To experience Paul James in concert,can be very overwhelming and that's even long before you see him.You know,you need ,a full understanding and appreciation for the work he has done and the people that he has been proud to play with(please see his website for his extensive history),to get the most out of one of his gigs.At the same time,if you just walked in to see if the band knew any TRUE old,rock'n roll,or Bob Dylan or something like that,coming from a 50's-60's guitar expert,who presents an on-stage(and off) personna that,if you were on acid,would come across as a demented,vaguely Presley-like leprechaun that would not be over-dressed in a Joker's cap with deadly looking pointy shoes,then you may see that.Thank god we quit doin' that shit.Instead,as you watch him wander into the audience and take a beer in one hand and a bang-on guitar solo in the other,finish the beer while still playing and then turn the bottle into a slide,as he serenades us through the rest of the audience before returning to the stage,you know you are in the presence of a true Canadian music icon. He must have peeked in on us one Tuesday night jam....sorry....anyway,whether you're dancing,listening or watching Paul James' performance(Juno winner for Best Guitar Solo Facial Expressions, among others,)on(and off) the stage,you'll know you're in the right place at the right time.Like Paul was,when he got the above picture taken with John Lee Hooker.Oh yeah??..Well,I toured with the opening act for Mr.John Lee Hooker for 3 months and I coulda had this picture taken anytime I wanted....but I didn't...so thanks,Paul, the picture looks fine,now.
Next time Paul James and his band come in to rock Chicago's I expect to see a lot of people there.I also expect to see a lot of people for the Tuesday Acoustic Jam....More players...More People...More Fun...See Ya!
1 comment:
A very interesting blog Howard. Keep up the good work.
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