JEROME GODBOO AT CHICAGO"S TONIGHT

Wow....Holy sh..What the fff..!!! It just shows you what expectations can do to your mind!! This show was advertised as an Oshawa CD release party for "Humdinger", the new CD by Jerome Godboo and his all-star band with the legendary Alec Fraser on bass, the lovable and unflappable Al Cross on drums and the scary,but medicinal intensity of Shawn Kellerman's guitar.I already knew that Shawn would not be there tonight,as he's burning a path across the south eastern U.S. right now,but had expected Pat Rush,another Canadian guitar maestro(see Johnny Winter for instance),to not only re-create all of Shawn's licks from the new CD,but also infuse a taste of his own unique stylings that only Mr.Rush can deliver.When I didn't see either one of these two on the stage when I walked in, I first thought that,like in football, the 3rd string running back might not get the job done.....
What the hell was I thinking? Not only did Chris Burgess do everything needed to enhance and punch out every one of Jerome's songs as intended and expected,but at the same time established himself as another premier guitar player with this band and in this country.Well done,Chris,you made believers and fans of all of us.
As for Jerome,maybe he thought that he had to try harder or be even better than usual to overcome these expectations,but from an inspired soul,sang and played as well,if not better, than I've ever heard him before.I was going to list the songs that were highlights,but a shorter list would be which ones that weren't,for there would be nothing on it. I was disappointed that I couldn't say hello to and spend some quality time with Jerome's fiancee, Ms."...gardenjane.com...aka Janey," Jane Hayes,but there goes those expectations again. Maybe next time.Circle Friday Dec.14 on your calendar to witness the concert of the year,when Jerome brings in the other greatest harp player in Canada,David Rotundo,with any one of the above mentioned guitar geniuses, to blow us all away into Christmas. I really hope that were all still alive and well to experience this...Hope to see you there..............

JEROME GODBOO"S NEW CD AND SHOW!!!

The new CD by Toronto's

Jerome Godboo,

"Humdinger"!!!!Enjoy a tasty blend of modern electric blues and organic gardening.No,it's not what you think.Along with the most recent creations since his last release three years ago,Jerome has collaborated with his good friend Jane Hayes to promote a unique project that encourages people of all ages to grow and enjoy their own gardens.The opening song,"Beans" is a hoot and "Janey Jane" is an infectious zydeco tribute to Ms.Hayes.The main focus,however,is on Jerome the songwriter/singer/harp player.

Backed by one of Canada's premier guitar players,Shawn Kellerman,bassist/producer Alec Fraser and drummer Al Cross,Jerome shares with us some of his best work,including crowd-pleasers "Eye On You","Dogman" and "Deep Sea Diver".The Toronto Blues Society's John Valentyn has noted that,"...Jerome is in excellent voice and this is one fine band with Kellerman being especially inventive."

You can feed your own soul with these electrifying entertainers when they serve up a blues/rock buffet at Chicago's Diner this Saturday,Oct.20 at 9 p.m....See you there

The week in review-Tues.Oct.9-Sat.Oct.13

Well, it was a slow week,for a few different reasons.First of all,Acoustic Jam #30 on Tuesday was not well-attended,as is usually the case when it follows a long weekend,but I'm sure things will be back to normal this week for #31.Thanks to Brian,who came in to play slide guitar with us.Hope to see you again.
Unfortunately,I could only see Danny Marks on Friday for a few minutes,but with a nearly packed house and "The Human Jukebox" doing his thing in front of a full dance floor,I'm sure it was a great evening.He has told me in the past that he really enjoy's the atmosphere and his many fans and friends at Chicago's and it shows.
I was also unable to attend the performance of George Olliver,"The Blue-Eyed Prince Of Soul" that same night,when he did a one-man band gig at"The Hare and the Hound" in downtown Shwa,but I'm sure he put on the riveting vocal and visual show that I've come to know and love over the years.This is another great venue for live music in our town and Dave,the owner should be commended for his efforts in this area.Head down on a Thursday night and enjoy Terry Blankley with Al Matthews on guitar and Dan Silver on drums.These clubs and musicians both need and appreciate your support,unless you want disco and the dj's to invade like those War of the Worlds robot monsters like they did in the early 80"s.....AAAHHGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Jack De Keyser Friday Night at Chicago's

Jack's back!!!!!!!! Those of you who were fortunate enough to see multi Maple Blues and Juno award winner Jack De Keyser last Friday night at Chicago's for the CD release party of his new disc,"Blues Thing", know exactly what I mean.I must admit thinking that with him being a local musician and appearing fairly regularly at this venue,that "Chicago's has a really good stake on De Keyser"...Ba-dump-dump...but with a solid driving rhythm section,two saxophones and Jack's special mix of R&B,swing,blues,jazz and old rock and roll guitar and vocal flavourings, the dance floor was full of feet and the faces were full of smiles for the entire evening. About a year ago,I began to recognize that when some "A-list" performers achieve a particular level of excellence,that a certain amount of complacency begins to dampen the fire a little on both sides of the microphone,however,not with this guy.With a blazing band,well-chosen set lists and a loud appreciative audience,any thoughts I may have had in this area about Jack De Keyser and his band have now been replaced with a renewed anticipation toward seeing them again. This is a consumate professional who is among the best in the business at his craft and who will obviously continue to share with us that fire in his musical soul for some time to come.Don't miss this great entertainer,singer and musician and his band the next chance that you get! I bet you'll want to take home the new CD!!!!!!

Acoustic Jam #29 last Tuesday

Hi.......Thanks to everyone who attended last Tuesday's Acoustic Jam night at Chicago's,especially the players,who without them,I would be stranded on the stage all night and those who were there to listen would be deprived of the spontaneous excellence provided by you.A special thanks to the three brilliant lead guitar players,Kirk G.,Howard R. and Joe V. who kept all of us deep in the soul of the blues for the last half of the night................and thanks again,David,the stand-up bass is such a welcome and appreciated addition to the sound.Well done,man. We hope to see more of you next week and thanks to the Durham Music Society for their continued support.