopolous is on the bill.

Lookie Lookie Here. Something new is happening down at The Grapevine on Congress Street. I don’t remember them having music before but starting today, and each Sunday in January, Barrence Whitfield is playing their Sunday Brunch from 11:30AM to 2:30PM. You gotta love that. You heard it right, BARRENCE WHITFIELD. I reported this last week but Barrence was called away and needed to cancel last week’s gig. Sure hope he can make it this week. This shows real promise.

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.  

In a Pigs Eye has something new to me tonight, with Field Trip

Howling Wolf has Steve Spungin.

In case you live on the North Pole, you may not know that The New England Patriots are scheduled to kick the Baltimore Ravens asses tonight at 6:30. One more step (STOMP?) on the way to the Superbowl

Monday, January 14

In a Pigs Eye has Orville Giddings doing the open mic tonight.

Shows you may have missed:

Henley Douglas headed up the weekly jam down at In a Pigs Eye last Friday. I could go on and on (and I usually do) about how much talent this guy and his band mates have. There are lots of opportunities to hear his many different collections of talented musicians. Get out and hear and see them.

After that show, I wanted to catch the last performance of the season by Vein at the Lobster Shanty. I’m gonna miss these Friday shows. See you in the spring.

The new show Saturday afternoon at Village Tavern was a huge success. Eric, Jeff, Brian and Rory from The Jackleg Preachers got the crowd going pretty well again. Looks like it is a success because they have added the last 2 Saturdays to their schedule

Pam had me out shopping Sunday, but I got a fine meal (and a few brews) out of it down at Shea’s in Essex. Great food and drink, and a view to die for. I mention this because it caused me to miss my favorite weekly show, Sunday/Funday at Brodies Seaport Café.

That’s ok because I didn’t miss Joe Mack’s Surprise Birthday Party, down at Celly’s in Lynn. Way too many guest musicians for me to remember, came to pay tribute to Joe. Joe is not only a great guitarist in the Jeff Beck/ Jimi Hendrix/Stevie Ray Vaughn vein, but he is also a stand up guy and a good friend. Happy Birthday, my man.

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 out my back door today, January 16, during a beautiful, gentle snowstorm. I know we will all hate it in a few days when the snow banks are black and our cars are white with salt, but it’s so pretty today.