"I'm leavin' on a jet plane I don't know when I'll be back again Oh, babe, I hate to go." Peter, Paul and Mary

Have You Heard---

So this is my last blog for a while. Friday I am leaving for the motherland, headed to Ireland for 8 weeks. I may blog from there on the local music scene, which is a big reason for me going. I trust you all to cover for me and have the most fun possible. I’ll see you all around come April.

With one or two exceptions, every venue in town has their websites updated thru February. YEAH!!!

This week in History, Birthdays:  Gene Hackman 83, Aaron Neville 72, Barbi Benton (my favorite Playmate) 63, Lucinda Williams 60, Eddie Van Halen 58, Nastassja Kinski 54.

This week in history: In 1972, British forces opened fire on Irish Catholic protesters, in Northern Ireland, killing 13. The day came to be known as “Bloody Sunday”

In 1989, serial killer Theodore “Ted” Bundy was put to death for his role in the killing of women from Washington State to Florida.

Wednesday, January 30

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 Grateful Ted and Pete Tentindo

Thursday, January 31

Gulu Gulu has the Familiar Strangers. I actually see them all the time.  

Henley Douglas Jr continues his cool jazz at Finz tonight.  

43 Church has the weekly show, The Dejas present The Session. This is always a good take and you should check it out. tonight may be my last visit here in a while.

Adria Smith with Andrea Capozzoli perform tonight at In a Pigs Eye.  

Friday, February 1

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. I’m gonna miss going to this show for the next few months.

The Julie Dougherty Band are playing down at Brodie’s Seaport Café.   

Rockafella’s has Fighting Friday.    

Sturdy Moss are playing at Finz.  

Howling Wolf is featuring The Adria Smith Trio. That’s 2 nights in Salem this week for Adria.  

Gulu Gulu has Jeff Savlon

43 Church has Soul Review Project Featuring Qwill every Friday

The Village Tavern are featuring  The Jackleg Preachers. I’m glad to see this place is really happening lately. Check it out.

Saturday, February 2

The Grapevine are showing Lois Lane and the Daily Planets for their Saturday Jazz Brunch. They don’t show a time but my guess is like Sunday, 11:30-2:30. I’m sorry I haven’t gotten over to check out music here. I hope to get some feedback from Y’ALL.

The Village Tavern has The Jackleg Preachers at 4PM today.  I see the Village has these guys scheduled for this time slot for the entire month of February. That’s great news. This is a really good time to get out and begin your evening

The Tavern follow’s that at 9 with Metro Soul Live.

Gulu Gulu has Davis Simmons annual Theme Night.

Rockafellas has Pulse

Joe and Renee are playing down at Brodies Seaport Café.  

Vein return to Howling Wolf tonight. I’m glad to see they are playing more around town. Get out and listen to this cool band. And have a Margarita while you’re there.

43 Church has one of my favorites, the Erinn (2N) Band return tonight. This is another show I’m sorry to be missing. But you don’t have that excuse. 43 Church really is trying to appeal to a different crowd these days and I think it’s good, especially because I can easily walk here. It’s the closest place to my home.

Sunday, February 3

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

Something else new is happening down at The Grapevine on Congress Street.  Barrence Whitfield is playing their Sunday Brunch from 11:30AM to 2:30PM. You gotta love that. You heard it right, BARRENCE WHITFIELD.   

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. I’m gonna catch an Irish session today in Belfast.  

Howling Wolf has Steve Spungin.

Shows you may have missed:

Last week was my turn to be sick so I missed a lot of shows. But I did get out Saturday for The Jackleg Preachers down at The Village Tavern. I’ll say it again, this place is a genuine great addition to the local music scene. You’ve got to check it out. Last week had a full bar and lots of SRO.

Sunday/Funday at Brodies Seaport Café, with Eric Readon on guitar and J. Place on harmonica. Also in attendance were those hard core music lovers, fresh off the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, John and Peg Devine along with Ed and Dorothy Keenan. When I say hard core, these guys just stepped off the boat that morning in Ft Lauderdale, after a grueling 7 days at sea. 6 hours later, they are still hitting it in Salem.

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 was taken in 2001 at The Cliffs Of Moher in Co. Clare, Ireland. I’ll be back there next week to take some more.